If these walls could talk...

We have been blessed beyond measure. We have been blessed with a sacred haven, a place to escape to when the world is too much (which is often.) We have been blessed with a place with no cell phone service, and no internet. We have been blessed with a place where we can meet friends and family, cook good food, and generally be rowdy.

Last week, we said goodbye to this amazing blessing. If those walls could talk, they would tell of some hilarious times playing mexican dominoes. They would tell of the days Brian and I spent there after our wedding (although I would rather they didn't speak about those particular days...) They would tell about 4th of July traditions, and Easter bonnets and birthday celebrations, and mostly, they would speak of love.

Our family has been blessed with a place where love for each other has come alive, but really, that's all it is- a place. We carry incredible memories with us of the lake, and I'm so grateful for a place that's brought us together again and again. But as we say goodbye, I am remembering happy memories, love, and looking forward to the future.

New York, New York!

I've hesitated on posting about this wonderful experience because I don't think that words could do it justice! We were recently blessed beyond measure when we were able to take a trip with my mother to New York City. We were able to find inexpensive air fare, had a free place to stay (thank you, Lou & Marty) and Mom was so generous in paying for some of our incidentals and meals.

I'm such a drama queen- I really love acting and experiencing live shows- so New York is my kind of town! It's kind of surprising that I've never been before because Mom and I have talked about this trip for such a LONG time. Also, Brian and I had said for a while that for our 5 year anniversary (which we celebrated on July 31), we would like to go to NYC. Oddly enough, we combined both of these dream trips into one fantastic adventure.

We traveled really well altogether, but it would have been a blast to have Dad with us (he told us to have fun- he didn't care to come.) Fair enough- one less chief (and a very opinionated one at that!) to deal with!

We had so much fun running around the city, purchasing handbags and pashminas in Chinatown, seeing the sites, visiting the Met, eating great food, running to catch trains and the BEST part: seeing two FANTASTIC shows!! We saw Phantom of the Opera on Sept. 10, and Wicked on Sept. 11. I'm familiar with Phantom- know the music and story even though I'd never seen the show- and it totally lived up to expectations!

Wicked was unbelievable. There's really no other way to describe it- the music, story line, set and actors were unreal. There's no comparing Phantom to Wicked, but I think I was overwhelmed at HOW AMAZING Wicked was.

I was so excited to see my good friend from high school, Susan, for brunch and dinner on Sunday. In fact, Sus was able to guide us around the city- we ate wonderfully because of her! She's lived in the city for a while, and it was so fun to have a local who knew all the fabulous places to go and eat. Jason, Susan's fiance, got to join us for dinner on Sunday as well- I'm so excited for two of them!!

I love New York!!! We were so sad to leave!!

When in Rome... (or in France...)

I don't know if you've noticed, but I recently added a feature to my blog sidebar titled "Currently Reading..." or something like that. I read a lot; it's probably my favorite pastime. There's nothing I enjoy more than getting lost in a good book (much to my husband's disappointment... ex.: a new Harry Potter book was due to come out about 2 days before our wedding/ honeymoon, and I was FORBIDDEN, in no uncertain terms, from purchasing said book until at least 3 weeks after we returned.)

Anywho, if reading a book is my meal, then a good 'ole book club is my dessert. No meal is complete without it!! I tried the McKinney Women's book club not too long after we moved there, and was extremely disappointed that a) these women were, um, bitchy, and b) they really hadn't read the book.

So, I tried to start my own book club last September with some Tri Delta ladies, and we made it through 1 1/2 books before it was determined that we were all too busy to get together on a regular basis.

My friend Christy, who does not care to read books on a regular basis, and in fact thinks I'm a weirdo for doing so, knows that I would LOVE to attend a good book club. Her sister-in-law happens to be in one, so Christy hooked me up with an introduction. After talking to Jackie for the first time, I was so pumped I almost peed my pants.

The first book I was supposed to read was "My Life in France" by Julia Child. It wasn't something I would have picked up on my own, but I really liked it! AND, as icing on the cake, for our actual book club meeting, we were supposed to bring a French dish to share. Oo la la!

Take a look!



And, um, if you haven't thought through it yet, I will tell you. I most certainly was that girl who had JUST been introduced to a large group of women, none of which I knew, who took out her camera and said "I have to take pictures for my blog!!" I may not be invited back.



Escargot (a first for me!! SOOOO yummy!! I guess anything with that much garlic and butter is bound to be tasty!)



You have to dig 'em out.



Oh yes, my friend. This is pate (don't know how to make the accent marks in blogger...) I, again, had never tasted this before, and was prepared to hate it. But, it was actually really good! I wouldn't want a ton of it, because it's really rich, but it's pretty darn good.

I was so proud of myself for stepping outside of my box and not only meeting new people, but trying new stuff! Yeah, me!

This month's book club selection is The Shack, which I've already read. IT. IS. AMAZING. I'm so excited for discussion on this one! Seriously, if you haven't read it, go find it- it's so good!