One of my favorite parts about Monday morning is sitting back with my cup of coffee and reflecting on the weekend. I love spending time with family, bringing the friends together for good food, and getting time to work on projects we can’t normally do on the week days. I especially enjoyed this weekend becuase it was the first time I felt comfortably enough to leave the house after getting a bad case of poison ivy. It also happened to be in the mid 70’s all weekend, so there was no excuse to stay inside.
We took an afternoon break to meet up with some friends for lunch and to shoot some photos. One of our friends, who is an incredible event planner in Charleston, needed a couple of head shots for a feature story her company is running on her. I was so thrilled that she asked me to take them and they turned out so well.
We did the photos uptown so we could get the city in the background. Since we were already up there, we ended up having lunch at Vapiano’s Italian restaurant. I ordered the Reef n Beef salad. It had grilled beef filet, shrimp, grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes, spring onions and lettuce. Their food is so good and I love their fun set up and environment.
I also had a slice of their proscuitto pizza. I liked how thin and crispy the crust was.
After we tore everything apart, we took the dogs for a well deserved walk around the neighborhood. I couldn’t get over how nice it was. I’m all for the cold Christmas spirit days, but no way am I going to complain about a 75 degree day in December!
I decided to relax on Saturday night and catch up on some sleep.
Sunday was all about Funday.
We decided to bring all the friends together for a football Sunday filled with food, drinks, and cigars.
After church, I took the dogs for a walk and then headed to the grocery store to grab everything for the get-together. I just wanted to spend every waking second outside soaking up the fresh air and sunshine. It felt like spring.
We I love putting spreads together for football games. It’s my thing! I picked up items to make a cheese, meat and cracker platter, a nacho bar, mimosas, and some other little finger foods.
I wore the Simply Taralynn Collection weekend drink shirt! (after church of course)
Items I picked up for the spread:
- Crackers
- Summer Sausage
- Pepper Jack Cheese
- Cheddar Cheese
- Jam
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Figs
- Popcorn
Mimosa Supplies
- Fresh oranges
- Fresh pineapple
- Lemon slices
- Orange juice
- Lemonade
- Champagne
- Ice
My mimosa had 1/4 cup of high pulp orange juice, juice of one lemon slice, pineapple chunks, ice, and topped with champagne.
Our other friends brought some ingredients over to make bloody Marys. Bloody Marys will never be my thing. I can’t even stand the smell of them, but I definitely think anyone who drinks them are kind of badass. They were throwing in hot sauce, worcestershire sauce and all kinds of crazy ingredients.
Someone once told me that a bloody Mary cures hangovers and I think the first sip made me even sicker than before. Since then, I’ve never touched another bloody Mary.
We also put together an EPIC nacho bar.
I made up a huge batch of nacho cheese. In a large pan, melt together: 1 box of Velveeta, 1 stick unsalted butter, 1/2 cup light cream (or milk), 4 cans diced green chilies, 2 cans Rotel, 1/2 can drained jalapeños, and 1/2 tablespoon chili powder.
Keep the heat on low and continue to stir once all the ingredients are melted.
Nacho bar included:
- Grilled Steak
- Grilled Chicken
- Diced Avocados
- Black Beans
- Jalapeños
- Onion
- Salsa
- Chips
I ended the weekend having my favorite coffee drink, watching Christmas movies, and being old!
These are the weekends I live for. I love making memories, sharing laughs, and remembering what life is all about – especially with everything going on in our world. It’s important to enjoy the small things in life.
Now, I love leaving my posts with three questions for you.
1. Do you enjoy bloody Marys?
2. Why are weekends special to you?
3. What kind of weather did you have this weekend?
I’ve never had a Bloody Mary but I want to try one so badly! Weekends are super special for me because the hubby works long and hard all week so we usually get together with some friends and drink a little too much but it’s always nice making memories and we have a nice dinner usually Friday nights to spend quality time together! I live in Georgia (45 minutes from Atlanta) so this weekend the weather was and has continually been in the high 60s low 70s!
