Lee and I headed out to his family homestead today for the afternoon.
It is always nice to get out into the pasture and escape the pressures of everyday life.
After visiting with the in-laws and my husband's precious Grandmother, he and I headed out on the land to shoot his guns. {Lee is an avid fan of guns-- if you don't believe me, the large gun safe in our house will prove otherwise}
My husband has always said that if there is a gun in the house, I need to know how to handle it in it's entirety. Therefore, this city girl can officially load, unload and shoot all of my husbands guns {with the exception of one--it's a beast}.
Today we shot his new FNX 40 Caliber.
To my surprise, shooting is a fabulous stress reliever! I just kept imagining the target as my calculus book. Got it every time. My grandfather would have been so proud {he was a sharp-shooter in the U.S. Army during WWII}.
I am disappointed to say that I didn't think of getting any pictures from our afternoon outing; however, the random target we found out in the woods is a testament to our shooting success.
Although I still prefer heels over boots, I can still roll with the best of them when needed. There still may be hope for this city girl after all!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Birthday Bliss
I am a big fan of birthdays.
Instead of a birthDAY, I like to celebrate the entire week. I mean, why not?! It's a fabulous excuse to get sweets for a whole week. Sign me up!
Well, as you have probably already guessed, this past week was my birthday.
My sweet brother started the week off by driving to our house to spend the day with us. It was loads of fun. Lee and I took him up to a little quaint pizza parlor about 30 minutes from us. {country living remember?} and then did a little sight-seeing around the Lake. It was a very peaceful and relaxing day. Just what the doctor ordered!
In the meantime, my brother knows better than to show up for a birthday celebration without a gift. And I must say, he did very well this year! {Although I'm quite certain our mother helped him out on this one}
This year, my birthday week was filled with lots of snow & ice. Roughly translated, my husband was home significantly more than usual. Best birthday gift of all! We love snow days!
And we finished out the week with a family birthday dinner in the City. I am truly blessed to have such a sweet and loving family. I wouldn't trade them for the world!
I hope you all stayed nice and toasty through the winter weather.
Now lets bring on Springtime!
Instead of a birthDAY, I like to celebrate the entire week. I mean, why not?! It's a fabulous excuse to get sweets for a whole week. Sign me up!
Well, as you have probably already guessed, this past week was my birthday.
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| Cookie Cake loaded with icing-- heavenly! |
My sweet brother started the week off by driving to our house to spend the day with us. It was loads of fun. Lee and I took him up to a little quaint pizza parlor about 30 minutes from us. {country living remember?} and then did a little sight-seeing around the Lake. It was a very peaceful and relaxing day. Just what the doctor ordered!
In the meantime, my brother knows better than to show up for a birthday celebration without a gift. And I must say, he did very well this year! {Although I'm quite certain our mother helped him out on this one}
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| MacKenzie Childs Candlesticks |
This year, my birthday week was filled with lots of snow & ice. Roughly translated, my husband was home significantly more than usual. Best birthday gift of all! We love snow days!
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| Our backyard |
And we finished out the week with a family birthday dinner in the City. I am truly blessed to have such a sweet and loving family. I wouldn't trade them for the world!
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| One of my favorite family pictures from NYC last month |
I hope you all stayed nice and toasty through the winter weather.
Now lets bring on Springtime!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Snow Day Delight
Hip Hip Hooray for a Snow Day!
It's sometimes the simplest things in life that bring the most joy.
Despite my negative attitude towards the reality of my husband getting a snow day today, he in fact did get released at noon. Crazy Oklahoma weather-- you never know what could happen from day to day!
However, I think Miss Ellie Mae might have been the most excited one out of all of us.
And of course, I finally gave in and went out side and played for a bit. It was a nice break from Calculus homework!
Lee stopped on the way home and did a grocery run for me. {brownie points}
And what better to have on a snowy day than homemade soup? I'm thinking our household favorite Sherried Tomato Soup {click here for the recipe} with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. Quite tasty if you ask me.
Hope you all have a fun and safe snow day!
It's sometimes the simplest things in life that bring the most joy.
Despite my negative attitude towards the reality of my husband getting a snow day today, he in fact did get released at noon. Crazy Oklahoma weather-- you never know what could happen from day to day!
However, I think Miss Ellie Mae might have been the most excited one out of all of us.
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| "Play with Me!" |
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| "Pretty Please?!" |
And of course, I finally gave in and went out side and played for a bit. It was a nice break from Calculus homework!
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| "I knew she'd give in." |
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| Which way did it go.... |
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| Again! Again! |
Lee stopped on the way home and did a grocery run for me. {brownie points}
And what better to have on a snowy day than homemade soup? I'm thinking our household favorite Sherried Tomato Soup {click here for the recipe} with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. Quite tasty if you ask me.
