Chautauqua in Madison

The parents and I headed to Madison, IN for the annual Chautauqua Art Festival on Saturday. I ate some festival favorites (gyros, pumpkin rolls, and kettle corn), bought way too many vintage earrings, and enjoyed being in one of my favorite towns during the fall.

LST 235: That's one big ship

Grandpa has been SO excited about the LST 235 coming to Aurora. This LST is a tank landing ship that made invasions in Sicily and Salerno during WWII. What's so neat about this particular LST is that Grandpa's little wooden Sub Chaser went on invasions with it. He actually saw this thing in action almost seventy years ago. He was on cloud nine this weekend...he was down to see the boat three different times. Wherever he went with his Navy hat on, he had people thanking him for his service. It was a really special day to spend with him.

I met General Patton while we waited (2 hours!) in line to see the ship.

They had a bomber fly over before we went on board.

This is where the tanks go.

Apparently back in the day, those sailors needed a blueprint for making a sandwich.

 

Dad manning the guns.

The MASH jeep (Dad was excited, clearly).

I don't know how much sleep I would get in these...

Here's my favorite sailor.

Panera Dates

I had two Panera Bread outings this week.

One with this wonderful Grandpa of mine:

He went on some wedding errands with me on Wednesday and had his first Panera experience. He said it was "pretty good," which is like saying it's the best place in the world, in Grandpa talk. We had lots of fun.

My other date was with this other wonderful guy:

We met with our photographer, Jenn, to finalize our wedding schedule. Thanks to her, we now also know of the hipster coolness that is the north side of Cincy. Can't wait to visit. We are SO excited to work with her!

Johnny and the Reds

The fam and I made our annual trip to Great American Ballpark to see the Reds. Dad picked a great game, because they were honoring Johnny Bench with a statue outside of the stadium. Johnny was always my favorite Red when I was little because a was a catcher on my slowpitch team. Jake even got into the spirit by changing his Packers shirt for a Bench jersey...partially because they were playing the Milwaukee Brewers. :) The Reds lost, but we had a great time!

Apple Cinnamon Grilled Cheese

Jake concocted a nice fall twist on the grilled cheese. It is super yummy (and easy) and I wanted to share!

Ingredients:
Two slices of bread
Butter
Cinnamon
Cheese of your choice
One apple

Spread butter on bread and sprinkle cinnamon over butter. Cut up apple into circular slices and add apple and cheese in between bread. Jake and I used a cinnamon cheese, but you can use any type. We've even tried pepper jack before. Heat on top of stove per usual.

Enjoy!

Dinner Date

Had a wonderful dinner date with two of my favorite people in the world: Jake and Miss Aud. It didn't hurt that said date was at one of my favorite restaurants in the world: Lil Charlie's in Batesville. A huge bowl of Tuscon Pasta and some great conversation later, I am one happy camper.
Sometimes it's nice to talk/gripe to people who see the world the same way that you do. For example, if someone emails you, the considerate thing to do is respond. Foreign concept, we know, but work and life would be a more simple place if this was the case. At least we think so. :)

Here's a neato photograph of Aud and I from the shower on Saturday.

Transition

If you're curious, this is what an apartment in transition looks like:

Notice the lack of dresser, clothes on the floor, and duffel bag all packed from this past weekend. I feel like my apartment is more of a storage facility than a home, really. I have things there, at my parents' house, and at the new place in Morristown. I can't wait until I can organize everything in only ONE home in a month!

Bridal Shower

Yesterday, Miss Tessie threw me the cutest bridal shower you have ever seen. She knows I'm in love with all things vintage, so she created a 1950s housewife theme, complete with everyone wearing aprons. I was in heaven. Thanks to all of my family and friends who helped and attended. You really made it a special day for me!

Go Pack Go!

Jake and I kicked off the new NFL season by having a junk food party during the first Packers game on Thursday. Quite a few jalapeño poppers, chimichangas, cheese sticks, and buffalo chicken dips later, I realized why I don't have junk food parties that often. Poor, full tummy.

Surprise of the evening? Getting my very own Clay Matthews jersey! Best. fiancé. ever.

Best dish of the evening goes to our buffalo chicken dip

Here's the recipe:
1 package cream cheese
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded

Mix ingredients in a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

Mr. Jake enjoying said dip

Good day

Today was a good day. I ate lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, visited Dad at work with some chocolate milk, stopped in for some coffee, and finished off the day at Hilary's house for a Pampered Chef party. It was one of those days that wasn't remarkable, really, but just productive and spent with people I love.

It didn't hurt that I had the best dinner ever: A Salted Caramel Mocha and Pumpkin Bread from Starbucks. It was like I was eating fall. Did I mention it was a good day?

Why hello fall!

In honor of the first few days of fall weather (68 degrees!), I found these wonderful prints in one of mom's magazines that perfectly state what fall's all about. I can't wait to this fall to begin. It's going to be an eventful one!