Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!

When it comes to Christmas I totally turn into Buddy the Elf.  No joke. Just visit my house after several weeks of wrapping presents!

I think I am going to start answering my cell with "Blain the Elf, what's your favorite color?!"

 I can not wait to spend Christmas with "Charleston's" family on Christmas Eve and then head home to Kernersville for the rest of the weekend to stock up on some of these:

 Love on a little bit of this:

 And spend some quality time snuggling up and hanging out with him:

The holidays put me in such a good mood no matter how busy and stressful it can look from the outside.

I'll be honest, I do become an emotional person during the holiday's becuase it always seems that all the good things in life converge in a span of just several days reminding me how thankful I am to have a family that still cherishes the time together cramped into our grandparents house in order to keep traditions alive.

I am a lucky girl this Christmas season.

A Very Rough Couple Weeks

Without jumping into too much detail too fast, two weekends ago "Charleston" was given some not-so-good-news after he was emitted to the hospital for several days....


It began at CMC Main here in Charlotte where "Charlestons" family and I tried our hardest to ease the pain and be every bit of support that we could for the man of my dreams as he went through some heavy hearted happenings. To give “Charleston” some privacy I won’t go into specifics of what led him to this position but after several doctor visits and a promptly scheduled colonoscopy on Friday the 9th, he ended up in the hospital hooked up to IV’s of antibiots, inflammatory medications and fluids. Long story short, after multiple blood tests and several biopsy’s, “Charleston” was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis which is an inflammatory bowel disease.

It is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine (colon). Ulcerative colitis causes ulcers in the lining of the rectum and colon. The ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon. I could go on and on about the causes of ulcerative colitis, the symptoms, the best outcomes, the worst outcomes, and the treatments but, there are so many useful resources on the Internet that I don’t even want to go into all of that. That was not my purpose here.

Resources (if you care to know more):

http://www.medicinenet.com/ulcerative_colitis/article.htm

http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/ulcerative-colitis/ulcerative-colitis-topic-overview

While I sat in “Charleston’s” hospital room, many emotions surfaced over this four day period. So many things became a reality and life became REAL. It became 100% apparent that I truly love this man; although I knew deep down and on the surface I already did. After receiving his diagnosis, my heart and mind immediately jumped into caretaker mode. I will do anything and everything in my power to make his life normal, provide for him in whatever ways he needs and, be his supporter and fan through every stage of this issue in his life. I couldn’t leave his side; I didn’t want to and I never do. He is part of the life plan God made for me and I want him healthy and to never have to worry. I love him, with all my heart.

For the last week or so I have really been at a loss for words. With this event, it has showed me so many things in my life that I need to change and has proved to me that I need to be more thankful everyday for what I have. First and foremost, that being “Charleston.”

Why does it take a life altering event to show us these things?

I am sure in the future this will not be the only post about ulcerative colitis as I will be in the journey to help "Charleston" through the learning curves this diagnosis brings. I also feel it necessary to educated our friends and family so they too are informative and able to help him cope with this never-welcomed news.

Baby Howard #2 !

Yeap, that's right.......

The news came out several months ago but I didn't want to steal Sisters thunder and post it on here before she got the excitement to tell people first so....now it's my turn to say it... 

  I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT AGAIN!

So far Sister and Sam have done a pretty good job at reproducing:

Exhibit A:

Therefore I can not wait to meet the next little Howard baby!  Sister is due on June 15th which makes this baby and Olivia very close to being almost exactly 2 years apart. (Olivia's birthday is May 27th)  Blair has always said that she wanted her kids close in age and all  I can say is that she is 100% blessed.  They have been fortunate to time this almost perfectly!
 
On January 6th they will find out if Baby H #2 is a girl or boy.  Honestly, I have zero gut feeling on this one!  None.  It would be awesome for Olivia to have a sister and a very close relationship like Blair and I share BUT on the flip side, Sam is an excellent father that I would love to see him have a son.  Sam is such a hands-on, out doorsy, do-it-yourself, smart and caring kind of guy that he would be the most amazing influence on a little boy! 

The Howard Family

Soon to be a family of Four!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I got all my Christmas decorations and up and I am missing just one little detail.......

My poor little tree is lacking a star, bow, or an angel.....

