Love Remains the Same

Once upon a time, I had written a witty and amazing blog post. Perhaps the best one of all. And then reality set in, I was trying to do 5 things at once, and I ended up accidentally deleting said blog post before posting. The struggle IS real. I was extremely frustrated with myself at first, but then realized that I couldn’t do anything about it, so I decided to take a break and restart later. So here I am!

I don’t think I can even attempt to mirror what I had previously written {I’ve slept since then, HARD!} but I will try to think of something right around the same level of amazing {wishful thinking, wishful thinking..} I’m currently sitting on top of my comfy bed, with my new cozy blanket, a cup of tea {with marshmallows in it..because, well, marshmallows!} , a fall candle burning right beside me, and my husband sitting in the other room watching a few pre-season NFL games{which I must say, makes my heart very happy, it's a pleasant sound to hear. Happy fall!}. I think I’m ready for this. Aaaand, go.

As I grow older, I’ve noticed a lot of my tastes changing. They say your tastes start changing every 7{?} years {or so?}, and for me I feel that this is pretty accurate. This ranges from a wide spectrum of things, from my taste in company, food and drink tastes, musical tastes, pretty close to everything.

Ever since I was about 18 or so, I’ve been {gradually} incorporating, and dare I say even liking vegetables, but recently I’ve been LOVING all vegetables that I used to loathe. Tomatoes? Yum. Brussel Sprouts? Pass ‘em over. Okra? Gimme. Carrots? Mine. At first, I wasn’t sure what to do with these vegetable cravings. Was I pregnant? Was I having some sort of mental breakdown? What was the root cause of this sudden onset love of vegetables? As it turns out, neither of the above were the culprit {although I’m sure some people would argue the latter..} I honestly think that I am just getting a bit braver as I get older and more willing to try new things.  

This is a change I am kind of extremely happy about: I am not longer just a sweet white wine lover! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not dumping all of my moscato d’asti and Riesling down the drain, but I’m no longer reaching for them at the liquor store. Now, I’m looking for chardonnay and cabernet {and dare I say even the occasional shiraz..} Do I somehow feel more sophisticated drinking these newfound wines? You betcha. In case you were wondering, my current favorite brand is actually by Dave Matthews. The brand is called Dreaming Tree. DELICIOUS and your wallet will thank you, because this wine is budget friendly. A couple more of my favorites are Freakshow and 14 Hands..so walk run to your nearest liquor store and get your hands on a bottle {or two, or three..}

Musical tastes have absolutely changed. I hear most electronic music and I think “wait, is this music?” I’m over my “only rap music” phase, although I do love myself a nice rap song when I’m driving with the windows down. Don’t judge, you know you do it too. I’ve been really digging the Michael Buble Pandora station lately. It features good ole Michael himself, Frank Sinatra, Ben E King, & of course, Norah Jones, the classy lady herself!

You know the saying, the more things change, the more they stay the same. There are a few things in my life that aren’t going to change: my love for Charles, my faith, my love of my family, my chocolate & coffee obsessions, and my habit of watching reality tv shows, just to name a few. And you know what? I’m ok with that. My life is in a better place than I could have ever imagined.

Let's get down to the recap portion of our blog post today:

Fresh Farmers Market flowers..$5 for these beauties that will last weeks. Go home with your $15 bouquets that last 2 days, Wal-Mart. Although I still do love walmart..

You can't beat end of summer nights on the deck with your handsome hubby and a nice glass of red wine. You just can't beat it!

Honestly, it's felt more like fall lately than it has summer {well, at least the nights and the mornings feel that way} so I've been trying to spend as much time as possible outside on the deck with the girls {yes, the dogs..}

While at the lake last weekend, the mister and I woke up at around 6am to a thunderstorm. There's nothing quite like the sound of thunder when you're waking up. We decided to make the most of it and spend the early morning hours cuddling on the deck listening to the storm in a hammock.

