Weekend Recap

This weekend was our first weekend with no plans. We honestly haven’t been looking at our schedule but a week or two in advance because there is so much going on, we can only digest it in small chunks. On Monday when we realized we had no plans for the weekend, we did a happy dance. Yep, we were excited to have a weekend with no plans. That does not mean we spent the weekend doing nothing.

Friday evening when I got off work, I went straight to the grocery store to grab some yogurt and a Redbox movie (I love Redbox!). Babe and I enjoyed some dinner and watched our movie. Then we realized it was absolutely gorgeous outside so we moved the papasan chair outside and snuggled and enjoyed the sunset! It was really a gorgeous evening.

Saturday we got up and attempted to take the dogs on a 4 mile walk/jog in the park. That turned into a 2 mile mostly walking/getting drug by the dogs. Not successful. We dropped off the Redbox (and grabbed two more!) and went home to eat breakfast and watch another movie! After that it was back to the park to watch my nephew’s baseball scrimmage. Then we ran to the co-op so I could get this gem…

 Yep, I went to the co-op to my Bag Balm… for my feet for running. Listen, run regularly enough and you’ll do anything to prevent blisters and chaffing.

After that we headed to my BFF’s to see baby Brodie – who I had not visited in TWO weeks because of my insane busy schedule. We visited with her and played with Brodie for a while. Then Babe suggested driving out to Todd lake since we were close and I had never been… well after we got there (20 minutes later) we found out you have to pay $5 to go to the lake… no thanks! We were only planning on staying for a half hour or so. So we turned around and left. We decided to take a scenic route home, that was completely worth it. Gorgeous views and beautiful farms.

Saturday evening I took a nap out on the deck on the papasan chair. Then we had dinner and caught up on some TV shows together.

Sunday morning I had a glorious run (a separate post on that to come) and then we went to church. After church we had lunch with Andy’s cousins & one of their girlfriends (also a running buddy of mine) at a local restaurant… I had an amazing Peach Bellini and Crab Cake Benedict… mmm!

Afterwards we all walked through town like tourists and watch glass blowing (I’ve never watched that before!). It was very cool. Then we were all off to the vineyards to meet babe’s parents for a fundraiser event. Our favorite band was playing and we had a blast… and drank wayyyy to much wine. I passed out about 8:30pm.

40 Hours

I've spent the last 40 hours with my husband.

Yep, the only time we've been apart was when I left him on the side of the road with my brother to go get a spare set of keys to the vehicle they were trying to fix {long story}.

And an awesome 40 hours it has been. After juggling his crazy schedule for a month, we finally had a weekend off together, with no plans. So what did we do?

We started out here, at the Wine Cellar, for a wine tasting.

Then we went to our favorite place of course for dinner. The chocolate torte was amazing. 

Then we tried to go here, to see "A Christmas Carol" but it was sold out. 

Instead we went to visit some family. Drove around looking at Christmas lights and listening to Christmas Music. And ended the night at Andy's best friend's house decorating their Christmas Tree. 

I couldn't have been happier.

Then Saturday we slept in together {that hasn't happened in forever!}. And finally made the visit to this huge antique place we've been eyeing, Morris Mill Antiques.

It is a huge, old factory with TONS of stuff. They even house UVA's surplus furniture for sale. Their website {which I didn't find until I googled them for a photo for the blog} says this:

Morris Mill Antiques is an inviting upscale 80,000 square foot environment, which takes a different approach in providing extraordinary breathtaking period pieces that are reasonably priced for all to enjoy. In addition to the massive collection of antiquities, Morris Mill Antiques offers an eclectic array of recycled surplus items that are an inexpensive way to tackle home improvements, and school or business development projects. We have it all! Including the kitchen sink.

 Let me just say that the 80,000 square feet is definitely correct. The "reasonably priced" may be a stretch. Although, there are definitely reasonably priced pieces, there are also $2,000 tables and $800 plates {yeah, Andy picked one of those plates up... yikes!}. 

