Very Peachy

The 59th annual Ruston Peach Festival took place this weekend in Ruston, LA, which is about 45 minutes from home. Peaches are right up there with strawberries, bananas, and blueberries as favorites of mine in the fruit food group. The Ross' (Steve & Angela) made the trip to Ruston yesterday as well to experience the festival - a first for all four of us. Steve and I are pictured above enjoying snow cones...they really hit the spot in the 100 degree pounding afternoon heat. At one point I was almost positive I was melting into the cement. Overall the afternoon was a lot of fun, but would not be honest if I didn't say that I left a bit disappointed. The motivating factor for my enthusiasm to attend was because I was under the impression there would be everything peach imaginable. You know, peach pie, peach cobbler, peach smoothies, peach daiquiris and/or margaritas; however none of these existed anywhere that I looked. The nerve! It was mostly arts & crafts and festival type food - which was fun to check out. The best highlights you ask? Obviously spending quality time with the Ross'; but also discovering the peach ice cream (divine) that you'll see Ray enjoying below, and picking up a bushel of Ruston peaches that are arguably the best peaches I've tasted.

That Time of Year

It has been great enjoying the summer weather these past couple of weeks. My favorite time of year is when you go outside in shorts and a t-shirt and feel like you're in a nice warm oven - that time is now. Although around here it's a very moist oven, but hey, I'm not complaining. One thing that comes with summer months is the farmers market. The inaugural trip to the Shreveport Market took place yesterday. I got the best tasting blueberries I've ever had, no joke. They were completely sweet and did not have any tart bite to them. Also purchased were some white potatoes, strawberries, honey BBQ sauce and banana nut muffins. Nothing disappointed and a return trip will be warranted next weekend. I'm just going to have to drag my butt out of bed earlier because by the time I rolled into the market, you could tell that everything had been picked over...and there was no corn left. Lesson learned, the early bird gets the corn.

Growing up in Illinois, we always went to the apple orchard in the fall to pick fresh apples and it was such a blast. Well, I learned earlier this week about a blueberry farm where you get to pick your own blueberries! Who knew such a place existed?!? I can't wait to see what picking blueberries entails. I don't know if they grow on the ground and I'll have to crouch down to pick them or if they grow on a vine and at shoulder level...if you know, please enlighten me...

Great Day for a Ride

Today has been a picture perfect June day in Bossier City. It's in the mid-80's, the sun is shining and there are nice puffy clouds in the blue, blue sky. We decided to take advantage of the gorgeous day by taking a leisurely 9-mile bike ride along the Red River. Although for me it was more of a workout than a nice easy ride. There was a headwind that wouldn't allow me to just coast along...but this meant I could justify not going into the gym today. Thinking about that, it was really refreshing to take the workout outside for a change. Fresh air sure does the body good. Below is a picture of Ray, who has just been named Executive of the Year in the CHL!!! Congrats to Ray, quite the accomplishment.

Fun in the Sun and Rain

I can say with great confidence that I am very good at being on vacation. It has been absolutely wonderful these last few days to be able to relax and spend quality time with Ray. The weather has been pretty spotty here on the Emerald Coast of Florida. It has poured rain each day since arriving, but have been fortunate enough to have patches of sun in the mix everyday thus far as well. This has really worked to our advantage - we go shopping, eat or chill in the condo when it is raining and then hit the beach at first sign of the sun. Here are a couple pictures taken from the beachfront condo we are staying in...talk about a view!

The One

Four more days until VAY-KAY in Destin, Florida! The countdown began months ago and the time is finally drawing near. It will be my first trip to Destin and hopefully it won't be my last. I love that this vacation does not require any flights or rental cars. It's great not having to monitor how much to pack and I can do plenty of shopping and not have to worry about how to get anything back home. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE beach vacations and am more than looking forward to the 9 days and 8 nights of beach-side bliss.

In preparation for the upcoming trip, I have been on the hunt for the past week and a half for a new swimsuit. Yes, nightmare is a great way to describe finding one that fits. You see, I have the body of a woman - full of curves - and the majority of 2-piece suits are not made for my shapely body. The tops are always too small and the bottoms tend to dig into my skin and make me look larger than I really am. I started at Target then went on to Dillard’s, Sears, JC Penny, Academy Sports and event Ross. Several people, including Ray, told me that I needed to check out Couleur, a higher-end boutique/lingerie store that has a room of swimwear. Shopping there WAS LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE! The room was packed full of options and would have been overwhelming - BUT - this wonderful woman, Alice, was with me every step of the way. She was able to size up my body and recommend several pieces to try on for size. It was like having my own personal shopper! As I was trying things on she brought me this bright, teal blue number. I didn't think much of it when it was on the hanger...but then I tried it on. Seriously, It was like this suit was tailored special for me. I didn't even look at the price because as soon as I slipped it on I immediately knew it was "THE ONE!" I can't wait to wear it on the beach...watch out Destin!

Always Something

Wouldn't you know it, Ray went out on the hunt today for a new grill. He has been talking about this for weeks and knew exactly what he was looking for in his purchase. I really don't understand what it is with guys and grilling - but hey, if it means I don't have to cook...PERFECT...I won't ask questions. It was funny because I was thinking to myself, "geez Charlie, I really need to figure out what to post on my blog, what should I write about this time." At that same moment, I poked my head through the blinds to check on how the grill was doing and there were flames flying everywhere! I stood there for a moment before I was commanded to get some water. You see, the grill was pre-assembled by Home Depot where it was purchased. They failed to remove the styrofoam and cardboard from the area underneath the grill pan and this caught fire! How dangerous! This could have easily resulted in an explosion because of the open flames right next to the propane tank. After getting the water, I quickly grabed my camera to get a shot of the clean-up.

Update....now Ray can't get the grill to turn on. He's not happy...

Update...#2 - We're up and working! With just a push of a button. He's happy again!!!

Where Have You Been Miss Charlie?

The past two weeks have been filled with travel, travel and more travel. I have been in the following cities over the past 14 days -Shreveport/Bossier City, Memphis, Chicago, Rosemont, Burr Ridge, Darien, Evanston, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans and many small towns in between. I attended a wedding, three music festivals, had 3 rental cars, stayed in 6 different hotels and met some amazing people along the way. The adventures included being stuck on the side of I-49 South for 3 hours in 80+ degree whether and also had experience with a flat tire. I did have so much fun while globe-trotting but words cannot describe how wonderful it has felt being home for the past few days!

I'd like to give quick shout-out to Champy...it's his 7th birthday today! I've know the guy for just over two years now and am shocked he has made it this far in life. Happy Birthday Champ!!!