Eeeeek. Can’t even stomach them. So great that you guys get to spend the weekend together! Makes it all worth it 🙂 I remember December in Atlanta when I lived there and it was so warm, but they have so many Christmasty things going on! Enjoy!! xo
What a great weekend! I can’t stomach Bloody Marys either. Once my brother took me a a bar in Austin that was known for them. I had to just sip to be polite but it was making me sick. I much prefer champagne at brunch, or vodka with any kind of figure would be great too.
You’re a trooper for even sipping!
Mmm nachos….sometimes your posts make me so hungry lol!
1- In Canada we have caesars instead of Bloody Mary’s (same thing but with clamato juice instead of tomato juice) they’re so much better!
2 – Weekends are special to me because it’s the only time I can sleep in/spend quality time with my boyfriend. Working full-time is sometimes so hard to balance schedules!
3 – This weekend was warm-ish for December in Canada, rainy and foggy though 🙁
Thinking about how good they were made me hungry while writing!
1. One of our friends mentioned using clamato juice instead. (still iffy)
2. Glad you guys get to spend time together 🙂 Nick and I usually hang out on the weekends and maybe once during the week. I agree it’s hard with different schedules!
3. We have the rainy/foggy weather now! But, it was nice all weekend long!
Enjoy your week! xo
I missed the new house announcement! Congratulations! Sounds like you have a lot of work to do, but that’s ok because it will be exactly like you want it to be in the end. So worth it! ⭐️
Thanks SUNNY! XO
1- As a Canadian girl, I’m a fan of caesar’s! They’re way better.. especially with a little shot of pickle juice in it
2- I find that there is nothing better than a Saturday morning when the house is clean, sun coming through the window, and I have a hot cup of coffee to slowly wake up with. I just find it so peaceful. My weekend are about to become a bit erratic, as I’m heading into a 3 month practicum for nursing school… So I’m treasuring them while I can!
3- It was wet wet wet this weekend. We had a little bit of a cold snap and there was snow everywhere, but it warmed up to above zero this week so everything melted. It’s basically one big puddle outside.
Even the pickle juice in a drink freaks me out lol. I just don’t know how you guys can do it. Ah!
I agree 100% with that saturday! & yes, enjoy them while you can!
I hope I get to see snow at least once this year 🙂 We did last year, but its so much warmer now! xo
the weather lady on the local news this morning was talking about her son Asheville and how nice it was over there. we’re in Washington state. I immediately thought of you and how you must have loved it!
I have never had a bloody mary. they don’t appeal to me. neither do mimosas. I’m good with a screwdriver in the morning though! haha
I like weekends because I get to spend time with friends and family. or just be lazy and do nothing. my weekdays are so crazy that sometimes I don’t want to leave the house on the weekends.
our weather has been rainy. very rainy. we’ve broken records all over the state. that says a lot for Washington.
Yes! I absolutely loved it & we had like 10 degrees warmer than Asheville! 🙂 Which, I’m hoping we can make it up to the biltmore soon! If you’ve never been, you must!
Mimosas are good with lemon, but I don’t like them with JUST orange and champagne! I also don’t really care for morning drinks….but it was fun over the weekend!
Weekends are great for hanging out with friends OR being lazy with friends!
It’s been rainy a lot here and it was nice we had a break…back to rain!!
1. I used to be very nervous about bloody Marys, because they seemed like cold tomato soup with vodka to me. Now they are an occasional enjoyment. I really love the ones with all the garnish of top.
2. Weekends are a time for my boyfriend and I to work on our fixer-upper as well. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and be productive.
3. It was 77 degrees in Texas 🙂
Lol that is what they seem like to me…and my first sip was awful! I’m sure you have to learn to love them. I’d love to see progress photos of your fixer upper or get some advice on being patient and stress free!
& 77 here too!! woo hoo!
