A Carolina Weekend

Last weekend I hit the road for Columbia, SC to see one of my best friends and watch the Gamecocks play. And it was awesome! I miss living so close to Columbia and being able to see my friends whenever I want. I've definitely been homesick lately. I got to Columbia after supper time and we all decided to visit Rockaway's for burgers and some delicious pimento cheese fries. If you're in the area, these are not to be missed!

Saturday we did the requisite tailgate shopping with a quick stop by Target so I could get some jeans. I hope it's not a sign that I'm getting used to the Florida weather, but I packed nothing but shorts and skirts for the weekend and it was a little chilly in SC, which was fabulous. It felt like football weather all weekend long! I enjoyed a fabulous little tailgate with Twyla, Amanda, her husband Lenny, and my new friend Lt. Jill.

I had a great time at the game, even though there were some ridiculously over enthusiastic fans in front of us. I'm all for cheering, but I don't think it's necessary to stand up the entire game, holler until you can barely talk, and wave your spirit rag so hard that you could take someone's eye out. That's just me, but then again I didn't drink a 5th of Kentucky Gentleman and start chugging straight Canadian mist by the 4th quarter like the fellows in front of us. Thankfully, the weather was cool with no rain and the Gamecocks pulled out a win!

My favorite part of the game is always when Cocky comes out of the box to 2001.

(Please excuse the crazy 'spirit rag' in front of us for 1/2 of the video!)

The next morning we had brunch at the Liberty Tap Room (pretty tasty!) and got on the road for Florida. This was the most 'normal' weekend I've had in a while, hanging out with friends and not worrying about jobs or mother in laws. I must start having more fun in my life, soon! Thankfully there is plenty going on this fall, so I'll just have to make the best of it!

Memorial Day Weekend

I finally hit the road to go home for Memorial Day weekend, and it was such a good visit!

I had the best time visiting with my mom, sis and friends. We shopped a bit, had game night, caught up. It was the best weekend I've had in quite a while.

I love shopping for palmettos and crescent moons. Gotta show the love for my favorite state.

Mama bought us new flower flip flops, that are super cute and comfy. Flip flop triplets!

I've been meaning to visit my mom and sisters's new school and classroom's for two years, so we had to squeeze that in, too. My mama is an elementary music teacher, her room wouldn't be complete without fabulous bulletin boards!

My sister's class pet is a teddy bear hamster called Tim Teebow (because he's a good roll model).

Teebow giving me a smooch:

Teebow's Gator Cage:

I have an addiction to the Mellow Mushroom, so we went there for supper Sunday night. I don't even care who judges me. It's delicious pizza, the sauce is the best and the cheese is all stringy and the crust is fantastic and it makes me happy and a little sentimental. For some crazy reason we don't have a Shroom in Gainesville anymore, so I have to get my fix whenever I head out of town.

Mmmm...pretzels and marinara. I could eat that marinara with a spoon!

Monday afternoon we hit Hwy. 25 for Edgefield so we could visit Cooks. They have the freshest produce, snacks, and cheeses.

Ripe, South Carolina peaches! I don't care what anyone says, these peaches are the best. My peaches were so good they didn't last very long. I'm looking forward to my sis bringing me another batch when she visits in June. Maybe I'll be able to restrain myself a little bit and make some peach cobbler or jam.

These tomatoes were so good. There is nothing better than home grown, ripe tomatoes in the summer.

Orange and Grape Nehi soda in the ice chest! Delicious and old school.

I wasn't ready to leave at all on Monday. I wish I could have stayed at least a week longer, so I could hang out and help my mama and sis get ready for the last week of school. Eventually I had to hit the road.

Must have iPod and giant ice water for traveling.

I drove through the Boro on the way back. I will always miss living in Statesboro and good times at Georgia Southern.

I made it back to Florida (still doesn't feel like home yet) just as the sun was setting. Not a bad drive for Memorial Day.

Things I Miss...

Things I miss the most...(beside my family and friends, of course)

Our house

My kitchenaid mixer

The rest of my kitchen tools. I'm beside myself without my microplanes, my good knives, my Lecruset and my Calphalon!

My furniture and everything else that is in storage right now.

My old Kroger (I knew where everything was!) There is a Publix on every corner down here, which is great, but that means I have to learn 16 different Publixes.

Mellow Mushroom (why don't we have one in Gainesville anymore?!?)

Gary's for delicious burgers and fries

The BBQ Barn in North Augusta (They just don't do bbq the same down here, especially pulled pork!)

Living across the street from the Augusta National

Living right down the road from the Boro

My Fabulous coworkers