St. Patty's Day 2012

I hope everyone had a spectacular St. Patty’s Day!

We certainly did!

Even being sick did not deter me from attending the parade this year. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with the Parlor Market crew—being under a tent was infinitely better than being in the sun.

I *might* be paying for this tomorrow seeing as I have bronchitis and have not rested much at all

BUT

It was totally worth it.

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of *this* Irish girl be always there with you.

Jen

adieu sweet freedom

Our month long break is officially over.

 School starts back tomorrow and although this break has been absolutely amazing—I am ready to get back in routine, ready to learn more, and very excited about seeing my classmates!

This was the first time in years (probably about 6) that I've had a break this long.

 I’ve always been either working/schooling or both. And for once, I literally had 4 whole weeks free. Bizarre.

I hung around Jack town for a week after classes were over and did a lot of hanging out with this lady…

Spent the next week and a half in the Queen City mainly because of this guy…

And I also enjoyed spending a lot of time with this guy…

(and these guys)

Attended several Christmas parties…

Spent 3 days doing absolutely nothing…

Spent 5 days at a Monastery in Batesville, MS to welcome 2012…

Ran the Mississippi Blues Half-Marathon with my brother…

And finally, I got to spend my last week of freedom back in Jackson visiting with lots of dear friends that I don’t get to see often enough during the school year.

I had the pleasure of dining at Parlor Market 3 times during my break. Each time was supremely superb…

(the above desert tray was made by our very own, Lydia Grey Gamble. Do go visit her at Parlor Market. She makes the best sweets in town.)

I’ll sure miss these long breaks when I’m no longer a student.

That may be why I maxed out my 4 weeks…

But I’m ready to hit the books again……

I’m gearing up for my 30^th birthday in a few weeks… that feels a little strange.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season and are keeping those resolutions you made 8 days ago…

I’m still working on my second post about all that I learned at Magnolia Grove. 

And so now I’ll bid adieu to the break from responsibility…

Good-bye Freedom! See you in May!

What did you do over the holidays?

How did you spend your break?

Wonderful Whirlwind of a Week!

The past week/weekend has flown by with such gusto that I only managed to document very small segments. But I wanted to share what I did capture.

My life is so full and I am so blessed. I really, truly am. Although I’ve been struggling with some issues lately (see latest blog posts) I am still constantly overwhelmed with how awesome life is. And how beautiful it is!

Last Sunday, I enjoyed a fun, relaxing, and easy day with my bestie, Lydia. We wandered around Lemuria for hours and enjoyed lunch at Broad Street. Isn’t she just lovely?

Wednesday of last week my sweet mother came up to spend some quality time with me and help me get my home ready for an Aloette Party! My dear friend, Leslie, is selling Aloette and I promised her when I moved I would host a party so she could come and tell us all about her wonderful product!

My mom and I attempted to hang pictures in my house, but the walls MUST be made of concrete. We couldn’t get a nail to stay in the wall to save our lives! We even bought nails that were supposed to go through concrete, but that didn’t even work. We only managed to get these two Klimt pieces up framing the door-way to my kitchen….and the rest we will leave up to a drill and my dad!

mom, hard at work!

We made a stop at Everyday Gardener in Fondren and bought some lovely flowers to adorn the house. Most all the time I have fresh flowers in my presence. I believe I can never have too many. I’ve been buying flowers for myself since I was about 16. Fresh flowers are the way to this girls heart!

We also stopped at Campbell’s Bakery and although there were only 4 Cannoli’s left, we managed to find other pastries that were equally as yummy!

The party went on without a hitch and I enjoyed visiting with friends. I also got a whole new line of skin-care products of which I am about to try! And since I am a product junkie, I am very excited!

Friday began our full weekend of the Yoga Workshop with Desiree Rumbaugh. I literally cannot say enough about how amazing it was to study with Desiree. I learned new things, discovered muscles I had never used, laughed, almost cried, and just was overjoyed all at the same time. Our Kulu here in Jackson is amazing and I am just thrilled to be a part of it. None of this would be possible without our local yoga teachers!!! Scotta and Tara prepared us well. I think I’ll dedicate an entire post on Desiree and what I learned from the workshop, but I snapped only a few pictures that I’ll share from this bountiful weekend.

