Monday, June 27, 2011
Wednesday Recipe
Since summer has "officially" begun (June 21 I believe), I've decided to do a summer recipe series featuring just that- my favorite summer recipes! Most will be very few ingredients with whatever's fresh in the garden! I'll post them on Wednesday's to help get over the hump in the middle of the week. Enjoy
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Springtime
Springtime has come and gone and summer is here! It is hot but we were able to enjoy some cooler weather this spring. I love when the days get long. It makes me so happy to come home from work, put on my gardening gloves, and play in the dirt. My flower beds always need to be weeded and our neighbors won "Yard of the Month" in May so we have a lot of pressure...(I really don't care, I actually meant to nominate them and if you only knew the countless hours she spends in those flower beds. We've seen her in the front yard at 10pm-No lie). Anyway, I haven't updated any of my planters and the pansies and petunia's were starting to fade so my Master Gardner mother came to the rescue! We went to the nursery and picked out some caladiums and impatiens (I have a very shady yard). and this is what we came up with!
Mom also brought me this great crate she found and we bought these old casters at the ReStore.
Once Elliott puts them on for me it will sit by the backdoor filled with old flip flops, boaters, and gardening clogs. I originally saw this idea in a Serena and Lily catalogue, pinned it to my pinterest account, and then made it a DIY project! This is a picture I had taken awhile back from the catalog!
My mom was also busy going through some old boxes and I was the recipient of some treasures found in the attic. She found these great dessert cups which are perfect for a yummy parfait (post on that to come).
Among the dessert cups were various wine glasses, martini glasses, and a punch bowl- I better get to entertaining! I also got these two little planters which I've always loved,
these two BIG planters,
and my favorite childhood books! I can't wait to have a nursery to put them in.
Elliott has also been hard at work in our vegetable garden. This winter we fenced in our garden area (our dogs love to dig) and brought in some dirt. He worked in the compost and leaves to make some really great soil for our veggies! Tomatoes are his all time favorite thing to grow-he does all sorts of varieties and especially loves his heirlooms.
first pickin' of green beans
Mom also brought me this great crate she found and we bought these old casters at the ReStore.
Once Elliott puts them on for me it will sit by the backdoor filled with old flip flops, boaters, and gardening clogs. I originally saw this idea in a Serena and Lily catalogue, pinned it to my pinterest account, and then made it a DIY project! This is a picture I had taken awhile back from the catalog!
you get the idea...Thanks Mom!
My mom was also busy going through some old boxes and I was the recipient of some treasures found in the attic. She found these great dessert cups which are perfect for a yummy parfait (post on that to come).
Among the dessert cups were various wine glasses, martini glasses, and a punch bowl- I better get to entertaining! I also got these two little planters which I've always loved,
these two BIG planters,
and my favorite childhood books! I can't wait to have a nursery to put them in.
Elliott has also been hard at work in our vegetable garden. This winter we fenced in our garden area (our dogs love to dig) and brought in some dirt. He worked in the compost and leaves to make some really great soil for our veggies! Tomatoes are his all time favorite thing to grow-he does all sorts of varieties and especially loves his heirlooms.
keeping Ruger out!
Liza snuck in
young cherry tomato plant
first pickin' of green beans
Charleston
So, I finally made it back to Charleston! Since Carolyn's wedding is approaching and she is busy finishing up rotations for school, we decided to bring the bachelorette party to her! (and NONE of us were opposed to having a girls weekend in Charleston!!) Half of us arrived Thursday and the other half arrived on Friday and we had a wonderful weekend of great food, shopping, and celebrating Carolyn tying the knot! Friday night we had dinner at MUSE. The food was incredible!
After dinner, we bar hopped and ended up at Trio which was a blast...it was like a great college bar downstairs with a fun band and a techno club upstairs. Earlier Katherine had made friends with the bellhop at our hotel and got all sorts of tips so we were able to enjoy the Pedi-Cab ride home with Kat's new friends!
