The Balconies of My Life: Florida

Every summer we head south to a Florida hotel room or condo that has a balcony with a beach view. My love affair of Florida balconies began about four years ago. Since then, summer is not complete if I don't get the chance to stand out on a balcony over looking the white sand and sparkling blue waters of a Florida beach.

The first thing I do upon arriving to our Florida destination is run through the hotel/condo to the balcony. I push back the curtains to reveal emerald waters and happy beach goers. The loud sounds of the waves that muffle the sounds of people screaming over the water fill the balcony.  I feel like an excited kid. As happy as I am to stand on the balcony, the first view of the beach from that vantage point makes me feel uncomfortable with excited energy. I am ready to get to the beach!

Usually by the first evening, after spending the day on the beach, the best place to end the day is back on the balcony. I am really surprised I even see the rest of the rental. As on all the other balconies, the days are started off with coffee and breakfast on the balcony and the days are ended with a glass of wine and talks of good times.  Life is good any day on a balcony.

My first view of the beach.

Sunsets always look better from a balcony!

Best view of the beach life!

I took this picture on our "honeymoon re-do" from our balcony.  The chair set up was not ours but for a family staying in the condos. I loved the picture so much that I had it framed and hung in my "beach" bathroom at home. It reminds me that no matter where my family may be we will all get together often to enjoy each other, beach time and balconies.

Married Mondays: Just Married, Will Travel

We have been married 79 days today which include 11 weekends and out of those 11 weekends we have taken 8 roads trips together.  We have been busy having a lot of fun!  Those trips include our first attempt at a honeymoon (but I developed an eye condition prompting us to quickly return home), a fast weekend road trip to Houston, a couple of boat trip weekends, our Honeymoon attempt number 2 (successful after my eye healed!) and finally our latest trip to Panama City for my cousin's wedding.  Never a moment to be bored!  In the midst of all the travels, we are slowly fixing up our home and I will be sharing decorating updates in the weeks to come.  But for now I will let you oooh over where have been the last several days.

Majestic Beach Resort

On Vacation

The Balconies of My Life series will return next Thursday with The Balconies of Florida. I am on vacation right now and currently on a balcony in Florida!

Marry Me Mondays

Starting next Monday the focus of the Marry Me Monday posts will change slightly from wedding details to the adventures of married life.  I am running out of ideas about weddings and I have plenty of wonderful things to say about marriage so I am changing the series to Married Mondays.  There might be some wedding ideas that slip in there occasionally, but there will also be stories of our newlywed experiences as well as tips that I have learned from other people and websites about everything from food to decorating. 

On a date to The Ravine in Oxford.  We went with friends, Adam and Mollye.  It was the first experience for all of us to eat at The Ravine and have tapas.  We will definitely be going back!

The Balconies of My Life: The View from Jubilee Landing

Pink Sunset, Jubilee Landing Balcony

"I want the condo to be a place that all of my family can enjoy.  Bring family pictures to put up." Christy told my mother right after they purchased Jubilee Landing.  I wrote this blog post last week for Christy.  I wanted her to know just how much spending time with family at Jubilee Landing meant to me.  I wanted her to know that she accomplished her goal of having a condo for all her family to enjoy.  As I wrote last week, I was hopeful yet worried that she might not get the opportunity to read the post. I quickly chased those thoughts away knowing that she would be around a few more weeks. On Monday, we realized a few more weeks with our Christy was probably not the reality.  I thought about sending her this post but I knew she would not be able to read it.  I stopped the scheduled publication date since the blog seemed trivial in the midst of losing my cousin who is more like my sister. However, I realized these memories are what we need at this time because Christy really lived. She taught me a lot over my life but in the last seven or so  years of living with cancer, she taught us all how to enjoy life even when everything is not ideal. She inspired me to not worry so much, take up every sweet moment, and be a spirited strong woman when voicing opinions! Most importantly Christy loved deeply and we love her.  She would not stand for us being sad for too long so this blog is about good family times because she always said she loved a full house of family and friends.

