Memorial Day Weekend!

So happy that summer has unofficially began!

If this past weekend is any indication to how much fun I will have this summer, then I cannot wait!  Rusty and I had a pretty busy weekend! It was so nice to finally be in town for a weekend.

It was so nice out on Friday, that we decided it would be a perfect evening to take the dogs on a walk through Downtown Greenville and stop at one of the many restaurants that had outdoor seating.  I am still in awe at the fact that you can bring your dogs to any restaurant that has outdoor seating...I mean how cool is that!?  I had been craving sushi, so we decided to try a place downtown.  It was pretty good and the dogs definitely loved ALL of the attention that they were getting from everyone that was walking by.  It was such a nice evening and after dinner we strolled up Main St. to where they had live music and lots of beer vendors.  I just love how there is always something going on downtown, its so nice to find something new to do each night down there!

Saturday, we enjoyed more of what Greenville has to offer.  They have the Farmer's Market every Saturday on the streets of Downtown.  Several local vendors come out and set up tents for everyone to browse through.  It is still early in the season, so not all of the vendors have all of their produce ready, but it was still so packed.  Rusty and I were able to find some delicious goodies and sampled from several different vendors.  We ended up buying this awesome Black Bean and Mango Salsa, Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, and Rusty picked out some Habenero Chutney. I can't wait to go back in a few weeks when they have some more fresh fruit and to buy some of the fresh fish and homemade pasta that they have.  When we finished walking around the market, we decided to try out the new bagel restaurant, Sully's Steamers.  It was seriously delicious.  I definitely suggest that you try it out if you haven't already

The fun didn't stop there.  Every Memorial Day weekend, the Greenville Hospital Systems sponsors the Aloft Festival.  They have hot air balloon launches, festival rides and game, fair food, and concerts.  On Saturday night, we went to go see Andy Grammer and Corey Smith play.  Rusty and I had the best time.  I loved seeing all of the hot air balloons get filled off and float away into the sky.  There had to be about 50 of them! Both of concerts were great and it was the perfect weather to enjoy it.  I also experienced a first, FRIED OREOS! I don't know why I waited this long to try them, but oh my gah were they delicious.  I didn't just stop at the fried oreos, I also got to sample some red velvet funnel cake (also amazing) and some fried green tomatoes with chipotle mayo from a local restaurant.  Overall, it was a perfect night :)

We spent Sunday at our friends' pool and cooked out with them. It was so nice to enjoy the sun and some good friends! Monday, was a MUCH needed day off after all of the excitement of the weekend.  Rusty and I were both exhausted, but we did manage to sneak in a little fun and went and saw Hangover 3.  It was a lot better than the second, very funny! Now it is back to work for a few days before we have another fun and busy weekend ahead of us!

Weekend Recap

This weekend, just like EVERY other weekend flew by.  Before I knew it, it was Sunday night and I was getting back into "work" mode, but I was glad for a somewhat relaxing weekend, it was MUCH needed after a long week.

The weather has been so gloomy lately.  I couldn't be any more ready for some sunshine and spring weather.  I am hoping that it comes sooner rather than later (next week would be fine by me!).  Friday was another one of those dreary Winter days that seem to be never ending.  Since it was gross, I decided that it might be a good idea to start packing, seeing that I am moving next weekend! Luckily, I had my best friend, Jordan, help me clean out my closet the other weekend when she was in town. Thank goodness she was here, I never realized how much of a clothes hoarder I was, I guess you could say I was in a little bit of denial.  I know I won't ever wear a certain dress or shirt again, but always find an excuse to keep it, but with Jordan's help I was able to give away almost 20 pairs of shoes, some purses, and 3 trashbags worth of clothes to Goodwill.  It felt good to give away my clothes, maybe now when Rusty and I move into our house he can share a closet with me (ha, who are we kidding! I will now have to go get new clothes!).

