Kate's Visit

This past weekend, Kate came for a quick visit! She and Jean drove in late Friday night and we went for a couple of beers at Foothills Brewing Company. Jean left Saturday morning for Chapel Hill and Kate and I headed west towards Blowing Rock.

Our family usually spends every Thanksgiving in Blowing Rock with our friends, the Esteps. This year, however, we're going to stay closer to home and enjoy Thanksgiving at our house in North Georgia. But, Kate and I needed our Blowing Rock fix, so decided to make to hour and half trip for the day. Because we're usually there in late November, we never get to see the leaves at their best, so this was something we were both looking forward to.

We walked around downtown BR, popping into all the great stores and enjoying a delicious lunch at the Storie Street Grill - a turkey and avacodo sandwich for me, and a bacon, brie and apple panini for Kate - yum!! When we couldn't eat anymore, we drove up to the old house we rented for a quick drive-by, then onto the Parkway. We stopped at every overlook and just enjoyed the gorgeous fall weather and beautiful scenery!

When we got back from Blowing Rock we met Heather and Ashley for dinner at a crazy little sushi place. Neither one of the girls had had sushi before and they wanted Kate and me to introduce them to it - that didn't go over too well. I though Heather was going to vomit at our table!! We had so much fun, though, catching up on the past twenty years and reminiscing on the first nine!
After dinner, we met Kate's friend Duncan at Finnigan's Pub downtown for a couple of pints of Smithwicks and some laughs! We had a great weekend and I'm so glad she was able to come visit!! Love you, Kate!!!

Destination Auburn!!

This past weekend, I played dumb and pretended there wasn't a gas shortage across the US and ventured out on a Road Trip. Destination: Auburn!! (By way of Marietta and Birmingham)

I left Friday for Marietta and enjoyed a fabulous Mexican meal with Alli and the kiddos and Amanda, Benji and Emily Green. Sweet Miss Emily is so precious - it was great to visit with her and catch up with her momma and daddy.

Saturday morning, bright and early - off to The Loveliest Village on the Plains! We had a fabulous tailgate with Chris, Tipi, Wesley and Colt, Heath, Casey and Savannah, Maggie and Elizabeth - and my dear friend Jack (with a little DC)! The game was hot and not very well-played, but fun still - a win is a win. Chris - thanks for taking me to the game! Casey and Heath - thanks for letting me crash at Casa Stewart!

Sunday, I spent the day with my cousin, Stephanie, her husband Chad, and their baby girl, Izzy. Their new house is beautiful and that sweet baby is so stinkin' precious!! I love her beautiful red hair!!

That night, I had dinner with my favorite Birmingham friends - Steph and Chad, Chris, Maggie, Elizabeth, Sally, Lauren, Allison and Stewart - at one of my favorite Birmingham restaurants - La Paz! Sally - thanks for letting me stay with you!

To wrap up the trip, I got to spend some quality time at home with Mom and Dad. The Penuels came over for dinner and to model their Halloween costumes, which were handmade by their ultra-talented Mom by the way! (I'll post those pics later)

I made it back to Winston Tuesday afternoon, with a full tank of gas, and ready to get back to work. I'll be laying low the next couple of weeks - just working and trying to pick up some overtime to pay for all the gas bought this weekend!!