Hope you all have a fun and safe snow day!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
A NYC NewYear
After we left Washington D.C. {see post here} we took a train to New York City!
I must say, upon arrival, I was less than thrilled to be there. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!
My small country life thinking was quickly rocked.
Once we were settled in our hotel and able to breathe a little-- I began to enjoy our visit to the City much more! (Although, a visit was enough-- I don't plan on ever living in a city that large. Small town life can spoil a girl.)
We stayed in the heart of downtown and it was incredible.
I must say, upon arrival, I was less than thrilled to be there. PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!
My small country life thinking was quickly rocked.
Once we were settled in our hotel and able to breathe a little-- I began to enjoy our visit to the City much more! (Although, a visit was enough-- I don't plan on ever living in a city that large. Small town life can spoil a girl.)
We stayed in the heart of downtown and it was incredible.
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| The view from our room |
Before we left for our trip, we had made a list (mentally of course-- if you know us very well you know we obviously don't plan THAT much in advance) of the places we wanted to see before we left.
And off to Broadway we went! We saw three broadway shows while in NYC. The first was Phantom of the Opera (mom & I loved it-- the guys, not so much). Next was The Lion King and it was FABULOUS! I would highly recommend it! And the final broadway show was Wicked. It was incredible!! Wicked was Lee's favorite Broadway production-- and I must say, definitely competed for my favorite spot as well. All three were spectacular!
Another favorite spot was Times Square. The lights and activity was unreal! Nothing can describe Times Square on New Years Eve... only something you have experience!
From here on out, we were all over the City. A little here, there and everywhere!
I took so many pictures inside the Cathedral, but not many turned out well. It was so dark in the church that the slow shutter speed did not mix well with my constant shake.
The shuttle boats were closed the day we went to see the Statue of Liberty. So we weren't able to get a close-up; however, it was still neat to be able to see it in person-- no matter the distance.
The night before we left, we went to Top of the Rock. It was spectacular! It was quite eery though when you could feel the 70-story tall building swaying from side to side. Lee found out first hand about how weak at the knees you can get when getting a little too close to the edge. Heights didn't mix well with him that night. ;-)
Despite the bone-chilling cold weather-- NYC was one experience we will never forget!
A short trip to NYC was plenty for this southern girl. I was thankful to be headed back South; however, I was grateful for the time & experiences we had while in NYC.
One of the top sites on our list was the 9/11 Memorial. Oh how I can still remember tiny details from that horrific day. I was in the 6th grade. I attended a Christian school and we spent the entire day in the chapel in a circle praying for our nation. Exactly were we needed to be at the moment. On our knees.
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| Ground Zero. May we never forget. |
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| At the Memorial. |
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| The names of the fallen carved in stone. |
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| The soon to be new World Trade Center. |
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| View of the City from Ground Zero. |
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| View of the City from Ground Zero. |
After we left the 9/11 Memorial, we did a little Sight-Seeing.
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| The hubs and I in downtown NYC. |
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| Hello FDNY! |
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| The best pizza in NYC |
And off to Broadway we went! We saw three broadway shows while in NYC. The first was Phantom of the Opera (mom & I loved it-- the guys, not so much). Next was The Lion King and it was FABULOUS! I would highly recommend it! And the final broadway show was Wicked. It was incredible!! Wicked was Lee's favorite Broadway production-- and I must say, definitely competed for my favorite spot as well. All three were spectacular!
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| Broadway. |
Another favorite spot was Times Square. The lights and activity was unreal! Nothing can describe Times Square on New Years Eve... only something you have experience!
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| Times Square on New Years Eve. |
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| Times Square |
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| SO many people! |
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| Right where the ball drops on New Year's Eve. |
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| Times Square |
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| Times Square |
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| The hubs and I in Times Square |
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| Can you spot us on the live camera?! {click image to enlarge} |
From here on out, we were all over the City. A little here, there and everywhere!
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| Pastry Shoppe in Little Italy-- was delicious! |
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| Mom and I in China Town. BEST noodles I have EVER tasted! I still crave them. |
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| The "kiddos" in our ride for the trip. Definitely the way to travel through NYC! |
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| Rockefeller Center |
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| Rockefeller Center |
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| Central Park |
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| Central Park |
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| Anyone Recognize this Hotel?! |
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| The largest Cathedral in the NYC area. Absolutely breath-taking inside. |
I took so many pictures inside the Cathedral, but not many turned out well. It was so dark in the church that the slow shutter speed did not mix well with my constant shake.
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| Inside the Cathedral |
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| Statue of Liberty to the Left-- Ellis Island to the Right. |
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| The hubs and I in front of Macy's |
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| The New York Times. |
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| New Year's Eve Dinner with the Family. Love them dearly! |
The night before we left, we went to Top of the Rock. It was spectacular! It was quite eery though when you could feel the 70-story tall building swaying from side to side. Lee found out first hand about how weak at the knees you can get when getting a little too close to the edge. Heights didn't mix well with him that night. ;-)
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| The family on Top of the Rock |
Despite the bone-chilling cold weather-- NYC was one experience we will never forget!
