Annual Girls Getaway - Southern Style

It is March again and instead of basketball, I think of my fun friends from North Carolina! It is our time to plan a long weekend together and catch up on what's been going on the last year. We decided to try somewhere warmer this year. We ALL decided to, not just me. I didn't even suggest it. I was all ready to go to NYC again, but I guess my murmurings from the past were too much to think about. We chose Savannah, Georgia! And it WAS warmer and more comfortable.

Our first stop was Columbia, South Carolina. We feel better if we start out our trips with a temple session. It was a small, beautiful temple and it's always good to go.
Then we get to think about food. The last two trips have largely been centered around food. Luckily all four of us appreciate food the same way and look forward to the next meal. I should have noted the names of the restaurants better. This was a little cafe with tiny desserts. I had 3 small truffles for a large price. They were extra special truffles though and served on a special little plate.
This was the breakfast cafe we went to twice. Mmm.
Our last dinner was at the Melting Pot. I had never been. I think the dessert course was my favorite. My pants will tell a different story. We also ate at The Old Pink House one night where I tasted duck for the first time. I am all about duck now. Oh, mommy! It was delicately crunchy on the outside, yet juice and tender on the inside. Wonder if I should even attempt to duplicate it. (If you guys remember the names of the restaurants, let me know.)

Spa Day

Everything was in walking distance from our hotel. We passed through these beautiful parks along the way. Each park took up a square block and all the surrounding houses faced in toward the park. After Riley and I live and work on our farm, I'd love to buy a home right here.
So, we made our way to the the spa. After various massages and facials, we each got a pedicure, two at a time up on raised thrones. I felt rather silly for paying so much for a pedicure, so I unabashedly helped myself to the mini cupcakes and fancy chocolates they offered.
Lenette and Heather got red toes.
Debbie got pink and I got the white tips. My girls at home laughed when they saw how tiny my pinky toenail was and joked how small the brush must have been to paint such a little white line on it.

700 Kitchen Cooking Class

My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking class we took. We learned all about preparing a scrumptious brunch from chef Darin. He was amazing! I can't wait to make the brown sugar bacon and the lemon curd again. We all agreed that cooking classes are a must for every trip from now on!

Wide Open Fields

Riley and Adam found a great spot where Sandy can run free (and kids too). She didn't get as many walks this winter as she probably would have liked, but this is right around the corner and she can get out quite a lot of energy without us being out too long.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Here in Pennsylvania, today is Fat Tuesday. What is Fat Tuesday?! A long time ago, across the swirly, twirly river, Pennsylvanians would use the lard, flour, sugar, and butter they had in their pantries to make fastnachts. This would happen right before lent began so they wouldn't waste their food. They would eat tons of them since they had to give up the sweets during lent. Although we don't observe lent, we will surely eat the fastnachts! What is a fastnacht? It's a donut like pastry with no hole. Traditionally, you cut it in half like a bagel and put syrup on one side and then put the other side back on, like a sandwich.

Amy's New Specs

After failing the school eye exam, we went to the eye doctor and sure enough, Amy has inherited my near sightedness. Now she can see the board at school and the leaves on the trees. Wish my first pair of glasses was cute like that. She picked them out herself and so far likes to wear them.
I cannot get a normal picture of Elli. She is in the silliest moods lately!

Adam's Flashy Smile!

Here are the braces! Wow. I can vividly remember my own. He claims his teeth have already moved and has been so good at brushing. The $500 cash prize that the orthodontist is offering at the end of the year may have something to do with that. Now, what are we going to do with that hair??