Wonderful weekend

We went up to my parents this weekend for rest, relaxation and to help Lucy Goosey with her many mini photography sessions. She did such a great job!!

Petolsh.... Petals... Petolshh

The sisters playing on Dad's iPad and new iPhone. Lucy was so funny with Siri and asked her ridiculous questions and her responses were hilarious!

My Dad also became an elder this weekend at their church. It was so special to be there for that!

Love!

After we left, we went to visit with my dear grandmother, Gigi, who has Alzheimer's. It means so much to see her even if she doesn't know who we are nor can say much in response. Even so, there's something just special to sit with your grandmother.

Have a great week!

Oh my gosh.

Ok, so our neighbors are unbelievably awesome. He's the head chef at Good Food on Montford {a really good restaurant here in Charlotte and right down the road} and she's a waitress there. Um, yeah. We had planned a week ago to walk up to Yoforia for frozen yogurt but she texted me in the afternoon wanting to know if we could come over for dinner.

Yes.

He and his sous chef/friend made the most beautiful, flavorful dishes throughout the night. It was an 8 course meal {I forgot to take a picture of the foie gras appetizer} for 7 people. Oh my gosh, so yummy and to them, it was no big deal. Oh and they told me that Claire Danes had been to the restaurant the night before.

I mean, really. Look at this food:

Their sweet little girl wasn't too sure about the cooked fish {baked in a salt crust}.

It was unbelievable and soo much better than frozen yogurt.

The last few weeks {and lot of pictures}

Here's what we've been up to:

The Hamilton Lake girls back in 2001.

(picture taken from Allison's blog)

Hamilton Lake girls in 2011.

We had a girls weekend a couple weeks ago in Sparta, NC!! These are my oldest friends and I love them dearly. Oh and we went to a corn maze in the country.

It was the most relaxing weekend! Thank you so much, Mich!!

Me & Al.

The next weekend that Ginna girl came to Charlotte with Nascar tickets {which she got through work}! Wahoo! It was our first Nascar race and I know Kathy is proud of me. You can tell we're pumped up! Oh, and when Ginna was waiting for us, someone told her she was too dressed up for a Nascar race. It was true. Race shirts, jeans and old tennis shoes seemed to be in vogue.

It was quite loud so we had to get earplugs.

I was amazed at how fast the cars went around the track. {duh, I know... but really, they went real fast}

Jeff informed Ginna that this is the world's largest HD television!!!

This was fun!

We also got a tour of the pits.

Crazy how close you could get to the cars and drivers!

What a fun night... thanks Gin!

The next day Ginna and I enjoyed a walk to Brueggers Bagel and tried a bagel a client of hers {who lives in NYC and ate this in NYC} said was the best breakfast she'd ever had: an everything bagel toasted with cream cheese and bacon. Let's just say that it's probably much better in NYC.

Later that afternoon, Andrew and I went hiking at Crowders Mountain with our friends Beau & Jessica.

The weather was perfect!

There's the Queen City in the distance.

I love fall!

Later that night we went to our friend Will's bonfire birthday party and ate yummy s'mores!

Last Sunday we went to Greenville to meet Demelza, one of Andrew's friends and a missionary we support in England.

Then had a relaxing dinner with some of Andrew's family along with beautiful music by Presley.

This past Friday night I went to a shower for my friend Katie {center} who is getting married in two weeks! Here she is with the shower hostesses.

Everyone at the party!

Me & Katie.

Last night we threw a shower for a friend of ours who is getting married in December. His fiance is living in Brazil so we Skyped her in. Definitely a first to have one of the guests of honor join us via Skype.

I always have a hard time finding appetizers even though I've made so many over the years. I ended up making Smitten Kitchen's cheese straws and her brownies, also had toasted salami with a dip on top and then a bean dip with chips.

Everyone.

Being silly. Oh and I love the bunny ears on Luke!

So, yeah, that's about it.

Coming soon...

A massive update on the last few weeks including this fabulous weekend:

A 5:30am post

Well good morning!

It's 5:30something and of course I'm wide awake. Actually I've been awake for quite sometime now. My body is used to getting up at this hour during the week. Oh, and we've had the windows open a lot (with the screens in) but there was a cockroach in our apartment last night and I kinda freaked out. Andrew killed it but I didn't sleep well. Bleh. I hate those things.

We have wonderful news to share with you... Andrew's sister and brother-in-law, who already have three girls, are pregnant with a BOY!!! Wahoo! We found out this week and I can barely contain my excitement.

It was a really good week... I think I've got the hang of school now and I don't come home completely drained. It's my first time in a school setting and I've learned these two things:

- I hate loose teeth. I try not to actually look when a kid wants to show me their tooth hanging by a thread.

- Read to your kid and teach them about money and time before they start Kindergarten.

In other news, I had to go to the mall to get a shower gift for a friend when I passed by the Apple store. I thought it was sweet that there were flowers in remembrance for Steve Jobs.

Last night we had a date night at our favorite place, Providence Cafe. I ran into a teacher friend and I think that's when a city feels like a home... when you run into people you know.

Afterward we went to Starbucks to split a Pumpkin Spice Latte since we had had a big dinner. Then we drove around the city looking at the big city lights and singing Redeemer Presbyterian Church's doxology {which I love... words below}. So worshipful!

I told Andrew that we need to take more pictures because you're only newlyweds once and we'll want to remember this first year. This is what he posed for me. Goofball! :)
And now, I must go because not only do I get to hang out with some of my dearest, oldest friends/sisters, but ALL of my bridesmaids!! The Hamilton Lake girl reunion weekend is today! :)

All ye who are of tender heart,

Forgiving others take your part.

Sing his praises, Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and on him cast your care!

O praise him! O praise him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their creator bless,

And worship him with humbleness!

O praise him, Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One,

O praise him! O praise him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Two, Three, and lots of food

Two:

Two years ago yesterday I moved from NYC! I was at the grocery store and bought a B&W cookie for the occasion. Also, Kathy happened to call and leave a message, in it she said: "By the way, the Upper East Side says hello"!!!! Ahh, made my day! :)

Three:

I missed the actual day, but here's to three years of blogging! Oh how I sometimes miss being CCC in NYC. :)

Lots of food:

It's been a really relaxing weekend! Andrew and I went to Common Market on Friday night but it was packed so we got our sandwiches to go and went to the top of the windy Target parking deck. The cool, crisp air and awesome view took my breath away. We then got drinks at a ridiculously expensive wine bar but we won't be going back there.

Saturday was for football, long walks and Smitten Kitchen! If you haven't been to her site, go!

I made her Apple and Honey Challah Bread which was tasty (although I think I'll leave out the apples next time...). Wishing Mirabelle could come over for a slice & some tea! :)

Then I made the Roasted Tomato Soup with Broiled Cheddar. It was good but the soup turned out to be more like a marinara. (p.s. Allison made these placemats and gave them to us for a wedding present!)

Have a beautiful week!