tranquility

Yawn…. Stretch….

Good morning, gentle readers. It’s almost 8 a.m. And I’m blogging from my snuggle-y bed here at Emily’s.

Look what greeted me when I arrived:

We enjoyed a spread of veggies and dip, homemade pizza on a wrap and tea while we chatted. After I got settled in, we left the house in search of slippers (for me–I scored a cute pair of TEAL Dearforms on clearance for $9 at DSW), hair spray (for both of us), an Ulta run and dinner.

After a quick Target stop, we decided we’d do dinner at Emily’s instead, so we grabbed some pita chips and spinach, too.

We got home and Emily whipped up some cold salmon salad, apples, cheese, crackers and veggies. We sipped wine while listening to Christmas music and talking.

I’ve been lazing here in bed for about an hour so now it is time to get up!

1000 Islands and teal-on-teal

Ever wonder where Thousand Island salad dressing came from?

Yup, here in the 1000 Islands. I didn’t know that before I read it in one of the travel magazines I found this weekend. Guess people from here take it for granted that outsiders don’t know that…

Andrew and I rode up with two of his friends from work on Friday for a wedding. It’s about a 5-hour drive (6 with a stop for a sit-down dinner), so we got in a bit late. There was a bonfire out back and some socializing before I headed back to the room (the cigar smoke was making me nauseated) to do my nails before bed. I cannot even tell you how in need of a manicure I was; I thought I might need a jackhammer after this month of house-projecting and painting!

After brunch the next morning, we all suited-up and headed to the ferry that would bring us to Heart Island and Boldt Castle.

The island and castle have a really rich history and it’s kinda tragic–basically a millionaire was building this beautiful castle for his wife and then she died (sad), and so he abandoned it. It’s been like that ever since until recently when the state started restoring it to what it would have been. It’s a tourist attraction, and (apparently) a beautiful place to get married.

We were blessed (truly–there has been rain all over the forecast this week!) with sun for the ceremony despite some cooler temps. I wore my beautiful trench coat the whole time!

But, between the ceremony and the reception we were able to head back to the room, which gave me a chance to lighten the load and switch jackets for the short walk to the reception…

I match!

I got a TON of sleep Saturday night (probably too much) and I feel rested for the week ahead… At least I say that now. I’m off to swimming and then a busy day of school, grocery shopping and a Target run!

man, am i tired

All that traveling has really taken a toll….

I’m pumped mentally to start sorting/purging/packing for the BIG MOVE in a couple weeks, but I think I’m a little overwhelmed into inaction…at least this morning.

There are still SO MANY other random things on my mind, like, “Should I get new bedding for the guest room?” and “How am I going to lose these sneaky pounds that have crept back on before the wedding?” and “I wonder if that English class I took at PSU will count for the Diversity credit at Buff State?”

And, will I ever get together with Regina for her birthday?!

Thankfully, Andrew kept the house pretty clean–dare I say, spotless–so at least I don’t have a ton of THAT stuff to do today.

But, before all that, I must clear my brain and enlighten you with details of my trip!

Let’s see, where did I leave off….?

Oh yes! A gas and coffee stop on Wednesday morning after leaving the driveway in the dark at 4:58 a.m.

And this is what greeted me upon my arrival in Carmel at 1:30:

A happy grandma and a light lunch!

We ate a bit, then we both snoozed (I think) before heading out to dinner at Seasons 52 with the Richters. I got Ahi Tuna but it was too done. Next time: RAW seared only on the sides!

We filled the subsequent days with lots of shopping, errand-running and yummy food. Here are some snippets:

Lunch at Le Peep, where (in true Holly-fashion) grandma and I split an omelet and blueberry pancakes.

Later that night we ordered Bazbeaux Pizza (the Genova–with eggplant and goat cheese!) with salad while watching…

…the opening ceremony of the Olympics! I am, four years later, STILL disappointed I didn’t catch the Beijing opening ceremonies. Note to self: carve out a night in July four years from now to watch the next summer Olympics’ opening ceremonies. (I did view a few YouTube videos, though, to satisfy my curiosity.)

We’d picked up cheesecake to-go, so we enjoyed some of that while watching what was going on across the pond.

While in Carmel, I got some Chick-Fil-A…my usual: a one-strip kid’s meal with fries. That concoction you see below is a ketchup/light mayo/hot sauce mix. I dare you to give it a try!

We spent my last afternoon at the movie theater, seeing Brave. I really enjoyed it–it was funny and touching.

That evening I headed out of town and stopped in Dayton to stay with our friends, Jen and Dave, and see Emily and Dan, who just moved into their first house!

After I took an early-morning tour of the place, all seven of us headed out to breakfast at Mimi’s (because, and I quote Emily: “Andrew isn’t here to veto it.”) I miss this crowd!