Most nights, like most people, I shovel food into my mouth with one hand while using the other to stab away at the remote control, desperately trying to find something on television that isn’t about penguins, swearing Chefs or bunch of idiots eating a slug sandwich while having a dozen scorpions shoved down their underwear in Fear Survivor Brother Island.
However, as I sit here in this faceless hotel with its revolving doors and Fawlty Tours style service I find myself missing Sunday lunch…………..a true British tradition and one my family has upheld and one Heidi and I continue when we are home.
If Heidi had her way the TV would be banned while we are eating. However, tucking into a big bowl of pre-diet curry while watching the game is something that brought happiness to my life. On Sundays though the television is turned off, a big fire is lit in the dining room and the whole family gathers round to gorge on a feast of roast meat, gravy and what my Mum calls ‘all the trimmings’…………..the trimmings include: Roast Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, Peas, Carrots, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Stuffing Balls and Roasted Parsnips.
This is the traditional Sunday lunch, but actually it’s traditional in the same way that people still think that England is covered in a blanket of fog 10 months of the year, that Scottish people are drunk all the time and hate spending money, that the Irish are as drunk as the Scots and are as thick as a
brick and that the Welsh are all great singers and have romantic interludes with sheep. It’s a perceived cornerstone that Sunday Lunch is a British way of life but according to the newspapers today (well, my online newspaper) in fact few people actually do it.
Figures show that only 31% of families eat together more than once a week and that of this minority, 77% do so while watching penguins tap dancing or Gordon Ramsey trying to string a sentence together without saying F*^”…………family conversation is no more……….TV is king.
Worse though is that 4 out of 10 British families never eat at a table……….preferring to eat from a tray while watching Simon Bowel tell some kid his singing sounds like a cat being castrated by Stevie Wonder with a pair of tweezers.
I found this fact to be extraordinary. There is a time to eat of a tray in front of
the TV………….Super Bowl, The World Cup Final etc but that’s it…………….is this the same in North America……………do families still sit round a table to eat?
There is no excuse you know not to sit at the table and eat as a family. If not having a table is the problem buy one from E Bay. I just checked and there are hundreds of tables for sale for as little as $20…………so buy one…………….turn Simon Bowel off and lets rekindle the tradition of Sunday
lunch.
More on that in a moment.
But first………….the news.
Tomorrow or perhaps later today thanks to the jungle drums of the internet you will read about the young lady who has been chosen to be the Godmother of the Carnival Freedom. However, thanks to the super spy powers of PA 007 I have been able to get hold of the release and be the first publication this side of the pond to let you all know who has this terrific honour.
BRITISH CELEBRITY MYLEENE KLASS CHOSEN AS GODMOTHER FOR CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES’ ‘CARNIVAL SPLENDOR’
In a Nod to its British Homeport, Carnival Splendor to be the First Cruise Ship Officially Named Using Acclaimed Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine
MIAMI (June 9, 2008 ) British celebrity Myleene Klass, a chart-topping musican, singer and television personality, is to be godmother of the new Carnival Splendor and officially name the newest “Fun Ship” of the world’s largest cruise line in Dover, England on July 10, 2008. At 113,300 tons and carrying up to 4,914 passengers, the Carnival Splendor will be the largest passenger ship ever to sail from the Kent port chosen for this summer’s UK inaugural voyage departures.
The naming ceremony will also mark another first with Carnival emphasizing its choice of Britain to launch the Carnival Splendor by dispensing with, for the first time ever, the traditional champagne and using the highly acclaimed Nyetimber English Sparkling wine to smash against the hull.
Myleene Klass is a classically trained musician and singer who has achieved enormous success on both the pop and classical charts in the U.K. She is also a tremendously popular TV presenter who has hosted numerous high profile British TV shows and currently hosts “The Screening Room” on CNN International, as well as the British radio program Classic FM Breakfast Show. Additionally, in 2007 she became the face of renowned British retailer Marks & Spencer and is currently featured in billboards, retail displays and television advertising throughout Britain.
