Summer Days

These summer days have flown by. While I'm looking forward to fall, I cannot believe it's already September. 

July and August were jam packed with family, friends, food, and fun for us. Every minute we weren't at work or doing house projects (which I still need to post about), we were finding fun in Raleigh and DC. 

After my sister finished her summer job, she came and stayed with us for a week. We devoured tasty food truck food, celebrated her birthday, and road tripped to Baltimore for a cousins' weekend. 

 In August, we spent a weekend in Baltimore seeing Justin & Laura, the newlyweds, and enjoying a cousins' weekend. It was so great to be back at some of our favorite spots with some of our favorite people.

Laura and Justin are so sweet, kind, and thoughtful. Weeks before seeing them, Laura posted about making macaroons, and I made a comment about having them during the Baltimore weekend. I never expected she would actually make them, but she did! Just for me. They were incredibly delicious.

One of our absolute favorite Baltimore spots is Woodberry Kitchen. Somehow the Chef got us brunch reservations, so we got to see and taste the best Baltimore brunch.

Another one of our Baltimore favorites is Mama's on the Half Shell. All of the cousins' and Justin and Laura went out for dinner. I stuffed myself with crab soup, crab dip, and crab cakes. Nothing is better than Maryland crabs.

...And Elisabeth tasted her first oyster!

One of the best summer afternoon activities this year, has been visiting local coffee shops for a coffee and treat. Plus, I heart latte designs.

Dinner and dessert with nurses always does my heart good. And Bittersweet in downtown Raleigh has the tastiest bites: like this salty carmel corn ice cream sandwich.

To round out the summer, we enjoyed a Labor Day weekend in DC enjoying some of our DC favorites, seeing friends, family, and attending wedding of one of the Chef's high school friends. It was a gorgeous outside ceremony and reception in their backyard despite the thunderstorm that made 150 guests run from the tent to their house. It was a beautiful night filled with laughter, and the Chef seeing old friends.

And there you have it.

Summer days might be fading, but I'll be ready for some cooler weather, pumpkin everything, and decorating our house for a new season.

Lights, Beers, & Sushi

I feel old saying it, but we had another fun, productive weekend, but this time it was with family!

My brother came into town, and we had the best time with him. With their house purchases, he's learned how to fix and replace just about everything. So for our house, he replaced five light fixtures and new locks!

We're quickly replacing everything in our house piece by piece. I took a bunch of photos before the projects, so I'll do a house post soon on our progress.

After all of the hard work on Saturday, we headed to Durham for flights of beer, sandwiches, and arcade games at Fullsteam.

Saturday night for supper, we indulged in my brother's Raleigh favorite: The Cowfish. I love going with him because he likes to order a random assortment and share it all together. It was also the first time my mom has gone, and I think she enjoyed it too.

Sunday morning, the guys replaced a hideous gold light fixture with a fan and worked on the locks. It feels great checking things off my house list. My brother is the best, and I'm so thankful he's willing to come and spend his weekend working on our house for us. I love my family!

Hope you have a happy Monday and a great start to the week!

A Raleigh Christmas Party

We had a short but fun weekend full of Christmas cheer. I worked Friday night shift, got home Saturday morning and napped while the Chef cleaned the house for our first Raleigh Christmas party. 

We decided to keep things simple with cookies and cocktails since I worked the night before. I love baking and baked a variety of Christmas cookies that I had not tried before and thought they all turned out well: chewy peppermint mocha, ginger snaps, chewy lemon, chocolate crinkle, my mom's candy canes, and Pfeppernusse cookies from Trader Joe's. 

We were so thankful for everyone who came to spend the evening with us. 

We love hosting parties and were so glad that everyone had a good time because we will definitely be having more. 

I'm so thankful for all of the friends we've made during our first year and a half of living here. 

We absolutely love living in Raleigh, and it's all because of the people who we share life with here. 

And now I only have three more shifts before a Christmas vacation of nine days off! 

Linking up with Sami and LeeAnn

Happiness and Cheer

Our weekend was full of Christmas happiness and cheer! 

My weekend started off on Thursday with lots of Christmas baking. We're hosting our first Raleigh Christmas party: Christmas cookies and holiday drinks. I have to work the two nights before, so I'm starting early. 

Thank you so much for sharing with my your favorite cookies on IG. I added a few more kinds to my list. 

We met some of our favorite friends: Allison and Jarod at the Angus Barn for dinner and drinks. 

We loved the Christmas decor with the upside down tree and elf children. 

Our bellies were stuffed and our hearts full after spending the evening with them. I just wish we lived closer to each other...move to Raleigh....