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| Love this man. |
A short trip to NYC was plenty for this southern girl. I was thankful to be headed back South; however, I was grateful for the time & experiences we had while in NYC.
I will forever be dreaming of those noodles from China Town...
Monday, February 18, 2013
A Trip Down History Lane
I am a couple of months late on posting our Christmas trip to Washington D.C.
This was the first time my husband and I have ever been this far East. Because of our mutual love and interest for history and politics, we had always dreamed of visiting D.C. and seeing all of the historical markers the city holds.
This past Christmas break we were able to finally make our journey over to the Nation's Capital.
Here are my 4 of my favorite spots from our visit. Enjoy!
First stop, The Supreme Court Building!
The Supreme Court Building was currently under construction-- thus they had a printed canvas over the front of the building so visitors could still get the "full effect." Although clever, it was slightly disappointing to not be able to see the actual face of American Justice.
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| Christmas Tree inside the Supreme Court. It was absolutely beautiful! |
One of my favorite things about Washington D.C. was all of the architecture. The ceilings were absolutely incredible! I was mesmerized.
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| The gorgeous ceiling inside the foyer of the Supreme Court |
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| Ceiling laced in gold throughout the hallways in the Supreme Court Building |
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| Part of the original Courtroom Bench |
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| Lee with Chief Justice John Jay {He had just finished teaching his students about John Jay-- so this picture is for them.} |
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| A fabulous self-supporting spiral staircase made entirely of solid marble. I was in heaven. |
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| My mom and I beside Chief Justice John Marshall The principal founder of the US system of constitutional law. |
Since photographs are not allowed inside the Court, I took a picture of a replica. We toured the Courtroom and I must say-- definitely worth the time! After taking so many college courses solely based around this courtroom, it was incredible to finally be standing inside.
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| Drawn to scale replica of the Supreme Courtroom. |
The family (minus dad-- he was the designated photographer) inside one of the many marble stairwells inside the building. I was amazed by how much marble was used throughout the building. Absolutely gorgeous.
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| The Family |
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| Another beautiful ceiling. |
The next stop was the Capital Building!
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| The view of the Capital from the steps of the Supreme Court. |
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| The United States Capital Building! |
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| My love and I on our way to observe the Senate in session {I was BEYOND excited!} Thank you Senator Pryor for the tickets! |
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| The House of Representatives |
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| The Senate |
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| While we were walking pass, many senators were arriving. Pretty cool! |
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| Husband and I on the backside of the Capital Building {The construction was in preparation for the 2013 Inaugural Ceremony} |
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| Freedom. {The top of the Capital Building} |
We were also able to tour the inside of the Capitol Building. It was incredible {I know I keep saying that--but it's literally the remnant of our great nation!}
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| Inside the Rotunda. {The center of the Nation's Capital. Literally.} |
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| The gorgeous Ceiling of the Rotunda. |
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| "E Pluribus Unum" written on the Rotunda's ceiling. {Meaning: Out of Many, One} |
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| Remember this from your history book? Yes, this is the actually copy. |
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| The stairway the President walks down from the Rotunda towards the Capital steps on his way to the Inaugural Ceremony. |
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| The ceiling of the Statuary Hall {the Inaugural luncheon is always held here} |
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| Statuary Hall |
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| Statuary Hall |
Yes, I was the crazy lady who waited for everyone to leave the room so I could get a "visitor free" picture.
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| Statuary Hall |
On to Arlington National Cemetery!
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| The graves of President John F. Kennedy and his wife. |
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| The view of the Pentagon from Arlington. |
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| The husband and myself at Arlington. |
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| Robert E. Lee's house is located at Arlington |
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| The view of the Lincoln Memorial from Arlington |
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| The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. |
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| Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. |
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| Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. |
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| The Changing of the Guard |
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| Walking across the Potomac. |
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| Inside the Lincoln Memorial |
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| Lincoln Memorial |
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| On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial overlooking the Washington Monument. |
Final Stop, The White House!
Since I was a little girl, I have always dreamed of visiting the White House.
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| Husband and I at the White House. |
However, I must say-- I was kind of disappointed to realize that the White House was not as large as the media makes it appear.
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| Husband and I at the White House. |
Next to the White House was the Executive Office Building. Now this is my kind of office building!
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| Executive Office Building. |
Although our trip to Washington D.C. was short, it was most definitely memorable. I will always remember the days we spent walking this historic city.
After we left Washington, we took a train on to New York City for New Years Eve! Stay tuned in the next few days for a recap of our days in Times Square.