Tison and I met up with Cory & Shelley on Saturday afternoon and walked to the parade route to meet up with friends. Our friend,Will, rents a lot each year and every Mardi Gras season everyone tries to gather and enjoy the festivities together.Traditions are good ;)
{Swamp Island's Famous Alligator and Shrimp Burgers, anyone?}
{Get it girl!!!}
{Ryan came in town for the weekend. YAY!}
{It is never easy to say goodbye to this guy!}
{What would the evening be like without Take&Bake Johnny's Pizzas?!?! I wouldn't know...}
The baby shower was held at Mrs. Patty's house. It was the perfect setting for such a joyous occasion. It was the most beautiful day outside, so the doors were left open to allow for the breeze to flow through the house. The patio overlooks the lake and offered the most serene landscape for the party.
{Meet Oscar, the stork, that Mom HAD-TO-HAVE for the party!}
{Doesn't my mom look precious carrying all those gift bags!? Love it...}
L to R: Aunt Susan & Lauren, Mom & Mrs. Patty, and Lauren & Roxanne
L to R: Lauren & Mrs. Capi (Laur's mom-in-law), Mrs. Mary (Laur's Godmother) & me, and Lauren & Mrs. Cynthia (sister Leslie's Godmom)
L to R: Anne & Mrs. Hogan, Lauren & Mamaw, and Mom & Mrs. Karen
Lauren received so many beautiful baby items! Thank you all for making it extremely special.
I love you, Lauren.
My sister Lauren had a kickin' baby shower this past weekend. My friend (and Lauren's friend) Roxanne and I were in charge of bringing the games, finger sandwiches, and a few other odds and ends. This was the first shower for either of us to host. As newbie hostesses, we joined together to help one another out. After perusing the Internet for the many game ideas out there, we decided that we would play a "guess the due date" game. Using a 24x30'' canvas from Hobby Lobby, we painted the trim in the same design as her baby shower invitations.
On Friday, Shelley and Roxanne came over to make the sandwiches and put the finishing touches on the "Guessing Game." Cutting foam board added a trim to the calendar and allowed for people to guess the due date by pinning the tail on the donkey -err- pinning a piece of paper with their name on it to the actual date they think she will give birth. We used double sided tape to attach it to the canvas. Shelley swirled the ribbon all pretty and it really made the display POP :)
Thanks Roxanne and Shelley for making this project fun, fast, and easy!
We positioned the easle right by the entrance so people signed the guest book and guessed the due date when they first arrived.
Since the sex of the baby is a surprise until birth, Lauren has decorated the baby room in shades of green and cream. The calendar that Roxanne designed is removable (as is the ribbon) so that when the baby is born I can paint the precious angel's name in the center of the canvas. Then Lauren can use it as decoration in the nursery. Cute huh?!
This is Valentines Day Part II. This time Tison wore the apron in the kitchen, and I came home from work with the most delicious smelling house you can imagine, a love letter and candles on the dining room table, and a sharp lookin' fella ready to serve me dinner! So sweet, so thoughtful. "I'm in a spin, loving the spin I'm in, under that old black magic called love!"
{That right there, ladies and gentlemen, is the best tasting steak I have ever had
and the crawfish fettucini was sublime!}
{the boys had to eat too ;) }
I hope you all are having a lovely week!
{Last night Tison and I had a sweet homemade meal and actually sat at the dining table!
Love is in the details!}
{Today my mom stopped by for an afternoon tea time chat and brought a little happy homemade treat for me- a card, a present, and gift bag of candy! I am so spoiled with love!}
Go ahead- call me scatterbrained. I can take it, cause I know it's true, but I know am not the only one that loses, misplaces, or forgets her cell phone on occasion almost everyday...
Today for example. I run out of the house to go to Sam's for the mumbo jumbo coffeemate creamer (that they only sell there) and then head to the printer to approve a proof for a print job I have been working on. Once I get in the office I throw my stuff down and rush to the coffee pot in anticipation of using the new stuff for an excellent cup of coffee.
Ahh, everything is going well... until I need to make a phone call.
I proceed to check all pockets of my purse (twice)- the doubt starts to cloud the mind. "Did I remember to put it in my purse? Did I leave it at Sams? ...the printers?" I call it from the office line.... no ringing. Damn! I deduced the many locations it could be, however nothing can be done about it because I am at work and I have to take a shuttle and walk in the rain just to get to my vehicle. More times than not it is sitting there in my passenger seat when I get back to my car at the end of the day, after all that anxiety.
Please tell me I am not the only one that freaks when she can't find her phone!? All your numbers - gone.... you can't text anyone all day...wanna check the list of music you have collected from satellite radio to download on itunes? just forget it! Never did I think I would be the one that is dependent on a phone, but something feels off when I don't have it around...here's hoping it is patiently waiting for me after work!
I don't even have a house phone anymoe, but I am really beginning to miss land line days...
Tison and I went to my parents for supper with M & D and Les. Steak and potatoes do a body good.
Friday
We experienced a snowday - took pictures, had a snow fight, watched old movies, ate sloppy joes, and sat by a bonfire with friends. Yep, pretty perfect!
Saturday
Sister Leslie left for New Orleans on Saturday morning to catch her flight back to Zimbabwe. She will be staying for 2 months and working there this time. I hope to update you on her experience there. It was a bitter sweet send off- I am going to miss her mucho, but know she is going to have such an amazing time. After saying my goodbyes to Leslie - Diane, Shelley, and I went to River City Antique Mall. When I tell you this place has so much stuff it gives you a headache- I am NOT KIDDING! We spent 2 hours getting lost in this place and I definitely didn't even see everything. We all left due to exhaustion and hunger!
Things I will bring next time: 1-gloves (it was cold in there) 2-water bottle 3-a snack 4-more cash!
Saturday Night
Shelley, Cory, Tison, and I went to the new restaurant Anvil {next to Superior Grill.} I really enjoyed the ambiance. The lights are dim, the walls are a splash of terracotta, the musician plays all the right fun and romantic songs. The menu has a lot to offer in the fried category... We split the firecracker shrimp, an appetizer that came with a sauce that much resembles ketchup and hot sauce, and also tried the burger. We both really enjoyed this $10 burger! I can't wait to go back.
Super Bowl Sunday
We picked up wings from Wing Stop and headed over to the Brownlee's to watch the Super Bowl. None of us really cared about either of the teams. In fact, it was quite hard to find an interest in the game at all, considering how exciting it was last year when the SAINTS played!!! I pretty much sat on the couch and played on my phone the whole time. However, we did celebrate the Green Bay victory with a champagne toast!
...todays walk is one to remember. Snow kissed lawns, frosted flower buds, and a glistening sidewalk that doesn't quickly forget your footsteps...magical.
I enjoy what I eat and I enjoy photographing what I eat. I draw inspiration from several foodie blogs that display the most beautiful styling, lighting, and photographic technique. Here is a sampling of a few brilliant minds that I find express supreme creativity, a sense of comfort, and literally make my mouth water!
