Stories of a Dog

Along with being a dog owner comes some great stories (which I'm assuming comes along nicely with a kid, too). The best story is saved for last (and might be faux pas to write on a blog, but oh well, it's funny).

We bought him a bed from L.L. Bean so our little guy (who's getting bigger by the day) will have his own spot in the living room. For his projected weight, it was suggested that we get the X-large. Well, good news is that he LOVES it. Bad news is it just doesn't fit in our house...it's HUGE! I don't think we have a choice but to exchange it for the large, which will still be big, but hopefully doable.

[Sidenote: L.L. Bean might just have the best customer service I've ever experienced. They are happy to take back the bed, even tho it's monogrammed. And they even told me to keep it for a while, since he's still growing, and we can return it at any time if we decide it's not best when he's full grown. I will now shop there for everything I can!]

Scout and his bed

his bed taking over our living room

Scout's still got a ton of energy! Sometimes it's fun, and sometimes it's a nuisance, but he's really excited that we're starting our training class at Highland Pet in two weeks. :)

Scout, after joining me for a 4 mile run! Only

wore the sucker out for about 1 hour!

He is a GOOD sleeper! Not a peep from him in the middle of the night, and he naps well at work.

napping really well next to my desk

He still thinks he's a lap dog, and loves to crawl in your lap if you sit on the floor. I kind of love it tho.

Collier and Scout hanging out in his old bed.

He almost crushed her.

Scout and his mama

I've saved the best for last, but I excluded photos for your sake. (Warning: don't read on if you have a weak stomach or are eating a meal.) Scout hasn't been eating very well, and I've been trying to figure out why. Well, I think I just might have figured it out. After spending a super fun-filled weekend with grandma SueSue and his cousins, we had to put him in his crate while we headed out to a college dinner. Well, when we came back the poor lil' man had thrown up....the small, felt chew toy that I saw him swallow last Tuesday. So I'm thinking his stomach must have been full of the chew toy. But it gets better.

Yesterday, I went to let him out at lunch, and the boy had a tough time pooping. I'll spare you all the details, but I had to go get a shovel to help him get it all out. Turns out what he was having trouble getting out was a dress sock of Jamie's that went missing early last week. Disgusting...yes. Hilarious...yes! Think it's time we make sure we leave nothing on the floor!

Feature on Apartment Therapy

One of my younger sister's closest friends (who I call a close friend too) had her house featured on Apartment Therapy today! Harper and Caleb live in Dalton, and have done an amazing job with their new home...filling it with some pretty great DIY and second hand finds (in an amazing way). Check it out here!

Jaemore Farmers Market

This past weekend, we went to Lake Yonah with some super fun friends. Lots of relaxing, eating (thanks, Lindsay!), water sports, and enjoying the company. On the way to and from Lake Yonah, on 985, you pass Jaemore Farmers Market. Of the handful of times we've gone, it's always been closed. But yesterday I finally got to experience it! See our bounty below!

A beautiful bucket of peaches - $7!

Blueberry bread + apple cider donuts (picked out by my husband).

Homemade pimento cheese.

Plums, red tomatoes, and green tomatoes (that I plan on frying up, once Lindsay posts her new recipe!).

There's not much more fun than experiencing (and eating the fruits from) an outdoor farmers' market. If you're ever up 985, and happen to pass it, I highly recommend a stop!

Pinterest

If you have yet to jump on the Pinterest bandwagon, please do yourself a favor and go join now! What is Pinterest, you ask. Well, I'll let them tell you...

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.