My family always had a star on our Christmas tree. "Charleston's" family has an angel and my Grandmother always had a bow....I don't know which one I want!

It's a little crowded in the living room with the tree.  I feel like all the furniture is crammed close together but we can make do!  The more the merrier; feels so cozy!

Since we do not have a mantle becuase there is no fireplace at our little casa, the stockings had to go on the banister.  Just make do with what ya got!

Happy Ho Ho Ho Friends!

My Thanksgiving Contribution

We had Thanksgiving dinner this year with the Atkins family and I asked "Charleston's" mom if I could bring anything and she politely said no.  I couldn't take no for an answer (I know that shocks some of you :) ) so I decided to take over a couple appetizers since we would be hanging out for a little before dinner.

It was a no brainer on this first recipe.  It never fails when we go out to dinner, Barbara ("Charleston's" mom), will order some form of spinach dip and I am with her in that decision, it's one of my faves!  I have never made it before so after a short Pinterest search I found one that was super appealing:

Hot Spinach Dip

via Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more for baking dish
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 pounds spinach, cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 ounces reduced-fat bar cream cheese
• 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 3 dashes hot sauce, such as Tabasco
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• Baguette slices, bread sticks, or crackers, for serving
• **Blain's recipe tweeks:  I used about 1 1/2 cups mozzarella AND also added a half cup shredded Parmesan**

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a Dutch oven or large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook until lightly browned, 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Add spinach in two additions, letting the first batch wilt before adding the next; cook until completely wilted, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a colander; drain, pressing to release all excess liquid.
3. In the same pot, warm milk over high heat. Whisk in cream cheese until melted, about 3 minutes. Add spinach, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and 1/4 cup mozzarella; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a lightly oiled 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
4. Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot with accompaniments, as desired.

Overall, EXCELLENT and super easy!
When I asked "Charleston" if I should take anything else he immediately said "Cocktail Weenies."  WTF its Thanksgiving! not the super bowl!
So lets back up a minute.  I made him watch an episode of Hungry Girl one day on Food Network and on the show she made Cocktail Weenies for a gathering.  Obviously those little puppies stuck in his head and he has been wanting them since.  I was very reluctant because who makes cocktail weenies for Thanksgiving but to please the man in my life, I did what I was told:

Pump-Up-The-Jam Cocktail Weenies

Ingredients 

• 14 hot dogs with about 40 calories and 1g fat or less each (like the kind by Hebrew National)
• 3/4 cup very finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup chili sauce (the kind found by the ketchup)
• 3/4 cup low-sugar grape preserves/jelly
• 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• Directions 

Cut each hot dog into thirds, leaving you with cocktail-sized franks. Place in a crock pot. Add onion to the crock pot as well. In a bowl, combine chili sauce, preserves/jelly, and mustard; mix well. Add to the crock pot and gently stir to coat. Cover and cook on low for 3 - 4 hours.Stir well and then serve up the hot dogs with extra sauce on top!

So we gathered that afternoon, ate spinach dip and cocktaili weenies, all the while I got picked on becuase it looked like my cooking expertise went no further then hot dogs! Yes they joked and picked on me the entire time BUT I will tell you that my crockpot was EMPTY when we were done.  Every weenie was gone.  Obviously they liked my cooking well enough, even if it was only hot dogs!

Got Too Excited For The Holidays

I am embarrassed.

I ran home during lunch today to grab a quick sandwich and as I pulled up to the front of my home this is what I saw:

Yes that is my front porch and my front door.  You can't see it in the picture but right inside the window is also my Christmas tree that I so excitedly put up on Sunday and sitting in that window (as well as all others) I have Christmas candles.

Immediately the Sesame Street Song that I learned years and years ago came to mind:

"One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song? "

Remember that one?

Yea, I am embarrassed.  I got so excited to decorate for Christmas with my wreath, Christmas tree, and candles that I have yet to throw away my Halloween pumpkin.  The worst is, it honestly hasn't even dawned on me to do it and I walk by it EVERY TIME I go to and from my home. 

Sad times.

Charlotte Turkey Trot

It was cold but it was fun.  The best thing was that we did it together.

I love that running is something "Charleston" and I both enjoy.

I know I slow him down with my short legs and barely-there stride but he sticks with me and doesn't leave me behind.

