Today we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Pace Cetters, a women’s leadership, community service, and networking organization I’ve been privileged to be a member of the past 5 years, with a glamorous High Tea at the Four Seasons
complete with hats and fancy dress.
And of course, fabulous tiny tea foods and desserts!
I so love these wonderful women and all we do not only to support our community but each other.
Here’s to another 50 years!
This is my fourth year to participate in the National Blog Posting Month, or NaBloPoMo.
For the unknowing, unwary or uninitiated, it means I’ve committed to posting something every single day, for the 30 days of November, on my blog. I love NaBloPoMo and I really, really want to participate, so I’m going to dedicate my posts this November, to things I’m grateful for, since that should be easy. Right?
It may be words or just pictures from my phone (or both).
Ultimately, I believe that I have so many things to be truly thankful for, that even though sometimes I get temporarily overwhelmed and forget to appreciate all that I have, I can’t run out of content, because my life is full of blessings.
So today, I’m grateful for NaBloPoMo, and for reasons to celebrate the good stuff.
~Grateful for silly photos on my phone that make me laugh~
I borrowed this concept from the lovely Nerd in the Brain, who encourages you to steal this “exercise in gratitude” with “wild abandon” by sharing three things that made you smile this week and “fill your blog with the happy.”
This week’s Thing 1: Being in an amazing place.
We had another lovely, extra-long weekend due to our traditional celebration of Burn’s Supper with our family and a few close friends at a truly fabulous home in the North Georgia Mountains.
The weather was beautiful, the views were mind-blowing, the internet was down (ACK!!!) and the cell phone signal almost non-existent (AARRGGHH!!!!), so I went “off-line” for a change and actually enjoyed sleeping in, taking tons of pictures, enjoying long chats with family and “catching up;” cooking (I made Friday night fajitas for 12 people! – first time recipe!) and basking in front of the roaring fire with a book, watching the light and clouds dance across the skyline.
It was soooooo wonderful.
This week’s Thing 2: Filling up my soul with vast vistas and soaring flights.
Red-tailed Hawk air shows! Daily! No charge! (2-drink minimum)
This week’s Thing 3: Friends who are family and family who are friends
Enjoying the love, companionship and camaraderie while celebrating what is becoming my new favorite annual tradition, Burns Supper.
And there you have it! Three things that made me smile and brought joy to my week. Thanks as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration!
I borrowed this concept from the lovely Nerd in the Brain, who encourages you to steal this “exercise in gratitude” with “wild abandon” by sharing three things that made you smile this week and “fill your blog with the happy.”
Thing 1: Kicking this week off with a lovely, extra-long weekend due to a storm “fake out” that got us released from work half a day early on Friday and seemed to add just that soupçon more of playtime to the rest of my time off.
And there was French Toast! ‘Cuz what else do you do with all the eggs, milk and bread!
Thing 2: This month’s “Taste of India” fundraising dinner hosted by the Learning Tea and Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party. I know I wrote about it yesterday, but it did bring some solid fun and warm-n-fuzzies to my Monday.
Thing 3: The most exciting of all! We’re celebrating Burn’s Supper this coming weekend! Most of the last two days have been a whirlwind of packing and planning after work, trying to cover all the logistics needed to host a weekend-long dinner party for twelve people at a home in the North Georgia Mountains.
This includes loading up our alligator butler, Jeeves, so he can “buttle” the festivities. He’s really quite handy.
The best part is that we’ll spend four long, lovely days with my parents and eight of our good friends in a dreamily-divine house on top of a mountain, enjoying incredible views and food (and drink), with lots of downtime for reading, blogging, talking and just enjoying life.
Can’t wait! Just one more day to go!
And there you have it! Three things that made me smile and brought joy to my week. Thanks as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration!
I warned you that I had a new topic I would pull out whenever the writing genes wouldn’t zip up all the way.
I call it Instant Grat Instagram. {Lamely} bringing you my favorite moments from what is currently my favorite social media platform in a more or less thematic effort.
Hope you enjoy!
This week: Catching up – some recent memories brought to you courtesy of my occasionally trusty phone.
A crazy-beautiful sunset at work.
My baby orchid ($10 at Trader Joes!) is kicking out some gorgeous blooms! Second round since I bought it back in November. Hmmm. Maybe I am the orchid whisperer.
The debilitating dusting of Snow that shut down Atlanta last Friday. I had a highly enjoyable half-day off work hanging out with the hubs. No complaints. 🙂
Sunday brunch with my bestie at Venkmans. Live jazz, bottomless mimosas and finally a chance to get up to speed with all that’s been going on with each other – I haven’t seen her since November!
Monday night’s Taste of India Dinner at Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party. This is a monthly event to raise money for their non-profit, The Learning Tea, that provides homes and college scholarships for young women in India.
As always, Taste of India was an awesome evening of great people and delicious food and an opportunity to hang out with another close friend that I haven’t seen in a bit, Dana.
It’s been a fun and fabulous last few days and a wonderful chance to catch up not just with dear friends, but now with you guys as well.
Once again, made instantly grateful just by looking at the ol’ Instagram. I find it a very helpful attitude adjuster, especially as I’m facing Wednesday morning.
::aarrghh, Wednesday::
Wishing you a happy and picture perfect week!
I had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday with my family.
I am so thankful that I got to see my sister-cousin, Patti!
I am so thankful for the very grand dinner…
A Honey-baked ham, roasted turkey, crawfish dressing (and plain cornbread dressing), mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed corn, squash casserole, praline sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberries, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, cheesecake and brownies.
