Vanderbilt is doing something this year called 365 at VU where they post one picture from campus each day for a year. I am seriously in love with this winter skyscape and think I'm going to frame it and hang it on our bedroom wall. Will be a compliment to the giant vintage map of Dallas over our bed. (I know it sounds like we're obsessed with Texas, and I never thought so, but maybe, just maybe, we are.)

But I think these colors are so pretty...

Cabin Fever!

This past weekend Doug and I had a major case of cabin fever what with all the cold weather we've been dealt lately! We wanted to get out of Nashville and see something new. So we spun the globe (not really) and our fingers landed on Louisville, KY. Turns out, it's a lovely city with an awesome riverfront and a vibrant downtown. We landed a sweet deal on a hotel, and were on our way.

On our way!

We had dinner at the River Bend Winery - good food, good music, good wine!


Then we headed to Proof, a restaurant inside a modern art museum and hotel. We had dessert and of course I had to try some of the famed local Kentucky bourbon. (When in Rome, right?)

Sunday morning we had brunch at an amazing spot called Ramsi's Cafe on the World. Anytime the two words brunch and buffet are side by side, you know you're in for a treat. I will go back again just for brunch at Ramsi's one day.

We toured Churchill Downs, where they hold the Kentucky Derby each year. This is me in front of the horse Barbaro.
At the paddock where the jockeys and the horses parade out!

I don't know if you can see the statue of the guy in the back, but he's the all-time winningest jockey at Churchill Downs. They gave the poor guy a break and made the statue 2 inches taller than he really is, he's tiny - 4'10"!

Winners Circle!
The Derby is always the first weekend in May, which is when our anniversary is. We promised each other that we'd make it back one day for the race. Big hats, dresses, and mint juleps? Yes please!
This is the Ohio River front --
Had a blast!

Happiness is...

...working on a marketing project for a client back in Dallas and eating Trader Joe's gingersnaps and drinking homemade hot chocolate. My recipe of choice: warm up 1 1/4 cups almond milk and add to it 2 tablespoons Hershey's cocoa, 1 tablespoon raw sugar, a dash of salt and a dash of cinnamon. Add more sugar, marshmallows, whipped cream to your heart's content. Yum!

When life hands you lemons....

...you know what to do!! Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Winter Wonderland/Weekend Update

Hello everyone! I will start by saying that I woke up this morning with a text from Pamela, my mother in law, "Just saw on the news that TN has declared a weather related state emergency. Everything ok with yall?" To which I replied "We got 3 in of snow but other parts got up to 10. More to come tomm, this will get interesting. It sucks!"

And that folks, is exactly how I feel.

The snow is absolutely beautiful but it just makes getting around town so
darn inconvenient! Give me a fire and a cup of hot cocoa then we'll chat. :) I am trying to stay positive because winter here lasts much longer than I'm used to! Seeing as it's only January, we have several months of winter to go, but I am thinking March will bring my happy place. Maybe I will learn to love the cold in time. :)

On a lighter, happier note, we had a wonderful weekend here in Nash! Doug and I went and checked out the Impressionist exhibit at the Frist Center for Visual Arts. Ever since I was little I had adored the work of the Impressionists...Degas and Cezanne in particular! Two thumbs up there. Saturday Doug was working on a project in sustainability while I had my first Team Rio run! I loved hearing about the charity we're raising money for - Big Brothers Big Sisters - and the impact they're making on Middle Tennessee. Then we went for a chilly 5 miler - that's right, I know I just complained about the cold, but when you're moving fast and with a group of people you can chat with, I swear it's not that bad. :) We had a lovely dinner Saturday night at Sunset Grill (another 2 thumbs up - I had the stuffed acorn squash and it was delicious!)and Sunday was church, some cooking, another chilly 5 miler with my friend Kristi and otherwise just hanging out. Bring on the work week!

2011 Resolution....

To see more of The South!! I was inspired by this book I saw for sale on Ideeli. It's currently on order ... and am excited about taking more weekend getaways with my sweet husband!!