Weekend Recap

Friday was pretty much a perfect SAHM day. These are RARE. Let's be honest: most of the time, my days are filled with raising a child, taking care of dogs, cleaning, cooking and just generally worrying about all things that didn't get finished. But Friday? Friday was a day off from the grind.

Little Junior woke up early, which was fine, but after his morning bottle we had a lovely cuddle / nap in bed. Blissful. Then I met my friend, Beth, and her son August, at Starbucks for a coffee date. Beth and I met at our first Garden Club meeting - we were both the super pregnant ones - and we've clicked since. We hung out at Starbucks and chatted, laughed, drank lots of caffeine and watched the babies coo and nap. After about 3 hours, we realized we probably should get going since she was leaving for Florida and still needed to pack. Otherwise, I think we could have spent the entire day there.

We came home for an hour and then turned right around, loaded up the stroller and walked down the street to our neighbors house to spend the afternoon with Kelly and her girls Charlotte and Sophie. Here's what I love about where we live: the neighbors! We never had anything like this in Pennsylvania and in only a few short months here, we've made some really good friends and they're all within walking distance.

Kelly and I sat outside in the backyard in the sunshine, drinking tea, sharing a piece of cake and watching the girls run around. When the sun started to set, we moved inside where we took one look at the clock and decided it was close enough to 5pm to justify opening a bottle of wine. I suppose the large glass of wine went to my head because before I knew it I was hiking the hill home with a fussy baby ready for dinner and I'd completely missed Stations of the Cross. Fail.

Friday night was low key with pizza on the sofa and an HGTV show about Extreme Log Cabins. Don't judge. It was just what we needed and we've decided we're going to retire to an extreme log cabin in Colorado to spend the rest of our days skiing. Escapism at it's finest friends.

Saturday was really low key. Mr. B let me sleep in to try to shake this never-ending cold and we spent the day cleaning and organizing. On Saturday night, we had friends Laura and Travis over for drinks before we went to the Cafe for dinner. They have a little baby two months older than Little Junior so that was fun to watch them....sleep(!!)....while we chatted, had some wine and ate nibbles. We went to dinner and got home way too late.

And, of course, Sunday morning came way too early. I woke up at 3am and could. not. go. back. to. sleep. Around 4:30, I gave up and got up to start a quiet morning by myself. By the time everyone else was up, I was ready for a nap, but it was time for church. It was a special mass for Lent and the Scrunities so I dressed Little Junior up in some spiffy Sunday best: blue checked button up shirt, red tie and his Gap 1969 jeans. (His khakis are still too big so he got a "jeans at church" pass.)

And then we had a meltdown. When it's time for a baba, Mama needs to get the camera out of his face and get to work!

Sunday afternoon was spent at the Just Between Friends sale. I was introduced to this by my friend Tiffany when I moved here and I am so glad she let me in on the secret. I'll spend an entire post recapping the deals we found there but let's just say I stocked up on the cutest outfits (about half brand new, half gently used) for next to nothing. Yall. A green gingham smocked (mallard ducks!) jonjon for $2. Vive Le Fete brand too. So, yes, I was on a total bargain high all Sunday afternoon.

Little Junior had some extra energy to burn off so we popped him in his new Johnny Jumparoo and he was so content to hang around and watch us. After about an hour, Mr. B caught this epic photo which just cracks me up. I mean, it's really hard work being so awesome.

Sunday night I took the girls to the ball field to play fetch and enjoy the last bit of warm, dry weather and take advantage of the extra daylight. Clem was worn out.

Sunday night, once Little Junior was asleep, Mr. B and I spent the evening organizing our calendars for the next few months and we've come to the realization that with the exception of one weekend, we're booked up through June. That's awesome. And, we decided to go ahead and spend all those Marriott points Mr. B's been racking up with all his traveling. We're headed to Vail in February 2014 for a ski vacation. Who cares if it's a year away? I'm already counting down.

Not so sure I can bear to leave this loyal friend for a week when we're off to London next month. Dear Clementine, you are too regal.

Thanksgiving Shenanigans

What a whirlwind holiday! It feels like I spend so much time getting excited for any holiday or vacation, and then, poof!, it's over.

For the first time in a long time, the travel gods were on my side with this trip. I was scheduled to leave Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, but in an excellent decision on my end (if I do say so myself) I decided to head to the airport four hours early to see if I could hop on a standby flight due to the weather. It was only sprinkling, but forecasted to get worse as the day progressed, and PHL is no treat when there are weather delays.

I lucked out and got on a flight at 5.15pm and was back in the great state by 8:30. My original flight landed around 1am. Like I said, a wise move by yours truly.

So what did I do to pass the time while I was waiting for my new flight? Duh. Airport bar.

Wednesday was filled with baking and cooking. Pies, mashed potatoes, stuffing prep, you name it, we did it. I love spending time in the kitchen with my mom. There's not many people you can truly share a kitchen with. They're either in the way, or doing something wrong (bossy Mrs. B!), but Mama H. and I can work it in the kitchen. Get some candles lit, the Christmas carols going, a glass of wine, and voila, Thanksgiving dinner is nearly ready.

