From Biloxi to New Orleans: Part 1

So you've all heard about the not so hot part of our journey home, but I wanted to take the time to share all the reasons why we made the trip to Mississippi in the first place, and all the fun things we did while on our Thanksgiving holiday! 

Back story: My sister joined the Air Force as a nurse a little over a year ago and was quickly stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi. Since that time she's not had a single friend, or family member visit, and seeing as Thanksgiving was my family's holiday this year I couldn't resist the urge to see my her for the 4.5 days we had off. We drove through the night on Wednesday to arrive just in time to throw the Turkey in the oven and enjoy a cozy day in on Thanksgiving. She has the sweetest little cottage that she shares with her equally sweet Greyhound Rue. 

Thanksgiving was all about the food, but on Friday we ventured out and hit the beach just a mile or so from Sarah's house. With the dogs in tow we walked up and down the white sand, enjoyed the balmy 75F degree weather, and stretched our legs and belly muscles after all that eating. The dogs had the best time, met so many new people, and we schlepped about for a couple of hours. It was such a nice break from the norm, and every second was an adventure.

There are certain perks to being stationed on the Gulf of Mexico, I suppose. Sandy beaches, fresh seafood, warm winters, pretty piers, and old southern mansions...just to name a few. Friday was all about relaxation, time spent with family, and happy pups. Saturday in New Orleans was a little different, and I'll be sharing more of that with you tomorrow. big kiss, bekuh

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Thanksgiving: The Meal

I hope all you wonderful US readers had a fabulous Thanksgiving day yesterday. Ryan and I drove through the night to make it to my sister's on Thanksgiving morning. It was totally worth the drive. Despite the lack of sleep we gathered our strength, and cooked a gorgeous meal to share between the three of us. Well, and a few table scraps for the puppies too. Here are a few pictures from the meal:

We started the meal off with some cheese and crackers. My favorite combo was the brie with fig, and spicy plum chutney. For dinner we served our turkey with chunky cranberry sauce, garlic and sage cornbread stuffing, rolls, roasted root vegetables, and gravy. Washing everything down with local southern pecan beer, and wine. Ryan and I brought the veggies from our last CSA yield, and the turkey soaked in a brine all the way to Mississippi. You could say we take our Thanksgiving meal prep pretty seriously. After the giant meal we slept for a couple of hours, and got up for a little dessert too.

What was your favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table yesterday? big kiss, bekuh

Family Weekend: A Birds' Eye View

This past weekend my Dad and my grandparents drove down from Ohio to visit Ryan and I as a celebratory visit for our one year wedding anniversary and my birthday. Since moving to Virginia over a decade ago, this has been a yearly tradition that I just can't seem to live without. It's hard living so far away from family you care so deeply for. These visits are treasured moments I hold close in the months I go without seeing them.

We drove up along the Blue Ridge Parkway taking in a couple of the lookout views, and all the changing leaves. In all the years they've been visiting we've never done this. It was breathtaking. After driving around a little we headed to the Roanoke Star, the local tourist destination. It's the largest manmade star in the US (or so it says). It was fun showing them Roanoke from a bird's eye view and trying to locate all the parts of town we visited throughout the day.

We left the star a little sooner than I'd planned, because there was wedding about to start, and headed back down the mountain to a hot soup lunch and sleepy conversation. I am so thankful that I have family willing to go out of their way to celebrate milestones with me, and drive all that way for a single day of fun. I miss them already. big kiss, bekuh

Girls, Greek Food, and My Mom

Better late than never...For my mom's birthday this year she wanted a little time with her girls. My sister came into town from Mississippi for the weekend and it was kind of like an early birthday gift for me to have her around. We started the day at the annual Greek Festival in town. My mom's entourage: Me, my sister, Judy, and herself

top: my mom examining dessert middle:greek desserts bottom: my beautiful sister

We ate spanakopita, drank hand squeezed lemonade, and gorged ourselves on greek dessert. It was a pretty spectacular start to our girls day out. After lunch we headed to the opposite side of town for manicures and pedicures. We set up camp at the Beauty Bar and for the next 2 hours we were massaged, lotioned, and mani-pedied.

top: Mom and Judy sharing secrets middle: the laughter that too often ensues bottom: Mom and Judy

My mom's best friend Judy (or Aunt Judy as we like to call her) was so much fun to have on our adventures. No one can make my mom laugh like Judy can, and I love spying on their silly conversations. Even if I can't remember them later on. Aren't these pictures of the two of them so perfect?

After we'd read the latest gossip and let our nails really dry we headed out and met the men for dinner. Too much Italian food, too many hugs, and grainy family photos and the day was done. I love getting to spend time with my family! big kiss, bekuh

Father's Day

Today is Father's day, a day set aside to celebrate our fathers and the influence they've had on our lives. From the moment we are born our dad's play an irreplaceable role in forming who we are. Today I celebrate my daddy and father-in-law; two wonderful men who have played a huge role in both Ryan and my life. I hope each of you are taking a moment today to celebrate the men who have played significant roles in your life.