Friday night after our yoga session, a few of us ladies went for dinner at Local 463. Appropriate since Tara’s husband (Dave) owns it. Dinner was divine (as always) and our bellies were so happy when we left!

During lunch on Saturday, a group of us dined at Alladin and enjoyed sitting outside in the sun. It was a much needed break from backbends and foreword folds!

Saturday night after yoga, I managed to run home in time to shower before heading to a dinner party with my co-workers! I don’t know if you remember my post back in December, but we had a similar dinner party. The company was lovely and the food was to die for. Literally, Vasch’s sister, Yas, is the most amazing chef possibly EVER. She wined and dined us until I was falling asleep on her couch!

Sunday we wrapped up our final yoga session with Des. When I went to hug her good-bye, there were tears in my eyes. Nothing but warmth, love, and wisdom flow from her. Her parting remarks to me were, “keep on making those green smoothies, Jen!”.

“yes mam” I replied. Yes mam, indeed.

Who would have thought 2 years ago that I would have a consistent yoga practice, love green smoothies, and be in grad school??

Not me!

For those of you who made my week/weekend so marvelous, Thank You! I hope my gratitude for you shows in my actions but also, incase it doesn’t, I wanted to verbally acknowledge how amazing the people in my life are.

I'm winding down from this long whirlwind of a week by laying on my couch and watching Ratatouille and thinking about my long upcoming week.

May we all go forth into this next week with ease and grace and so much love!


As always,
yours,
Jen

why, hello spring!

Hello, Spring!

I don’t know about you, but I COME ALIVE during Spring time. I mean, I’m always “alive” but my spirit really soars when the weather gets a little warmer, the flowers start to bloom, the smell of honeysuckle tickles my nose—the way it stays light later, the breeze, the smell of fresh cut grass and cook-outs. MAN ALIVE—I LOVE IT!

I always fall in love during spring time. And I mean, not just with a guy (although there is usually one involved—at least one, I might add)…I fall in love with everything. Kind of like Valentine’s Day all over again!

And today was no exception.

The first day of Spring was utterly amazing and fantastic for me.

and to think it fell on a Monday!

I woke up with an over-whelming feeling of how awesome it is to be alive. To be alive and loving life. Wow. Words can not really express the state of my soul and spirit today because it was just completely other-wordly.

I went to school with an unusual skip in my step.

I went to the grocery store, came home, unloaded groceries and got a call from one of my favorite people—Malcolm. We walked down the street to eat at Basil’s in Belhaven.

We sat outside and enjoyed our salads. We laughed and talked and laughed some more.

Then we walked down the way to Belhaven University to see the Student Art Exhibit—seeing as it was the last day to view the show and my dear and beloved, Lydia Gamble, had a piece in there—I definitely had to see it.

I was absolutely amazed! It was a WONDERFUL show! Such talent very much quality work. I also loved visiting with my old friend Bob Pennebaker. Bob and I go way back from the time I was a student there and I just love him to death. He’s a rare man and I am so glad Belhaven has him!

 Check out a few of the pieces below! 

This one is Lydia's. 

We visited with the painting class—who was, of course, painting outside on this glorious day!

After our walk I went for a jog about the neighborhood.

I really can’t express how happy I am to be back in Belhaven! I just love it here. It truly feels like I am “home”. I am so comfortable in my skin and with my life. It’s a good feeling.

I listened to music and left my doors open to let the breeze come in.

I went to yoga and had my ass kicked but boy did it feel good! It feels good today to be passionate about life and to be able to fully participate in life; To be fully present and engaged in the moment.

I hope that each of you had a marvelous first day of Spring.

As you can tell, I certainly did;)

Here’s to a full week of Spring Time Bliss!