Vote 2012: Anxiously Waiting

Polls are closed here now, but we woke up early this morning and were pleasantly surprised by the nice conditions, donuts and coffee, short lines and expedient process to VOTE this morning.  After a long day at the office, I rushed home to prep a quick but patriotic dinner to celebrate election day 2012!  We dined on a festive red, white and blue display and watched as each state has been announced.

Our Menu included:

Uncle Sammies

(BBQ and Cole Slaw Sliders)

Red, White and Blue Nachos

(Blue Chips w Cheese Dip and Bell Pepper)

Stars and Stripes Fruit

(Blueberries, Strawberries with Whipped Topping and Sprinkles)

 

 

A few flags dotted around on the dough bowl display added a festive touch.

 

And the best, of course ... tiny containers of Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream (my personal fave) gave a sweet and patriotic tribute for dessert!

 

Red state, blue state ... too early to call this one - it will definitely be a long night!

Happy Halloween

We celebrated the scariest day of the year in good style around these parts.  Baby B woke up and headed off to school (unusual for a Wednesday) to participate in the Halloween Parade.  It was the cutest darn thing to watch all of the preschool classes march their costumed selves around the balloon lined walk way outside the school.  Like a good mommy, I stood and froze my derriere off for a good 45 minutes waiting on the festivities (that's love). 

The original costume of choice for Baby B was Bam Bam from the Flintstones.  How cute would that have been - little boy running around with his baseball bat as he always has.  He would have just loved it.  Well, when temps were threatening near freezing range, the thought of a half naked baby was just too terrible to imagine.  And, if you toss tons of layers under his little Bam Bam costume ... it just wouldn't be cute (or make sense), so ... we pulled out the tried and true pumpkin suit!  The good news - it's warm and conducive to layers.  And thus, Baby B was a darling pumpkin, hat and all, this year!

When the walkers class finally surfaced, Baby B was proudly walking and holding the hand of one of his teachers.  He was so darn cute and all smiles as his adoring fans oggled over the cute littles in costumes.  All that was fine and good until he spotted mommy in the crowd.  Then, he made a bee line straight for me, which meant that to continue in the parade ... mommy joined the walkers class. 

 

After we did an elaborate bait and switch with one of the teachers, Baby B's day at school continued without a hitch.  He crafted and did all of the fun things that the walkers class does.  Proudly, he came home with a decorated pumpkin.  And, while I'm not sure if the oddly feathered two eyed (the other is under the feathers) pumpkin is a masterpiece or should be examined, I sure think it's just darling.

 

Once we completed our afternoon nap time, we headed over to sweet bestie A's house for a fall party prior to trick or treat.  Guest stops with a few other friends to say hello, Baby B officially trick or treated one or two houses and then marched himself home. 

 

 

I guess when the baby goes home, he's trying to tell you he's had enough?  The child seriously walked (and knew where to cross the street to get home) at least 5 houses with Dear Hubs chasing behind him.  When we arrived home and everyone shed layers of coats and costumes, we dined on BBQ chicken pizza and salad.  Zsa Zsa and Pops were on hand with a giant pumpkin shaped cupcake for Baby B to enjoy as well.  Enjoy he did (and cover everything in orange frosting!)!  Once bellies were all full, Baby B called it a night, surprisingly close to his normal bedtime too!   

All in all, it was a successful and fun Halloween.  Now, onto November for more festive events and fun!

Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech

Straight off a 10 hour flight home from Barcelona (pics of this fab trip forthcoming), Dear Hubs and I headed back to our Alma Mater for the homecoming game; Georgia Tech versus the Cougars of BYU.  The game (and our team) left something to be desired, but we had a wonderful time catching up with a few faces from our college years, scooting over to check out the new football practice facility (which Dear Hubs was in awe of since the facilities weren't nearly so amazing when he played) and then headed to the game.  In tow all along the way was Baby B.  I can hardly believe it but this was his VERY FIRST GT game.  Last year he was too tiny and this year, we just have had too much going on to make it back to the games.  He enjoyed every bit of the tailgating scene and actually made it to half time of the game ... which was a shocking event all on its own!


