PorkFest 2011!

 


So when I was looking for something fun to do a while back I saw that The Institute (recently voted best bar in the middle of nowhere) was having an all you can eat/drink event featuring whole roasted pig and endless kegs of Yards.  They had an actual name for the event, but personally I like PorkFest  way better.  

I love a good hole in the wall!

Naturally Sean and I had to be there.  I invited some co-workers and so Saturday was spent drinking beer and eating our fill of pork, sweet potatoes, and mac and cheese.  I'm normally not much of a beer drinker but I have to say the Yards' Brawler was pretty satisfying.  I loved the mashed sweets too...they had a sweet/smokey flavor that was different and delish.  (YUMTASTIC!) The only disappointment was the lack of bread pudding as promised on the event flyer.  Oh well...maybe next year.

Heaps of pork & sides!

 


 

On the way home I was super excited that we happened to catch the Love Train...these are way better than chalky conversation hearts!





 

All in all, a fabulous weekend.  Hope you all had a relaxing one as well!  I'm jealous of everyone (including the hubs) that has Monday off.  Back to the grind for this kid!

Engagediversary!

engagement ring and engagement watch. 

3 years ago the love of my life asked me to marry him.  Luckily I said yes and so far we're still enjoying wedded bliss.  Since I always look back on that day with fond memories, I thought I would share them with you. 

In 2007, Sean was living in New Hampshire with his parents while I was living in Camden, NJ (yeah...THAT Camden).  We were doing the long distance thing and HATING it and so we'd trade off visits.  In February it was his turn.  Although we had talked about wanting to get married and had even looked at rings, I was not expecting him to propose for a good long while.  However, on February 16th he took me to the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia under the guise of some fancy hot chocolate.  There was no hot chocolate to be found however, since he had actually arranged for a massage in the spa for yours truly.  Now, we always agree on no gifts for Valentine's Day and so when he pulls out a massage at the Ritz when I DIDN'T EVEN GET HIM A CARD I felt like a pretty big ass.  But I'm not one to turn down a massage either... 

Back when the hubs had hair!

Calling my parents--I am a seriously ugly crier

At the end of the massage, Sean snuck in and whispered beautiful things to me about loving me and spending the rest of his life with me, at which point I started sobbing and laughing uncontrollably.  I did eventually compose myelf enough to say yes, and then he took me up the suite he had booked where there was champaigne, roses, and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us.  Breakfast in bed the next day wasn't bad either.  (Yeah...he's really this good).  It was completely over the top romantic and I loved every second of it.  



ahhhh romance



Even the strawberries were dressed up for the occasion!



Our special dessert at the Continental Midtown





Thank you, Sean for asking me to spend the rest of my life with you.  Happy Engagediversary!



Love...

Sean skipped his class today due to a killer migraine.  He gets these every so often and they really just put him on his ass...poor thing.  I've been lucky to never have one *knock on wood* so I feel terrible for him when they strike.  So since Sean is curled up in bed, I'm spending my Valentine's Eve curled up with the furball!  Is he not the cutest thing on four legs??

Louie

 Sean and I don't ever really go all out for Valentine's Day, even this year, a few cupcakes for him (even though the were AMAAAAZING) wasn't exactly romantic gesture of the year.  My sweetie surprised me with knitting classes!  (I have been wanting to learn forever and just haven't committed.  I know it's a weird thing, but it was just about the sweetest gift he could have gotten me).  

This year I'm just really feeling the love.  I think it's because I finally feel really wonderful about what is going on in in my relationships, my career, and myself.  (THE TRIFECTA!) So, just in time for Valentine's Day a few things that I love!

I love my little family.  Sean and Louie are more than I ever could have wished for.
I love my mom.  She is pretty crazy, but I notice more and more how similar we are and luckily I've only inherited her best traits.
I love my friends.  I have some truly amazing friends.  The kind that would drop everything in an instant to stand by me when I need them.  Some I have had since high school, others I met the first day of orientation in college, and others I've picked up along the way at work, tae kwon do class...but I really am lucky to know all of them.
I love good food, and more recently I love making good food...especially chocolate covered strawberries!

my weakness

I love my job.  Seriously.
I love my co-workers.  They are all great at what they do, passionate about working with students, and smart as hell.  I learn from them every day.
I love a good glass of red wine.
I love Philadelphia.  It is a remarkable city that is a perfect fit for me.
Finally, I love this blog.  It's something I have wanted to start for a long time and like so many other things it is the perfect time right now.  I'm looking forward to watching it grow and change and seeing what comes of it.

Leave me a love note on this post because I also love hearing from all of you!

xoxo