In Georgia....Almost

Luke and I made the half country road trek with my car this past week. We left Carlsbad on Friday the 11th and drove 12 hours to Haynesville, LA. We had a wonderful time that weekend just hanging out with Luke's grandparents. We played 18 holes of golf on Saturday and then another 9 or 12 on Sunday. I don't want to brag....but I just have to tell you I was killing the ball! With the upcoming Masters I've got the real itch to start playing a lot. I think that will be my new hobby!  (Callie--please note that I am going to ask you to drive to Augusta for a golf day with me very soon).

After a great weekend in LA, we hit the road on Monday for Nashville. Timing was perfect for grab lunch in Memphis, so BBQ was on our mind. We googled some of the top choices for famed Memphis BBQ and came across Tops. Let's just say that was the best decision EVER. It was amazing! If you are in the area Tops is a must.
We made good timing into Nashville and checked in at the Homewood Suites in Brentwood. I have to also rave about the hotel crazy enough. The bed was downright fabulous. I think Luke and I seriously had a 30 min. convo on how awesome we thought the bed was. Who knew Homewood was the way to go??

After spending some days at the home office in Nashville, we were east bound toward ATL Thursday night.
Friday was take advantage of civilization again and run errands, paired with an awesome lunch with my SIL Stacie, and my nieces MA and the Bear. Luke hadn't seen the girls in a while, so the Panera lunch was perfect. MA and the Bear are just too cute!

Friday night my sister Jenna hosted game night at her place. Luke covered the meat, Jenna covered the appetizers, I attempted my New Mexican green chili cheese grits  for a side (I will say they didn't turn out so swell..I've got to work on the recipe a bit), and then each couple brought over another item to complete the meal. It was so much fun, and downright tempting too. I guess now would be a good time to tell you folks that I gave up all booze for lent. I'm not catholic, and grew up what I consider to be half baptist and half methodist; and the methodist do participate in Lent!  Anywho...that's right...I gave up even wine!!! So...game night was very hard and actually the rest of that entire weekend was pretty evil.

Saturday morning Luke and I helped host an Auburn Tailgate themed shower at Park Tavern. It was PERFECT weather! Not drinking at a tailgate is downright wrong, but I held out and behaved. I'm really on this cupcake kick as you can see in the below pics.
Saturday night we attended a wedding with the reception at Park Tavern too. It was a blast and of course had a full open bar. I guess you don't realize how much you drink or how many things you do with drinking until you give it up. Eye opening indeed.

So our current state is me hanging out in Augusta this week with Luke in Nash again working for the week. We both fly back to Carlsbad on Sunday and Monday and meet the movers that Wednesday. After they arrive it's just one last half country drive and we'll be GA peaches again. Crazy to think this move is finally happening. We are taking a different route back, so more blogs to come on our travels.

Love the huge windmills seen driving through West Texas

If you know me, you know I have a crazy love for the American Flag! It's so pretty!

We made it to Haynesville in time for dinner. 

Luke and Grandfather

Walking on the links

Luke chipping 

Drive for show and put for dough!!

Yum!! You must try this!

We made it into Nashville for Spring! The trees are lovely

AU cupcakes of course! 

Hanging out at the AU tailgate shower

The awesome bride and groom! Such a wonderful fun wedding.

Shower Time and Moving Update

I do realize I'm the worst blogger EVER right now. I'm sorry I've been MIA. I was traveling and then just trying to figure everything out we have coming up in the next few weeks.

So...I don't have all of the pics that I want to post. I'll just have another blog later with more pics. 

Here are some photos of the shower I hosted in ATL this past weekend. My little sister Jenna graciously lent out her house, and Kat a new friend helped host. Kat tackled all of the wonderful decorations and I was in charge of the food. We had a wonderful turn out and I think the bride was very happy. Thank you also to my wonderful family for helping tackle the clean up and prep. The only item I really just couldn't get made on my original menu was pigs in a blanket. I know they are a favorite, but I just ran out of time. Also, next round I'll have really cute icing jobs for the cupcakes! I think taste is most important though...so I was proud overall.

