How long is TOO long?

Blogging Community: how long is too long to be gone from the blogging world then come back? Say it's been a year-and-a-half since one posted... it's okay to pick up there, right?

I'm going to pretend like everyone just said yes, because I want to come back! My time in Virginia is coming to an end all too quickly and this blog has covered so many great parts of the first half of our journey here. I'd like to round it out...., and then probably cry every time I look at old posts because I'M GOING TO MISS IT HERE SO MUCH!

It's impossible to cover a year-and-a-half in one post (and just sounds awful), so here are some of the highlights.

First of all, we got a puppy!

Sorry for the weird digitized eyes. I promise she's a real dog.

 This was baby Sabrina a few days after we got her from Adopt a Stray Rescue back in February.  She came from a wonderful rescue organization, and we are so thankful for all the hard work they are doing to get in-need animals into loving homes.

Now she's a big 40 lb, 6 month old, energetic, cuddly, somewhat fraidy, water-loving pup. She keeps us and Eliza on our toes, but she's the most perfect pup we could ever hope to have!

Oh, and we had another giant snow... just 16 or so inches. Noooottt something us Mississippians are very good at dealing with, and apparently neither are puppies.

Also in the last 2 years, I've gotten very involved as a member of the Junior League of Charlottesville. It's an organization of amazing women doing amazing things, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of it. (Cue my tearing up and anxiety every time I talk about leaving...)

 

 

 Most recently, we spent our last Charlottesville Easter Sunday at Christ Church and then had lunch with our law school fam (again, cue tears). These people are wonderful friends and we are all going to have children who come to UVA so we have an excuse to be back in C'ville as often as possible.  

 Some of us even already have a head start on the kids. This little angel is about to be a big sis!

 Oh yeah, and I made this roast. Pears, rosemary, cipollini onions, oh yes. Happy Belated Easter!
 

And speaking of sisters and babies... MY LITTLE SISTER IS HAVING A BABY! I'm still a little in shock, but could not be more excited for her and her hubs, and guess what that means?! I get to be an Aunt! I seriously cannot wait to spoil that child.

So there's the very quick, very abbreviated summary of what this blog has missed. Even if all family, friends, and readers are lost to the rest of cyberspace, I'm excited to be back documenting our last days in Thomas Jefferson's great city.

XO,
Dianna

Sandy, Sandy Go Away

Nothing like a kitchen chalkboard to set the mood for the Davis apartment, and I think this message says it all.  Joe and I have been cooped up all day just biding our time before the power goes out. Based on the last year and a half in this apartment, it seems pretty inevitable. So, I've tried to prepare us as much as possible.  Made a quick grocery store run this morning for non-perishables and batteries then filled the water bottles and cleaned the house while I still had a chance.  As Mississippians by birth seeing more than enough hurricane damage and with family living on the coast weathering through the likes of Camille, Katrina and Ike we've learned a thing or two about hurricane preparedness. Thankfully, it seems we won't be seeing too much of Sandy (or the crazy blizzard happening just west of us!), but our thoughts and deep prayers go out to those on the east coast and in West Virginia.

So for now, we wait (as I currently watch the wind pick up outside) -- snacks, books, and board games at the ready.

I hope everyone is staying safe, dry, and warm! 

Love,

DD

A Little Recap

I never remember to take pictures.. I'm getting better (as you will soon see) but usually I'm terrible.  Soooo I thought maybe in lieu of Friday's Letters today I would post pictures of our last two terrific weekends full of excitement and adventure!!... but really it's because I took pictures and now I need to do something with them.

It all started out with a sick husband, sick wife, and cuddly cat who is always doing cute things...

We quickly got over our sickness, however, with the help of some very legitimate Oktoberfest provisions.

And after being completely cured of our ailments, we headed out to the Foxfield Horse Races for some fun in the sun...



Annnd... that's where we saw this guy. And, for a little while I was not having so much fun anymore.

But then sweet friends came along and saved the day (for me at least... I'm pretty sure my dear husband partook in that pig)

And along the way our cat continued to do cute things... yoga is her favorite.

The next week we took off on a road trip through West Virginia and into Kentucky. We could not have asked for a more beautiful drive.

