Benny's Birthday and Mother's Day

Did yall have an exciting weekend?  Why are they always so short?

On Friday night Kevin and I had a lil date night which included homemade pizzas, looking at some investment properties he's interested in and TCBY for some yogurt.  It was nice to just be together and hang out!

Saturday we layed by the pool and hung out with some neighbors for dinner.  Then we took a cab out to the Thirsty Beaver for Benny's birthday get together.  Well his name is Ben but I call him Benny.  He was one of my first friends at NC State.  Remember a few weeks ago when I had gone on a top secret mission?  It was to help him look at rings for his girl Jackie.  Oh what fun that was!  He proposed a couple wees ago in Jamaica!  They are such a nice couple....we love them! 

Here are some party pictures at the Beaver.  This bar is what you call a hole in the wall.  It is so great because of it though!  L to R - Lauren, Andy, Emily, me, Jackie, Tara, Kevin

Brad and Tom came to see us.  Brad is one of Kevin's oldest friends too....they go back a lonngggggg time.

Below is Kevin and I with the happy couple!  We had a good time celebrating Benny's birthday.

Yesterday we went to Kevin's parents house (about 45 minutes south of Charlotte) to grill out for Mother's Day.  Kevin's sis in law fixed banana pudding and I made baked beans and coleslaw.  It was nice to spend it with his Mama!  Kevin and his brother both gave her hanging baskets!  It was funny that they got her the same thing but they were all gorgeous! 

Hope you all had nice weekends!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the BEST Mama in the world!

You're the perfect Mom and I've learned so much from you. 

You're strong-willed, a tough cookie and have a heart of gold.  You're so giving.

You're also a perfect Nannie to Anna Kate too!

We're SO lucky to have you as our Mama!

Happy Mother's Day! 

Cinco de Mayo

Last evening I flew back into Charlotte and we decided to go walk over to Alive After Five for a bit with some of our neighbors, Steven & Misty and Elena & Kevin (in the below pic with Kevin and I).  We all had a great time and got to see some other folks from our building too.

Kevin and I love going over there because we get to see so many friends we haven't seen awhile and it's always great to catch up with them!

We headed home pretty early and got our acts together for work today.  I'm glad to be back in the office and have big things to get accomplished today. 

Happy Weekend!

Dora and Cinco de Mayo

Yesterday I get an email that says, "Please send to Anna Kate." 

Attached is the above picture - Dora and Kevin.

Dora was at the shop next door to his agency so he went over to take these pictures.  And he knows how much Anna Kate loves Dora.  So we sent them to Emily (my SIL) and she said Anna Kate couldn't stop smiling - Kevin and Dora in one picture! 

Then of course he had to have another one of just Dora waving to Anna Kate!  Haha!!!  It's the little things, friends!

Today, I'm flying back to Charlotte from my parents house.  I'm sad to leave my parentals but glad to get back.  I need to get things done at home and in the office before traveling most of next week too.

This is a weird fact back Kevin and I have never seen each other on Cinco de Mayo.  The first year, I was on a work trip and last year, Kevin was in Atlanta training with Allstate.  Pretty funny!

What are yall doing to celebrate tonight?  Cooking in or going out?

Summer Stir Fry and Cute Picture of Clay and Anna Kate

If you're looking for a really quick and easy meal to make during the week that is healthy, this is it!  I usually prep everything the night before so it's speedy when we get home.  And we always have leftovers which are good cold too!

The Pioneer Woman does it again with her Summer Stir Fry.  I made it a couple times last year so Kevin has been asking for it all winter.  I kept having to explain to him that it wouldn't be too good without fresh corn and zucchini!  :)  Anyway, Mom got discharged from the hospital yesterday so I ran to the store to get some things for dinners this week and this was easy to make last night.  My parents liked it.  Okay enough chit chat, here is the recipe. 

Summer Stir-Fry

Prep Time: 15 Minutes      

Cook Time: 8 Minutes      

Difficulty: Easy       

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 12 whole Jumbo Shrimp, Peeled, Deveined, Tails Left On (I always add more)
• 2 whole Zucchini, Sliced On A Slight Diagonal
• 2 ears Corn, Kernels Sliced Off
• ½ cups Grape Tomatoes, Sliced In Half Lengthwise
• Salt And Freshly Ground Pepper, To Taste
• Chopped Fresh Herbs, If Desired

Preparation Instructions:

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic. When oil/butter is hot, add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Remove to a plate. Do not clean skillet.

Add the rest of the butter and oil and heat over medium heat. Add zucchini slices in a single layer and cook for one minute, tossing once. Scoot the zucchini to the edges of the pan, then add corn kernels to the middle of the pan. Cook for one minute. Add grape tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and toss around, then add shrimp. Cook for an additional 30 seconds, then remove from heat.

Serve on a big platter.

Hint: Much better after it’s been allowed to cool for a bit! Yummy and refreshing.

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And isn't this picture of my brother and Anna Kate precious?  They were on Anna Kate's boat last weekend the caption of this was - "Cheers!"

New Clutch by Urban Expression

A couple weeks ago when we were home for Easter, I went in my favorite shop called South Moon Under.  And look at this adorable clutch!  I had gotten a sand colored one with shells all over it years ago from South Moon but it has seen better days so I was on the lookout for a new one!  I think this one definitely fits the bill!

It comes with a long gold strap in case you'd rather carry it as a longer purse.  I prefer the clutch look.  And how fun is the inside?!  I love how it is big enough to hold my camera, phone, keys, lipstick and has a zipper for my ID, credit card and cash!

Where is your go-to clutch place?!

Blogger Dinner with the Guys

Sorry for the late post today.  This morning, I flew up to Maryland to see my Mom at Hopkins.  Hopefully she gets released tomorrow and we'll be going "home-home!"

On Friday night we went to Vivace for dinner!  It's in the midtown area of Charlotte, just outside of uptown.  I love it for it's atmosphere (we sat out on the patio) and how it has skyline views - you can see in the above picture. 

From L to R - my (real life) friend Lauren and her bf Andrew, Dee (Dee's Adventures) and Brad, Kevin and I, and Lauren (Adventures of a Southern Newlywed) and Thomas.  We missed you April (A. Liz Advenutres)!  She has this thing called a wedding going on in a few weeks so she's just a TAD busy! ;)

We had all met before but hadn't introduced any of the blogger guys.  It was fun getting together with you ladies and having a nice dinner out!