Braves Country

The beginning of our week-and-a-half-long vacay started with a trip to Jeremiah's grandparents' house in Holden Beach, NC. We hung out for a couple days, but then had one more stop before relaxing on the beach for a week.

I use the term "stop" lightly, since in fact it was more of a journey. We left early Friday morning and traveled seven hours to Atlanta to see an Atlanta Braves game. Jeremiah's brother, Ben, and his grandparents are huge Braves fan. Although, being Phillies fans, we obviously root against the Braves whenever possible, I suppose it was a nice treat to be able to experience a game with them in honor of Pop Pop's 80th birthday. Much of the extended family, and fellow Braves fans, met us there, tallying the Link clan to 15. Turner Field was a beautiful stadium filled to the brim with southern hospitality. We had great seats, too. The Braves finally pulled off the win after 11 innings, so we put a smile on our faces while inside we were extremely irritated. Adding to that irritation was the fact that that night the Phillies lost to the PIRATES. Ugh.

We bunked in a hotel for the night and left the next morning to drop off his grandparents and then drive another hour and a half to our ultimate destination, Surf City, NC. Needless to say, with Saturday beach traffic and fourth of July weekend, we didn't make it back in seven hours. Try about nine.

Do you see this?? Penn State grill cover on a camera in Atlanta. I had to get a picture.

And I have to add this, particularly for the Koehlers.

On our way to the game on Friday, we had to make a stop for lunch. Instead of stopping at your typical McDonald's or Wendy's, we went here. Although only indicated as "Buffet" on the highway exit sign and "Restaurant" to the general passerby's, the few brave enough to park and eat knew it better as Baynum's. I couldn't believe my eyes. And then, I couldn't believe my current reality was actually walking in, sitting down, and eating there. I won't go into detail, but let's just say, had I not married Jeremiah I never would have experienced this one-of-a-kind eatery.

Silver Celebration

Jeremiah's family headed our way on Tuesday, June 29th before we headed down to the beach the next day. Tuesday just so happened to be his parents' 25th wedding anniversary. Although his mom just wanted an afternoon to lounge at his aunt's pool (she also lives in Midlothian), we thought we'd make it a bit more special. We recreated most of their reception food, which also happened to be held in his aunt's backyard (I was pretty proud of my first ever watermelon basket, haha!). We ordered a little cake, which was topped with the same red-tipped roses that were on their wedding cake. It was a great night that I think his parents truly enjoyed and appreciated.

A Special Shout Out

This goes out to Kristin Schweighardt. A loyal reader dedicated to leaving comments on every single post. Thanks for the love, lady! We miss you a whole lot down here in Virginia!!

Adios Amigos

I'm stalling.

We're leaving Wednesday morning and won't be returning until July 10th. While going on vacation is good news, packing for an 11 day trip is not.

You may know one of the most agonizing tasks for me is to pack. My stress level shoots through the roof when I am merely packing for a weekend trip to my parents' house. I sit on my bed moaning out loud, as if I have so much indecision in me that it is has no choice but to overflow into audible gripes. Then I stand in front of my closet sighing, eyes panning left to right, left to right, over and over again because suddenly there is not one item of clothing I can bare, much less enjoy. I may pile a few random garments next to me that haven't seen the light of day in months, at which point I begin welling up with anxiety. At this point I usually lay face down in my pillow hoping that when I lift my head suddenly outfit choices will start flying off the hangers. Inevitably, though, I fall asleep. Jeremiah then comes in and wakes me, leaving me stressed and now groggy. Even better. It got so bad before the last trip we took that I went to bed angry and unpacked, waking up at 5:30 with the hopes of a renewed spirit. Not a good idea. That just left me frantic and desperate as I was forced to beat the clock on little sleep.

So that's why I'm stalling. I really have no reason to blog since I'll tell you all about our trip when we get back (or while we're there if we get wifi, say a quick prayer we do). Rather, I just need a break. My workout clothing options are set out and ready, in addition to the non-clothing items I got ready last night. Now it's the tough part. Wish me luck.

Awesome

After a day of celebrating Cameron's graduation, it was my turn. On Sunday I got to open birthday gifts from my family, which had been the talk of the town since we had arrived in Sellersville. Cameron was hyping up the gifts he got me, and his friends were even asking if I had opened my present yet when we saw them at the graduation party. I had no idea what was in store, but was rather nervous.

