Amazed

I continue to be amazed by the generous abundance my sweet parents give to our family. We had our family Easter celebration over the weekend, which included a mini-family reunion for some of our relatives on Mama's side. Mama and Daddy were so gracious and prepared a huge meal for about 30 people. It was a wonderful day spent with family. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

I sure do love these people.

Grits Cafe

Brian and I went out to eat at Grits Cafe in Forsyth to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. We have eaten there before, and it tends to be one of those "it's a special occasion" places to eat. The food, atmosphere and service are so amazing, I thought Grits Cafe deserved its own blog post.

It's Southern cuisine "with flair," so that means they prepare foods that are definitely rooted in Southern recipes, but they somehow reinvent the food to take on new, scrumptious characteristics. From their website:

"Grits Café’s menu focus is traditional southern food, not exactly like Mom used to make, adding creativity and flair by fusing old and new ideas. Many appetizers and entrees spotlight local produce, seafood and cheeses, with a touch of Cajun, Southwest and Asian influence thrown in to keep things interesting. The flavors are trendy and unique, and closely rival the artistic detail paid to the presentation of each plate. The wine list features a number of handcrafted boutique wines produced in limited quantities, many not readily available in other areas of the country."

Yum.

Here are a few pics from our special night at this special place.

The view from our table, looking back towards the entrance:



The menu:



Pretty table vignette:



My handsome anniversary date:



This Diet Coke is fancy.



Awwww...



Grits Fritters. Shutcho mouth.



Caesar Salad with Grits croutons. What-what!



Cheddar and white peppercorn biscuits. Ridonk.



And this. This is the Praline Chicken. So seriously amazing. It's one of the best things I've ever eaten. Anywhere. Anytime. In all my 35 years. The description: Pecan coated, stuffed with forest mushrooms and spinach, with a goat cheese potato croquette.
It's beyond comprehension. Just look at it.



Seriously, LOOK at it.



Brian snapped this pic of me. I was a little Praline Chicken drunk.



We had mentioned to our server (the amazing Annie) that it was our anniversary, so she surprised us with this special anniversary dessert, on the house!





Bye-bye chocolates they gave us.



Outside view.





Amazing food, amazing service, amazing date with my amazing husband. If you get the chance to go, GO! Grits Cafe is a pure delight.

Destination: Peace.

2011.
Wow, what a year.

A year full of lots of things.

Loss.
Of life.
Of focus.
Of health.
Of quiet.
Of joy.
Of comfort.

I took a break from scrapbooking. It was good for me. But I miss it and am ready to get back.

There were some gains as well.

I spent the majority of the year with a camera growing out of my face. I loved it.



I strengthened old friendships and gained new ones. I am grateful for that.

I grew closer to my husband and with each year, seem to somehow love him more, although it seems impossible because I already love him with all my being.

Together, we realized some things about how and where we want to live that will help us move forward into the new year, and set the tone for the next phase of our life together.

My heart grew to make room for more kittybabies, precious lives that the world would otherwise just discard, and I love them like they are my children. They have helped give me focus and purpose.

I had a lot of unhappy times, uncomfortable times, times I felt violated by things I couldn't control. I lost quiet, peace and at times, sanity. But in the moments of distress, of anger, of discord, I still felt little Divine whispers. Little reassurances that this is just part of the journey. That I should focus on the good, and I should go where the peace is.

In 2012, I want to go where the peace is. I want to feel it within myself, and project it back to the world. This is not a New Year's resolution. It's more of an approach to life. I fully believe that when you put positive goodness out there, it comes back to you. I am inviting it with open arms and an open heart. I know this will not always be easy, and sometimes it may not even be possible, but it's not going to stop me from trying.


photo credit: brave girls club

I am ready to start fresh and leave so many things, so much negativity behind me.

So, come on, 2012. A whole new year. A fresh start. New footsteps on a new path to where the peace is.

We Came, We Saw, We Christmased

Just now getting to posting our Christmas pictures! We had a fun weekend with family. Headed down to Mama and Daddy's house for Christmas Eve chili and hot dogs, then came back home and returned to their house for Christmas Day. Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Christmas Weekend!

On Christmas Eve, before we left, Brian and I opened our gifts to each other. He got me a Fujifilm Instax 7S!! I really wanted one, so this was awesome!!






And I got him a lighted cover for the Kindle he got a few weeks ago! He loved it!





Then, on to Mama and Daddy's!



I had lots of time to try out my new Instax! (I'll post another time and show the pictures I got from it!)











Christmas Eve chili in a pot that belonged to our Maw. Made us feel her sweet spirit there with us.





This is such a good movie. You should watch it. Brian got his own copy! Yay!

































We had a wonderful Christmas. Hope you and your family did, too!