Asheville and Amos

We had a wonderful time in Asheville a few weekends ago with the Tuckers! Friday was a beautiful day, perfect for exploring. We visited an Asheville must-see, the Biltmore. What a gorgeous place! The grounds, gardens, fields, trails, etc. around the house were probably our favorite. We also took the house tour, but I have to say due to our lack of patience, we did not love this as much. Not that it wasn't neat, but the long lines were a slight bit annoying. It took around 20 minutes to get from room to room with the long lines. (We were told that Oct is their peak season) We both felt like if we were closer to our parentals age (no offense!) that we might have enjoyed it a bit more. Friday night we went to a rooftop bar for night views of the city, and then to dinner with Abbie and Logan at a cool tapas place, Zambras, downtown. It rained all day Saturday, but I took James on a quick trip to see one of my old stomping grounds, Montreat. Montreat is located in Black Mountain, NC about 15 miles away from Asheville. I grew up going to First Presbyterian Church of Selma, and this was where we went on summer retreats. It was such a fun time every summer! We always had a group of all girls that went to fellowship with other believers, worship in a beautiful place, and get away from the awful Alabama humidity. Anyway, we enjoyed our quick getaway to see the Tuckers. On our way back to Alabama, we picked up Amos. What a Rascal! He is precious, exhausting, and entertaining all wrapped into one adorable puppy package. He/We are adjusting well. The first few nights were rough to say the least. I had to go to Walmart to invest in a sound machine (for us, not him) to get through the next few nights. He is doing better with sleeping in his crate. He usually just has to get up once at some point in the night to "Hurry" as we are calling it. I have some more recent pictures, but have not gotten a chance to upload them. These are from the first few days.

We are headed here...

Asheville, North Carolina

My friend Abbie and her husband Logan moved to Asheville a few months ago. We are headed for a long weekend visit. Itinerary includes: Biltmore tour, hiking somewhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway, eating some great local food, catching up with the Tuckers (and meeting their new puppy, Ranger!), watching some Auburn football (I have a feeling we might squeeze in some antique shopping while the guys are doing that), and celebrating James's birthday!

Which One?

James and I made a quick trip down to Auburn to pick out puppy Osborn. We had to pick our favorite two, just in case the couple that gets to pick in front of us happens to pick one of the ones we liked. They were all adorable! They are all a little older than a month old, and just starting to roam and play. We narrowed it down to these two, both chocolate males. Both had layed back demeanors (well at least right now, I am sure that will change). We still aren't sure on the name, kinda depends on which we get. The smaller of the two was the most relaxed...definitely an Amos. The slightly larger one might have a different name...Gunner, Levi, Moss, Perry, to name a few being tossed around. What's your vote?

Some of my favorites...

Just wanted to share some things that I have been enjoying lately (in no particular order)...

1. My new scheduler that my sis gave me for my birthday. If you are in the search for a great day planner, look no further-

You can find it at Amazon, comes in about five colors. Mine is Mochachinno...love it and the name!
2. The good ole' Crock-Pot. This device has made my husband very happy lately. He gave me a cookbook for my birthday....

We received a crockpot for a wedding present, and it sure has come in handy. This week I made Sloppy Joe's. I know, I know, Sloppy Joes??? I was skeptical at first, but they were delicious. Ex. I called James on the way home from work yesterday, "We are going to have leftovers tonight, ok?" response,"Good! I have been looking forward to it all day!" SUCCESS
3. A new top my friend Molly gave me for my birthday....from Banana Republic, very trendy fun!


4. The One Year Devotional for Couples, I really enjoy this time in the mornings with James before work. We eat cereal, read, and pray together. The daily readings are not that long, but share inspirational stories centered around Christ and His love for us.


5. Hummus... Yum...I have tried to make it, but actually did not like it as much as the store-bought stuff. Add a side of pita chips or carrots = perfect snack.

6. Top Chef, the one show James and I both LOVE to watch.

My picks to win are Kevin and Jen...you heard it here first...

In other news, Dog Osborn will be picked out this weekend. We don't actually get him for a few more weeks, but we are going to pick which pup will be ours. Now for a name...

Welcome to the Ridge...

My parents are building a house in Perry County in Central Alabama. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, which is one of the main reasons it is so wonderful. My mom was raised in Perry County in a small community called Marion Junction. The new house is about five miles northwest of there (25 minutes from Selma, where I grew up). When I saw the view from "The Ridge" (what my family calls the new house) for the first time, it brought tears to my eyes. The view is gorgeous, and it is such a testimony of God's magnificent creation.

View from the porch...Can't you just imagine sitting in a rocking chair, sipping lemonade in total relaxation?!






View from one of the upstairs bedroom...


These pictures are several months old so the house is further along than this. They should get to move in in the next 2-3 months. I will post some "after"pics then...

Wish I was here...

Do you ever wish you could blink your eyes and be back somewhere that you love with the one you love? Here is where I would go...

Birthday Weeks are the Best...

In my family, it is a long standing joke that we like to enjoy birthday months, a birthday week, basically any prolonging of our birthday celebrations. My fabulous new husband has embraced this tradition. In fact, he really has excelled with it. My birthday is Sunday, but he stared last Sunday giving me cards and little happies. One day I walked in to find this lovely arrangement in my kitchen window....

Then yesterday, when I arrived home from work there is a box on the table with "Happy Early Birthday!" Enclosed are these items...




OH YES, YOU GUESSED RIGHT, WE ARE GETTING A DOG!! James and I have been talking about it for a little while, but I really didn't think it was going to happen. Then surprise, we are on the list for a chocolate lab from a kennel in Auburn. The puppies are only 3 weeks old, and we do not get to pick ours for another 2 weeks. We do know we are getting a chocolate lab male. We will take him home around 8 weeks, so mid-October!! No pictures of the puppies yet, but here is a picture of our puppies father, Tucker...


Isn't he beautiful! I can't wait to meet the next member of the Osborn family.
Now for names and dog proofing the house...