Watching the Gators at the Swamp!

After arriving on the Friday night later than expected- what have they done to Jacksonville's roads? They are no doubt better oraganized now but I didn't recognise the roads at all!! But eventually in our wee red bettle we arrived at my friend Lauren's parents house, where we were staying for the week.

Early the next morning we were up to meet my friend San and her boyfriend Nelson at the airport.

Whilst waiting for them we went to Starbucks to order a coffee and I got very overexcited when I saw what the blend of the day was. No doubt you are thinking as the lady behind me in line commented- 'why do I care that they are selling Pike's place?' (I thought Nathan was still standing behind me when I turned round and exclaimed about Pike's Place but no he was looking at something else)

As I explained to the lady behind me my new last name will be Pike! Once I told her this story she was my new best friend and then was slightly bemused when I ordered two mint mocha frappacinnos! 'You can't not order Pike's Place!'... we did later in the holiday and it tastes lovely!

For those of you that may care I believe it is where the first Starbucks was located in Seattle.

Once San and Nelson arrived we hot fotted it down to Gainesville- just over 2 and a bit hours away. San went to Uni there so was able to show us where to park. Students sell there front drive spaces for $20-$30 but we lucked out and got a space.

My friend Heidi's husband, Matt had organized tickets for us to watch the Gators so we met up with his friend Craig to get tickets and then went into the stadium... affectionately known as The Swamp. It was AMAZING! 90,000 people for a college game.

San and Nelson

The Swamp- All Blue and Orange. The atmosphere was magic! So many people shouting for the Gators, doing the Gator chomp and cheering on Tim Tebow, their star quarterback.

Nathan, Me, San and Nelson

Nathan and I

After the game we walked past this gator welfare charity trying to raise money. I even got to pet a baby gator! (they did have their mouths duc taped shut!) 

The whole town seemed like it was taking part in the game and there were so many tail gate parties taking place in carparks and driveways all round the centre before the game. After the game we went for drinks to a bar called the Swamp. It was pretty busy but lots of fun.

 

The Swamp had a beer garden where we met with our friend Terri from high school. It was so lovely to see her and catch up. Later on her husband, who is currently studying for his Vet exams came and met us.

Terri and Hugh, they kindly put us up in their lovely house with their two cute cats in Gainesville overnight.

After the Swamp we went to a college bar called 'The Grog House' which was $5 entry and then drink as much beer as you like! We had a good giggle and it was so lovely to see Terri and meet Hugh.

Nathan and I

Nelson, San, Nathan, Me, Terri and Hugh.

Proposal!

Nathan and I at Edinburgh Airport at 7am on Friday the 20th of November after he proposed at 5:42am (not exact timings but he assures me it was about then!) We had a champagne breakfast before phoning our parents at 7.30am and then calling close friends. I also then put a message on facebook before we went on our flight to New York.

Thank you for all the lovely messages and cards! We are so overwhelmed with all your kind wishes!

 

 My beautiful, amazing, gorgeous ring! I love, love, love it!!

 

I am a very, very happy girl!

Quick Excited Summary!!

Well as most of you knew already I couldn't post about my last 2 weeks plans as we were trying to surprise my friend Lauren for her 30th birthday in Florida! Thank you for everyone keeping comments off my blog and facebook. She was super suprised but more about that later!

I was also surprised on the morning of our flight at 5.30am when Nathan proposed!!! I am still beaming from ear to ear!

We have had an amazing 2 weeks holiday with fantastic friends and have been on cloud 9 the whole time!!

It was sad when we came back on Saturday but we both had fun evenings that were planned with our friends. So good to see everyone and share our joy!

I will try and update everything on my blog as much as possible but please bear with me. Being away from work for 2 weeks also means I have loads to catch up on... and then there is Christmas... I forgot about Christmas coming up!!

Pottery Barn

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Pottery barn... if only they shipped to the UK. I occassionally like to have a wee peep to see what I would buy- usually the most delicate of glass or home decor.... never practical for transporting. My Mum occassionally goes to the States with work and I would love to give her a big list of items to buy but she wouldn't be able to get them back!!

So I just have to make do with daydreaming and looking through their website.

My current dream is for a future study- a dream I also share with another of the bloggers that I follow.

I love white furniture and ADORE this organizer which I could have on my wall.  The rails for the paper and the ribbon are brilliant and would be the perfect place to store holiday wrapping. Maybe one day Pottery Barn will do UK delivery!

