blessings

Bike Riding on the Beach

Posted by Ginna on May 14, 2012 | 2 comments

I love bike rides, especially at the beach where the land is flat and you ride with the wind. Saturday morning we decided to get some exercise and rented bikes at a cute little shop. It was by far my favorite thing we did all weekend!

The weather was absolutely perfect. Ah to be riding in the sunshine again!

My Beachy Weekend

Posted by Ginna on May 14, 2012 | 0 comments

My goodness did I have a wonderful weekend! I have actually had a series of great long weekends lately and am getting used to these four-day weeks. ;) This is my second beach weekend with friends in the last month. The last beach trip I got there to find out my camera battery was dead (boo) so this trip I took a ton of pictures to make up for it.

Friday: We all arrived to the beach Thursday evening at our friend Christen’s grandmother’s beach house. J and I went to see Wicked Thursday night, so we came right after the play ended, which was 10:30 or so, which meant we arrived at the beach at 2am to find the Parkers and Gregorys waiting up for us. Friday morning we woke up and had a full day at the beach together.

The boys weren’t exactly up for lounging in chairs all day, so they played bocce ball, frisbee, and then got bored again and started to bury J in the sand. We thought it would be funny to turn them into a 3-headed mermaid, although I don’t know if you can really tell from this picture.

Friday evening we decided to eat at home, so the girls fixed the meal and then enjoyed a cocktail on the deck while the boys finished it on the grill. We made margaritas with tequila, limeade and pineapple-orange juice. Yum!

After dinner we played Dominion, a game that the Gregorys introduced us all to a few months ago. Between the three couples, we had all of the expansions and stayed up late playing a few rounds.

Saturday: We woke up to another beautiful day and decided to rent bicycles to ride along the beach. It was so much fun! In fact, I took about a hundred pictures from that event so I’ll capture those in its own post. :)

The boys managed to turn anything into a game.

That evening we had another cocktail before going out to eat for some seafood.

After dinner we went for ice cream and the girls went for another bike ride while the boys sat on the patio and smoked cigars.

Sunday: I woke up really early so I decided to take a little walk on the beach. There’s something so lovely and peaceful about walking on the quiet beach at sunrise.

That morning we packed up, cleaned the house and finished off our food for lunch. It was such a fun beach trip and we were so sad to leave… but if you have to leave the beach, better to leave on an overcast day. We’ve already started planning our next beach trip, so I have a feeling we’ll all be back sooner than we think. :)

My Favorite Christmas Presents

Posted by Ginna on Jan 10, 2012 | 6 comments

I got some awesome gifts for Christmas. Some books, a necklace, tickets to the Performing Arts theater… it was truly a wonderful Christmas. But there are two gifts in particular  that have become instant loves in my life.

1. Keurig Coffee Maker
Have you ever used one of these? I unexpectedly got one for Christmas from my in-laws and it’s amazing. This fabulous little machine has simplified my morning coffee routine: instead of using my huge pot of coffee to make one cup in the morning, this genius machine will give me the perfect serving size. I love it!

^That New York mug was also a gift. Since J and I gave each other the trip for Christmas, we decided to wrap up a mug we bought in the Columbus Circle Starbucks so we’d have something to open. The package said “To Jeff & Ginna, From Jeff & Ginna.” Yeah, we’re nerds.

2. A Beautiful Bike!
I feel like a little kid when I say I got a bike for Christmas, but it truly was such a wonderful surprise from my parents. Long time readers may remember when I had a bike in DC, but I gave it away when I moved to Raleigh because my first apartment didn’t have a good spot to keep it dry. So finally I have a bike back in my life! I cannot wait for spring’s arrival so I can take more frequent rides. Look how pretty she is. :)

What were some of your favorite Christmas gifts this year?

Ornament Swap!

Posted by Ginna on Dec 20, 2011 | 2 comments

This holiday season I participated in Micaela’s Ornament Swap, where you send an ornament to a blogger and get one back in return. I had the privilege to swap an ornament and receive one from Amanda at Project Simple Life. She gave me a sweet package of a holiday mix CD (currently playing in my car!), a peace ornament from an Etsy, and an adorable card.

In her note, she wrote:

“Here’s hoping your holiday season & 2012 is filled with peace. That is why I chose this ornament for you & Jeff, to be reminded of the peace you have through Christ, every time you look at the tree.”

I think I’ve found another blogging kindred spirit! What a sweet, thoughtful gift to receive in the mail. :) Thank you Amanda for the wonderful gifts and special thanks to Micaela for organizing the swap!

10 Things I Am Thankful For

Posted by Ginna on Nov 23, 2011 | 5 comments

1. Good health, which I take for granted too often.

2. In-laws that like each other so much we share holidays.

3. Jesus and the gift of salvation.

4. Pets, especially this loveable one:

5. My cozy apartment that I love to call home.

6. A job that pays the bills and coworkers who keep me laughing all day.

7. Old and new friends who bring me so much joy.

8. My sisters and sister in-law. (And Allison, who’s practically my sister and slipped into this picture… sorry Al.;)

9. My best friend and awesome husband.

10. My amazing blog readers. Yes, I’m talking to YOU!

–

I hope all of you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving! I will be back online next week. :)

xo,
Ginna

Promoted.

Posted by Ginna on Aug 10, 2011 | 15 comments

Ahhh, what a funny world we live in. On the same day where I post how life is dull and hard, that same afternoon I find out I got a job promotion. I am so grateful, excited, and a little overwhelmed.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some budget numbers to crunch. :)

(photo credit)