Scenes from a weekend:

*Brunch with the girls at Watts Grocery

*Mimosas on the patio with Cass

*Springtime on campus

(Not pictured: Catching up with Lauren on Friday. Watching the sun set over Chapel Hill with Meg, Beth and Cassidy from the Top O balcony. Chola Nod for dinner with Ben. Basketball watching, apartment cleaning, and Mad Men-ing.)

A Sunny Weekend in March:

*Friday night went to see Oz. The movie was entertaining and I wish we’d seen it in 3D, but I have to say this… as much as I want to like James Franco (he gives Asheville big love!) his acting was just bad in this.

*Saturday morning I had a meeting on campus, but afterwards Ben and I packed up a picnic lunch and scooted over to the arboretum to enjoy the glorious 60 degree day. We watched two little kids play with paper planes, read our books, and felt the warm sun soak into our skin for the first time in months. All was right with the world. (and then the Duke game happened, which I will refrain from discussing)

*Sunday we had the laziest of mornings around the house, but we made it out to Andrew and Lydia’s country “homestead” for a beautiful evening.  I loved finally meeting their 15 exotic baby chickens, and Lydia pampered us with a fresh and delicious meal. After dinner we sat by the fire, drinking wine and talking about our lives … and all felt right with the world again.

Scenes from a week(end):

This past week and weekend were about simple pleasures, and I just want to take a moment to write it all down and give thanks for this phase of my life.

*Monday evening Ben and I went to see Jon Hunstman speak on UNC’s campus. Incredible lecture from a rare politician who truly runs against the mold. I loved when someone flat out asked him “so, why are you a republican??”

*Wednesday was a much-anticipated date night of dinner at our favorite (Lantern) followed by Beethoven’s 9th at Memorial Hall. This was the definition of my perfect date night: delicious food, live classical music, hugging my man close for the brisk ten-minute walk home.

*Thursday night we made a giant pot of Chicken Noodle Soup, I got bit-time tipsy off a bottle of Prosecco (haha!!), and we devoured the first 5 episodes of Homeland (ps- we’re officially obsessed)

*Friday I made a massive pot of spaghetti and meatballs, since I’d been craving it for a week straight, followed by a campfire birthday party for our buddy Andrew.

*Saturday was for sleeping in and a matinee showing of Skyfall with friends, followed by a group dinner date. There was a chill in the air, and I held Ben close. Also, got a pair of Hunter boots through a shoe-swap with Jean (score!)

*Sunday was for long walks around Chapel Hill, Starbucks Chai Lattes, Ye Olde Waffle Shop for breakfast at the bar, cleaning the apartment… and finishing season 1 of Homeland :)

This Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for last week and weekend. I am thankful for my life just as it is now—a life where my husband and I have each other all to ourselves… where I am living in a comfortable home and a town that has both food and culture all within a minute’s walk…where I can spontaneously get tipsy on a bottle of wine and watch 5 hours of TV…where we have a solid group of friends who want to spend their lazy Saturdays with us, too… and where the light on the horizon of change is within sight, but where we are perfectly happy just as life is right now.

Scenes from #unc07reunion weekend in Chapel Hill

*07 button * Top O Thursday * Weaver Street Tradition * Carolina Blue and Coronas * GAA party at the Carolina Inn * Crunkleton * Carolina Campus *

Weekend in pictures:

*Friday night out in Raleigh with friends. Best meal in a hot minute at Beasley’s Chicken and Honey (damn good food)

*Early Saturday morning for the Eve Carson 5K

* “Take pride in yourself, in your school, and the way you help others” -Eve

* My first finish line. Felt pretty amazing.

* Enjoying the best view in Chapel Hill after the race.

This is the first weekend in October we haven’t been traveling. It was really, really nice to just be still for a while and enjoy a weekend at home.

*IP3 for dinner on Friday with Ben’s parents: love that place, love those guys. They always make us feel like family.

*UNC-State game on Saturday: all I have to say is GIO BERNARD, holy hell!!!!

*Halloween party Saturday night: Ben was The Driver. I was Mrs. Mia Wallace

*Lazy Sunday: long walk on Franklin St. followed by shopping for new chairs (West Elm success!)

Weekend Recap June 8-10:

Friday night: Met the hubs after work at Lantern for cocktails and a small plate; followed by the same at Elaine’s, then Chola Nad, ending with froyo at Sweet Frog. That’s a fun game, btw:1 drink, 1 app, several fancy places.

Saturday afternoon: hosted a Belmont Stakes Derby Party at our place. Cue big hats, egg salad sandwiches, whiskey cocktails, and corn hole on the patio.

Sunday afternoon: despite myself, cheered for Italia with the rest of the IP3 crew during the Italy-Spain match of the Euro Cup.