A Taste of Spring

One of the cool things about living in the South is that even though one week you may have a half foot of snow to wonder at, a week and a half later you have 70 degrees and beautiful, warm sunshine to bask in. 

Oh what a lovely weekend it has been!

Downtown Greenville was full of families picnicking, playing football, going to the zoo, and hitting the playgrounds.  Hungry folks sat outside to enjoy their meals and dogs sat patiently on their leashes while their little people got to frolic in Falls Park.

David and I decided to walk the 10K route for the upcoming Reedy River Run to see if we could cut it.  I think we both decided after we finished the hilly, strenuous course that maybe we better stick with running the 5K this year.  The walk was beautiful though.  Even with no leaves on the trees or flowers in bloom the landscape and the people made me realize what a happy, lively city we live in.

After our walk we ate REALLY bad at a new restaurant called Carolina Alehouse.  Very yummy!  David claims his Cuban Panini Burger was one of the best sandwiches he has had in quite some time.  I had the Original Alehouse Burger which was pretty good as well.  One piece of advice, if you want good service, do NOT sit at the bar!  Total chaos!  Oh!  And they have a rooftop bar! Yet one more way to view the city!

After our meal, David decided to get cheeky with one of the local statues!

McBee and McCool

I don't know why I love this clock so much!  It has been in many of the pictures I have taken.

A magical carriage ride!

I borrowed this photo from Google images but isn't it pretty?

Oh how I wish I had taken more pictures on this beautiful day!  I am fairly certain that Mother Nature played a cruel trick on us this weekend and that I may need some inspiration to get me through the rest of winter. 

Oh well!  Happy Hibernation!  We shall soon see what Punxsatawny Phil has to say!

Unconditional Love

Unconditional love...

Yep!  Today has been one of those days where I have been tested in my ability to adhere to my belief in the term.

I decided to take a half day off work.   I took my time driving home, listened to some good music and enjoyed the "balmy" 54 degree day with the window down.  With good intentions of getting our dog and myself some fresh air and good excersise, I proceeded to walk Prince Jake 4 miles.  Now if you don't know Jake, he is one of those dogs that tends to find trouble if he doesn't have enough excersise.  We are bound to find toilet paper rolls sprawled all over the house, broken butter containers (yes, that is plural), uneaten but played with oranges, and many more weird items that we have no idea how the little mischief maker finds.

So you would think on a day like today Jake would be worn out and not so inquisitive.  You know, like passed out, in a doggy trance, dreaming of chasing squirrels.  WRONG! 

He patiently waited for me to make a mistake in his Jake-like way.  Panting on the floor like he was exhausted, he watched me take an inventory of my pantry (I have baking plans this weekend).  I made my list and went on my merry-I love this weather-way to Publix. 

I arrived back from the store greeted by Jake and his nubbin just a waggin... AND A KITCHEN FLOOR COVERED IN SUGAR!  I must have left the mostly full bag on the counter! I had been bamboozled by his pathetic heavy breathing and his Academy Award worthy acting like he was dying! 

Now, if you have ever had almost a whole bag of sugar, much of it in hardened, saliva-induced clumps on your floor, you would know that it is a pain in the you know what to clean up.  I have had to mop and remop several times and I still hear my shoes peel away from the tile like velcro as I walk over it. 
Deep breath...Sigh...

As I finish this rant of a post, Jake is sunbathing and snoring in his usual spot on the landing to the upstairs.  As I look at his sweet face lying there passed out, in a doggy trance, and dreaming of chasing squirrels, I can't help but wonder when the sugar high will kick in (yes, there is such a thing isn't there Alexa?).  Let's hope he's a good boy and waits til his brother and daddy get home.  I'm going shopping! 

00:31:43

Today, my husband ran his first 5K race! 

Yes!  Believe it!

This is a man determined to finish no matter what (yes, even death was an option!), and finish he did!!!!

I can't begin to explain how proud I am of his accomplishment, and though he continues to be rather modest about reaching this particular goal, I know he is proud of the feat as well!

He can now officially put his name among the list of those who have run a 5K and begin setting his goals for another!

But walkers beware!  He has already developed somewhat of an opinion about where y'all belong on the race course.  Please stay out of his way in future races!  This man doesn't play!!

Congratulations David Moyer!  I love you!

SNOW DAY!!

I think I need to check my longitude and latitude to make sure I still live in the South!  Overnight and today we accumulated over 6 inches of snow!  That meant no school for the little kids and no work for the big kids!!  It has been a nice treat for everyone!

My hubby and I took a drive to one of the very few local eateries that were open and tipped the waiter very well since he was one of only two "troopers" to show up to work.  What a work ethic!  We later took Jake for a walk, built a fire, and had a nip or two to celebrate the day! 

Even though I long for Spring, I appreciate the beauty of the blanket Mother Nature wrapped us in today!

An oxymoron!  A conch in the snow!

A lovely crystal blanket!

Snowy "Tree Man"

Fluffy plumes of snow covered Pampas!

Baby Icicles

Snow Bird



Reflections

I must say, a snowy Christmas Day in South Carolina was quite a treat, but having lived in the South for 17 years, I have found that I am not quite as hardy as I once was.  There is snow in the forcast for late this weekend but I am already longing for the warm, sunny days to come.  Rewind 6 months and I am......

... at Summerland Key. 

Last summer our family spent what seemed like way too short a week at this little piece of paradise in the Florida Keys over July 4th.  Barring a few small obstacles we managed to soak up every bit of our tropical surroundings and head back North with some great memories. 

Thanks Kylee for the amazing firework art!

Don't you feel good now???  I do!



Goodbye 2010!

Well, December 12th seems like ages ago (that was the date of my last blog posting) but so much of my time was spent enjoying the season, family, and travel that there wasn't much time left for blogging.  So here is a sampling of Christmas 2010 memories. Thank you family for your presence in my life and for sharing these special moments together.

 

 

Without Alexa, I am sure my cookies would have remained undecorated and I would have struggled getting all the presents wrapped. 

Santa is always watching at our house!

There is always a Christmas Eve birthday celebration! 17!

Jake loved his new Christmas presents!

Christmas Morning! Then off to Nana and Papa's house for time with the rest of the Fam!

Sweet Lucca...

Sleepy Audrey...

First Chrismas snow in Greenville since 1963!

Balloon Fun!

Still snowing!

What better way to end our evening than to have a family snowball fight!  Thanks Nana!

Capping off Christmas night with a little frolicking at home!

Vistiting Ohio meant breakfast with dad's side of the family...

A visit to Grandma and Grandpa B.

Spending time with my brother, sister-in-law and adorable neice and nephews...



A visit to Heggy's with mom.  This was my favorite place to go as a child for nothing but a cheesburger, fries with butter (yep!), and a bowl of chili.  I never seemed to have enough room for dessert.  I remember waiting in line for what seemed like hours to be seated!

 I ended my visit with a little drive by my childhood home.  There is nothing like the holidays to make you a little nostalgic and reflective! 

Goodbye 2010!  Hello 2011!