Valentine's Day Momento

Ya'll guessed what I got as my 'love-ly' reminder of my Valentines at the Biltmore.


and here are the total of votes:

Silver plated server - 9 votes
Pink glasses - 4 votes
Handweights - 1 vote
Gray plates - 3 votes
Milk glass - 4 votes
Apple bowls - 3 votes


and the correct answer is....


(drumroll please...)


...THE MILK GLASS!


When I spotted the Fenton milk glass I knew it just had to be mine. The best part - it is a piece that I will actually use. And the candlesticks were just too cute to pass up. I am somewhat on a "white kick" right now - if it is creamy and colorless, I will take it! All you albinos better run!

My favorite part of the small capped bowl is definitely the lid. When I look at it the little handle reminds me of an acorn...which just happens to be the symbol of the Vanderbilt family. Small world, huh?!

I found this old photo of the hand-hammered copper roof ridge that had the intertwined initials of George Vanderbilt and the acorn motif on either side. On the tour we learned that the acorn was chosen as the symbol because of what it meant to Commodore Vanderbilt - the saying goes "From the tiny acorn springs the mighty oak". It symbolizes his rise from steam boat captain to
the head of the richest family in the world. Cool, huh?


I placed the milk glass pieces in the newly painted bathroom cabinet. I also added an old milk glass footed bowl on the top shelf to hold the scented oils for our diffuser. I simply can NOT wait to use the candlesticks for a ladies brunch - wouldn't they just look fabulous with pink glasses? Gosh darn - maybe I should drive back up there for those beauties...maybe not...we'll see :)


So a big fat hand goes to Kristal, Sherry, Mrs. McB, and Miss Fabulous Side of Me! Each of you are awarded one hundred thousand points for correctly guessing!

Oh - and for those of you that care - Jeremy got hurt. Don't worry - it's nothing major. He crashed on his bike. Yes, my 32 year old husband still rides his mountain bike like he will bounce back like a 17 year old and tries to do "cool" tricks like jumping over hills. Arg!!! If you have facebook and wanna check out the video of it, here you go!

So if you could pray for him that would be great. The clinic doc said that his foot is fractured and he has a second degree sprain. Tomorrow he goes to the surgeon to get it further examined and to schedule the MRI. Boys and their toys, right?!? When will they ever learn?! I love you baby.

Antique Shopping

On the way back from Asheville, Jeremy pulled into an antique shop for me to peruse the aisles for a Biltmore-vacation style souvenir.


Pulling up, we spotted these large barn doors that welcomed us into the caves of wonder.


I really wanted to get something that would always remind me of the Valentine's day trip. It had to be something that I would love looking at, using, and it had to be a constant reminder of the fun that we had and the experience as a whole.


These early 1900's style handweights - carved from solid wood - would be a totally unique memento and have a worn-cottage feel to them. The Biltmore estate had some similar ones in the 'gym' and it would be a perfect reminder of the tour of the grand home. It would also be useful when I feel like I needed a quick workout. Or when I need a microphone to sing along with Britney.


I spotted this four-tiered silver plated server from across the booth and it is fab-u-lous. Not only does it have a Vanderbilt feel to it - aka richness - it is completely useful for many parties and get-to-gethers. And at 20% off - the price was just right.


I can't help but swoon over milk glass. I love it more than most celebrities love their spouses. And since I am no expert at antiques - I only look for items that mean something to me...ya know...I would choose a Suri over a Shiloh. Sure, one might command wheelbarrows full of money but I'll take the cuter one any day of the week. Sorry Brangelina - you loose to TomKat on this one. Back to the point - this display of milky white glass is a shoutout to the fact that the Biltmore estate began as a farm - with it's largest operation being in the dairy department. Get it? 'Milk' glass?! So naturally this would be a reminder of the trip too.


My girlie side said to buy these pink glasses in honor of Valentine's day. Aren't they just so Victoria's-Secret-fabulous?!? They would be perfect for serving some of that famous Biltmore Winery's crushed-grape beverage (yeah, we bought a case for future celebrations) and especially perfect for any ultra feminine parties. Seriously, if I was drinking out of these glasses, I am sure that any passerbyers would totally think "oh-that-girls-got-her-own-glam-squad".


