Muchas Gracias

Hello blog friends...

I would like to let you ALL know that I have an amazingly wonderful friend who sent me these in pink and green for Christmas. She saw this post back in the day...and must have made a mental note :) We had a teeny snafu with the first order...hah, so I was excited to get the perfect ones in the mail yesterday!

THANK YOU cBr for being an amazing friend, former roommate, and sister in Christ.

I'm happy as a clam.

PS -- I'm rallying for her to start her own blog. It needs to happen ASAP. K, thanks.

Lazy...

I'm typically not a lazy person. However...found these Vineyard Vines Sand Dollars and Starfish Lazy Pants at a Holiday Sale...and well...I've been able to relax, NO problem.

I'm in love with these suckers.



PS -- I need to get back in full gear for New Year's...so...this whole removal of all four wisdom teeth deal needs to get with the program. I'm still in pain. ridiculous.

Like the Holidays...

Like the holidays, all things Lilly make me so happy.

Enjoy the video and history lesson :)

Festivities

After an early morning (due to the 13 year old brother pictured above) of opening beautiful gifts, eating lots of yummy breakfast food, and a big afternoon nap, the family and I are planning to drive around town to look at Christmas lights together. It's a tradition :)

My favorite gift this Christmas morning:

Southern Proper Belle Bands in Light Blue Cotton and Navy Magnolia :)

Yay for family, friends, blessings, and Christ's birth! Merry Christmas!

Holding Hands

With the celebration of Christ's birth, my loving family in town, and a new beau by my side, I'm quite joyful this holiday season.

A visual image of what I've been up to for the past few days...
{Image found here}


PS -- One of my favorite things to do: holding hands with loved ones.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Wrapped a few gifts last night for a special someone...



The Boy is coming today! AND staying for a day or two :)

I can't stop smiling. That's all.

I'm not even kidding...

Hello friends! I'm doing well...but I have to say, this guinea pig and I have quite the resemblance while I am recovering. (minus that fur, of course...)



Since the removal of my four wisdom teeth, my lower jaws are SUPER swollen...and I look like I'm storing up food. It's pretty much the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.
We're basically twins.

These drugs.

Homegirl here thinking that these drugs aren't doing a dern thing. Mother and Daddy tell me that when I was little and was given pain medicine, I got wide-eyed and crazy. So...that is what we have here ladies and gents. Took a Vicodin and I am rip-rearing, ready to go. nutso.

Word on the street is that the doc had trouble getting me to go to sleep with the IV so they juiced me up even more. Then, my BP got realllllly low so then gave me more medicine to bring me back...and guess what happens? I wake up during surgery. cOoL. not.

As we are leaving the office, I have complete feeling in my mouth. cOoL. not.

I did get to talk to the Boy. He tells me that he would rather be here taking care of me than skinning a bear. I feel honored. ha ha ha.

Ew.

So the dentist broke the news to me about six months ago. Removal of all four wisdom teeth is necessary. No bueno.

Tomorrow is the big day. Out they come! Wish me luck...
I hear that they give good drugs...

Sunday Lunch

I had the privilege of joining the Boy for Sunday lunch last week after church. He decided to treat me to my first visit at The Weathervane. I had no idea I was in for such a lovely, Southern experience. Located off 15-501 in University Mall in Chapel Hill, NC, this restaurant once started as a teeny treasure located within A Southern Season. Since 1975, The Weathervane has blossomed and is no longer a cafe but an acclaimed restaurant dedicated to serving the beaus and belles of the South.

When browsing their website, I can across this letter by the founder of the restaurant and wanted to share:

"We all smile when folks notice that A Southern Season's weathervane has all it's arrows pointing south. It's symbolic of traditions where service and hospitality hold honor and respect, and we hope that those traditions are shared each time you choose to visit the store and the restaurant." -Michael Barefoot

Boy and I had the wonderful opportunity to browse A Southern Season while waiting for our table. At the moment I entered the store, I think my jaw dropped. I was in heaven and thinking to myself that I have been living in a hole if I've never stepped foot in such an amazing place. Word on the street is that the Boy loved watching my eyes light up as I discovered such treasures:

All pottery by VIETRI.





Hmmmm, Lemon Drops :)



The December Wine Case

{All images from A Southern Season}

Not to mention that the assortment of paper goodness was beyond belief...Crane & Co., kate spade, and PAPYRUS... so yummy.

