Waterfest 2012

Happy Monday!

This weekend marks the end of Waterfest 2012.  I was lucky enough to be able to go to both weekends of Waterfest in Beaufort, SC this year.  Waterfest is a wonderful time filled with sun, boats, drinks and dancing! Waterfest marks the peak of summer--which means that the end of summer is approaching (but I plan on keeping in the summer spirit as long as possible!).  It was another gorgeous weekend filled with good times with great friends.

First weekend with the Clemson Crew

Wha what?!

Another nice Saturday!

Me and Drew at the Concert

Waterfest 2012

Before going to the concert on Friday evening, Drew and I stopped by his parents' sailboat to have a drink.  I have never seen their boat and was very excited to finally get a chance to go on it.  Last year his parents have took their boat to the Bahamas and enjoyed a few months of sailing around the Caribbean!  I think it sounds like the perfect vacation or way of life--just have to work for a few more decades before I can do it--but its something to aspire to right?!  It was wonderful to get to see them, even if it was brief!

Drew's Parents Boat

(one on the left side of the dock)

Crazy Weather!

The weekend was definitely fun, but exhausting as well.  Weekends like Waterfest are always worth it, but do take a toll. So I am looking forward to some down time the next few weekends and my body definitely welcomes some rest!

Scout was tuckered!

After our weekend adventure, Drew and I went to the new house to unload more boxes and unpack most of our belongings---so close to move in!! After our unpacking I was starving and decided to whip up a big pasta dinner before the Bachelorette.  Drew and I rarely eat pasta, but after trying to eat everything in the pantry before our big move we dove into some awesome angel hair with mussels--making me crave more pasta last night.  It was the perfect meal to watch Emily pick Jef :)!!

Thursday Pasta...

Sunday Pasta :)

Hope everyone had an eventful weekend and has a wonderful start to the work week!

Moving and a Running Puppy

Hi!  I have been on a hiatus from blogging because I have been slammed with moving from apartment to Drew's house to my new house!  It truly has been a chaotic few weeks and will continue to be until we are finally settled :)

Drew and I got the chance to fly up to Maryland to visit with my family and then be able to bring a ton of furniture back to Charleston from my parents.  I seriously can't thank my parents enough for being so generous--we got two couches, chairs with ottomans, numerous tables and side tables, pictures, and even a grill :).  It was wonderful to be able to spend sometime with my family even though it was only for a day! Drew and I then took the 500 plus mile trek back down south to move our newly acquired furniture into our new home.

Moving Break to go to a Nationals Game :)

Since we had a wonderful, big, yellow truck we used it to move me out of my apartment and move Drew's bigger furniture.  It was great to be able to move so much stuff--but it does mean that I have been camping out at Drew's while we wait to be able to finally make the big move! And believe me I cannot wait to finally have all my stuff in one place again (you never realize how nice that is).  It was a stressful few days, but I am happy that all my stuff is mostly at the new place (still in boxes--but still there)!

Some of my stuff...ek!

Drew and our moving truck

The month of July has really flown by, I know that for most people summer flies by and goodness it most certainly has this year!  I have made some amazing memories this past month and am forever happy that I have such great friends (and have even been able to catch up with old friends too).

Last weekend, a bunch of my college friends and I went to Waterfest in Beaufort.  Waterfest is such a fun time and I have been fortunate enough to be able to go for the past 4 years (thank you Brandon)!  It is a great time where people anchor out at the sandbar and hang out until the evening where there are concerts going on in the park.  It truly brings out the best in the low country and is by far one of my favorite times of the year!

As for the end of the recap--I don't like having to recap since I have been absent so long, but figure it is better to than not--it has been an amazing July and I can't wait to enjoy every last bit of the next few weeks of summer!

This past week (meaning starting Monday) I decided to finally get my booty in gear and start getting back into a routine of working out.  I have been interning at a law office in the mornings, which has really put a stop to my working out on the reg.  A lot of the classes I enjoy are only offered at times in the mornings, which means that I miss them and since it is the dead of summer it is really hard to run in the afternoons (excuses, excuses I know).  Since I had this week off of work I decided to use it to my benefit and get back into action.  I love group classes, especially body attack and body pump, the classes definitely make you push harder than if you were on your own.  While doing group classes, I still try to get my run on and have been trying to be more consistent in running (seriously don't understand how it is so difficult this time to get back into training mode).