I was grateful to enjoy all of my favorite foods!
I was blessed to be able to spend time with my little niece, Livvy.
I had the pleasure of playing with Betty, the Boston Terrier.
I was extra-thankful that David’s Mom Skyped in so she could join the festivities!
And I was truly thankful for all the laughter and joy that filled the day.
My dad creates an elaborate ceremony of dubbing visitor Grace an honorary Ferguson
Grace was very good-spirited about the whole thing (or maybe she’d mustered her courage with some good spirits). Anyhow, perfect Ferguson material.
“I dub thee Gracie Ferguson!”
Newest turkey in the crew!
Mostly, I was overwhelming thankful for the outpouring of love and acceptance from my family. It’s there on Thanksgiving as well as the other 364 days each year.
I am a very thankful girl!
I hope you all had a lovely day filled with the things you are thankful for.
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My Thanksgiving is perpetual.”
Henry David Thoreau
I borrowed this concept from the lovely Nerd in the Brain, who encourages you to steal this “exercise in gratitude” with “wild abandon” by sharing three things that made you smile this week and “fill your blog with the happy.”
This week was super-busy, but I had some really nice moments to brighten it up a bit.
Thing #1: Two delightful lunches!
Lunch #1 – the Pace Cetter’s Women’s Business Networking Luncheon at the Capital City Club! I love this group of ladies. They are incredibly kind and positive and the monthly luncheon is something I always look forward to.
Lunch #2 – the annual Thanksgiving Day buffet the hotel throws for all 500+ employees. ::sigh:: There’s a lot of deliciousness, but they really blow it out with the desserts. This occasion was something my former colleague, Cheryl and I looked forward to all year long. We would stuff ourselves silly with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pie and then lay torpidly on our desks afterwards like beached whales. I miss her a lot (she earned a very well-deserved promotion and transfer), so it was a little bittersweet to go down by myself this year and just have a tiny piece of pie in her honor.
Thing #2: Spending time with people I like
I’m fortunate to work with some really fantastic people. We had a big multi-brand corporate training session this morning at one of our sister hotels, and my co-manager Alp and I got to catch up with our former colleague, Abbey, whom we had no idea would be attending. It was awesome to hang out afterwards over pizza and catch up before we had to heading back to work.
Thing #3 : a truly stunning sunset
Tonight’s sunset, seen from the 72nd floor, was spectacular. I never get tired of them.
And there you go! Three things that made me smile and brought joy to my week. Thanks as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration!
“Picture perfect.”
One of my favorite weekly blog challenges is Nerd In the Brain’s Three Things Thursday, where she shares three things that made her smile: her “exercise in gratitude.”
She urges you to “steal this idea with wild abandon and fill your blog with the happy.”
Looking back through the photo gallery on my phone, I was most struck by the lovely skies I saw over the last few days, so I thought I’d share those with you this week. (added bonus that they were all attached to very happy moments!)
It’s a double rainbow all the way. Whoa. Enjoying nature’s “Art” outside of an Art Opening.
Walking home down the Beltline from a great barre class. O4W Skate Park.
Tonight’s Sunset porn from my front door. Had to stop, drop the groceries and take a picture!
Thank you, as always, Nerd in the Brain, for the inspiration and opportunity to share some happies!
I ran across this quote today, on some random Google search, just loved it and wanted to share:
The happiest people are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others.
William Lyon Phelps
How freakin’ awesome is that?!!!
Wishing you a happy week with lots of interesting thoughts!
Sliding right under the “Thursday” finish line with Nerd In the Brain’s weekly challenge to “show and tell” three things that brought you happiness during the week.
I had an absolutely delightful Memorial Day holiday – one of the best I can ever remember.
My parents came over from Birmingham on Friday afternoon and we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant, Bone Garden; home of Matt-the-Fabulous-Bartender, delicious regional Mexican cuisine and super cool and slightly wacky “Dia de Los Muertos” decor.
Saturday we invited friends Mike, Derenda, Susan, Dana, Tara and Derrik (and his sweet puppy, Skyy) over for BBQ and movies on the front porch. We had a wonderful meal and a great time relaxing and hanging out with everyone.
Jeeves bearing drinks: our specialty cocktail, the “Dahlia” made with a fresh blackberry and mint puree, vodka and gingerbeer.
Mom stopping by the bar for a refreshing beverage!
Daddy and David relaxing on the porch
Me and Dana!
Sunday we were invited to a giant 3-house street party and BBQ over in Buckhead, hosted by our good friends, Randall and Anne (who throw legendary parties).
Gorgeous day for a party!
Everybody brought a dish and a beverage contribution, so there was an abundant supply of really spectacular food, as well as brats and sausages from the grill, courtesy of Randall and his TEAM ‘Q.
Me and my Daddy at the Street Party
And for me, the cherry on top: I knew a guy in the band and got asked to come up and sing back up vocals. It was awesome. I want to quit my job now, run away from home and join the band. 🙂
Singing with the Band! Mostly covers: Springsteen, Buffet, Zack Brown, Eagles, etc.
Monday, we wrapped up the holiday with Brunch at Parish, in Inman Park, and a quick saunter down the Beltline, which my parents had never seen.
Parish Restaurant
My folks checking out the Beltline for the first time
Graffiti art on one of the tunnels
More art
and as a very special treat, some actual artists!
Mini concert from two very gifted musicians hanging out on the Beltline
So, a very happy weekend with lots of wonderful family and friend moments. Thank you, lovely Nerd in the Brain, for letting me share my “happies!”
Drunk on Life 