Beloved Craig Claiborne of the NY Times labeled A Southern Season "wall to wall and floor to ceiling, a visual and gustatory delight" and I could not agree more. Politely devouring my fried green tomatoes, cheddar scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit, this little lady was in Southern heaven. I think a tradition of having Sunday Lunch there wouldn't be too shabby.

I'm just sayin'.
And thank you to CGL for such an amazing lunch. Let's go again...my treat!

Fabuloso.

Attn: I am VERY picky when it comes to picking out a planner. I have a busy life...and I have to write down many lovely things for each day so most importantly it has to have enough writing space. It has to be classic, with clean lines, and with a solid color palette. duh.

So...after a month of searching for the 2009 planner, I found one. Finally.
Barnes & Noble. And it's navy and green. With a beautiful blue ribbon. cream pages and navy print.



It makes me smile. freakin fabuloso. I'm thinking about filling it all in with dates instead of doing my final projects. hm...

Huge Fan

You all should know that I'm a huge fan of John Piper.
One of the best books I've read is Don't Waste Your Life by Piper -- I read it while traveling in Ecuador and shared it with my friends so they could read encouraging snippets. I've also had the opportunity to hear him speak at a conference in Atlanta.

I came across this poem that John Piper wrote for his son's wedding ceremony. It is beautiful in every way. Last stanza = amazing.

The Wedding Poem

The God whom we have loved, and in
Whom we have lived, and who has been
Our Rock these twenty-two good years

With you, now bids us, with sweet tears,
To let you go: “A man shall leave
His father and his mother, cleave
Henceforth unto his wife, and be
One unashamed flesh and free.”
This is the word of God today,
And we are happy to obey.
For God has given you a bride
Who answers every prayer we’ve cried
For over twenty years, our claim
For you, before we knew her name.

And now you ask that I should write
A poem - a risky thing, in light
Of what you know: that I am more
The preacher than the poet or
The artist. I am honored by
Your bravery, and I comply.
I do not grudge these sweet confines
Of rhyming pairs and metered lines.
They are old friends. They like it when
I bid them help me once again
To gather feelings into form
And keep them durable and warm.

And so we met in recent days,
And made the flood of love and praise
And counsel from a father’s heart
To flow within the banks of art.
Here is a portion of the stream,
My son: a sermon poem. It’s theme:
A double rule of love that shocks;
A doctrine in a paradox:

If you now aim your wife to bless,
Then love her more and love her less.

If in the coming years, by some
Strange providence of God, you come
To have the riches of this age,
And, painless, stride across the stage
Beside your wife, be sure in health
To love her, love her more than wealth.

And if your life is woven in
A hundred friendships, and you spin
A festal fabric out of all
Your sweet affections, great and small,
Be sure, no matter how it rends,
To love her, love her more than friends.

And if there comes a point when you
Are tired, and pity whispers, “Do
Yourself a favor. Come, be free;
Embrace the comforts here with me.”
Know this! Your wife surpasses these:
So love her, love her, more than ease.

And when your marriage bed is pure,
And there is not the slightest lure
Of lust for any but your wife,
And all is ecstasy in life,
A secret all of this protects:
Go love her, love her, more than sex.

And if your taste becomes refined,
And you are moved by what the mind
Of man can make, and dazzled by
His craft, remember that the “why”
Of all this work is in the heart;
So love her, love her more than art.

And if your own should someday be
The craft that critics all agree
Is worthy of a great esteem,
And sales exceed your wildest dream,
Beware the dangers of a name.
And love her, love her more than fame.

And if, to your surprise, not mine,
God calls you by some strange design
To risk your life for some great cause,
Let neither fear nor love give pause,
And when you face the gate of death,
Then love her, love her more than breath.

Yes, love her, love her, more than life;
O, love the woman called your wife.
Go love her as your earthly best.

Beyond this venture not. But, lest
Your love become a fool’s facade,
Be sure to love her less than God.

It is not wise or kind to call
An idol by sweet names, and fall,
As in humility, before
A likeness of your God. Adore
Above your best beloved on earth
The God alone who gives her worth.
And she will know in second place
That your great love is also grace,
And that your high affections now
Are flowing freely from a vow
Beneath these promises, first made
To you by God. Nor will they fade
For being rooted by the stream
Of Heaven’s Joy, which you esteem
And cherish more than breath and life,
That you may give it to your wife.

