Watson Wednesday

 

When you just can't help but beg for bites of anything and everything that is being eaten. 

Life Lately - June

Well - here we are. Tomorrow is the last day of June and we are essentially at the halfway point of this year. I cannot wrap my mind around that, it's just wild. So instead of trying to fathom how six months have already passed so quickly... let me share a little about my life lately.

Eating - I couldn't find snaps of all the yummy things I ate this month... or maybe I didn't eat that many things? Ryan and I went to tea at Rosemont the first weekend in June and all the delicious scones, sandwiches and desserts were lovely and tasty (I'm not sure Ryan thought that...). Ryan and I also ate out at Bonefish Grill mid-month and I had a chicken breast topped with goat cheese, spinach and artichoke hearts... YUM.

My friends and I had a Tiki Tea and all the tropical treats were so tasty; I love anything with a pineapple, lemon or mango twist! And rounding out the month, I tried my hand at my fiancé's favorite dessert: Yum Yum Pudding (it was so good) and whipped up some Baked Ziti for our dinner last weekend.

Watching - I know... I know. The answer to this question is so very basic but it's also just accurate. I have been binge watching Say Yes to the Dress. I have always had zero interest in that show but it's like I suddenly have a ring on my finger and that's all I'm interested in watching. And I have conversations with Watson about my thoughts and opinions on every dress... which I'm sure he loves.

Wearing - My engagement ring! I still sometimes can't believe I get to write those words! And I should preface this picture by saying that my ring didn't come from Zales and I am definitely marrying a man (I know the rainbow has been hijacked) - but I couldn't resist the cute frame and the snap of my ring.

I'm sure at some point the novelty will wear off - but maybe it never will? I don't know but I'm still pretty thrilled with it and think I will likely continue to be until that wedding band gets added... and then I'll be staring at it all over again! Ha-ha!

Bought - Talk about an Amazon find! This cute side knot long sleeve top was on sale on Amazon for between $12-$15 depending on whether you chose a solid or color block print. Considering that Summer in Scotland means temperatures will hover between 55-68 degrees, these tops are perfect for my upcoming trip.

So yes - after trying a dark green (in the picture above) and seeing how well it fit/that it looked flattering, I bought several to just make my Scotland wardrobe... with a rain coat too, of course! I just checked the forecast for Scotland for the next ten days and it looks like I've planned accordingly... temperatures of around 67 with potential for rain each day! 

Want - There are so many things... but for now I want to share this picture of my fiancé and I from the past weekend.

Also at this moment in time I want for the weather to not be quite so hot and I want my flight(s) to and from the United Kingdom in July to be uneventful. So perhaps that isn't wanting too much?

Reading - This last month I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid and absolutely enjoyed it! A friend recommended it to me and it was as intriguing as she told me it would be. It's definitely worth checking out! I have started the book Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie - but so far I haven't been able to get into it. I'm hoping the story will suddenly pick up but it hasn't so far...

I still have The Maidens by Alex Michaelides on the shelf and my July Book of the Month box has We are the Brennans by Tracey Lange and 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard... and I have the book All but My Life by Gerda Weissman Klein as well. In short - I have plenty to read.

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That's that for the month of June! I cannot believe we are one day away from July and the second half of 2021. Crazy, right?

Five on Friday

It's the final Friday in June - how did this month go by so quickly? I know this month has been filled with so much goodness for me... I got engaged, chose a wedding date, booked a venue and a photographer... and there is still so much to do! And I cannot believe it but this time next week, I'll be planning to board a plane bound for the United Kingdom - seriously - this month has flown by! 

One. The Tiki Tea - Last Saturday I went to my friend Danielle's house for a little Tiki style tea and some make-up application tips! The food was so very yummy! We had Ham & Pineapple Sliders, Pineapple Upside Down Cakes, Tropical Cookie Pizza, Lemon Squares, a Tropical-style charcuterie tray and Tropical Meatballs - along with Mango Pineapple Tea! 

Danielle's younger sister sells Younique make-up products and so she used her arsenal of products to give us demonstrations and do our make-up for us! I learned a little bit about shading and contouring my face... and while I took some useful tips, I think I'm a more basic make-up lady! I did grab some BB cream and a special bundle and snagged a Kabuki brush for applying foundation from Amazon - it was a great afternoon all around!

