Birthday Weekend... DC & Virginia

Good Afternoon!!

I don't know what my issue is and why I am in such a blogging slump lately, even when I have stuff to write about I just don't feel like coming here and writing about it and I just cant figure out why. For now I am going to get here when I feel like it and try not to fall behind on the good stuff going on and see where that gets me. I don't want to stop blogging by any means but again like I said last time I think it will just be a little more sporadic for right now.

I did want to stop by today and tell y'all about last weekend, my birthday was on Saturday and sadly Jason ended up working. Normally this wouldn't be a huge deal, not that it was this year but generally I expect Jason to be working so it is what it is but this year he hasn't worked a weekend on this job so far so we made plans for the day. Obviously that didn't work out as planned and he went from having to work a few hours in the morning to a full day, what can you do! We figured we would just move our plans to Sunday which was just fine with me.

Sunday morning we got up and were on the road early, I was really looking forward to getting out and enjoying the fall weather and the day! Our first stop was Einstein Bros for bagels and coffee, how could we not? I'm sure I've said it before but I'm really not much of a breakfast person so a bagel and cream cheese is perfect! After that we headed into DC, we haven't actually be into the city since we left Alaska, so a couple of years ago.. we tend to drive through it a lot but haven't stopped to explore in quite awhile. Jason planned to go there because for my birthday I had asked for a Gap giftcard and for some odd reason the Gap seems to be really hard to find here.. like there aren't any ANYWHERE! We got there about a half hour before it opened so we did a little exploring!

I tried to snap a few pictures while we toured around but we will be going back to DC over Halloween weekend and really exploring so I am planning to take my camera and get some good pictures. This is the house where President Lincoln died, right across the street from Ford's Theatre where he was shot. The line up to get in here was quite extensive. 

As you can see there was a line to get into Ford's Theatre as well. Jason and I actually just purchased tickets for a December show at Ford's Theatre, we will be seeing A Christmas Story and we are very excited about it! 

The Washington Monument, it really was a beautiful day! 

The White House, no Obama and no Olivia Pope! 

This is the National Christmas tree! Prior to going here on Sunday Jason and I entered the lottery to get tickets to the National Christmas Tree lighting, I'm not going to lie we were pretty disappointed when we got there on Sunday and saw that this was the tree. After spending a few Christmas's in NYC this tree doesn't even come close to comparing to the one they have in Rockefeller Center! 

We didn't hang around in DC for too long, after walking around a little we went back to the Gap. I was in the market for one item in particular and because I was lucky enough to receive two gift certificates for my birthday I was happy to spend the $90.00 the jacket cost.. WELL.. when we got to the cash it was on sale for $29.00!!!!!! WITH TAX! That basically made my day right there!! 

We left DC and headed towards Georgetown, DC, you can read about the history HERE and let me tell you it is worth reading. It is very quaint and cute, lots of history and tons of shops as well, and what do you know there was another Gap! 

We didn't do a ton of exploring here because we plan to go back and spend a full day, Jason planned to go there because he knew there was another Gap there and he is wonderful like that and we wanted to see what it was all about and if it was worth planning a whole day there. I will say if this is on your list of places to visit make sure to allot a good amount of time to find parking because it is not easy. 

While we were there we did manage to visit the Old Stone House which is the oldest unchanged building in Washington DC as well as Washington's last Pre-Revolutionary Colonial Building on its original foundation. Again click HERE to read more about it. Here are a few pictures! 

Inside the house is really neat, there are a lot of little plaques with information about the setups and history that surrounds the house. The tour is completely free and the gardens in the back are beautiful and worth checking out as well. 

We toured around a little more checking out the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (The C & O Canal), The Canal was operated from 1831 to 1924 with the primary function of transporting coal from the Allegheny Mountains. You can read more about this beautiful and historic canal HERE.

We wanted to pass through Alexandria Virginia on the way back to the apartment and grab lunch so after touring around for awhile we headed out again. Truth be told we did so at a really great time because it started to rain a little and only lasted as long as our drive which was great. Alexandria is really cute, I honestly cant say we did too much exploring there because as in Georgetown it was really hard to find parking, but the time we did and visited yet another Gap (this one an outlet) we were starving and decided to grab lunch! 

We stopped in at a little Irish Pub called Murphy's because you can go wrong with a pub! Jason had fish and chips and I had the most amazing Shepherd's pie! The place was really quaint with a big wood fire place, I would definitely go back!! 

What are the odds that I sat right beside this! 

I'm still dreaming about this shepherd's pie.. SO GOOD! 

After eating it was getting late so we headed back to get some stuff done around the apartment and get ready for the Patriots game that night! All in all we had a super great day!! 

Where we are in Maryland we are lucky enough to be close to a lot of wonderful places to explore and we plan to take full advantage of that and I absolutely cant wait!

Thank you all for stopping by and visiting, I greatly appreciate it! I hope you are all extremely well and enjoying this beautiful season!! 

VACANT

Good Afternoon Everyone!

I know there has been a big vacant sign around here lately and for that I really am sorry, it was never my intention to be gone for so long but I swear in the last three months every time I close my eyes I open them back up and a week or more has passed, I just don't know where time is going. I thought I would stop in and fill y'all in on whats been going on over coffee, because hello its fall and its the best way to get out a lot of information. Shall we?