I'm loving my new Christmas wreath made by my bestie Mallory. Isn't she talented?

I also love it because she made the holder removable, so I'll be able to change it for Valentine's and Fourth of July. So creative!

Friday night, we spent the evening with our favorites: our small group.

We met for lots of chips, salsa, queso, margaritas, and tacos at Chuy's and then had dessert back at our apartment.

I love that there is never a shortage of conversation or laughter with these friends. I'm so excited to walk through life together. Especially, right now with the excitement, stress, disappointment, and hope of house hunting.

My weekend ended a little early with starting work on Sunday, but at least it's only two shifts in a row before I'm off again and will start prepping for our first Raleigh Christmas party.

Any Christmas party hosting tips for me? 

Linking up with Sami and LeeAnn

Hosting Thanksgiving

Happy belated Thanksgiving! 

I hope you enjoyed a fabulous weekend full of family, friends, and food. 

This was the first year that I didn't get to help in the prep for Thanksgiving dinner because I worked Thanksgiving day at the hospital.

Halfway through the day, I got this text from my sister. 

I got off work and rushed home, sorry if I flashed my lights or tailgated, I just couldn't wait to get home to my family. This was the first year we had both sets of our parents and sister at our apartment for a holiday.

We aren't crazy Black Friday or Thanksgiving day shoppers, but we do love to go and pick out our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. 

This year, my FIL picked out the perfect tree. 

I love our little family of three. 

On Dasher and Dancer...or Aida and Bailey! 

We had so much fun with our families this weekend.

We laughed, stuffed ourselves, bought our tree, saw The Book Thief in theater, and squeezed in next to each other on the couch watching football. 

Aida and Bailey loved celebrating their birthday together with a trip to Woof Gang Bakery and a special birthday treat to share.

After all of the family left on Saturday morning, we worked out, and finally went to see Catching Fire. I love the Hunger Games books and the movies are fabulous. Afterwards, we went to church and tried a new-to-us restaurant: Chow with a friends from our small group. I'm so thankful for incredible friends and conversations with them. 

We wrapped up the weekend with a quiet Sunday relaxing and getting ready for the week. 

Yesterday, I also put together my first of three Secret Santa gifts for a co-worker. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them for my next two gifts. 

Linking up with Sami and LeeAnn

a baby shower weekend

This past weekend was a complete whirlwind.

We drove up to DC on Friday morning to spend the weekend with family and celebrating our baby niece who is due to arrive in January!

Friday night, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of crab soup and sliders at Clyde's Tower Oaks in Rockville. It was one of the first restaurants the Chef took me to when we were dating and quickly become one of our favorite spots as newlyweds living in Bethesda.

Saturday morning, my FIL made us delicious waffles before my MIL and I headed to Virginia for my niece's baby shower.

It was so much fun getting to see family and my SIL's friends at the shower. I loved catching up with my cousin Kate and doll baby Natalie. She is really the sweetest little girl.

Unfortunately, that is my only photo from the shower because I was in charge of taking photos with the real camera. But I can tell you everything was adorably decorated and my SIL looks incredible at seven months. 

Saturday night, my family spent the evening together watching (some family members napping) the first Hunger Games. My favorite times are always spent with family. 

Sunday, we met up with my in-laws for their lunch bunch and got to see sweet friends, including my favorite Carolyn. We didn't get much time together, so I can't wait until we're back in DC again to see her and her boyfriend. 

We decided to stay an extra night and headed home early this morning. The ride was made so much better with carmel popcorn made by Carolyn. Aida stared me down for some. 

We had such a great weekend and now can't wait for more family time this Wednesday for Thanksgiving! 

Linking up with Sami and LeeAnn

a carmel latte weekend

Our weekend started out a little on the sick side. 

Friday night was a cozy night in with lots of hot tea, NightQuil, Cowfish take-out, and catching up on episodes of The Blacklist. It's become one of our new favorites this season. You should definitely dvr and watch and episode. 

Saturday morning, we went house hunting and found one that we love. It's in the perfect location, updated, and has a pool. We'll see what happens...

We did a little Christmas shopping before things got crazy at the mall and then headed to Babies R Us for shower gifts. That place was insane. We got our presents and left as soon as possible. We were on baby overload.

Afterwards, I went and celebrated a sweet friend's baby boy who is due to arrive in January. We had so much fun, and I can't believe I didn't take a photo with the precious mommy-to-be.

A few of the nurses headed over to Yard House for delicious drinks and appetizers. We need to make that a monthly tradition.

Later that night, the Chef and I drove over Ashley and Steve's home for a delicious meal and the most amazing drinks. I had no idea that Ashley is the best barista. She made this tasty carmel latte for me after I was drooling over the guys' drinks.

