austin part 2

Well just over a week after my return to the sunshine state, I am finally getting the time to post days three and four from my trip home. It has been slightly [I mean insanely] hectic trying to catch up from a few days off work!

The second half of my trip was just as amazing as the first. We had the honor of touring Megan's dream wedding venue and I will say, it was a dream. It is shabby chic, country romantic, and I am certain just what Megan has in mind for her special day. After our tour of the grounds [and bombarding the lovely owner with a considerable amount of questions], we headed a few miles down the road for some finger-lickin' BBQ at the one and only Salt Lick. We left a few pounds heavier, but with enough memories to make up for it. 

They have done an incredible job at making this place feel like a retreat. It was a pure R&R kind-a-day. 

I must say it killed me to leave my family, but I also have to admit, it was wonderful to have the loving arms of my man to run into. He knows just the right words and way to make me feel better. 

austin

Day one and two have been wonderful thus far. 

Day one we ventured out to Wimberly for some tea and cake at Sip In The Square, shopping, walking, and lunch at the Cypress Creek Cafe. I found a darling top and mom didn't leave empty handed either. She left with a gorgeous solid teak wood rustic coffee table. We had a great time in this sweet little Texas town. 

Day two, dad and I were up and at'em for one of his sponsored lake cleanups. He hosts six Lake Austin cleanups a year and it just so happened my trip coincided with one of them! I was so thankful for this sweet coincidence. We spent many a weekends on the water for these cleanups and it was wonderful to do it again together. We got there early for setup, he debriefed the cleanup crew, I got to visit with friends, and then dad and I paddled two very full boat loads of trash to the pickup station. It was a great turnout and an ever better time! 

And of course, we had to reward of all our hard work with a little Chuy's! 

After our food settled and a feel good movie, mom and I finished out the day with a little gardening in the backyard. The air was just perfect and it was so nice to relax with some flowers pruning, and watering. One day I hope to have a garden as lush and beautiful as my mom's. She is chock full of plant knowledge and gardening tips. I always wonder "Now, how do you know that?" and "How do you know you need to do this." I am so blessed to learn from this amazing women, in more ways than one. 

He has risen

As another Easter comes and goes, I wanted to write about how very thankful I am for all of the wonderful blessings I have in my life. God has blessed me with an adundance of love and happiness and it grows each day I am on this earth.

I have been blessed with the most amazing family a girl could ask for. I have the most incredible, kind, and loving parents around. I thank God everyday for these two people and what pilars they are in my life. They are my best friends and while we are a thousand miles apart, they are tucked so deep in my heart, we are always close. It is my greatest joy to honor these two people.

I have also been blessed with the love of a man. A love so strong, I never knew if it would find me. He is sweet, charming, caring, giving, all the while being crazy, goofy, funny [oh, and insanely good looking]. He is the sugar to my coffee. The honey to my bagel. The peanut butter to my banana. As I lay in bed each night, I cannot believe how fortuante I am to have this person in my life. I can't imagine a day without him by my side. I am so excited to see what God has in store for the rest of our lives.

Thank you my Lord, for this incredible life, for the love you give me, and the blessings day in and day out.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:7

gcb

It's my newest love affair and by love affair, I mean absolute obsession. It is funny, witty, sassy, and of course Texas. 

It is the Dallas version of Desperate Housewives. With a cast like Miss Annie Potts, Kristin Chenowth, and Leslie Bibb, it seems a sure bet to be a hit. And in my book, it's a home run. 

I adore the entire cast, their chemistry, the writing, the humor, the clothes, the location, everything about this show leaves me wanting more. It's got eye candy [also known as tall, dark, and handsome cowboys], Texas twang, big hair, an endless repertoire of tongue and cheek banter and that's a guaranteed recipe for success. 

