Adventures in Babysitting Part Deux

July 22, 2010

This is a picture of Mr. Sayer yesterday pretending that his Mr. Potato Head's hat is a phone. :)

He's starting to say, "Please" and "Thank you" more often now-and, although it's upon prompting, he says it so earnestly, I think he knows what it means! It just melts my heart...

The afternoon on the day when this was taken, I walked Zach out to his car--he was going to dinner with his old boss--and, as I was walking out the door, Sayer cried, "MY Ashley!" He is going back to his mom's for a week, and when he was leaving yesterday, I told him, "Bye!" and he just waved and waved and smiled and yelled "Bye!" to me. : )

Books on Film Series

July 21, 2010

I found this series at B&N the other day, and I think I am in love with them. :) These are three--THREE--of my favorites. The other I saw was Frankenstein, which I am not opposed to, but I don't believe I have seen the film version (by Kenneth Branagh with Helena Bonham Carter).

(Granted, I technically already have all three of these books AND films, but I just love the idea of the combo, especially the Little Women one. I added them to my Amazon Wish List today. ;)

Bohemians and Boone's Farm

July 20, 2010

My favorite Bohemian Monica and I met for a long overdue girls' lunch at Mimi's Cafe!

I brought along her birthday present because she will be celebrating it this Thursday. :) I bought it a long time ago because I was sooo excited. We are not a year older, but a year better. "Thank you for being a friend..." (That card really did summarize my sentiments, friend!)

Then Erin and I climbed up Strawberry Hill and made it to Wild Island for the night!
Leap Year makes me want to go to Ireland again!!

I had a great night with you, sister! I love you!!!

Engagement Anniversary Celebration?

July 19, 2010

How different we look a year later!

We tried in vain to go to Angels. When we walked in there, we were immediately seated, but it took FOREVER for a server to come to our table. She created us, and, then eying our gift certificate, snottily explained that they no longer accepted them and had told restaurants.com to remove them from their list.

We thought, "Ce n'est pas mon probleme." Because, well, it wasn't.

Having been treated as such, we no longer wanted to eat there. I hate to order drinks and dash, so we ordered tiramisu, hurriedly ate it, and left. Life's too short to save dessert for last...

We tried to stay downtown, but every place was too crowded or too expensive for a romantic dinner...or not what we were looking for. I thought of Jahna's, which opened on Airport Road, but I found out via facebook that it is closed on Monday. :(

Olive Garden, it was. It was good, and we had a very sweet server, but Zach got sick.
So much for celebrating. :(

First Engagement Anniversary

July 19, 2010

A year ago Zach and I were in Kansas City on what I thought was going to be a quick little getaway when he surprised me with a carriage ride around the Plaza and an Alice in Wonderland-themed proposal at Southmoreland Bed and Breakfast.

We arrived at the B&B, where I was informed we would be visiting. I had already started shaking and my knees were weak and my heart was beating--my body knew what was happening before I did! We went inside, and the night manager took us up to our room. She gave ME the key to allow us to learn how to use it. As I opened the door, I saw a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolate-covered strawberries with signs that read, "Drink Me" and "Eat Me." What did I think? Why, how nice of the B&B to provide their guests with such luxuries. But then I turned around and saw a crawlspace with a sign that read, "Open Me." Zach suggested that I better open it up. Inside, I found a shadow box Zach had made with pictures and mementos of us inside. On top was a sign: "Love Me." When I picked up the shadow box, I saw the ring behind it: "Marry Me." I figured Zach had something to say to me, so I took my time looking over the shadow box so I would be ready.

