Summer Concert Number One

This weekend is full of possibilities! There are a handful of things I'd like to do, yet if I end up doing none of them and instead sit on my couch reading and watching movies, I'll be just as content.

Last weekend was a busy one, and I spent all of Saturday tailgating with friends before the first country concert of the summer. We've all purchased MEGATICKETS that get us spots on the lawn at six outdoor concerts over the next four months. The tailgates may be almost as great as the concerts themselves . . except for the lack of port-a-potties given the plethora of trees available . . you know, in the woods! It wouldn't have been so awful had I not been sharing those woods with hundreds of other people, walking through mud in my sandals, and getting my dress caught in thorns. Other than that, the day was fantastic!

Good food, great friends, and dancing on the lawn to fun music.

Grilling out

Corn hole

And my favorite: throwing around the football

In My Hood

Apparently the President was hanging in my neighborhood last week, visiting a popular gourmet burger joint that I’ve enjoyed a handful of times. In fact, The Texan and I sat at that very table last fall!

“There may have also been talk of tater tots.”

Well, Mr. President, it looks like we have something in common after all.

Hibachi!

I should probably be embarrassed about all the food talk around here lately. I hope you understand. Dinners just make life so delicious.

There was another birthday to celebrate tonight. For an old roommate, one who calls me by my "street name", as she calls it (really just my initials), and still comes back to the apartment for dance parties (all three of us) and episodes of The Hills. I wouldn't have missed her celebration at a nearby hibachi grill.

I ordered steak and chicken with mushrooms, fried rice, and caramelized onions. Yummy yum!



And dinner was finished with banana tempura and chocolate ice cream. Believe it or not, I left the strawberry alone.

As much as I enjoyed dinner tonight, I will feel much better once I've seen the inside of the gym again!

Lovely for Baby

This gorgeous sling makes me want to have a baby NOW. First things first, I suppose. For those of you not aware, I am a little obsessed with peacocks. Perhaps I could consider this purchase an investment? Mom, are you listening?

Ok, I know I'm being ridiculous. That is just what Serena & Lily does to me.

Family Time

Last night I celebrated three years in D.C., spending the evening with the family kind enough to take me in for my first six weeks in the city. Cousin J, and his wife K invited me over to catch up, have dinner, and watch 24. Despite the downpour of rain, K went outside and grilled the Italian dressing-soaked chicken for our delicious, healthy salads of leafy greens, grape tomatoes, pine nuts, feta, and olive oil and balsamic dressing. J instead had a dinner of mushroom-stuffed ravioli and meat sauce. He claimed that K’s diet this past couple of weeks has been “slowly whittling his life away”, as he’s been forced to eat only ultra-healthy foods. But isn’t that supposed to lengthen your life? Whatever, J. :) We also drank glasses of pinot noir and tried a few slices of whole wheat French bread, something I didn’t even know existed. It doesn’t really taste like French bread, so I would agree with J that it kind of defeats the purpose. Still, I thought it was good.

K is quite the gabber, so I accidentally stayed past my bedtime immersed in a very important discussion about white jeans and department stores.

The kids were as cute as ever. I want to eat them up! And I better get asked to babysit SOON.

It’s so nice having family in town.

Happy Mother's Day

Today I'm wishing I could be in Omaha celebrating my mother. And in doing so, also enjoying some great food from Charleston's, including but not limited to honey-glazed croissants, the tenderist chicken tenders dipped in honey mustard (oh I know, 'tenderist' isn't a word!), french fries, the best spinach dip ever, or maybe the off-the-menu Monterey sandwich. But I digress.

Back to Mom. She will most likely order something on the inexpensive side today, and she'll graciously accept any compliments paid her, always humble, never thinking of herself.

I tried to think of my first memory of Mom and found that it was really hard to do. I just remember her always being there, always giving, always making delicious food, always speaking words of wisdom, always being slow to anger, patient, kind, never selfish.

Wow, Mom is so full of LOVE.

Mom, thank you for all you've taught me. Thank you for telling me about Jesus. More importantly, thank you for being so much like Him, because actions speak much louder than words.

You are beautiful. I love your heart. I love you.

Here Comes the Sun!

