Alabama + Graffiti

This past weekend we got a real treat – we got to head to Atlanta to see an old friend of mine.  I have known her since high school – so a total of about 23 years! She sat behind me in homeroom for the entire four years – so some could say it was fate all along.

The last time we saw each other was for Sheff’s first birthday party – and I hadn’t even met her youngest yet.  I won’t lie – I was a little nervous.  It had been so long – and while I like to think that I haven’t changed a lot in a few years, I know that not to be the case.  Neither one of us are those kids from high school anymore – we have families and jobs and a million other things on our plates that weren’t there when we didn’t have to be responsible human people.

We met them at their place for a cookout and beverages before heading down to the Braves game.  When she opened the door, I got the most overwhelming sense of relief – it was my Robin.  It also came with a rush of crazy nostalgic emotion that I swallowed down – like calm down, Laura.  Don’t be weird, right?  Her house was beautiful – and it was so nice to get to see how big her kids had gotten.  The one thing that I didn’t know how much I had missed?  Robin’s laugh – she’s got a good one folks, and just thinking about it now can make me smile.  I didn’t know how much I needed that sound in my life  – so much for the not being weird thing, right?

Anyway – they cooked out some burgers and hot dogs, and she made a special cocktail with purple gin called the Royal Hawaiian, and it was so good.  She was sweet and gifted us a bottle of the gin and one of the mixers to be able to make our own at home.  We got ready and headed down to Truist Park to watch the Braves.  It was a hot one – but our seats were great.    My favorite player hit a home run, and then he hit a grand slam, so it’s safe to say he knew I was there.  We stayed for the whole game, so it was close to midnight before we got checked into our hotel for the night.

It was so nice to catch back up and reminisce on old times.  We left with a promise to not let another five years go before we see each other again – am hoping we can get them in our neck of the woods for next time!

Also, shout-out to the husband behind the blog – it’s his 37th birthday today.  We’re celebrating with cookie cake and seafood – and he wouldn’t want it any other way.

Alternate title to this post:  While the cat’s away, the mice will play.  One of the things that we did enjoy was getting to try places around Birmingham that we hadn’t gotten to before, or wouldn’t take Sheffield to.  He is a super picky eater, so we stick to the major food groups:  chicken nuggets, pizza and cheese dip.  So it was nice to get in a few good date nights and try some new joints!

First up is Little London Kitchen!

I have been wanting to try this place out for forever.  They started out as a food truck with seating in their double decker bus  – which they call The Duchess.  However, they have opened this cute little brick and mortar in Homewood, and it’s amazing.  They have made it feel like a slice of England in Birmingham – they have paid attention to all of the details.  They have the English favorites – meat pies and fish’n’chips, but we got the Diesel Duchess Chips (they were featured on a Netflix series), and the Vegetable Masaman Pokoras.  Everything was delicious – including their cocktails.  They did also have a kids menu with chicken, so we will be able to take Sheff here in the the future!

The second place we got to try out was a new ice cream place in Homewood: Neighbors.

We got really lucky the night we went, and we were the only people in there.  They had the cutest neon ice cream cone, and an attached ice cream cone on their building.  The people behind the counter were so nice and helpful.  I got a scoop of a turtle ice cream, and B got peanut butter chocolate chip.  We each ordered a single scoop in a waffle cone, and the ice cream was so delicious.  I can’t wait to take Sheff over to this place!

Next up are a few places that I didn’t get too many pictures of:  Abhi, Cayo Coco and Freddy’s Wine Bar.

Freddy’s Wine Bar is nestled inside a condo building off Highland Avenue in downtown.  It was actually really busy when we went, and we were lucky enough to score a seat inside.  They did have a full menu, but we decided to get the cheese and meat plate.  It was also old-fashioned night, so B got one of those, and I got an amazing glass of Malbec.

Sushi is one of our go-tos when we know we won’t have the kid with us.  We wanted to try out a new-to-us place, so we hit up Abhi in Mountain Brook.  We had the nicest server, and the sushi was delicious.  We tried out the Everest, the Sexy Lady and the Summit roll.  Their cocktails were also so delicious that we ordered a second round.  Perks of being childless for the night!

Next up, we went to Cayo Coco Rum Bar.  This place is really close to both our of offices, so we had been in there before for cocktails, but we hadn’t gotten to try out their food yet.  Unfortunately, they were really busy, and with everyone being short servers, the service wasn’t great (not complaining – as previous servers, both B and I understand).  But their beef picadillo empanada was incredible, as was their cocktails.  We’re hoping to go back and try more of their menu.

