Spring is Here

Peach blossoms and sweet Carolina skies tonight. 

Guess it's time to come out of hibernation. 🌸

We've been pretty busy around here this past winter. 

A few house projects, but mainly we've both been working on our classes.

Pretty much it's been study, study, study!

Luckily, Paul's nearly finished with his last semester 

and I have a couple more classes left. 

Even though we've had our noses stuck in our books, 

we do have some projects to update you on.  

Our kitchen counters/backsplash was finished this December. 

We finally finished up our dining room, but are looking for the right chandelier.

We've also been working on some changes to our master bedroom. 

This weekend I'll be working on redoing a barrel cane chair I rescued. :)

Even though we've been a bit quiet these past few months, 

we are doing well, keeping busy, and planning some great projects and adventures.

BIG NEWS: Summer 2016 will officially be spent in Europe! 

Home base will be Copenhagen, Denmark.

We are beyond excited for this opportunity and have SO much to plan. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I hope everyone has a stomach full of comfort food and autumn pies, 

and a heart full of gratitude for as many blessings as you can count. ♥

Tomorrow it's out with the Autumn decor and in with the Christmas tree! :)  

Good luck to any of you brave souls that are getting up early 

to take advantage of the Black Friday deals!

Wander {Wednesday} | Queenstown, NZ

Queenstown was supposed to be a drive by on our way to Wanaka.  As we drove higher into the mountains and then into the city, the temperatures kept steadily dropping.  I'm not sure we were originally even planning on getting out of the car, but on our drive the views just kept getting more breathtaking. The clouds were slowly clearing and when we finally reached the city of Queenstown, there were only traces of clouds in the brilliant blue sky.  The city felt entirely cozy during this golden hour, with the dark expansive lake, rimmed with pine trees, and nestled between the sun-kissed mountains. We enjoyed every ray until the sun finally set, then we gorged on Indian food.  Perfect way to end the evening.

Wander {Wednesday} | Rhode Island 2015

I didn't take very many photos during our trip to Rhode Island this year. 

 Instead I was just trying to soak it all and bask in the beauty and peace. 

I managed to snap a handful of good shots, which you can see below. 

{click to view more photos}

Most of these photos are from our sunset sail on the Madeleine.  

The lovely evening out on the water was enhanced by wonderful staff 

and their liberal pours of champagne.  

Literally and figuratively, my glass was never empty. ;)

The World Is A Garden

Click to view album of Magnolia Plantation

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Wander {Wednesday} Charleston

My first ever trip to Charleston, SC did not disappoint.  It was beyond charming!  I am a complete sucker for cobblestone, brick, and sweet little private gardens.  

I loved the "worn-in" character of the streets and buildings; it felt so warm and cozy.  

{The warm feeling might truly have been a by-product of the extreme humidity, but let's go with the cozy character...it sounds better than SWEAT!}

We started out at the gardens of Magnolia Plantation and then headed into the historic sections of Charleston to check out the shops, parks, churches, and food.
{Check out the plantation garden photos.}

We killed some time, trying to stay dry, in the Market pavilions on Market Street.  

A massive thunderstorm struck us so suddenly, that there was above ankle deep rushing water stranding us in one of the pavilions.  It was actually quite the sight to see, but it looked pretty dirty and I really didn't want to walk through it.   

Paul saved the day by being the gentleman, 

taking off his shoes, and piggy-backing me to the dry sidewalk. :) 

Once to safety, we had some lunch at CRU Cafe.  If you are ever in Charleston, check it out!

The place is small and in an old house down by where all the horse drawn tours take off from. 

The food is described as "gourmet comfort food," and I would agree. 

{Seriously... it is a must.  Get the truffle fries! And, get the bread pudding for dessert... so good.}

After that we did more strolling, shopping, picture taking, and eating. 

It was perfection. 

I've linked the picture below to some of the charming sites we saw.

Magnolia Plantation, Charleston

Stop #1 on the Charleston, SC, birthday tour: complete!  

Magnolia Plantation was gorgeous. The bridges were a favorite sight of mine. Especially the surprise bridges tucked back in the bamboo garden. 

It's been a hot day here, but all the shade and soft breeze helped a bit. 

Next stop: Market Street and lunch!! :)

Wander {Wednesday} Venice

This week I've had Italy on my mind.  Here are a handful of photos taken during our Honeymoon.  

Venice was one of the most magical and romantic destinations on our trip. ❤ 

Since getting my new computer, I've been FINALLY starting to organize the vast amount of lovely photos we've taken over the past couple years.  My goal is to start sharing more of them on here and in the photo account I opened months ago.

Little by little, I am getting there.

Finding these photos from Venice brought back such happy memories, Venice was one of our last stops during our European Honeymoon.  We spent New Year's Eve there and for late December/early January, it was surprisingly warm and so sunny! The colors of the sky, the fireworks, the buildings... everything was picture worthy.

Carolina BalloonFest 2014

After 3 years of missing this Festival,

 that takes place every year in Statesville, NC

around the middle of October, 

we finally made it!

BUT it was not such an easy feat this year!

It took us 3 hours in traffic, and about a mile walk in just to get there.

At least it was a gorgeous Autumn day to be out.  

Not a single cloud to be found...

Then we received the unfortunate news that the balloons would not be flying due to "wind".

Since we were starving and needed to stretch our legs,

we decided to stick around anyway.

And fortunately, the balloons did inflate and start to glow around dusk. :)

We got lucky.

MAYBE next year we'll see them fly.

Although, in all honesty, I'm not sure the traffic, food, or variability of the weather is worth it.

I think with some more planning and experience 

we will do what we saw many other brilliant people doing...

Packing a cooler, some chairs, and finding a good vantage point 

(away from the festival)

to watch the balloons fly.