Cheers to Charleston!

          Last week Brent and I boarded a plane (a few planes actually) headed to Columbia, South Carolina where his sister relocated to last summer.  While we were only there for a day, we were able to drive into Charleston for a quick trip which led to my absolute adoration of the quaint town.  Driving into Charleston I began to see the history of the city that lies in the architecture of the old houses and buildings.  Charleston is a particularly low-rise city where most of the noticeably taller points of the city are steeples of the many churches that lie there.  The architecture is stunning and Rainbow Road was by far the most memorable road in the city that I came across.  Rainbow Road consists of many different houses all painted different pastel colors. These houses face where the Atlantic meets the coast, where I coincidentally saw my first dolphin! It was a treat to wander around the streets in February without bracing myself against to cold.  The park that resides on the edge of the city has the most magnificent entry walk way leading up to a beautiful gazebo which looked to me like the perfect spot for photos.  Over and over again I have to thank Brent's family for always including me in their family adventures! I'm very lucky to have them as well as Brent and the fact that they let me practically live at the house on Skaneateles Lake with them all summer is enough for a girl to ever want without them taking me on vacations with them as well.  Here's Brent and me on Rainbow Road!

February Showers Bring May Weddings

          Last weekend was the much anticipated arrival of Alex's bridal shower and bachelorette party.  Having a best friend living life with celiac disease, it proved to be interesting trying to plan a party where everything on the menu was prepared and served gluton-free.  Despite our worries that our dear friend might get sick, everything went off without a hitch! The shower was at my house where the Bridal Party provided the makings of a fantastic day!  We had many games to play, courtesy of the Bride-to-be's future sister-in-law.  We played Bridal Scattegories using the letters B-R-I-D-E to help us come up with answers for certain questions like where Alex and Steve have traveled together, items they may need on their wedding day ect.  These were an excellent form of entertainment as well as a way to look back on the Bride and Grooms lives thus far together as they've been in item over 6 years.  With the decorations, party favors, gifts, and wonderful array of guests everything went beautifully.  I have to give a shout out to "Pinterest" for giving me the decorating idea that I used for some of the cookies which were also a hit at the shower.

           The bachelorette party was an evening filled with fantastic fun, fantastic people, and a fantastic limo.  We took our limo to down town Syracuse for the evening where the guests each gave Alex a task to complete before the evening was finished and we all had fun helping her complete them as well as celebrating the beginning of the next chapter of her life with her.  If the bridal shower and bachelorette parties were this entertaining, I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the wedding in May even more now.

My Funny Valentine

          Though this post is somewhat late, I thought I'd share a wee bit 'o my Valentine's Day with you all.  Having had a busy week preparing for Alex's bridal shower, I drove to Buffalo just for the evening where Brent and I shared a classic date night consisting of dinner and a movie.  We dined at Gordon Beirsch Brewery right in Buffalo where we both had absolutely delicious meals and Brent was able to try one of their home brew beers made right in the restaurant.  I do recommend it strongly to anyone in the area as the food and ambiance proved to be the makings of a wondering evening.  We then saw the typical Valentine's Day movie, The Vow, with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum.  Now I do love a good love story and movie that provides me with plenty of "cheese", but this movie was a wreck for me from start to finish.  I didn't find their love story to be very compelling and their chemistry was lacking for me as well. Alas, I have severe judgment for the movies I watch so do see it yourself and form your own opinion of it.
           Having decided that the iPad and flat screen TV giving between Brent and me had gotten out of hand, we toned down our gift giving this year.  I gave Brent a collection of Micro-brewed beers from Wegmans along with some wee bottles 'o liquor and cigars to make him what I called the "Man bouquet".  While on the other hand, he gave me an actual bouquet of flowers and a picture of the two of us that he painted himself using an app on his iPad.  What a talented boy he is!

       

Quila on Tour

          This past weekend I spent in Buffalo, as usual, but I was delighted to have an unusual guest with me!  Brent's sister's dog, who currently resides at his parents house, spent the weekend with Brent and me in Buffalo while his parents celebrated his brother at a Military Ball at Michigan State.  Though I've watched Quila countless weekends before, I've always done so at Brent's house where she is most comfortable.  Honestly, half the time we didn't even notice she was there since one of her favorite past times is silently cuddling up next to our legs and getting some beauty rest.
            She made an exciting trip to Wegmans with us where I patiently waited for Brent to return from inside the store, while she on the other hand, felt the need to express her serious concern for his well being by keeping watch at the window and forcefully barking at anyone who came close to the car.
           I'm always so happy to spend time with her, as is Brent, though he'll deny it til the end.  She is such a sweet puppy and loves being with her family more than anything else.  Laying in bed at night I felt so grateful to have her pressed up against my leg to share my body heat while I watched her little chest rise and fall.  How people don't see the beauty in dogs and their unyielding friendship and loyalty will always baffle me. 

           After a calm weekend, with the biggest excitement besides the presence of the puppy being a delicious home cooked meal of breaded chicken cutlets and french fries, Quila and I made our way back to good 'ol B-ville.  It was the fastest two hour car ride to date because I got to continually look over at her snuggled in my blanket, or got to drive while she slept in my lap.  There's no better feeling then coming home to a puppy who wants nothing more than to be with you.