unabashedly uncorked: your daily dose of EPH!

The happiest of happy birthdays to my handsome husband. 

To the guy who taught me compromise, has forgiven the fact that I’ll never truly know the value of a dollar, and that brings a never-ending sense of balance to our household. 

To the guy that has the kindest blue eyes, the most genuine spirit, the passion to succeed, and the know-how to do just about anything he puts his mind to. 

To a guy that has brought me the most incredible joy over the past 5 6 years (oops! you can tell I’m not one that keeps tracks of anniversaries and such), has held my hand through this strange dance that found it’s way into our lives, and that has continued to love and support me [and WIndsor Louise] with all of the obstacles that have been hurled our way. 

For those of you that don’t know Blake- I’ll fill you in on one little secret. He’s silly yet stoic, he’s quiet yet outspoken, he knows just how much he can get away with before pushing you over the edge and yet he’s the most gentle soul I’ve ever encountered. He isn’t quite like I am with words [most Engineers aren’t] and yet— HE always has the perfect thing to say while we’re standing in the middle of a proverbial hurricane. 

To you, B, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. I only wish I could find the proper words to fit in this space to describe just how blessed I am to have you in my life. 

All my love 

and fancy bottles of red wine,

your wife 

thank you thank you thank you

you’ve made me feel so very loved today [& for a very good portion of the last 3 years since I started this little blog]

I’ve said it once- and I’ll say it [over and over] again

it may be shocking to some that we make friends on the Internet

that we forge bonds with people via our keyboard

share bits of our lives with other humans we have yet to lay eyes on

but they are real, true, lasting, meaningful friendships

and I value each and every one of you and the bond we have

and because I can’t possibly keep with true Southern tradition and mail each of you a hand-written thank you note for your kindness

this champagne cupcake will have to suffice

my cup runneth over

I stopped by the grocery store on Friday evening to grab loot for our dinner spread. As I wandered through the wide expanse that is our newly remodeled store, I laid eyes on a beautiful, fresh bouquet of fresh sunflowers. I briefly thought about reaching over and picking up a few to jazz-up my kitchen table and then remembered that we would be out of town the following few days.

I thought to myself as I walked away— “I’ll let these make someone else happy.”

I talk to people at the grocery store; the lady behind me in the checkout line, the cashier, the young gal bagging my groceries. This should surprise absolutely no one that a friend of mine; I’d talk to a brick wall if it would respond. Somewhat related: somewhere during my childhood I remember my Mom telling my brother and I that we could never be sure if someone was having a good or bad day— and that it could be our smile and kind words that kept them from an evening of sadness. So, I always make a point to treat anyone at the grocery store [pharmacy, gas station, etc.] with the upmost respect and kindness.

but back to my story…

Par for the course, I asked the sweet lady scanning my sustenance, how her day was going. She gave me a half-hearted, completely fake smile and said— “Well, it’s my birthday.”

“Oh gosh- well happy birthday!” I immediately chirped back. “Birthdays are a pretty big deal in my house!”

I just so happen to know [from my 1,956 prior trips to said grocery store] that this lady has no family nearby and she isn’t the most optimistic that I’ve ever encountered. As she ignored my response to her, I could only imagine that her birthday would be as non-descript as the Wednesday and Thursday that preceded it.

No way, Jose! Not on my watch.

I wrapped up my purchase and the wheels in my brain immediately started turning. I spun on my heels over to customer service and did a beeline toward a young gal that I planned to put to work.

I grabbed a $10 bill from my wallet and informed the cute teenager that the lady working register 7— it was her birthday. I handed her my money and kindly asked for her to go and pick out the biggest, brightest bouquet of sunflowers for the birthday girl. I didn’t want her to know they were from me- I asked that the flowers arrive with warm birthday wishes from a customer of hers.

I walked out of the store— half hoping that the teenager didn’t pocket the money and half hoping the flowers didn’t signal that I was the worlds biggest creep. But I guess, when it really comes down to it, neither really matter. I tried to pay it forward, to brighten someone else’s day just a little, to make a fraction of an impact on someone would have otherwise felt a little neglected on her special day.

and I hope those sunflowers did just that

oxo 

June 8th. A special day for a special lady. Today is my Momma’s birthday, y’all! I’ve always said that birthdays are a BIG deal for me. Mostly because I’ll gladly embrace any chance I have to celebrate— but also because looking back over the past year, on how one has grown and changed, is always a refreshing feeling for me. So, today, I’ll celebrate [long distance] the birth of the woman that lit-rally made me who I am today.