We made it to Lexington, KY where my husband promptly found the largest burbon bar around and declared he was in heaven.... I'm not the only one not getting this, right?

Hubby tried his first HotBrown... and based on the reaction, I think perhaps his last...

And my MIL got artsy with her picture taking....

And a man brought his cowbell and Mississippi State became 5-0 and all was well.

Finally, we finished off the weekend with a freezing cold, but completely-worth-it hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 I cannot advocate this place enough.  If you are ever this way, you MUST MUST MUST experience these mountains. I know there are much bigger and better, but there's nothing like driving through rolling farmland and into tree canopied mountain roads then hiking up to views of those blue ridges and valleys as far as the eye can see to make a girl think she could have been a farmer's wife. : )  I guess its too bad I get home to the greatest husband ever and remember how much I love walking across the street to the grocery store.

I hope everyone has a wonderful wonderful weeekend!

Love,
DD

Fall To-Dos

Being in Virginia has been pretty wonderful so far.  Yes, at times being away from our family and all of our old friends is very difficult, but we have been so very blessed to meet some wonderful folks here that help to fill the void. There is something that Virginia offers though that, I'm sorry Mississippi, just does not compare to home. I know you all know what I'm talking about. It's all ANYONE is talking about these days... FALL! AUTUMN! HARVEST SEASON! L'AUTOMNE!

 

Really though, what is there not to like? Sweaters, boots, football, beautiful scenery, bonfires.. should I go on? Well I'm going to, because this season the husband and I are trying to absorb everything fall has to offer, especially around Charlottesville. I've created a little bucket list for us, and I plan on checking off every.single.thing.

What to do this Autumn:

 

 

1. Apple Picking
2. At LEAST two winery tours

3. Foxfield Horce Races - if you're not from Cville, just picture a racetrack surrounding a large field of great local food vendors, puppy racing stalls, and carnival-like attractions for kids and families next to tents of obnoxious graduate students in full-on Kentucky Derby wear. It's a can't miss. (Please note the appropriate attire won by husband and me)

4. Pumkpin Picking (or maybe just visiting a pumkpin patch after they've picked the pumpkins...)

5. Hiking Old Rag Mountain. Or really just any hiking that allows us to see views like this one from last fall.
6. Attend multiple Octoberfest events (starting with our first one tomorrow night here!)
7. And last, only because it technically has nothing to do with Virginia, but ALL to do with fall... travel over to Lexington, KY to see our very own Missisippi State Bulldogs!

What are your plans for the fall? My bucket list could always use more inspiration!

Love,
DD

Marvelous Monday!

This weekend was not one that lent itself to propelling me into a joyful Monday morning.  It was a short, rainy weekend that led to an early, rainy Monday morning.. HOWEVER, cold, gloomy, rainy, and just blah mornings like this remind me that it's APRIL! and you know what they say...
"April Showers Bring May Flowers!"

So this Monday, I hope you can marvel with me at these promisng photos of what I have to look forward to of Charlottesville in May!

Bring on the Tulips

TJ's Monticello looks even more incredible in spring!

Cannot wait for perfect patio-seating weather, because the Downtown Mall has PLENTY to offer.

These pictures are unfortunately not my own, but I'll be out with a camera in just a few weeks!

Have a Marvelous Monday!
Love,
DD

Marvelous Monday! Er.. Tuesday.

In my desperate attempt to get excited at the beginning of the week and not just the end, I've decided on installing a new staple to the blog of Mrs. Davis.. Marvelous Mondays! And this Monday I had a great post all planned out, and then I got busy and sick and tired.

Sooooo this week we are going to be having a Marvelous TUESDAY people!

And today's marvelous installment is all about running!
I once felt I could call myself a runner (though still a loose interpretation), and then I got married and moved to Charlottesville.  If you know anything about Charlottesville or just Virginia period, you know the hills around here are KILLER! But I'm finely regaining my running stamia and along with the incredible spring that has descended on these parts and my...

brand new running shoes! I've inpsired myself to get back out there starting with my Marvelous Monday run of 4.5 miles.

I'll try to keep it up, and of course, let you know how it goes!

XOXO,
DD