Five on Friday (6)

I'm back linking up with Five on Friday to share a few recent happenings!

1. This weekend the boy and I are planning our first real date night since becoming parents. Or really date afternoon, since I'm not quite ready to leave Elley overnight yet. But my in-laws are planning on watching her tomorrow afternoon while we go see The Avengers, the first movie we'll see together since November or so. Definitely a change from a year ago when we went to the movies together almost every weekend.
2. Speaking of Elley, we decided to start her on real food this past week. She seemed kind of indifferent to the whole thing. I really think her favorite part was chewing on the spoon, but overall it seemed successful. We did start her a little early, especially since the boy so was excited to start making food for her. For her first meal, we went with green beans, but this does open up quite the world of possibilities.
3. Elley has a number of outfits that my mom made for me when I was a baby like these purple overalls. Even more fun, my dad sent me a picture of me as a baby wearing the same thing. In the picture below I'm on the left, while the one on the right is my daughter, 30 years later.
4. We had some crazy bad weather earlier this week, with not only thunderstorms but some tornadoes. It was so bad that we all took shelter at work. Thankfully I'm not aware on anyone who was really injured. But we did have a tree fall on our front fence and a tree fell on the driveway at our daycare. Definitely a scary experience, but one that could have been a lot worse.
5. On a brighter note, the Re-Read Challenge at at So Obsessed With has been inspiring me to re-read more often lately. I've slowly been posting my reviews of the Little House books which I last read in college. But also, I recently reread Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. I'm not posting a full review of it since I posted one when I read it a little over a year ago. I do think I enjoyed it more this time. I think because the information wasn't as new I was able to absorb it a little more and pick up things I missed the first time through. I know I rated it a 4.5/5 before, but now I'd probably go with a 5/5.

Five on Friday (1)

For the first time in ever, I decided to join in the fun and link-up at The Good Life for Five on Friday!

1. After all the cold weather and ice, things are starting to get back to normal. But just for fun, here's one more photo from our yard from Wednesday afternoon.
3.I kept hearing over and over how much I would love Downton Abbey, and finally gave in to temptation. I borrowed the first season from a friend and while I'm only 4 episodes in, I am loving it just as much as I hoped.



3. With all the crazy cold weather we've been having I thought it was finally time to try the pin above. While my version my not have been as pretty, and the ice cream melted pretty quickly, it was still amazingly delicious.
4. For years I've been driving by Mitterndorf's on the way from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, and I finally had the chance to stop in and try it. I had their soft shell crab platter, and it was exactly what I was expecting (in a good way). It is a bit out of the way to stop by normally, but I'd be more than happy to stop there again on the way back from New Orleans.
5. I've spent years of refusing to upgrade my phone, but I finally did it and am now the owner of an iPhone 5C. Of course that means I lost my unlimited data plan, but so far that hasn't been an issue. I've been avoiding downloading apps so far, except for Twitter and Instagram which are basically required, but if you have any suggestions for apps I should look into please let me know!

Sneaux Day

I remember the first time I was ever in Louisiana, in August, driving across a bridge and seeing the sign "Bridges May Freeze in Cold Weather," thinking it was ridiculous. After all, as hot as it was in the summer, there's no way it could get that cold in the winter. Especially knowing it was never this hot in California, and we never had snow by the beach. Except in 2008, it did snow.

December 2008And again in 2009.

December 2009And yet again, in 2010.

February 2010Except despite what these picture may prove, snow isn't that common in Louisiana and until this stretch it hadn't snowed since the 1980s. And we haven't had any snow since 2010. Which is why everyone was so excited when snow was predicted last Friday, and all the schools were closed.

My car before leaving work FridayExcept it didn't actually snow. Instead there was frozen rain with freezing temperatures, and those bridges I mentioned, they did freeze. Unfortunately for me I still had work Friday morning. Knowing that all the schools were closed I had imagined that the roads would be empty. But I didn't factor in the bridges. From where my house is there's 3 ways to get into town, each involving bridges. Except Friday morning, two of those bridges were closed, which turned my normal 30 minute commute into one of 2 hours.

Ice in the backyard, Saturday MorningOne the way home I was under the impression that was still the only bridge open, as was everyone else. Which meant I waited 2 hours trying to cross it, until hearing on the radio that they were closing that bridge to salt in hopes of being able to reopen it. But turns out there was a second bridge, the one furthest out of the way for me, still open. That meant I had to turn around and go all the way back into town to get back to it. All in all, I got home after 4 hours of driving, which means my daily commute which is normally under an hour both ways, was 6 hours long!