from my laugh to my handwriting [wink wink], to my style and my sense of humor. from my design sense to my matter of fact-ness, my fondness for cooking and my sensitivity. from my heart the size of Texas to my desire to be a Mother so that I might ((one day)) pass the same love along to my children that she has given to me [and BHP, Blake, Katie, Melissa and the hundreds of friends that have wandered into our home over the last 20-odd years]

Momma, I used to think that you were cool. You were the Mom that tutored less fortunate children when their parents couldn’t give them all the same privileges you and Daddy gave to us. You were the Mother that always managed to step-up when our soccer team needed snacks [orange slices and Capri Sun anyone?]. You were the one that religiously baked chocolate chip cookies in the middle of national disasters, the one that always had a minute to inspect a bridesmaid dress even in the middle of assembling a 4-course meal, the one that stayed up with friends on a long summer night- sitting on the front porch. Listening and giving advice that would shape young lives. The one that hosted early morning breakfasts for 30 teenagers post-prom, the one that occasionally dressed up as the Easter bunny….

really, I could go on and on.

By now, I know you are SO MUCH MORE than just cool. You and Daddy were the biggest blessings I could have ever asked for- you as my sounding board, my confidant, my rock. Daddy my steady voice in both chaos and celebration. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful, loving family. I count my lucky stars every day for this sweet life that I [we] have been given.

Happy Birthday to you on your special day, Momma! I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.

oxo- your baby girl [and a few others]

L to R: BHP, KatieRae, moi, Blake, Momma, Poppi // Spring Island, SC // April 2011

BHP’s birthday dinner was last night [three cheers for reasons to celebrate!!!] and the man-of-the-evening decided he wanted to dine at Margaux’s. To make a long story not so longish… Katie and I both ordered delicious [albiet strong] peach sangrias striking up my interest in all things peach flavored [and, to be honest, alcoholic].

If you’re in the Triangle, get on over to Margaux’s and order one of these bad boys [and the pesto chicken while you’re at it]. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

xo

Strawberry and Peach Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 750-ml bottle dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups Essensia (orange Muscat, a sweet dessert wine)
• 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup peach liqueur
• 3 peaches, each cut inot 12 slices
• 1 large orange, cut crosswise into 6 slices
• 1 large lemon, cut crosswise into 6 slices
• 1/4 cup strawberry syrup (optional)
• 3 to 4 cups ice cubes

Preparation:

Mix white wine, Essensia, strawberries, peach liquor, peaches, orange slices, lemon slices, and strawberry syrup in large pitcher, smashing citrus slices slightly. Let stand at room temperature at least 2 hours or chill up to 4 hours. Serve sangria over ice.

[recipe via]

Happy [25th!!!] Birthday to the best baby brother a gal could ever ask for! While we haven’t always been the best of friends, I always knew that we would grow up to be two peas in a pod [figuratively speaking of course]. We’ve come a long way from those hair pulling, knife wielding [him not me; a story for another time], arm scratching, bickering sibling days.   

In the past few years, you’ve become one of my closest allies. I’ve watched you blossom into a savvy young man taking the world by storm all the while keeping your golden heart the size of Texas. You’ve helped me celebrate the most important days of my life [see above] and starred in some of my most cherished memories. I’m beyond proud of the handsome man that you’ve become.

So here’s to you, BHP. To a semi-fearless man, a jokester, a passionate gator fan, a stern youtube addict and an all around stand-up guy. May your 25th year bring you all the happiness and success you wish for.

Mad, endless sisterly love:

E

[ps- this mini cake is for you. we’ll work on the hard stuff later. oxox]

I’m taking the liberty of celebrating my FIRST BLOGGIVERSARY one day early. Truth be told, I’ve always found any excuse to start a party prematurly. But seeing as tomorrow will be a day for saying goodbye, I felt it especially appropriate to celebrate today. Plus, who doesn’t like a good party on a Monday?

I can’t believe it was just one year ago that sweet Haley introduced me to this little blogging community and although I’ve taken the occasional vaca from my entries [read: wedding craziness], I’ve never looked back.

You all have given me advice about rehearsal dinner dresses, let me spam you with wedding photos, listened to rants about changing my name, welcomed new friends with open arms [and flashy dashboards], celebrated new furniture and new jobs [yes, that’s plural. here we go again] and lifted up my irl friends when life turned upside down.

Through 672 posts, over 1,220 “likes” and countless new online friends, you have all welcomed me into your homes [and hearts]. For that, I am eternally grateful.

So, here’s to the next year of champagnetoasts… May it bring as much love, laughter and high-heeled glory as the past 365 days!

xox