I absolutely need that shirt! its so cute and accurately describes me ! I tried to buy it but I’m a student from Canada so I couldn’t justify the shipping cost 🙁 I have been a long time reader of your blog and love everything about it !
Merry Christmas!
Hopefully I can get shipping costs down soon 🙂 I have been working with a few people to help all those costs! BUT, email me and I’ll send you a free shipping pass xo xo
I just love your blog! I have my little social media routine in the morning when I get to work and after I just HAD to bookmark your blog, I constantly am checking for new updates!I LOVE a good Bloody Mary but some people get CRAZY with them. Adding all this hot sauce and stuff, that just isn’t my thing. We got some crazy rain in Omaha. 75 sounds good about now but I am holding out for the first snow storm 🙂 Weekends are all about family and good times, plus LOTS of food. I enjoy all your recipes and I have been a few myself! You are my go to for all my parties! Thank you, Thank you 🙂
Thank you Katelyn!
That makes me so happy to read that. Love knowing that people actually care about what i’ve been up to and my posts! 😀
Did you always like bloody marys? or did you have to learn to love them?…
I bet you get some beautiful snowfall sin Omaha! I need a little for my Christmas spirit 🙂 – I haven’t shopped yet…whooooooops.
xo xo
I’m really excited to watch your house progress!! I recently took over a house that has been in my family for 110 years and I’m documenting my progress over on my blog – https://blackbeigebrown.squarespace.com (my writing isn’t quite as entertaining as you but I take lots of pictures to make up for it). I hope we get to see lots of house updates as you and Nick go through the process!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your post with me!! Love all of your work and I just followed you on INSTA as well 🙂 We have been taking TONS of photos, so hopefully we can get some progress photos up soon, but it’s going to be A LOT OF WORK YIKES! We basically have to gut everything out other than the original hardwoods.
xo
Thanks for the follow lady 🙂 I’ve enjoyed your blog for a while and I’m always amazed how much you fit into your life! You’re so fun and real to follow, keep up being awesome!
Of course! 🙂 xo xo & thank you for all the inspiration!
1. no but mimosas (actually champagne in general are my absolute favorite drink in the world. i actually just got back from 6 days in punta cana with my boyfriend and we drank the resort dry of champagne…!!!
2. weekends lately have been filled to the brim with plans.. and while i love love being busy and seeing my friends and family (and attending parties/weddings/etc.) i can’t wait for my next “downtime” weekend! after vacation i feel like my life is a bit disorganized and i definitely need some time to get back on track
3. 70’s and sunny in PA! my friend who got married saturday was SO HAPPY! haha
I just recently started liking mimosas since living down south. Everyone does brunch here! The mimosas are so good in the Domincan! I bet that was such a fun vacation.
I agree! I love going here and there, but also love my downtime! We all get disorganized sometimes, but that’s life!
Seems like there were SO many weddings over the weekend! They all got pretty dang lucky!
Those nachos are calling my name!
1. I usually start off my beach vacation mornings with a Blood Mary.
2. Weekends are spent doing fun things with family and friends and catching up on cleaning and laundry!
3. This weekend was HOT! I live in South Louisiana and we had the Christmas parade yesterday. Everyone was in shorts and t-shirts and sweating. Then it rained last night and woke up to cool weather!
THEY WERE SO SO SO GOOD!
I’m more of a margarita beach person! Anything bloody on the beach sounds like a shark attack watching to happen 😉 jk.
I bet it was SO weird having a christmas parade in the heat!!
Haaaaate bloody mary’s. Blegh. I have this real disgust for clamato/tomato juice so that is probably why.
My favorite weekend thing is just being able to hang out with friends. They came over to watch the game as well. Unfortunately all of our friends cheer for ATL so whooops! I hate football so I was good just chowing down, socializing, and reading.
I live in Georgia so the weather has been about the same as you. I was in shorts and flip flops all weekend! I haven’t gotten my money’s worth of the sweaters I bought this season, but I am loving this weather!
SAME HERE!
Lol, the great things about tailgates is that there is always more than just football going on 🙂 food helps!
