Yay America

Happy 4th of July!  Living in Japan has taught me a few things over the last 2 years like:  how to eat extremely well with chop sticks, how to drive on the other side of the road, and most of all, how to love America like crazy.  I will never take America for granted again and I have to say I have so much pride and love for our country. 

Last night (on the 3rd for some reason) we went to a 4th of July celebration and saw a fireworks show.  Love fireworks.  Every time. 

Today I had a great morning at the barn and now I'm relaxing sipping my delish homemade margarita on this beautiful summer 4th of July day.  I love me some margs.  I thought I'd share with you this marg recipe because it's easy and too good not to share! I have to give credit to my lil Hope for introducing me to this. 

In the blender: I cut up about six or eight limes, two lemons, squeeze, add two to three full tablespoons of homemade simple syrup or agave nectar, 1/2 cup tequila (or more depending on how adventurous you're feeling!) and 1/2 cup cointreau or orange liqueur. Lots of ice!

Cheers and Happy 4th of July to you!!   Happy Birthday AMERICA!! 

Homebody

I've gone on a lot of vacations over the last few years, but nothing is like going home.  There is something so special and amazing to be around and with people who share your history and share your memories.  People who know your soul and can read you like a book.  I am so blessed with amazing parents, big sister and life long friends. 

My college girlfriend (and life-mate!) and I celebrated our much too long separation by running our first half marathons my first weekend back in the states.  It was a wonderful accomplishment and we are already planning on doing another one together. 

Another weekend mom and I drove up to New Jersey to spend the weekend with my Grandma.  I got to see a lot of my aunts, uncles and cousins.  It was so nice to just hang out, watch old movies and eat lots of yummy food. 

My amazing mommy friend just had her 2nd baby and this little newborn girl is just too cute for words.  I love her to pieces!  It was so incredible to see her other little one so grown up.  Last year when I went home to visit he was a newborn and how he's walking and talking and looking like such a big boy.  So awesome.  And girlfriends are just the best.  Loved getting to hang out with my ladies. 

The last weekend I was home I crammed a ton in.  My sister came home from a year working in the Republic of Georgia and our family got to be all together again!  Mom and Dad had a nice get-together for our neighbors and friends.

 

Last year I didn't make it into the city and was super excited to get a DC day this time.  Mary, Kate and I went to one of my favorite places on the planet, the Willard.  We got fancy drinks at the Round Robin bar and I promised myself for the millionth time that I would stay in that hotel sometime soon.  We walked over to the White House for a quick hello to Obama and I just loved walking down those DC streets again.  Next we took a quick cab ride over to a German Beer Garden where we met Kate's dirndls and lederhosen clad friends for some beers.  So fun!  

I was pretty bad about taking pictures this trip.  I did so many amazing things, spent time with wonderful friends, did a lot of shopping (I bought something astonishing like 14 dresses alone), a lot of eating wonderful American food, and a lot of running through the trees around the lake.  I did a lot of rocking on my parents screened in deck.  I did a lot of thinking.  Did a lot of things that make me overjoyed and happy.  There really is no place like home.