Fall Festivities

Don't get me started on the weather here. It's unpredictable, to say the least. What I do know is that when it's sunny with a high of seventy five (did you hum along?), you don't complain and you don't remain indoors.

I've lived through twenty-four eighty-five-degree Octobers in Orlando, so I offer no apologies for my enthusiasm about experiencing this phenomenon called autumn. Even if I am a little over-zealous. 

Look a him go!

I was on fall break Monday and Tuesday this week, so I decided to take Brooklyn to a dog park Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, those plans were never realized, but not for lack of effort! I arrived at three different dog parks, only to discover all three were closed for various reasons. Poor Brooklyn finally realized we weren't getting out of the car....

After that nice detour (on the toll road, no less), we went home and made our own "park" in the backyard. I enjoyed a cup of tea and a book on Soviet music while Brooklyn chewed on sticks and old coffee tins. We were thankful just to be outside.

It's taper week, so Brooklyn and I have been taking it easier on our runs.

"Can we go faster, please?!"

Strolling through our neighborhood on a lazy Saturday

I had an appointment at school yesterday, which I realized was unfortunately scheduled during the SMU football game. Honestly, I don't know how people manage such enthusiasm for a team who is predicted to lose every game this season. The football team's record definitely hasn't dampened the tailgating scene. The main drive of campus is covered in red and blue on game days. Because of this, parking is always terrible! Yesterday I took advantage of our proximity to campus and walked. The weather was perfect, the football scene was hopping, and the friendly policemen stopped traffic for me at the crosswalks.

Saturday has become our weekly date night, and last night was exceptionally adventurous and fun! We drove to Ennis, Texas (about 30 miles south) to a drive-in movie theater. They offer double features at each screen, and you can choose from six different screens.

We saw Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. (Naturally, I slept through the second film.)

The theater was packed! Our screen was the most "family-friendly," so there were vans full of soccer teams and trucks with dogs and kids alike. The "regulars" were easily recognizable with their trucks backed in and camping chairs in the truck bed. Our wagon worked just fine, and I made a comfy blanket bed in the back.

The theater provided us with an FM station, so the sound came right through our car speakers. They also had the old-fashioned speakers staked in the ground next to each parking spot. We tuned in, rolled down our windows, grabbed some snacks, and enjoyed the show!

During the first movie, Brooklyn stood watch over the wagon and alerted us to any activity. Since she wasn't barking, we let her fulfill her role as watch dog. During the second movie, she and I both conked out!

And now, some shots from our relaxing lake walk/run this morning. Again, no apologies. Please come visit. I'd love to take you there.

Following a much-needed church service (have I mentioned what a blessing King's Parish is in our lives?), we had some friends over for lunch. Hospitality is so much easier when I don't stress about everything being prepared and perfect ahead of time. In fact, I just put the ladies to work today, peeling potatoes and washing lettuce. The men tended to the grilling. It's always more fun to cook together anyway.

Missing Hannah in the photo, but we had fun with these folks!

We're reaching that point in the semester where things speed up at an alarming rate. Paper deadlines approach, performance dates loom, flu germs float through the hallways, and bed times shift to a later hour. In the midst of all that, I am grateful for time to feel human. I love Sundays, and slowly I'm learning to love rest.

Dallas Dining: Company Cafe

Do you hear that? That sweet sound? It's the sound of thirteen gluten-free cakes. Or maybe you can't hear them, since they're calling my name? I guess you could compare it to parseltongue...except for gluten-free cake. (I'm quite fluent.) My parents always told me I was special...

Chocolate cheesecake, cookie monster, strawberry, german chocolate, peanut butter...how is anyone supposed to make that kind of decision?! I'd like them all, thank you very much.

You might remember hearing about Company Cafe. I mentioned it in my anniversary post. It was love at first taste, really! I have been craving "The Sammich" ever since our brunch date last month. While I'm no foodie, and I've only been to a handful of new local restaurants and cafes, I can say without doubt that Company Cafe is my new favorite place to dine!

Sammich goodness!

Company Cafe has four different menus! It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I'm getting the hang of it. Brunch is served daily until 4PM! Gluten-free granola, plain greek yogurt, honey, and berries? Yes, please!

"...And what's your wifi code?"

Still not convinced? I stand by my statement and intend to defend it. Read on.

1. Hours 

Company Cafe is open daily from 8AM-12AM. By 8AM, I've usually finished my run and need to take second breakfast. Regardless of your preferred dining hours, you can easily find some overlap here! Perfect for morning, afternoon, or late-night cravings!

2. Selection 

As I mentioned, there are four menus: breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also have a full bar and wine menu (if that's your sort of thing) and dessert menu (that's my sort of thing). They have a great assortment of "comfort foods," Tex Mex, meats (grass-fed beef, fish, venison, etc.), and veggies! As long as your pallet isn't entirely destroyed by processed foods, you're bound to find too many tasty menu items that catch your eye. The hardest part is choosing!