Myleene Klass said, “I am very excited, and a little nervous, at becoming a ship’s godmother for the first time, especially when it involves naming a ship the size of the Carnival Splendor. But my family is very connected with ships as my father served in the Merchant Navy.”
Carnival Cruise Lines President and CEO Gerry Cahill said, “Myleene is the perfect godmother to name Carnival Splendor, with her many talents complementing the many features of the ship, which is already attracting a broad passenger base — from families to couples to groups of friends – all with a common desire to enjoy a fun, casual and memorable vacation. The British cruising market is growing fast, with over 1.3 million taking cruises from the UK last year, and this is why we have chosen Britain for our inaugural summer season for Carnival Splendor.”
Nyetimber owner Eric Heerema said, “We are honoured that Carnival should choose Nyetimber 1994 Blanc de Blancs in preference to champagne for such a traditional occasion. The only problem is that we have such limited stocks of the 1994 vintage left that we were loath to lose even a bottle, but this is further important international recognition of the quality of our sparkling wine produced in West Sussex.” Nyetimber is served at leading restaurants including Le Gavroche, Gordon Ramsey’s Petrus, Chewton Glen and The Dorchester, and has been served at 10 Downing Street and by Her Majesty The Queen at many state occasions.
Carnival Splendor offers a comprehensive selection of restaurants, show-stopping entertainment, four swimming pools, a 5,500-square-foot children’s play area and Carnival’s largest-ever floating spa featuring a thalassotherapy pool, thermal suite and 17 treatment rooms.
Following the naming ceremony, the Carnival Splendor sets sail for a three-day mini preview cruise to Amsterdam, returning to Dover on July 13, when it will depart the same day for its official inaugural 12-day cruise to the Baltic countries, visiting Copenhagen, Warnemunde (for Berlin), Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Amsterdam. At the conclusion of its European program, which also includes a series of Mediterranean voyages, the Carnival Splendor will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for seven-day Caribbean departures. Following a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages, Carnival Splendor begins year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., March 29, 2009.
For additional information and reservations on Carnival Splendor’s various European, Caribbean, South American and Mexican Riviera cruises, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.
Right now I know exactly what you are all thinking…………..each and everyone of you…………yep…………you are all thinking “why is John not driving an Aston Martin DB9 yet “…………….oh……………..and one two of you may be thinking………………who?
Well, before we chat about the “who” lets chat about the “why.”
When we choose a Godmother we try and find someone whose achievements are outstanding and who may have some connection with the vessels home port. These are just some of the parameters we use when choosing who will christen the vessel. Myleene Klass may not be a household name in North America but she certainly is in the UK. How to compare her to someone in the US and
Canada…………..that’s not easy………….she is a classically trained concert pianist who was a member of an all singing all conquering girl pop band and who know is one of our most sought after TV presenters and ……..oh yes………….she is drop dead gorgeous and has been known to make many a grown man go weak at the knees and start to drool……………me included…………….I am not sure who the equivalent U.S. TV personality would be…………………and the only thing I can come up with (excluding the concert piano bit )……………is a young Kathie Lee Gifford…………..honestly, Kathie was (and still is) the girl next door that could melt hearts with her smile and make a good dog break its leash with her looks and personality……………that was Kathy and that IS Myleene.
She now joins an exclusive club with the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Private Jessica Lynch and Kathy Ireland to name just three and now this beautiful and mega talented lady will become the Godmother of a beautiful mega liner and forever be associated with the life of this great ship…………………..
the Carnival Splendor.
Remember, you can see the ceremony live…………..right here on my thingy.
The entertainment staff all arrived yesterday. Some came from the UK and one from Oregon. I will be posting their bio’s and photos later next week so you can see who they are.
Well, its Sunday which means Italy is closed and I am here with Heidi in the lobby and the staff. I am blogging, Heidi is making Capers and the staff are preparing activities etc. Tomorrow, I will go to the ship and take my video camera with me so you can see what’s happening………………..do you like
the videos?
