I have a bad habit of constantly looking ahead to the future — to things I have no control over — and trying to plan life event after life event. And that annoying pet peeve in my personal behavior has never been more apparent to me until this past Memorial Day Weekend.
I love MDW because it signals the beginning of warm days here in Carolina. Traditionally, the fella and I welcome summer on Lake Norman each year with family and some of our closest friends. We grill out, drink beers, float in the water, and just have good, old-fashioned fun.
I was bobbing in the lake with a brewski in one hand and my new waterproof speaker in the other, having a major heart-to-heart with my best gal pal, when I started actually listening to what I was saying, and I was getting on my own nerves.
“This is our last summer in our current house, I want to get a picture of us in front of it.”
“Yeah, I plan on being pregnant next summer so I want to make the most of this one.”
“Next year when we buy a house …”
“Next year this … Next year that …”
Oh my gosh, just shut up and be present in the moment.
I would be a lot happier if I stopped talking about what may or may not happen tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year, and just live for the joys I have today.
MDW was far from being a washout, though, despite my incessant “planning” of the future.
The fella and I kicked off the long weekend by taking in a baseball game at BB&T Ballpark on Friday night. Baseball is one of the only sports Justin and I enjoy watching together, and we love catching a Knights game in Uptown Charlotte when we get the chance.
Then, Saturday, we took a day trip up to Boone, NC (about two hours from our house), to have lunch with our wedding officiant, his wife, and their daughter.
It was a beautiful day in the High Country — so beautiful that Justin and I semi-jokingly started talking about what it would be like to move back to the mountains.
Sigh, perhaps one day.
See, there I go trying to plan the future again.
We grabbed food at Black Cat Burrito — a locally owned burrito and taco joint — and it was delicious and fresh.
I ordered the blackened Mahi fish tacos, which came with two tortillas filled with a generous helping of fish, cilantro lime slaw, tomato, and red onion with a roasted poblano cream sauce.
Seriously, if you are ever in Boone, check this place out. It won’t disappoint.
The drive back down the mountain on Saturday evening was quiet as our bellies were full and eyes were heavy.
On Sunday, we woke up early to prep for Sunday Funday on the lake.
First thing’s first, I made my (well, Ree Drummond’s) always-popular bacon wrapped jalapeño poppers.
Photo: Food Network
Jalapeño poppers made by Ree Drummond.
They must have been good because they were gobbled up before I could even get my hands on one.
For the recipe I follow, visit The Pioneer Woman on FoodNetwork.com.
Once our friends arrived at our house, we packed up the poppers and other necessities for the day (beer, sunscreen, snacks, towels, etc.) and scheduled our Uber.
While we were waiting on our driver, though, I had to document the day by snapping a photo in front of our little house. And this is where that annoying dialogue began.
“I need a picture of us in front of the house since this is going to be our last summer living here.”
However, I am glad we captured this moment of Justin in a Budweiser tank top and American flag swim trunks.
#merica #freedom
The rest of the day was spent living the lake life and enjoying the time we had with our friends.
Justin and I took Monday to recover from all the weekend shenanigans. We ended up eating lunch at our favorite noodle restaurant in the Charlotte area, Kung Foo, and seeing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 — which I highly suggest if you haven’t seen it yet.
Until next time, cheers y’all!