Gray is my new favorite color for dishes after seeing these beauties. Not only are they completely practical because let's face it, it could go with ANYTHING. But they are also in great condition and the wee handles on the bowls would be perfect for a show-stopping soup dinner. I totally see the gray color with warm red tomato soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches. Yummy.


Lastly, there were these darling blue apple dishes. There were about eight that I found in different booths - and they are just sweet as can be. Not only are they reflective of the trip (we were shopping at Barber's ORCHARD antique mall) but they are perfection in terms of blending new and old styles. I would serve apple fritter doughnut holes in these turquoise bowls for a delish and springy breakfast. An apple a day, people, an apple a day...


So here's a guessing game for ya - what do you think I bought? I really wanted to buy it all but alas - I need to save room in the house for future adventure memorabilia. Hint - it is something pictured above. No guesses? Tell me what you would have gotten as a momento...oh and make your guess quick - cause you'll find out tomorrow the answer to this pop quiz!

We Moved...

...and we bought this new house.


Yeah - we decided to upgrade to a new pad with a bit more square footage...let's say around 175,000. And with these fabulous views -


For real though...for real people...we didn't sell our work-in-progress metro-Atlanta home for the castle that is the Biltmore Estate. In all reality, we only toured the home. The owners wanted us to buy it but we said that we needed more space and it just didn't work out. Besides, it isn't on the water. And I don't think our staff would appreciate downsizing.


So besides looking at potential real estate for me and my boyfriend, V'day was also a mini-vacation. My lovely boytoy decided to surprise me with a visit to Asheville and the mansion...and boy, was it fabulous and fun! Just like Jer :)


Unfortunately, photography isn't allowed inside the house (if you could call it only a 'house') but we got some amazing shots of the grounds.


The outdoor gardens weren't in bloom (Jeremy promised we would have to come back in a future spring, summer or fall to see all the flowers) but we did get a chance to explore the greenhouse. It was an alive paradise that just begged for us to lust for spring.


We stayed at a nearby hotel which had an amazing room with a huge comfy bed and an even bigger headboard. We also got to relax after a long day of wine tasting and touring in the hotel's hot-tub. Have I said that I want one of those before? Because I do. Badly.


Oh and did I mention the winery? Yea - you get a tour of the winery and a free wine tasting when you get to the estate. Above is the wine library of the many years of grape-induced beverages. And not only do they have your basic reds and whites, but sparkling wines, juices, and special occasion wines are for a reasonable rate after your tasting. Our favorite was a Christmas white wine and their 'Century' wine - both for the taste and the beautiful bottles.

And since we are discussing the trip that my lovely boyfriend got me in honor of our 09 LOVE day - here is what I got him...


It started with a clue here and a clue there - randomly hidden by the Valentine's day fairy...aka Cupid. When Jeremy put all the clues together (it took him all day to collect them), the guessing game began. Finally something clicked and he guessed correctly. Out came the wrapped present. He tore that sucker open and WAHLA!


That's right...I bought my baby a power tool. How romantic! How functional! How long till you can make me that headboard?!?!

So there you have it - our mini getaway and our v-day celebration. Hope yours was super awesome with a dash of romance. And if not, that's ok - live vicariously through us. Afterall, Bower Power is like a box of valentine's day chocolates......a sweet experience with a bunch of nuts!

Island Dreaming

Hey mon! We are back from Grand Cayman and what a ride!

We are totally tuckered out from island living. Sounds impossible right? That's what I thought until this past weekend. And then I learned that days on the beach, in the water and under the sun can really suck the energy right out from beneath ya. Don't get me wrong - it was totally fabulous - but now that I am back to the grind, it seems like I need another vacay to recover :)

I have an idea. Let's just pretend that this little post is a vacation o' fun - close your eyes. Take a break from your hot cocoa. Ignore the snow coming down through your window. Let your dreds down...oh and don't forget your sunscreen!

This is where we are staying - a little beach house right on the water. As you enter through the gates, conch shells line the driveway begging you to hold them up to your ear (can you hear the ocean waves? yea, that's because it is only 50 yards away.)