"Please say yes!!"
*Hahaha*

Even more so than our wedding day, this was the happiest day of my life. :) THIS was the day we decided to spend the rest of our lives together. Don't get me wrong; I am glad we were married in front of our parents, family, and friends. We had a lovely, sweet wedding. :) But sometimes I still wish we had eloped. *lol* After all, this day was PERFECT. There was no stress, no fuss, and no expectations--only a very pleasant surprise. :)

These pictures were actually taken the next day after we had tea at the Intercontinental on the Plaza. I had actually expected Zach to propose there (!), so I had taken great pains to pick out a cute outfit! *haha* He always keeps me on my toes. I was actually quite gross-looking when he proposed. ;) (No one will EVER see the one picture we have from the night of the proposal...at least not for a very long time.)

Zach, thank you for asking me to be your wife.
I can't wait to celebrate with you tonight!
Happy "engagement" anniversary!

Weekend Update: (Board) Games are NOT Boring

July 16-18, 2010

Swimming, the Brau Haus, and board games on Friday...who could ask for anything more?

Ticket to Ride was FUN! We should play it again, ok? Or Puerto Rico. But not Galactic Truckers.

Melissa surprised the Gates' with a visit from TX, and we were happy to see her again.

Also, thanks for the cider! It was most enjoyable in the unemployment pool. ;)

Zach has been hard at work on his new Lego Amsterdam-esque town.
He built this sweet pub, The Lion, on Saturday!
All day I was running between our living room and the bedroom to give him my opinion on its construction.

If we can't move to Europe, we'll move Europe here. :)

Sunday night was game night with the Hendrixes!
Our six-month reunion with Rob and Mechelle: they joined us for a fajita dinner with pico de gallo AND twos kinds of dip: cheese and Mechelle's yummy corn dip.

I also baked up some cookies using our stash of dark chocolate raspberry creme chips--DELISH! They were sooo good! I hope we can find some more of these chips because not many cookies are left for tomorrow. :)

[*lol* Zach and I also realized this is the first sit-down dinner with friends we've had since we got married. Our old apartment was very small. ;]

Erin and Josh joined us for a game of UNO. Geez, I hate losing. But I really do love that game! I have so much playing it, especially with our UNO buddies. I'm so glad you guys got to meet Hobie the Cat. We really should this more often than every six months. Aren't we silly?


[I forgot to take pictures during this game, so this is one of Mechelle attempting Rob to take the cards back out so we can recreate the scene. I finally got him to at least hold up the game. *tehe*]

Hospitality Under the Influence

[photo courtesy http://pimpstitch.typepad.com/blog/2008/11/i-3-craft-books-.html]

When I found out I wasn't keeping Sayer after all, I decided I wanted to go shopping with my birthday money. After lunch with Tommy at Cajun Boilers, Zach and I headed over to the Hot Springs Mall.

I wanted to go to J.C. Penney's because, with their rewards program, you can earn 10 free bucks a month. I found a pair of Bisou Bisou jeans for $11(!) and a pair of cute shorts. (I haven't paid this much for shorts in years; I never do because I hardly wear them, but I wanted to buy a fancy pair. ;)

Then I went to Vanity to use my 20% off coupon. I found this cute grey and black dress with Erin's help; I'm going to wear it Monday for our engagement anniversary celebration. I also got an adorable filigree flower necklace in black, silver, and grey with rhinestone centers. Unfortunately it's too long to wear with my dress, but I like it so much and it matches my black wardrobe, so I'm going to keep it!

Finally we headed to Books-A-Million so I could pick up some lighter reading than The Pilgrim's Progress. *lol* I got The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (finally!) AND I Like You: Hospitality under the Influence by Amy Sedaris.

I am in lust with this book. Seriously. It's sooooo funny!! It leaves me in stitches, as they say. Every time I came across it, I would comb every page reading bits here and there and laughing. I love the Sedaris' siblings' humour. Amy's advice, though often dark and twisted, still rings true while I cannot turn away from the photos of Amy dressed as every kind of hostess imaginable or of the food--faux or not--that feels like it came from a cookbook recovered from my Grandma Cellars' kitchen. The recipes don't seem too bad either. :)

Did I mention I only paid $7.97 for this book?!

It's the thought that counts.

