The Help

One of my favorite books, The Help, was recently turned into a movie which Alan and I saw last night! It was so good! They definitely left some things out but in general all the key aspects were there. The book/movie is based on the perspective of African-American maids AKA 'the help' of white families in Jackson, Mississippi who want to share their story with the rest of world. It's one of those books/movies where you laugh hard and cry hard. I would highly recommend going to see it!

"In a page-turner that brings new resonance to the moral issues involved, she [Kathryn Stockett] spins a story of social awakening as seen from both sides of the American racial divide."

-The Washington Post

Tanasi Lodge

Last night Alan and I went up to Tanasi Lodge with a big group of our friends. We had such a good time! The lodge belongs to a couple in our Sunday School class and since they didn't have anyone renting it out this weekend, we all got invited to go!

This was the view we woke up to this morning :)

the girls making breakfast

the guys chatting it up

We felt like we were on top of the world up there, it was beautiful!

Lindsey & Cody's Wedding

This past weekend Alan and I went to Lindsey & Cody's wedding in Cookeville. Lindsey is a sorority sister of mine from college and we were so excited to share in the celebrations!

The wedding was held at the beautiful Clark House

Lindsey was gorgeous!

I'm so happy for this great couple!

It was super fun catching up with Emily & Blair who sat at our table at the reception

My sweet friend Janie and her husband John who requested a shout-out in "The Blog" :)

Thankful I caught a few minutes with the bride

Cheers to a fantastic evening with dear friends!

Date Night

Tonight Alan and I enjoyed...from the comfort of our own home.

Alan picked up my favorite pizza in Knoxville:

along with my favorite beer and even an orange to go with it!

We relaxed on our couch and watched several episodes of 24, one of our favorite shows. I have the most wonderful husband to go along with all of my favorite things! Although I feel somewhat lame staying in tonight, this was exactly what I needed after a long week!

Abingdon

This weekend Alan and I went to Abingdon, Virginia for an anniversary weekend get-away...it was the perfect place to go! Alan and I are sometimes not that great in planning vacations and what I mean by that is we plan all these super fun things to do and see and then we come home needing a vacation from our vacation. Are we the only ones who do that?! Anyways, Abingdon was a great balance of doing and doing nothing!

We stayed at the Summerfield Inn which a cute little bed and breakfast in the historic downtown Abingdon

The B&B was built in the 1920's and was a gorgeous old home

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early, ate a delicious breakfast, and took a shuttle to Whitetop Mountain where we began our ride on the Virginia Creeper back to Abingdon.

The Virgina Creeper is a 34 mile bike trail. The first half from Whitetop to Damascus is pretty easy as most of it is downhill. The second half is more difficult as it has a slightly uphill grade so you're pedaling continuously.

Here we are on the trail...it was suppose to rain but the weather couldn't have been better

In Damascus we stopped for lunch and ice-cream at this cute little place called "Off the Beaten Path"

the trail went through woods, fields, and over several rivers too

At the end of the trail in Abingdon there is an old steam engine symbolizing the railroad that the trail is now built upon.

That night, we ate dinner at The Tavern which is rated the #1 restaurant in Abingdon according to Trip Advisor, it was a great find!

After dinner we got a chance to walk around downtown for a bit before heading to our play.

Later that night we went to see the play Beauty and the Beast at the Barter Theatre. it was wonderful!

As I sit writing this I will admit that I'm still sore after that bike ride but all-in-all it was a great weekend away with the hubs. I love you Alan Moore!!!

4 Years

Happy Anniversary to us! 4 years ago today Alan and I shared the most special day with each other, our family, and friends. We have done so much between now and then but in some ways it also feels like no time has gone by at all.

traditional dinner at The Melting Pot

We got the Latin American Fusion Feast, here is our dinner right before cooking.

The dessert is always my favorite part! :)

Dress Blues

Colin wore his dress blues uniform to church today and he looked so sharp! So many people came up to him and were all saying how proud they were of him and how excited they were too. I'm not surprised by this but I'm so happy by the number of people who have just surrounded Colin with love and support. If you want to write Colin a letter of support or encouragement, please let me know and I'll give you his address!

Gotta love a man in uniform!

Alan, Colin, and me...so proud of my little brother