{"id":28202,"date":"2013-10-08T05:57:59","date_gmt":"2013-10-08T09:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/?p=28202"},"modified":"2015-01-16T00:37:17","modified_gmt":"2015-01-16T05:37:17","slug":"game-day-shirts-and-tailgating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/08\/game-day-shirts-and-tailgating\/","title":{"rendered":"UPDATE: Game Day Shirts and Tailgating"},"content":{"rendered":"

UPDATE: Robert’s spiral bound book, Football Frenzy<\/strong>, is now available. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"front<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Robert wrote every word, did the research and even typed this himself.\u00c2\u00a0 Finished before his 8th birthday, it includes a 7 year old’s experience and appreciation for the game, as well as interesting quotes and statistics along with Robert’s comments. It’s a bargain for $5 + $2 shipping. Get your copy now before Amazon picks it up and raises the price!!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"first<\/a>

First time tailGators, Laurel in a new shirt and Robert in one of his VBS tie shirts<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What a great time we had Saturday at the Florida\/Arkansas football game in Gainesville!\u00c2\u00a0 Robert and Laurel’s first tailgating experience was just about perfect.\u00c2\u00a0 A good win for our beloved Gators, good food, good family time, and good weather.\u00c2\u00a0 Okay, so it was a sunny 90 degrees, but there was a nice breeze and it didn’t rain.\u00c2\u00a0 In Florida, that’s considered good weather, but not great.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"L<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sewing always seems to play a role in all the major occasions of my life.\u00c2\u00a0 I’m sure it’s the same for you, whether it’s party favors or decorations or gifts.<\/p>\n

Robert’s tie shirt was made earlier in the summer but Laurel’s was made for the day.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Applique Corner<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0 has many unique college teams designs, including the girly Gator head.\u00c2\u00a0 It even includes placement and attachment stitching for the 3-D ribbon bow.\u00c2\u00a0 The fabric just seemed perfect for the head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Laurel<\/a>

Laurel is a real daddy’s girl.\u00c2\u00a0 He’s our handsome son.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

In order to get a good tailgating spot, Bob and I arrived by 11:30 a.m. for the 7 p.m. game. \u00c2\u00a0 We weren’t a minute too early.\u00c2\u00a0 Within an hour, there was not a parking spot, let alone space to set up a tent in the field.<\/p>\n

For whatever reason, we couldn’t get a tv signal.\u00c2\u00a0 So Gator Grandad packed away the television and all the gear he had brought along. \u00c2\u00a0 Fortunately we were able to check on the other games at our neighbors’ wide screen tv powered by a satellite dish, all in the back of a pickup truck! \u00c2\u00a0 That’s nice, granted, but I couldn’t help but notice that their table had a paper tablecloth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"waiting\"<\/a>

noon: set up and waiting for the rest of the family to arrive<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

We had new tablecloths made for the occasion–sewing again. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Two yards of nice quality blue poplin and 1-1\/4 yds. orange gingham check fabrics were both purchased for $1 py on the WalMart bargain table. \u00c2\u00a0 Quickly serged, they added to the party atmosphere for my enjoyment.\u00c2\u00a0 For $3.25 we had sturdy, washable table covers.\u00c2\u00a0 My husband would rather have had the neighbors’ tv and satellite.\u00c2\u00a0 And I’m sure no one else noticed what we had on our table, though I finally gave\u00c2\u00a0 our eyeballing neighbors some cupcakes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Norman<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Rebecca was a freshman, we first set up<\/a> with three other hometown families at Norman Field because it was close to sorority row.\u00c2\u00a0 Our group had\u00c2\u00a0 three daughters there.\u00c2\u00a0 More of our children were enrolled at UF and they all brought along friends for free food–sorority sisters, swim team members, fraternity brothers, and any student from our hometown.\u00c2\u00a0 They were all welcome.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Some Saturdays we had as many as 75 tailGators.\u00c2\u00a0 After all of our students had graduated, we continued at Norman Field.\u00c2\u00a0 It is a really pretty, shady place to spend the day waiting for kickoff.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Norman<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Ryan and family arrived, we had a “lite” tailgate lunch that included sandwiches, my very popular cold veggie pizza\u00c2\u00a0 (see recipe below), homemade snack mix and team colored cupcakes.\u00c2\u00a0 It was just too hot to cook.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"table\"<\/a>

That’s the veggie pizza at the front on the right.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shelly added some sides and a veggie tray so we ate and snacked pretty healthy, except, of course, for the cupcakes.<\/p>\n