Saturday we headed to the beach at Sullivan's Island and then had a late lunch at Poe's Tavern...another great meal. Afterwards, we headed to the rooftop pool at the hotel to lounge around.
Saturday night we threw a lingerie shower for Carolyn and enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from Cupcake and these adorable cookies that KP made!
After opening all her goodies, we headed to Coast to start our "Mojito Crawl" since that is Carolyn's favorite drink. We all enjoyed different kinds of mojitos...my favorites were Strawberry Rhubarb and the Mango Mojito. After a few more stops on our Mojito Crawl we ended up at Trio again and danced all night to great live music.
Sunday morning we headed to brunch at High Cotton. KP and I split the crabcakes benedict. I wish I had taken a picture of it because it was incredible! It was served on a slice of fried green tomato and of course, brunch wouldn't be complete without Mimosa's and Bellini's.
After brunch we walked around the market and did some more shopping. By around 4 it was time to head to the airport so we headed back to the hotel to grab our stuff and take one last picture.
I had the best time and was so glad to get to be a part of the weekend! One night, we were planning everyone else's bachelorette weekends based on locations we all want to visit and came up with (in no particular order) Austin, Vegas, Napa, NYC, and LA....then we all decided we'll start saving now for whoever's next!!!
After dinner, we bar hopped and ended up at Trio which was a blast...it was like a great college bar downstairs with a fun band and a techno club upstairs. Earlier Katherine had made friends with the bellhop at our hotel and got all sorts of tips so we were able to enjoy the Pedi-Cab ride home with Kat's new friends!
Saturday we headed to the beach at Sullivan's Island and then had a late lunch at Poe's Tavern...another great meal. Afterwards, we headed to the rooftop pool at the hotel to lounge around.
Saturday night we threw a lingerie shower for Carolyn and enjoyed gourmet cupcakes from Cupcake and these adorable cookies that KP made!
After opening all her goodies, we headed to Coast to start our "Mojito Crawl" since that is Carolyn's favorite drink. We all enjoyed different kinds of mojitos...my favorites were Strawberry Rhubarb and the Mango Mojito. After a few more stops on our Mojito Crawl we ended up at Trio again and danced all night to great live music.
Sunday morning we headed to brunch at High Cotton. KP and I split the crabcakes benedict. I wish I had taken a picture of it because it was incredible! It was served on a slice of fried green tomato and of course, brunch wouldn't be complete without Mimosa's and Bellini's.
After brunch we walked around the market and did some more shopping. By around 4 it was time to head to the airport so we headed back to the hotel to grab our stuff and take one last picture.
In front of the fountain at our hotel, Charleston Place Hotel
I had the best time and was so glad to get to be a part of the weekend! One night, we were planning everyone else's bachelorette weekends based on locations we all want to visit and came up with (in no particular order) Austin, Vegas, Napa, NYC, and LA....then we all decided we'll start saving now for whoever's next!!!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
the doggies
Lately we have been bringing our 2 dogs to the retriever pond near our house. We don't have the biggest yard so we like to let them run around and play! Much to our surprise, they both retrieved tennis balls from the pond quite well! We have almost tried to force Liza to like the water but it wasn't until Ruger came along (a little competition) that she willingly gets in the water and swims like a champ! Here's a few pics of our fun at the park!
