Have you ever had one of those weekends where every single moment amazing and fantastic and you look back on every single second as so precious that you never want to forget it? I had one of those weekends recently.
Life has it's ups and downs. With my father's recent diagnosis and treatments of cancer, it has been rough to ride through the emotions and stress that my mother and I both have been experiencing while trying to keep it together and help my father while staying strong for him. People ask me constantly "How is he doing?" While I appreciate their concerns, the questions do get old.
As far as my father, he is going in for a scan in about two weeks to see how the treatments have been working or not working. As well as to have surgery on his esophagus to remove a tumor.
Though it is a darker time in mine and my family's life right now, there are those precious moments of light and happiness that can override the darkness.
I do not want to be all doom and gloom after still riding a high in my life by looking back on Valentine's weekend and all of the lovely times with friends, family, and loved ones that went with it! Let's liven this blog post up! First, let's back up a bit...
Life has it's ups and downs. With my father's recent diagnosis and treatments of cancer, it has been rough to ride through the emotions and stress that my mother and I both have been experiencing while trying to keep it together and help my father while staying strong for him. People ask me constantly "How is he doing?" While I appreciate their concerns, the questions do get old.
As far as my father, he is going in for a scan in about two weeks to see how the treatments have been working or not working. As well as to have surgery on his esophagus to remove a tumor.
Though it is a darker time in mine and my family's life right now, there are those precious moments of light and happiness that can override the darkness.
I do not want to be all doom and gloom after still riding a high in my life by looking back on Valentine's weekend and all of the lovely times with friends, family, and loved ones that went with it! Let's liven this blog post up! First, let's back up a bit...
As I was saying, some weekends are just an explosion of happiness. If a weekend could be wrapped up in a humongous present, the biggest present you've ever imagined, and tied up with a giant bow on top. That was this past weekend.
I am going to keep the recap brief with a majority of pictures. One of the main reasons is I was recently contracted to do a special writing project for another website and have been mainly focusing my blogging and writing time to that. I am thrilled and grateful for this new project and cannot wait to tell you guys more in the upcoming weeks! Just know that it will feature some mighty tasty recipes.
On to the recap! As I was sayingin my last blog post, what I had to look forward to this weekend first and foremost was Wade visiting. He ended up surprising by showing up a day early on Thursday evening to stay for the weekend. Friday morning started with an exchange of Valentine's gifts because Wade is the worst at waiting to give gifts. He gets to overly excited.
Oh, and he did an excellent job. Two boxes of French Toast Crunch cereal, two bars of organic dark chocolate with caremel, and a Victoria's Secret gift card on a large card with a proclamation from Wade that is as true as the sky is blue.
I am going to keep the recap brief with a majority of pictures. One of the main reasons is I was recently contracted to do a special writing project for another website and have been mainly focusing my blogging and writing time to that. I am thrilled and grateful for this new project and cannot wait to tell you guys more in the upcoming weeks! Just know that it will feature some mighty tasty recipes.
On to the recap! As I was sayingin my last blog post, what I had to look forward to this weekend first and foremost was Wade visiting. He ended up surprising by showing up a day early on Thursday evening to stay for the weekend. Friday morning started with an exchange of Valentine's gifts because Wade is the worst at waiting to give gifts. He gets to overly excited.
Oh, and he did an excellent job. Two boxes of French Toast Crunch cereal, two bars of organic dark chocolate with caremel, and a Victoria's Secret gift card on a large card with a proclamation from Wade that is as true as the sky is blue.
My gifts to Wade included two wrapped Reese's packages with a cheesy food pun paper around them saying "I just cant' Reese-ist you, Valentine". Food puns amuse me to no end. And a large print of Austin, TX where we recently got engaged so he can add some art to his apartment.
Friday night included dinner out with a great friend of ours and his girlfriend. If you ever make a trip to Northwest Arkansas, I highly recommend you try out Tusk and Trotter. It is one of my favorite local restaurants. Exhibit A: My entree of "Where the Buffalo Roam" burger. A bison burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions, swiss cheese, topped with a fried egg on a brioche bun.
Friday night also included a beer I would actually enjoy drinking! This is rare, as I generally do not prefer beer. Wine is divine. But this Lazy Magnolia Sweet Potato Stout raised the bar on the beer scene for me. Two thumbs up.
Saturday included an afternoon chocolate factory tour. Not quite Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but a great one, nonetheless! The local chocolate company, Hello Cocoa, whom I featured on a blog post with a giveaway a while back, were hosting a special Valentine's Day Chocolate and Bubbly Tour.
Wade and I tried to do a "cute" pose in front of their photo wall.
Wade and I tried to do a "cute" pose in front of their photo wall.
The special open house at the factory and business location included a tour of the facilities to see how the chocolate is made, samples of all of their chocolates, enough chocolate covered strawberries to feed a small army, and plenty of champagne.
Happy to meet up with a few great friends while we were there!
Sunday was engagement party day! Although I didn't manage to take many photos once guests began arriving because I was quite busy catching up with some friends I had not seen in 4-5 years, here are a few details.
We hosted the party at a local Artist Retreat Center which is an event center that I actually work at currently part time as their social media marketing manager.
These are party favors I came up with to get all crafty and DIY. Little bags full of kettlecorn and slighty salty Angie's Boom Chicka Pop popcorn along with a few red velvet M&M's. Adorned with a free printable I made and taped on that said "He 'Popped' the Question". Did I mention I like food puns?....
We hosted the party at a local Artist Retreat Center which is an event center that I actually work at currently part time as their social media marketing manager.
These are party favors I came up with to get all crafty and DIY. Little bags full of kettlecorn and slighty salty Angie's Boom Chicka Pop popcorn along with a few red velvet M&M's. Adorned with a free printable I made and taped on that said "He 'Popped' the Question". Did I mention I like food puns?....
Donuts meant to look like engagement rings. Once again, I just printed these diamonds off for free from the internet.
My mother had some surprises up her sleeve for our party. She had a very nice lady from her work create these custom cookies. The date 1-2-2015 is the day Wade proposed. Oh, and the cookies were delicious.
And now the big reveal of our wedding date! Nobody except Wade, myself, my mother, and Wade's mother knew the date we had decided on before the party. We wanted to announce it while we had so many good friends with us.
Save the Date: May 13, 2017!!
My mother once again surprised Wade and I with this special cake made by a local bakery. Which was also EXTRA delicious.
Save the Date: May 13, 2017!!
My mother once again surprised Wade and I with this special cake made by a local bakery. Which was also EXTRA delicious.
Like I said, I didn't manage to take many great photos after guests began arriving, but it was a fantastic time. Lots of laughs, lots of hugs, and LOTS of food.
A big thank you to all of mine and Wade's good friends that made it out to celebrate this special day with us. And an even bigger thank-you to my mother. You're the best, mom.
A big thank you to all of mine and Wade's good friends that made it out to celebrate this special day with us. And an even bigger thank-you to my mother. You're the best, mom.
Linking up with Heather over at Life in Leggings for Friday Favorites.
And Linda at Fit, Fed, and Happy for Life in Pictures. Thanks, ladies!!
And Linda at Fit, Fed, and Happy for Life in Pictures. Thanks, ladies!!
Have you ever tried Angie's Boom Chicka Pop popcorn? It's one of my favorites!
Got a food pun?...You know I want to hear it.
Got a food pun?...You know I want to hear it.