The Original Blog Post
In the mornings, after just a few hours of sleep, we return to where we left off the night before - the balcony at Jubilee Landing. Mom is usually the first one out after starting the pot of coffee followed by Ed and me. It is quiet.  We are all sleepy but want to savor every precious minute of sitting on the balcony.  Coffee cupped in hands, we quietly watch the waves and look for dolphins.  Boats slowly drive by for a morning fishing expedition.  The only sounds are of seagulls and waves in the distance.  Closer by, a low roar of a boat motor gently splashes through the bay trying not to leave a wake. Other family members start to drift out one by one as we wake up on the balcony.  The quiet sounds turn into sleepy conversation and morning laughter that becomes more boisterous as the coffee begins to take effect.

The mornings lead into days spent water side.  The days turn into evenings back on the balcony as the sunset awes us  for a quiet moment until the loudness of my family once again takes over. Ever heard of the phrase gumbo ya-ya?  I heard the phrase about a year ago and finally found the perfect description of our family.  The Cajun phrase means everyone talks at once.  We are an excited bunch and while we don't mean to interrupt, if you want to get in and stay in the conversation you have to work at it. We all talk over each other but are rarely offended because somehow we all manage to hear what everyone is saying.   The conversations get deeper or sillier or a combination of both. The topics of discussion all just depend on the mood that our beverages take us to at that time.

The sun finally drops into the ocean and the lights of  the condos surrounding us reflect into the bay. The guitars come out and the singing begins.  The evening gets later but every one pushes on, not wanting the balcony party to come to an end. Eventually the beds call and the energy quiets for a few hours.  The sun rises and the condo rituals start once again.

I love that place.  The times spent on the balcony of Jubilee Landing is such an accurate depiction of so many characteristics of our family. It is one of those places that I genuinely feel like me because my family is me.  The happy family times created over the last two years stay with me long after summer turns into winter.  Put me on a condo balcony, even if it is not Jubilee Landing, and the memories are so real that I can feel my family around me even when they are not there.  The memories create real feelings of comfort and a deep contentment. I am beyond blessed to have my family and a place where we all gather every summer.  I can't wait until the next time I am on the balcony of Jubilee Landing.

Morning begins

Watching the morning

Magnolia smells like salt water

Murdock

My love

Orange Sunset, day turns into evening

Cousins and Champagne

Deep conversations

Christy and Mom

Night lights on water

Let the concert begin!

Pensive or confused?

More deep conversations

Family time on the balcony for many more years and generations to come!!!

Marry Me Monday: Our Reception

I love this photo. It is timeless.

Our Must Haves for the Reception:

• Family and Friends 
• Delicious hors d'oeuvres and Open Bar (we had wine and beer)
• Dancing 
• The Second Line (that was my must have) 
• The Family Circle (of course done to the classy Friends in Low Places)

Our Could Care Less If We Have:

• Extraordinary/Detailed Decorations (put the money on the food/drink) 
• Wedding Favors (we ended up having them and still have them...any one want a lot of flower seeds?) 
• A Band (we went with the DJ)  
• A Groom's Cake (Ed does not care for cake so we put more money on the bar...priorities!)

If we had to do it all over again, we would do it the same way!  We had so much fun and it was our idea of a perfect evening.  I worried a little too much about all the details of what others would say about all of our decisions which is a typical bride worry.  In the end, I finally made decisions on exactly what we wanted and it turned out perfect!  The reception was a great celebration of love with family and friends. And really, just a fantastic party!

Amazing carrot cake with cream cheese filing and butter creme frosting...I want a piece right now!

Our favors

Inside the circle of family and friends

A family tradition!

The Second Line - The Cajun in me had to have it!

 

The Balconies of My Life: The View From A Balcony in Oxford, MS

A photograph we took on a Sunday morning. I love this photo so much that I have several prints framed.