The greatest gift you give your wife
Is loving God above her life.
And thus I bid you now to bless:
Go love her more by loving less.

By John Piper

Mi familia

Oh, Turkey Break at the beach was so wonderful.

We have a tradition to pose for a picture, all 22 of us + doggie, in the front yard of my MaMa and DaDa's house in Newport, NC.

For your enjoyment, see the lovely photo below :)



And that's just my dad's side of the fam.

Talent

The Boy is talented. End of story.

Check out the photos from our road trip across North Carolina. Starting at the OBX and crossing the Finish line at Stone Mountain State Park.

My favorite photo is the doe in the wildflowers. It was like she was posing for him.
Enjoy!









{All images by C. Grant Linderman II}

And I think the photography speaks for itself...no need to ramble. Pretty solid.

Ridiculous...

So I was right about the Boy. This Thanksgiving will be significant in years to come...I can tell :)

I ended up packing an overnight bag and joining him on a photography road trip across NC. Yes, that's right. Nags Head, NC to Stone Mountain, NC.

Started out in Cary, NC and drove in the late Friday afternoon to Nags Head. Arrived around dinner time and began looking for a place to fill our tummies. Mulligan's, it was. We each had almond-encrusted Rockfish, mashed sweet potatoes, and cute little hushpuppies. I had just had Thanksgiving dinner and seafood extravaganza with my family but the seafood was a treat for the Boy. Oh, one thing we realized over dinner...Boy had forgotten his whole backpack of clothes. Yep, sitting right here on his bed in Cary. No bueno. So, we ventured to Kitty Hawk Sports and Surf Shop where he got this Patagonia fleece -- in the color North Sea -- and it looks great with his blue eyes. He figured he could manage the rest of the weekend without the rest of his clothes but warmth is a necessity.

The plan was to originally camp in the back of the Yukon...but our mothers were not keen on this idea. So we ventured out to the Clarion Hotel and booked a little room for the night.

And to the moooooovies we go to see Nicole Kidman in Australia. I completely recommend this movie. It was a lovely blend of romance, action, passion, and comedy. Plus, little Nullah was the cutest little boy. We were both captivated throughout the entire movie and my favorite aspect was how the film included references to the Wizard of Oz and one of my favorite songs, Somewhere Over the Rainbow :)

We, then headed off to the Harry Teet for the necessities (that was still on his bed in Cary) for the Boy -- toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. This chica was completely exhausted at this point and needed rest. Going back to the Clarion, we bunkered down for bed, waiting for the sun to rise.

Boy has to capture sunrise shots of this part of North Carolina so we got up at 5:45am, with his back hurting tremendously, and in his words he was in a "terrible way". (Still aren't sure at this point what is going on with his back but I say "doctor" soon) We headed for Oregon Inlet where he took some great beach shots and of the Bodie Island lighthouse. Then, we drove back towards Nags Head and we went on Jockey's Ridge where the sand won the adventure. We were c-o-v-e-r-e-d. And everyone in unison say: BRRR. For some more photos, we drove a little ways down Hwy 12 to Kitty Hawk and he took a few shots of the Memorial to the Wright Brothers.

And then the big jaunt begins for the other side of North Carolina. Lots of music. Lots of having to stop for the bathroom (my fault...I'm not a camel by any means...). Lots of conversation and laughs. Stops for gas (it's getting cheaper!) and lunch. And then the rain begins. Rain!? what?! in the mountains?! no way. yes way. It always rains there.

Not to mention that this gal got carsick (that never happens) and I finally get out at Stone Mountain State Park and the fresh air was amazing. I immediately felt better (like magic) and the rain slacked off as well. He took pictures of this neat waterfall that was about .6 miles down the trail. Then, we headed toward the Blue Ridge Parkway but we stopped in awe of the deer that were in the Park. At one point, I counted 12 deer just munching away in a field. Boy then shoots amazing pictures...it was like we were at a petting zoo. We then saw two bucks after a doe -- never in my life have I seen something like that in real life! Racing against the rain, Boy finally finds the overlook he wants to photograph and we begin our journey home.

Please keep in mind that the Service Engine Soon light keeps flashing to no end that should be considered in this tale. We stopped in Yadkinville (apparently, there, they say it in only two syllables...I still can't get that one) and talked to the Advanced Auto man named Chan. He and the Boy diagnose the truck and everything is fine. We put some magical seafoam in the fuel tank and everyone is happy, including the Yukon. Boy gets high-quality recommendation from Chan to go to Taste of Italy for dinnnnner. I was suspicious but hungry and ready to eat :) Food was yummy, service was quick, and we had lots of leftovers.

