One week and counting!

Life continues to be rather crazy here at Chai house--with a wedding in just a week there are lots of little projects that we are working on, and we are trying to get in some quality time with Mary and Jordan before all the guests and helpers arrive. There has been lots of laughter, a few near disasters, and lots of insanity! This afternoon we plan to head out to the lake for an afternoon of relaxing, and then on Sunday some friends of mine are coming over to help me celebrate my birthday. Good times, but busy!

Safely back in Texas

After a whirlwind trip--to Tennessee on Thursday, Vanderbilt graduation on Friday, back to Texas on Saturday--I am very glad to be off the road! In those three days my mother, Mary, and I managed to:

* Survive the over 3 hour long graduation ceremony--congratulations to my future brother in law!

* Meet my future brother in law's lovely family and hang out a little.

* Visit the beautiful Nashville Parthenon--a full scale replica of the real one. Awesome!

* Visit a cool ini-coffee shop called "The Frothy Monkey" for a great cup of java and a lovely cheese and fruit platter snack.

*Have some good visiting time with my wonderful great aunt and uncle who also put my mother and I up for the two nights we were there.

* Drive by Graceland and visit a tacky Elvis memorabilia gift shop. Who knew that Elvis was a black belt in karate?

* Get lost in Texarkana and drive home via Louisiana--the road less traveled to be sure!

This afternoon Mary and I sorted through some of the stuff we had in storage here, and then tonight I started the embellishing of my bridesmaid dress. Just less than three weeks to go till the big day now!

Here are a few pictures of what I’ve been up to lately.

Lemon meringue pie from scratch—a summer favorite around here!

Going to the lake on a beautiful day with wildflowers lining the highway.

Enjoying the lake despite the wind and low temperatures!

And walking through a magical Cyprus grove—these trees are so beautiful!

I love my state in the spring!