I answered another dozen “please reply” e mails yesterday and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat myself and not to repeat
myself……………………sorry……………please let me know if you need anything.
So, back to Sunday lunch.
In the UK there is something known as “a butcher”…………this is not a movie about a man in a hockey mask dismembering a bunch of college kids with a chain saw but its a shop that sells …………….meat. In the day and age of supermarkets the size of Rhode Island it is amazing that the family butcher lives on. I have never seen one of these before in the US or Canada…………..I am sure they exist but in the UK they are everywhere and after football and how much we hate Simon Bowel the hottest topic of conversation in our village is which is the best butcher.
But could you really tell the difference between the butcher at the bottom of the town and the one at the top?…………I certainly cannot. So I buy a joint of meat from whichever butcher has the fewest flies in the window and one that has a huge sign in the window that says “all our cows saw a psychiatrist before being slaughtered……….none were proven to be mad .”
So you arrive home with your non mad half a cow and then you have to set the table. When I was a kid this was my job and Sue Drip and I would set the table purposely putting my Dad’s knife and fork round the wrong way……….or………….the right way if you are American:)
However, even this portion of the Sunday lunch has changed. I was round my mate Alan’s house a few weeks ago for Sunday lunch and Alison asked her kids to help set the table.
This made them very angry because they were busy watching that man on YouTube light his farts.
It seems these days that kids the world over would rather be sitting down with their friends in a Mcdonalds eating a McCow than sitting round their E Bay table eating Sunday lunch with their parents.
If however you do manage to have the whole family there, the TV off and the table set in time before the vegetables need a drizzle of Viagra there is one more bridge to cross.
Carving the Meat.
This, for reasons I don’t fully understand, is a man’s job. Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t done the cooking or does not trust his wife with a carving knife which, somehow, after a week in a drawer, has become as sharp as Kirstie Alley’s bottom.
It was my turn to do this a few Sunday’s ago. Mum and Dad were gathered around the table joined by my Uncle David and Aunty Rita……….they looked on with hunger in their eyes as I tried to cut the prime rib of beef with my blunt knife……….it wouldn’t have been able to cut through melted butter.
So after a while and a lot of swearing, I went to look for that electric sharpener thing that every couple are given when they get married.
By the time I’d found it, figured out how to turn the thing on and carve the cow the brussels sprouts were as hard as Dwayne Wades thigh and the gravy had congealed into something that could be used to cement bricks together.
Eventually, though, we were under way. The family all together. Eating good wholesome traditional nourishing food.
And talking about all sorts of things, such as the need to sit up straight, the need to eat with your mouth closed and not chomp like a donkey with a carrot, the need to ask for more rather than just leaning across the table and just grabbing an extra Yorkshire Pudding, and how it’s important to eat without your elbows taking on the shape of a B52 Bombers wings..
After dinner you curl up on the sofa and watch a penguin tap dance on the body of a drowned polar bear which is then eaten by survivors watched by big brother who after feasting on the beast sing for Simon Bowel who tells them they are crap and are voted off the island.
I miss my Sunday lunch.
Goodnight
Your friends
John Heidi and Myleene
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
Sunday lunch would taste so good right now. We always look forward to that meal when visiting England, whether it be at my friend’s house or at a carvery.
The Splendor’s godmother is a very lovely young lady. Thanks for sharing the news with us and giving us her background.
Barb
You’re right… who? But, you’ve done a wonderful job of explaining who she is and why she’s the Splendor’s Godmother. Bravo!
Scare Bleu! No champagne will grace the bow of the Splendor?? I’m betting the French are turning purple with rage. That’s fine. There are dozens and dozens of wonderful sparkling wines out there that are as good as or better than their French cousins. This is a break with tradition that I wholeheartedly endorse!!
Ahhhh… Sunday dinner, as we used to call it… Yes, it was a time for family. It was a time for quiet. It was a time for smiles and an occasional tiny bit of silliness. The air in the dining room was always full of that wonderful rich aroma born of warm foods, bread and soft butter. I miss those days… miss them terribly.