On Thursday morning, we have a newish tradition of doing the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. There's seriously no better way to start Thanksgiving than a good trot around the streets of Dallas. This year, unfortunately, it was more of a 5k stroll as I'll be the first one to admit, the whole "exercise" thing has fallen off the map with work, MBA and house nonsense. Must get back on that after the move.



Mr. B, me and Junior before the start. Please ignore the lack of shower/makeup/hair!

A little plug here for the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. If you're ever in Dallas on Thanksgiving morning, I would highly suggest this event. According to their website, it's the largest Thanksgiving day event of it's kind in the nation, and it's just so fun. 33,000 people, lots dressed up as turkeys, with their adorable pets and babies, running through the streets of Dallas. Awesome times.

The weather was really weird this year and the hanging fog gave it a very funny feel.

From the starting line, and there were tons more people behind us.

My favorite part is the announcer who runs through all the colleges and every cheers for their team. "Do we have any TCU Horned Frogs in the house?"

Um, yes, and I'm going to let you know it too!

Deep Ellum is under attack!

I was nonstop commenting about the fog. I have a slight weather obsession.

Mr. B's artsy fartsy photo of the skyscrapers and the fog.

After the Turkey Trot, we headed home where Mama H. had a huge pot o' chili waiting for us and then we got to cookin'! We ate fairly late this year since we had some of our friends join us for dinner. A long story short, but stick with me here: One of Rich's colleagues in the London office, who moved to Philadelphia around the same time we did (and was transferred to Arkansas last year. Now that we're headed South too, so hopefully we'll get to see more of them.) decided to check out Dallas for the weekend with their three wee-ones.

The rule at my parents house is the more the merrier, so it only made sense to have them over for Thanksgiving. Y'all, believe it or not, the Brits outnumbered the Americans at this year's dinner! What is the world coming to?

I hardly got any pictures from the dinner; it's fair to say I was preoccupied with the last minute preparations, but I did manage to snag this AWFUL picture of the turkey. Friendly readers, Christmas is just around the corner and if you wanted to buy me some photography lessons, well, I wouldn't object.

Seriously, Kate. WTH picture is this?

And there's nothing better after Turkey dinner than some cuddles from the most adorable 3 year old.

Playing some serious clapping games here.

Luckily, Junior was promoted from the kids table this year.



Here's how you know the next generation is going to be super tech-savvy. When one of the little ones told Junior he wanted to watch a rocket (yes, a rocket?), Junior grabbed the iPhone, found a YouTube video of a rocket, and entertained these kids for a good 10 minutes. That's got to be an attention span record. It's so funny to think while this is new, state of the art stuff for us, they're growing up with this technology and it's all they'll ever know. Plus, it melts my heart to see this photo too. Someone's going to be an awesome dad/uncle.

The rest of the weekend was a blur, and by that, I mean we did absolutely nothing. I don't think I changed from my PJ's (or showered - don't judge, you do it too) on Friday. Lots of football. And more eating. And some napping. And football. Some Christmas tree decorating. Repeat.

On Saturday, Mr. B and I headed over to Eff Dub, that's Fort Worth for those of you not in the know, for some Tex-Mex at Joe T's (that requires it's own blog entry), a quick trip to the bookstore to stock up on essential TCU gear and a sneak peak of the new stadium. Let's just say Hello Big 12 and I'm so glad we got season tickets this year because next year will be uh-may-zing. Love me some college football.

Sunday was a travel day and then, well, you saw my Monday post. The Post-Thanksgiving Blues. Which you'll be pleased to know I've officially recovered from thanks to an 8pm bedtime for two straight nights.

That's about it for Thanksgiving. Eating, sleeping, shopping, lots of family time and football. My ideal holiday.

I hope you and yours all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too - here's to the Christmas countdown!

Union Jack Rug

Ummmm, how presh is this rug? Thanks to Whitney for finding...

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We're kinda getting out of control with all kinds of English-inspired home decor - throw pillows, posters, mugs etc. Proof? I just walked around the house for 3.2 minutes and snapped the following pics with the iPhone This gives you an idea of what's kicking around here:

1. Mini sofa with throw pillows - my favorite one on the left says Where there is tea, there is hope
2. Random tea mug in the office for pens and pencils
3. We received a package TODAY (I don't joke) with English candies and a Union Jack to fly
4. My groceries tote

Plus, I left out a couple other pictures cause I'm too lazy to make another collage. But you get the point.

I'm starting to think the office needs a mini-makeover to an all out shrine to jolly ol' England and this rug would seriously be the amazing highlight. (But of course, I just bought a rug for the office. Arg.) Or maybe this English obsession just needs to stop?

And the focal point of the English shrine office would of course be Queen Liz....

From our wedding

From Whit's wedding

Don't you worry, she also was featured at the reception. I just don't have photos yet!

She goes everywhere with Whitney and I - except I don't think I have any pictures the night she was created....? That's another story for another day but think 21st birthday and Billy Bob's (The World's Largest Honky Tonk in FW, TX? Yes, the Queen has been there. She had her own seat at the bar. Like I said, I'm not sure if that night was documented in photos. Probably for the best.)

All of this randomness from one picture of a Union Jack rug. I need to get a life.