Lack of Posting

It has been over a week since I posted last, and this one isn't much better.  I'm tired and I keep forgetting download my DC pics from my camera to my computer.  One day...

Anyway, here's a photo dump for your viewing entertainment.

Enjoy and happy Tuesday!

{Just my luggage. For a three night road trip. I pack a lot}

{Fried green tomato sandwich at the Greenbrier.  So delicious!}

{Crab, mango, avocado salad for lunch on Saturday.}

{Drinks before dinner at Old Ebbitt Grill}

{Black bean burger at a hipster gastropub that's name is currently escaping me...}

{More Greenbrier photos}

{Concrete ceiling in the Metro}

{Courts and me!}

{The International Spy Museum was super cool.}

{Worst service at a yummy breakfast spot on Sunday.}

The end, see ya soon!

Washington, DC or Bust!

This Friday, my girlfriend Courts and I are heading to the nation's capital for a little boating, boozing, and camaraderie.  I've been adequately preparing by finishing the second season of House of Cards after work this week.  Can you believe the ending????  I won't give any spoilers, but holy cow!!!

We only have a few things set in stone to do while we're there.  Here's what we've got planned so far.

1. Road tripping from Kentucky to DC will take us close enough to make a slight detour to visit the Greenbrier!  Neither of us have been, so I know we'll really enjoy the visit!

Anyone have any must see spots while we're there?  Maybe the best lunch stop in the hotel?

2.  Saturday evening we're heading out on an evening sail on a chartered boat on the Potomac with a picnic dinner and some champagne.  Sounds pretty romantic, right?  Too bad it's just us gals.  I have no doubt we'll have a blast, despite the missing Y chromosomes!  Maybe even more, teeheehee.

3.  Brunch with Courts' college friend and her sweet baby boy.  It's been along time since they've gotten to see each other, and a really long time since I've seen her too!  We're both excited to meet le bebe, as well!

Other than that, I think we're going to hit up a few museums and definitely some restaurants and bars.  I've heard that the International Spy Museum is awesome, has anyone been?

Any recommendations for things to do are welcome!

Happy Hump Day!

Friday Fives!

It's Friday, and as you read this, I am in the car on my way to Washington D.C.  So this week's five revolve around taking a trip and travel in general.  Plus a little bit of funny!

Thanks to link up hostesses, April, Christina, Darci, and Natasha for hosting for another week!

1.  Packing Light.  I really tried to pack light for this simple 4 day trip we're heading out for this morning.  I sort of succeeded.  I even went to the trouble of going through my pins to find advice on packing light. 

 This post from Travelista  is a good start.  FYI, I chose navy to be my main color because, duh, everything I own is navy.

2.  I finally get to wear my clothes made for boating on an actual sailboat!  I'm going with something like this (found here):

I actually have that purse in navy!  Woo hoo to finding something on Pinterest that isn't already sold out!

3.  I'll be checking this app to find some cool places to eat.  It costs $0.99, but it doesn't include chain restaurants, so I think it'll be worth the money just to not have to sift through all of that!

4.  Books to read in bed.  I love reading in hotel beds for some reason.  I think it's because finding time to read is such a luxury these days, and often times free time only comes when on vacation.  Here's one of the books I'll be reading this weekend!

I'm also reading a couple other books, including A Dance with Dragons, the fifth in the Game of Thrones series.  It's pretty intense, so I like to take breaks and read something a little quicker paced.  I might as well take my time since the 6th book isn't even written yet.   

5.  And here's a little e-card funny.  This one tickles me.  Enjoy!

This pretty much describes the beginning of my week to a T.  I blame Mercury in retrograde.  Anyway, by Wednesday things turned around and the rest of this week was great!  

I hope y'all have a great weekend and get a chance to do something fun!  Cheers!

Baby Shower for Beth

This past Saturday, I hosted a baby shower with two of my friends for our friend, and my BFF,  Beth.  She's due just a few days after my birthday, so it was the least I could do for such an awesome birthday gift.  Ha ha ha, I'm hilarious! Beth, are you reading?  Isn't that funny???  I cannot wait to meet the little one this July and loved that we spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon celebrating his or her arrival, as well as the momma to be!

Since Beth and JD aren't finding out the sex, and aren't sharing the name, I went with a multi-color theme for the invite and decor.  Don't get me started on not being able to monogram seersucker in blue or pink yet.  Let's just say that July is going to be a good month for baby stores and embroidery shops.

