Hey friends!!! Happy Friday!!!!  We made it!! I’m ready for the weekend! What about you guys?  I have a few plans with friends then I’m hoping to hang at the pool if the weather is good!  It has been so rainy here the last 5 or 6 days so we are due for some sunshine! 

 A few days ago I had an appointment near my mom’s house so we met afterwards for lunch at Panera.  We are both obsessed with their autumn squash soup and get it every chance we can!

After lunch we had to make a trip to Home Depot then we decided to get our nails done at a new salon. 

I picked this maroon color for fall.  

After we got our nails done, I headed to Sprouts to grab a few things.  I normally shop at Kroger, but love to stop at Sprouts when I am in my mom’s neck of the woods since there isn’t one close to me.  If you’ve never been to Sprouts, I would describe it kinda like a Trader Joe’s with lots of new and fun products, but it has a bigger selection than TJ’s.  I thought it would be fun to show you guys what I picked up!

I got the already rice cauliflower to make cauliflower fried rice, mushrooms and frozen edamame to add to that dish as well.  I picked up some green yogurts, bars, salad dressing, green juice (on a big sale!), kombuchas (also on a big sale), coconut milk (for butternut squash soup, and chili lime carnitas flavored jackfruit!  I have been wanting to make tacos with this jackfruit for awhile so I will let you guys know how they turn out!  

I had never tried this balsamic dressing before, but had it yesterday over a salad for lunch and it was really good!!  It is only 30 calories per serving too. 

Wednesday night my husband and I had plans to go to The Southern for dinner as we had a giftcard we needed to use.  

It is always nice to have a date night in the middle of the week to break up the work week a bit. 

I wasn’t too hungry so I stuck with a salad with grouper on top, my husband got a steak, and we split a side of asparagus.  It was all so yummy!

Since we were already downtown we stopped in Luke Bryan’s new bar for a drink on the rooftop before heading back home.  It was such a nice date night with my husband.  

I have dinner with my girlfriend tonight then a spin class in the morning!  I hope you guys enjoy your weekend!!

Questions:

1. Where do you grocery shop most often?
2. How often do you go grocery shopping?
3. How often do you have a date night with your partner if you have one?

Good morning!!!!!  So happy to be able to squeeze in a couple more blog posts than usual this week.  It’s been a pretty non-eventful week , which is nice as yall know I don’t love having a ton of commitments during the work week.  

I’m getting pretty excited for the weekend.  We don’t have any set plans, but we are making some with a few friends so it should be a good one! 

Backing up to last weekend in Nashville.  My sister, her boyfriend, and a couple of her girlfriends stayed with us while they were in town for a friend’s wedding. 

My dad took us out to dinner at Midtown Cafe on Friday evening.  I got the salmon with asparagus and mushroom risotto.  Ever since I studied abroad in Italy, Risotto has been my love language.  I don’t have it often, but when I do, it is a real treat! So creamy and delicious!

My husband got this chicken dish that came in a puff pasty and he loved his dish as well.

The whole gang. 🙂

Saturday morning my sister, her boyfriend, and I had a scheduled workout class at Barrys Bootcamp.  Have you guys ever taking a class at Barrys?  It was hard and I was sore!  It is a combination of treadmill running and weight training.  I like the switching things up a bit and getting out of my normal routine.  

After getting cleaned up, we headed to Germantown Cafe for brunch with my momma!  I got the salmon salad, which was just perfect!

All the girls after brunch!

My sister, my mom, me, and our boys. 🙂

Everyone but my mom and I decided to “bird” home on the electric scooters.  They had a bunch of issues finding 5, then one would have a flat tire, then one would have a dead battery, etc.  LOL.  I think my mom and I made the right decision to drive home in the car. 🙂 

Saturday afternoon we ended up doing the double deck bus tour of Nashville.  I have always wanted to do it and now I can say I did!  It is pretty fun to be a tourist in your own city. 🙂

The Parthenon. 

Jonny and I on the bus!