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that I have been away from here the last two weeks in large part because I have been really sick with a cold. The Sunday we were at home I started feeling as though I could be getting sick and then Monday on our way back I was sure I was catching something and then it was just miserable. It started in my head and sinus's which is the absolutely WORST and moved its way down to my chest, I still don't feel 100%, I would say maybe 85% because my chest still feels on fire most of the time and I have to take a drink with me where ever I go or I feel like I might burst into flames. This cold has been no joke.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that Jason has also been suffering from a screwed up ankle, we don't know exactly what is going on but thankfully its starting to get better. He's been doing a lot of icing, elevation, heat and so on. Last week he saw the site medic at work and he suggested soaking his foot in epsom salts and it seems to be helping.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that my birthday hasn't even arrived and yet I have been UTTERLY SPOILED this year! I have been loving getting tons of mail for the last two weeks!! If you are one of the thoughtful people who have sent amazing gifts and cards, thank you so much.. it means so much to me!

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that the fall weather is still teasing us here.. some days are really chilly and absolutely glorious and some days are 80 and hot. I am so ready for sweater weather, now if mother nature would just follow along!

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that in hopes of kicking this cold I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight and I cant wait to curl up tonight in my new pjs (thanks Mom) and watch the Thursday night shows.

If we were having coffee... I would ask how things have been with you? Its been far too long since we sat down and caught up. Really.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that I was almost a little sad not to be in Toronto last night with all the Blue Jays fans celebrating the big win! Friends were posting all over Instagram and the news here was even reporting, it was crazy!

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that the other day Jason used the sun roof on the truck and had an issue with the track. I took it in yesterday for them to look at it and they had to order a part to fix it and therefore I had to take it back today. I wasn't overly impressed but truth be told I don't venture out a lot on my own here because I am really anxious when I don't know where I am going and because the drivers here are TERRIBLE I work myself up about it. But yesterday and today I didn't have a choice because Jason had to work and it was honestly really great. I often work myself up over things that are absolutely fine but I need to do it in order to feel OK about it, and now I do.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that we are no longer going home over Halloween weekend and I am none too happy about it.

If we were having coffee... I would probably suggest a walk with our coffee because the weather truly is gorgeous.

If we were having coffee... I would definitely inquire about your fall wardrobe staples and new additions to your wardrobe for the season. Even Jason has been improving his fall work wardrobe and the other day he came home from work and I thought... damn you look good! HA! But really.

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that this morning Lindsey and I ran to BJ's with Colton and Ava and Ava insisted on the cart with the car on the front so she could "drive". Well it was hilarious, she drove around in that thing waving at everyone like she was the Queen or something, it was fantastic. This is a crumby picture but you have to see it!

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that my parents sent a parcel with butter tarts in it and let me tell you.. I forgot just how much I love those things. I don't miss much anymore in regards to food I cant get here because plain and simple I just cant have it, but getting a treat you cant get here no matter how rare is pretty good! 

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that although I was super sad to get rid of our old truck and I so in love with the new one! I was really at the point of absolutely despising road trips but now they don't seem half bad. Regardless though I don't want to go any further than the house, which is 4 hours. 

If we were having coffee... I would tell you that I know there was more I wanted to tell you but now I cant remember and if you know me at all you wouldn't be surprised. 

I think its time I end this coffee date sadly, I love catching up but believe it or not I am running out of things to say. 

I am not going to commit to be back here tomorrow or even the next day, I am just going to blog when I have something to say! I hope you will all stick around and check in. I just don't want to bore you with none sense because I really have nothing to say. I am going to work on some recipe posts and stuff and be back soon! 

I hope you are all doing well, have a great day and thank you so much for stopping in! 

Hello October!

Good Afternoon!!

It is officially October and I can't tell you how happy that makes me! There is something so wonderful about this month every year and I just don't know how to put it into words!

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Although we are currently getting a ton of rain due to a Nor'easter and are in for a weekend of nasty weather thanks to hurricane Joaquin I have to say the air still smells crisp and perfect! I am currently sitting on the couch with a tea in a big sweatshirt with all the windows open enjoying the smell of the fresh air and cool breeze! There is just something about October! 

I am dreaming of hot drinks, scarves and beautiful walks outside in boots! I cant wait to start knocking more items off my fall bucket list because you bet I've already started! This time of year is just magical! 

While I'm here I also thought I would share a few things that have been floating around my phones camera roll that I have been meaning to somehow incorporate into a post but it just hasn't come together so I am sticking them in right here because why not..?

As you know the other night there was a lunar eclipse, I didn't care all that much about it to be honest and I didn't figure we would be able to see it anyways because it was super cloudy here.. none the less the clouds parted and we laid in bed and watched the whole thing! I didn't bust out my camera to take pictures or anything but I snapped this one from my phone in bed just so you could see how clear we could see things and how huge the moon was! 

The Hazel & Olive Boutique posted this on instagram the other night, and I'm pretty sure I need this shirt! 

Jason and I ran out to Walgreens the other night to try and find him another ankle brace because he is still in a lot of pain. While I was waiting for him to catch up I came across these!! I LOVE candy corn and so these totally intrigued me, let me just tell you.. THEY ARE AMAZING! If you can get your hands on a some, do so! 

Speaking of treats has anyone been able to find the pecan pie M&Ms? I have looked literally everywhere and they are no where to be found! You can get them on Amazon but for an OUTRAGEOUS price. I mean seriously, $13.00 a bag? Come on, even I have my limits! 

I hope you are all having a great day! Happy first day of October to each and every one of you! Thank you as always for stopping by!