Two. Bridal Goodies - I'm all engaged and the fun has begun! Blessedly my Momma is one of the most organized people I know and so the planning has kicked off without a hitch and to celebrate, I signed myself up for a little Bridal Box that sends goodies to prepare for your wedding each month! My first box arrived just recently and it was filled with all things exercise-related!

The first box had a blush pink duffle bag emblazoned with the phrase "Bride" on it... which matched the clear and white water bottle inside! There was also a set of resistance bands, some bright pink body scrub, some wireless earbuds and the cutest tank that says "Sweating for the Wedding" - and Lord knows I'll be doing that as soon as I return from the U.K.

Three. Photography Things - I knew even before I was dating anyone that when I finally got engaged, the person I wanted to take my engagement and wedding pictures was our dear friend Brooke Lull! She has taken some of the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen and I say this from experience - not only have I perused her website forever, but she personally took family pictures for us just a couple years ago that were excellent!

Well - earlier this week I arrived home from work to a package and was stunned when I opened it! It was a gorgeous wooden box wrapped in a pink ribbon and topped with a sprig of greenery. Inside was a beautiful wedding photography and planning guide and a personalized note from Brooke... not to mention a lovely note pad, a candle, a face mask and a bottle of white cider! What an absolutely thoughtful and amazing gift - we have picked the absolute best photographer!

Four. The Sweetest Babies - Y'all! Oh my goodness y'all! I couldn't resist sharing this collage I put together of Ryan and I when we were both about two and a half! Now - I know I am partial to myself and my precious fiancé, but goodness - we're cute, right?

Also - we are both completely dark headed now but when we were teeny, we were both completely blonde! Isn't that the funniest thing ever? I also know we both had some very cool Osh Kosh overalls when we were little... because I've seen pictures of my self in some just like Ryan's - but adorned with flowers.

Five. Weekend Plans - My fiancé is coming to visit for the weekend! The weather is supposed to be beautiful and warm all weekend, so we might have to make plans to hit the swimming pool again this time! I forgot how much I love being at the swimming pool - it is so refreshing! We will probably just chill tonight since we've both worked hard this week!

I'm planning to cook dinner on Saturday evening and we will be headed to church on Sunday morning! I have nursery so I'll be snuggling some babies and then we will make our way to Gettysburg to have lunch with my future Mother in Law and then I'll be headed home to start preparing for the work week and packing for the U.K. I can't believe I'll be in the U.K. next weekend!

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The final weekend of June has arrived! We are about to close out the first half of 2021 and move into the second half of 2021 - can y'all believe that? I know I can't - but here we are and what a crazy amazing first half of the year it's been!

The ABC's of Me - Let Me Update Y'all

I originally did this post several years ago and I like to update it every 12-18 months just to see how my life has changed, how my answers and opinions on life have changed. It's always fascinating to look back on!  

A - Available or Married? Well I'm not married quite yet, but I'm certainly not available anymore! I'm engaged to be married to a wonderful Godly man named Ryan. He is truly an answered prayer and a complete blessing. He was absolutely worth the wait!

B - Book? I'm currently reading Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie and it's an intriguing book so far! I have to say that joining the Book of the Month club has been so much fun for me and I have discovered so many excellent books!

C - Cake or Pie? Normally I'd say cake... 90% of the time I'd say cake. But I do love a nice slice of cherry pie from time to time! 

D - Drink of Choice? Coffee! Always coffee! I like it hot or iced. Strong or weak. I always love coffee and if I'm not drinking that, then I'm usually drinking coffee.

E - Essential Item? *sigh* Still probably going to be my iPhone! It just has everything on it... my Bible, my social media, my health and weight loss apps, my wedding planning app... it's just got all the things on it!

F - Favorite Color? It's still blue. Always blue. Even incorporating blue (navy) into my wedding.

G - Games to Watch or Play? I will always watch a Nationals baseball game and I actually really enjoy playing a marble game called Aggravation. A family friend made our family a gorgeous game board and I tend to get a little competitive about it... *smiles*

H - Hometown? My hometown is in Northern Virginia. I was born in California but only lived there until I was two... and I spent the largest chunk of my life in Collinsville, Mississippi which is a one stop light town in Central Mississippi - however; I've lived in Northern Virginia now for just over eight years and this place definitely feels like my home.

I - Indulgence? Oh man, right now it's pinning anything and everything related to weddings and planning weddings on Pinterest and researching things on The Knot. I've had a wedding pin board for years but I am finally adding to it for real and I find myself perusing Pinterest and The Knot... probably... more than I should!