We participated in the 8K run and started further back in the group which proved to be VERY frustrating.  We ran the first two miles at a snails pace behind the 4,000 some people ahead of us.  Finally when the road widened and the group got a little more spread out for miles 3 - 5 we were able to reach a comfortable pace.  Needless to say though there were no race winning times coming from the two of us (ha ha as if there would be anyways!), but, we finished and we finished together.  Mission accomplished!

And check out this cute chicka I ran into!

Laura was there running with her daddy!

Much love :)

Great start to Thanksgiving morning!

Camping in a Box

I am totally into DIY gifts this year, especially when I need a quick hostess gift or something simple for a neighbor or friend. 

I found this super cute idea on Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying The Small Things, and just had to share!

Indoor Camping Party in a Box!

via

Decorate a shoe box or empty photo box, wrap ingredients (2 Hershey bars, a bag of marshmallows, a bag of graham crackers) with pretty ribbons, make a few cute tags, throw in a few fondue sticks and a can of Sterno (enthanol gel), and Voila. 

 There you have it!  Party in a Box!

Too Cute and Too Simple!

Love it!

Gobble Gobble Gobble

I am spending Thanksgiving Day this year here in Charlotte with "Charleston's" family and then heading home to Kernersville probably EARLY Friday morning (before the traffic gets insane at Concord Mills Outlets) to spend the rest of the weekend with the fam. 

Although I am missing Thanksgiving Day with my family, I am SUPER excited for our Thanksgiving plans this year.  "Charleston" and I are running together tomorrow morning in the Charlotte Turkey Trot 8K.  Something about the race sets it apart from any other and if I had to put my finger on it, it would be the sense of family at the event.  Many people run with their families as an annual tradition before they all sit down and veg out the rest of the day.  It's neat.  (It also gives me a good excuse to get an extra serving of all things good that night!)

Thursday afternoon we will head to "Charleston's" parents house to hang out and have a late lunch/early dinner for Thanksgiving.  Like I have said 1000 times, I love "Charleston's" family and am very thankful we live so close to them.  We have also invited our friends Adam and Alicia to join us.  Their families are in Iowa and they can't make it back for every holiday so...the more the merrier!

The rest of the weekend in K-ville I have plans to hang out with Sister and help her decorate her house for Christmas (aka - play with Olivia!) and MAYBE do a little Christmas shopping with my Momma.  "Charleston" and Dad have plans to go hunting so I will squeeze in every bit of quality time with them when they are not playing in the woods with their four legged animal friends.

I know the weekend is going to go by so fast becuase it always does, but I simply love the holidays and can't wait to try and make time stand still.

I will leave you with one of the most amazing recipes that you have to have on your table this year.  Besdies my family (obviously), it is other thing I will miss from the Higgins Thanksgiving gathering:


Grandma's Sweet Potato Casserole
by Grandma Elaine Frost

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
½ cup milk
2 eggs
½ stick butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, milk,
potatoes and vanilla flavoring. Pour into
13x9 baking dish.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup flour (can add ½ cup coconut too)
½ cup pecan pieces

Sprinkle topping on casserole.
Dot entire mixture with ½ stick
butter. Bake at 325 for 35-40 minutes.

 
 

Raleigh Reunion!

There are two numbers that are very important to this weekend : 37 and 13

Yes that's right.....

The score to the NC State vs. Clemson game and the 37 belongs to my WOLFPACK!!!

LETS GO PACK!

It was the cherry on top of the weekend with my amazing friends!

We arrived in Raleigh on Friday night to Lori's NEW house!  Miss Carson is officially a homeowner and I was so excited to stay for the weekend.  Her place is awesome!  Congratulations little girl!

After settling in, the weekend got kicked off with a night out to the grand opening of World Of Beers!

Jennifer, "Charleston", Brian and Lori

Carter and Lori

Saturday morning we headed out to tailgate at Carter Finley at 10:00am; can't waste a minute of daylight!

Love Them Dearly

Jennifer, Lee Ann, Me, Lori, Catherine, Laura, Leslie

The game started at 3:30 and I can honestly say I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Several times I caught "Charleston" staring at me as if I was a crazy person but I honestly couldn't cheer loud enough! 

When Sunday came it was no fun at all to get in the car and leave.  I can't go that long again without going back to play more often! PROMISE :)

The Need For A Christmas List??