At this point, the rain is coming down pretty hard but we still had a ball on the way home. I keep my eyelids open and we just talked and laughed a lot...Boy told me lots of stories about his fraternity, growing up, and all the crazy times he has had in college. We realized we had been in the same room, restaurants, conferences, multiple times before but never knew it. Crazy huh? Small world. Arriving back in Cary around 9pm, we said our goodbyes and he headed off to Chapel Hill. Yes, that's right...he is a Carolina boy. eek! I will be seeing this fellow again tonight...it's time to cram our quality time in before his finals and my projects begin to pile up. OH wait, they've already piled.

I love road trips. His photography may follow soon. That's all.

Did not see this coming...

There's a boy :) with lots of potential.
That's right...Southern Sunshine is smitten.

Excuse the lack of posts...life has been cRaZy. Hopefully, I will get creative/have time to breathe over Turkey Break.

Leave love!

Let it Snow?

Seriously, it's November 18th...in NC...and it's snowing?

Please picture me and Tina monitoring our kindergarteners as they are quietly writing in their journals...and bless his heart, "C" raises his hand and exclaims that it's snowing! I respond with "Noooo it's not...."...only to look outside and see a freaking blizzard.
I did get the children time to "ooo" and "ahh" near the windows. And then back to their seats to finish their lovely journals. I'm hardcore. ha ha. 10 minutes later and the sun is shining...but it's still BELOW 30 degrees. so cold. nuts!

I'm not fit for this weather.

I need warmth. The beach. The sand. That's all.

Watson arrives...

It's my senior year in college and I came to the realization that my best friend, whom I refer to as Watson, has only visited NC State/Raleigh area a few times...(she goes to Virginia Tech)

So I convinced her come for a spontaneous trip last Thursday and Friday. We had a great time together...full of fun and introducing her to my life in Raleigh.
Here she is serenading us at the bar:


She is loads of fun, can't you tell??

Her reaction to our house was so sweet -- she giggled and swooned! And of course, I was super excited to show her my room. She fell in love, sprawling herself on my seersucker bed and monogrammed pillows :)

Friday evening we enjoyed amazing salads at Cafe Carolina...I had to bring her there considering that's where I spend...well...a lot of my time :) (studying, playing with friends, eating, reading all YOUR blogs!)

Look at the goodness:


{Image from Cafe Carolina & Bakery}

I made sure to eat ALL the strawberries :)
Just wanted to make sure you all knew about this beautiful place in the Carolinas. There are a few scattered throughout NC but my favorite, by far, is here in Raleigh at Cameron Village.

One more thing...

Just a note to say that I love my roommates. I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life every day...and I love their fashion sense. classic. full of sass. and sexy in a simple way.



We love watching John and Kate Plus 8, Say Yes to the Dress and Grey's together. And now that it's getting colder in NC, we are ready to enjoy our favorite movies with a cozy fire in our living room :) Not to mention they've helped me learn a few things in the kitchen...

Our fourth roommate is on the Meredith College soccer team (Go Angels!) so we are ready for her to season to end so we can all hang out more...

I'm going to miss them next year! eek!


EDIT: So I guess I should have re-read this post before putting it out there for you all to see...Our fourth roommate goes to Meredith...and the rest of us go to NC State. Go Pack! Sorry if that confused you all!

yummy.

So my bestest visits this Thursday and Friday from VT and surprises us with Carol Lee doughnuts from Blacksburg, VA.

Attention: these are the BEST doughnuts I've ever had...a taste of heaven. seriously.
The quaint little shop is nestled near downtown Blacksburg and everyone should experience this goodness at least once in their lifetime :)
Carol Lee Doughnut Shop. go!

Father of the Bride

So I was intrigued after seeing this post by Tickled Pink and Green and found this:

It's freaking hilarious and super sweet. Be sure to watch until the end :)

Being Honest

So I'll be the first one to admit that I don't like the cold weather...BUT I love the colors of fall. There is something about the richness and diversity of the colors that makes me smile. It is a beautiful reminder of how precious God's creation is. Honestly, I'd rather be taking pictures of the beach...but it's fun to enjoy these lovely colors here in Raleigh :)

enjoy!

{view from my front yard}


{view from the backyard}

Key Lime Pie

Two things...

