It’s been a busy week! I had every intention of posting a couple of times this week, but between celebrating Michael’s birthday on Monday night (with this, a bottle of good Malbec, & chocolate-covered strawberries), working a 13+ hour day on Tuesday, and a trip to the theater Wednesday night, it’s been next to impossible to sit down & write. But here I am, sore from Day 3 of the 30-Day Shred, & itching to write about our fantastic birthday weekend.
Starting the day off properly.
My birthday was last Friday, so I met up for sushi with a couple of my favorite girls. I was lucky to have Shelly with me – she currently lives in Germany & was home for a visit. When my friends told the waiter it was my birthday, he said “I’ll make sometime special for you.” We were kind of worried until he came out with this.
The rest of the day was spent shopping & getting pedicures. My kind of day! That evening, Michael made hamburgers, Corlene & I made cupcakes, Katherine came over, & we watched Wife vs. Secretary with Clark Gable & Jean Harlow. The perfect end to a wonderful day.
The next day, we headed to Bernhardt Winery. Texas wineries are full of charm. Just because we’re not Napa Valley doesn’t mean we can’t make a good wine. The owners of Bernhardt were lovely & hospitable, the wine was delicious, and the weather was gorgeous. We had our tasting, bought a glass of wine (Pinot Grigio for me & Merlot for him), & sat outside to soak up some sunshine.
After lunch at a “rustic” BBQ place (read: Michael is lucky he married a Texas girl who doesn’t even flinch when he suggests they eat BBQ at an old house in the middle of nowhere), we were ready to head to our next destination, Retreat Hill Winery.
Our tour guide/tasting aficionado (can you tell I don’t know what I’m talking about? WINE TASTE GOOD TO ME. ::pounds chest::) was also named Lauren, & as sweet as could be. She knew a lot about wine! We tasted some delicious wines, settled on a glass (their homegrown Riesling for me & a moonshine-type wine for Michael), & spent some more time in the sun.
If you know my husband at all, you know he’s an avid cat-hater. Well, this little guy (I like to call him Winery Cat) found us, and seemed to want to change Michael’s mind about felines. He parked it right in front of him & refused to move. It was hilarious & kind of adorable.
After mexican food at a local place, we headed back to our B&B for a soak in the claw foot tub & an evening of relaxation. We woke up the next morning refreshed, ate a huge country breakfast with our lovely hostess Emily (who reads the Pioneer Woman!), and said goodbye to the Red Door Bed & Breakfast.
Our weekend was relaxing & romantic, which is exactly what we needed. It’s always fun to explore the little nooks & crannies of Texas. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes, I think it’s safe to say we both had a good one this year.
Beautiful Texas sky.
What are your plans for this weekend? What are some of your favorite local places?
Comments on Too Much Birthday.
From Mary:
Sounds like a fabulous weekend! We’re going out for the St. Patrick’s Day parade this weekend…I even get a sleepover tonight since the parade is in the morning :).
Those wineries look fabulous!
From Katherine:
Awww looks like yall had fun! I want to go to that B&B sometime, it looks gorgeous!
From Stefanie:
Hey Lauren, what a great weekend! I’m sending my husband this post so we can copy your birthday weekend. (that’s what you get for telling us about it) I’m going to a coupon class on Sunday, I’m a little sceptical but willing to give it a try. Anything to learn how to save more money! Happy Birthday girl!
From Kathleen:
Oh my gosh, I am so jealous of that weekend. Except for the wine part, although I have toured a couple wineries and enjoyed it even though I don’t drink. But seriously, my husband and I really need a weekend away. What town was your B&B in?
I’m getting a pedicure tomorrow and can NOT wait. I actually need like a full body spa treatment but this will have to do!
From Julie:
Where did you get that Pink Tennessee mug?!? I love it! Yay for a fun b-day weekend! I’m going to Wisconsin this weekend with the roomie for a small concert and some time out of the city. I will avoid the St. Patty Day crazies at ALL COSTS; I just can’t handle them this year.
P.S. Love the pictures of Texas!! And Ruthie’s BBQ reminds me of Aunt Ruthie’s Sugar Pie Farmhouse (http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com), even though they probably have no relation except for the fact that they are both in Texas. I miss those kinds of southern restaurants; they are gems!
From RootsAndRings:
Awww it looks like so much fun!!! I wish we would have hid in your trunk to come along with you!
Don’t you just love Texas??
From Samantha:
Sounds like a wonderful weekend! Glad you enjoyed your birthday, Lauren!
From Tabaitha:
I’ve always wanted to do Texas Winery tour and I think you just convinced me.
From mandy:
Sounds like an awesome weekend. I love traveling to an unknown destination, hitting up various sites along the places (especially if those places are wineries), and just having a fun time.
From Karen:
Sounds like you had a great weekend. Those are some beautiful pictures! I love all the bright colors!
I don’t have much planned for this weekend. Studying studying and more studying. And laundry.
From Jill:
Sounds like you guys had a great trip! I need one of those! :)
From Stephanie~LittleInsights:
How cute is the Red Door Bed-n-Breakfast? I could be in photography heaven there!!
My hubs and I LOVE venturing off the beaten path! Hole-in-the wall places are fantastic! Perhaps it is a Texas girl thing?!
From Erin:
Looks like an awesome weekend! I love all of your photos.
From Kellie:
I’ve always wanted to stay at a B&B and now I want to even more!
From Melissa Oklahoma:
What a perfectly balanced birthday weekend. You got girlfriend time with sushi and mani/pedi’s AND a romantic get away with your husband.
Love that you included such pretty photos!
From Melissa:
Ah, the post makes me wish I liked wine! Even still, its officially put a visit to Texas on my “to do” list. Love the photos!
From Suburban Sweetheart:
You guys are the cutessssst. Sort of even makes me want to give Texas a try! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! <3
From John:
Lauren! What a great time! Sarah and I have a trip planned for our anniversary that will be similar. We are staying in at http://www.lesroches-burgundy.com/ and will try to make it to the winery where our favorite Chardonnay is made. :-). Who is your friend who lives in Germany? Is she military? Where does she live overe here? If she lives near Heidelberg, you should connect us. Shoot me an email and let me know. :-)
From Nora:
When I come visit (like I how I said WHEN not IF?) you can take me to a rustic BBQ place. We don’t have enough good BBQ here in StL.
It’s funny, I’m not a huge cat fan either but they seem to notice that and thus plop themselves in front of me on regular basis while trying to get me to pet them. It doesn’t work (mostly because I’m allergic) but it is quite funny.
Also, please send a cinnamon roll ASAP. It looks divine.
From Nell Young:
Hi Lauren, we enjoyed reading about your weekend. I am glad your stay at the Red Door B&B worked out well. Hope you will be back! Would you mind putting our B&B address and website on your blog? Our address is 915 E. Washington Ave., Navasota, Tx. 77868 and the website is http://www.reddoorbedandbreakfast.com. Happy clients are the best publicity. Thanks!
Nell Young