Meet your new best friend, Dixie. Playful and fun, you can wrestle all day long (if dog wrestling is your thing). Also a fierce guard dog, she will protect you from cabana boys, island drink servers, and vicious sand crabs.

Let's take a walk on the beach. Where the sand meets the ironshore, thousands of coral souvenirs wait on you, ripe for the picking. Did your heart just skip a beat thinking about seafans, brain coral and shells? Mine did.

Now we head down to Rum Point to enjoy a quick ride on a sea-doo and a walk on the pier. No...there is no lovelier place than this spot - and you don't need Captain Morgan to tell you that!

All this island vacationing works up quite an appetite! We grab the best burger in town with some fried frenchies, mushrooms, jalepenos, and onion rings! YUM!

Wait the recommended 15 minutes before swimming. Mostly because you are still in a food coma...but also because you don't wanna vomit your lunch into your snorkel! Swim with stingrays - the massive prehistoric dinosaur kind that have been fed steroids by the natives. Let's go check out the coral reef and go conch hunting too!

Finish the day relaxing in the cabana - swing in the hammock, put your feet up, sip on your mojito, and watch the waves crash over and over.

Dream of the house you would love to own - right on the water. Of course, it would be on the side of the island that never experiences hurricanes. And in it would be an advanced teleportation system that would be able to fetch your very best friends for a fun weekend, and your grandma for when you are sick. Don't forget to beem us in for a little beach action!

Ok - I feel a little more rested. Maybe that is just the relaxing effect of the humongous bowl of loaded potato soup I just ate. Or maybe it is because we got to dream together. If it's the latter - thanks.

And thanks for reading this whole post - I know reading about other people's excursions can be, well, depressing. And if you have a dreamy place that you like to go to escape the hum-drum, please do share. Nobody loves a mental vacation like me, mon!

Feeling the Love

Yesterday was officially an anniversary. An annual celebration that began last year on October 6th. That is when we got married :) And of course, in true anniversary style - I thought my husband forgot. Yes, I know it sounds crazy (being the first year and all) but I seriously believed that my husband did not remember to reserve, save, or plan to celebrate our union.


This is how it went down.


Friday, we planned on going to Bone Fish. If you have never been to a Bone Fish restaurant - I would totally recommend it. We received a lovely little gift card as a wedding present and saved it for this very special occasion. So, in my head, I had a conversation with myself - "This is it. This is the anniversary dinner. This is as much romance as you can expect for the next fifty years. This is what it will be and I must be content." And believe me - I was.

In fact, I even surprised myself because I love (LOVE!!!) to receive gifts. It doesn't matter how big or small, expensive or free, long rehearsed or on a whim. I love gifts. I love to give gifts. I love to brainstorm about the perfect gifts. I love gifts. Ok - now here is the gift deal, when someone gives me a gift, a note, a drawing - it means that they love me. Maybe big love. Maybe small. But a least a little. And this love-language is good news for a marriage. The boyfriend can just buy me a little sumpin, sumpin and I feel like we are rock solid.

So it was quite a shocker to even me when I thought our free gift card was IT for our celebration o' 1 year.


Then he did the unexpected. He pulls out a package. Yes, it is double wrapped. With a ribbon. And inside is this.


I know - shut up right?!?! So I scream. Yup and cry. And generally make a scene. And he says "Well, I wanted you to have something to take great pictures when we go to Niagara Falls...tomorrow."

Shut your stickin mouth!?!!? I was in shock. So then he bought me new walking shoes - cause the others hurt my knee. And then we get a new camera bag. It was like three gifts in one night. Saturday morning - we head to the ATL airport...then on to Canada. Never been there. It was fabulous.

It was breathtaking.

It was absolutely perfect. And the best part is that my can't-keep-a-secret-to-save-his-life husband planned it in July. Yet another reason that he is my boyfriend.

We had an Ahh-mazing room overlooking the falls, with a fireplace and a hottub. The weather was divine.

The flowers were in bloom. We even won $50 in the Casino!

It was the most perfect, the most fun, and the most relaxing three day weekend ever!

Needless to say, I came home feeling the love!