The Food Spread

The menu was: 

Deviled Eggs

Turkey Canapes

Cupcakes

Tomato and Mozz. Skewers (spritzed with garlic olive oil)

Pimento Sandwich Bites

Mexican Roll Ups (can't see well in this pic)

Fruit Platter

Pizza Cups (can't see in this photo-they are tiny table bottom left)

Donut Bites

Pink and Green Everything!

The Beautiful Bride

So...I thought I would also take this moment to let you know about our upcoming move and crazy next couple of weeks! Tomorrow morning Luke and I are driving my car to Haynesville, LA. It's a 12 hour drive and my first visit to Luke's grandparents home. I still think it's funny they live in a town with my maiden name.

After visiting for a couple of days we are driving up to Nashville, TN. Luke is working at the home office for a week where I plan to help out a couple of days, and just enjoy our old stomping ground the rest. 

Come Friday the 18th we are going to ATL for game night at my sister's house with friends, and then hosting yet another shower that Saturday morning. Saturday night we are attending a wedding...can we say crazy!! (we have over 7 weddings this year already)

Sunday morning Luke will catch a one way flight back to Nashville for work and I'll head to Augusta. After a wedding without Luke on Saturday the 26th in Augusta... I'll hop on a one way flight back to Carlsbad that Monday. Luke should arrive back in Carlsbad the Sunday night before me from his Nashville flight. So...we are hoping the movers arrive some time the last week of March. Then...once again we'll hit the road with Luke's truck and make our half country drive! Boy if that isn't just a crazy maybe schedule I don't know what is! Ha! I just hope we can stick to the plan we've laid out and everything goes smoothly. 

Very New Mexican

This week is everyone comes to visit the job site week, so that equals no time at home. We eat every meal together and generally get home about 9:30 or 10 at night. So that's why I am just now sitting down to mention this past weekend.
The weather has been great recently for the entire U.S. A.  it seems. The weather here was a wonderful 80 degrees ,and perfect for tennis. Luke and I played at the local courts that were actually very nice. They have lights, shady spots, and everything is in good condition. You don't find that too often at free local courts, so I was happy to see no droopy nets.
After Tennis  we hit the kitchen. Luke made jalapeno poppers, I made enchiladas, and  home made cookie dough (minus the egg) for dessert. The poppers were AMAZING. Luke got this cool deal shown below for Christmas. Here's the recipe you must try!!
Jalapeno Poppers
Cook two slices of bacon (crispy)
Mix together ssoftened cream cheese, minced garlic, and bacon broken into bits
Core and then lightly coat fresh jalapenos inside's with ranch dressing
Stuff jalapenos with cream cheese mixture and cook on 350 for 30 min.
You'd think they'd be super hot...they really arn't! They are very yummy and highly recommended.
I didn't get a pic of the poppers, but did snag one of my enchiladas. We are so New Mexican now! With that said...still waiting official word on the moving time frame. Hope the week is going swell for everyone!

The popper holder!

YUM!

Patiently Waiting

Patience is a virtue right!?! Luke's company is officially testing my patience. We've got the official word that we are heading to Augusta, GA, but we don't know when. I was hoping originally that we would be in route this next week, but have been asked to stick around a bit longer. So...now my goal week is driving the second week of March, but we'll see (fingers crossed). We are waiting on the owner to decide if he would like  for us to complete one more additional piece of work. Once we know that we are moving somewhere....anywhere....we become anxious to head out. Even though I know well the next destination, it's still exciting to be some place new. I haven't lived in my hometown since high school, and things have changed a lot since I last lived there. So...I'm excited to catch up with old friends, and experience Augusta at a different stage in life.
I'm also patiently waiting for HGTV to come knock on my door! I've entered me, Luke, my mom, and dad every day for the dream home in Stowe, VT. So...I do realize I'm kind of a nut in terms of entering these contest, but I have HOPE for one day!!

Yes Please!

 How nice would it be to win this??

