we put on our blue suede shoes

David finished his first year of Law School last week so we thought we'd celebrate by going to Memphis for a short but fun time! We left Saturday after work and made a lot of really bad, but delicious, food choices. Please know that we do not typically eat like this in a 24 hour period. Let the fun begin...

we were greeted with luscious hydrangeas

fresh flowers in a guest room is a must - thank you!

we had a late dinner when we arrived at one of my all-time faves

bbq nachos are a must...hold the nacho cheese, please.

we love the bruces!

quick stop at the peabody to check out the beautiful flowers

then it was off to beale street...

...for a little soul, music, and major people watching.

the only decent place on beale street

not only was he a mad musician on the piano...but he played the trumpet simultaneously!

for our silly goose :)

heather lane made her delicious orange monkey bread for breakfast on sunday

it doesn't get much better than morning coffee with friends

our breakfast was amazing!

much later in the day {trying to spread out all the eating} we headed to gus's...

happy boy

gus's famous fried chicken did not disappoint

"chicken to die for"

I always love a good tour of memphis. this was david's first and paul was a great tour guide, as always!

beale street by day

we decided to drive through oxford, miss. on our way home sunday evening. we had never been and loved this charming southern city.

birmingham wedding

Last weekend, David and I were thrilled to be a part of Andi and Ben's wedding in ceremony! It was nice to go to my first wedding in Birmingham since we moved here. They had a beautiful ceremony and then a fun afternoon reception at the Vestavia Country Club. I finally felt sort of local and I so thoroughly enjoyed that. Here are a few pictures of the blessed event~

 favors

 food was southern...and I loved the little bitesized twists on southern classics

 the wonderful nicholson family!

 lynne and I

mr. and mrs. sealy

andi looked so beautiful and she's so sweet! I had the pleasure of helping her at chickadee with all her bridal registry needs...I will miss wrapping all her gifts!

 very lovely and creative centerpieces

the youngest nicholson, betsy, is the artist in the family. she sketched this tree and everyone did a "leaf" thumbprint as they came into the reception. it turned out so neat!

 cheers!



hydrangea love

Birmingham is in full bloom and I am in love! I have never seen so many luscious hydrangeas - every species, size, and color. They are gorgeous! Unfortunately, we have no hydrangeas in our yard but my neighbor has a backyard full of them and they are eye candy for moi. Too bad she hasn't offered me any cuttings yet. But my co-worker did and I went to town...and she even said I could come back! I dressed the house with these beauties and they are in every room of our house. There are few things that make me happier than fresh flowers in my home.

The hydrangea explosion was appropriate too as I was meeting a fellow hydrangea enthusiast this week - a one Mr. James Farmer! Chickadee had a book signing with him today and we had a ball. What a genuinely nice guy. I loved getting to meet him and gush over how much I adore his landscape and interior work and his blog. I enjoyed making several Georgia and Tallahassee connections with him as well. He has now written three fabulous books and they make wonderful gifts to friends and yourself. His work is inspiring. 

Now, bring on the hydrangeas...

me and james

we fluffed the store with all things farmer...

 

james with the girls from flower magazine {a must read!}

we sipped tea from his newest book sip & savor

 

I arranged for the shindigs food truck to be at our event today for lunch - they are all the rage and I'm a fan!

 

my delicious and colorful farro salad with mixed berries and blue cheese

 

truffle fries...yum.

david joined us for a picnic on the porch. look at me - I'm so giddy!

 

perhaps these are a few of james's books coming to memphis with me this weekend...