I just love these pics of Dear Hubs with Baby B at the practice field.  One of these may find it's way to black and white for Dear Hubs' office!

 

The game was a hit, well ... more specifically the small airplane that flew around the stadium with a large banner advertising free entry to the Cheetah (strip club) was a hit.  Men ....

 

By half time, 2 sippy cups of water, about 85 graham crackers and a soft pretzel had been consumed.  That was our queue that it was time to head home before the impending melt down due to delayed nap ensued.  We stopped at the Varsity for a quick chili dog and rings on our way north.  I love that place!

 

Given performance (of our crew not the team), we will certainly be making a repeat appearance for future games with the Yellow Jackets newest fan!

Ten Years

It's hard to believe it was ten years ago today that Dear Hubs and I said our "I do's" at Primrose Cottage in Roswell.  It feels like only yesterday. but Lordy ... looking at the pics now - we looked like babies!  I guess it really has been 10 years! LOL. 

 

And today, these two senior citizen looking peeps are in Napa enjoying a GLORIOUS weekend in wine country.  Pics and juicy details are forth coming once I get the phone to synch! 

 

Happy Anniversary, Dear Hubs.  Thank you for ten wonderful years and for being an incredible husband and father.  Love you.

 

xoxo

b

 

 

Pumpkin Patch

 

We spent the beautiful weekend doing many things in the great outdoors; including our annual pumpkin patch trip.  This year, Baby B was a bit older and much more engaged in the entire patch experience.  As a result ... more fun was had by all as we watched on as he tried to pick up giant pumpkins with daddy, eat every ounce of dirt in sight and do all the things little boys do when presented with a giant field of pumpkins!

 

This year, we took our trip to Burt's Farm in Dawsonville.  Last year, we tried another local pumpkin hot spot and were dissappointed.  So ... back to Burt's we go!  After stopping for BBQ for lunch, we set out on the adventure!

 

Burt's Farm is a megaplex when it comes to pumpkin farms and all things fall.  They offer everything from hay rides to fresh baked pumpkin breads and EVERYTHING in between.  While it's very crowded on any given October weekend, the space is really so big that it still feels big enough to carve out your little slice of the farm for pics and such with littles.  I'd highly recommend this spot, not only is it fun for an afternoon, but their prices are affordable and the bounty is always plenty!  

 

 

 

 

After Baby B was done exploring, we took a moment to attempt (key word) some family pics.  Then, next thing you know ... who do we see but bestie M and her crew of hubby J and little B in tow!  So fun to see these sweet faces!

 

 

 

We held off melt downs from Baby B as long as we could - the sweet boy was way overdue on a nap - and then we loaded up our GIANT pumpkin finds and headed back south to put out our many beautiful fall displays!

 

Great fun for a weekend and pumpkins all season long!

 

xoxo

Shopping Around Savannah

I fell in love with the coastal empire town of Savannah years ago.  I've made repeat trips m.a.n.y. times for everything from St. Patrick's celebrations to shopping excursions to get aways with besties.  I just love this town.  Thanks to some rainy showers that moved through town yesterday, Zsa Zsa and I headed out to catch my fave stops in Savannah and stock up on any and all goodies that were new and must haves! 

Thanks to the many trips and recs of faves from my sweet bestie M who is a tasteful decorator and shopping aficianato ... I've got a list a mile long that makes Dear Hubs sweat at the thought that I am on the hunt for some retail therapy in Savannah!

First stop ... Broughton Street.  We hit the mainstains and a few newer finds like 24e, DC2 and our mainstay Paris Market.  Lordy be, I just love Paris Market. 

 

From the minute you walk in, it's a wonder for the senses.  Beautiful chandy's hang throughout the store, gorge antiques, curiousities and collectibles as far as the eye can see and candles to no end!

 

I was especially smitten with the bebe department this time.  The cute display of oversized toadstools and a little village just drew me in.  I left with a vintage looking alphabet poster for the babe's bathroom.  And, I may have to go back for a set of the Kitchen Papers for kids that I spotted....

