Recent Travels

I really thought I'd do better about posting on this blog, but obviously that's not true!

Since the last post, we've entered a new year and so far it's been pretty great. In Februray, we celebrated with our favorite Griz, Zach Randolph (Z-Bo) as he was rewarded a spot to the All Star team during the annual All Star Weekend. Grant made several onesies and small t-shirts for his two girls to wear and celebrate the honor too!

[lost the onesie pictures, but trust me, they are so cute]

Unfortunately, we didn't see the Tigers in March Madness, but we thoroughly enjoyed watching two certain teams in the MidSouth lose in the Elite Eight! (don't act like you didn't either!).

In March, we won a contest at a Grizzlies game that involved writing your name on a piece of paper, folding it into your best make-shift airplane and launching it to center court in hopes of reaching the very center, or closest to.
And the prize? Free airfare to Orlando, tickets to Griz/Magic game and one night stay in the team hotel!

I thought I crafted the perfect plane, but it didn't even reach 3 rows in front me. So, you can imagine my surprise when the lady announced, "Grant Burke" as the winner. As it turned out, our dear friends placed our name on several planes and made a perfect throw. So very sweet!

So, we spent our first Easter away from home and in Orlando and had a great little getaway! We were able to extend the trip to 3 days and spent one day in Disney World at Magic Kingdom, a few hours at the outlet stores, a lovely easter service at church downtown and of course, the game.

Grant's good luck ran out when a bird pooped on him.

But then came back after Disney gave him a voucher for clean clothes!
[I almost didn't believe the sweet lady that walked up to us and said, " Sir, are you okay? Can we get you some new clothes?" Grant certainly wasn't going to say no!]

seriously, not another picture.
Space Mountain

The Grizzlies lost their game Sunday night, but we still had a great trip and are thankful to our friends who helped us get there!

And a couple of days after Orlando, I met my friend, Emily and her precious daughter, Sadie in Little Rock for a quick trip to see our dear friend, Melissa and her two children in Monroe, LA. The trip down and back was short-lived but so worth it!

Nora and Sadie
[if only you could see the things we did to get them to look into the camera!]

sweet, Ethan. He's so cuddly. I love him!

Loved seeing both of you and your precious children!

Now, I think I'll stay put for a little while. And maybe update before 4 months goes by again!

30th Burkday

This past Friday we celebrated Grant's 30th birthday with the Grizzlies, no doubt. Thanks to one generous friend, we were given a party suite at the Forum and 14 tickets, for free. All we had to do was take care of the food!

Believe it or not, Grant used pliers to turn this:


into this:

and with my help, this:




MVP's with Z-Bo in the starting line-up

another gb creation for everyone to enjoy and take home


To my sweet, hilarious and immensely talented husband, I wish you (again)
Happy 30th Birthday!
Love you.

{In other unrelated news, someone hacked into my facebook account over the weekend, told everyone grant and I were in London, mugged and needed money. So, I dont exist right now on FB, as they shut me down. not sure when that will be worked out!}

so many projects...

most of which have involved me spending time in the kitchen with my trusty 1970 whirlpool oven. As you know, this time of year is filled with all kind of festive gatherings which require a baked good or two. And most of the time, I can't just sign up for one thing. I can't help it. I LOVE potlucks.

But as much as I love potlucks, I'd have to say that the annual cookie exchange with our Sunday school class is by far my favorite gathering. There's just something about the anticipation of each girl's cookie, the overwhelming nauseous feeling after tasting 23 cookies, the lovely fellowship and the oh-so friendly competition! I mean, this thing is serious, people. And this year was no disappointment. This is my third year to participate and still without a solid win, but its all about the process, right?!

I'm a sucker for cookies with frosting, so I guess it's only fitting that this is what made the exchange this year:

packaged like this:

I knew Grant's endless supply of CD cases would come in handy one day.

I didn't take any pictures of the winning cookies (there were five categories) but they were all delicious! Thank you, Stacey for opening your home once again!

When I haven't been in the kitchen, I've been in the bathroom trying to complete the project we started before our vacation a couple months ago. We are two months late from my personal deadline, but it is finally done. Thanks to my wonderful husband for all the time spent in design and manual labor!

Let me remind you of the bathroom when we bought the house.


And after a little TLC


we removed the closet for more open storage

and added a few pictures of Italy to always remind of us our trip

We are officially on break from home projects for awhile and ready to enjoy the holiday season!

As busy as we've been lately with projects and such, there's always time for this sweet friend

Jim and Maria's golden, Maisy. Oh my I love this puppy.

Grant and I recently returned from our Italian adventure to Rome and Florence where we walked along the fabulous cobblestone streets admiring this...

And indulging in a daily cappuccino and cup of gelato


We've both traveled to Italy before, but never together and so we celebrated Christmas, our next anniversary and set of birthdays a little early! Grant took about 500 pictures every day, so I tried to narrow it down for you.
Some of our loves in Rome...

Coliseum by day

...and by night


Our room was on top of this beautiful gem, which I guess you could say is really my love. But I didn't allow myself to step foot inside and honestly never saw one person in there in 4 days!
(I'd say not, seeing as how the cardigan in the window was $250! What?!)


Grant loves to hold my hand, hug and kiss me in public :)

Roman Forum


we sat here with our gelato every night...

No coins thrown this time. We thought the legend can only work once, right?

Vatican City

I found these beauties in the Campo Dei Fiori piazza and wished so much that I could buy a bundle and put in my house, thousands of miles away!

Last dinner in Piazza Navona

Part of our hotel and the doors leading to our room upstairs... love these doors!

We trained to Florence for more fun...

the famous view from the top of the hill

Duomo

a little fun with the camera...

View from the roof of our hotel.

Lovely piazza

It's been 2 weeks since we've returned and I think about Italy pretty much everyday. No real agenda, no TV [except right before bed :) ], quality time with Grant and walking everywhere we wanted to go. Which made my daily gelato trips (sometimes 2!) okay.

As much as I love Italy and frankly, Europe in general, here are a few things we learned to appreciate about our beloved U.S.A.
1. Smoke-free restaurants
2. Going to Swanky's Taco Shop and eating for $15, for both of us.
3.Flat ground (cobblestone is beautiful, but only for a short time ;)
4. Walking around Memphis with only 5-6 other people in your personal space.

I love Italy, but I really love Memphis.