It's always kind of awkward when someone asks you what you want for Christmas...especially when you are twenty-seven.  I don't have a Toys-R-Us flyer laying around with Crayola Marker circled items on every page like I did in 1990.  Can I just say a new car, bedroom furniture, bedding for the guest room, a house?!!!  Um no. 

Therefore, it always catches me off guard when I get the "what do you want for Christmas question" from a family member who really wants to know some ideas of things they can get me for Christmas...realistically.

There are always things I "want", but I never can think of them on the fly. Sometimes I also feel selfish rattling off a list of wants even if I do have one or two things in mind.  Anyone else feel this way?

But I know, no matter what, that my grandmother or "Charleston's" mom, for example, because they are too sweet, are going to get me something for Christmas whether I like it or not and, like my grandmother said, she REFUSES to buy a gift card (which I don't blame her, I take after my fabulous Grandma. Giving gift cards is no fun at all on Christmas!)

So I have started to collect my thoughts on how I tackle this question and how I should respond.  I HONESTLY never need anything for Christmas and now that I have a niece, we can finally take the majority of the Christmas giving attention back to a kid!  Sister and I are no longer the "kids" in the family YAY.

But if someone were to ask, I would include some of these items: 

They are things I want but just don't buy for myself because I am frugal and do not see them as a NEED right now.  Always trying to watch my wallet.



I bought a juicer about a month ago and LOVE it.  I use it almost every other day.  I would like a couple juicer recipe books to go along with it!

The Big Book Of Juices

The Juicing Bible

Me and cheap red wine go hand-in-hand.  With this aerator I can always step my $3.99 wine up a notch! Until you have tried this nifty little tool you will never understand the difference it makes!

Who International Vinturi Red Wine Aerator 

I wear it everyday.  Have worn it everyday for the last 10 years.  Honestly.  And I am almost out.

Chanel Chance Eau De Parfum Spray 

OK, so these puppies are on the VERY expensive side but...it's a good picture of what I like.  I wear studs all the time to work and do not have a pair of good gold ones that are not plain balls.

Love Knot Stud Earrings

HAPPY HO HO FRIENDS!  WELCOME TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON!

Jeans Versus Genes

I think my parents have always been a pretty good pair, especially since they reproduced so well ;) My parents made me ME and I love ME. I love who I am in all ways and wouldn’t change a thing....

EXCEPT ….

The length of my legs. Now, I love being 5'4". I wouldn’t trade that for the world. I love never having to worry about being taller then a guy and always blending into most crowds but…I would definitely shave a little off my torso and add it to my legs.

I say this because I was stuck in the dressing room at Nordstrom Rack yesterday laughing at my inability to purchase normal people jeans.

This happens EVERY TIME:

a view looking down on my feet

Please tell me this also happens to 9 out of 10 of you. I am screaming right now for some sympathy!

There was honestly AT LEAST 9 inches of “extra” fabric hanging below where the jeans should have stopped.
Not cool.

This was the case on every pair.

Usually my next step is to purchase them and get them hemmed and I considered this route, but honestly, every pair was so long that if I were to hem them, I would turn them all into boot cut. There was just so much excess fabric that if I were to cut it out, the jeans would completely lose their intended shape.

I walked away empty handed and amused. These jeans were made for a girl with 48 inch legs, not a girl with these genes.

Holiday Candles In The Home

Mom and I were shopping at Kohls this past weekend and it came to my attention that I am VERY picky and VERY sensitive when it comes to holiday candles in the home. 

In high school and college I always stayed away from the vanilla Bath and Body Words lotions and the cupcake/cookie flavored chap sticks.  Make me gag.

Well some things NEVER change.

I cannot stand "sweet" flavored holiday candles either.

My nose always turns towards the christmas tree and wreath smells over the cooking scents.

Yankee Candles are my favorite and I think I found just the one that will burn in my home this year:

Simply Home Yankee Candle in Christmas Magic

When it comes to Yankee Candles...

 Say Yes To:

Balsam & Cedar

Balsam Fir

Christmas Eve

Winterland

Deck The Halls

Fireside

Christmas Wreath

HollyBerry

Christmas Tree

Say No To:

Christmas Cookie

Almond Cookie

Hot Buttered Rum

Pumpkin Pie

Macintosh Spice

Maple Pancakes

Milk & Cookies

Oatmeal Cookie

Buttercream

Biscotti

Christmas Cupcake

But hey, that's just my opinion!