 

 

The minute we headed down the stairs to the basement showroom, Zsa Zsa announced (because she was down first) "don't come over here because I know you will buy these...".  She was correct.  These oversized tins, wrapped in burlap with the numerals 1-3 were a must have!  Score for me .. .set of 3 that will find a home in either my laundry, basement or any of a thousand spots at home!

 

This shell sculpture was a sure fire looker.  With a price tag of two thousand ... it might stay behind. 

 

The little sweets shop was as cute as pie (as always).  We did without this time, but goodness it's so stinkin' charming it draws you in!  There are so many curiousities here I could spend hours!

 

After a few purchases ... we headed to a few other stops.  Then, thanks to some rain and less than comfy shoes, we gave up our prime parking spot for a spot closer to our next locale.  We hit up a few little antique shops with no fab finds to report and then made our way to No. Four Eleven and One Fish Two Fish.  Yep, those are among the top finds in town. 

 

The sweetest gal, Courtland (love her name) was beyond helpful at No. Four Eleven.  The shop is darling and known all around for their beautiful monogram services.  Well, that's only part of the story.  Their linens are divine and their trinkets are adorable.  I was crushing everything in sight - from an orange chevron frame to a stack of monogrammed linens.  Of course I didn't leave empty handed ... no, no.  I scored a Linea's Lights candle that I've oogled over since buying my first in Cali months back.  A Sea Salt scent scored for me today.  Dear Courtland was darling enough to intro me to a few new scents she had hiding in the back as well, and was such a peach she gave me a deal on those, too!  That gal has a new friend from Atlanta now.  Check out this oyster mirror, I'm smitten!

 

 

 

 

And last, but not least ... we stopped just down the way at One Fish Two Fish.  Bestie M introed this one to my shopping rolodex years back and it's been a mainstay since.  Not to mention, it's received many mentions in every juicy southern mag I read!  I toured this store many, many times oogling the quatrafoil tables, great frames and the beautes in the jewlry case.  I may be back for that bee bangle!

 

 

 

On our way home, we stopped for Paula's signature coffee (a fave of Zsa Zsa and Dear Hubs) and a stash of Paula's magazines ... hey, that's quality southern reading! 

 

 

Last stop ... Belk back in HHI.  Zsa Zsa needed to pop in for a shirt for Dear Ole' Dad and I just couldn't resist the Lily P section.  Who knew that LILY was at Belk?  I scored a sweet pair of shorts, my first shorts purchase in over ten years.  They are just cuties and I can't wait to wear them.

 

So, rainy days beware ... you are perfectly primed for some retail therapy! 

Seafood Delights

We woke this morning to find the rainy day that every weather tracking device we own had claimed would happen.  Yep, it's a rainy beach day.  After a slow start to the morning, Zsa Zsa and I left the crew and headed to Savannah to hit some of my fave shops (more on that later). 

It was a miracle that we didn't stop for Paula's fried chicken on the way home, instead we opted to wait for dinner with everyone.  That was a great call.  Our selection ... Hudson's on the Docks on Hilton Head.  It was pretty much as good as everything we had heard AND THEN SOME!

We walked in starving and left more full than I have been in a long time.  Shortly after our arrival (and greeting from darling waiter, Chance), the libations were flowing and the rents were sucking down their share of raw oysters.  Fried green tomato appetizers were my contribution for the starving brood.  Good choices all around! 

 

We poured over our menus like we were deciding the fate of something as serious as National Security only to ensure we ordered the perfect meal.  It was a series of Neptune Platters (that's the mother load of all things seafood), crab cakes, flounder and a lovely chicken tender kiddo meal for the babe.

We ate mounds of hush puppies and a trove of seafood only to almost die when sweet waiter Chance asked if we saved room for dessert .... gasp, no.  I seriously don't know the last time I have been this full!  We couldn't get home fast enough for me to slide out of my Lily P palazo pants and into my "turkey pants" (aka yoga pants).

 

 

A good time, good food and good fun had by all!  Here's looking forward to tomorrow!