A Fu Ball Watch Party

This time last week I was fielding calls from concerned family and friends who were checking in on Dan's emotional state after the Raven's heartbreaking loss in the final seconds of the AFC Championship game against Tom Brady's team. It's taken a week for hearts (mainly his, though I had started to search for good restaurants in Indianapolis, just in case...) to heal in our house. Enough time has passed now that we can recall, despite the loss, what a fun time we had watching the big game!

Our friends Kim + Dave have a perfect space for hosting watch parties in their  basement Tavern. The guest list is made mostly of their extended family who live nearby. Since BFFs Dan + Dave go to all the home games together, we're often honorary guests for watching games - a status we appreciate! Even though this game sent everyone home pretty devasted, the party rated up there as one of the most fun!

The day took on a Fu Manchu theme, seeing as how Raven's QB Joe Flacco had been sporting such a mustache throughout play-offs. 

So, too, did lots of these loyal fans...

including Kim and her mom, Mary Carole, who are rarely out-accessorized!

Growing up in Tenneseee, NFL football was never on my radar; we just cheered for the Vols. No one really paid attention at all 'til Peyton was drafted.  That is not the case in Maryland. For two week during play-offs everything was purple. It was so fun. Now, sadly, anticipating a Super Bowl without the Ravens, faces are clean shaven and hearts are mostly....blue.