I’m shih tzu-snuggling this weekend, or rather dog-sitting again. And when I stepped outside this morning with the pup, I wished we had time for a long walk. The sun was finally shining after too many dreary days, and the temperature was perfect for a t-shirt and sweats. I wanted to lounge in that outfit all day.

I couldn’t be happier that it’s Friday. I awoke with some fresh optimism and ate a bowl of peanut butter Cap’n Crunch. My friend and her husband always stock the kitchen with my favorites when I’m house-sitting. Last night I had an Amy’s black bean burrito, a bowl of Easy Mac, cooked corn, and a 100 calorie pack of candy bites (you must try them!). I sunk into their comfy King completely content.

Tonight is make-your-own pizza night with friends. Perfect Friday activity I’d say!

Design Adventure

Last weekend, The Girl, In the Tweeds, and I took a little road trip to Leesburg, VA.

Our first stop was a winery, where we were rushed through six tastes of wine by a girl who was quite talkative. Isn't wine-tasting supposed to be enjoyed slowly ? Oh well.

Our next stop more than made up for it. We went to the Old Lucketts Store! - a place full of vintage treasures . . and yes, even some junk. Much of it was overpriced, but not everything, and you better believe I found a couple things in that "not everything" category.

Would've loved to take home that cowhide over the railing!

It's hard for me to look at that ornate white frame mirror back there! So lovely!

Not only did we spend awhile browsing the three levels of the store, but we happened to be there during a Design House weekend where they open up a house they've fully decorated, marking everything on sale!

There are the girls walking through the breezeway to get to the hidden house.

Here are a few of the lovely things we saw . .

I'm loving the headboard here, although my tastes tend more toward chic than shabby.

Preeetty table.

I called dibs on the sofa! . . but not before ITT did. Of course, neither of us took it home.

I wish I had the patience for sewing, because I'd love to make a look-a-like ruffle pillow!

What a uniquely gorgeous chair!

Now here's something practical I would've liked to take home. The color is nice and subtle, and the couch was actually quite comfy! At $400, I'd call this a good deal.

Here's another piece I wanted. Not so much the shade, but I loved the floral design and happy yellow. But alas, I don't really have a place for it right now.

I don't really have a place for this faux bamboo mirror either, but I couldn't pass it up. Imagine was a coat of paint will do!

I also walked away with a smaller white ornate frame mirror. I'm in love with it!

All this treasure hunting and design loving wore me out, and I fell asleep in the backseat on the ride home. Sorry, girls! I can't wait for our next design adventure!

Today

Today was a little bit worrisome.

But then I remembered that I don't ever need to worry.

There may just be a test on the horizon.

"Hi test! It's been a little while. But by God's grace I'm going to pass you!"

On not-so-happy days, cookie dough tastes even better.

Delicious Dinner

With only three weeks left before seeing our friend off to an 8 year neurosurgery residency in Denver (whoa), KC has put some fancy farewell dinners on the calendar. It’s exactly what I would want if I were moving . . or even if I were not moving! The first of these dinners was last weekend, when four of us made reservations at DC Coast downtown. My initial plan was of course to only indulge in an entrée and skip the first course and dessert. However, as I'm sure you could've guessed, plans changed.

Several first course items caught my attention, and the extremely knowledgeable server sold me on the tuna tartare in coconut milk and lime juice. The presentation was top-notch! The tuna came served in a coconut bowl that sat atop a bed of ice and slices of lime! Scooped onto wonton crisps, the dish was absolute perfection.

Although the Coast is apparently one of DC’s best seafood restaurants, I had also heard great things from the bartender about their pork chop. I almost always order seafood at upscale restaurants, so I was in need of a change. Served in a light delicious sauce (of I don't know what) with snap pea ragout, wild ramps, and Norland potatoes, I devoured it with no ordering regrets. It was by far the best pork chop I’ve ever tasted! In addition, we all shared sides of sautéed spinach (best ever!) and macaroni and three cheese gratin.

When the dessert menus were delivered, we laughed that the homemade ice cream trio specified Tahitian vanilla bean (in addition to milk chocolate caramel and strawberry) as if it were that much different than regular vanilla bean. But oh, how wrong we were! The Tahitian part was amazing.

I do a fair amount of eating out, but between the sharing, the laughing, the eye-closing enjoyment of the food, and the phenomenal flavor, presentation, and service, this is one dinner I won’t forget.