So I told you guys that my sister and her boyfriend and friends were in town for a wedding.  Well the girls all got blowouts and looked beautiful and ofcourse it started pouring down rain.  My sister’s boyfriend, Max, improvised and opened up the back porch umbrella to transport the girls to the car without ruining their hair.  Too funny. 

My husband and I were going to grab a drink on a rooftop bar Saturday night, but the nasty weather had us craving a night in instead.  I made salmon skewers with this pesto and roasted brussel sprouts and portabella mushrooms with balsamic glaze.  It was a yummy combination!  I am obsessed with this homemade pesto and love that it uses almonds instead of pine nuts (much more affordable) and no cheese and it still tastes delicious! 

We spent Sunday hanging out, watching football, reading books, napping, meal prepping, change sheets, doing laundry, and getting things done around the house.  It was so nice not to have to be anywhere and to just have a full day at home.  

Questions:

1. What did you all do last weekend?
2. Do you like mushrooms?
3. Have you ever done any touristy things in the city you live?

Hey friends!!!  How’s this week going for you?  I’m just soaking up this warm weather right now because I know the cold weather is just right around the corner.  I am not a fan of cold weather… unless I am skiing or watching the snow fall from inside a warm cozy house. 🙂 

I will be back soon with a recap of our weekend, which was so nice and relaxing.  We literally did nothing on Sunday and I can’t remember the last time that has happened.  

I told you a few weeks ago that I try to set an intention/goal/focus each week.  This week I am focusing on staying off of my phone at night.  I want to get more sleep and I want to read more of my book (currently reading “The Other Sister” by Lisa Gardner instead of watching shows.  

A couple weeks ago my mother-in-law and I tagged along to San Antonio with my husband.  He had some work to do there so we decided to explore the city while he worked.  We made a pit stop into Bird Bakery for a quick lunch once we arrived.  I got the tuna salad protein plate and it was so yummy!

That night we went over to an area of town called The Pearl.  I can’t remember the restaurant, but I got the fish special and it was delicious!

I love working out when I am out of town.  I always like to start my day by moving my body because it makes me feel my best.  I also know that I will be eating more and indulging a bit more than usual when I am out of town so moving my body helps me feel good while I enjoy a few cocktails and rich meals.  My husband joined me in the gym both days we were there and caught me mid run.  He was making fun of the fact that I like to watch Dr. Phil while I work out.  I know, it is weird. 🙂

For dinner the second night we went to Acenar.  It is located right on the Riverwalk which is really fun.  We started with the fish ceviche.  Yum!

I got the shrimp tacos and loved my meal.  Can’t go wrong with tacos in my book!!

We walked down to the water after dinner.  My mother-in-law and me!

My people!!

On the last day we drove out of town to explore the big hills outside of San Antonio.  They were soo pretty.  We grabbed lunch at Canyon Cafe before heading to the airport. 

I got the ahi tuna salad and it hit the spot!!  I love a yummy salad especially with fish on top!  

We had such a great short trip in San Antonio and I was so glad I had my mother-in-law to explore with while my husband was working.  We may just keeping tagging along on his future work trips. 😉

Questions:

1. Reading a good book right now?  
2. If you are married or in a relationship, are you close to your partner’s family?
3. Do you or your partner travel for work? 

Good morning!!! How are you all doing today?  I hope your week is going well so far!  We are just busy busy busy over here, but all good things so I can’t complain!! 

A couple weekends ago my husband and I drove up to Cincinnati for our friends’ wedding.  It was held at a beautiful event center just outside of Cincinnati.  We were in and out so quickly we didn’t get to see any of our old friends from when we lived in Cincinnati, but that just means we will have to make another trip to see them all!

It was a gorgeous day, but really hot so we were thankful the ceremony and reception were inside.  During the cocktail hour, they opened up the porch so we stepped outside for a minute.  

The bride’s nephew (who is 6 months old) was in a pretty wagon and pulled down the aisle by the flower girl and little boy.  It was so precious and I am mad I didn’t get a picture!

