Category Archives: True Love

Little Sluggers

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On Sunday, my oldest nephew (age 6) played in his first All-Star baseball game. I can’t tell you how stinking cute the game was. After the “line-up” was announced, the national anthem played from an old-school boom box, the ump yelled, “Play ball!”, and the Big League Chew was passed around the dugout. Number 2 was on deck, and I couldn’t help but have a lump in my throat. Talk about one proud aunt and godmother. He may only be six, but he loves the game of baseball. Always the first on the field and “baseball ready”, it is an absolute delight to watch him play the game. Even more, the little smile I get from the dugout between innings. It may not be cool to give your aunt a big hug in front of all your friends, but that sweet smile says it all.

 

The cutest fan is LMK’s little brother CEGK, also known as Catfish, and most recently “Chippah” (Chipper Jones, that is). Another little slugger, this three-year-old stud doesn’t miss a play. He’s right behind home plate when his big brother is batting, and can’t wait for “Logo” to make a game-changing play, and don’t be fooled, it DOES happen quite often. Little Chippah loves to step up to the plate after LMK’s games, bats like “The Babe” (literally) and can round the bases at record speed for age three.

My favorite little guys are growing so quickly, and I’m just so lucky to have their love.

Going for Four

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Yesterday, J and I celebrated our third anniversary. Third! How on earth did that happen? Oddly enough, this is the first anniversary we’ve ever spent together, and wouldn’t you know it would fall in the middle of the week. We celebrated with a low key dinner at our favorite local spot, Harvest Moon, and then I spent some time admiring my now dried bouquet with cotton from my grandparents’ farm, flipping through our guest book and toasting my husband with the flutes used on our wedding day ( a special gift from my brother and sister-in-law just after our engagement).

In an effort not to sound like a Hallmark card, I’ll simply tell you that I love him more today than at 4:20 PM on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 when we were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. John Reed Freeman. We’d be the first to tell you that 2012 has been a year of surprises and hiccups, but one thing is for sure, love never fails.

So, here we are three years later: a house, a dog and many new pairs of shoes. I’d say this marriage thing is working out pretty well.

Here’s to number four…

 

Guest Book: Jenni Bick Bookbinding; Champagne Flutes: Tiffany & Co

A Fresh Coat

Posted in Perfectly Placed, Styled, True Love by

After purchasing our 1957 ranch-style home four years ago, we have experienced the highs and lows of home ownership. Always the couple searching for a new project, we have found ourselves to ALWAYS have something to do. For us, the interior was what we wanted to tackle first, and the exterior was just a paint peeling, 1,500 square foot, brick building. After a few quotes from painters, we decided we’d just have to live with the chipped pieces. Then, the home renovation angels began to rejoice for my dad volunteered for Freeman Home Improvement Project 2012! Hallelujah! My dad is not one for hearts, butterflies and long walks on the beach, but I can tell you that working from before the sun came up until after the sun had long set to make sure everything at our house was just perfect before he left is just one of the many languages of love my dad speaks to me. I’m a lucky girl to have such a talented dad who gives so generously of his time. Enjoy!

The front door and wreath (after).

Before: As you can see, the dark shutters and dark door do little to give our house the personality of the people who live inside. It’s simply flat and boring. Also, I failed miserably to capture how terrible the paint looked. I also failed to snap any during pictures. Which you should thank me for that because dad, mom, John and I were one dirty and paint-covered bunch. Anyway, aside from a few blooming plants, it’s rather dull and boring.

Before, again.

This just makes me shout, “TADA!!!!” A front porch with personality! I’m slightly obsessed with the front door. When I applied the first coat of paint, Dad and John’s eyes looked the size of softballs. After the third coat, we all agreed, I was RIGHT…as usual.

New numbers on the front gable.

Jack couldn’t be more excited about our new porch benches. We do hope you’ll stop by, enjoy a glass of sweet tea and visit with us for a while.

The inside of our little castle has even more personality…more on that later.

Potted hydrangeas on the front porch.

What I really need to say is a GIANT “THANK YOU” to my parents for all of their hard work this past week. I should also probably say “I’m sorry,” to all of our neighbors. Please forgive the loud pressure washer you heard every night until around 11PM. The before and after shots really don’t do all the work justice, thought it does explain why I’ve been MIA for two weeks (week one was the laundry room redo…more later).

Unfortunately, my dad didn’t have a relaxing Father’s Day, but we did buy him a new orbit sander. I cannot promise I do not have a project in mind! Here’s hoping your dad had a Happy Father’s Day!

Rear View

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What does one do on a weekend with blue skies and 90 degree temperatures?