I'm anxiously awaiting our next meal!

(Unfortunately KC hasn’t sent along pictures and my camera was dead.)

I'm Definitely Interested

“One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. they come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.”

-Eleanor Roosevelt

(Thanks, Kelly.)

Gold Cup

(not our car)

This past weekend, I spent all day Saturday at the horse races - the big-deal Virginia Gold Cup. I'd been in the fall, but the spring event is a much dressier, even rowdier affair, and quite honestly, a lot more fun.

We secured a spot right at the fence and set up our chairs, grill, and table full of snacks. Our table was not nearly as fancy as many others we saw with floral centerpieces, real china, and silver. Not exactly the kind of tailgate I'm used to!

Someone else's definition of tailgating includes a pitcher of sangria and a sit-down meal!The fanciest spread of all!

Before the races began, we sat back and watched the pretty (and ugly) dresses file in, especially taking note of all the hats.

One of my favorites.

And one of my least favorites

.

The ladies aren't the only ones in fun outfits. Check out what the guys were wearing . .

Seersucker and John Deere, not two things I would normally put together, but I like it!

Bowties and pastels galore.

Oh and look at this - an actual "gold cup".

Between races, we also . .

Walked around the "members only" camp

Tried on fancy hats

Placed (dollar) bets among our group

Grilled burgers (and some made drinks)

And then the races began . .


It was a fun day out in the countryside and hopefully I'll be able to go back next year!

Collecting

Over the past three years it's been fun collecting small things that will later tell the story of my life here. I don't hold on to everything, but a ticket here or there, a receipt, or a bottle of champagne with the Presidential seal remind me of experiences I've had that I might otherwise not fully remember. You can't always take pictures of everything.

The other day, I snagged this plastic card my boss mistakenly brought back to the office. (I'm covering up the call-in number.) I have friends that have traveled with the President (Bush), been responsible for ensuring that his speeches were factual, even a friend that flew solo on Air Force One with the secret service. I can't tell stories quite that cool (or let's be honest, even close), but I still think it's pretty great that I get the opportunity to work so closely to the leader of our country (since my boss meets with him and his advisors regularly). To be a part of something that will one day be written about in history books, whether I like that piece of history or not.

The fact that I'm here is proof that God's plans are way bigger and better than anything we can dream up. It makes the future that much more exciting.

(By the way, I think bigger and better plans can be had anywhere. In homes, in families, in jobs that don't seem very exciting. My job is no more significant than my stay-at-home mother's was or my car salesman dad's is. It's just different, and it's just where God wants me.)

Cookbook Giveaway

I am all about giveaways and commenting for a chance to win. I'm also all about sharing great blogs, like Erin Cooks. She regularly cooks up delicious meals and takes lovely pictures of them. You're not surprised I love it, are you?

This week, Erin is giving away a copy of the cookbook "Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It". Go comment for a chance to win and check out the toaster tarts she just made. Mmmm.

Sunday Service

God reminded me of a great song pre-church service today:

"O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes up on Jesus
Look full in His Wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace

Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O'er us sin no more has dominion -
For more than conquerors we are

His Word shall not fail you - He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!"

This entire weekend was fun-filled and wonderful . . but church service was the best part!

Pastor's message from Acts 2 was excellent!

I'm so glad that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! - Hebrews 13:8

Happy May Day!

Courtesy: Crazy Loves Company

My Kids

I can’t believe they’re six years old today, those precious little twins I met only 3 weeks after their premature birth. The moment I saw their beautiful faces, I knew I’d become Nanny Laura. I also watched their 3-year-old brother, a red-headed boy that was at once terribly challenging (to say the least) and completely lovable. But it was with Evan and Caroline that I really developed a bond. I can still envision them there on the padded table, sleeping while touching, rarely opening their eyes. I knew what their cries meant, how to get them to sleep, and I loved every moment of watching them grow and change, seeing their little personalities develop and observing their interactions. My heart aches a little just thinking about them; I miss them so much! “My kids”, I used call them. And how could I not feel that way in some small capacity, after spending so much time watching them grow?

They made me realize how much I’ll love my own children someday.

I wish I could be there to celebrate with them, but instead I'm just remembering them with this post.

Four years ago, I wrote about them here.

Aren't they precious? (Clearly didn't have digital pics.)