Delicious dinner & yard surprises

This weekend was everything that weekends are supposed to be. Relaxation, organization, delicious food, quality time with quality people, and sunshine! I am sporting my first (minor) sunburn of the season this morning, thanks to a few hours of yard work and a little porch-sittin' yesterday afternoon - and I'm not even mad! It's a lingering reminder of all the good stuff we soaked up over the past few days.

A quick picture recap, because seeing is believing!

As promised, Friday night was date night! C & I enjoyed a delicious dinner at a local cafe, complete with live music and no phones or TVs. Just what we needed!

Saturday morning was dedicated to organizing the pantry. We had to pull everything out while the painters were working last week, and I refused t put anything back in until we could do it with some thought and planning. Everything sort of got thrown in there when we moved in last August, and it definitely needed some work. I browsed every aisle of Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Target on Saturday morning, and came home armed with a system. It took us several hours, but we are so happy with the results! Now, maintaining this system is another story...

We had plans with my parents for Saturday evening, and they came down early so my mom and I could squeeze in a run. We hit the pavement at the nearby battlefield and got in a great workout together. It was beautiful and breezy - just how I like it! PS: Have you used the FitSnap app? It's a fun way to track workouts right in the moment. I just discovered it the weekend & look forward to using it more!

We decided to take my parents out to dinner to thank them for paying for the painting (a lovely housewarming gift, indeed) and I made a reservation at a local restaurant we hadn't tried yet. It was definitely a good pick! Our dinner at Poppy Hill Tuscan Kitchen was one of the most memorable restaurant meals I've had in a long time - can't wait to share more about this amazing local treasure. I chose the salmon served over shrimp risotto for my entree, and was in foodie heaven. It was insane! I practically licked my plate clean. Yum!

On Sunday morning, we went out to breakfast at the same cafe where C & I had our date (Amy's - love it so much we went 2x in one weekend!). It was a good thing we had a big, hearty meal, because when we got home, we decided that some spur-of-the-moment yard work was in order. Several hours and 16 17 gigantic trash bags later, we had done major clean-up damage in the back yard. Everything was in alright shape when we moved in at the end of last summer, but it needed some major TLC, and we just didn't have the time last fall to do everything that needed to be done. No time like the present! We cut back trees, cleaned our flower beds, raked up a bajillion pine needles, and fertilized the lawn. Very glad to have that all taken care of!

We couldn't waste any of the beautiful day, so C & I wrapped up the weekend with a grill meal: steak and asparagus, plus a mayo-less potato salad. It was the perfect dinner to enjoy while we watched the ACMs. Anyone else see the show? I thought it was great! There are some really talented country musicians out there right now, and I am loving seeing how the careers progress (also, I'm really glad that Taylor Swift isn't dominating the scene any more!).

One last picture for the day... I have a running list of what I call "Yard Surprises" - you never know what you'll find in a new yard, left behind by the previous owners. This was definitely one I appreciated:

So tell me...

• Do you have a favorite local eatery? We love all the options near us that aren't chain restaurants!
• Did you fit in a workout this weekend? Tell me about it! I'm so happy that it's outdoor running season again.

Travel Tales: Fayetteville, NC!

My mom and I had such a fun time in Fayetteville. Like I said on Friday, we went down to visit my sorority sister, Ashley, and her husband, Jason, plus their twin boys, Chris and Collin. It was so nice to spend some time with Ashley and her family without any other events going on, or without her living out of a suitcase with the boys. I'm pretty sure that every time I've seen them over the last three years, there was either a wedding happening or it was in the middle of a trip they were taking, so we didn't get much QT. This was much needed! The boys are 3 1/2, and they are such characters. It was great to get to spend some time with them in their "natural habitat" - I can't believe how big they are! Pictures are worth a thousand words...

Hi, Collin!

Playing in the playroom

 On Saturday, we went to a really cute little part of Fayetteville and had dinner at an amazing restaurant called Pierro's. I had their award-winning pesto lasagna, which was delicious! And even better the next day as leftovers. Can't beat that! Then we went to a place called the wine cafe, which was really fun - they basically have wine vending machines, and you can get a taste, a half glass, or a full glass of a bunch of different wines. It was a very fun way to spend the evening. Wish we had one up here!

On Sunday morning, we got in a quick run before the major rainstorms started - Fayetteville has a great municipal park with a paved path that goes around it, and it was such a nice place for a run! I know I'd put it to great use if I lived down there. It's where the boys will play soccer when they start in a few weeks, too! There may or may not have been robot donuts on Sunday morning, too... the boys LOVED them!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm so glad we got to go down for a visit, and I'm glad my mom was able to go with me - we are such good road trippers together. It was fun to spend some time together! It's nice to have friends within traveling distance. I shouldn't take that for granted. It may not always be the case!

Thanks for having us, Ashley and Jason - you were fantastic hosts!

When I got home on Sunday night, C was at his last flag football game of the regular season, and I found that he'd locked Mac in the guest room on accident before he left (just for a couple hours!) - Mac must have thought he was being tortured (because his life is SO TERRIBLE... not) because he spent the rest of the night glued to my side. Silly cat.

Whirlwind Wedding Weekend! Part 2

When I left off, it was go time - hair was curled, makeup was applied, dresses were on, and it was time to go. Let the wedding begin! The bridesmaids and I headed off to meet up with our groomsmen, and as the music began, we headed down the aisle. I got myself in place just in time to see my sister and my dad heading towards us.

