October: One for the books!

This month has been an incredible whirlwind of memories and once-in-a-life-time events. We knew and planned for the craziness that was to come since summer time, but somehow October crept up on us before we knew it.

My grandparent's 50th Wedding Anniversary kicked off the month with quite a bang. Can you imagine being married for 50 years? Most of my mother's side of the family came in town to celebrate and it was so lovely to have everyone together to celebrate my incredible grandparents. They truly are incredible people and I hope we can model the faithfulness of their marriage in our own lives.

The weekend began with chili by the fire and ended with family pictures in the park by my friend, and photographer, Karri. Saturday night the big celebration took place at Cascades inside the GINORMOUS and opulent Opryland Hotel. (sidenote: best customer service ever at this restaurant). We had a three course meal with fabulous seafood, delicious and perfectly paired wines, and incredible entrees. We then walked over to the indoor garden where we surprised my grandparents, Mark and Rose, with a vow renewal service led by "pastor" Jeremy. It was hilarious. Let's just say my grandma thoroughly enjoyed her wine at dinner.

Then it was off to the hotel for wedding cake and champagne...oh my! We couldn't have asked for a better party. I'm so thankful to have my family and feel so loved. Here are a few pics. of the 50th Anniversary weekend:







The next weekend, October 9 & 10, I began filming on my final capstone project for my program. I am hoping to create a documentary film surrounding Nashville's food system. This project is fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine to make a film and I can't believe it's really happening! Here's a little sneak peek into the film:







Then there was my friend Karri's wedding on Oct. 18. I absolutely loved her 1950s style dress! Here's to 50 years of wonderful marriage for them as well:




And finally this past weekend I celebrated Lindsey's last days of singledom before her big day on New Year's Eve. Some of my closest girlfriends drove to Nashville for one of the best weekends ever! Could not ask for better friends. What. a. weekend. I won't post too many of the scandalous shots, but here is some evidence:






It has been one AMAZING October...quite unforgettable.

When the Husband is away...

This weekend while Jeremy enjoyed a "Bachelor Weekend" in Destin celebrating his long-time friend Kevin's last days of singledom, I enjoyed a relaxing weekend by myself!
To keep myself busy I accomplished one of my life-long dreams of starting my own produce stand with goods from our garden (a desk on my front porch with free veggies counts, right?):

Saturday, after a long day of cleaning/organizing everything in our house I headed over to our neighbor's house to for a fun night filled with football (Go Dawgs!), trivial pursuit, chicken chili, cornbread and apple crisp! Thanks Massa-Mckinleys - it was so yummy, unfortunately I didn't get any pics!
Sunday, I helped my friend Karri create some tissue-paper flowers for her upcoming wedding. They look awesome so far and I can't wait to see all of them on her big day:


Such a fun and productive weekend, but I will be happy when my hubby gets home...I missed him too much! Hope you have a wonderful first full week of Fall (my absolute favorite time of year...sigh).

Greeter Falls

Yesterday, we went on a hike with some of my friends from my CDA program at Vandy. We drove up to Grundy county, about 1.5 hours away, ate lunch, and then headed to the falls. It was a gorgeous day outside, despite feeling a little under the weather (hoping I don't have Swine Flu), it was a great way to spend our Saturday.

After hiking and swimming in the falls we headed over to Beersheba Pottery, which is in this old home out in the country and owned by this sweet older couple. Sometimes I think, I could live this way. This simple country way.

MadMen

Last night we had a party for the premier of one of our favorite TV shows MadMen Season 3 and to celebrate J's birthday this coming Wednesday. The dress code was 1960s and it was so fun to see everyone all dressed up!

J found a great retro 60s shirt and slicked his hair back- very dapper.


I opted for early 60s wear and a semi-beehive hairdo. I looked up a how-to-video on youtube and wahlah! I think it turned out pretty well!


(For Zander)
Back of Hair

Side of Hair



We even had a makeshift bar like they do in their offices stocked with liquor to make Don's favorite: an Old Fashioned, a Tom Collins, or a Dry Martini! How great would it be to be able to drink at work?



Lilly and Ryan looking very stylish



Thuy and I getting a drink


Nealy and Damon looking cute


Karri harkening back to a Jacki O vibe


Lilly and Sarah enjoying some wine!


J wanted Key Lime Pie this year instead of birthday cake - him blowing out his candle (should have been 27 but that would have ruined the pie!)


Such a fun night...although I don't think we will be hosting parties on Sunday nights anymore! You can't drink as much because of work the next day and everyone has to leave early. Still a great party- one for the books.

"She's a Brick House...She's Mighty Mighty"

My theme song for today...what's yours?

Our Garden & Short ATL Trip

We were so anxious to get started on planting vegetables in our garden this year and even more anxious to see the results. After months of preparing the spot in our backyard, tilling the soil, planting, and watering we finally have something (small) to show for it:

Byars' Garden


Our first Tomato




Pesto Dinner with Ingredients from our Garden...Yum!

At the beginning of June we decided to do a short weekend trip to Atlanta to celebrate my birthday, along with my older sister Crystal's birthday, with our families and to see a few friends. It turned into a whirlwind weekend with something planned every meal of the day (literally breakfast, lunch, and dinner), but we wouldn't have it any other way! Here is some of the evidence:

The No Doubt Concert



Chillin' at the Pool


We are looking forward to the rest of the summer, especially our road trip to Chicago then Minneapolis next week!

Spring time!

Hello out there...helloooo helllooo (echo). Is anyone still there? lol. After a crazy few months we will try to get back to posting regularly. I finished up my first year of grad. school at the end of April. I can't believe it has been a year already! I'm taking a Maymester class right now, working, and I started an internship with Food Security Partners of middle Tennessee (www.foodsecuritypartners.org). It will be a busy few weeks until this class ends, but it will be worth it! After May I will only have 3 classes left...hooray.

Jeremy is finishing up the school year and has 2 weeks left until his summer begins! We are really looking forward to spending a lot of time this summer traveling and getting to do all the fun things in Nashville we haven't done yet. We are planning a road-trip to Chicago over July 4th, a trip to Minnesota to visit family, and hopefully a beach trip in there somewhere.

Everything else is going great. Our pugs, Beau and Ernie, are just as fat and silly as ever. We have loved taking them to the dog park now that it has been so beautiful outside. That's the "quick and dirty" of our lives for now. Hopefully I will post some pictures soon.

We would love visitors this summer...come see us in Nashvegas!!!