I wish I had snapped photos of our favorites... The Red Fox stained glass window {for Andy's future bar}... the biggest office chair in the world... the old sinks and short toilets {??}... It was definitely interesting! I recommend you go and walk around - we definitely enjoyed ourselves!

We then visited a few gun stores, in search of Andy's next gun purchase: a gun for me... I applied for my concealed weapons permit this past week and we are looking for a gun for me to conceal carry. I'm pretty sure I never expected to say those words.... ever. 

 The rest of our time has included a visit to the library {where we ran into Valerie & Andrew, I love living in a small town}, pizza & movie time, impromptu basketball game w/ my nephews and helping my sister when she was stranded on the side of the road.

I can't wait to see what today brings... although it may be hot chocolate by the fireplace if it really is as icy as everyone on facebook keeps saying...

Why I Love the Valley

This weekend was Amazing. 

It reminded me of all the reasons I love living in the Shenandoah Valley. 

First, it started with carving pumpkins. Andy & I carved our first pumpkins as a 

married couple and first pumpkins at our own house!

Andy cut the holes in the top and scraped all the guts out 

because he knows I *HATE* that part (eww). 

And then I got to do the fun part, carving!

I think Andy does this because he doesn't trust me with the knife.

Okay, I know I'm biased, but isn't he adorable?!

Yes, I interrupted him for a self portrait.

The dogs found out they love the taste of pumpkins. 

Parker even took a big bite out of one of the lids! 

Hard at work -- using a very small knife. It's much safer for me that way!

Finished product! I love them!

Second, Saturday morning (into Saturday afternoon) I spent three hours 

catching up with a good friend at one of my favorite places: Starbucks!

Katherine & I at her wedding almost 1 year ago!

Third, we spent Saturday night at the beautiful new home of Val & Andrew celebrating their engagement & new home! Val is the amazing & talented musician who sang at our wedding last month. Their property is amazing and I didn't want to leave... ever (just ask Andy). 

All of the details of the party were adorable (tin can lanterns, mason jars with polka dots, a wagon for the food table, the list goes on and on). I am so upset I forgot my camera! So the following photos are courtesy of Priscilla Halterman - thanks for taking such great photos! 

Val thanks for having us! We had a great time!!

Loved the signs (and chalkboard signs!) - I can only imagine their wedding!

Beautiful flowers and decorations.

Love this girl!

I finally got to meet her famous kitty Olivia.

Olivia is so talented. She's a musician too.

And last but certainly not least, Sunday morning laying in bed we debated what to do with our day. I suggested errands in Harrisonburg and then Andy suggested we be less productive and have a picnic at his grandfather's other farm. My husband is amazing. It was the perfect plan for a beautiful October Sunday. So we called my nephews and Andy's mom and planned our picnic. 

Dillon couldn't stop fishing to eat... :)

We did a lot of this... Cathy relaxing

I think this vine on the silo is just gorgeous!

Searching for gourds...

Jake's favorite find!

Dillon's favorite find!

The loot -- I now have a beautifully decorated porch!

Self portrait moment - no makeup + messy hair Sunday.

Cathy finding gourds!

Dillon fishing in one of the prettiest places in the Valley.

More self portraits..

We had a blast!

Jake & I, we both love taking pictures!

My handsome husband gets tired of the camera!

Thank you Shenandoah Valley for the best weekend. You make it impossible to ever leave. 

My exact quote to Andy while sitting down enjoying the beautiful scenery,

"This is why I can never leave the Valley."



P.S. - for those of you anxiously awaiting my feelings on the dyson vacuum we purchased (I know you were just checking back every day to see what I thought...hahaha). The results are in: it's a keeper. Even after my friend Nicole made fun of me for having a "status" vacuum, it is still a keeper. We loved it and it vacuums so much better than my old walmart vacuum (not that it would be hard to beat, it seriously smoked when we ran it).