Key lime pie makes me smile.

and so does this Pembridge-dot Camille dress from J. Crew. Color...Key Lime :)

Winter, spring, and summer dress?? Paired with appropriate accessories of course...

And these ivory shoes would be perfect. Added to the wish list.

Thank you, J. Crew.

I'm obsessed

I love everything classic about a monogram. I read this post on With This Ring and I immediately grew to adore these monogrammed labels...


What do you all think?

I'm heading off to order them here on etsy A.S.A.P. which could be a while considering the idea that Daddy suggest I learn how to live on a budget. boo. I'm trying to be more of a grown up?

non-political...

I'm not going to say anything tonight about the election.

BUT onto something fun:

Seven Strange Things About Me:

1) I love Circus Peanuts. I know...it's weird.

2) When I brush my teeth, I can't keep my eyes open...I have to close them to concentrate on my pearly whites :)

3) I like to keep my closet color-coded.

4) Rarely do I leave my room without all the seersucker pillows arranged nicely on my bed.

5) I always have a coozie in my handbag.

6) I have one those nice garden tubs in my house...and I've used it twice in the last two years.

7) When I run outside, I never run with my iPod. I like listening to the birds :)

Saying Thank You

Introducing y'all to the little boys that I babysit. Sweet children. Here Little Guy is playing with my tennis shoes. Funny how he could barely walk in them because they were so big. He was shuffling around like an old man :)


And there's Big Boy with part of his Halloween costume. He was a police officer, hence the handcuffs.


And to end this post, I'll let you all know why I love this family. Little Guy (21 months) said thank you to me after I changed his poopy diaper. He is so grateful...

Heart Attack on a Stick?

My first collegiate North Carolina State Fair experience could not have been better (maybe a bit warmer...but I didn't whine!) ...

I love people watching and boy, was that a perfect place to do it. Along with people watching, I heard so many interesting things while standing in line for the fab fried food, rickety rides, and silly games of which I think I could never win a stuffed animal. One thing that I overheard when we were in line for fried pecan pie (my favorite of the evening) was "Dern, that pie looks like a heart attack on a stick"...

Oh, how I love living in the South...we fry everything. Take a gander at what we ate at the Fair:

fried Oreos.
fried Reese's.
fried macaroni and cheese.
fried pecan pie.
fried green tomatoes.

And ended the lovely night with fireworks :)


Can you tell from this picture that we're stuffed??

And Turning 23 years old...

Happy Birthday Big Sister!

To all the laughter, gab sessions, giggly nights, and memories we've shared, I love you so much! You have always been a great role model for me through the Pi Phi years. Thank you for who you are in Christ and I'm praying for you always.

(image from marthastewart.com )

And here's a birthday cake that just SCREAMS your name!



Looks so precious I'm not sure I could even eat it... :)

The Friendliest Flower

One of my favorite movies is "You've Got Mail"...
and for several reasons...

I love the quirkiness of Meg Ryan's character, Kathleen Kelly, she is fresh, classic, and fun in simple kind of way -- and then cleverness of Mr. Joe Fox, you know, F-O-X. I just love Tom Hanks.

I love hearing people type in movies or on tv. Can't explain it...Anyone else weird like that?

I love how this movie reminds me of a friendship in my own life, especially the quote by good 'ol Kathleen (Megs) : "The odd thing about this form of communication is that you're more likely to talk about nothing than something. But I just want to say that all this nothing has meant more to me than so many somethings.".... hm :)

And then you have Dave Chappelle playing the brutally honest best friend of Joe...strange to see him in that kind of role, yes?

Of course, the presence of children's books and The Shop Around the Corner just makes me smile.

Wouldn't it be grand to live in Riverside, skipping to the markets and strolling in the park? And then, after a few months, migrate back to the South of course. Yet there's something so sweet, romantic, and fun about this movie and always stirs some goodness in my heart. I like how Meg and Tom "bump" into each other throughout the movie and how their friendship becomes this love-hate relationship...I can picture the wall around her heart simply melt away...

One of my favorite parts is at the end when Kathleen is all stuffy and sick, wearing that goofy trench coat and Joe brings her flowers, daisies... she states that it's the friendliest flower. Take a look at some of my own photography of one of my favorite flowers (other fav is most definitely the hydrangea...)
Can you see the little bee? I thought he was cute. Or she I guess...? :)
Happy Friday!