July 14, 2010

2 surprise cards in 2 days :)
I feel so loved!
Thanks so much!! *love*

[One is from Monica, one is a late b-day card from Grandpa Pharr and Grandma Jean.]

"All you soul-searching people, c'mon..."

[photo courtesy http://blog.snooth.com/category/music]

July 13, 2010
These guys were AWESOME last night! They're so much fun!!!

This is still my favorite album of theirs... :)

"We are two Indians in the same canoe.

Maybe I’ll just start something new.
We’re taking it all to the end,
And we’re planting our own garden...
We’re taking it all to the end,
We’re planting our own garden,
We’re planting our own garden,
Planting our own garden..."

The night didn't start off great...or end that well for me either. ;) First, I spilled gasoline all over my feet because the idiot before me left the pump locked. Juanita's was PACKED to the gills, and we didn't get a seat until Delta Spirit started, which was close to 10:30. (We arrived at 9 in hopes of missing the first two bands because we were just worn out. *lol*) As we were leaving, I hit the Panic button accidentally-and we couldn't get it to turn off. Luckily one of the Juanita's security guys told us to try sticking it in the door. Why isn't THAT in the manual, Honda?! (P.S. I'm also a terrible driver at night now, and I'm very sensitive about it. No me gusta.)

BUT not only did we see a GREAT band, I had a Tall Boy PBR, which I haven't had in ages, and I enjoyed a couple of mini-reunions with Bryant people. Zach even drank a PBR! I wish Delta Spirit had played longer. :)

"'I'm a wandering soul.
I got no place of my own.
Well I got nothing to give,
Well I got nothing to show for it,
And I'll be wondering all, for all my years,
What I become no one could know.

If you're feeling what I'm feeling, c'mon,
All you soul-searching people, c'mon..."

A Yummy in my Tummy

July 12, 2010

Best. Dressing. Ever. = eating MANY salads :)

The candyman can!

[photo courtesy http://chalk.richmond.edu/education/projects/webquests/goldenticket/intro.html]

July 11, 2010
I LOVE this movie! "It's Scrumdidilyumptious!"

[photo courtesy http://www.downarchive.com/forums/movies/85464-willy-wonka-chocolate-factory-1971-dvdrip.html]

I seriously rented it nearly every weekend when I was a wee thing. :)

I wonder why I never bought it...

[photo courtesy http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2558302208/tt0067992]

Veruca was my favorite because her dress was way better than Violet's pant suit and I liked her little song-and-dance with the geese that lay the golden eggs and their colorful wrappings. But this Violet's outfit is much improved! (I have to admit I haven't seen the remake in its entirety. I feel as if I am betraying my childhood.

[photo courtesy http://www.polyvore.com/charlie_chocolate_factory_violet_beauregarde/set?id=3741324]
I love collages!

[photo courtesy http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3746175807_497a78b529.jpg]

[photo courtesy http://vignettebricks.blogspot.com/2005/06/willy-wonka-vlc.html]

[photo courtesy http://news.lugnet.com/announce/moc/?n=2828]
This is the best Lego Wonka-just as Gene Wilder is!

But the time we get to Mike TeeVee's shrinkage, I'm bored. And I never was scared. My favorite areas of the factory are the Fudge Room and the Inventing Room (?)...who cares about a shrunken candy bar?! That's just silly. ;)

Check out this awesome French version:

[photo courtesy http://www.moviegoods.com/movie_product_static.asp?master_movie_id=3913&sku=514367]

What am I going to do with my life?

[photo courtesy http://loserintown.tumblr.com/]

July 11, 2010

Using the Google search engine, this photo popped up when I typed in "what am I going to do with my life?"

(But WHAT does THAT MEAN?)

Other entries from various search engines included Lost's Last Supper, Claude Monet's "Impression, Sunrise," a still frame of Colin Firth, and a poster from that annoying Miley Cyrus movie. I'm definitely not checking into the possibilities of that last one...

