A Garden and Autumn Dinner with the Girls
Good Morning Friends,
I can NOT believe how warm it still is. Honestly, it’s driving me nuts! I hate this. It’s October. I know that at this moment I could not live in a warmer climate. I love the cooler temperatures. It’s still 80 degrees here.
Sorry for my rant, let us move on. I recently printed out my Christmas list. I am trying to get started with that. Since it is almost the middle of October I feel like I need to get started on Christmas shopping.
I am still organizing my home and replacing items bit by bit. I recently organized all of our family photos. It took me hours but I feel great that this is now done. I had brunch with my brother in law this past weekend and then went to HomeGoods afterwards. I believe I just found my curtains for my canopy project. I shared them on a reel recently.
I have been trying to capture beauty in my life. With so many things coming up, I just want to try to enjoy life whenever I can. Which is why my “girl’s days and dinners have become some important to me.
photo credit: Mrs. Shockley
A few weeks ago I had a girls dinner planned with my Guild friends. We decided to tour the gardens at Newfields. Now I have been here several times but I have never toured the gardens. It was a real treat.
There were small ponds and water features everywhere. I did a Google search on lots of the flowers there. I am always looking for ideas to add to my garden or green house.
It was such a beautiful day. We had the sun, just enough heat and lots of florals. We walked around and chatting about everything under the sun.
My friend Kathy, the little one in the orange jacket, is so outgoing. She wanted to have a photo shoot and wanted to include us in it! I just laughed the whole time but she got me out of my comfort zone. The photo on the right is both of my friends Kathy and Judy.
I could not pass up the Lily House. If you have read this blog long enough then you will know that this is my favorite home. I take inspiration from this every time I see it.
photo credits: Mrs. Shockley
After touring the beautiful gardens we headed to dinner. We had dinner reservations at a restaurant called the Meridian. I have never been here before but was open to visiting a new place.
I got the brussels sprout salad. It had toasted pecans, shallots, pears, and warm apple cider vinaigrette. It was delicious. For my main dish I ordered the Ora King Salmon with turnip and apple harsh, onion, celery, craisins, kale, soy-cashew, aioli. Again so good. We also had a glass of rose wine to toast our dinner!
I can’t tell you how much I needed a girls dinner that day. Having these monthly get-togethers is such a needed luxury in my life. As I stated I never knew how priceless friendships were until recently. My supervisor at my office has been such a excellent example. I have watched her for 3 years go to dinners, host book clubs, and take girl’s trips. Once I saw that I thought, “oh that is what friendship are all about”. You can have fun! I never saw good friendships until now and I want to make sure that I cultivate wonderful friendships with those I love. Nurture those friends!
Good friends are so important and they are to be treasured. The gardens looked lovely as did the meal. It’s been warm here in GA but the mornings have been crisp and cool and I’m enjoying it. Are you still doing your morning walks Mrs Shockley? I started walking at work on my breaks & lunch. Especially after eating and it has done wonders. I’m rarely having the 3pm crashes and I seem to be able to focus at bit more. It’s energizing. I can tell the time is changing as it’s getting darker earlier.
On a personal note I’ve been a MIA on the blog reading and commenting. Trying to catch up as I do enjoy your blog. The storms have really done some catastrophic damage in many areas. My neck of the GA woods was minimal damage compared to the Carolinas and TN, but still enough to be covered under Federal aid. Plus very very close to me we had a bio harzard disaster. The pool chemical plant caught fire and the toxic plume is still banking down on us residents. There are still lock downs and shelter in place orders for many in the community. The haze around my office park was like highlighter yellow, yet they say it’s safe. I don’t think so. It’s a lot happening all at once. Please remember us in prayer Mrs Shockley. Thank you🙏🏾💕🍂🍁❤🧡💛
Ms. Tracey, I grew up during my teen years in Lithonia, my mom and brother are still there, it’s been frustrating seeing all of that happening in the community. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.