The beautiful bride and I. 

Jon and the groom.  My husband and I met Luke during intramural softball when we were living in Cincinnati.  We have stayed good friends with him ever since.

We sat with my brother-in-law, our old neighbor, and the bride’s soccer teammates from college.  We had a really fun table!

I thought this idea was so sweet.  

The reception hall was really beautiful with a nice big dance floor!

Listening closely to all the sweet speeches. 🙂

We had a really fun time at Mary and Luke’s wedding.  I’ve said it before, but since getting married, each wedding I attend is that much more special because it reminds me how special our wedding day was for us.  We wish the happy couple all the love in the world!

Questions:

1. Are you married?
2. If so, how big was your wedding? 
3. Did you go on a honeymoon?  If so, where did you go?  We went to St. Thomas and it was the most amazing trip ever!

Hey Guys!! Happy Monday!! I hope you all had an amazing weekend!! We sure did!  We had a blast with my sister, her boyfriend, and friends.  I’ll be back soon with my weekend recap, but today I am finishing up my beach vacation recap.

Are you all sick of my beach pictures yet? 😉 

I could get used to this view!

Our sweet Callie girl loves my bestie Lissa.  So cute and so nice to know our pups are in such great hands when we are gone.  

Yall, I am dying laughing while I write this.  I’ve chosen the nice pictures of the bunch so keep that in mind.  My mom and two aunts decided to brave the waves and take a dip.  Well my mom went down pretty quickly and ever time she tried to get up another huge wave would come and knock her down.  She was literally rolling in the sand.  My sister, a lifeguard, and the guy next to us all went to her rescue.  She was not hurt at all.  We were all laughing the rest of the evening about her fall.  The guy next to us said afterwards, “Please promise me you will not go back in the water while I go to the restroom.” LOL 

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is lay outside and read.  I finished the book “Love You More” by Lisa Gardner and it is one of my favorites.  I loved it so much my sweet momma went to the used bookstore and bought me 11 more of her books (for under $20 total!!!).  I’ve already started the next one. 

Just one of the many platter salads I made during the week.  Yum!

Puzzling and postcard making.

My sister and I.  I think I have told you all before that my sister just graduated from law school.  She starts her big girl job at a law firm next week so the beach vacation was just what she needed before she starts working long hours. 

Can we go back now?

Loving the sunshine and the waves.

The waves tried to knock me down too! 

Such natural beauty.

We ate at the house we were staying at most meals, but opted to go out for dinner one night at Mulligans.  I got the ahi tuna.. so yummy.  My mom brought a trivia game to play while we ate.  It was mostly geography questions and questions about different countries.  I did horrible!  My sister won.  Are you surprised? 😉

All the girls outside the restaurant.

The girlies at dinner.

Panoramic my sister took of the backyard and pool.  Such beautiful sunsets.

The sunsets were just unreal. 

A couple of the girls had 8am flights the day we left so we had to leave the house by 3am!!!  Thankfully, I was able to sleep most of the drive.  

Sad to leave the beach, but it’s always nice to go home and sleep in your own bed. 

Such a wonderful and memorable, relaxing girls trip to the beach!  We are already planning our next one and I can’t wait!! 

Have a great weekend friends!!

Questions:

1. If you could go anywhere, where would be your top destination for your next vacation?
2. What did you do this weekend? 
3. Have you already started eating pumpkin flavored foods like me? 🙂

I’m backkkk for Part 2 of my beach vacation with the girls!!!  I can’t believe it is Friday already!  It was a short week for me with personal travel so I have my days all confused right now.  But I am pretty excited for the weekend ahead because my sister, her boyfriend, and two of their friends are coming to Nashville this weekend for a wedding and they are all staying with us so that should be fun.  We squeezed in a few plans with them and my parents around the wedding festivities they are attending.  I am also hoping to catch up on a little sleep. 😉 

So picking right back up where I left off yesterday with more beach pictures because I just can’t get enough of this beautiful scene.  Since the hurricane was coming soon, there was very little beach left and the waves were big!

