Yarn and Paper

Welcome 2015!

It's been a while! I may recap 2014, but for the moment, let's get into 2015!

An acquaintance asked our favorite firefighter to assist in a marriage proposal to his girlfriend. A exciting and sweet moment for the happy couple.

We took a day and made a trip to Charlottesville. We hit SpudNuts, Bodo's, and the highlight- my first trip to the White Spot. Gus burgers all around.

Our St. Valentine's day date was a trip to St. John's Church which is renowned for Patrick Henry's famous speech ending with "Give me liberty or give me death." We had an passionate guide - he doesn't look like it here, but he really was.

The church is small and charming.

Until next time!

Feeling thankful

For me, there was nothing like a major medical scare to make one feel grateful.

Thoughts of LTD and rushed vacations to fit in a lifetime of travel dreams in some compressed period. Now, the time horizon is extended back to its original plan, but with a greater appreciation of each trip and the days in between.

Suddenly an internet outage is, eh, it will be back on soon. A broken ice maker? There's lots of ice at the fire station.

I'm incredibly grateful for every day. And this guy.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband of seventeen years - the best husband in the world for me.

He's a fun compadre for travel and food adventures - often one in the same.

Unfortunately, I dashed our chances for dinner and dancing on our anniversary.

I did get wonderful anniversary gifts - ice cream, flowers, and a big bag of gauze, tape, and trauma shears.

Friends!

Friends are wonderful people in our lives. Some come and go as we move neighborhoods, change jobs, or move along to different activities and stages in life. Then there are the super special friends that you manage to keep in your life for years. Lots of years. Super special indeed.

Celebrating exciting life events with these dear friends is extra special. In anticipation of Heidi's upcoming wedding, we had a girl's day together.

Start - brunch!

Next - pedicures! Heidi is LOVING the massage chair.

Feel free to vote for the most beautiful feet (subliminal advertising - VOTE BLUE!)

A spectacular time at the Chocolate Lover's Tea at The Jefferson Hotel. A lovely treat for a group of chocolate and tea lovers. (Yes, there was a wardrobe change after a fun shopping trip.)

Dinner at Rockett's Landing. A beautiful summer evening on the James River.

I am so grateful for my wonderful, gorgeous-in-so-many-ways friends. I am delighted to visit and celebrate with them. And blessed for a perfect weather day to do it. Congratulations Heidi!!

A little time in Llano

In Texas, you've got a long way to go. They want you to get there fast.

70 mph fast. Yes, on a two lane non-divided highway. They don't mess around. Because you're hungry to get to this:

Yes, that's a whole smoker of meat. Perfectly smoked meat. You just walk up and tell 'em what you want.

Because you're here. One of the most famous bar-b-que places in Texas. In the middle of nowhere, of course, but worth the trip.

We were either too late or too early for the special. But we were happy with the offerings of the day.

Brisket, sausage, and the biggest pork chop ever. They have help-yourself beans on the counter.

A little scale for the pork chop. It was perfect - juicy, smoky, tender. Weak-in-the-knees good.

Typical Texas bar-b-que joint - rolls of paper towels on the table, loaves of white bread, and butcher paper for a plate.

I did get a bit overstimulated and could not finish the bite in my mouth before going back for more. Be sure to make a stop if you're traveling within a hundred miles of Llano. It's worth it.