Weekend Collection

Friday's dinner involved walking around countless people and food trucks.  "The Battle of the Food Trucks" was in full force, and believe me, the husband and I got around.  Both of us were happy with our respective selections for dinner, but I was even happier with our selection for dessert.  A salted caramel chocolate, mint chocolate, fudge, and orangescicle cupcake each went home to be devoured over the weekend.  They were well worth the calories.

This weekend brought a visitor from Pennsylvania.  A fellow teacher who loves all things English (in both the British sense and the language sense).  And thus, our great adventure began.

On Saturday, we left early in the morning to drive to Montgomery where the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum was waiting for us.  Although not extensive, the museum sits in a lovely house where the Fitzgeralds resided when living close to Zelda's family.  Because of in-law issues and the oppressive summer heat, F. Scott was not particularly fond of living Montgomery, and they were never around for long.  However, it was one of the longest places of residence for the Fitzgeralds, including their daughter.

The museum included pictures and memorabilia from Zelda and Scott's respective families, as well as pictures and letters dating from their courtship and on.  Some of Zelda's artwork was on display, and first editions of all Scott's novels!  The excitement and complete nerd-ing out was overwhelming.

Then we jumped into the car and headed to Monroeville, Harper Lee's hometown.  We had tickets to see a performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the courthouse that inspired the events in the famed novel.  It was breathtaking.  The performance was wonderful, and we wanted Atticus to come home and read us a bedtime story.  He was the perfect performer.  A long drive home and a stop at a Waffle House capped off our long Saturday.

Sunday was a day of BBQ and relaxation and that was alright with me.  It's hard to come back down to earth after such an exciting, fun-filled weekend, but I am so glad that such a dear friend was able to visit.

April Favorites

This month was probably my busiest of all the months thus far.  I was looking for quick and easy fixes to issues I was dealing with at the time.  As the cold months left, my skin was doing crazy things, I was completely depressed by the beautiful but dark colors in every room, and I was looking for a little color in every corner.

West Elm bedding | The first thing I wanted to update was our cranberry-colored bedspread.  These lighter, coastal tones of the duvet cover paired well with slate Pottery Barn pillow covers and a matching throw.

Bella Kettle | This "hot pot" or kettle was the perfect colorful replacement.  It earned its spot on the counter.

Le Pens | The office supply nerd inside of me could not pass up the beauty of these pens.  And the fine tip.

Clarasonic Mia2 | For my crazy skin, Karl bought me this long-coveted face cleansing tool for my birthday.  Dealing with all sorts of sun, dirt, and general track grime deep in my pores, this little beauty has lived up to its reputation.

Underarmour hat | Although I hate hat hair, this has been a necessity as the sun comes out longer and hotter every day.  While the other coaches and kids walk around with sunburned scalps and faces, my head is fairing much better.

An Hour or Two

The state track championship was held in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It was three days of sleepiness, watching, and running. And eating, of course.  Karl and I have been meaning to make it to the gulf, but our endeavor was cut short with his work schedule and life.  I am an ardent fan of the beach, and if I wasn't so afraid of storms, I would also be a supporter of coastal living myself.

I was not brave enough to don a swimsuit and jump into the water. But for the hour or so that the kids frolicked and posed for pictures, I dug my feet into the sand and the water.  I let the breeze off the waves tangle my hair.  I thought of big, floppy straw hats to shield my face from the burning sun.  And I imagined coming back to the beach because I do love it so.

Worth It

I will not be able to wear flats or heels for a week or two.  My sock tan line is atrocious to look upon, and I feel like everyone is staring at my feet.  My legs are so tan already, but my feet are still ghastly white.

My earlobes are sunburned.  As well as the back of my legs.  That means they are itchy.  For someone who never has sunburn, this is a slight inconvenience.

I am so sleepy.  I went to bed too late on Friday, only to wake up early on Saturday to fetch the coffee and donuts before another long day.  Saturday I fell asleep at 7:00 pm.  Dinner was missed.

I will ride a school bus for six hours on Thursday.  Then I will ride another six hours to return home on Saturday.  But it's where we are going that makes the trip, the sunburn, the lack of sleep, and the messy tan lines worth it.

Our track team won sectionals.  So it's off to the state meet we go.  Gulf Shores, Alabama.  We'll be at the beach for a little while.  I might even get to enjoy a dinner with real, fresh seafood one evening.  Winning never felt so good.

Weekend Collection

This past weekend brought a car load of family members. I always worry about sleeping arrangements and the lack of certain necessities, such as extra blankets and pillows.  As two young married people, husband and I have yet to acquire "old" comforters and afghans and pillows that have fallen flat.  But eventually, you have to look around the apartment, look into all the rooms, shrug your shoulders, and say, "Alas."

We were much excited to feel the warmth again, with temperatures climbing back into the 80s.  And while by myself I may have sat on the porch or tanned a bit, with family, the weekend was full of food.  Places that Karl and I have discovered in our research on Urbanspoon and my particular taste for stuffed potatoes rather than ribs and barbecued chicken.  And that was fine.  I didn't fire up the oven/stove once.  I am not even sure the microwave was ever used.  Next time I will try to be a bit more proactive in the field of cooking.  I suppose it was a little daunting for me to think about cooking for six rather than the usual two.  So husband did not even ask it of me once, and I am grateful that he neither poked nor prodded the issue.  Next time.

We also took the family to the shooting range using our newly minted membership identification cards.  I am not sure there is anything more "hick" than our newest hobby, but I am rather enjoying myself.  I never saw myself owning a gun, yet alone a pistol, and while maybe I wish our hobby was a bit less expensive, the level of concentration and skill needed is as exciting to learn as it might be to master.  Karl was especially excited to teach his little brother (and by little, I mean, probably taller but younger in age), as my brother-in-law has held an affinity for shooting targets at a younger age.  My sister-in-law and I were just as happy to window shop for the weekend, as she is on a tight budget due to her impending trip to Rome for a semester.  Oh to be young again.

And as Karl shuffled back into the apartment after escorting the family to their car, we smiled at one another and slowly started shifting bits and pieces of our lives back into place.  And now we have resumed to working by day and tiredly ordering Chinese takeout and watching "Suits" in the evening.  But the weekend was lovely, and we will make it another week.

March Favorites

As spring break waves goodbye, more work and track season duties are upon me.  There has not been tons of time to sit and watch television mindlessly, yet alone time to blog.  However, I thought I would share some simple things that kept me smiling this past March, just as the weather is beginning to warm.

Spun Honey | A solid, creamy form of honey that makes it just right to use a spoon.

Anthropologie Robe | A new purchase that I snatched up immediately when they restocked my size.

Loving Frank | A novel about Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress.  A truly enjoyable and shocking read.

OPI "Chicago Champagne Toast" | I took off my acrylics for the first time in months.  This metallic pink is perfect for the signs of spring.

J. Crew sleeping shorts | Super soft, these shorts were just what I was looking for in order to shed my winter flannels.

Snapshots

A few snapshots of my week:

These washi tapes...

...for making plain paper look pretty.

This candle...

...because it was free, and it smells divine.

These candies...

...for tasting so delicious.

This plain white scarf...

...because dressing up an outfit is so easy on days I feel so tired.

This new, "90% natural" bath scrub...

...because what other scent says "Southern" like sweet tea?