If you haven't seen abc's newest hit sensation,  run, don't walk, to catch yourself up on the previous episodes and prepare for this coming Sunday. Come hell or high water, you can bet your bottom dollar, you will know where to find me come nine o'clock. It'll make you appreciate that you don't run with the likes of these types of GCBs. 

the wonderful weekend times

Another glorious weekend has come and gone. I knew it was going to be a great weekend when we pulled into the Marriott Coral Springs surrounded by stunning, green and well manicured golf courses. The sun was shinning, palm trees lined the drive into the hotel, and there was not a busy street in sight. It was a picture perfect setting. 

As soon as we arrived, our adorable gift bag was waiting for us at check-in [Kevin's Aunt Patti really didn't miss a detail the entire weekend]. We unloaded the car, quickly freshened up, and headed over the Welcome Dinner at the clubhouse. The air was buzzing with the kind of laughter and chatter only families can produce. It was wonderful to finally meet all [well almost all, there are a lot] of Kevin's relatives. 

Day Two:

We had to be at Temple bright and early. I have never been to a Synagogue, much less a Bat Mitzvah. It was a treat to see something so different than my own customs and Sarah [the Bat Mitzvah] did such an amazing job. I was beyond impressed with the Hebrew that thirteen girl learned for this very special day in her life. 

Sarah's grandparents hosted a beautiful Kiddush Luncheon after her Bat Mitzvah and we relaxed by the pool for the rest of the afternoon. This was just the kind of weekend I have been needing for a very long time! Family, good food, great times, and a little R&R.  

That night it was time. to. live it up! All in honor of Sarah. This celebration was better and more extravagant than anything I could have ever imagined. The venue and the decorations were out this world. Not an inch of the space was forgotten [again Aunt Patti didn't miss a detail]. White fabric dripped from the ceiling.  Grand center pieces stood on all of the tables. White couches made for comfy seating areas. Towers of food filled the room. Ahi tuna and seaweed salad, fresh mozzarella, salami and cheese, lobster mac and cheese bites, braised beef and mashed potatoes, fish, chicken, pasta, salad, fondue, cheesecake on a stick, mini cupcakes, ice cream. Everything down to the paper towels in the bathroom coordinated into Sarah's theme. Pink, rhinestoned bling and soccer. There was a photo booth, an air brush tattoo artist, goofy hats, blinking party novelties, and colorful sunglasses. We danced the night away and I can honesty say I have never had this much fun at an event before. 

Our first time to play dress up together. 

Wow, look at my handsome boy there on the left. And his wonderful brother!

Introducing the family!

There goes Jared up in the chair!

Kevin and his Aunt Patti and Uncle Mark [proud parents of the Bat Mitzvah herself]!

As I said, literally danced the night away. 

Day Three:

One last get-to-together before we were all off on our trips back home. Patti hosted yet another wonderful meal. A yummy brunch [omelet station included!] with enough food to feed the entire Broward County population.  This weekend was a dream. I only hope that Sarah and her family enjoyed it as much as we did!

The Bat Mitzvah and her cousins! 

Congratulations Sarah! We had a wonderful "Kicking It Up" with you. 

mint to be

Spring is in the air! My new favorite springtime color is this gorgeous chalky mint. It is fresh, airy, and chic. 

Living in the land of water, it's no wonder I am loving this seaside inspired hue. I can only imagine these beauties with the turquoise Gulf waters as their backdrop. 

These hints of mint are meant to be mine.

tea, scones, and a sense of humor

I have become mildly obsessed with a series of novels by the ever charming, ever witty, and ever British author Gil McNeil. Her books feel like home. I feel like I know the characters. I feel like I have lived in that quaint seaside English town. It almost makes me want to start knitting, buy a yarn shop, and move a little village by the sea where everyone knows everyone and they all stop by to say hello. 

I breezed through book one and two and am eager to start on the last in the series. My kindle couldn’t download it fast enough. 

If you are in the mood for an easy read, feel good type of book, then you must pick up The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club. I feel confident in saying that you will most definitely be moving onto books two and three.