*tweet*tweet*tweet*

July 10, 2010

There's baby birds in them there begonias...
You just can't see them because if we get too close, the Mama Bird gets MAD.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

July 9, 2010

Cow Appreciation Day!

We got free chicken meals-anything we wanted!-for dressing like bovines. The Chik-Fil-A staff were quite impressed considering we were the only adults dressed like cows (There were some cute little "calves" :), and a manager took our picture. ;)

We got lots of interesting looks, and the rain nearly destroyed our costumes, but we got FREE chicken sandwiches, waffle fries, and drinks!! We are totally doing this next year...
Evidently my flopped-up ear gives me "character."
Zach makes a much better cow than me, don't ya think?

Toy Story 3

[photo courtesy http://www.chud.com/articles/articles/23163/1/TOY-STORY-3-THE--BLUE-BALLS-EDITION/Page1.html]

July 8, 2010

*tears*
:)


Geez! The matinee was $9.25! I know it was in 3-D, but it really wasn't worth it...
3-D gives me a headache.

Amelie

[photo courtesy http://apilittledarling.blogspot.com/2009/09/abc-sundays-is-for-amelie.html]

July 7, 2010

The consequences stemming from her actions in this scene actually make me quite sad...

Trivia Night at da Saucy!

We joined Monica, Whitney, Brian, and the rest of the gang for fire sales and cheese fries.

I know working in restaurants is hard, stressful work and that everyone has bad days, but that still doesn't give a beer goddess the right to ignore her customers, be rude, and/or act as if doing her job is imposing on her time to visit with her friends who also happen to be her customers. You treat your customers equally, so if we are being treated like crap, you better be treating that other table badly, too! I know we had a big group, but we were not demanding or giving her a hard time...and she just threw away a ton of tips.

Sorry to rant but I don't like when anyone fails to do his or her job.

Despite our server's antics AND losing at trivia, we still had a wonderful reunion. We topped off our night on Jeff's rooftop overlooking downtown and the Rivermarket.

WOW-what a view!!

Salad Craving?

[photo courtesy http://www.thenest.com/Recipes/46152/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&id=46152&type=7&recipe_type=Salad&cm_ven=Responsys&cm_cat=Nest&cm_pla=Newsletter&cm_ite=July+05%2C+2010&MsdVisit=1&PgReferrer=results.aspx]

July 5, 2010

Tonight for dinner we had pizza and salad--which I topped with vidalia onion vinaigrette that is sooo good. (Recently I did learn, however, that this vinaigrette does not taste good on corn. Yuck!)

After dinner, I was checking my iPhone when I saw I had gotten my weekly email from The Nest.com, the website for newlyweds. A segment promised to provide recipes for 50+ new salads.

I have been in a salad mood. Tonight I had three small salads, and I've been eating lots of fruit and fruit salads, so this article was of interest. I opened it, and saw a picture of this: Watermelon and Red Onion salad.

Initially I thought, "Huh?" then "Errr..." culminating in "Ewww." However, now that I have read the recipe itself (watermelon, onion, cilantro, vinegar, and homemade orange dressing), I am intrigued.

I like to try new things, and I no longer shun the mixing of opposite flavors, foods, what have you.

This summer or next, we may be trying this strange little salad.

Fourth of July Weekend

July 2-4, 2010

I didn't mean to get a picture of my mother-in-law yawning... ;/

Friday my Mama joined all the Pharr's for Hot Springs' annual Spa Blast at Oaklawn. We enjoyed carnival food--except for cotton candy :( --and watching the fireworks, but the music was TOO loud. I would definitely say the Spa Blast's fireworks display beat Pops on the River and any other I've seen.It was a cool night and a great way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend! And I'm so glad my Mama decided to come down after all.

Jazz hands? YES!!!

