april

Well, that was one crazy month.  It always is because of work and this year did not disappoint.  I worked every day from April 1 through April 19.  Many others work much longer days so I am lucky in that respect.  But, there are plenty of 5 am mornings!

 

At least I have gorgeous views!  The azaleas were in full bloom and we were really lucky with the weather this year. 

 

 

Champions Retreat Golf Shop and first tee of Palmer's Island nine

 

It is nice to wear golf attire each day.  Comfort helps!

 

On Sunday, we were able to scoot out to the tournament for a few hours.  That's the only day I can get away but it is nice to go see the course.  It was raining but still a great trip!

 

That next Thursday, Brad was heading out of town for a bachelor party so we relaxed with margaritas on Wednesday night.  Yum.

 

 

To add to my hectic and emotional Masters Week, a dear friend passed away that Friday.  His memorial was the following Thursday in Eatonton; Daddy went with me since Brad was gone and Daddy knew Guthrie and his family.  As my friend Matt said, 'good to see you, sh$@ty to see you.'  Guthrie was a wonderful person and leaves behind an adorable, loving family.  He was an outdoor writer so I will just share some of their tributes.  Much more poignant than what I could do:

 

Field & Stream

Deer & Deer Hunting

Guns & Ammo

Petersen's Hunting

 

At his service, we were all discussing how accurate these words are.  Guthrie was just as funny, thoughtful and gracious as everyone says.  These are not just hollow words because he is gone. 

 

RIP Guthrie!

 

 

On my first weekend off in three weeks, I was pretty lazy.  Although, I did get motivated enough to plant flowers!  Considering I didn't do this at all last year, this was a huge accomplishment.

 

Petunias for the front stoop.  I definitely need nicer planters....

 

Gerbers at the mailbox

 

Lantana in the side yard

 

Window boxes with blue arrow root grass, dichondra and begonias.  I will have to post more pictures because they are filling out now and look much better.  Let's hope I can water them enough to keep them alive!



nonfiction reads

I have read several nonfiction books lately that I thought I would share.  I won't bore you with my feedback. Suffice it to say that if the material interests you, check it out!

(this one was very interesting because I was reading it during the recruitment period.  it focuses on ole miss and their staff.  ole miss actually stole some guys from us this year so it was very eye-opening and apropos.)

liza's asheville bachelorette

Last weekend, I went to Asheville for Liza's bachelorette.

Gail, Mandy and I left on Friday afternoon.  We had some dinner, visited with the girls and enjoyed the hot tub in our backyard.

On Saturday, we boarded our party bus and headed to a few wineries and breweries.  

This thing was awesome - speakers and coolers.

TV and lights.  

He couldn't make it up the driveway so we walked out to him.  The walk back wasn't so fun.

(Although, we could have had to walk a lot farther to get back.  After three tries, he couldn't get the bus up the mountain to bring us home.  So, he drove it in reverse.  Scary!!!  I couldn't decide if we should tip him more or ask him for money back.  Ha.)

At the winery.

Anne, Gail, Kristen, Liza, Mandy, me, Stephanie and Ellen

In front of the grapes

Wine barrels

Bar.  They had just finished this building and it was beautiful!

Addison Farms wine

Hearth room

Next stop - Highland Brewery

Probably my favorite!

We got 4 flights and shared them.  Gaelic Ale is their most popular.

Fun fact - Highland has more taps in NC than Budweiser.  Crazy!

Gail and Liza

With our flights

It turned out to be a beautiful day!  It was supposed to rain but it was sunny and 70 so we enjoyed it to the fullest.

Cornhole!!

with Liza

Scottish guy in the warehouse

Safety glasses!

Liza, Kristen, Stephanie and Mandy

Warehouse

We stopped for a quick photo-op downtown with our St Patty's Day hats.

Hot tub and hammock on the mountain side.

Great view from the porch

On the way there, we stopped in Columbia's Piggly Wiggly for supplies.  We saw this sign and knew we had to try some!

Flavors of Piggly Wiggly beer.

This one was actually really good!  Reminded me of Stella.  Pig Swig - ha!

jay and beth's charleston wedding

We decided to get a head-start on this weekend and headed down to Charleston on Thursday.  

We met up with Levi at the Gin Joint.  

It's set up to resemble a speakeasy.

I actually got adventurous and picked two words off this menu for the bartender to create something for me

I chose refreshing and fruit.  (how girly)

And it was delicious.  This had gin, ginger beer, a raspberry liquor and candied ginger.  Yum.

You can't really tell but that is one long, thin ice cube.  Pretty cool!

Then Brad and I went to McCrady's for dinner.  Brad did the four courses and got beef tartare, trout, ribeye and the cheese course.  The trout was amazing!!

I got the trout and chocolate chess pie.  Yum!

We were lazy Friday morning and met up with William and Liza at Poe's for lunch.  

(Literary buffs need to read the 'about us' section.  Pretty cool.)

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner at Gold Bug Island.  There was BBQ, lowcountry boil and crab legs.  

On the candy table were footballs signed by Jay and Beth's college football coaches.  Pretty cool! 

Eric with his pile of crab legs.

LCB and crab legs - mmmm

William and Trey sat down with Beth's family and were telling all kinds of stories about Jay.  Too funny!

The girls 

Lesley, Michelle, Blake, me, Allison, Melanie, Liza, Mandy and Michele

I got a horrible migraine during and went back to the condo.  So I missed the dance party at Windjammers but was thankful for my bed, darkness and silence.

On Saturday, the girls went for a walk.  We stayed at the Dozier's Wild Dunes condo along with the Rigsbys and Bowens.  We tried to walk on the beach but it was super windy!  Still pretty though.

At the reception at the Lighthouse on Shem Creek. 

Jay and Beth's first dance

Brad, Alex, Andy, Nathan, Travis and Matt

Jay's wedding band!!

Liza and William

If you look over Eric's shoulder, you will see mullet #1.

Horrible pic but here is mullet #2 (at one-third line in photo).  This guy was much younger and kinda hipster.  Apparently he is the four-square national champ.  

Have you ever been to an event with two mullets??

Brock, Charles, Jennifer, Michele, Eric, Melanie, Liza and William

After the wedding, we went to Red's (conveniently located next door).  Good times!!

On Sunday, we met my brother for brunch at Gene's.  A friend of ours from college, Kyle Giddens, was actually in town and staying with Levi so it was good to visit with him too.  Kyle and I both got this southern sampler - shrimp, fried green tomatoes, eggs and grits.