Layered Autumn Quinoa Salad

I haven't been in the kitchen at all this week.  Between being out of town for work and having dinner plans with family and friends....it hasn't really left much time to experiment but ....last week I did find a little gem on How Sweet It Is that proved to become a staple in my Healthy Eating Plan! 

It was easy and awesome! 

Layered Autumn Quinoa Salad

2 cups spring greens
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 medium apples, chopped
1 pear, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1 pomegranate, seeded
1/4 red onion, chopped
1 small bunch of cilantro, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cook quinoa according to directions, then toss with tomatoes, red pepper, apple, pear, pom seeds, onion, cilantro, salt and pepper. In a bowl, layer about 1/2 cup of spring greens then top with another 1/2 cup of quinoa. Finish by drizzling vinaigrette over top.

Citrus Vinaigrette
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper

In a bowl, whisk vinegar, lemon juice and zest, mustard, salt and pepper together. Stream in olive oil while constantly mixing until dressing has emulsified and thickened. Drizzle on quinoa.

via

Mentally Exhausted

Mentally, I have been exhausted.  There is a lot going on right now at work that just has me worn out and tired of thinking. 

Therefore, I took this weekend as recovery. 

I slept, relaxed and honestly didn't lift a finger on anything that I really did not want to do.  I had dinner with family and friends, watched the Wolfpack pull out a win over the Tarheels and gave myself a "princess" status for several days! 

It was the perfect cure and along with several picture texts over the weekend of what my cutie-pa-tootie niece was up to, I am back in business and ready to tackle another week!  Bring it on!

Exhibit 1:  Sister was so proud to get Olivia's hair in a little ponytail!

Exhibit 2:  A backside view of her little pony!

Exhibit 3:  Saturday morning cartoons with sleepy eyes.

Exhibit 4:  Olivia absolutely loves bath time. 

Exhibit 5:  She just wanted to send me a pic to say whats up to her Aunt Blain!

I am honestly the luckiest and proudest Aunt on the face of this planet!  I don't care how bad my day is, if I get a text from Livi, my world just flips right side up!  I hope one day she knows and feels every second how much I love her!

Laid Back Halloween

I am a single girl this week and as much as I LOVE "Charleston" to death, I am very-itty-bitty-slightly enjoying some quiet laid back time to myself.  I think its healthy for a relationship every now and then, don't you?

"Charleston" is in New Mexico this week hunting elk with his Uncle.  He left last Friday and will return on Thursday night.  It has allowed me to spend some quality time with the girls last weekend at Leslie's wedding and catch up with life this week. 

Yesterday (Halloween) I wasn't feeling all there after a long weekend and I was just physically exhausted.  I opted to spend the night at home, by myself, handing out candy to the neighborhood kids and hitting the bed early; exactly what I needed!

So while I was enjoying the scene from my couch, "Charleston" was enjoying this view from the-middle-of-nowhere-New-Mexico!

Him and his uncle have two Elk tags this year.  They have killed a coyote but have yet to take down an Elk.  They still have a couple more days so my fingers are crossed. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for him so I hope it goes well!

In the meantime, while I was checking out the cute costumes of the neighborhood kiddo's, I decided to whip together a pot of chili for lunch this week.  Let's just say I went a little overboard:

I doubled my original "recipe" and made enough chili to take to lunch AND freeze for the rest of the season! I love getting ahead on easy meals!

It was a wonderful Halloween night and I woke up this morning feeling 100% refreshed!

Christmas Stockings

Just trying to get a head start on the Christmas season.

"Charleston" and I need stockings....

I am leaning towards something like this:

Burlap Christmas Stockings  by ShabbieChicHome on Etsy

Yay or Nay ?

ROAD TRIP!

"I'm going to Harvard!" 

 "Like on Vacay? (ahhhh) ROAD TRIP!"

Not headed to Harvard but yes, this afternoon I am ROAD TRIPPIN' it with this diva above to Wilmington, NC for Leslie and Zack's wedding weekend!

