the long weekend

I love long weekends. Two days of no work, emails, voicemails, one day of the American markets being closed...pure bliss. As if that wasn't enough, I spent it with 8 of my closest friends at the beach. We were like a little family all weekend. So fun. I got another little nice, unexpected surprise that I will address later via pictures.

I'm gonna let the pics tell the story of this weekend...prepare yo-self.

Yes, it was black bikers weekend. Saw some not.so.amazing sights. Did see tons of amazing bikes around. For real. And met some really nice people!

Tons, tons, and tons of beach time.

Dinners out (Lil Jon and I)

Certain people being annoyed at me for taking pics...they got over it.

Pretty fishbowl drinks

Two of my fav peeps, Em and Kaci. #Chictothenextlev!

Soooo, regarding this unexpected until 24hoursbeforeIleft surprise...Chad asked me to meet him in Hot-lanta for a Braves game on Saturday. 

I packed up some of my stuff, drove the 5.5 hours to the city on Saturday, picked him up from the airport, and we headed to the Underground since we had a couple hours to kill before the game. Just want to say, the Underground was HIS idea. And it was a billion 103 degrees outside. KILL ME. Anyways, we walk into the Underground mall and immediately walk into a chick brawl. Awesome. Clearly we didn't stay long. We walked back out and just died in the sweltering heat the rest of the day. 

       

Chad and I at the game. Can you tell how hot and humid it was?!

I also got to see Ann! She let me crash at her place so we got to hang out with her while in Atlanta. It was so good to see her...she's been one of my best friends since we met at orientation at TU. Pray for her if you're reading this. She's been diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease and it's a daily struggle, especially with her two precious little girls. You can follow her blog here. 

Chad flew out Sunday morning and I headed back to the beach...I did get a text saying this little peanut missed me. So of course I had to hurry back. 

Our last night at the beach, we decided to go to Mellow Mushroom and to Broadway. If you don't have a Mellow Mushroom around you, I suggest you drive until you get to one. SO GOOD. 

Hungry beach babes

Kaci & I

Finally, no beach trip would be complete without Sugar Shack. Apparently it's a Chuck Norris fav.

Overall, fabulous Memorial Day weekend. I saw this quote and I thought it summed up perfectly the meaning of Memorial Day. "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." I am so thankful to our soldiers and the sacrifices of so many to protect the freedoms that I get to enjoy as a proud American. 

Eclairs and Cheesecakes

In light of our upcoming beach trip for Memorial Day weekend, I'm going to document two of my FAVORITE desserts that are always a hit...we will be making these fo sho!

First up...Low-Fat Chocolate Eclair

Need: 1 box of Low-Fat Honey Graham crackers
           1 tub Fat-Free Cool Whip
           1 package Vanilla Fat-free, Sugar-free pudding (the larger package)
           1 tub of Duncan Hines or Pillsbury Sugar Free Chocolate Icing
           Skim Milk

Directions:
           Prepare the pudding as directed on the box (this is why you will need the milk). Once that is done, mix the pudding with the tub of Cool Whip (use most of the tub...I usually have a little left over though-about 1/4 of the tub is left maybe??) in a large bowl. Set aside. In a 9x13 pan, lay the graham cracker sheets until the bottom is completely covered (usually is about 6 full graham cracker sheets). Pour half of the pudding mixture over the bottom layer. Then lay another 6-7 crackers on top of the pudding mixture. Pour the remaining pudding mix over the 2nd layer of graham crackers. Lay another 6 graham crackers over the top of the pudding. Lightly heat the frosting mix in the microwave (I recommend taking the top off, removing the foil...obv, replace the top with a little opening, and heat for about 20-30 sec.) You don't want it to be a liquid, but it does need to be soft enough to pour. Refrigerate for about 3 hours (according to recipe directions...I usually refrigerate mine overnight and like it better). Voila! Pure yumminess.

*Disclaimer...this recipe is NOT from myfood.com.

Next up...Sopapilla Cheesecake

This goodness usually doesn't last more than 30 minutes at a party. It literally melts in your mouth. 

Need: 2 cans of reduced-fat crescent rolls

          1 stick of butter 

          1 cup of sugar

          1 tsp of vanilla extract

          2 8-oz packages of cream cheese (1/3 less fat)

          1 tsp of cinnamon 

          1/2 cup of sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 pan. Melt butter and set aside. Mix the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla extract (use mixer). In a separate bowl, mix the 1/2 cup of sugar and the cinnamon. Lay one can of the crescent rolls on the bottom of 9x13 pan (do not separate, just roll out). Spread the cream cheese mixture on top. Lay the second can of crescent rolls on top of the mixture (again, do not separate, just roll out). Pour the butter evenly on top of the crescent rolls. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. Bake for 30 minutes. 

I would recommend allowing it to cool a little bit. It is best served warm with vanilla ice cream..it will seriously rock your face off. 

Happy Memorial Day!

Recap

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here! Quick review in picture format...

Weekends at the river...

Harley-girl gettin' her tan on

checkin' out the fishies

storms rolling in

Happy Hours on the patio...

Business trips to Florida...

Beachin' it on a no-meeting day

Beautiful golf course

Hanging out by the pool

Allie & I heading to dinner...cutest.pregger.bump.ever.

my cute.as.christmas parents

I promise we actually did work on this trip! Taking pics of meetings is NO FUN though...

And last, but not least, my cousin Jon is living here for the summer! Yayyyyy!!

Life's pretty good, don't ya think?!