Saturday, Rusty and I moved a few things into my storage unit.  I discovered that I am absolutely WORTHLESS at moving.  I have no upper body strength, it is actually quite humorous moving this furniture, but I doubt Rusty finds it funny! After we got the "hard work" out of the way, Rusty and I spent the rest of the weekend with our friends.

I am NO fan of BBQ, but was very impressed of how much I enjoyed our lunch with our good friends at The Smokin' Pig BBQ in Pendleton (right by Clemson!).  Everything looked so delicious, even the pork and brisket which we all know I would never eat! The sides were to die for.  They had everything a great BBQ place should have including fried okra, baked beans, loaded potato casserole, banana pudding, sweet potato crunch, and much more!

Rusty got the 1/2 Chicken and Pork with Sweet Potato Crunch
and Fried Okra...yum!!!

 Chopped Chicken (before I put the BBQ sauce on) with
Sweet Potato Fries and Baked Beans!

The Smokin' Pig BBQ

The rest of the weekend we spent with friends.  Lots of people were in town so we actually went out in Downtown Greenville for once.  I am a 23 year old grandma, I never go out Downtown anymore.  I think that it was maybe my 6th time since I moved here almost a year ago, how pathetic is that?! But we had a lot of fun with everyone.  We will definitely have to start doing that more often! And on Sunday, we went to Stax for breakfast with about 20 people.  This restaurant is literally 2 minutes from my apartment and I had NO idea it was there and of course when I do find out, I am moving away!

It was such a great weekend, but unfortunately just like every other one it came to and end and I have another busy week ahead of me! Lets hope I survive since next weekend will be so busy moving all of my furniture!!

Weekend Adventures

Who doesn't love a three day weekend!? I was lucky enough to have President's Day off and let me tell you it was much needed after a fun-filled, busy weekend. I was so relieved when 3 o'clock rolled around on Friday. That is my favorite time of the week, because it means that my weekend has officially begun!

Friday was the start of our busy weekend.  I officially booked my storage unit and have most of my apartment all packed up, which is a good thing because I will be moving in with Rusty in two weeks until our house is done being built! So much to look forward to with this BIG step in our lives. That night, Rusty had a basketball game for the church team he was on.  I finally went and watched one of them for the first time and surprisingly enjoyed it, seeing as I am not a huge basketball fan. Unfortunately, Rusty's team lost--but it was still entertaining to say the least. Afterwards we enjoyed a some Mexican at Monteray's to begin our weekend full of dates :)

I was so excited on Saturday morning when I woke up.  Earlier in the week, Rusty had mentioned that he wanted to go to Asheville for the day on Saturday.  He didn't have to ask me twice! I have been wanting to go up there with Rusty and explore the city.  I wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate, but it is very expensive and we needed more than just a few hours to explore the vast grounds, the house, and the vineyards of course. Because we were leaving the dogs at home, we could only spend half of the day in Asheville.  We decided that we were going to go shopping at the discount Dillards (but that turned out to be a disappointment, way too cluttered for me to dig through!) and then go bar hopping and to some of the breweries that are in Asheville.

On our drive up there, the snow flurries started coming down.  Now, I am from the South so seeing snow is a very rare thing for me and I of course get all giddy, and act like I am a little kid again!  The strange thing about the snow was that back home in Greenville got more snow than Asheville (guess we were in the wrong place).

After our failure at the Dillards, I know Rusty was so happy to be in Downtown Asheville at Lexington Avenue Brewery aka LAB (make sure to go check out their menu!).  This place was so cool with the lighting in the brewery and around the bar.  We got there at the perfect timing and escaped the wait in the cold.  We were starving by this point and each got a delicious sandwich.  Rusty got a Fried Turkey Sandwich with cranberry sauce and bacon that looked scrumptious and I got the Local Apple and Pear Gouda Grilled Cheese, which was the bomb.com! To accompany our food, we started off with a Flight to have a sampling of all of their beers.  I have come to love craft beers and can only drink domestic beers at tailgates or other events (I know, I am such a BEER SNOB!).  After we finished up at LAB, we decided to that it would be fun to walk around downtown and bar hop and stop in some stores.  We went to a few bars that were well known in Asheville, Jack of the Wood, Tall Gary's, and Southern. I loved trying new beers, they were all so good! Before leaving Downtown to head to Highland Brewery, we had to stop at Three Dog Bakery to pick Miles and Harley up a few treats!