In layman's terms, it's an online spot to consolidate all of the things you find on the web. Recipes. Home decor. Sewing tips. DIY Projects. Party ideas. Etc. Etc. Every picture you pin is linked back to where you found it. Once you join, you have the option to "pin" anything that you find on a blog or website. Once you pin it, it goes onto you pin board, and is shared with all of your followers. One of my favorite parts is that everyone is doing the research for me. You can follow your friends and see all of the things that they've pinned, which means they've already found the best things on the blogs. :)

thoughts on dating (from across the pond)

I have this hilariously amazing (or is it amazingly hilarious?) friend, who happens to be living in south Asia right now doing some incredible work. This girl has some great perspective and unique humor, and today's "thoughts on dating" was just something I thought I'd share. All credit for this story goes to my friend.

I've been doing some thinking about dating lately...

...and I'm beginning to think that 'normal' dating...

...might not be a good fit for me.

This begs the question: what IS the right fit?

There are so many options out there to consider...

There's blind dating...

...online dating...

...carbon dating...

...carbon dating continued...

...or dilapidating...

...or mandating...

Clearly this story isn't wrapped up, but that's all I can leave you with for now. :)

the God of this city

I know I've mentioned this song before, but a news article that I just read made it all the more real to me. A church in Woodstock, GA opened its doors early this morning to provide free dental work to anyone who would show up. Turns out hundreds of people did (see below picture). Some even camped out on the concrete last night to ensure that they were seen today.

It's amazing how many of us often see mission work as something to be done in a city, country, or continent that is foreign to us. Well, it can be. But it's amazing the great need that is right in our backyard. On our streets. And in our city. Praying that I can be aware of that more often. And grateful to this church for opening its doors to such a need.

The Fry Guy

Tuesday night we decided to do dinner at the Howell Mill Food Park again. We usually have a commitment on Tuesday nights, but for the next few weeks, we're free. So I plan on indulging myself in delicious street food fare until then!

This week, the most memorable food I tried was from The Fry Guy. I was a little hesitant, as the fries are a bit pricey ($5). But, he does specialize in fries, so I figured they had to be good. Oh my goodness. Delicious! There's no cooking until your order is placed, so the fries are fresh, hot, and perfectly seasoned. He's got a variety of sauces (one per order, I went with the garlic aioli), and he offers ketchup and malt vinegar as well. I sprinkled some vinegar on top, did a little combo dip of the ketchup and aioli, and those things were heaven. So much so, that I'm craving them now.

Next time you're surrounded by food trucks (hey...they're all over town now! check out the most current schedule that I could find here), you have to try The Fry Guy. I'm just sayin'.

Monday Night Brewing

Last night was the officially launch party for Monday Night Brewing! What's MNB, you ask? Well, it's a group of three guys, all connected to Westside Church, who started experimenting with hops a few years back. Turns out they were pretty good at it, and they started hosting a Monday night event where they'd serve their beer to neighbors, friends, friends of neighbors, etc. All out of a garage. A garage that happens to belong to our neighbor, Jeff. (For the most accurate story, see the About section on their website.)

Next thing you know, their beer is actually on shelves! Well, at least in kegs at local watering holes. Last night, a rather large group showed up at Ormsby's to celebrate, and to buy their beer for the first time! Such a fun night of friends, neighbors, yummy food, and of course really great beer.

If you're out at any of these spots over these next few weeks, be sure to try one for yourself!

Beach Pictures

We had such a fun, relaxing vacation in St. Simons!

the little guys went out fishing with the

big guys...and look what they caught!

how cute are all of these kiddos?! second from the right is

my niece, hutton, who also happens to be my godchild...

who also happens to have inherited my wide open personality :)

sisters

RA showing us how to do the Cupid Shuffle

(while reminding herself via You Tube)

Hads and a parrot...downtown SSI

Jamie getting used and abused

"throw me, Uncle Jamie!"

our daily trek to the beach

cutest twins i know

my date and I at the Ocean Lodge restaurant

dancin' to the steel drums

mom, dad, and Collier

Hutton and her Martha Washington do

Christmas card photo session

i mean, seriously, how cute are they?!

Jamie, after an hour and a half paddleboarding excursion

Hutton and I take a turn

fun in the waves

lots of feet

shrimp boil