Change of scenery.

The empty frames above the couch have been retired. I liked the idea at first, but they just seemed so sad, like they were missing smiling faces of family and friends. Depressing, I know. So I switched it up a bit and put this huge painting above the couch. It was in my dad's house that we were renting before we left AZ. It reminds me of the Rockies and my mom. I love the colors. I love it in place of the lonely frames.

Ok, really this time, I am heading to the market.

I'll have another biscuit, please.

Last night Josh and I had dinner at Jim 'N Nicks BBQ. It is not too far from our place, and we were in the mood for BBQ and not in the mood to cook. Let me tell you, these cheese biscuits are to die for, to die for! The texture is like a mix between corn bread and a biscuit with just the right amount of melted cheese mixed in. The brisket on the other hand left much to be desired. Maybe it was because we were in kind of late. Who knows, but the biscuits are delish. Well, I have to head to the market and get goodies for this week! Happy Sunday!

Words to live by {school motivation}

It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude. Zig Ziglar

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through. Rosalynn Carter

The important thing is this:

to be able at any moment to

sacrifice what we are for what we could become. Charles Du Bos

A beautiful day in the neighborhood.

These houses aren't actually in my neighborhood, but they are all in Nashville and currently for sale and within 5 miles of downtown Nashville. The architecture is very different out here in comparison to Arizona, where everything is some form of brown and stucco. Don't get me wrong, I love Arizona, it is just refreshing to see so much variation in homes. I don't know how long we will be in this city, but I wouldn't mind staying here if we were living in one of these.

pics from here

Big Chill Love {Dream House}

Ever since I saw this kitchen in the June issue of Coastal Living I have been dreaming of colorful retro appliances. Big Chill has fridges, stoves and dishwashers in an assortment of yummy colors. They mix the sweet vintage look with modern technology and make my heart swoon.

So Far.

This is what we have going on so far. Nothing special, but we make do with what we have....or something like that? I hate the wall color, it is so boring. The chocolate brown on the couch is just a cover, it is usually white but the white just looked too stark in here with the apartment carpet and blah paint. This picture is all the more motivation for school. I need to finish my MPP and get a real job, making real money, so we can buy a house and make it our home.

Her name was Lola, she was a BAD girl

Country Living

The past couple of days have been so tiring! On Friday I discovered a flea on Lola, which lead to the discovery of fleas on Lola. So I spent most of yesterday vacuuming every square inch of my apartment and furniture, washing 5, yes 5 loads of laundry {which cost 15 dollars in quarters by the way}, and spraying everything with flea killer. My neighbors must think I haven't done laundry in weeks, seeing me walk back and forth from the laundry room all day and night.

While moving around furniture to vacuum I decided to rearrange, and I love the new setup! It must be accidental fung shui or something because it is so much more inviting in here...I will post pictures soon. I still have a couple of projects I want to do before showing everyone where we are living. So in the mean time I will show you a picture of inspiration I am using from this months Country Living.

On a side note: Lola escaped the apartment yesterday. She jetted right out as if she had been planning this for days. She went to the grass and ran circles around me, ran across the street {in front of cars}, ran around the high school, and in the field behind the high school all while I am chasing her, bare foot, about to die, yelling "Lola NO, Lola get back here, Lola sit, Lola stay, PLEASE LOLA COME HERE." After what seemed to be a lifetime of running, yelling, and stopping cars as she ran into the street, she sort of just colapsed on her back in the grass and let me pick her up.

I seriously need some sort of dog trainer to teach us how to train her to stay by us and listen. I thought for sure she was a goner. I was going to have to call my husband and tell him his precious baby got squished by a car or ran away and I couldn't catch her. She is so small and so fast, when she gets out she is soooo hard to catch.

At the end of the day, Lola was captured and returned to her home where she sat in her crate for two hours to think about what she did. As for me, I am realizing how out of shape I am. I really really need to start working out.

Loveless Cafe

Josh and I ventured out to the Loveless Cafe for breakfast. We attempted to go here, but the rumors are true, the line wraps around the building. There is no way the pancakes can be that good. Loveless did not fail to please, they bring you warm biscuits with blackberry, peach and strawberries preserves...my mouth is watering just typing it out. Besides their biscuits, they are also known for their hash brown casserole which is a delicious blend of hash browns, cheese and onions. I am seriously going to gain 20 lbs living here.

Our Neighborhood Ice-Cream Parlor

Img 1 via Flickr Img 2 via Yelp

There is a little old ice cream shop by our house that I have been dying to check out {Bobbie's Dairy Dip}.

Last night, we checked it out.

Josh had some fudge cake thing with ice cream.

I had a kids dip; a small vanilla cone with chocolate dip.

Not a big fan of the dip.

Oddly enough I don't like chocolate in my ice cream.

I am however a huge fan of how cute Bobbie's Dairy Dip is.

So classic.

Next time, strawberry shortcake!

The Parthenon at Night

Lola is such a tourist! Josh and I visited the Parthenon during the day in June and were excited to go back at night. There were several couples walking around, holding hands, and sitting on blankets on the lawn having romantic picnics. I think it is meet up spot for Internet hook ups, just a guess though.

A Boy, a Girl and a 1/2 Pitcher

One Saturday night in a faraway town, a boy and a girl went out to the little Mexican food restaurant that boasted "the best margaritas in town." Little did they know it really meant, "the greenest and strongest margaritas in town."

After less than a glass...

...the girl had enough of the green, strong margaritas...

So the poor boy was obliged to finish the half pitcher all by himself.

Phoenix Guide on Design Sponge

Design Sponge Online featured a Phoenix city guide recently. Full of restaurants, art galleries and shopping recommendations, I found the list to be perfect for locals and visitors alike. I recognized a lot of the destinations, like Lux Coffee Bar {yum}, Modified Arts {I've been through on First Fridays, and my sisters boyfriend plays shows here on occasion}, and Pros Ranch Market {I love that this is on here}. I can't wait to check out some of the spots I didn't know about with my sister when I come in town for Thanksgiving. Check it out here: Phoenix!

Hello Fireflies {...and Internet}

After a brief teaser, we lost access to our neighbors unsecured Internet service on Monday. I have been dying to get back online, I mean we just moved, I have so much to do that requires Internet searches and consistent e-mail checking! But, the Comcast guy just left so I am back and will try to start posting regularly.

One of our new Nashville traditions is nightly walks through the rolling green streets of the neighborhood behind our apartment. Without a doggy door, Lola gets several walks a day to relieve herself. I think she prefers it this way. Unfortunately, on Tuesday night our walk was interrupted by rain and thunder! By the time we got home we were soaked from head to toe. Lola loved it!

I spend most of the walk ooh-ing over the fireflies and trying my hardest to capture their light on my camera. Hasn't worked yet, but I will continue trying and let you know when I get one of those suckers on film!

Image via flickr

Baby Owyn to the Rescue

My nephew Owyn is awesome. Probably the coolest 2 week old there is. He flies. And is very, very hairy. I am so lucky to be his aunt!

Hello Nashville

Hello and welcome to my new blog. Along with my hubby Josh and puppy Lola, I just made the nearly 2000 mile trip from Tempe, Arizona to Nashville, Tennessee where I will begin graduate school at Vanderbilt in the fall. I hope to keep everyone informed on our new life in the south. Stay tuned...