We had a fairly simple menu, but as per my usual, we made way too much food!  I'm still eating leftovers (yummmmm!).  Check out the pictures below.

{Appetizers of cheese and more cheese.  And pickles and olives. And chocolate covered berries.}

{The main course.}

Crudite, Mini Caprese Skewers, Fruit Skewers, Benedictine and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches, Mini Cupcakes, and a special cake topper!

The lovely staff at Homeade Pie and Ice Cream Kitchen put the elephant from the invite on the cake.  Too cute!

King's Hawaiian Turkey and Ham Baked Sandwiches.  Here's the recipe I've used from Pinterest a few times.  These sandwiches are a huge hit every time I've served them!  Word to the wise, make extra, just not as many as I did...

We had a candy bar in lieu of favors.  I made up the rhyme myself.  Don't laugh, that's as clever as I get.  A professional, I am not.  I still absolutely love the invite in the back the best.  So stinking cute!!!

{Chalkboard Pennant}

{The paper goods.}

{Beverage Station, complete with champers!}

{Balloons on the porch and lining the driveway.}

{Baby swag!}

The beautiful momma and her beautiful momma!

Oh my gosh, this onesie was so adorable!!!

Some great gifts from some veteran mommies, grandparents, friends, and clueless friends (that would be me)!

We made Beth cut the cake, straight up wedding style.  Like Gangham style, but cooler.  Or something.

Not pictured is the bar for the boys in the "man cave."  We set up chairs and plenty of drinks in the basement so the guys could be included but not overwhelmed with baby stuff.  

One of these days, I'll have enough guts to share pictures the "man cave."  It's…well…interesting.  Let's call it kitschy.  Yeah, kitschy.  But the roomie loves it, and since he vacuums for me, it's the least I could do.

It was a great afternoon, followed by the Belmont Stakes (but not a Triple Crown, boo), and the Murder by Death show.  Needless to say, Sunday was spent lying on the couch binge watching Orange is the New Black.

It's been a busy week already, but I can't wait to share this weekend's agenda!

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

28 Years of Will

Today is the National Holiday known to folks around here as Will's birthday.  Today, my favorite guy turns 28 years old.  There's so much I can say about you, John William, but words don't do you justice.

The first thing that anyone who meets you will notice is your infectious smile, laughter, and goofy sense of humor.  You love to tell jokes, and can entertain a room for hours.  You certainly know how to work a crowd, Bubbaloo.  

You're so sensitive and caring.  I think you got that from our grandfather.  It's a trait found in a lot of his kids. Your mother certainly had a big part in that too, don't get me wrong.  We really lucked out when it comes to parents.  Don't ever forget that.

The most impressive trait about you, Will, is your capacity for unconditional love.  You have an open heart, and are free and willing to share it with anyone that comes your way.  I honestly can say that I don't think I've ever heard the word hate cross your lips.  It's a concept so foreign to you, that you don't need it in your vocabulary.  You have taught me so much about loving and accepting people for what they are.  You truly have a gift in that respect.

Your unconditional heart and friendly nature makes it so hard to not be overprotective of you.  You are the one person I cannot stand to see upset.  It slays me.  You don't understand why people hurt each other, and that is a wonderful anomaly. We could all stand to trust and love each other a little more.

Will, you are my brother first, and I am always on your side.  The doors you have opened for our family to put some good out into the world have all been in your honor.  You are the reason that we campaign for the things we do.   You challenge us to use our God given talents to do the best we can while we're here. 

I can't ever forget that June 5th is your birthday, we start planning the day after Christmas.  You really love to celebrate!  And as always, I won't forget that I am an old lady.  You definitely won't let me forget that one, much to my dismay.

I remember before you were born, I was so excited for your arrival that I named my goldfish after you.  You certainly did not disappoint in continuing that excitement.  Everyday with you is an adventure and you certainly keep us on our toes.  My favorite conversations with Mom revolve around recounting your antics.  My favorite is the time you hid in the ice cooler at Kroger with a gorilla mask and jumped out and scared people when they opened the door. 

You were named after both you grandfathers, and man, you have lived up to that legacy!  They were two great men, and you continue to embody their spirits. You are a humanitarian, deep thinker, and have an extremely adventurous spirit.  They would be so proud of who you are today.  