And so, the word is out and the world will soon become FAR better acquainted with this lovely young lady. What are the chances of getting an interview with Ms. Klass so we all may get to know her through your eyes and this blog thingy???
Pass along my howdies to Heidi and, as always, my thanks to the wonderful MOB, Stephanie, for all she does!!
Cheers, mate!!
GregB
Thanks for the info on Myleene. Although I’ve never heard of her, I think it is absolutely fitting that someone from Britain should be the Splendor godmother.
All your talk of Yorkshire pudding makes me wish I were in England. The first time I ever ate any I was in Rochester on a business trip. I was expecting something dreadful but was I ever plesantly surprised. One question though……….why is it called “pudding”?
Dear, John
Will the splendors bridge/lido cam be displeyed on the internet?
from , JAKE S. ( :
Hi John,
So looking forward to joining you on the original inaugural on July 13!
Would you know if there will be ship shuttle service available in Copenhagen and Helsinki to get us into the town centers? (Sure hope so!)Thanks!
See you in just over 30 days!
jspirit
I live in S. California, and we have many butchers. Probably many cities bordering Mexico have them, too. Only they aren’t called ‘butchers’. Rather, the Spanish word for them–a word I forget for a second.
If someone gives you bollocking about the info about the godmother tell them it was already out in Cruise Critic. I read about early this morning.It had a link to a page with the info and a picture of her. She is beautiful.
Hi John,
Myleen is a wonderful choice for the Splendor Godmother. You explained very well why and how the choice was made and she is a beautiful, talented young woman. And a sparkling wine is usually better than champagne as far as I’m concerned. Also, nice that it is an English wine for this beautiful ship.
I also enjoyed your comments on family dinners. While my kids were growing up, we rarely ate in front of the television. Each evening the table was set and we all ate together. It was important to me and still is. Even yet today, Carl and I sit down to evening dinner together with NO television at the dining table. Carl’s handicapped son lived with us for over 3 years after we were married, and it became VERY important to him that dinner be at the same time every evening and together. He looked forward to that time as did, Carl and I. Sundays, I make a big breakfast and evening dinner and who ever is here with us, joins in…. with no television and if they are lucky…. radio, quiet music! Quiet family meals are somthing few families have or take time for anymore. It’s a shame. Maybe that is why there are so many disfuncitional famlies now.
Hello to Heidi!
Princess Barb
Myleene is also an author. Perhaps she will be autographing a copy of her book for Heidi?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ECYsVbD6L._SS500_.jpg
How about some more details? What time will the ceremony begin? Will Myleene be on the 3 day cruise? Will Ron share the piano bar with her? Details! Details!
I confess John, I was a “Who??”…and thank you very much for all the details on this lovely woman who will no doubt do Splendor proud!!
Is this a new diet secret you have found, which is…if you write about food, read about food…it kills your appetite….? How’s that workin for ya dude?? :>) I do find that when I cook the dinner, I eat less when it’s served!! Visually full??
Sunday dinners….wow what a torturous time as a kid to be sitting at that table for hours until my grandfather Poppy made the first move to get up…..and how I treasure those memories today! We still have them, Mom and I, and of course the main event when family visits is always dinner, whether for two or twenty, there shall always be Sunday dinner, so sayeth Mom……God love her and all my family for that experience. I know how Blessed I was and am!
Can’t wait for more news on the staff arriving and all the excitement!!! Please please keep the video blogs and pics coming!!!! Pretty Please!!!
God Bless you and Heidi, and Stephanie, and Myleene!!!
Eva
Ugh… sorry to say, but looks like it was leaked YESTERDAY (June 7)… here’s the links:
Cruise Critic:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=788859
and the article referred:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1024940/Myleene-Klass-picked-godmother-giant-cruise-ship-carries-3-710-passengers.html
Mylene looks like a lovely young woman – you’re right, not a household name here across the pond, but I’d love to see her work. (Maybe there’s a You Tube video of her? I’ll have to check.)