Travel Channel is giving away an unforgettable trip to GreeceThe winner and a guest will fly round-trip to Athens, where they'll stay for 3 nights, visiting the Acropolis and other famous sites.

Next, the winners will embark on a 3-night cruise to Greece's mystical islands. Don't miss out on this amazing trip. 

Yes Please...I'll take a free amazing trip!!

WHAT A DAY!

Luke and I woke up to SNOW! Not just a bit, but a good 2 inches.

Our Snowy Home

I do realize that isn't much for some folks...but please remember we live just two hours from MEXICO. Have I ever told you that Carlsbad sits at 3,000 ft. in elevation!! High Huh! Carlsbad tends to get at least one good snow per year.

It's snowed all day reaching about 5 inches, and should continue to snow for the next day or two. I'm interested to see how long this last, and how much we truly accumulate.

Sad news though...Luke and I have NO hot water! Can someone please explain why the hot water pipe always freezes? Logic would tell me to assume the cold water pipe would always freeze first! Luke took a nice sponge bath this morning in the kitchen, and it looks like that may be the routine for a while.

Another interesting thing I noticed today was the snow wasn't wet! I know that sounds strange, but if you tried to make a snowball it wouldn't stick together. It was very dry and wiped off everything. It made for easy windshield cleaning, but still a strange thing for me. I've never seen "dry" snow before (at least that I can recall).

Other than snow taking over....It's NATIONAL SIGNING DAY!! I love this day! I follow recruiting a good bit every year, but have really been paying close attention this year. I am SO EXCITED about the class we have coming in. The best O Line in the country is officially ours! I was happy to see that we were in the top ten, and blown away to see that we jumped up to the number two class in the country. War Eagle People!

Finally, I finished up this great day with purchasing myself a valentine present (from Luke technically--and early I know). He admitted that he was going to get me flowers, but I requested two of these instead!

I am hosting a shower in Atlanta this March with an event planner by trade (another bridesmaid of a good friend of mine). She and I were talking over the shower and she mentioned that she was going to bring her apothecaries. I then got to thinking that I don't own anything for serving drinks (not counting nice pitchers). I really like these because I can see myself decorating with them around the house when they aren't in use. They are just pretty and practical to me! I would tell you more about the shower, but you'll just have to wait for pictures and details to come since the bride reads this blog regularly.

I hope all of you had a wonderful day!!

Durango Days

LOVE

Luke and I headed to Durango, Colorado again this past Thursday. Jacob and Mandy also met up too! We wanted one last chance to hit the slopes before we move (wherever we move??)

I found this cute boutique hotel located right on main avenue called Nobody's Inn. The location was amazing, but I think we'll pick a different room next go round. We were in the only room facing the main avenue, and found it very loud at night. Overall it was a pretty cool place though. Check out the website herehttp://www.nobodysinn.com/.

Luke and I had a wonderful day of snowboarding, and exploring the entire mountain Friday. The last time we where in Durango was one of Luke's first ever boarding, so we weren't too adventurous that go round. This trip we went on every single lift available, and tried as many runs as we could get in. Poor Mandy got what we think was a bout of altitude sickness and didn't really enjoy much of that day, but luckily came back 100% on Saturday.

I unfortunately didn't have a very good Saturday! The day started off so promising, but around lunch I took a nasty spill that ended my time on the mountain. I thought originally to have broken or bruised my tailbone, but it turns out I dislocated my sacroiliac joint instead (google that one). It's a pretty painful little annoyance, but overall I'm happy that I didn't break anything!

Before I throw in all of the pics, I wanted to give a shout out to the Carver Brewing Company; we enjoyed a delicious dinner and breakfast at this local microbrewery(forgot to get pics). It was quite yummy! I would recommend Carver's to all that visit Durango. OH...I must also mention this first picture....Please check out Luke catching air!! I too am improving, and doing much better before the big bust! He takes the cake with this pic though. 

I'll be getting this one framed for the house most definitely

The 4 New Mexicans! 

Check out the Elk!!!