Inside the NFL!!
Well just a glimpse really! But still fun! My nephew Cameron Brate is the starting tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they came to Kansas City to play the Chiefs last weekend. This presented a perfect opportunity for my brother Phil and his family to come to KC for the game - and experience a little bit of the hospitality we are famous for here. And also a great opportunity for Keeley to fly in for the weekend and join us - bonus!
Everyone arrived late Saturday afternoon so we all gathered at my loft to have a barbecue feast. There are so many great barbecue places here, and people debate the merits of each heatedly, but my favorite is Jack Stack so that's what we had. All the traditional items - Burnt Ends, Brisket, Turkey, Best Baked Beans in the World, Cheesy Corn, Potato Salad, Pickles and Sauce. Washed down with some nice wine and local beers along with my homemade Chocolate Butterscotch Cake - Yumm!!! Cam was staying at a hotel literally one block from me but couldn't come down because of a team meeting - but we waved at him from my window! Best that he get a good nights sleep!
Sunday morning we headed out to Arrowhead in plenty of time to navigate the thousands of cars trying to park around the stadium. It was a spectacularly beautiful day - especially for late November. Sunny and just a little chilly. So much going on around the stadium - tailgating and various booths and sponsor tents.
Top left - Phil, Pat, Kyle and Carrie, Bottom left - Jim and I, Right - Keeley and I.
Phil picked up the tickets Cam had requested at Will Call and we were thrilled to see how great they were. The visiting team rarely gets good tickets according to Phil and Pat's prior experience, but again there's that KC hospitality and we thoroughly enjoyed sitting in Row 14 right in the visitor end zone!
Clockwise from top left - our view! Phil and family, Arrowhead packed on a beautiful day, and my dear friends Marsha and Randy that joined us in their Chiefs gear - but were definitely cheering for Cam.
The Bucs won!!! Huge win for them and they played great! Cam had a couple of great catches that we could clearly see from our vantage point. Keeley and I were even wearing our newly purchased Bucs shirts so I'm pretty sure we were the lucky charm!
Proof of the winning score, and my new friend sitting right in front of us that really takes being a fan to a new level!
After the game we got to visit with Cam a bit in the friends and family area which our wrist bands got us into - thanks again Cam! We are all so proud of what he has accomplished through hard work and dedication. Cam graduated from Harvard with a degree in Economics and was an Academic All-American. He was undrafted out of college but got to try out for a couple of teams and here he is starting for Tampa Bay! He remains humble and appreciative - great job Phil, Pat, Carrie and Kyle!
His fan club!
It was really fun to have some family here for the weekend. We enjoyed some great salad and pizza at a local place in the River Market called IL Lazzarone after the game before taking them to the airport. If you live in KC and haven't been there then go!! They have authentic Neapolitan style pizza and actually import all the engredients from Italy! And they have a special authentic oven that cooks pizza in 90 seconds! Plus it's delicious!!
Keeley was flying back to Seattle on Monday so she and I had time Monday morning to try a new bakery/coffee place just 2 blocks from me in the Crossroads that I have been hearing about. It's called Brioche and yes - they have excellent Brioche Bread!! In fact the cinnamon rolls are made from brioche dough! It's on the northeast corner of Main and 20th, and also serves Shortwave Coffee, a small batch roaster in Columbia, MO.
Brioche cinnamon roll for me, Almond Croissant for Keeley - both excellent!
The owners are very nice so it's worth a stop next time you're looking for some great breakfast pastries and coffee. They are open 7 to 3 Monday through Saturday. I love local places!!!
Next up - Thanksgiving weekend!
Do More of What Makes you Happy!!!