A Wonderful Family-Filled Weekend

This past weekend, the family descended upon my parents' house. After house/pet sitting for them all last week, it was a great change of pace. From solitude to party time in one afternoon! 

The girls helping Grandma make Grandpa's cake.

My parents went to North Carolina for my mom's family's vacation. I couldn't go, so I stayed behind to take care of their house and Rocky. And when they drove back, they brought my grandma up to visit up north with us. That happened the same weekend that my brother-in-law went to Vegas for a Bachelor Party, which meant that my sister and the twins came down to my parents' house as well. It was quite a packed house!

Grandma and the girls downtown.

So Saturday through Monday, I stayed down in Annapolis to hang out with the fam. We went swimming. We went to the playground. We got ice cream. We scoped out downtown. We celebrated my dad's birthday. And we just generally had a good time at the house catching up and playing around. It was a great weekend with great people. 

Sisi loves chocolate ice cream. And "lemolade" :)

Oh and great food! Not only did we have pineapple upside down cake for my dad's birthday, but we also had grilled ribs, sweet corn, and roasted chicken. So delicious! My mom has turned into quite a great cook...and she's eating vegetarian these days so it's an even bigger feat that she makes all these meaty meals PLUS her veggie dishes.

Little Piggie, right before Grandma got kicked in the face.

I have to say, this was a perfect weekend. Being with family is the best :) Too bad we didn't have Lou join us or it would have been complete! Next time for sure.

Giggles with Lili.

Love,

Stephanie Marie

Weeknight Surprises

Yesterday was a busy busy day, but it was such an amazingly unexpectedly surprising day too! After work, I headed to Bethesda, Md., to visit with my friend Vienna and her parents for a little bit (meaning like an hour). I wasn't expecting to get to see them since they're only here for two days on their way to Charlotte, NC, and it didn't seem like it was going to work, but alas! It worked! We caught up over some wine, salad, and sauteed calamari. It was lovely. And you know what else is lovely, visiting a new neighborhood! That's what :) I'm sure I've been to Bethesda EVER, but I couldn't tell you the last time I was there and I certainly didn't see Bethesda Row, which is the most adorable pedestrian square with streets and lights and ahhhh. It was like Europe and I loved it! I'll be going back for dinner I assure you. I also loved visiting with friends and their families who I haven't seen since college.

On the way back up to Baltimore for a friend's business open house, I saw a huge flock of birds flying over 95. If this isn't an indication that spring is coming, then I don't know what is! Side note: I love birds.

To top this day off, as soon as I parked my car and touched up my makeup, I walked over to meet up with Michelle and Amy to head to the open house. And guess what I saw when we got there? You'll never guess so I'll just tell you. As we were getting a tour through the tie-making factory, I spied with my little eyes a SOUTH RIVER HIGH SCHOOL tie! OMG. Can you believe the odds of me a. going to that party b. getting a tour and c. going to SRHS? So crazy. I don't wear ties, but I want one of those for sure. Too funny, right? 

Like I said, it was an amazingly unexpectedly surprising day :) I expect today to be much more predictable. I have to stop off at Ikea for some silverware and pillows for my dinner party tomorrow evening. I'm quite looking forward to that trip. I love Ikea and I love having a reason to shop...which is really the only reason I let myself shop (one of these days I'm going to go crazy and have a shopping spree just because! GASP!). Then I'll head home, clean up the clothes strewn about, vacuum the month worth of dirt, and do my week's dishes. Having zero energy means doing zero chores. 

Hope you're having a lovely week! 

Love,

Stephanie Chizik

Foggy Friday

Happy Friday, friends!! I have an exciting weekend planned with my friend Kath coming into town from Brooklyn tonight. I'm very excited :) Have been in a good mood since seeing this fog on my way into work this morning. It was just enough to be pretty and not cause serious accidents. Patterson Park is a lovely view along my way. Looks a bit like a college campus, doesn't it?

Listening to "How Will I Know" radio station on Pandora. Do it. You'll thank me later ;)

Love,

Stephanie Marie