A Blate Weekend

as I mentioned in my previous post, Kerry came to visit me! She is gone now and I am all kinds of sad. But our weekend was great!

She got in around ten am on Saturday and she gave me the sweetest gift. I am actually drinking ice water from it now! Along with only THEE best bourbon and some homemade cookies that were divine. Absolutely divine. Then I promptly sent her to bed. Where the girl slept all of two hours after driving all night. That's what second winds are for!

That afternoon we headed for lunch at Twisted Fork and I showed her the goodness that is Charming Charlie and then we headed for downtown Raleigh to explore. It started to pour but we could not be deterred. We stopped in a few favorite stops and then had drinks at Raleigh Times Bar before heading to the Art Museum to see Saving Mr. Banks on the outdoor screen. 

Then Tony took us for a midnight swing to get a Cookout Shake and then it was time to crash. I have no idea how Kerry stayed awake that long!

Sunday she helped me make this space of mine a dot com instead of blogspot. com. Thanks goodness because I am inept at anything of that nature!

We then headed for Bull City and grabbed lunch at a favorite spot, Parker & Otis and then walked around a bit before hitting up Rose's for the best macarons I have ever had. Ever. So good. 

And then it was off to explore Tobacco Warehouse district and a Bulls game. We had so much fun but since both of our phones died we had to commandeer Wiki's phone to take pictures. He was a good sport and kept handing Kerry and I his phone. He is used to it by now;) (Kerry, you will be happy to hear I just purchased a charger pack;) 

We hit up a sport bar afterward that over looks the park and you can eat and have drinks while overlooking left field. But this place was rockin and standing room only for a while with everyone watching the World Cup. I would have had the best video ever if the last ten seconds hadn't happened. Rude USA, rude;)

Then we headed back to my house and just lounged around. and by lounged I mean we stalked twitter, facebook and instagram. Obviously.

Monday beckoned and I had to nanny and I left Kerry to explore and she did explore by way of doing serious damage at Ross and World Market. As anyone is prone to do once setting foot in either store. 

She went for a jog and then got in some pool time before we headed for one last dinner and drinks. 

I had such an  amazing time. Kerry is truly one of a kind, being around her makes me strive to be a better person because she is, to borrow a quote, "just good people"  Being her friend is an honor.  And then on top of that...the laughs. Oh the laughs. She makes me giggle. She also makes me jealous with her shiny locks. I am trying to contain my bitterness.

And also, big thanks to my mister for driving us all over, taking us to really cool spots and being fantastic company. You rock too. 

Till Then, I'll Grin...Often.

and the then I speak of is tomorrow morning when Miss Kerry from till then, smile often herself is in my house!!!!

This Friday has come about so very quickly. Which usually never happens when you are anticipating something as much as I am anticipating this! 

Tonight I am headed to downtown Raleigh with one of my besties (Nicole from the life of the baseball wife, if you haven't checked her out, do so. She talks about life in the baseball world and her 3 kids. I mentioned our matching puffy eyes & margarita date last weekend) to see Iron Man 3 playing on the outdoor screen and the food truck rodeo. This is the first year they have had this downtown and I have been wanting to go. 

It is free and all the films this year are ones that were filmed in North Carolina. (of which there are a plenty, other than NY and LA, more tv shows and movies are filmed here than anywhere else in the country. To name a few, Hunger Games, Double Jeopardy, Safe Haven, Dawson's Creek, One Tree Hill, Under the Dome, Homeland, Banshee and Sleepy Hollow)

And as I already exclaimed, tomorrow, Kerry will be here to visit and staying through Tuesday. I am so psyched. I would say that she is one of my blog besties but we have hung out so many times and she has hung out with Tony and my sister in law before, so I think she has become one of my good friends...who also blogs;)

We will be at the pool and then, another outdoor movie night as the art museum offers them too!


Sunday we will be heading to Durham to take in the amazing food and then heading to see a Bull's game! The Durham Bulls. Speaking of North Carolina movies, remember this? (if you have never seen Bull Durham...fix that.)

Why, helloooo, Kevin Costner.

I get to try a few cocktails that I am making for a contest out on Kerry. She doesn't know this yet, but she is going to be tipsy pretty much all day Monday. Prepare yourself girl. Moonshine is in your future.

and then, at the end of next week, I get to head up to Richmond to meet up with Tony's family as they are stopping there on their way to OBX. I can't wait to show them some of my favorite stops along the way!

and finally, next Saturday is our eleven year anniversary! How am I old enough to have been married eleven years?! I do declare that I most certainly do not look it;)

What do you have planned for your weekend?!


linking up with Amanda and Five of Friday

Travel Back Thursday: Annapolis & Easton

In April, on our way up to Boston for my father in law's surgery, we made a small trip out of our drive. The first night we stayed in one of our favorite cities, Richmond. The next night we decided to play by ear. Our first choice was Annapolis. But it ended up being the day of the largest croquet match in the country. It takes place every year between Navy and Saint Pauls.

And let's just day that these people do not play. The entire town looked like everyone was headed to the Kentucky Derby and got lost. Or another explanation would be a 5th and vines store threw up on everybody. Annapolis happens to be one of my favorite towns, but about an hour into our stop and we had to get out of there.

This croquet match sounds like it would be a lot of fun, however, not going and participating in the drinking and then dealing with them afterwards...not so much.