I’m also not getting my sweaters broken into this year! whooooooops
1. Bleh NO WAY. I’m with you. They make me sicker. Haha.
2. I love getting to be outside & see friends I can’t always see during the week.
3. This weekend was 60+ all weekend, sunny-ish, but perfect for being outside. We even grilled!
Hahahaha so glad you’re on the same page as me.
AGREED.
60+ is fine with me 🙂 That’s how it is today, but rainy too… 🙁
1. I LOOOOOOOOVE Bloody Marys! I used to be freaked out by the tomato juice, but now I love them. I started to get them because I liked the “snacks” that are served with them: celery, okra, spicy green beans, and olives. I even had one at a restaurant that came with a straw made out of beef jerky! All that fun stuff made me start to love a good Bloody Mary 🙂 You should consider trying one again, but from a good bar/restaurant!
2. Weekends are great because I finally have a day off. Being stuck in an office 8-5 Mon-Fri gets pretty exhausting.
3. I was in New Orleans this weekend and the weather was warm… high 70s/low 80s. But I still rocked my boots and scarf when my boyfriend and I saw the Christmas lights show in City Park!
1. lol they are definitely a hit or miss for some people! See, I don’t even like the pickled snacks or olives, celery or stuff served with them! I have actually heard of sausage straws before! They are pretty fun…just can’t stomach it!
Great excuse to have a bloody mary on the weekends! 😉
Lol you sound just like me! I rock my Christmas stuff when it’s hot out!
1. I’ve never had a bloody mary nor did i really know what all went into one until reading this post haha always thought they looked nasty!
2. Weekend are special because my husband is off work so we usually have a three day weekend together every week!
3. The weather in north Florida was beautiful! We went out fishing all day saturday and it was gorgeous! Yesterday it got up near and possibly even over 80 degrees, makes it def not seem like december and winter esp with being from the mid west originally, where we always had snow by now!!
I love your posts and recipes!!!
Lol. They are something else!
Three day weekends sound amazing! I bet that is so much fun.
Ugh, that also sounds so fun! I’d love a fishing day in florida! I can’t believe you hit almost over 80! shhhhhesh. & it’s weird being from the midwest and then experimenting these winters! isn’t it?!
It is so crazy not having snow!! Today it got up to 84 degrees!! Crazy but amazing!!
I HATE BLOODY MARYS! EEEW!
I feel ya! 😉
Nacho bar?! Love that idea!
1. I’ve never tried a bloody mary but it doesn’t sound like something I would like either. I definitely like a mimosa every now and then tho! 🙂
2. I love weekends for the same reason! Being with friends and family always puts me in a good mood. I also love waking up and having time to do yoga and drink coffee in the morning.
3. I can’t believe how warm it’s been this Winter!! Yesterday it was 68 degrees in Michigan. Not complaining 🙂 I’m hoping we get a little snow on Christmas tho! I love waking up to snow on Christmas morning.
It was a delicious idea 😉
Yeah, mimosas for the win.
I love coffee in the mornings, but especially on the weekends and especially on Saturday.
68 IN MICHIGAN?! WHAT?!…THAT IS INSANE. It was the weather breaking winter when I lived there…go figure!
the queso looks so good! how can I make it vegan? xoxo
You’re asking the wrong person lol! I wouldn’t know where to start!
I make a ‘queso’ with potatoes, carrots, and spices. It’s super good. My family isn’t vegan but I had them eat it and they really liked it. Youtube ‘vegan cheese sauce’ or something like that. Im sure you could get fake meat crumbles as well, but those are just way too processed for me.
I am the SAME way with Bloody Mary’s! I can’t stand them! I sort of wish that I liked them, because they look fun to drink! I’ll stick with Mimosas for now! I definitely love chill nights. Some of my favorite nights are with my boyfriend and I just relaxing, ordering in or cooking, and watching tv/movies. Have you and your boyfriend watched Four Christmases yet? If not, I highly suggest it! I live in TN so the weather was very similar for me too! I could not believe this morning when I got in my car and the temp said 73!