They slept well after a fun day swimming and playing!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Weddings Galore
I'm 25 and it wasn't until recently that I've felt old enough to have a job, own a home, and be married, but the truth is, I've been in that phase of my life for 4 years now! I was a young bride, a baby, still in school...I've heard them all (and still do). But as one of my dear college friends said in the midst of all the stares and comments behind my back, "He knows what he wants and he's sure of it." (obviously about Elliott proposing to me my junior year of college) The plus to being engaged in college is that I got to have a candle passing at my sorority house! I'll never forget it. I had only told a very few friends and sworn them to secrecy. I was standing next to a friend of mine who was a senior and had been dating a guy since high school so everyone was convinced it was for her! We sang in the courtyard around the fountain and the whole chapter passed the candle around 3 times (it took quite awhile) and when it stopped on me you could see the shock on quite a few faces. My friends were all so excited for me and within the next few months another good friend (Frannie, who we went skiing with) got engaged and had a candle passing too...as a side note, being in the greek community at LSU is a lot like being in high school again and word spreads VERY fast. So, with Frannie and Rudy's engagement, it seemed like we weren't so crazy after all. Or that they were just as crazy as us!?!?
Besides Frannie and Rudy, we didn't have any of our close friends get married for about two years. Then there was a rush of parties, rehearsals, bachelor/bachelorette trips, and WEDDINGS. And so it is upon us again! Now that all the non crazies have caught up with us, I again find myself in a year of weddings.
First of all is my best friend from high school, Jennifer. Jennifer and John started dating our sophomore year of college and got engaged this past Thanksgiving. We've known for quite a while they would get married, just not sure when. When I saw her calling me on Thanksgiving, I knew she was calling to tell me he had proposed. I am incredibly happy for them! I know Jenn has been patiently waiting and will be a beautiful bride!
Elliott's brother Evan got engaged to Claire (previous post) and had their wedding in Jackson where she is from. It was a busy weekend full of luncheons, brunches, and great company. Elliott and I were both in the wedding so it was extra special.
(we all wondered why we were taking pictures without the groom!!)
Claire was a beautiful bride and we had a wonderful time dancing to our favorite band United We Jam from the Baton Rouge area and going out afterwards! The newlyweds honeymooned in Vail and are settling into their new home in Baton Rouge.
My dear friend from college, Carolyn, is marrying Tyler in August. For the past 2 years Carolyn and Tyler have lived in one of my favorite cities, Charleston, SC (where Elliott and I honeymooned). Carolyn is finishing up PA school at MUSC and Tyler is an ICU Nurse. He was recently accepted to LSU's Nurse Anesthetist program and they will be moving to New Orleans this summer!! While we are all thrilled they are moving closer to home, I hate that I haven't taken advantage of visiting them!
While celebrating weddings is WONDERFUL, they are exhausting! There are a few other weddings this year that we will happily be in attendance at, but not participants in!
At every wedding, I love listening to the vows and charges and being reminded of the commitment Elliott and I made to one another. I am also thankful that I can fully enjoy weddings and never have to do it myself again!
Besides Frannie and Rudy, we didn't have any of our close friends get married for about two years. Then there was a rush of parties, rehearsals, bachelor/bachelorette trips, and WEDDINGS. And so it is upon us again! Now that all the non crazies have caught up with us, I again find myself in a year of weddings.
First of all is my best friend from high school, Jennifer. Jennifer and John started dating our sophomore year of college and got engaged this past Thanksgiving. We've known for quite a while they would get married, just not sure when. When I saw her calling me on Thanksgiving, I knew she was calling to tell me he had proposed. I am incredibly happy for them! I know Jenn has been patiently waiting and will be a beautiful bride!
Elliott's brother Evan got engaged to Claire (previous post) and had their wedding in Jackson where she is from. It was a busy weekend full of luncheons, brunches, and great company. Elliott and I were both in the wedding so it was extra special.
My dear friend from college, Carolyn, is marrying Tyler in August. For the past 2 years Carolyn and Tyler have lived in one of my favorite cities, Charleston, SC (where Elliott and I honeymooned). Carolyn is finishing up PA school at MUSC and Tyler is an ICU Nurse. He was recently accepted to LSU's Nurse Anesthetist program and they will be moving to New Orleans this summer!! While we are all thrilled they are moving closer to home, I hate that I haven't taken advantage of visiting them!
We missed their engagement party because I was out of town that weekend but I was able to make a wonderful bridal shower hosted by great friends!