The guys had shots of espresso in addition to carmel lattes. 

Sunday, we drove around different areas of Raleigh in search of where exactly we want to look for houses. We enjoyed the afternoon at Yard House with drinks and football. We also worked on our Christmas cards and turned on the Christmas music (gasp) to get in the spirit. 

The day went by too quickly, and it's already time for Monday again. 

I'm thankful for a full weekend making memories with great friends. 

Linking up with Sami, LeeAnn, and Sarah

birthday weekend

We had an incredibly fun last week celebrating our anniversary and the Chef's birthday, and over the weekend we tried to relax. 

Saturday morning, Aida and I headed out for a long walk while the Chef and his friends took off to a golf course to spend the afternoon. 

While he was gone, I made spicy black bean chili and added some extra flank steak that we had for another recipe. We had a low key evening with a to-go order of Cowfish burgers and shows. 

Sunday morning, we slept in and went to a late service where we spotted two of our friends from small group in the choir. We spent the afternoon running a few errands, working out, and baking. 

Lately, I've been loving baked oatmeal. I like to make a pan on Sundays before the week starts. This time I made pumpkin baked oatmeal and added one cup of walnuts for extra crunch and protein. Just to note: this recipe isn't sweet at all so when you eat it you might want to add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. 

With the leftover pumpkin, I made pumpkin bites and roughly followed this recipe since I had most of the ingredients. 

Over the weekend, I started feeling a scratchy throat coming on, so I've been loading up on tea, drinking lots of water, and hoping to not get sick this week.

Hope you have a great start to the week!

Linking up with Shami, LeeAnn, and Sarah 

The Grand Opening of SMAC Food Truck

The grand opening of my dad's South Carolina Mac and Cheese food truck was Saturday!

He had a great first day at a local festival with lots of people buying amazing, gourmet mac and cheese with options of bacon, chili, or shrimp as toppings.

I would never have thought to try chili and mac and cheese, but it was actually my absolute favorite.

We had fun helping by handing out samples of mac and cheese and delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

After a long day on our feet with bellies full of mac and cheese, we crashed with our friends at the house and relaxed in the hot tub laughing and talking. 

I love my family and am so proud of my dad in his new business endeavor. 

To find out where SMAC food truck will be next check out facebook, twitter, and instagram. 

Linking up with Shami, LeeAnn, and Sarah

a Raleigh weekend

It's already Wednesday, so I'm more than fashionably late to the weekend update posts, but I can't pass up sharing the great weekend that we had with family and friends. 

Last Thursday, my mom and sister came to town and while they were here we went shopping to finish a gallery wall project I've been working on. 

Friday afternoon, my bestie Mallory and her husband, Hollins came to town. 

Our first stop on Friday night was at Yard House for drinks before dinner at Cowfish. 

Ending the night with champagne toasts at Vivace. #champagneJeff

Saturday morning, Mallory and I headed to a Pure Barre class at the Raleigh studio while the guy went golfing. After wiping the sweat off, we headed to Jubala, my favorite coffee spot in North Raleigh, for waffles, coffee, and time together.

We both loved the almond lattes, banana waffles, and cheddar, bacon biscuits.

Everything was so delicious. I'd go back any day.

My friend, Carolyn recommended going to the Furbish Studio for their sale.

Everything was absolutely adorable. I loved all the pieces and wished I could have brought more items home.

I bought two glittery pumpkins.

But wished I could have bought the coral dresser for my navy/coral guest bedroom.

Thankfully, Mallory is incredibly more creative than I am and came up with an idea for my guest bedroom.

Tutorial and guest room reveal coming soon!

Saturday was so much fun because I got to hang out with one of my best friends, shop, chat, eat, watch Auburn football, and craft.

Aida wasn't too sure about sharing everything over the weekend with puppy Sadie.

I made s'more cookies for the second time.

The first time I made them was for small group and the cookies turned out way too big. The second time was the charm. The chocolate melted perfectly like a real s'more.

Sunday morning we cooked breakfast, the girls: me, Mallory, Aida, and Sadie went on a walk and took the dogs to Woof Gang Bakery which they loved. 

The Chef, Aida, and I then had family photos done by Heidi in Durham before we all met for an early supper at Gravy. 

I love spending time with Mallory and Hollins. It's such a blessing when friends feel like family. I'm so thankful for meeting her at Samford and being friends for the past eight years.

And we definitely missed you this weekend, Amy and Justin.

We're already planning a trip our next trip to see each other in January, and I can't wait.

Linking up with Shami, LeeAnn, and Sarah