(Not so) Fair Day

Last weekend, a group of us went to the fair. It was my first time ever going (as far as I can remember anyway). It was not a good experience for me.

Let me just tell you ONE of the things that happened that just made my whole fair day not so fair. Note that I am already in a horrible mood by the time this event happens. Jeremy had already cussed at the carnie running the rollercoaster ride because we were BOTH supposed to fit in this tiny bucket seat - and our butts are so big that the divider was hurting his thigh...and the ride was $5 a piece

seriously!?!? We should be able to be comfortable at that kinda price.

Back to the story - we are mad, and I really wanted a stuffed animal - but you have to win one. And most of the prizes are for squirting, shooting or nailing something. And I am good at none of those. So the group of us are standing there to decide what to do next and we hear a voice.

"Three dollars - three dollars, let me guess your weight within three pounds and win a prize!"

I could do this one. And nobody is around but my friends. So I cough up the three bones and tell him to have at it. But he continues to announce what is going on! A crowd forms. A big crowd. He strolls around me and guesses. A decent guess. I'll take it. And the moment he let the words escape his mouth, I knew that stuffed monkey was mine.

"One hundred thirty pounds. Not a pound more. Not a pound less."

He coulda omitted that last part.

So I said "nope, you are way under."

"Hop on the scale."

SERIOUSLY?!?! So I get on. There is a surge forward from the crowd followed by a collective gasp. When the scale passed 15 lbs over his guess, I jumped off. It was humilating.

The guy who guessed then says "WOW girl, you must had eaten a ton of funnel cakes tonight! You better lay off em!"

I heard whispers of "do you see that girl? - she weighs alot!" and "that guy guessed her weight WAY under" and "well she does have a ghetto booty".

But on the up side I did get a monkey. His name is F.C.

It stands for funnel cake.

Lake Break

When our church was fundraising for the youth mission trip, we organized a BINGO/AUCTION event that helped bring in some big bucks. The people who donated items and services were extremely generous.

Naturally, when a lake house weekend was up for bid, Jeremy & I didn't hesitate. We are water people after all. However, we didn't end up winning. But later in the evening, ANOTHER lake house went up and we didn't want to lose. Determined with the fervor of a scorned E-Bayer, the bid rose and rose. $250 later, we were the proud renters of one weekend at a Lake Lanier lake house.

So we called some friends to organize it for this past weekend and soon we had a whole slew of people looking forward to a break from the hustle and bustle. The logistics were simple. Everyone splits the costs of the house, food and snacks to make it super affordable. Five couples, three days, two nights. Here were the some of my favorite memories from the weekend:

Highlight #1 -The house.

It could sleep WAY more than ten people but I think our group was small enough to make all feel cozy and private. The pool table room was dreamy - I think it was the boy's dream - ooooh wall mounted big TV.

Highlight #2 - The lake.

Fishing, wakeboarding, swimming...makes me wanna go back or own a piece of it too!

Highlight #3 - The outlets.

The house is ten minutes from the North Georgia Premium outlets - can you say POTTERY BARN?!?! Us girls had a blast shopping (of course, because of the low low prices!)

Highlight #4 - Talent Show 2008.

I made a huge to-do about having a talent show. The boys hated the idea. But in the end, I think everyone ended up doing it to make me feel less stupid. It actually was sooo funny!!! The talents ranged from silly to strange - but we loved it all! Julia could actually brush her teeth with her feet!!!!

Highlight #5 - Dance Fest.

With the assistance of red bull and other various drinks, we felt right at home with an interpretive dance party. I will never forget how hard I laughed when Jeremy worked in the "Carlston Crawl" into his dance moves!


Highlight #6 - The food & the friends.

We had a great group - GREAT! And everyone was content and helpful and encouraging! At each meal, we got to sit down, pray together and joke about how much bacon was on the table. I am so blessed by each couple.

And my dear friends Dan & Heidi announced some very good news - THEY ARE GETTING MARRIED!!! Yea!!! They already have a honeymooners house - so hopefully we will get to hear the BRIDAL plans when we go up to help :)

Here is the happy couple:

Congratulations you two! We can't wait for the big day! And maybe I can take some photos of the event to share with my readers...if I'm lucky...