While celebrating weddings is WONDERFUL, they are exhausting! There are a few other weddings this year that we will happily be in attendance at, but not participants in!
At every wedding, I love listening to the vows and charges and being reminded of the commitment Elliott and I made to one another. I am also thankful that I can fully enjoy weddings and never have to do it myself again!
Ski Trip
I believe I started this post in January and haven't gotten around to finishing it so now that it's wayyyy past due, here goes.
Back in October, our sweet friends Rudy and Frannie called to see if we were interested in going snow skiing after Christmas. Elliott and I had been talking about wanting to go snow skiing for about a year now so this call was in perfect timing. Frannie is quite the planner and within a few days she sent me a spreadsheet of the trip timeline, activities, and expected costs. After about a week of "thinking about it" we couldn't come up with any reasons not to go especially since I was able to get off work! We had the best time and decided that we have very similar vacation ideals and expectations as the Comeaux's. We hope to have many more ski trips and vacations with them as our families grow!
It snowed the first 3 days we were there and stayed around -15 degrees!!!
Elliott in skier position
The snow was magical! This reminded me of the white woods from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Although we had the best time, it wasn't hard to leave the frigid temps to come home to a Louisiana winter of 40-50 degrees!!
Back in October, our sweet friends Rudy and Frannie called to see if we were interested in going snow skiing after Christmas. Elliott and I had been talking about wanting to go snow skiing for about a year now so this call was in perfect timing. Frannie is quite the planner and within a few days she sent me a spreadsheet of the trip timeline, activities, and expected costs. After about a week of "thinking about it" we couldn't come up with any reasons not to go especially since I was able to get off work! We had the best time and decided that we have very similar vacation ideals and expectations as the Comeaux's. We hope to have many more ski trips and vacations with them as our families grow!
It snowed the first 3 days we were there and stayed around -15 degrees!!!
A few weeks ago, I got an invitation to join Pinterest from my sister-in-law Meredith. She is always into the "cool" and "trendy" websites and I usually get sucked into most things she sends me. She has also introduced me to HauteLook, Rue La La, and Rent the Runway. I should have known this was the hot new thing but unlike a discount fashion site, Pinterest has given me an outlet to store (and share) all those things I tear out or dog ear in magazines! Needless to say, my whole afternoon has been consumed with Pinterest. It is AMAZING! I'm sure everyone has heard of it but I hadn't "pinned" anything or even gone to the site since I got an "invitation" to join a few weeks ago...I actually laughed because I had 3 followers before I had really logged in...and then I followed them. and saw what they pinned. and became addicted. My first pins were things I've seen in catalogues and want to buy or things I think that Elliott or I can make ourselves...we'll see how that goes! Next, I'll be going through these stacks of magazines!
I don't like to think of myself as a hoarder because I really find joy in cleaning out closests and giving things away, but for whatever reason, I have the hardest time getting rid of magazines! It cannot be explained but it makes me happy that they are organized by title and month and I love the way they look on my shelf!
1-6 = January-June
7-12= July-December
Have I mentioned I'm type A and a bit neurotic?
You can't deny that it's quite satisfying to have that messy stack end up looking like those organized shelves :)
And incase you're wondering, the magazine holders are IKEA and thanks to fabulous sister, I have 12 instead of 10!
Now, go join Pinterest!
holly
I don't like to think of myself as a hoarder because I really find joy in cleaning out closests and giving things away, but for whatever reason, I have the hardest time getting rid of magazines! It cannot be explained but it makes me happy that they are organized by title and month and I love the way they look on my shelf!
1-6 = January-June
7-12= July-December
Have I mentioned I'm type A and a bit neurotic?
You can't deny that it's quite satisfying to have that messy stack end up looking like those organized shelves :)
And incase you're wondering, the magazine holders are IKEA and thanks to fabulous sister, I have 12 instead of 10!
Now, go join Pinterest!
holly
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