September starts!

There are a lot of new things in my life right now.

Last weekend I had the extreme blessing of going to, and being a part of a wedding for two dear friends.  The wedding was really nice and a lot of fun.  They have some great friends and it was so nice to make new friends, and have a great night celebrating their new life together.  The reception was held at the Tidewater Inn in Easton, MD which is this charming, historic town close to the bay in Maryland.  The hotel is extremely dog-friendly, which allowed the couple to put their adorable kids dogs in the wedding, since they really do function like a little happy family.  The bride looked stunning and put each of us bridesmaids in cute short purple dresses that were very girlie and fun.  The best part, was that all the girls and guys in the wedding (bride and groom included!) had their own customized Chuck Taylors.  Greg Keyser was the amazing photographer who captured some of the happy moments here - check em out!  Also, one of the other bridesmaids is a photographer, and even though she didn't edit the picture or anything, I thought I would share the picture she took of Kev and I, and direct you to her website, because she is just THAT AWESOME.  Not only is she a lot of fun, but a great photographer too!



Most likely senario:  Him "blah blah blah, some smart comment."  Me... 2 seconds away from smacking him

Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead CAKE!

THE kiss!

Monday I spent the day with Kev down near the water in Annapolis.  Literally, it was like all we did was walk a few blocks, look at a few places, and eat a salad.  Aside from that we just sat on the pier looking out on the water.  Watching the drawbridge, the paddleboaters, the sailboats, the interesting people decked out in boat shoes, khakis, and polos.  The amazing thing is that he was ok with just sitting there with me, watching the water.  I mean, for me it's water, so freeing, exciting, lovely, wonderful!  For most people it is water.  Sailboat in, sailboat out.  But I could have sat there all day, and it was really nice.


Paddle-boarders out on the bay



View from the pier

This weekend I had a full house dinner on Friday evening.  It was a nice dinner, it's always fun to get old friends and new friends together.  Saturday morning, Inch and I headed up north (almost to PA) for our Church retreat which was relaxing and nice.  It was good to have no cell reception and have no agenda, chores, people to rush around seeing - FOR A WHOLE WEEKEND.  I got to know a few more people, made some new friends, developed better relationships, and really enjoyed myself.  I went for a hike, played some volleyball, and talked with people around the bonfire.  Unfortunately, they served tacos for lunch on Saturday and I scooped in without realizing what I was doing.  When was the last time I ate beef?  Especially fatty, greasy, ground beef?  Yea... I don't think my body wants it anymore, and so I am actually considering going back to being a vegetarian again.  More on that later, along with a recipe post!

Sunday was Football day.  Yes, I know the season officially started last Thursday, but MY season started Sunday.  So from the church retreat, Kev and I and another couple from church headed to Glory Days in Frederick, MD to watch the games.  I love sports bars with at least 15 TVs.  That's  how going out for meals should be on Sundays between Sept-February.  Sam is a diehard steelers fan which was hard since they had a not-so-amazing season-opener, and poor Mandy suffered a loss for her chiefs as well.  I feel bad admitting this since they were so upset, but I had a really good day.  The Eagles pulled out a win against the Rams which left me beaming (they had me scared when the score was 7-0 Rams leading within minutes of the game starting!!) I also met an adorable 'less-than-one-year-old' with a Dawkins jersey on.  True story: he was named Dawkins.  Like, that is his first name.  After the football player.  Now, I admit that I named my Hyundai Sante Fe "Brian Dawkins" at one point, but a child...?  That may be a bit excessive on the fan-front...

Ready for another exciting season!

My bible study group started this week and Younglife starts up again on Sunday.  Between Younglife, bible study, football, church, fall, and marriages, I am just so reminded that we have new starts all the time.  We have seasons of newness and seasons of staleness.  I am excited for new things, new starts, and the freshness that comes with summer storms and changing leaves.  It's all so romantic I can hardly contain myself.  Soon it will be time for sweaters, orchards, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, boots, footie pajamas, and then ugly christmas sweaters!  Muahaha.  GOODIES TO COME!!

Best friend and I at Butler's Orchard

Mid-20s going on 4

A little lost in the corn maze!

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party!

Life is so good.