One day my sister and I biked 5 miles to a cute little part of the beach and had a couple drinks then biked home.  The ride home was tough and we both were a little uncomfortable walking the next day.  Clearly we are not regular bikers.  

Ahh so pretty!

Yummy appetizers! Does anyone else love the mango peach salsa from Costco too? 

Dinner of broiled mahi mahi with roasted potatoes and brussel sprouts. 

One of my aunts made a word search for all of us to do for her activity.  It was just for fun, but I finished mine first. 🙂 

We also made homemade cookies one day and decorated them the next. I know what you are thinking… we should be professionals. 😉

One night we played this game called salad bowl for my sister’s activity.  It consists of a few different rounds, but is very similar to charades.  We were all laughing so hard. 

This view was worth all the mosquito bites I got. 😉

Almost every morning a few of us would take a morning walk around 6am to beat the heat, move our bodies, and see the beautiful sunrise!  It was one of my favorite parts of the trip… I love morning walks to start my day on a healthy note!

Followed by a green smoothie enjoyed outside.  Aren’t the clouds so neat?  They just almost don’t seem real.  

I brought resistance bands so I could teach a workout class for my activity contribution.  

The class participants.  They all did so well!  My aunt Bonnie had the band with the least resistance and it went flying through the air multiple times during the workout and we all just cracked up laughing so hard.  LOL

The last two days we spent at the beach.  The place we were staying provided umbrellas and chairs on the beach for us, which was so nice, especially since the water was coming up all the way to the back of the sand.  

Living my best life in the sunshine with my toes in the sand. 🙂

My sweet sis.

Can I go back now?  🙂 . The beach is my happy place. 

My wedding anniversary happened to fall on a day while I was at the beach on the girls trip.  My sweet husband didn’t forget the day (even though I may have not remembered until the day before :)) and sent me the prettiest flowers.  You know you’ve got a winner when your husband supports you going on a relaxing girls trip during your wedding anniversary.  He’s the best.  

I’m so glad you chose me almost 10 years ago, my sweet Jonny!!! We met when I was 19 and a freshman in college.  He was a junior.  The rest is history. 🙂 The below picture was from our engagement shoot at my in-laws house, where our wedding ceremony actually took place.  Such great memories!

That’s all for today!!! I will be back soon with my final recap of the girls beach trip!! I hope you all have the best weekend!!

Questions:

1. Any fun plans for the weekend?
2. Beach or mountains?
3. If you are married, how long have you been married?  How old were you when you met your spouse/partner?

 

Hey friends!!  Long time no talk!  So sorry for the brief hiatus!  I meant to blog this past weekend, but with travel for a wedding, it got away from me.  I am back in Nashville after the most amazing girls trip to Vero Beach with my mom, sister, and three aunts.  We had wonderful weather, lots of yummy food, and so many fun activities.  It really was the perfect relaxing getaway.  

I’m excite to share this trip recap with you guys and I took so many pictures that I think the recap will be split into a few different posts.  

My momma and I on our way to the sunshine state!  We were so giddy with excitement!

We met one of my aunts at the airport then headed to Costco to stock up while we waited for my sister’s flight to land.  My two other aunts came in later and rented their own car to drive to the house.  We all flew into Tampa and originally had planned to go to Annabel Island, but with the Red Tide being so bad this year, we opted to go to Vero Beach (my aunts friend offered up her house to us!) instead to avoid the smelly fish and horrible air quality that comes with the Red Tide.  

We drove about 3 hours to Vero Beach and grabbed lunch at Panera before we got to the house.  

I got this sweet picture from my bestie, Lissa, who doubles as our dog sitter.  Too cute!

The house had this awesome pool in the back which we spent a lot of time at soaking up the sunshine.  

The most relaxing vacation I have had in a long time.

I just love palm trees.  We were right across the street from the beach on the bay side.