After the guys threw the football around, Laurel and Robert wore themselves out running through the tunnel next to our site.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 With raised eyebrows, Laurel asked me quietly how those college kids\u00c2\u00a0 managed to paint the walls and not get caught.\u00c2\u00a0 The concept of permitted graffiti was hard for her to grasp.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Tunnel\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking to the stadium, we passed band members readying themselves to enter the field in formation.\u00c2\u00a0 I love the band performances.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"band<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At the stadium, we enjoyed all the perks of the Champions Club and a private sky box, compliments of our son.\u00c2\u00a0 Our regular season ticket seats, which we love, are in the upper tier near the corner of the field.\u00c2\u00a0 But Saturday we had what grandson Robert calls “the fancy seats” on the 50 yd. line.\u00c2\u00a0 He and Laurel have watched many games from these fancy seats.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Game<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The food was amazing–plentiful, delicious and free.\u00c2\u00a0 At the tables heavy laden with salad fixings, cheddar mashed potatoes, corn, and more, three carvers sliced beef roast for sandwiches.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Cookies and ice cream were added sweetness to the 30-10 win.\u00c2\u00a0 All this in air conditioned comfort.\u00c2\u00a0 I could get used to this.<\/p>\n

Huge flat screen\u00c2\u00a0 tv’s were mounted everywhere with all the college games of the day.\u00c2\u00a0 The crowd went crazy cheering for Tennessee to win over Georgia, but in over time, it was Tennessee’s\u00c2\u00a0 loss.\u00c2\u00a0 I sent my sympathy to Judy Day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"After<\/a>

Short tables were set up for with a variety of activities for children.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"after<\/a>

after the game when all the food had been put away<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before I had any interest in college football, Mildred Turner and I arrived the at the hotel where we were teaching at one of Martha Pullen’s schools in Huntsville.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 A\u00c2\u00a0 North Carolina game was on tv, watched by a sizable group of men.\u00c2\u00a0 She rushed up to them and asked for the score, the down, the quarter, the time remaining, and how about turnovers and injuries.\u00c2\u00a0 All in one sentence.\u00c2\u00a0 I just shook my head.\u00c2\u00a0 Now, I understand.<\/p>\n

Do you have a college football team you follow?\u00c2\u00a0 I know Merry Gay loves her Mississippi Rebels, Judy Day loves the Vols, Millie loves her Texas Longhorns and Jo keeps up with Nebraska.\u00c2\u00a0 Do you\u00c2\u00a0 tailgate?\u00c2\u00a0 I’d love to hear about it.<\/p>\n

College football is such a great family activity. Tailgating adds to the fun.\u00c2\u00a0 They next time you have such an occasion, in front of\u00c2\u00a0 the tv or at the game, you might want to try this recipe.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe I should share it with the Champions Club chef and those who prepare the fancy food for the sky boxes.<\/p>\n

Fresh Vegetable Pizza<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 cans crescent rolls or 2 packages ready-made pizza crust
\n1 (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
\n1\/2 cup low-calorie mayonnaise
\n1 (1 ounce) package Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing mix
\n1\/2 head fresh broccoli, remove stems, finely chop tops<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n1 bunch spring onions with green tops, thinly sliced
\n1 small basket cherry or grape tomatoes<\/strong><\/span><\/span>
\n1\/2 cucumber, diced finely<\/strong>
\n 4 ounces (1 cup) grated cheddar cheese or shredded parmesan cheese<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.\u00c2\u00a0 Preheat oven to 375 degrees.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

2.\u00c2\u00a0 Spread rolls evenly over pan, pressing seams to seal.\u00c2\u00a0 Bake for 12 minutes until lightly golden brown.\u00c2\u00a0 Cool completely.<\/strong><\/p>\n

3.\u00c2\u00a0 Thoroughly mix cream cheese, mayonnaise and package\/envelope of Ranch dressing mix.\u00c2\u00a0 Set aside while preparing and baking crust.\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

4.\u00c2\u00a0 Prepare the vegetables by dicing finely, which will make slicing the finished pizza easier. Each vegetable should be placed in a separate container until ready to decorate the crust.\u00c2\u00a0 Slice grape tomatoes in half or slice cherry tomatoes into rounds the size of a nicke<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

5.\u00c2\u00a0 Spread cream cheese mixture over crust, right up to the edges.\u00c2\u00a0 This prevents moisture from the vegetables making the crust soggy.
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

6.\u00c2\u00a0 Over the cream cheese filling, evenly scatter the vegetables in the following order: cucumbers, onions, broccoli, tomatoes and cheese. Make sure that entire cream cheese layer is evenly covered with vegetables to make a decorative, multi-colored topping. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

7.\u00c2\u00a0 Cover with plastic wrap and gently press vegetables into filling. Refrigerate until serving time. Cut into small squares of slices.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

VARIATION:\u00c2\u00a0 Any raw vegetables may be added or substituted for those used above, such as olives, purple onions, celery, grated carrot, minced green pepper and diced summer squash.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UPDATE: Robert’s spiral bound book, Football Frenzy, is now available.   Robert wrote every word, did the research and even typed this himself.\u00c2\u00a0 Finished before his 8th birthday, it includes a 7 year old’s experience and appreciation for the game, … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":28204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,8,18,144,31,34],"tags":[804,806,807,805],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28202"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28202"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33295,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28202\/revisions\/33295"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}