Bubbaloo, I don't think I could love you anymore than I do, but I'm sure show me how.  Happy birthday, eat some dessert, and make Dad take you wherever you want in Florida today! 

Love you so much!!!

Random Rambling Post, or I have nothing exciting to report...

So, here's some insight into the weirdness that is me.  I'm going to share some of my most bizarre and annoying quirks.  Forgive me if they are repeats...

1.  Things left on counters makes me bat shit crazy.

{This is a Google image.  Let me tell you, some weird stuff come up when I searched this...}

2. Water rings.  When I was in college, my nickname was Coaster Nazi.  You can't make this shit up.

Has anyone tried this mayo trick from Pinterest?  Let me know, because mayonnaise grosses me out and I don't want to have to look at it if I don't have to.

3. My favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is to organize closets and the basement.  It actually makes me sad that the basement is pretty much finished.  

For some reason my closets never turn out like this pin.  Maybe because my house is about 60 years old and is in desperate need of a remodel to the master suite.  One day...

4. I love cooking beef tenderloin.  Seriously, my favorite dish in the world to make.  This wouldn't be weird if I actually ate beef.  But I do not.  I hate it.  Love cooking it though...because I am strange.

That's all I can think of right now.  I'm sure my friends could make a much longer list...  Happy Hump Day!

Vagabonding Ways

Someone once told me that the best way to live positively and remain focused is to concentrate on working towards the goal of a really awesome vacation.  I've been dreaming of Europe for months now, and I absolutely cannot stand to not take any action anymore. 

I've decided that next spring or summer, I'm heading back to Europe.  I spent a month there after college visiting over 15 different cities and eating all the fromage et pain c'est possible.  My French sucks, FYI.  

It took me a few years to get over the homesickness that I experienced while I was there, but I've always wanted to go back and see some other places that I didn't get to.

My list of travel stops is ever growing, and I think it's time to get it together and start seeing some of them!  Plus, one of my dearest and oldest friends lives in Paris, so I'm dying to see the city with a local guide (and a much better camera!)

Now, where else to go?  Here are my first choices:

Fira, Santori

Kefalonia Island, Assos

Pamukkale, Turkey

Neuscwanstein Castle, Bavaria

Prague, Czech Republic

Salzburg, Austria

 Vienna, Austria

Obviously, if I'm in Europe for two weeks, I'm not going to be able to hit all of these places.  Any recommendations on which to narrow it down to?  I think Prague is going to be a definite, so maybe Austria too?  We'll see.  For now, it's time to seriously save some money.  So no more shoes for awhile.  Bummer.

What's on your travel bucket list?

The Great Outdoors

Memorial Day weekend I had a wave of panic because MOSQUITOES.  Y'all the mosquitoes here are atrocious.  They will make your magical backyard BBQ or an evening sipping wine a total flop.  So my quest to Lowe's and about a dozen other herb selling vendors began early Saturday morning.

Here's what I planted in my back yard pots:

Sage

Lemon Thyme

Creeping Thyme

Mosquito Plant (very original naming, dicovering botanist guy)

Basil

Rosemary

Mint

Cilantro

Lavendar

I arranged the various herbs according to sunlight specifications and whatnot.  Here's the finished products, which Riley promptly knocked over that evening.

 

Black pots courtesy of Garden Ridge, my least favorite place on Earth.  Seriously, that place makes me cringe.  Anyway, moving on.

At some point that day I decided I needed new patio furniture.  We like to eat dinner outside and the tiny bar top style table I had just doesn't cut it for more than two people.  I found a great table on sale at World Market, but alas the benches and chairs weren't on sale.  So I got two benches and chairs from a different set that WERE on sale.  I know that doesn't seem like rocket science, but I get kinda crazy about stuff being matchey-matchey.  Don't get me started on how the two different couches in the family room are making me nuts.  Soooo, I felt like kind of a rock star for saving some serious money on new patio furniture.

I had previously replaced the cushions earlier in the season, so all I needed were cushions for the benches.  Found those bad boys at Garden Ridge.  About $150 less than the ones at World Market, and matched my existing stuff better anyway.

So here's the finished product!  I'm pretty pleased with myself, and can't wait until there's a fence and a deck.  That's a next year project, though.  Along with a concrete driveway.  I cannot explain how much it kills me to have an asphalt driveway when my family owns a concrete company. 

Anyway, so that's the back yard.  Soon I'll get the front yard makeover posted.  It's super cute!  Have a great week, y'all!