Even on a regular week day, a celebration is going on in Oxford as people fill the balcony spaces.  They laugh with drinks in their hands.  They hear the busy, happy sounds of The Square.  They talk about great ideas or ideas that just sound great after a few joy making beverages. The balconies are the places that inspire many of our literary talents. The balconies are where the want-to-be writers congregate in hopes of catching a bit of that talent that runs through our town.  A balcony on The Oxford Square is one of my favorite places to be.  A simple joy that makes me remember,  once again, I really am enjoying the sweet life. This joy is one of the many reasons I consider myself one of the fortunate ones to not only live in the South but get to live in Oxford, MS.

In Oxford, balcony time is the ultimate experience in laid back relaxation but it is not relaxation without effort. You see, balcony inhabiting in Oxford is quite the sport. You have to stake out a place and hunt it like a wild animal hunting it's prey.  Except the typical balcony hunting does not involve a wild smelling, fur covered, blood thirsty animal.  No, our version is more like hunting in a cute dress with wedge sandals while being nicely perfumed and only thirsty for that next glass of chardonnay. Yes, hunting in Oxford is much more civil and fashion conscious.

Recently, we went out for a friend's birthday. The birthday dinner was scheduled at a prime time in hopes to get a balcony spot at Boure.  After a detailed strategy session, we agreed we would increase our chances on a Thursday evening immediately following work after the spring semester ended.  We almost made it.  However, we were a party of five and there were only a couple of two seater tables available...such disappointment.  As we walked off the balcony, defeated, we looked back at the lucky ones.  The ones, who on that day, managed to secure a spot. We walked our stylish wedge sandals inside for dinner.

Even though we were not successful for that birthday dinner, strategy does often produce results when executed with dedication and persistence. I have been known to stand outside City Grocery's bar door at 3:45pm on a weekend because they opened at 4:00pm. I knew if we were the first ones in we would get a spot. Don't judge. Others quickly followed and lined up behind me. On such Saturdays of successful balcony hunting, I happily claim a prized spot. And no it wasn't 5 o'clock in Oxford but balcony time is the exception to that rule any day.

Magical memories seem to take place on balconies. One of my favorite times on a balcony is a early spring day when winter has finally let go of Oxford. Another favorite time is  the 3rd of July when The Square opens up for a street dance.  My family never goes to the street dance because we are enjoying the music from the balcony and talking about those great ideas that sound even better with a joy making beverage in hand!

My mom (aka Sassy Susie) enjoying wine on the balcony of City Grocery during a 3rd of July celebration.

Deep conversation with family (my cousin is in background).

Ed checking out the activity below City Grocery.

A cool summer evening. Happiness.

Family time on the City Grocery Balcony.

Family time on the City Grocery Balcony.

Relaxing and enjoying the view. (Ok, really I just did not want to look at the camera while Ed took the picture!)

Great ideas that get even better with one more glass...

There are so many balcony experiences that make up my life. While each balcony is uniquely different, all share the commonality of happy times with friends and family. I recently realized balconies are the places where a lot of my sweet memories are made. My husband pointed out my love for these outside spots when I mentioned writing about the Oxford balconies but continued to talk about all the balconies of my life.  He suggested not just one essay on the Oxford balconies but a series.   So hence the series: The Balconies of My Life.  Hopefully, in the upcoming weeks, my series will inspire you to head out to a balcony with friends, family and of course a glass of vino! 

*This essay is the first in a series of essays.  Next Thursday: The Balcony of Jubilee Landing.

Mexican Casserole

Picture from AllRecipes (ours was gone before I could take a picture)

Last night I actually cooked something I had previously pinned on Pinterest. I am guilty of mindlessly pinning items as a stress relieving behavior.  I think one day I really will do this activity/recipe/craft/etc.  Well now I am two for two in cooking from Pinterest!  Last year, I blogged about cooking with Pinterest and now, over a year later,  I attempted another recipe from my Yummies board.

I decided on this casserole while planning a grocery list for this week. I wanted a new dish idea. I realize this was the perfect time to brave up and try a new idea from Pinterest. So I went to my ever growing recipe board on Pinterest and decided to try the Mexican Casserole recipe which was pinned from AllRecipes.com.