1. Grills Burgers and “Guitless” Fries – (sliced red potatoes, 1tsp olive oil, sea salt and black pepper – baked at 425 for 1/2 hour) with homemade sweet pickles (courtesy of Gaga)

2. Sunbathes on the deck (flip-flops: similar style here, Apple iPad; hat: Target)

3 & 4. Cools off after a music fest on the river with Bourbon Caramel Gingersnap Gelato

5. Whips up fresh guacamole with leftover avocados and fresh cilantro from the herb garden. Guacamole – two avocados (peeled, pitted and smashed), chopped cherry tomatoes (I used 1/2 cup), 3 tsp lemon juice (I was out of lime), 1 tsp garlic salt, black pepper to taste, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire, fresh cilantro

6. Preps an herb garden (pots: The Home Depot; chalkboard labels: Martha Stewart for Staples)

7. Arranges a bouquet from her favorite rose bushes

8. Smiles at the first hydrangea bloom of the year

9. Catches Baby Jack and J snoozing after a fun-packed weekend of yard work, planting a vegetable garden, cooking, baking, going to a music festival, seeing The Five Year Engagement with good friends, catching some sun and starting a new kettle bell workout.

Taking It All In

Posted in Celebrate, Food Lovers, Styled, True Love by 

Dress: C.Luce; Belt & Hat: Target; Watch: Michael Kors; Shoes: Tory Burch; Sunglasses: Tiffany & Co; Bracelets

I’m searching for a body double, and only serious applicants should apply. I’ve been running in so many directions lately, that my prized multi-tasking skills have been put to the test. Some days, I’ve failed miserably trying to pack so much in. While there wasn’t a lot of down time during our weekend visit to Lake Martin with my family (two little nephews keep you moving), it was a welcome getaway to spend time with the people I love and drink lots of coffee. Of course, all of the forget-me-not happenings of the past week are sprinkled with some please-forget-me moments.

Forget-Me-Nots

  • Adam Scott in all of his beauty (and his hole in one!) at Augusta National, errrr I mean, Spending time with J at his favorite place on earth.
  • Pulling down the steep drive way at the lake to be welcomed by my nephews
  • Proving aPrincesscan catch the biggest fish of the day
  • Wearing my DVF wedges (simlar style here)that have been patiently waiting in my closet since January
  • One hour of solitude in the middle of the lake, on a raft, soaking up the sun
  • “Camping Out” on the living room floor with my nephews (now, a five year tradition at the lake)
  • Sweet kisses from baby Jack after his weekend with our dog sitter
  • An evening walk that turned into a lawn party at our neighbor’s house
  • Four car naps while John drove to Augusta and the lake – car naps are some of the best sleep I ever get!
  • Bubba Watson slipping into the green jacket on Sunday evening
  • Snickers mini ice cream bars

Please-Forget-Me’s

  • Walking to the restroom after a big meeting to find your two front teeth stained with orange-red lipstick
  • Habin the skin on my face shed like a snake’s after over-exposure to the sun
  • Silk Dress + No Slip + Static + Wind = What the Heck was I Thinking Yesterday???
  • The moment when you realize the thought in your head to tell someone to please just “Shut Up,” is no longer just a thought because your mouth has taken on a life of it’s own and has, in fact, actually done just what you were thinking. I told you my multi-tasking skills have been compromised due to lack of sleep and running like a mad woman.

The “Please-Forget-Me’s” may be slim so far, i must remind you, it’s only Wednesday. This list will undoubtedly grow. Do you have any moments to share?

A Gentleman’s Game

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Today marks the start of my husband’s most loved week of the year – The Master’s Tournament. I must tell you, John is wonderful – he does dishes and laundry, takes baby J out to potty every morning so I don’t have to get out of bed just yet, and knowing my love of fresh flowers, I receive a pretty new bouquet each week. However, this week, he will be completely useless. The tournament will be recorded on our tv, despite the fact we will be in Augusta in just a few days cheering on our favorite golfers. And once we return, he will re-watch the entire tournament as though he’s not seen a bit of it, and I will be doing laundry and dishes.

For John, he and his dad have shared this trip for nearly two decades. Five years ago, marked how much John really loved me when he first started taking me to the tournament. From egg salad sandwiches and pink lemonade to Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, there’s nothing my husband loves more than his days inside the gates of Augusta National. Really, nothing.

Check back this week for what I’ll be wearing. Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed during the tournament, so you won’t get to see swoon as I follow Adam Scott John around the course!

 

Proudly Introducing…

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Meet Jack. Also, meet my rug, day two. As I was snapping a few photos Sunday night, Jack flew into the living room insisting on his own photo shoot. You must understand, taking a photo of Baby J is nearly impossible. His multi-colored eyes and severe underbite (not pictured), combined with his greyhound speed do not allow for a ton of frame worthy photos. Rewind to December 1, 2011: Jack received all of his advent calendar treats during our holiday photo shoot while I begged him to do all of his tricks and commands, which he did ONLY long enough to receive his treat. With each click of the camera, I watched my dreams of the perfect Christmas card end with a blurred vision of my little angel.

When all 8.6 pounds of this rambunctious, squirrel-chasing, hole-digging, anything-licking, everyone-loving mama’s boy posed himself perfectly and barked for my attention, there was no way I was passing on the opportunity to catch this sweet face. His quizzical expression sums his little personality up perfectly. While he may have nothing to do with food or fashion, he’s definitely family. Friends, Meet Jack. The cutest kid on the block.