The Interstate, Saturday MorningEven Saturday morning they still hadn't managed to reopened everything, but thankfully by Sunday things seem to be back to normal. So yes, while it might not be real snow depending on where you live, we did still get our fill in Louisiana. And yes, bridges definitely do freeze in Louisiana!

EDIT: I wrote this post originally on Sunday thinking this was our one snow storm for the year. I definitely wasn't expecting to be at home today because of snow. No way was I going out in it again after last Friday's craziness. The snow and ice is supposed to stay around till tomorrow afternoon, so we'll see if we leave this house tomorrow either. But for now, here's a look into our backyard today, around 4pm.

Tales of the 4th

Over the long 4th of July weekend, we spent time out in Destin, Florida.
We were hoping for a relaxing time at the beach, except it rained everyday we were there, which meant we spent most of the time in our condo.
Although I guess we did leave the condo, just didn't spent that much time on the beach. On Thursday, the actual 4th, we spent time shopping at the outlets. For lunch that day the boy and I stopped at Panera, so I could get my fix. (Panera still hasn't opened up in Baton Rouge, although I keep hearing rumors about one.)
I did branch out a little and try something new with the Thai Chicken Salad (good, but I think I like the Asian Chicken more), and a Mediterranean sandwich (ok, but I'd don't see myself ordering again). Of course had to have their French Onion Soup, and still consider it to be the best French Onion Soup out there.

Friday morning we spent wine tasting, although honestly not a bad way to spent a rainy morning.
Saturday, I finally made it out to the beach!
Except it was still cold and overcast out, and when it started drizzling, I stopped my "tanning session." (Which I'm not sure can be called tanning without any sun.) But I did stop at the pool on the way back, since after all, if you're already wet from the pool, do you even notice the rain?
At least I'm sure that's what my niece thought.
That night we went out for dinner at Hammerhead's where I had shrimp tacos.
The tacos were good, although the whole meal felt a little overly tourist-y. But speaking of tourist-y, the kids got to experience the benefit of being a tourist on vacation, and both had a turn on the giant trampolines.
I only wish these things were bigger back when I was little!
Sunday morning, on our last day in Florida, we finally woke up to sun. Great timing right? But at least we did get to spent some time at the pool before starting the long drive back.
And the boy and I even managed a photo together.
It may not have been the perfect beach trip, but even so still had a good escape from everyday life. (And still maybe even better than our last beach trip where we wound up with food poisoning!)

Have you ever been on a vacation where the weather just didn't cooperate? I do remember going camping once in the summer growing up where we experienced rain, hail, and snow in a single week!

Springtime Fun

Every year I've been blogging I've posted the first time I've laid out for the year. So is it really a surprise I'm doing it this year? Granted this wasn't actually the first weekend it was warm enough to lay out, but it was the first time I've been able to take advantage.
It really looks like it's time for a new bathing suit, since this is the 3rd year in a row I've worn this one. Armed with magazines (which are ridiculously old, since I never make time to read magazines anymore), a book, and some snacks I spent a few hours outside.
I even had some company throughout when this little turtle decided to join me.
Have you had the chance to lay out yet this year? Or are you the type not to lay out, even if given the chance?

Project 365 - Days 11 through 18

My goal is to take a photo every day throughout 2013. Once a week or so I'll be posting the most recent photos giving you a brief snapshot of my life.
January 11, 2013 - 11/365: Hibachi for Dinner
January 12, 2013 - 12/365: View from My Computer into the backyard
January 13, 2013 - 13/365: About the beat the boy for the first time playing Ticket to Ride
January 14, 2013 - 14/365: More rain on the drive home
January 15, 2013 - 15/365: Having a snack of Sweet Southern Heat BBQ chips
January 16, 2013 - 16/365: Finally Trying Starbucks' Vanilla Spice Latte (with a spinach and feta wrap)
January 17, 2013 - 17/165: Reading and grapefruit juice before bed
January 18, 2013 - 18/365: Amite River after days of rain

What has the weather been like for you the past week? Have you also been dealing with day after day of rain?

I'm linking this post up with Random-osity & Kleinworth & Co. for Project 52!