I remember the butcher shops in London; my husband spent a year studying at City University while he was in college, and I came to visit at Christmastime. (Remember Freddie Laker’s Skytrain? I flew on it via Gatwick a few weeks before it went belly up.) I have to admit I was somewhat grossed out by the dead rabbits hanging in the window, but my husband thought their products were wonderful. He had a butcher get a turkey for him to serve for American Thanksgiving to his dorm mates – the poor guy rolled his eyes upon seeing one of those Americans who wanted a turkey before Christmas! Oh, yes – he’s banned from donating blood in the United States thanks to his 1981-1982 sojourn in England – not that he’s ever shown any signs of mad cow (other madness, maybe).
Sunday dinner – My mother always prepared a big dinner for Sunday, and the favorite was roast beef with roasted potatoes and a couple of veggies as side dishes. My uncle always came for dinner on Sundays, with occasional appearances by other relatives. Dinner was always at 5, which was early for us; my dad didn’t get home from work until after 6 on weekdays, so we generally ate at 6:30 those nights. And we did eat as a family those nights – accompanied by Walter Cronkite on the CBS News. My dad was a news junkie, and he passed that habit to me. No TV on Sundays, though!
We’re not quite as good about sitting down together as a family, I’m afraid (although we try) – but one thing we’ve generally tried to do on our cruises is to have dinner together in the dining room. Our oldest son wouldn’t miss it, and while the younger sons may dine with Camp Carnival on occasion they like the food and the wait staff in the dining room so well that they’re happy to go to the dining room with us. And they don’t fight about putting on some nicer clothing for the event!
On a side note – Mr. Bell seems to be packing his bags, hopefully not to return. My smile is still a little lopsided, but it’s definitely improved. Don’t ask me to whistle, though!
Good afternoon Mr. Heald. First of ,I congratulate Ms. Myleene Klass, chosen as the Godmother of the Splendor. I may not know who she really is but god is she beautiful. I totally agree with what you were refering to as ” supper “. In my household since I do the cooking whenever dinner time comes, everyone who is called to dinner must stop to whatever they are doing and come to the dinner table. It may not be a long period of time each day but it is the main time when we all are able to enjoy the dinner and conservation. There are to many families that don’t sit down at the dinner table and enjoy one another. It’s a sad state of affairs in our world that many families neglect that beautiful part of just sitting down and enjoy a dinner together. Sir, you and Heidi would be very welcomed to have a Sunday dinner with me and my family. Ciao my friend. Until later.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
I also have never heard of this lovely young lady but I’m sure she will do Carnival proud.
Help, bloggers……I’m in Canada and do not get the USA Network. I have a friend in Cleveland, OH who will tape the program on June 21st for me and give it to me in July when she comes to Ontario, Canada for her annual vacation. I have been on the USA Network website but cannot find anything on John’s show. Has the date been changed? What time will the show be on and what’s the show called? I also went back to John’s April 2008 blogs and found when he left and came back to the U.K. but can’t find the name of the show he was on.
Thanks a million my blogger friends…….
Cindy
John:
I have to admit I was a “who?” too. Thank you for introducing us to someone who seems to be a delightful young lady.
We actually eat dinner at the table every night and always have.
Now that Josh is in college, it is down to the 3 of us. But the tradition continues.
Sundays (like this morning) is church, lunch at the table with no tv and then NASCAR!!!!!
I usually cook a roast or we grill steaks…but today was just bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches with chips…(no chips for me).
I so look forward to the scoop on the Splendor !!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
“Carnival Splendor begins year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., March 29, 2009″ I guess Carnival is getting worried about the fuel crisis thingy too….Leaving only the Carnival Liberty in Europe next spring/summer (unless the Carnival Dream is being completed next spring??). Only asking because we are thinking about the Baltic cruise for next May. So much happening all the time…..your blogs are incredibly fun AND informative. Thanks for spending so much time on them…love the videos too!! All the best to you and Heidi, Gloria
Cindy:
The show is called Character fantasy and doesn’t have a time of his own.They give pieces of the show during breaks of the movie that they are showing at the time. It seems its going to be during the Movie Bringing down the house at 2:00 p.m. At least thats what it says on the usa network site.
Carnival Dream will be doing some European cruising next year, but I don’t think it will be a full season’s worth.
Personally, I’m looking forward to an Inaugural Carnival Dream cruise from Venice. We’ll see if that is the news to be released in the next few days.
But that is another cruise for another day. I have to focus on my soon to be Carnival Splendor cruises!
Stay tuned…
http://www.zydecocruiser.com/splendor/splendor.htm
Thanks for the info, John! Myleene is gorgeous. And obviously just as talented as she is lovely. Looking forward to your “video” of the ceremony.
Why is Heidi leaving the cruising life? Might she be expecting a “mini John or Heidi”? So, will you leave her alone at home for extended periods of time, or are you going landlubber as well?
Hope you’re not deserting us!
Cheers,
Your Pal, Myra
John – Thank you for letting us in on the news a day early…I was a “who” as well but after reading about all of Ms. Klass’ talents I can see “why”. She will no doubt represent the Splendor very well.
It was also very nice to read that the July 13th cruise is still considered the inaugural voyage. I have to admit to feeling quite let down as voyages were added before mine when we had booked as soon as the date became available to be able to be the first passengers on a ship. So we won’t be the first to sleep in the cabin or eat from the china but at least we can say we WERE on the inaugural and maybe we’ll try again for the Dream
Dawn
p.s. More pictures please!
thanks for sharing news about godmother, we love the videos they are great. Great news about freedom staying in the us all season, now we have a new fun ship in the fall out of florida thanks. good luck to heidi we will miss her for sure on a fun and with you, will we see her on the august 30 sailing
Hi John & Heidi,
I am looking forward to the news about the Dream, looking forward to booking our next cruise.
Heidi, I hope all is well with you and you have just decided to take a break. Or…. could it be there might be a little one on the way? I pray that this happens soon for the two of you since you both want it so badly. I hope you will be able to attend the BC2 with us though. I would love to see you again.
John, keep up the great work with the blog you do an awesome job!
Blessing to you both
Cindy & Kevin
CindyInPA
John,
I thought for sure they would make someone like Heidi the godmother. After all, she grew to popularity through the blog that they started. Tell your bosses that BigMike officially supports Heidi Heald in the contest for the Godmother of the Carnival Dream.
_BigMike
Blog Security
Myleene Klass is gorgeous. What a smile! I’m sure she’ll be a great godmother.
Growing up, we usually had big Sunday dinners. Big bowls of pasta, loads of my mothers home made sauce, always meatballs and sausage, maybe some bracciole. Served with it was always warm, crusty Italian bread, or garlic bread…Uummmm… What can I say, it’s an Italian family thing!
Please reply sometime.
I keep trying to leave a comment or two after your blog but for some reason they don’t get through. I feel like Heidi must have felt when you erased all her hard work. Disgusted. Oh well, I’ll try again.
Why will Heidi stay home? Will she be on the Bloggers cruise next year? I surely hope so as we’d love to really meet her.
Is there any hope for a cruise out of London to tour around just the UK? We’d brace ourselves for flying if that was a possibility. Otherwise – if we can’t drive we’ll just stay in sunny, hot Florida!
Speaking of butchers, my grandpa was a butcher and I still have the bell he would ring as he carried the meat around town in his cart and alerted customers . Later he had an actual market and kept us supplied with good meat for our Sunday dinners. Nice memories.
In Texas we still have a few meat markets. In rual area like we live in some use the local meat packer (butcher). They can sell you anything from a whole cow to a slab of bacon. Most smoke their own meats using real wood smoke not that citified liquid smoke stuff. Some will have a display case full of meats, others will offer certain types of family packs with different cuts of meats.
I remember being in England in the early 70′s and seeing all the different types of shops. Fish & Chip shops were my favorite. The Saturday town square markets were a thing to see. Not the flea markets like we have here in the US. I still have a photo of us standing in front of a market booth with fresh killed rabbits hanging there. In Pregresso Mexico was the last such market I have seen and it had closed since our last visit, must of been to close to the tourist area.