The casserole turned out to be an easy meal to make as an (almost) one dish meal. I highly recommend it for an easy weekday meal or even to serve to guests. While eating it, I declared it tasty enough to serve to my Bunco group which is the epitome of good food!  Easy comfort food that is equally delicious is always the perfect dish.

I also highly recommend using a new menu planner template that I pinned (of course!) from the Newylwed Survival blog. The free downloadable template makes organizing meals and a grocery list easy for a busy week.

Personal Tweaks to the Recipe

I followed the recipe with the exception of:

  

  - Substituted shoe peg corn for the sweet corn 

  - Added chopped onions/sauteed with the chicken 

  - Added chopped jalapeno peppers to taste

Some other ideas that I might incorporate next time:

  - Serve with sour cream

  - Add green chilis

  - Add black olives (not a fave of mine but I know a lot of people like them)

Marry Me Monday: Our Ceremony

About five hours after Ed proposed last year on the beach, I started planning our wedding. I thought I had done such a great job of appearing calm by not rushing to the wedding planning process but Ed saw it a different way. He tells me that I went right into full speed that afternoon with everything all planned out before we left Destin!  That is only half true.  But what would one expect when a girl is anticipating (growing extremely impatient) a proposal for a year?!?

Really I only had the big parts planned.  We quickly figured out where we wanted the wedding because one of the most important things for me was to have the ceremony at my church where I was confirmed.  I definitely wanted Fr. Tommy to do the ceremony and Ed completely agreed. Fr. T is one of those people that has a rare talent to make every one he comes into contact with feel welcomed and happy.  I wanted as many of our family and friends to be able to experience the joy that is St. Thomas and Fr. Tommy.

Our ceremony was beautiful.  Yes, there were a few mishaps like my music not being played at the right time.  But I decided to not let little imperfections upset me because those little mistakes combined with the perfect moments make the day unique and beautiful. I have so many perfect memories of the day like being escorted down the aisle by my sweet mother, who has always been and will be by my side. And seeing Ed smile and all the nervousness go away. I did not look at anyone except Ed as we walked down the aisle to him. I remember someone crying beside me as Ed and mom hugged. I remember looking at my mother as she walked to take her seat. All beautiful memories.

Fr. Tommy managed to make the ceremony holy and funny at the same time. He even gave our guests the opportunity to take pictures so that they could post to Facebook immediately. I remember the sweet look Ed had on his face. I remember my voice shaking as I recited my vows but I don't remember the vows.  Thank goodness those are written down for us if Ed ever wants to remind me of them!

I did not feel that nervous especially seeing all the sweet, smiling faces of family members and friends but I do remember trying to pay attention while I simultaneously reminded myself  to not lock my knees. I did not want to pass out!  But I did pay attention and it flew by.  Yes, a Catholic wedding that flew by!  But in full disclosure, it was a non-Mass Catholic wedding but even those can be long. Before I knew it, Father Tommy was ending in an Irish blessing (a special request from us) but in typical Fr. T style it was a true Irish humor blessing that ended with "may you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows that you are dead."  And while the ceremony seem to go by in a few minutes, the time between him announcing us as husband and wife and telling us to kiss lasted forever. There were a few awkward moments where we leaned in to kiss but stopped because he had not told us we could yet.  Fr. T, noticing the awkward movements, jokingly asked us could we wait a minute. The comment once again gathered more laughter from the church from another humorous moment. 

There are a few things that I did not see or do not remember but our amazing photographer (Jenn D Photography) caught so many beautiful moments!  

The first time Ed saw me. Love the joy in his face!

Our programs that I designed!

My sweet cousins ringing bells before my mother and I walked down the aisle.

The steps served as the perfect "chill" spot to watch the wedding!

Both my mother and I carried handkerchiefs from my great grandmother.

The sweetest hug.

We are MARRIED!