Weekend Recap~Pic Overload

What a weekend! I had a great time this weekend. Lots of hanging out with Ryan and our pup [which makes me a happy girl], crafting, good food and holiday stuff! Oh yea, and lots of wine!

Via

On Friday we remembered last minute that our town was having a tree lighting celebration downtown (thanks to Ryan!). So, we headed home for a quick dinner before hand....when we got home I found a package waiting for me! I can't tell you all about it just yet, but it's for the Cold Hands,Warm Heart swap. I was so excited to get my goodies from Mindy!

 When we arrived downtown there was a kids band playing Christmas music and a capella group singing. We hung out watching both groups for a bit...talking about how we remembered when we were both in bands when we were younger! After standing out in the cold for a while we decided to grab a few drinks at the nearest bar...we had to warm up somehow : )

After waiting for a bit, Santa finally came out and lit up the tree! There were so many families and little kids all around...Ryan and I almost felt out of place because we didn't have a baby!

A cute model set in a nearby window...

And another part...

Funny, weird camera mode

More funny, weird camera mode :)

  

 

The stores around the square were taking advantage of the crowd by staying open late so we decided to shop around a little. I went to our favorite antique store and then to a super cute shop I hadn't been in before that had lots of cute ornaments and decorated trees. I love seeing the super pink ones....when someone else does it : )

 

 

 

 

 

Can you tell I love groups of things? In pictures?

 

 

Insert whistle ;)

 

Makes me think of my old KY home :)

 

 

After getting home from downtown we got comfy just in time to watch the Cards play Vandy in men's basketball. It was definitely the best game I've seen in a long time! Ryan and I were both on the edge of our seats the whole time, especially towards the end when it was in OT. We pulled out a win and we couldn't have been happier!

On Saturday we just about wrapped up our Christmas shopping. As much as Ryan hates to shop, we still made it through the shops and we only have 2 more things to get/finish. There's just something about taking care of all of your holiday gift shopping....I love to get started, but I love it even more when I'm done!

Speaking of holidays, I made a few more wreaths this weekend for a lady at work. Originally, I made one by using a foam circle and hot glue to arrange them. It took FOREVER the first time. This time I used another method that I found on Pinterest. I used a coat hanger and strung the ornaments on and then arranged them (they arrange themselves for the most part, but you can help to organize the colors). It took far less time, so I was really happy that I tried the second method!

Cute little wreath family!

After all of the crafting (it really does wear me out sometimes!), Ryan cooked dinner and surprised me with a little Pinterest-esque meal. He used a cupcake pan and made mini spaghetti cups....spaghetti, meat, sauce and ricotta cheese. He cooked everything as usual and then put each cup together and then baked them for a bit. It was so yummy!

Before they went into the oven!

Don't they look delicious! Mmmm!

 We also made another trip to our favorite furniture shop here in town. About a month ago we found a couch that we really liked and we've been thinking about it ever since. We went back to visit to see if the "spark" was still there : ) After spending some time looking at other options and talking with the sales lady, we decided that it was definitely time to make a move on the couch that we liked. We knew we had to sell our current living room set to have enough room for the new stuff, so we posted it on Craigslist. Well, after only 20 minutes, we had a buyer! A cute old couple came this morning and bough the old set.

You know what that means?? We finally have room for a new couch! Wooo hooo! We paid for the new set this afternoon and we should be able to enjoy it tomorrow evening : ) : ) I've never been so excited about furniture! Hah I must really be an adult now! What did you do this weekend? Anything fun?

Here's a sneak peek :)

Sweet Visitors

Over the last few weeks I've had the chance to spend some great quality time with Ryan and our pup! There has been job searching, some tennis (I'm terrible, but Ryan loves it), and lots of venturing around town to get to know the place/layout. We have been taking our time trying out new places around town in attempts to save some money, so we end up spending a lot of time at home. Thankfully our apartment grounds are pretty and offer things for us to do (volleyball, swimming, fishing, tennis, etc.). Considering the amount of time we spend at home, we were ecstatic to have some visitors over the past week.

Ryan's parents came over from Nashville last Sunday to see us and we all headed over to the Stones River battlefield. It was memorial day weekend so we had the chance to see the flags that were displayed on the graves as well as the beautiful grounds. The visitor center and grounds were very well kept, we were all impressed!

 

My Dad and his family came to Murfreesboro this past Tuesday as well. After a trip to Nashville they took the time to swing by and visit for a bit. We also had a chance to eat dinner with two of Ryan's close friends, James and Kim, yesterday evening. We got to catch up and have some yummy food at Mellow Mushroom (I looove that place)! It was great seeing them, especially in Murfreesboro!

Of course I love anything that looks pretty as a picture!

Cheap beer-my favorite!

We will have a few visitors this weekend and I'm beside myself with excitement! My Louisville friends family will be coming this Saturday and we will be spending time by the pool, seeing some of Murfreesboro and catching up on everything!

Until then, I think that Ryan and I will be heading to the downtown square tonight for Friday Night Live (free concert-part of a summer series). The band Stones River Pilots will be there and they play a wide variety of music (rock, blues, country) so I'm sure it will be a great time!

Betcha Didn't Know-Murfreesboro, TN

As you know, a recent move brought me a little further south to settle in a charming little place called Murfreesboro, TN. Most people have no idea where it is, so it becomes that "little town south of Nashville". It is that, for sure, but really it's much more. Here are a few things I betcha didn't know about Murfreesboro!

The population as of 2010 is around 108,755 (Nashville, TN is around 626,681 and Louisville, KY is around 741,096).

Murfreesboro was Tennessee's state capitol from 1819 to 1826.

 

Murfreesboro was also the site of Civil War Battle of Stones River-the last battle before the signature of the Emancipation Proclamation! 

Middle Tennessee Statue University calls Murfreesboro home (with over 26,000 students). University of Louisville plays this team.

The Rutherford County courthouse is only one of six Pre-Civil War courthouses still in use in Tennessee today. Also, located in the historic downtown square-a mix of new and old store fronts as well as some great southern charm!

Murfreesboro has a newcomers club. You read that right :) One of the best things about southern hospitality, you don't have a chance to feel left out if you just take a look around.

Even as I list things about my new town, I notice that there isn't a large amount of social media surrounding community activities. I am used to having way more opportunities to know what is happening around me. Of course the fact that there are far less activities here compared to Louisville would explain why. I know that there are more events happening around me than I am aware of! I can only hope I can help learn about new things and get the info out there. Imagine that, little ol' me, spreading the word!

P.s. Thanks to the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and the Murfreesboro Newcomers club for the info listed above as well as the National Park Services site for the battlefield photo!