 

Weekend

I had a lovely family orientated weekend. On Saturday evening I met up with my Dad and Sister after they had been to watch the Scotland Fiji game. Becky's friend Kyle Traynor was making his debut for Scotland so they were there to cheer him on.

I had loads of errands to do so couldn't go but had a great time catching up with them over dinner at Pizza Express.I decided since I had already been for dinner to the Pizza Express in Leith with Hannah earlier in the week I would try something different and a little better for me... so I had one of their pizzas with a hole out the middle with salad in the centre instead. It was really delicious and I was happy with my meal- until I ate my salad (which I had saved until near the end) and I found a slug/worm/catepillar type creature on my plate!! yuck! To be fair they were really good about it and had me fill out a report form and gave us a discount on our meal but I guess the salad was a little fresher than both the restuarant and I imagined!

My Dad and Sister were on great form and we had a good chance to catch up as my Dad had been down in London staying with my Mum and working for a few days.

 

On Sunday Nathan and I did a big house clean and then I went into town with Becky to buy a few pressies for people's birthdays etc. We went into Jenners and they had their real Christmas tree in store already!!! It was very pretty although Becky and I were worried that had brown branches already!!

 

 Becky in Jenners.

 

 We also found a lovely cute new shop on Hanover Street. I Love Candy.

 

"Old fashioned sweeties galore! I Love Candy is a sweetie shop with a twist, specialising in sweets from days gone by and Scottish favourites too. We have searched high and low for all the tuck shop favourites and our stores are crammed full of as many different kinds of sweets as we can fit in from wham bars to wispas, bon bons to chocolate bananas, soor plooms to supersize lollies. We also have a super handmade range of vintage scottish treats like tablet, macaroon and fudge, along with the delightfully indulgent cupcakes we have baked fresh for us.

We have stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you dont live nearby, you poor souls, fear not, we do have an online store and we will post our super sweeties out to you."

 

I love their pink and white branding and the shop is well laid out... we were going to treat ourselves but decided to be good- I have a feeling we will be back though! We opted for Starbucks instead- Although I am not sure a Gingerbread latte had much less calories!!

Baking for Erskine

TUESDAY

On Tuesday evening I went down to my Grandma's and we spent the evening baking. She has just got a new oven and wasn't too sure how to use it. It is much simplier than her old oven but we thought we'd have a practice.

We made fairy cakes for my Grandma's coffee morning in her sheltered housing. My Grandma used to bake alot and I remember her making shortbread and fairy cakes and scones when I was younger. It was so nice to spend the evening with her.

 

 The Fairy Cakes in the oven.

I also made the Hummingbird Bakery Brownie that I have made before. This was for a bake sale we were having at work for our nominated charity- Erskine. Founded in 1916, Erskine has provided nursing and medical care for former members of our Armed Forces through two world wars and the more recent conflicts. As it was Remembrance Day on Wednesday our office held a tea party on the Barge (our boat on the river where we have our conference room) They invited members of the local community along as well as staff who all bought lots of baked goods and bought raffle tickets too.

.

 

 We had a good giggle as I caught my Grandma licking the spoon of the chocolate brownie mix!

 

 WEDNESDAY

 

 They had lots of poster up from the time of the 2nd world war including lots of Dig for Victory Advertising!

 

 Loads of people from the office had baked. Kirsty and I on my team went over and had a wee coffee break with a sample of some other peoples baking- so tasty!

 

In the foreground of the photo you can see my giant chocolate brownie- it was selling for 50p a slice and was all gone when they brought the remaining cakes over to the office the next day- they sold them off for 20p each to all the staff.... so I felt like I'd been eating cakes for days by the end of last week!

 

The Barge was all done up in bunting!

Time Out

This past week was a little bit crazy. My boss was on holiday so I was left to hold down the fort! It was very high paced but we got there in the end.

I was also really keen to catch up with friends over the week as I am so concious that I haven't seen some great friends in ages- everyone, inlcuding myself has been so busy with work.

On Monday I met Herc for lunch and it was so lovely to see her. We got lunch from Marks and Spencer and then sat on the top floor at Ocean Terminal. It was so scenic.

On Thursday I also met up with Hannah at Pizza Express and after having not meet up in a while we sat there for 3 1/2 hours! We had a good catch up!.. and tasty pizza!

I miss my friends when we can't make time. It always cheers me up and make me smile when I have caught up on a friends news and heard all about their life.

I hope that next year after a year of working in my job I will be able to manage work life balance a bit more so I don't feel like I am losing out.