3. GF-friendly!

Many restaurants claim to have gluten-free menus. Usually that means greens without croutons or dressing, or a plain chicken breast. Not so at CC! Most of the menu items are naturally gluten-free, and anything else can easily be made so! Don't worry, if you have a craving for wheat toast, they have that, too! But here, they take allergies seriously, and all the servers are knowledgeable about the allergy-free options. Rumor has it, the chicken-fried waffles are legendary.

4. Dog-friendly!

They have a dog-friendly patio, and the servers will gladly supply water for your tired pup! This is especially wonderful when you live in hot Texas.

5. Proximity

Did I mentioned we can walk to Company Cafe? While daily visits would not be the best for the budget or our health (thirteeeeeen cake flavors!!), an occasional "Cake Walk" date night is a must!

The Cake Walk

The Monster Cookie Cake!

By Ty's "glutinous" standards, this cake was delicious!

The nachos! Beautiful, fresh, and spicy...just the way we like them!

Get ready, Glenna! I'm always up for an excuse to try new menu items! Anyone else want to visit? I'd love a good reason to return again before long!

I wonder if they're open for Thanksgiving...

Date Night: Cycle

We live close to a lake. A big, beautiful lake with a bearably long lakeside trail. Perfect for long runs! Distance running is currently a solo activity, until Brooklyn is conditioned, so Tyler and I have resumed a common hobby: cycling.

It is becoming a weekly date night. When he gets home from work, he loads up the bikes and the gear, and we head out! I try to do my dinner prep ahead of time, so that we're not grumpy, starving, and an hour away from much-needed calories post ride. As it is, we usually don't eat until 8:30 on Date Night: Cycle. 

Once upon a time I was avidly cycling with my good friend, Erin. She was the "super cyclist" (as Ty calls them as they swoosh by us with their speedy sleekness), and I was the tag-along learning the ropes. I picked it up while training for a sprint triathlon. Again, once upon a time. 

Orlando has a few good bike trails, but after Ty experienced the Greatness of the Nashville trails, he was ruined. I am happy to report that he is regaining his love for his self-propelled bike. I am a rookie all over again, but I don't care. This is our together time. Our joint hobby. Team Welsh. 

Tyler and I have been laughing at just how incredibly unprepared we must appear to the "super cyclists." The first time we rode together recently, my gear cable snapped, and I was unable to shift out of high gear. A few days at local bike shop fixed that, but I'm afraid even a good mechanic can't solve all of our (read: my) rookieness.

Still don't believe me? Let me explain.

1. My bike computer is out of battery, so I record our distance on my GPS running watch. 

2. He doesn't have a computer. 

3. We have a single water bottle that we share, even though we have three holders between us. And we may have left that single water bottle on the counter last time...

4. I have no bike shorts. This, friends, is the ultimate no-no, and for good reason! Comfortable saddles don't exist (at least in my price range, though I'm not sure they do at all), so the butt padding is highly necessary.

5. Ty is a champ, but I am getting smoked by the hills here. (Don't laugh; Orlando had maybe one hill. Singular.)

Conclusion: I am a runner and a wife. Cycling is a fantastic way to cross train and spend time with my husband. 

(Yes, I made it around the lake in running shorts. Handicapped much? It was painful, but 100% worth it!)

As you can see, I'm the real issue. I'm quite certain that Ty would ride much easier and faster without me. But I'm so glad he encourages me and encourages our date night rides! Here's to hoping we can guard this memory-making activity!

Hey, Babe

Six years later and I love you more.

2008

2008

Last year's 6/21 celebration

Fun together!

(No, it's not our wedding anniversary, but it's our "going together" anniversary!)

Then & Now

Before we were married, Ty took me on this fantastic date to The Great Pumpkin Patch. We picked out pumpkins and then painted them at his parents' house. (You can read about that here.) I love Peanuts, and this has always been one of my favorite date-night memories!

Three years, lots of dates, one wedding, one Brooklyn dog, and about twenty inches of hair later (seriously!), we returned to the same spot!

This makes me thankful. Life is beautiful!

Going Together

Today marks five years of "going together." Our first wedding anniversary fast approaches, but I couldn't let this special day go by! I feel it will always be a day set aside on my calendar.

Our relationship has been far from perfect, but we have a God who continually teaches us what it means to love well. When we fail one another, it is that love that makes restoration possible. 

Jesus said of the woman who wiped his feet with her tears and hair, "[H]er sins, which are many, are forgiven -- for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47, ESV)

I want to learn to love much because I know the extent of my own forgiveness.

Four

One-thousand, four-hundred and sixty-one days down.
Twenty-two to go.

Well, that puts things into perspective.

So, so thankful! :)