Thanksgiving

We took a little road trip this Thanksgiving to visit my dad's side of the family in Lake Lure, NC and then headed over to Atlanta to see J's family. It was a lot of driving, but totally worth it to see all of our wonderful (and crazy) family members! We are so thankful to have multiple houses to go to for turkey and down-home cooking.

The holiday started off with a "friends-giving" at my friend and classmate Julie's house. She and her roommates made a ton of amazing food.


Next was NC to see the Clarke side of the family:

My Dad, two of his brothers, and my Grandpa


My older sister, Crystal, my dad, and me


Cheese!

Unfortunately, our camera ran out of batteries so I didn't get to take any photos at Jeremy's family Thanksgiving, but believe me it was AMAZING as always - thanks to Aunt Mona, Aunt Lisa, and Momma Charry :)

Now it's time to start running off all that goodness....

Candy Cane Style

The blog is getting all holiday on us - that's right Candy Cane style. It's not even Thanksgiving you say... have no fear it's never too early for Christmas cheer!

Happy 3rd Anniversary to us!

This time three years ago I married my best friend! Here's some pictures of our wonderful day:

Arrington Vineyards

Wine Enthusiasts
Saturday we headed south of Nashville to country legend Kix Brook's winery Arrington Vineyards. It was Crappy Hour with some graduate school friends and it was such a fun time! I can't wait to get back there soon.


My sweetie pie - not so much a wine lover though!

We had a free wine tasting, which was fun, and then brought a picnic to enjoy outside. The best part, though, was drinking a glass of wine with wonderful people by the huge bonfire on a perfect evening! I'm just discovering my wine "palette" and I'm definitely a fan of the reds because I like a dry, unsweet flavor. Although, their raspberry chocolate truffles with their raspberry dessert wine received rave reviews from all of us!

Simply delicious.

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.