When thunderstorms disappear, it's time to take a sunset boat ride with the family..and I'm glad I wore this shirt over my swimsuit and we were BOTH glad I had this blanket, because it got CHILLY.

Lake views..why isn't this my permanent view?

 



You know we love local things, and Friday we got the pleasure of trying out CORE brewing company that just came to our town. What and awesome place! If you're around my area, check it out, you won't be disappointed.

I hope as much as your life changes, some things remain the same. 

It could be worse

If I told you that my past two weeks have been dull, I would be seriously misleading you. Sadly, the adventure has nothing to do with any fun, wild, or crazy plans, it has more to do with a series of unfortunate events.

For starters, two Wednesday night’s ago, right around midnight, our 55 pound Doberman, Milli, came running into the house and jumped right into bed with us, only for us to find out that she had been skunked. Yes, you read it right. Skunked. It was the most FOUL smell in the history of smells, and it led me to spending from 12am until 6:30 am steam cleaning, washing sheets, cleaning curtains, mopping, giving dog baths, etc. Not exactly what a girl needs to be doing when she has to work 8 hours the next day {I did not possibly almost fell asleep on my desk..}

What makes matters worse is the fact that we were leaving that Friday to go to my nieces christening in Dallas, so we had to leave a semi-lingering skunk smell all throughout the house. Again, not ideal. I was about to have to do round two of steam cleaning, washing sheets, dog baths…

That following weekend was a whirlwind of family visits, playing with sweet babies, spending WAY too much time in the car, and finally coming home and crashing. The heat is getting unbearable here in good old Fort Smith, which has been putting me in this mood of cranky exhaustion and lusting over the fall {can’t sneak a late summer blog post in without mentioning fall somewhere..}

Then a few days ago, I am pulling out of my driveway and much to my dismay, I see our neighbors house on fire! I can’t make these things up. It’s been a mess of a few weeks. Always an adventure for the Alley duo.

This past weekend, Lake Ouachita was my zone of peace, and I had every intention of getting a few {too many} library books to bring with me for the trip. A hammock on the deck overlooking the lake and a nice book, a bottle of wine, and sunset boat rides? I had THE best time. It was also a bit chilly during the morning times with zero humidity, which is unheard of during a southern summer, so I took full advantage of having coffee outside on the deck. Fall is coming, fall is coming..insert happy dance here.

After every peaceful weekend comes a hectic week. That’s right..we got skunked. Again. Two weeks to the day of the last skunking. And that day is today. I’ve had only a few hours of sleep and my house smells like skunk {and so do I...sorry if I work with you and you've smelled me..Guilty as charged.}

So lately, I’ve been watching shows on hulu / Netflix like they’re going out of style. Washing dishes? Bust out my iPad. Doing laundry? Put on the Netflix. Cooking dinner? Who doesn’t love a good show in the background to pass the time. This has been especially helpful lately as I've been pulling all nighters right and left with skunk problems.. Lately, I’ve been getting back into Mistresses {scandalous}, Preachers Daughters {where in the world did they find these people?!}, The Mindy Project, Pretty Little Liars {like I’ll ever grow out of that}, and of course, The Bachelorette / Bachelor in Paradise!

Let’s jump right into some fun things that I’ve been doing the past week..

Because floppy hates, handsome drivers, and a cute Kate Spade tumbler are required for a road trip {Shout out to Paperwerk for the tumbler!}

Lake Ouachita & Lily Pad's with lifelong friends

When it feels like a glorious, humidity free {&& dare I say chilly morning}, you take advantage appropriately by wrapping in a mustard yellow crocheted blanket and drink coffee on the deck. You just do.

I can't even begin to describe my love for this picture. Sunset rides with bae are literally the epitome of perfection.



Okay Lake Ouachita, we get it, you're wonderful & glorious.

Alright, I've rambled on long enough, I can sense the laundry about to be done, I'm running on coffee and fumes, and I have to go to the Suite One debut of their Swanky Sooie line..smelling like a skunk.

It could be worse.