From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Supper

After we all melted at our rehearsal, we headed to our rehearsal dinner. We decided to invite all out-of-town guests instead of just the wedding party, and I have to give thanks where they're due because my mother-in-law actually organized the whole event.

The dinner was at Boutin's, a local Cajun restaurant, which is actually where mine and the boy's parents actually met. I've been back several times since both with my parents and my MOH on her first trip out to Louisiana, so it's definitely a restaurant I was familar with and though would be fun for those in Lousiana for their first time.

Since we were getting married on a Sunday our rehearsal dinner was on a Saturday. But not just any Saturday. It was a Saturday in September in Louisiana on opening weekend even, so we had to have the LSU game on throughout dinner.
You could tell who was local pretty much by who was paying attention to the tv. Although since we were only playing North Texas, the Tigers cruised to an easy victory.
We were always supposed to have a limited menu of selections, but since we were only a few days post hurricane the entire restaurant wound up being on that same limited menu. But if I had to guess, I don't think anyone would have been able to tell the restaurant wasn't quite running at normal strength. Some of the options offered were Louisiana redfish, (at least I think that's what this is, it could also be tilapia, maybe?)
steak accompanied by the standard sides of dirty rice, maque choux, and your choice of potato,
and a crawfish platter with both fried crawfish and etouffee.
This is actually what I ordered, although barely ate any. I was still feeling less than stellar, and didn't even take a single photo (all of these are from my dad or other family memebers). The entire time I wanted to be in bed sleeping. I did manage to power through, but looking back wish I had made more of the time with all our friends and family.
While we were in a private dinning room, in the main room, there was live entertainment. But just because we were in a separate room, didn't mean we couldn't walk out and enjoy it.
We had a few guests, including my brother and grandmother below, made it out to the dance floor to practice for the big reception the following day.
Did you wind up inviting all out-of-town guests only the bridal party or some other combination to your rehearsal dinner? And would you have been the one watching the football game or out on the dance floor?

Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover
From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat

From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat

On Friday, two days before the wedding, I received a call from our venue letting me know that they had power back. Looking back I'm not sure if I misheard or if they meant they had generator power because the following day, as in a few hours before our rehearsal, I received a call hadn't that power hadn't actually been restored, but that they were hopeful. I told the boy, but besides him didn't tell anybody else. So close to the wedding, I didn't want to worry anyone else, and figure once we arrived for the rehearsal we would learn their plan.

As luck would have it, an hour before the rehearsal was scheduled to start power was resorted. (From what I heard the event planner at the plantation was on the phone and online telling the electricity company they needed power back because there was a wedding that weekend.) But while electricity wasn't an issue, the hurricane did cause other problems.
With the amount of rain they'd received the front lawn was wet, and unfortunately the front lawn was where we were planning on having the ceremony. We crossed our fingers that the grass would dry out in the next 24 hours, but made a backup plan to instead have the ceremony in one of the courtyards.

On to the next hiccup, the original plan was for our rabbi to be there to help lead the ceremony. She left New Orleans at noon for our 3pm rehearsal, for a drive would would normally take around an hour. Except at quarter after 3, she still wasn't anywhere nearby, and instead Caity, our contact at the venue, helped to give direction. (And in case your curious, I think she finally made it in around 4, and decided to spend that nith in with a friend in Baton Rouge instead of basically turning right around.)
It was so hot this day (which why you can basically see the sweat pouring off me), so we tried to get things down as quickly as possible. We lined up in order, then went to the ballroom where we'd start our walk to practice processing.

Our ring bearer and flower girl practicing their walk down the aisleWhen it came time for me to walk down the aisle someone (I'm guessing Bridesmaid Chicago) got everyone to hum, "Here comes the bride."

The bridal party waiting for the brideFrom there, with only one practice run, but everyone dying from the heat we were finished and ready to head out to dinner.

One quick word about the "attire" of the rehearsal. It was my original plan to buy a cute purple dress to wear to the rehearsal. Except that never happened. I figured I could buy it in the last days before the wedding, but instead dealt with a hurricane. I probably could have come up with a cute outfit out of clothes I already had, but after feeling miserable that morning, I just wasn't up to it. So instead you see me in the picture below in jeans and an LSU t-shirt. (And while you may not be able to see all of me, you can see my outfit, plus it gave me an excuse to share this cute photo!)
How many times did you actually rehearse at your rehearsal? And what are your thoughts on appropriate wedding rehearsal attire?

Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover