Weekend Recap Archives - Page 2 of 2

Categories: Adventures, Day Trips, Random Things, Vacations, Weekend Recap

A Weekend Recap- Odom Farming Company

Nothing makes me as cheerful as sunshine and the weekend. Although the weather was a bit warm for my taste, the first official weekend of fall didn’t disappoint.

On Friday night, Eric and I attended downtown Goldsboro’s annual dinner and awards ceremony. Even though I was exhausted after teaching all week, it was so fun to actually dress up to go out. Usually, when I get home from school on Friday afternoon, I immediately turn into pajama girl. I’ve decided that I should probably make more effort to enjoy my Friday nights. Eric would probably appreciate less pajama girl.

After the usual Saturday chores (yardwork, yardwork, yardwork…), I attended a meet and greet for Carolina Blogging at Odom Farming Company. It’s always fun to connect with others that share the same passion for a hobby. Well, in my case, blogging is a hobby. My definition of a hobby is something in which you spend LOTS of time and money just for fun. Note that awesome Stella & Dot clutch below. (I can get you one!)

Once all of us bloggers had gathered, we began with a scavenger hunt that led us on an adventure throughout the farm. A couple of items on the checklist included taking a selfie with the goat and a selfie at the pumpkin chuncker. As part of the scavenger hunt, we took a hayride to the pumpkin patch where there were pumpkins available for purchase. I particularly loved the white pumpkins! After the scavenger hunt, we treated ourselves to s’mores over the campfire.

Here are a few other things about the farm…

The farm has a large play area and several different activities for kids. They are very accommodating to the handicapped. There is a shaded picnic area and a place for a campfire. There is a goat on the farm as well as a 10 acre corn maze that will soon be ready. During the last few weekends of October, there will also be a haunted corn maze. Sign me up for that!

Odom Farming Company is definitely a great place to spend a few hours this fall. Pack a picnic, let the kids play, and take home a few pumpkins. And big thanks to Carolina Blogging, Melissa, and Sarah, for planning the fun event! For more information, visit odomfarmingcompany.com.

After coffee by the pool, Sunday morning was spent at church with my parents. When I attend church on Sunday morning, I always feel more centered for the entire week afterwards. Who doesn’t need that?

On Sunday afternoon, I decorated my house for fall and made a giant pot of chili. And, yes, I know it was hot outside. I turned the AC down, and imagined cooler weather. I spent hours dragging dusty containers down from the attic. It’s always so fun to find the forgotten treasures! As fun as that was, I’m sure I will be more than happy to tear it all down after fall. But for now, I’ll enjoy my house in all of its tacky fall splendor. All I’m lacking are the pumpkins for my front porch.

Why is it that weekends always pass so quickly?

There are so many times that I turn down fun activities because I’m too tired or there are too many chores. This weekend, the clothes didn’t get washed, and the bathrooms didn’t get cleaned. But I did get some things done and I definitely had fun. Note to self….have fun and make memories. Life is all about balance.

Categories: Healthy Living, Random Things, Weekend Recap

A Weekend Recap – I Ate Mold

Why are some days better than others? Sometimes, the world just feels like it is in the correct alignment and that the gods are smiling down on us. This was one of those weekends for me. It was long overdue! Here are a few of my weekend highlights…

Friday, I took down my mall show. My kids have done an outstanding job in art this year and I was so happy to display their work!

I happened to walk through Belks as they were putting out their Crown and Ivy shorts. I quickly snagged a pair as they sell out quickly. Yay!

Once I finally arrived home, I was so tired. The only thing I had (that didn’t require cooking) was wine and Zestas. You know…the white cardboard crackers. Healthy eating didn’t so much happen on Friday. But, the Zestas had never tasted so good!

Saturday morning, I found a few things in my fridge to make an awesome greek-ish omelet. Yummy! However, I discovered that sun-dried tomatoes are NOT a friend to my temporary bridge. I discovered, also, that three-day-old hair is NOT my friend. Yuck.

Taking advantage of the gorgeous day, I threw on a tank top and worked in the yard. While I pulled up a zillion wild onions (will these things never cease?), Chad vacuumed the pool. Still, he’s been the best money spent so far this year. He did such an amazing job! He even sucked up a dead lizard. All was awesome until I had to dislodge the dead critter from the filter. Sometimes, being a single girl is not glamorous.

I ended the day by visiting my sister and brother-in-law. Yes, I actually caught them at home! We shared a drink before heading to my parents’ house for Dad’s birthday dinner. This cheap Winking Owl from Aldi’s is fantastic! It’s $3 a bottle, maybe? Even if I didn’t know it was cheap (because that’s always a winner with me), I’d still love it.

We feasted on Mom’s famous grilled chicken for dinner. Nothing can ever beat mom’s cooking.

I totally overslept on Sunday and didn’t make it to church as I had planned. I blame it on the Benadryl I took at 3am for my allergies. Since I slept the morning away in a slumbering bliss, I woke starving and made homemade 90-calorie blueberry muffins…that were actually tasty. Then, I dragged down of my pink decor from the attic. The cats and I had to have a little spring happening around here! While I was doing that, I remembered a Rubbermaid in my parent’s attic that contained Easter goodies from years past. After retrieving it, I had the best time unwrapping all of the long-forgotten treasures.

The day ended with wine on the porch and yummy shrimp fajitas- low-carb style. Remind me to write a post about the homemade fajita seasoning soon! I did realize, a little too late, that I ate moldy cheese on my fajitas. That’s what happens when you are a single girl and you just can’t eat all the food before it goes bad. Eating mold is a new level of thriftiness for me. I cringe when I look at the spots of mold in the picture.

Sometimes, you realize how grateful you are for the good things in life. Maybe it was the glorious weather this weekend. Maybe it was the family time. Maybe, you just have to make your own happiness and see past the mold in an otherwise fantastic dish. Whatever, I truly believe that 2017 is going to be my year. Finally, I’m becoming my own person in my party-of-one world.

Categories: Adventures, Healthy Living, Vacations, Weekend Recap

A Trip and an Attitude Adjustment

Have you ever been overwhelmed by worries and negative thoughts? Mad at the world? Sometimes you just need an attitude adjustment…

October was a stressful month for so many. The devastation from Hurricane Matthew that some had to endure was unfathomable. Although I was fortunate to have had very little damage from the hurricane, this October brought personal storms of it’s own. Last October was especially difficult for me as it marked the beginning of the end of my marriage. Despite my efforts to be positive about the anniversary of that date, I’d let the negative feelings overwhelm me. I was so over October and I desperately needed a change in attitude.

When Eric asked me to accompany him to a conference, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I needed to get away from the stress. We needed time together, away from our daily obligations, to reconnect.

The further we got from home, the more relaxed I began to feel. Although I’ve stayed at the Onmi Grove Park Inn before, the first view of the hotel was as breathtaking as ever. The sky was the most beautiful shade of blue and the temperature was unseasonable warm. There’s nothing like the fresh mountain air!

We checked into our room and immediately headed for the spa. As the masseuse worked on my tense muscles in the quiet of the room, I was suddenly overcome by such a feeling of gratefulness for everything in my life. For the first time in a very long time, I felt nothing but contentment.

The spa was the perfect start to our weekend. I spent the rest of our vacation truly enjoying every experience without the distraction of my worries and fears. That, in turn, helped us reconnect and enjoy that time that we spent as a couple. When Eric wasn’t in seminars, we went for walks and sipped champagne while enjoying the glorious view of the fall-colored mountains.

Every morning, I drank my coffee in the quiet of the morning while watching the golfers from our room. I finally had time to catch up on my reading. I rarely ever make the time to read at home.

I made new friends and visited with those I’d met at the summer conference. At night, we explored Downtown Asheville and drank wine by the amazing fireplaces at the hotel.

I’m so grateful for the weekend get-a-way and for the time that we were able to spend together. However, I realized that I didn’t have to drive for hours to do the things I really enjoyed. I simply have to make time for those important things. So, the next time I feel stressed or overwhelmed, I’ll give myself a time-out to count my blessings and to enjoy life. We all need an attitude adjustment once in a while.