So, after lunch and a little exploring, back on the road we were. We ended up choosing to stay the night in the town of Easton. What a great decision! Our hotel was fantastic, our room even had a fan! Note to all other hotels, do this! We had a great dinner and some drinks and then walked around a little. There were so many stores and art exhibits in this quaint stop. And absolutely everything was in walking distance!

The next morning we had the breakfast buffet at the hotel and it was one of the better ones I have ever had. Plus, they offered a plethora of hot teas. The simplest way to my heart. Also, they had fresh made whip cream for their strawberries and waffles. This made for a good laugh when I couldn't figure out why our waiter was staring at me slightly funny. Then, when Tony came back from his trip to the buffet, he pointed out that my hair was full of whip cream. What can I say, it was that good!

We left after breakfast and stopped at another charming town about half an hour away, St. Michaels. You can read my recap here. If you are ever looking for a weekend trip on the shore, I recommend either of these stops!

Me So Quirky...So, So Quirky.

You guys singing a little diddly about something other than quirkiness? Good, join me in my own rendition. 

Anyways, onto the actual topic at hand. I have come to realize that there are certain things about myself that are rather quirky. Some may say annoying and that is fine too, I can accept that. But I prefer quirky. 

And so, here are mine, all laid out.

I cannot sleep without a blanket. Even if it is 100 degrees out. I just cannot fall asleep without one on. My dad used to get furious because we would go on road trips in the summer and I would wrap myself in a comforter and he would insist I stop or I was going to "have a heat stroke" 

Guess what, dad, I am still kickin.

I don't really understand the purpose of a top sheet. The second I get to a hotel I will kick it off in no time. I hit the marital jackpot due to the fact that the mister didn't grow up with them either. I am sure this has played a huge part in our eleven year marriage still going strong.

And then, also to sleep, I really like a fan. On my face. The rest of me, as you now know, is basically a cocoon. I like the breeze on my face and I love the noise.

Speaking of noise, I cannot fall asleep if the tv or radio is on. I think this actually may be partly to due with my bipolar. I have to pay attention or sing along and I can't get my mind to shut off if there is some sort of stimulation around. and I don't mean the good kind of stimulation.

I don't like my food to touch. So, basically, I am a 5 year old. Unless it is mashed potatoes and corn. Then they can touch all the little long day. But if something with sauce touches something that is not supposed to have sauce...oh, H to the no. (unless I am in public and my fear of being perceived as a biatch wins out and I will eat it.)

I do not like it if you try to put something on my head. Tony loves to do this to irritate me and I will pretty much run away. It has nothing to do with not messing my hair up either. Honestly, I have no legitimate reason for this rage. i just hate it. As in hate it hard.

If Tony is out of town, I put a chair underneath the door so no one can break in. and we have an alarm system. You can tell I have serious faith in ADT. Whatever, no one is going to get me! No One. Thanks Blacklist and Criminal Minds for my total and complete irrational paranoia. ( and the person who broke into our old apartment...while I was home)

When I am walking alone at night, I walk with my hand covering my neck. I had no idea I even did this until a friend noticed it one night when she came up on me in the parking lot of a movie. Apparently I think if someone tries to slash my throat they will get my hand instead. Are you noticing a trend, like perhaps I should stop watching creepy shows? 

I make weird noises when I am nervous. I can't even give you a true example of the sound. Just know that if we are ever together and I start spouting off strange sounds, for some reason I am nervous. Or cold, i also make them when I am absurdly cold. 

I cannot take talk radio. It makes me want to pull my hair out at the roots. And this includes sports radio. And since I cannot miss a huge sporting event, if I happen to be in my car and have to listen to a game or something to get the score, I pretty much cringe. Tony, on the other hand, listens to nothing but NPR and stuff like that (well, EDM also) Our car rides are bunches of fun. 

I have to read if someone else is driving. I think I am probably opposite of most people in this sense. I don't really get car sick, but I am much less nervous if I can read on ling road trips. He gets mad because he tries to talk to me sometimes and i usually respond with "uh, huh. sure, mmm, yes" and other short responses that indicate I am paying him absolutely zero attention.  Men are so needy. 

So these are a few of my quirks. Can we still be friends? 
linking up with Liz & Kathy

Chocolate Pistachio Ice Box Cake

This is such a simple, yet delicious dessert. And it is perfect for summer! If you are looking for something quick and not wanting to bake anything, this is your answer. 

I came up with this by combing two of my favorite desserts: My mom's watergate cake and chocolate eclair cake. And it was a huge hit!

Ingredients

2 pkgs pistachio pudding mix (instant)

3 cups milk

1 tub cool whip

(or 2 cups whipping cream and 1/4 cup sugar)

chocolate graham crackers

Make the two packs of pudding using the three cups of milk. Put in fridge for about 5 minutes to set up. Once it is all set, fold in the cool whip (or fresh whipped cream) in a 9x9 pan, place a layer of the graham crackers on the bottom and top with a layer of the pistachio mousse, place another layer of the graham crackers and repeat until you run out. I used the crumbs to sprinkle on the top for decoration and place in the fridge for about 4 hours to set up. 

The graham crackers soften and it becomes a cake like mixture. This is now one of my new favorite desserts and I cannot wait for the next get together so I can whip this up!