Can't wait to see Leslie as a beautiful bride and have a fun filled weekend with Lauren, Sharon, Katie, Sister and Sarah!

I Just Had To Take A Picture

I went to the refrigerator one night to start dinner and this was the view from the outside looking in:

I instantly had to giggle.  Busch Marketing....job well done!

With hunting season in full swing it just wouldn't be the same without camouflage beer cans.  Awesome.  And of course since they are camouflage they are in my fridge via the boyfriend.

Trick-Or-Treat More-Candy-To-Eat

Halloween is probably my WORST holiday when it comes to eating habits.

Like I have said many times, I am constantly conscious about what I put into my body. Being “conscious” doesn’t always stop me from eating a cheeseburger or mozzarella sticks but it does mean I will have a salad for lunch if I am going to splurge on a dinner.

With most other holidays I have a very clear picture of how much sweet potato casserole, mac and cheese, stuffing, and turkey will set me back, but Halloween candy just throws me for a loop. It is just so little and small right? I probably shouldn’t even need to “count” it. It’s just one piece….well maybe two or three.

Lets back up a minute to the fact that I don’t really have a sweet tooth. I don’t ever buy candy or chocolate and I can walk down the candy aisle at the grocery and not even pause, but something about Halloween candy just lures me in. I honestly think it’s because it runs rampant in the office and around friends’ houses and I just consume without thinking.

Again, it’s one tiny piece right? Or two or three.

Long story short, Halloween candy definitely does not help me fit into my jeans from last year.

It is straight up empty calories.

Not tooooooo bad if you only participate in this practice for a week or so but how many of your offices are like mine that have lingering Halloween candy well into Thanksgiving?

Not good.

Just to give you a heads up on what your consuming this Halloween, check out the calorie facts on some of your favorites with the articles here:

Carbs and Calories in Halloween Candy – Halloween Candy Unwrapped

And here:

Evil Halloween Candy


Some of my faves include:

M&Ms, Plain, fun size – 88 calories

Hershey’s Miniature Bars (Mixed) – average 42 calories

Kit Kat, fun Size – 73 calories

Skittles, fun size – 80 calories

Candy Corn, 11 pieces – 70 calories

Now if I devour an assortment of my favorites over the day….I could easily consume an extra 400 calories plus. This could equal a sandwich from Subway or a grilled chicken salad which I would have really rather have then candy.

This Halloween I vow to my body to pay attention.

Stone Mountain State Park

Bottom line, relationships have to be nurtured and tended to. They often have to be repaired, rejuvenated, and re-established. Ruts can occur. Complacency can occur. Then it just happens that the next day the relationship is more like roommates than soul mates.

The weekdays get jam packed with work, errands and independent schedules that not a lot of time is put back into US. Yes, watching an episode of Modern Family on a Wednesday night right before bed puts us in the same room together for thirty minutes, but that’s obviously not enough.

We often tend to fill our weekends full of friends and family that sometimes I crave to just have him by myself. We have been SO busy lately that last Friday night, I honestly did not feel guilty by responding “no thank you” to an invitation for a couple drinks with our friends. “Charleston” and I have to pay attention to our relationship and keep reigns on our quality of time together because it can easily get out of control. It’s not hard on a Sunday to look back on the weekend and realize that our sleeping hours were the only ones we spent alone together.

Therefore, last week, when “Charleston” texted me at work to see if I wanted to go hiking on Saturday and asked if I wanted to invite anyone to with us, my response was clearly: Yes and No.

We were long overdue for US time. He agreed and we did just that. We nurtured our relationship; got back in touch with each other after a very busy month and spent all day on cloud-nine as if we were in our second week of dating. I fell in love with him all over again.

It was the perfect day to bring us back to US.

Stone Mountain State Park
Roaring Gap, NC

Yeap, that's my mountain man!

It was a super great hike; about 5 miles of various terrains and levels of difficulty. 

This picture doesn't do it justice but "Charleston" has long legs.  I promise.  I know this for a fact after trying to follow Rambo up the side of this mountain.  For every massive man step he was taking, I was three toddler steps behind him.

The stair stepper has nothing on Stone Mountain!

It was a gorgeous fall day and after our hike back down to the bottom, we drove to an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading back to Charlotte.

I love my mountain man and I will forever appreciate every second we get to spend together, just us.