Scout has become my running buddy! I have been getting her to run with me in the mornings during part of our morning walk (usually around a half mile).  After I told Drew about it he got excited and decided to take her for a run with him last night...I had to go to class so missed out on the family run :(. To my surprise she ran 2 miles with him!! I have always been too nervous to run with her because I have read reviews that say that you shouldn't take puppies for runs (even though they have so much energy), but I the vet did reassure me that it is alright to run with her (even good to) and that she will let me know when it is enough.  So with the good news I took the little one on a nice 2 mile run this morning and she was an awesome runner--having 4 legs is a perk!

Scout before run...

Scout after run!

After our run, I decided to whip up some chicken salad! Chicken salad has become a staple in my summer diet.  It is wonderful because it is so easy and cheap to make and makes a ton (saving a lot of money) as well as super delicious!  I did splurge on this batch of chicken salad--and got green grapes (though red makes it look prettier) and slivered almonds! I usually just omit the almonds if they aren't on sale and use raisins rather than grapes to save a few dollas, but hey you only live once--go crazy and get grapes!

Homemade chicken salad--very green!

Of course I had it on a bed of lettuce 

(love me some salad on salad)

Side of Apple and Cottage Cheese to finish off lunch!

Unfortunately, today is the same as how the rest of the week has been--off and on showers--so I will be a busy studying girl inside, rather than at the pool or beach (hard life right?!).  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday--just think tomorrow is Friday and the weekend :)

Scout is my little study partner!

Another Sunny Weekend in Charleston

I hope everyone had a wonderful and sunny weekend!  It was gorgeous in Charleston all last week and continued into the weekend...and now it's a rainy Monday (but as long as it's not a rainy weekend--I'm a happy girl).  This weekend was great and I definitely took advantage of the sunshine :)

The weekend started early--on Friday afternoon--with a walk downtown with Scout and Grant.  Grant has been the best uncle to Scout and quickly became one of her favorite playmates :).  We walked down the battery, where Scout attempted to jump off it numerous times, and wore Scout out in the heat (water was in hand).   It was a great and relaxing way to start the weekend.  Later that night, we all went to Red's to meet up with Tess and little Turks for a couple beers and snacks!  I do love a corona light with lime in the summer :)

Battery :)

Scout loving the water!

Grant and Scout

Scout and Turks partying at Red's

Saturday was a busy day filled with bridesmaid's fitting, lunch at kickin chicken, long day on Folly Beach, group dinner at mexican restaurant, playing apples to apples into the wee-hours and finished off with Drew coming home :)!!! I would have to say that Saturday was absolutely fabulous and definitely took advantage of the 24 hours in the day (okay or 18 hours)!

Starting my day with breakfast of champions:

Egg white omelet with edamame, sausage and goat cheese :)

Ashton at Mexi with a Marga-rona

Grant aka Dr. Dolittle

Scout anxiously waiting her Dad's arrival

It is great that Drew is finally back into town :).  We decided after a Costco run to have a fun day on the boat and boat up to Morris Island.  Scout absolutely loves the water and was a quick learner and swam the day away (or at least got to swim a little bit--but major improvement from a few weeks ago)! So proud that we got a water dog :)

The boys trying to get Scout in

Scout and her Pops

He's finally home :)

She is one tuckered girl at the end of her Sunday :)

We were all tuckered by the end of the day, but saved enough energy to whip up a delicious meal.  I have to admit when Drew was gone my dinners consisted of a lot of popcorn and sweets--I'm guessing that I sought comfort in his absence by devouring carb-y, sweet deliciousness ha...just kidding! But our dinner Sunday night definitely was taster and healthier than the past week's dinners. It was cajan night with red beans and rice and sauteed shrimp with vidalia onion and red pepper aka um um good :)

Sunday Night Supper :)

Have a wonderful Monday :)

Week Alone with the Puppy!