Hi John & Heidi,
I still have 3 days of blog thingys to catch up on, but my congratulations to Mylene for being chosen Godmother. I am sure she will do justice to the title and make all Great Britain extremely proud.
I’ll read the rest of the blogs around lunchtime – I wish it was going to be medium rare roast beef with all the trimmings, but, alas, it will be rabbit food. It’s too hot to eat anyway.
Later,
Carol
This is my first time asking a question but I read – and love – your blog everyday. You make me laugh. Please tell me what stuffing balls are?
Thanks
Sue
While raising our son we had dinner every night in the dining room (not the kitchen table!) together with candles. The minute he went off to college, we started eating dinner in front of the TV in the den. LOL
John, the Memphis daily paper, The Commercial Appeal, ran your interview with Martha Branigan today (how long ago was that?). Nice, big article that included the blog site. Congrats!
Hi John/Heidi:
Good luck seeing that happen here.
I would love to see you and Sue Drip try that with your folks today and see how well that goes over.
Congrats on the big announcement. She is definitely a beautiful woman.
Thanks for posting.
Daivd
Dear John:
I’m sorry – Myleene WHO??? Frankly I’m more interested in who the Cruise Director on the 49-day South American cruise might be . . . that is by far more important to me. When can we expect to find that out?
Hi John,
We are so excited about our upcoming July 13 cruise on Splendor, our 12th on Carnival. It seems like we cannot imagine what will top our last cruise, as each Carnival cruise is always outstanding. Our last two were on Liberty and Freedom in the Med and those two left us almost speechless.
Keep up the fine work and we look forward to catching up you again.
The Warnock’s from Cleveland, Ohio
Hi John & Heidi,
Thanks for all the details of the Splendor’s Godmother. Congrats to Myleene for being chosen! I look forward to the naming ceremony.
Junk food, TV, You Tube, and “wee wee game thingy” is all you have to say to describe kids these days. We have a heat wave going on right now in the NYC/NJ area with temps going as high as 98. My parents have a pool in the backyard, yet I go in and see kids playing video games! In this kind of weather I’d be in the pool in an instant!
Keep up the great blogs! Until next time.
Alex G.
hey John,
Glad you finnaly have a Godmoghter, and no I have not a clue who she is, but I don’t even have a TV so I don’t know who is on it here either and really dont care. Oh and every night the whole family sits at the table and eats together, that is the way we always eat dinner. yes this is a dieing art form but it will live on in our home. Oh and with no TV we do talk too imagine that….
always whising you and Heidi the best
the one
and only 1
Heidi-Beth
John,
Your musings on Sunday dinner do my heart good!! WOW!! What a smile you give me!!! That was back in the day when it was a “Day of Rest.” “A Day of Family…” Yep, now it seems those are few and far between because of jobs and miles between family members…
Mom lives here with me, and so does daughter… but we still don’t have the dinners every Sunday. Just too many priorities and obligations… EXCUSES!! When Mary isn’t working (one Sunday in the past three months) we do have ham or roast beef or even leg of ‘mutton’ (I can’t bring myself to say lamb…) and we sit and enjoy and chat… and on every holiday, we also gather… But week in and week out… I miss those days!!!
Myleene Klaas… Sissy knew who she is… Very Good!! I’ll look forward to the vidoe feed and the tours and interviews… We’ll get to know her well before this is over! And you’ve introduced her to us… our ears will perk when we here her name…
Hellos to all!!
Best regards,
Lambie
John,
Looking very much forward to seeing you August 30th. We had the good fortune to be with you on the Freedom last September. Once again Karen, Nancy, Jerry, Ray, Michael, Harvey (new recruit) and of course myself, (Larry) aboard.
We all simply adore the fact that you are the CD on this trip. After all once you’ve tried the Astin Martin DB9 of Cruise directors there simply is no other!