It was really fun to be able to try these places and not have to worry about a babysitter or being home at a certain time – so we were able to relax and just chill out.  Most nights we spent at home – we made a fancy cheeseboard with Brie and Iberico and Burrata from Trader Joes – as well as prosciutto, and smoked bologna from Pennsylvania.  We drank some wine and watched some Jeopardy.

It was like getting to re-date your spouse, and we had a lot of fun getting to reconnect and enjoy each other.  Thankful for the grandparents who made it possible.

It has been a looooong two weeks, but we finally got our kiddo back!!

For the past two weeks, I have felt like this knot in my stomach – like something just wasn’t right.  Like I was living on edge, and even though I have massive anxiety, it felt worse without him there.  As soon as I saw that sweet face, it just all melted away.  Him running into my arms was honestly one of the best feelings.  And he just didn’t want to seem to let me go – it felt sooo good.

Since the meemaw drove with Sheff by herself down to Wytheville, VA – we decided to go and explore the city for a bit while she took a nap.  The downtown area was so cute, and we went shopping at some of the antique stores there.  It is also the birthplace of Edith Wilson ( Woodrow’s wife) – and they had some of the cutest little murals and trails.  They even have a giant pencil attached to their office supplies store.

After we walked around for a bit, we hit up the pool in the hotel.  We had been promising him pool time since our last visit to that hotel, so we made good on it.  We played for about an hour before going back up to the room to change for dinner.  We went to Moon Dog Brick Oven for dinner, and they had the best warm Italian sub I’ve ever had.  B got a really good beer.  We went back to the hotel, Sheff got in jams and ate his pizza in bed while we watched some of the Olympics.

Sheff begged for me to sleep with him in his bed that night, and I happily obliged.  He was extra extra snuggly that night, and who am I to deny myself Sheffield snuggles?

It is so so so good to have him back –  our house is less quiet and less clean, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

I am so glad to see Friday – work has terrorized me all week (and let’s be real, will probably do so this weekend as well), but we get to pick up Sheffield tomorrow, and I can’t wait to give that guy the squeeziest of squeezy hugs.  I know it’s good for him to spend time with the grandparents and do new things, but dammit, I have missed him like crazy.  It’ll be so good to have that sweet voice back in the house.  Anyway – onto the Friday favorites!

// John Mayer’s Sob Rock came out last week.  I love everything John Mayer – his voice, his guitar playing, and I love this album.  I have been to five of his concerts, and am hoping to make it six next year.  This album reminds me a lot of his older stuff, which really makes me happy.

// Sweatshirts are my love language – and also anything Harry Potter.  Enter this Deathly Hallows sweatshirt, and well, I’m a pretty happy girl.  I am not-so-patiently waiting for fall!

// Do I need pink flats with a chain link strap?  Probably not.  Do I really really want them?  Yes, yes I do.  These are so cute, and since I’m back in the office full time in August, I’d definitely get wear out of them.

// I’ve been wanting a prettier watch band for my Apple Watch for when I’m not just lounging around the house or working out.  This one is super pretty, comes in a million colors and is under $30.  I’m sold.

// Again with the sweatshirts!!  I love the look of this one, and it looks so cozy.

// Nadine sent me a link to the Disney x Pop Sugar Collection at Target.  Tiana is my favorite Disney princess, and I love this little trinket tray.

My favorite moment of the week was getting to have lunch with Zoe and Nadine – sometimes you really just need to sit and have a poke bowl with your bestie and her kid.  It was really really good for the soul.

 

I hope you all had a great week and have a good weekend!  Can’t wait to get my Sheffield back!

We got to spend Sheff’s sixth birthday in PA with my mom and step-dad.  We got up there late on a Friday night, enjoyed some spaghetti and went to bed super early.  We had a birthday party to get ready for in the morning!

The next morning, we got up and hit two markets.  We got so many good local goodies – including ranch and old bay pickles, and a log of smoked bologna.  At the second market, we got the BEST pretzels ever (the line at the stall for these was hella long, and with good reason.  Think Auntie Anne’s but better), and a delicious boba tea.  They had almost everything you could think of there.   My mom had also gotten a really cool yard sign with dinosaurs to boot.

After we dropped the boys off, we went to get balloons for the party.  We got so many balloons – because Sheff loves balloons.  I helped my mom make the apps and got ready to celebrate our 6 year old!  Luckily my step-dad’s grandson has two younger kids and brought a water slide, so they played in the water the whole time.  They were all so cute together.  We did a hamburger and hot dog cook out, enjoyed cake and an ice cream bar, and watched Sheff open his presents.

I am glad Sheff got to spend his birthday with his meemaw and pappy.  He definitely got spoiled for his sixth birthday!