A lot of our lunches looked like this.  I made at least one big platter salad every day with chickpeas, beets, avocado, walnuts, corn, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber, kale mix, tomatoes (from my momma’s garden!) and dried cranberries.  We got the Costco chicken salad and quinoa salad which were great additions for lunches.

My sister brought these little men that hung on the side of a glass to mark which one is yours.  She wrote all of our men’s names on the butts which cracked us up!!

My mom told all the girls to bring an activity to do during the week.  My sweet aunt Bonnie brought watercolor paint, a book of stock cards, and seashell postage stamps for each of us and told us we all had to send 6 postcards while we were in Florida.  

Such a great idea!!!  Some of our creations.  I know yall, we are such great artists. 😉 

My sister brought this fun puzzle for us.  Can you guess which one of us completed most of it? 😉  My mom is OBSESSED with puzzles.  

The finished product!

One of our yummy dinners! Salmon, asparagus, and broccoli.

One of my many beautiful pictures of the beach!!! Sooo breathtaking!

We played quite a few games of cards too!

We had fish tacos one night with all the fixins including homemade guacamole!!!

Yummmm!!!

My momma brought facemasks for all of us to do after dinner!  I will spare you all the pictures! 😉

I will end this post here and pick it back up tomorrow because I have lots more to share with you guys!! So happy to be back to blogging… I miss it when I am busy!  Hope you all are doing great!!

Questions:

1. Last vacation you took?
2. Are you guys ready for fall?
3. Tell me something fun/exciting that is going on in your world!

Hey Friends!!! Happy Thursday!!  With Monday being a holiday and then lots going on since we got home from the lake, I haven’t had the chance to sit down and blog until now.

How was your Labor Day Weekend?  Did you get to be outside?  Grill out? Hang out with friends or family?  

Our long weekend away with our friends at the lake was just what my soul needed.  I’m feeling refreshed and recharged and ready to get back into the swing of things.  But only for a few days because we have a girls trip coming up very soon! 

Jonny and I arrived at the lake late on Wednesday evening after work and our friends trickled in the next couple days.  I was just a little excited as you can tell by my eyes in the picture below. 🙂

When I am on vacation, I still like to start my mornings on an active note.  A few of the mornings I went running with Callie, I got in a few walks with the pups and a couple interval workouts with the girls.  

Mornings at the lake are so beautiful and peaceful.

On Friday we headed to this big rock so the boys could come up with a plan to make a rope swing. 

We all just watched. 🙂

This sweet girl was such a good pup the whole trip.  

We made it to the sandbar a couple times to hang out in the water and toss the football. 

4 of the 5 girlies!

My favorite couple.

We jet-skied!

and took lots of boat rides.  Eric and his sidekick, Cooper.

We lounged on the boathouse deck.  

The girls read while Jason played music for us. 🙂

And a few people jumped and jumped and jumped. 

These views never get old. 

My sweet girl helping me get some sweet tan lines. 😉

The girls. 

Eric and Rach.

Lots of napping… especially for these tired pups who run and run and run all day at the lake.

My besties, Jonny and Rach.

The whole crew!!!   Such a fun group of friends we are so lucky to have!

I just realized now that I didn’t take ANY food pictures, which is totally unlike me!  Since my husband and I arrived a day earlier than our friends I ended up prepping a lot of food so we didn’t have to spend a ton of time cooking.  I made a few quiches, brownies, cookies, lemon bars, southwestern quinoa salad, a potato casserole, marinades for chicken and fish.  We grilled chicken and salmon one night, turkey and veggie burgers another night, and did chicken and fish tacos the last night.  We had lots of cut up fruit too – watermelon, pineapple, and strawberries!!  We ate up almost all of it!!  

I’m sad another friends trip to the lake has come to an end, but it sure was a good one to end summer on a high note!!

Questions:

1. What did you do for Labor Day Weekend?
2. Eat any yummy food?
3. Is it hard for you to get back into a routine after a vacation?