Saturday Zach and I FINALLY went to see The Comedy of Errors, part of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. Because we are poor recent graduates, unemployed and living far away, it's the only one we got to see. :( But I am so glad that this is the one we saw! :)

It was sooo good! We cannot stop raving about it! It was such an entertaining production from the slapstick comedy to the Americana musical stylings to the way they played off the twin factor (BRILLIANT!). And I was in love with the set (as evidenced by my photo taken during intermission) and the costumes. I would have never imagined a Shakespeare play like this, but the era lended itself well to this story. I guess I need to read more Billy Shakes (duh!).

Gosh. I wish I could have seen this one more than once. :) Bravo, AST!!

After dinner at Brauhaus Saturday night, I came home to this sweet gift from the one and only Linda Adams! She is Bobby's cousin, and I got to meet her a few weeks ago at Lindsey and Sam's wedding. I gushed to her how she taught me how to cook on Arkansas Today with B.J. Sams and Beth Ward. Mrs. Adams used to do segments with Beth Ward, who is one of her best friends; she is a home economist pretty famous in these parts. :)

She was such a joy and so sweet to send me a copy of her cookbook and the picture we took together. I can't wait to start cooking again!!

(I'm so glad she wrote in my book and added the date, too. Every time I get a book from someone, I inscribe it with the gifter's name and the date. ;)

Happy Fourth of July!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day. We had fun celebrating in the pool and with summery food (beer, raspberry mojitos, strawberry daiquiris, grilled chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and my blackberry cobbler)!

the red, white, and blue fireworks fountain at Spa Blast

It's never a good idea to take pictures of people in swimsuits hence why I have no pictures from Sunday!

Vera Bradley Ad

July 1, 2010

I saw this ad in Better Homes and Gardens a week ago when we were visiting Grandpa and Grandma Jean while I was flipping through her copy. (Mine hadn't arrived yet.)

When we got home and I got mine, I had forgotten about this ad. But once I opened the cover and started flipping through, it made me happy once more.

Things like this take me back to my journalism days.
I'm not a HUGE fan of Vera Bradley, but I do like many of her prints. I love my wallet. :)
I find this ad to be simply amazing.

AND it reminds me of 13 Going On 30.

PART 1: The Magical Mystery Interview Tour, OR 7 States in 7 Days

June 24-26, 2010

Thursday we headed to Cabot, Arkansas (our FIRST state), to spend the night with Grandpa and Grandma Jean. We enjoyed playing with Doc:Friday we made it to Fayetteville for the weekend!

We explored the Square, Dickson, and campus a bit before heading to Uncle Chuck and Aunt Jeannie's in Springdale. Zach took me to where his former apartments stood. It was a little sad. :(

Here is a picture of the old courthouse on the Square. Very lovely. :)

This is where we spent our weekend:

Saturday afternoon Uncle Chuck and Alexis took us cruising on the boat on Beaver Lake.

We watched Alexis water ski AND got caught in downpour. (We sought refuge at the marina. *haha*) I love riding in a boat-it's always been my favorite part of fishing-but I still haven't quite developed my sea..er, lake...legs...

Lily was so happy to see us home safe!

Then we went to AQ Chicken House with Uncle Chuck. It was yummy! I love pepper, and this chicken had plenty of it. It had that home-fried taste. I also loved the sweet potato casserole, rolls, and mashed potatoes.

We rubbed his wattles for good luck!

I had quite the surprise en route to AQ. We were driving along, following Chuck, when I just glanced over to the right at a red light. Guess who I saw? The oldest Duggar, Josh, his wife Anna, and their daughter Mackynzie! We were stopped next to their car lot, AmeriCar. I first saw Josh, but my mind did not process who he was until I saw Anna and her long hair. ;)

Zach and I ended the night exploring Dickson Street and campus.

Zach found his name on the Senior Walk!! (He makes such silly faces...)

We went to Hog Haus, a micro-brewery, where he had a blueberry wheat beer and I had a Ruby Red, which is an Irish-style ale. :)