J - Job? I work in Wealth Management! I've worked at my job for just over seven years and I still really enjoy my job. I work with two of my best friends and I have the opportunity to learn and grow in the position for the last seven years.

K - Kids & Their Names? No kiddos yet but I still have a precious fur baby (although I guess he's a fur oldie) named Watson! I do have names picked out for human kiddos though... ha-ha!

L - Life is Incomplete Without? Jesus. Life is incomplete without having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ... if I don't have Jesus, nothing else matters.

M - Music Group or Singer? Y'all... I still do love me some Queen! That definitely hasn't changed!

N - Number of Siblings? I just have the same one little sister... that won't be changing, ha-ha!

O - Oranges or Apples? Oranges! I have discovered recently that I absolutely love clementine's, which I guess are a different type of oranges... but oranges just the same! 

P - Phobias/Fears? I still don't love to fly and I am not wild about heights! I'm getting better with both every time I attempt them though and so maybe eventually I'll banish them completely! 

Q - Favorite Quote? "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." Not sure who to attribute that to but I love the idea of finding happiness (or joy) in every moment no matter how small or large.

R - Reason to Smile? Where shall I begin? I am saved by grace, I have a wonderful fiancé that loves me, I have a family that adores me, I have friends that are incredible, I have a great job... I have my whole life stretched out in front of me. How can I not smile?

S - Season? I absolutely love Autumn and I especially love the Christmas season! In general, I love everything from September through December, ha-ha!

T - Tattoos? I don't have any ink at this point... I'm not a huge fan of needles, so I don't know if I could ever be "tough" enough to get inked. 

U - Unknown Fact about Me? I won a church wide reading prize when I was not quite three. The challenge was for kids to read as many books as possible and depending on your age, your parent could read them to you. My Mom was a book fiend (I get it honest) and read to me like crazy... and I won the prize!

V - Vegetable You Love? I really enjoy carrots and broccoli but I honestly have become the type of person that will eat almost any and all veggies. It's wild! Who am I?

W - Worst Habit? This hasn't changed at all... I am the worst at overthinking every single thing! I analyze and criticize everything I do and say in my head. *eek*

X - X-Rays You've Had? I've had several; I used to have them on my spine on a pretty annual basis because I have scoliosis but I haven't had one in ages...

Y - Your Favorite Food? I'm not sure... I just really love good food! I love a good salad, a slice of pizza, a well made sandwich and I especially love a good chocolate chip cookie!

Z - Zodiac? I'm a Libra; all about the balance!

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Well there you go - a little update on the ABC's of Me - isn't it funny how things change?

Watson Wednesday

 

This little fella just continues to surprise me - he had really seemed to slow down in the last week and on Sunday night he was really struggling. He was more than content to be curled up by me or Ryan, just snoozing. But by Monday afternoon - he was back to his usual self... racing around the neighborhood, begging for bites of Yum Yum Pudding and acting wild.

Announcement!

 

I am currently distracted by a new piece of jewelry that is twinkling on my left hand... because the most wonderful man has asked me to be his wife and I said "YES!" My heart is so full and a dream I have had for so long is finally coming true! 

 

Suffice it to say there is a wonderful story behind the proposal but I haven't decided if I want to share that with the world - maybe I want to keep that special moment for myself. What is wonderful is knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with this Godly, loving and wonderful man! 

Five on Friday

It's the second to last weekend in June - where has this month gone? I just can't believe how quickly the last few weeks have gone by and I cannot believe it will be July soon!

One. Two Weeks to Go - I don't know if I've actually mentioned this on the blog but I'm UK bound in two weeks! I've been to London and the English countryside before but this time we are expanding our explorations to Scotland and I absolutely cannot wait! True story - I'll be taking on ride through the very scene below... on the Jacobite Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct. 

I'll be exploring Edinburgh, some locations from Outlander and just generally taking in as much as I can of Scotland... from sun up to sun down, whether rain or shine! My father has traced our heritage to Scotland and so a huge chunk of my ancestry is from that magical land north of England. I cannot wait to explore the country and I'll go into more detail about what we'll be doing in another post!

Two. Tiki Tea - I have some fun weekend plans and they kick off with a little afternoon Tiki Tea at my friend Danielle's house! We are going to have all things tropical and sip some tea and I know it's going to be a delightful time!