Eventful week--I can't believe that it is already the end of June (or about to be) and that it is officially the start of summer!!! May was the slowest month for me, but June just flew right by me (crazy how that happens)!

Drew has been out of town this week--on a fishing trip to the Keys with a bunch of his guy friends--which left me alone with Miss Scout.  At first, I was very nervous because I know that she is a handful and since she is a puppy, she needs a lot of attention and I was scared I wouldn't be able to give her all the attention that she needed as well as keeping my sanity.  It was quite the adjustment in the beginning of the week (waking up at 6 am and taking a puppy out, feeding her, taking her back out, walking her--cleaning up her accidents inside the apartment, cleaning up her throw up and entertaining her all before 7 am=quite a change in my normal routine of waking up at 7:30!).  But I am happy to say that I have adjusted and little Scout and I are in a nice little routine :)

Scout at 6 am--at least it is light out :)

Crazy little lady loves her leash (needs some training ha)

Wishbone legs on a walk :)

Crazy Early Riser Pup

 (nice little shave from the spaying)

She is such a treat to be around and though I do feel bad whenever I leave her--I know that some time apart is good for her!  I have a very eventful weekend ahead, so getting some added help from the boys (they are going to take her to the farmers market--very willingly, think they will pick up girls ha!), will be amazing! As much as I love having some girl time with her--I am more than excited for Drew to return so that I have a partner in crime with the little one.

Girl's night watching the Bachelorette

This week in Charleston has been filed with clear skies and lots of sunshine.  Yesterday, Grant, Laura and I went to Sullivan's Island for a late afternoon beach trip.  It was really hot outside but the breeze off the water felt amazing.  I enjoy going later in the afternoon because you can get more things done during the day and also don't get as sunburnt (I say win, win)!  

After our short beach trip, we all headed back to get ready for happy hour downtown to celebrate Laura's new job!!  I was originally planning on going to happy hour with my girlfriends, which we have made a weekly tradition, but with Laura's exciting news we had a switch in normal girls night!  A group of us went to Pearlz for happy hour (seriously amazing specials), I got there after happy hour, but they were nice enough to order for me before 7!  After finishing up at Pearlz, the gang headed to Rooftop where I got to meet up with the girls.  Rooftop was especially gorgeous last night and was a real pleasant time catching up with everyone.  We all chatted about the upcoming weekend--and how exciting Saturday morning will be (Bridesmaids dress fitting for Megan and Brandon's wedding)! 

Old Man saying inappropriate things to us 

before taking our picture!

The Group on Rooftop--I love my friends!

Charleston Skyline (steeples and all)

It was an amazing Thursday evening and the perfect leeway into Friday and the weekend! I am so ready for the weekend to be here--and for that boy of mine to finally be home! 

Happy Friday! 

Love, Scout 

Great Father's Day Weekend

This was quite the eventful, gorgeous, fun father's day weekend :)

On Thursday night, Drew took me out to an amazing dinner at Fat Hen on Johns Island.  Fat Hen is a restaurant that I have wanted to try for a long time (and is in Drew's Passport Book I made for Valentine's Day).  Fat Hen is apparently a French restaurant, but I found myself looking more at the southern homecookin myself.  We ordered a couple appetizers including friend green tomatoes and homemade sausage and opted for swordfish for dinner :)  with the best part of all: Peach Bread Pudding for dessert--soo yummy!  I wish I would have taken a picture--but we now have a new rule when dining out: NO cell phones (which means no iPhone camera :/)--however, the new rule allows us to de-stress and really get alone time without distractions!

After our dinner, we rode over to Jake and Tess's house, which is going to be the same house that Drew and I move into in August, to see their new addition.  They just got a brand new German Short-haired Pointer puppy, Turks, who is just as cute as can be.  Pointers are very intelligent dogs--so Scout will have to do her homework in order to keep up with Turks (I'm assuming--not saying that Scout isn't brilliant, but maybe she is more 'on grade level' ha!)