They really do look fun to drink lol. Maybe we can make a fruity version…ehh? (well i guess tomato is a fruit)
Chill nights are my favorite!! We have seen that movie and LOVE it 🙂 Today it was rainy, but still nice out! xo
The weather was so great this past weekend, but I am excited to go north next week for the holidays with my family. I hope we have snow! We ended up going to South Park on Saturday and dined at Maggiano’s. We had never been and it was good! Have you tried it?? I thought of you guys because you go to Portofino’s a lot. We haven’t had any luck eating there in the past though. They have always been so rude to us 🙁 but I’m glad we found some decent Italian food! But I, too, really dislike Bloody Mary’s!
I bet that will be so much fun. That cold weather will put you in the holiday spirit 🙂 I’m out in a tank top on my porch and I just can’t believe its December! I’ve actually never been to Maggiano’s (we go to Portofinos) but I’ve wanted to try it! We will have to 🙂 Which Portofinos do you guys go to? Can’t believe they were rude 🙁
I hate bloody Mary’s. Even reading about them turns my tummy
Your mimosa looked so good though 🙂
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
I’m with ya on that one!! xo
I hate bloody marys! i have tried them so many times i cant stand it!
Weekends are special to me because i have extra family time!
i also had unseasonably warm weather! it was glorious!
Agree!
That extra family time is nice 🙂 I’m hoping I can convince my family to do something this weekend like take a ride to the beach.
Bloody Mary’s are my jam! I’m obsessed with a local brand of Bloody Mary mix called Madame Mary’s out of Templeton, IA. Weekends are special to me, because that’s our family time. We have a 5 month old, Max, and we try to enjoy him together. The weather was very rainy here in iowa. The river crested today and might go over this evening! Hopefully not though! My husband and I will be trying that nacho bar idea. Perhaps next Sunday!
We’re rivals in our sports teams( Go Pack & go ISU) but I love all your posts! Keep it up! #iowagirlsarethebestgirls
Bloody marys are popular in Iowa! Also, love the TEMPLETON RYE WHISKEY 🙂 My dad always had it in his bar back home in Iowa.
Hopefully you guys get some good weather soon and can enjoy a fun family weekend 🙂 xo xo
#iowagirlsarethebest #detroit #hawkeyes xo
1. I absolutely love Bloody Mary’s!! I always get made fun of….Apparently not alot of 20-something women are into them but I think they are delicious (and kind of “healthy” if you make them yourself and limit the excess sodium- or so I tell myself lol)
2. I try not to live for the weekend because I don’t want to spend my whole life just enjoying 2 out of 7 days a week but I love Saturday mornings. Its usually the only morning I’m not rushing out the door!
3. It was a beautiful weekend (mid-60s) but I’m so afraid we’re going to pay for it in January! I hope not-I’m loving the warm temps ??
Have a great week!
It’s crazy how people either LOVE them or HATE them! I’m not sure i’ll ever acquire a taste for them, becuase I won’t give them much of a chance.
Thats actually a good way to look at it 😉 & I love Saturdays too!
I can’t imagine how cold January is going to be! We’ve been lucky…….
xo
Love bloody Mary’s!! They aren’t just for brunch either, I’ll order them at happy hour too 🙂 so yummy but definitely an acquired taste.
Ps. I noticed NO ONE was rooting for the packers. Good people 🙂
Go Vikes!!!!
They are always popular on the golf course in the summer, but ehhh I’d rather have a beer.
No one was rooting for the VIKES either hahahaha 😉 xo
Those cigars look awesome. I need to get some for my dad and brothers!
Always an easy gift!
I used to love drinking Bloody Mary’s. I’m a flight attendant for Delta so I make them all the time, and now they kind of gross me out, haha. I live in Atlanta and our weekend had amazing weather. Weekends are even more special to me now because I’m not always able to be home because of my job giving me odd hours. Did you buy your house or just renting? My husband and I just bought our first house! A 1943 bungalow 🙂 Can’t wait to see your improvements!
