Happy Birthday Joelseph!!!

Friday night we went with a bunch of friends to eat at a place called Cotham's Mercantile way out in the middle of nowhere. They are the home of the hubcap burger and were featured on Man vs. Food. He ate a hubcap with 5 patties(which would be 5 pounds.......eww)......we decided just to split one with one patty. We also got to try some good ol southern Fried Green tomatoes....they were delicious! (although Joel didn't think so.....)

-The Daffodil Festival-

-The River Market-

Locked out in your underwear.....and a sprained foot

Last night.....was such a nice night! I stepped out onto the back porch to look at the stars and sat there a minute to enjoy the peace and quiet, it was so warm! I wanted Joel to enjoy the night too so I yelled for him to come outside and join me. He had already changed into his "pajamas" (which are actually just his underwear) so he said he couldn't....but I said...."come on....it is pitch black out here, no one will even see you! Just turn off the light inside and come out for just a minute"......so he did. He came out and before I could say "oh wait!" he had shut the door behind him. My eyes got wide as I turned the handle and it was......LOCKED!!! Joel was locked out on our back porch....in his underwear.
We just looked at each other for a second and then we laughed and hugged and I started laughing harder and harder and he started thinking it wasn't quite as funny. We had no cell phone, no credit card to break in, I had bare feet, but luckily had actual pajamas on...I ran around to the front door, locked. I ran back around to tell him the news and started laughing some more. I ran across the parking lot, through the grass and up the stairs to the Freeman's house, knocked on the door. When they opened I tried to tell them what was going on but could only squeak out a few words in between my laughing. I was on the floor laughing so hard I was crying, Hilary started crying too. I somehow got out enough words to tell them what had happened. Cameron smartly grabbed Joel some shorts and a T-shirt and got us a credit card....hopefully it works! I ran out the door, still laughing, and down the stairs, thinking I was on the last step, stepped down off the 2nd and........sprained my foot.......awesome.
So I limped my way back home, gave him the clothes. He busted us in with the credit card. And all was good! Except my foot.... :(

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!!

I wore green....Joel forgot, so I pinched him a lot until he finally found a tiny speck of green on the tag of his T-shirt...I don't think that counts....
We ate some green food.....and a little leprechaun came and left little gold coins all over our house!

If you travel down a long dusty dirt road somewhere in the middle of nowhere......something amazing happens. You take a step back in time and everything gets quiet.....everything slows down.....all the millions of distractions of everyday life disappear.....everything and everyone you love become more precious and important....

We had such a happy weekend.....We love visiting grandma! It was so good to see her. Look how much she loves her little grandson......

We ate dinner at the Chicken Shack..mmmmmm....best chicken IN. THE. WORLD.

We laughed and played lots of games and Grandma still beats us most of the time......

We listened to stories all about the good 'ol days....look how beautiful grandma is.....

She is such a great example of everything a person should be. She is strong, loving, selfless, smart, hardworking, humble, brave and kind. She has experienced so much. She has learned a lot. She is 92....still lives on her own, drives a car, mows the lawn(which is 4 acres), does crossword puzzles faster than anyone I know, watches the bachelor :) plays cards with the girls every week.....she's pretty amazing. I wish I knew her secret......

French Onion Soup-

(2 servings)

1 medium onion, sliced
1T. butter
1-2t. sugar
1t. worcestershire sauce(I didn't have any so I used terriyaki sauce and it was good!)
2C. beef broth
pepper to taste
sliced french bread
sliced swiss or provolone cheese

In a saucepan saute onion in butter until tender. Sprinkle with sugar and sauce. Cook and stir 15 minutes or so or until onion is caramelized. Add broth and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 more minutes.
Place sliced french bread on baking sheet @ 400 degrees until crispy. Turn over and toast again. Put cheese on and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Ladle soup into bowls and top with toast

mmmmm.....mmmmmmmmm..........GOOD!

This weekend we drove to Memphis Tennessee.....we left at 5:30am, it was pitch black, POURING rain, everything was flooded everywhere......kind of a nerve racking little start.....but we just filled up on McDonald's delicious breakfast burritos and slowly but steadily made our way. This first picture may look like a lake......its not! Its a field.....flooded with rain water.

First stop was the temple. Ahhhhh......It was so nice to be there......We really took for granted having a temple 20 minutes away back home, being able to go anytime we wanted. It was so quiet and peaceful and beautiful and refreshing.....and a perfect reminder of what this life is all about.
Driving around town was beautiful! Spring was popping up here and there....gorgeous blossoms on the trees......
Lush, greeeeeeeeen, beautiful fields......I wanted to kick of my shoes and run through them, or lay down and have a picnic.....but with all the rain I probably would have just gotten really muddy and cold....so I just took pictures from the car instead....
And of course....we couldn't leave without eating some good ol southern BBQ......

They started us off with complimentary red beans and rice....SO yummy!
It was full of the cutest little old men in bow ties, buzzing around.....
Really good food!
Cameron and Hillary enjoying their delicious ribs.....We had a really great time! Then we got in the car and drove back home....and took a really big nap!