Daddy, 

To say that I will always be your little girl is an understatement. You were my super hero growing up, one of the manliest men I've ever known, and there is nothing you can't do in my eyes. You have always shown your children the tender side of love and I thank you for being brave enough to share your emotions on your sleeve. I wish I could be with you on this and every father's day, but know I carry you around in my heart no matter where I go. I love you, your bekuh-doo

JB,

Whenever I am around you Brownings I feel like the most welcome, and loved girl in the world. You have a way of making anybody feel comfortable and your easy smile, and generous spirit make you unforgettable. So much of Ryan's personality can be traced back to you and at times I'm amazed at how much you two are alike. You've always been a wonderful father and your boys will be the first to share that with anybody willing or unwilling to listen. love, bekuh

Celebrate Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all of you maternal goddesses out there. I'm so happy there is a day dedicated to celebrating the influential women in our lives, because I have so many. Today I'll focus on the Mothers both my own and Ryan's.

Mom, 

I love you so much. Not a day goes by that I don't say, do, or act out in some way that has been influenced by you. From my handwriting to my inability to do hair I've gotten a lot of "me" from you. Is there any connection like that of a mother and daughter? I don't know, but I do know that you sacrificed a lot for me over the years and I hope in my adult years I'll be able to show you a fraction of that love I forgot to through the years. I'm so glad that you're my mommy.

Lorena, 

Thank you so much for welcoming me as a part of your little clan. You raised my favorite person on the the planet and for that I will be forever in your debt. Thank you for sharing Ryan with me and for loving me like a daughter. Your help and kindness hasn't gone unnoticed. I love you.

I hope each and every one of you are out there loving your Mothers and spending a little time reflecting on their influence in your life. Ryan and I are preparing a meal for ours today and I'm off to enjoy it. big kiss, bekuh

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Today is my gorgeous sister Sarah's BIRTHDAY!!!! She has always been a guiding force in my life and I would not be the person I am today without her love, support, and adolescent torturing (just kidding).  I can not be with her today in person but I most certainly am in spirit. I love you big sis! You are fabulous.

Because I couldn't be with her to celebrate her birthday with balloons, a crown, and confetti, I sent her a party in a box so she could celebrate anyway. I tucked in some pretty floral coasters, two cloth garlands, a crown, and our favorite chocolate muffin mix so she can make it and share it with friends. She will look just gaw-geous I'm sure (that was in a southern accent if you didn't pick up on that).

Leave my sister a sweet comment on my blog so even far away she can feel all the love. She's worth it I promise ;) big kiss,bekuh

A Tale of Many Christmases

I mentioned in yesterday's post that Ryan and I have four Christmases this year, let me explain. We have his parents', my mom's, my dad's, and we decided to have our own private little Christmas at home too. Easy enough, but when you add traveling, holiday schedules, people's availability etc. you've got pure Christmas chaos. 

This year we decided to go to Ohio for the actual Christmas holiday and spend it with my Dad and his family. We went to Ryan's parents' on the Thursday before, and had our little celebration together that night too. That leaves my mom, we have celebrated Christmas with her on New Years since my parent's divorce, a tradition that carries on even today. So you can guess where I'll be tomorrow. I wanted to give you a pictorial representation of three of our four Christmases today, so hold onto to your seat belts because this was one wild ride. 

This is a very picture heavy post, you know you love it.

These four pictures are perfect examples of or holiday madness, our families are so loving and giving and I'm pretty sure Ryan and I both got almost every item off our Christmas wishlists. The bottom two pictures are our Dads, JB is Ryan's Dad on the left and Greg is my Dad on the right. They're both as jolly as Christmas elves in these pictures.

We'll start with the Browning Christmas. We had lasagna for dinner, laughter for dessert and a whole lot of gifts exchanged. JB got new art supplies and everyone got pictures from the wedding to hang at home.

Layla was so worn out by our gift giving she just passed out at Ryan's feet, and on his new drum sticks.

Next up Ryan and I decided to have a private little Christmas celebration at home and each exchanged one gift. We left the rest of our gifts unopened until Christmas day.

We both decided to give each other clothes to open which was total coincidence and kind of cute. I love my new red wool skirt!

Finally we headed north, to rain and not snow, but had a merry little Christmas with the Powers clan. We ate way too much, hugged a lot and opened presents until we were all blue in the face. We all received so much! I felt very blessed.

After all was said and done I have to say I'm super thankful for all of the holiday madness. We've gotten to spend a great deal of time with family in the last week or so and we'll get to spend more time with family tomorrow. All the gifts are just icing on the cake, but what would icing be without the cake to put it on? big kiss, bekuh