My friend Danielle's sister is also going to do our make-up, so that should be fun! Hopefully I'll leave her house looking stunning and filled with delicious tea and goodies! I'm going to be making a Tropical Fruit Pizza and a sort of charcuterie board with a tropical twist! 

Three. Face to Face, Finally - I'm going out to dinner with a friend that I haven't seen since March of last year and I cannot wait! The whole pandemic happened and then she had a baby girl in April and since everyone was using an abundance of caution and staying home... we just haven't been able to get together - until now!

We are going to grab Mexican food and catch up on Saturday night and I cannot wait! I know we will have the best time and I cannot wait to see what all she's been up to since last Spring! We've text pretty frequently but there is just something special about meeting up face to face!

Four. Another Pup Snap - I know I just shared a picture of Watson on Wednesday... and again on Thursday's post but he came along to work with me today and it just makes for some great photo opportunities.

It's beautiful here today and the little guy has been loving the walks we've been taking! I know he can't wait to get home and soak up some sunshine on the deck!

Five. My Mom Started A Blog - If you're looking for another travel related spot to check out, my Mom started a blog to document the adventures she and my newly retired Dad will be having all over the country! She is new to the whole blogging thing - so show her some love over at Excursion Enthusiasts.

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That's all I've got for this fine Friday afternoon! I'm gonna head home, relax a little bit, grab some groceries and enjoy my weekend. I hope you will too! 

Life Lately - Some Snaps & Such!

It's been a hot minute since I've posted - I know. *sigh* Life has been full and a little frantic the past week but things seems to be slowing down a little bit for now and so I wanted to gather together some pictures and snippets from the last week! I'm so glad Thursday is here and the weekend is just around the corner!

 

I ended up getting sick on Wednesday night/Thursday morning after eating (I think) what was some bad deli turkey.... the very turkey you see Watson begging for in the above picture, ha-ha! I guess he has an iron stomach and I don't - because my meal did not sit well with me and I missed work last Thursday because of it. Suffice it to say that I was plenty thrilled when Friday rolled around, I felt better and the weekend was on the horizon. 

 

Also - have y'all played with the Voila app? Yes? No? Just me? I couldn't resist turning myself and Ryan and my entire family into cute little cartoons! I had a ton of people tell me that my cartoon actually looked like me and I cannot get over how handsome Ryan looks as a cartoon! It cracks me up and I've maybe played with it more than a few times!

Saturday morning after breakfast I headed to Pennsylvania for about twenty-four hours to spend some time with my boyfriend. We went to a car show at a local church and let me tell you: I know absolutely nothing about cars and Ryan knows absolutely everything and so I merrily followed him around listening to him gasp and exclaim and point out all the important things about cars. It was a WARM day for being in PA - and when we finished looking at cars, I was ready for some AC! 

 

 

We also poked around a really cool... albeit really odd house in Wrightsville that is built into the side of the hill and is sort of like an "Earth" house. It had plants growing on the roof, was all curves and no straight lines and had waterfalls all around the house. It even had some giant rocks stacked at the top... it was certainly very unique and when we passed it while out driving around, we had to investigate.

 

We also stumbled on a lovely state park that was perched on the hillside overlooking the Susquehanna River and the whole valley laid out below it - it was absolutely beautiful and everywhere you looked, you could see a different view. I've already discovered several different views I really love in Pennsylvania - although I might actually love the views because of who I'm seeing them with!

We had dinner on Saturday night at Bonefish Grill and then wandered around the mall for a while poking around in some shops. Sunday was church and while we attempted to swim - the weather never really cooperated: it was overcast and a little cooler than we'd have liked, especially considering how cool the water was! We ended up watching the first episode of Loki and then I got Ryan hooked on WandaVision before I headed back to Virginia. 

This week has been filled with work, Tuesday night Bible study and getting the house ready for out of town guests this weekend. I cannot believe there are only two weekends left in June - it seems wild that it's almost July! It also seems wild that I'll be leaving for the UK in just FIFTEEN days! 

Watson Wednesday

 

It's been just over seven years now since Watson and I loaded up my car and made the journey from Mississippi to Virginia. So much has happened in the last seven years... sometimes it seems like I've always lived in Virginia and sometimes it seems like it's only been a minute.

Watson Wednesday

 

Two of my favorite "people" together in one place - it makes my heart so very happy.