Happy little Family :)

Friday was another big day in Scout's life.  She has been doing really well since her surgery, but she acquired worms somewhere along the way last week (think from all the dirt she eats).  I have to say--worms are disgusting!! I never bit my nails when I was younger because my dad had scared me and said that if I bit my nails--I would get worms!! Needless to say, I have literally been petrified of getting worms (myself) and was very uneasy when I witnessed them with Scout.  It is disgusting.  I quickly called Drew, then frantically called the vet, and then very quickly went to Petco to get Scout medicine ASAP.  Happy to report: no more worms!

Wormed Scout :/

After the worm fiasco, Drew and I went to Panera for a goodbye lunch (he was going to the Keys to fish with his guy friends) and stopped by a pet boutique in downtown Charleston to pick up a new collar for Scout.  I had been slaving away in the kitchen all morning--probably because of finding out the disturbing news of worms.  And made some banana coconut muffins (mini and regular) and oatmeal scotches (my dad's favorite)--I gave the muffins and some cookies to Drew and the boys and saved the rest for my Dad for a little Father's Day treat :)

Oatmeal Scotches (recipe on the back of the butterscotch's)

Coconut Banana Bread Muffins 

Trying to get a good picture of all the baking!

My little baking/clean up helper!

Seriously the best salad ever made--at Panera!

After the eventful Friday, it was wonderful to have a couple glasses of wine with Ashton and Laura.  We had been planning for the past week to get together and have a fun girls night out.  We all had pretty eventful, crazy weeks so it was a very nice thing to look forward to at the end of the week :). We had a couple of glasses of wine and some light apps at my apartment before heading down to Fuel to grab some dinner and then headed to Midtown for a night of dancing and just plain having fun.  It was great to be able to cut loose with the girls and I had a wonderful night!

Laura and the yummy snacks

Ashton (always prepared with wine)

Saturday was much needed-Laura and I woke up with plans to go to the Farmer's Market (but since Scout was supposed to take it easy--though she hasn't been), I decided it was best to just try and take her on a long walk to tire her out before we headed to the beach (only for a couple hours-didn't want to leave her too long--yes, I have separation issues).  The beach was crowded and for good reason: a great sunny, warm day on Folly Beach.  It always surprises me how many people go to the beach every weekend (literally packed with people)--but then again it shouldn't because it is summer and is nice out!
 

No Farmer's Market for little Scout...

So She goes into hiding...

Whered she go?! 

My little girl :)

My dad came in on Saturday night and took me to rooftop for a glass of wine before going to 82 Queen for dinner.  I have wanted to try 82 Queen for sometime now, but since Drew and I have heard many mixed reviews we have never gone.  So, I thought it would be a great place that my dad and I could test out--and the verdict: the reviews were all correct.  It was nice and good food with great ambiance--but it isn't the best in Charleston in my opinion (aka, doesn't make the top 5 list in my book) but it was still pretty good and I really enjoyed the company!  And don't get me wrong would love to go back--I am just saying I'm not dying to go back!

On Sunday morning (Father's Day), Dad and I planned to go out on a nice long run.  It was a warm morning and the sun was shining: a great day to run! We did 6 miles between a 8 and 8:30 mile for each mile, it was definitely killer.  The run really showed me how out of shape I have gotten.  I used to be able to run that in a breeze, but boy oh boy did I have to try and knock those measly 6 miles out!  I always love to run with my dad and it was great to be able to share a fast (for now) run with him on Father's day.  After our run, we grabbed a quick brunch at Blossom before he headed back to Pinehurst to meet up with Mimi.  It was a really nice time (even though quick) and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful father that drives 4 extra hours to come see me!!

Best Bloody Mary at Blossom (huge shrimp-yes, please)

Happy Father's Day Daddy :)

Shrimp, Sausage, Crawfish Gumbo with Grits :)

Dad's Omelet and Fruit

After Dad left, I took Scout over to see Turks and the pair finally met! Scout was so confused by little Turks.  Turks was hyper and wanting to play and Scout was confused and looked at me like what is going on?! ha! Guessing that I have an "Old Soul" of a puppy :) or probably she was just in massive need of a pup nap!

First Meeting--Little do they know they are about to be best friends :)

Scout passed out the whole way home!

Off to another Manic Monday :)

Someone doesn't want to walk today...