Doesn't she look beautiful?? And my dad cleans up pretty well, too. I may or may not have been tearing up already. What can ya do?

The ceremony was short and sweet, and full of personal touches - just the way Nat & Roger wanted it. Next thing we knew, they were married! And it was time to party.

The following are the only pictures I have from the rest of the night, because my phone battery was absolutely dead. Story of my life. I think that's probably for the best, though... better not to have photo evidence (at least not yet - who knows what the actual photographer captured! ha!) - memories, or lack thereof, will do just fine.

Nat & Roger listening to the toasts

My sorority family together again <3

Obligatory blurry bathroom picture. Love this.

The reception was a blast, and I slept in my bridesmaid dress that night - I think that says all that needs to be said about that!

Sunday morning my parents had a brunch at their house for the out-of-town guests and anyone who wanted to come over while the newlyweds opened presents and visited a little more. I pulled the 75 (no, really) bobby pins out of my hair, washed out a ton of hairspray, and threw on a sundress. That was about as pulled-together as I could get. Mom & Nat looked great, though!

Sunday afternoon, after very much needed Taco Bell & a Coke Slurpee (hangover-curing food, clearly) & a short nap,we kept the party going - Nat, Roger, Lauren, and I all headed to WMZQFest! We met up with my friend Michelle, drank some beers, and listened to some great music.

 

Miranda Lambert was the featured act this year, and we just couldn't miss it. We were all pretty drained though, and since the next day was Monday, we headed home early. I basically face-planted into bed and didn't move for eight hours. Necessary.

Monday I worked from home (possibly my best idea ever), so I called into a meeting in the morning and got a few things done the rest of the day, before heading out for some groceries. After a weekend full of indulging myself, it was high time to get some fruit and veggies in my life. Global Foods to the rescue!

All this for $30!

I ran to the gym to get my miles in for #RWRunStreak, and then tried to kill myself at BodyPump - almost couldn't walk yesterday. Whoops. Might have gone a bit too hard after missing that class for 10 days! C & I threw together some killer fish tacos for dinner - seriously, we are the masters of fish tacos. Be jealous. Someday I will teach you my ways! (Which I actually learned from my mother, but whatever.)

We capped off the long weekend with some much-needed couch & mindless TV time - I think I'm going to need a lot of that to recover fully! It was well-worth it, though. I'm so proud of my little sister, and so excited for her to begin this next adventure, the next phase of her life. Congratulations, Natty! Welcome to married life. As far as I can tell, nothing really changes... hopefully every day is just better than the last. Love you!
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Today is National Running Day! How do you plan to celebrate? I think a good run is in order tonight, clearly! I'm already looking forward to putting on my sneakers, playing some good music, and hitting the road. Why do you run?

Oftentimes when I'm running, I find myself thinking about the people who can't run - people who aren't healthy enough, who are sick or injured, people who have passed away who loved running, people who don't have the choice to put on their shoes and go out for a mile or ten. I think about those people, and it always pushes me to go a little farther, or a little faster - or even just to get out and DO the run. I run because I can, and I run for the people who can't. What's stopping you? Today is a great day to get out and start!

Whirlwind Wedding Weekend! Part 1

They did it! 

My little sister is officially a Mrs. & I have a brand-new brother (in-law)!

Behold... the powers of Instagram.

Favorite <3

It was a whirlwind wedding weekend, that's for sure - and therefore, a whirlwind recap is definitely in order. Let's go back...
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Friday night we rehearsed in a monsoon. In between monstrous bouts of pouring rain, and ignoring the tornado warnings that were being issued, we quickly ran through the sequence of events and figured out who should sit where and which rock each person should stand on.

Check out that sweet ribbon bouquet shield I made!

Just as it started to rain again, we called it quits and headed to the rehearsal dinner. They'd made reservations at an amazing restaurant called Pane e Vino. It's an Italian restaurant with food that is just incredible - I splurged and had lasagna! It was just too good to pass up. The wine was flowing, pictures were taken, presents were handed out, and I had tiramisu for dessert - talk about good!

My grandma & my aunt

Nat & bridesmaids... typical.

My grandma, my aunt, and my mom

Nat gifted me with SPF 100 - don't want to burn that pale skin during the wedding! ha.

After dinner, the boys headed to Roger's parents' house for the night, and the girls headed back to Nat's house with her for the night. We were all asleep pretty early... we had a big day ahead!

Saturday morning we woke up early, and Nat, Caity, & I headed out for a pre-wedding run! Just a short little trip around the neighborhood, but enough to get our blood pumping & get us feeling ready for the day! The girls all headed off in separate directions to gather up things for the day, and Nat & I did what we usually do: made Bloody Marys!

Before we knew it, it was time to head to the salon for hair and makeup.

 

 

We call this look her "Martha Washington" hair -- too funny!

A ring on everyone's finger :)

We left the salon and headed out to get dressed for the ceremony. When everyone was ready, we took a few "before" pictures...

And then a few silly ones, just for good measure:

And then it was wedding time! Which I believe shall be continued in another post, as this one is getting to be a BIT much. I guess I'm not leaving you hanging too much, as I did already tell you that they did get married, after all! Tune in soon to see what happened next!