Lol honestly, I feel like being a flight attendant would be the best job ever. (minus the crazy hours) I bet it was gorgeous in ATL too! 🙂 I miss Atlanata and need to make a trip down there soon!
The house we are working on is bought, but I’m renting my place as of now .I bet the bungalow is adorable! I LOVE Bungalow style homes! 🙂
xo
I LOOOOOOVE Bloody Marys! But, I’m picky about them… the tomato juice mix should be home-made (most of the pre-mixed store-bought stuff is way too salty) and I like them wiht lots of horseradish and spicy! I also can’t drink many of them… if I’m at a brunch I usually have one to start and then switch to lighter mimosas… the tomato juice is so filling. Plus, the best part about Bloody Mary’s are the snacks that come on top of the glass!
Lol you take your bloody marys pretty seriously! & the snacks at the bottom also gross me out!! eeeeew
I am a huge fan of bloody marys on a Sunday! I love pickles and olives, so maybe that’s why. The local bar serves them with these marinated mushrooms too which are so good!
Weekends are special to me because I am in charge of my time. I work from home for the most part during the week, but I still have to put in my hours, so the weekends are great because they give me time to do projects, browse local shops, and just kind of relax and take my time doing things.
We had cloudy/rainy weather. We were out of town all day Saturday until Sunday, and the it literally rained the entire 2 hour drive home on Sunday morning. We actually had flood warnings out until Monday afternoon!
Everything in that first sentence just made me want to spit out my coffee…ew! lol
I agree 100%!
So glad you guys made it home safe and I hope you get a dryer weekend!
I enjoy some Bloody Mary every now and then! I love getting so see my friends and family on the weekend, weekdays I’m up at 3am so it’s hard to have a social life when I have to be in bed so early :). Here in Phoenix we have had an extremely cold week! Low of 30 high of 55! Brrrrr!!
Yikes! 3am. That is early. Glad you get the weekend to sleep in a bit! I can’t believe its that cold in Phoenix! Didn’t it snow somewhere over the weekend in Arizona?
Yes, we actually have cities that get lots of snow 🙂 not Phoenix though!!
1 – Nope, I used to like them then my grandfather made me one and his version was basically vodka with a splash of tomato juice/spices – it was so strong I couldn’t drink it haha and haven’t touched one since (but I no longer drink anyways)
2 – I’ve been making sure I go hiking every weekend – it gives me some alone time and being outdoors really helps clear my head and puts me in a better mood.
3 – It was chilly and rainy for the most part but cleared up enough for a hike!
Oh that sounds just awful lol.
That is such a great way to wind down and relax. I love hiking 🙂
Hopefully it’s warmer/dryer this weekend for you!
xo
How do you like your coffee? Black? 🙂
Black with cream 😉
I love that you think people who drink bloody marys are bad ass. I guess that makes me bad ass 😉
It’s a pretty intense drink! lol
First of all, I NEEEEED that weekend drinks shirt! I can’t wait to get paid on Friday!
1. Do you enjoy bloody Marys?
Eh, not particularly. I’m not a big fan of vodka OR booze in the morning. If I’m going to have a boozy brunch, it’s gonna be mimosas! 😉
2. Why are weekends special to you?
Weekends are special to me because I get to BREATHE! I work a full-time 9-5 job and go to school at night 4x/week. After four 15-hour days in a row, my weekends are a cherished time to not set my alarm and stay in my cozy sweats all day long!
3. What kind of weather did you have this weekend?
I was in Florida this weekend, and it was in the 70s and sunny! So perfect!
Its a fun shirt 🙂
1. Mimosas 🙂 I really like a pineapple based mimosa! Try it 🙂
2. You have a pretty crazy schedule! You definitely deserve the weekends.
3. Gorgeous FLORIDA weather !
Your cheese tray makes mine look so pathetic! lol
lol I’m sure yours look fab!