So Long, Farewell

When session ends it always feels a bit like the day after a wedding. Frankly, you're a little blue. You've been thinking and preparing for something forever. It takes over your life and leaves little room for anything else. By the end, you can't wait for it to be over. You wake up the next morning in quite the fog, achy and exhausted. Then, a little thought creeps into your head....it's over. You've been thinking and preparing for this forever. It has taken over your life and left little room for anything else. Then in an instant its over. Now what?

I hate when anything comes to an end, but this year seems a bit more sad than others because its the last we will ever have in the existing General Assembly Building. The old lady is being torn down because there's a ton of asbestos within her walls along with a host of other issues. Her columns obstruct committee room views and her cafeteria is inexplicably on the sixth floor leading to crowded elevators as the norm. In many ways it will be so lovely to have a new state-of-the-art building in four years when the project is complete. 

But....then my nostalgia kicks in and I think about how I'll miss all the little things I've come to love and know about the one we have now. Sure it has its twists and turns and inconveniences, but its the one I know. I will miss her.  

Here are a few pics I managed to snap last week when things had quieted down a bit. I have others as well, but they'll stay in my picture vault of memories for now. The only thing left to do is try and recover from the craziness and wish the lady well as she spends her last days atop the hill in Capitol Square. 

It's Friday, Love

{ Acai bowls and coffee at North End Juice Co.}

I AM DONE!!!!!! Thank you sweet baby Jesus! My last bill got through the House yesterday and is on the way to the Governor's desk to be signed! Really grateful and excited to have this first year in my new role under my belt. Monday, I'll have more reflections on my experience from this year's session, but for now, I'm planning on my brain doing zero work this weekend and concentrating on relaxing and recovering. See ya Monday!  

{ Finally broke down and got a Fitbit }

{ These black pumps have served me well this session }

{ The best BLT from Union Market }

{ DONE! }

Roasted Tomato Soup

I found this recipe for Roasted Tomato Soup that also called for cauliflower, lentils, and quinoa. There's tons of spices and an unexpected splash of ginger. It's really fresh but also hearty. I added some spinach as well just before I served it. Add some crusty bread and a nice glass of red and you have a great meal, enjoy!

Global Warming

I'm not a proponent of Global Warming, but I am certainly a fan of warm weekends in February. We had an impromptu picnic at Upper Shirley Vineyards yesterday and we just couldn't believe how beautiful it was. Cheers to -hopefully- an early spring. 

It's Friday, Love

{ Vintage pearls I got as a birthday present }

It feels like its been six months since New Years, but its only been a few weeks. Thanks to everyone, you know who you are, for sticking with me through the craziness that is session. It's be a fun ride this year. I can see that light at the end of the tunnel and I'm looking forward to it. Any fun vacation ideas??? Cause I'm on the lookout for a great, quiet place for a long weekend away. See ya Monday!

{ Bourbon cocktails at Lunch and Supper }

{ Needed some new kicks }

{ On a spaghetti squash kick lately }

{ My great work peeps got me my favorite ice cream for my birthday }

Bourbon Smash

I'm not a huge sports fan so the Super Bowl is not really my cup of tea. That being said, I love any excuse to eat junk food and drink beer so had anyone invited me to a Super Bowl Party I would have gladly come. This year no one did. I'm not bitter. Can't you tell? Instead, Miss A and I sat on the porch and made a cocktail to enjoy the gorgeous weather. I was hesitant to make this one because I was worried it would be too sweet, but the jam was just right and actually makes it suuuuuper dangerous- you can't taste the alcohol dangerous- so before you know it you've had two and you feel like taking a nap. Hope you try the recipe soon.....so good!

Bourbon Smash

2 shots bourbon

1 tablespoon triple sec

1 tablespoon seedless jam of your choice- I used Raspberry

2 tablespoons orange juice 

Dash of cinnamon

Splash of club soda

Shake all of the ingredients -except for club soda- over ice in a cocktail shaker and pour over ice. Then pour in the club soda and add orange slices for garnish. 

38

If I’d thought about it ahead of time I would have titled these birthday posts differently, but at 32, the number didn’t sound as bad. It seems a bit late to change things now since you lovely people can do rudimentary math so there it is…..Saturday I turned 38.

Not a bad number to be sure, but Thursday evening the thought crossed my mind that I’ll be 40 in two years. I’ll be honest that did freak me out a bit. I expected 30 to be difficult but it sailed by with normal fanfare and surprising acceptance. This feels different and I’ve already put my nearest and dearest on alert that the occasion probably won’t go well when it gets here. Sedation may be called for and I’ve given a few people the legal authority to do so should they think I will be a danger to myself or others.

Just kidding.

But not really.

I was cleaning out my back room this weekend and triaging things to be thrown out and those deemed worthy to find a place in a plastic storage bin, prime real estate in Church Hill. I came across the picture above. Second grade I think? I wonder what she thought about 40. If you had asked her I’m sure she would have said “that’s old!”. I don’t feel old. But I also don’t feel young. I don’t know what I feel and that might be why I feel a little out of place.

I guess it’s ok to feel a little out of place.

I think if you’d asked her a couple of other questions she would have had grand answers and big dreams. She definitely would have told you she hated that her new teeth hadn’t come in by picture day. Totally unfair!  She had no idea how hard some of this “adulating” would be. She would have started drinking bourbon much earlier had she had an inkling. She wanted everyone to like her and tried her best never to make a mistake.

I suppose I’ll make a list of the things she conjured up that have yet to be accomplished and try and do my best to make them happen. What else can we do except keep moving forward in this life and try to make our dreams come true. It would be so sad to think that you reach a certain arbitrary point and magic is no longer possible.

Anything is possible, even at 38. Well, maybe not anything. I may have to give up my dream of being a Mousketeer. Apparently, mouse ears look creepy on anyone over the age of 15. Whatever.