My sister gave me a lovely serving dish I had seen a couple months ago that gave me some kitchen color inspiration. My mom and dad gave me Martha Stewart's sewing encyclopedia and a gift card to Joann Fabric. I'm excited to hopefully create some killer projects for our new place. Both of these gifts were so great!

And then there was Cameron's gift. First of all, part two of the gift was wrapped in this paper:

He handed me part one, which was not wrapped. This is part one:

Yes, you are reading that correctly. No need to adjust your screen or your vision prescription. Cameron created his own book on how to be awesome (essentially an autobiography) and compiled it in one of those classy report covers. "This book was written with the intention of helping you to live a more awesome life, much like your idol, Cameron Koehler. For the convenience of the reader, the book has been broken down into sections." A direct quote from the table of contents, of which there are 17 sections. After receiving this book, I was instructed to go to the section on gift giving and read aloud. Keep in mind I still didn't know what part two of the gift was.

I would like to share with you an excerpt from the sub-section, People you do like.

"If not food, go for something hilarious but also useful. For example: a huge rainbow umbrella. (Note: Cameron got this for me a few Christmases ago) It may be embarrassing, but it can certainly be used. And everyone can laugh about it before, during, and after the giving. Another example would be a Slip 'n' Slide. It's fun but also useful. It would be funny to get one for a 25-year-old without an outdoor faucet, a yard, or children. It's useful because it's a Slip 'n' Slide. Don't tell me there's no use for that. Maybe at a friend's house. Maybe 5 years down the road when said 25-year-old buys a house in southeastern Pennsylvania. Who knows. But it's hilarious and awesome right now."

And so, here was part two of my birthday gift:

HILARIOUS.

We were laughing hysterically!! I had tears literally streaming down my face. Could barely finished reading the excerpt as it became clear to me what my present was. Oh, and there's a 110lb. weight limit. Add that to the list of reasons why it would be funny to get a 25-year-old a Slip 'n' Slide.

Note: Cameron does not actually have a mustache, nor does he smoke cigarettes. This photo was taken on Christmas morning, after receiving bubblegum cigs from me in his stocking. As for the facial hair, he calls it the Christmas miracle. Goes to bed on Christmas Eve with a beard, wakes up Christmas morning with a mustache. Miracle.

Baked-Good Bonanza

This past weekend we headed back up to Pennsylvania, but this time for Cameron's graduation party. And what a party it was! Lots of family and friends all there to celebrate my dear brother's Penn State commencement and his new job teaching at Pennridge High School. Oh, and LOTS of baked-goods. Why haven't you hired my sister yet?? Here's a sampling of what you're missing out on

First, S'MORE cupcakes. HELLO.

Second, sour cream pound cake with vanilla buttercream. Do you SEE those graduation caps??

Third, oreo cookie cupcakes. Tastes JUST like the real thing.

And last, but certainly not least, mint chocolate chip. A personal fave!!

Quarter of a Century Celebration

For those of you who don't know, my 25th birthday was this past Friday, June 18th. For weeks prior to this special day, I had been questioning Jeremiah about what we might do. Typically, Jeremiah and I aren't great at keeping surprises (for example, two Christmases ago we exchanged gifts two weeks early because we were so curious) so I thought he'd eventually crack and spill his plans to me. I was wrong. That man was a vault. Although I was anxious to know what our celebration would entail, it made me feel so special to know that he had thought out and planned an evening just for me. We both had half days at work; however, I was given strict orders not to arrive home before 4:45. I kept myself busy shopping but was very antsy to get home and be with my husband (instead of alone!) on my birthday!

When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. I came home to a sparkly clean apartment, smelling of delectable lobster macaroni and cheese fresh out of the oven. A blue cheese wedge salad sat waiting on the counter and a cannoli chilled in the fridge for later. Not only that, but Jeremiah had set up our balcony for a nice candlelight dinner, topped with wine and a little background music. It was so wonderful! And delicious! The food was all made by Jeremiah himself, using Ina Garten's recipes. I was so impressed. I would have been too scared to attempt cooking lobster, but Jeremiah's dish was a huge success.

Isn't he a great guy??

Happy Birthday to me!