Flight at LAB
Cream Ale, Spiced Wheat, IPA, Rye Pale,
Brown Ale, and Porter

Delicious Apple and Peer Gouda Grilled Cheese

Soft, hot pretzels from Southern with Spicy Mustard,
Cheese, and Apple Butter!

                 

Harley and Miles enjoying their treats from
Three Dog Bakery

After exploring all of Downtown Asheville, it was FINALLY time to go to Highland Brewing Company.  This is what Rusty had been waiting for ALL day long.  Over the winter, he had gotten hooked on their Cold Mountain Ale, which is definitely one of the best seasonal beers that I have ever had. It was so crowded at the brewery with bachelorette parties, Mardi Gras parties, a band, and several tours of the brewery moving in and out.  We got a spot right away at the bar and got another Flight there to sample some of the beers that they don't sell in stores.  Unfortunately, they ran out of Cold Mountain the weekend before.  Rusty was disappointed to say the least! Other than that, we had a great time and enjoyed spending a fun-filled day in freezing Asheville.

Highland Brewing Company

our flight of beer at Highland!

The weekend was amazing and to top it all off, Rusty and I are going to get Sushi tonight for dinner! To say I am happy is an understatement! I have been craving sushi for weeks now, but we have to be home before the Bachelor at 8!

Have a great week :)

Best Friends Come to Greenville!

Last week could not have gone by any slower! I don't think that I could have been any more excited to have three of my closet friends from college come and visit me.  Jordan, Kaylee, and Leah all made the trip down to Greenville so we could have a fun girls weekend.

Friday night all the girls came into town and we went to one of my new favorite restaurants in Greenville, Southern Culture Kitchen and Bar, with my boyfriend (Rusty) and his roommate, Will.  Obviously, this restaurant is very popular because we had an hour wait (but it was well worth it!).  I was so happy that my friends could come down and that Rusty got to meet them. We enjoyed a few drinks at the bar and finally got seated.  The menu is amazing and of course we had to get the Tator Tots with Pimento Cheese Fondue and Pulled Pork Nachos to begin the meal.  They have a wide variety of southern inspired dishes, I highly recommend you to go check it out!

First stop of the weekend was to Green's to get Rusty a Growler of Highland Cold Mountain Ale!

On Saturday, I decided to take the girls to Downtown Greenville.  We walked all around Main Street and went into the different boutiques and enjoyed the scenery.  Jordan was so excited because she wanted to find the "Mice and Main," which are 9 bronze mice hidden around Main Street that have a story and riddles to go along with them.  We weren't successful in finding all of them, but did manage to find a few!  It was such a pretty day and we enjoyed the beautiful views at Falls Park. After walking up and down Main Street, we stopped for lunch at Grill Mark's for more delicious food. That night we cooked dinner, had some wine, and went out to the lovely city of Greer (my future home!) for a fire at Rusty's neighbors' house.

At Falls Park at Reedy River

It was so much fun having them in town and showing them around Greenville.  But the most exciting news of the weekend was that Kaylee asked me to be her Maid of Honor!!!!! I am sooooo excited about it and cannot wait to start helping her to have the most amazing wedding ever!

Jordan and Kaylee found Aunt Maggie the mouse while searching for "Mice on Main"

The bride to be!! So excited to be her MOH :)

Jordan and Leah at Falls Park

The Mice on Main Street...probably the highlight of Jordan's trip!

Obviously we had to make a Pinterest meal. Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken

Fire with friends out in Greer! I think Leah, Kaylee, and Jordan enjoyed the Moonshine :)

I hate that the weekend flew by, but hopefully in a few months when my house is finished I can have everyone come back and visit again for a House Warming Party :)