things i love, lately - july 2014.

What an excellent month July has been! The weather has been practically perfect by Texas standards and so many other happy things happened!
Take a look at all the things that have made me appreciate life this month.

I adore cherry season. Purple fingers and lips.

These sweet friends that I've known since 4th grade (!!!) and how we still make an effort to catch up with one another.

 This city I call home and all it's beauty and adventure.

Bishop Arts on the left - swoon - and driving home from work on the right with excellent sun company.

That I have a man willing to go antiquing with me. My excuse? It's for the wedding!

Candid photos at crowded pools.

 An excellent new cookie recipe that yields 4 cookies as big as your palm.

And a quick snow cone date with my dad from the only place you should be getting your snow cones.

This gorgeous sunset that I was treated to every night this past week. There will be a CA post later this week!

I'm ready for fall now! Who's with me?

-e.

things to do in dallas - bishop cider company.

Those of you who know me well know that I love hard cider, but hate beer. I know, I know -- it's a character flaw. I truly wish that I enjoyed beer because I can at least appreciate that there are lots of different, complex flavors and types that I'm missing out on. Not to mention, all the great local breweries that have popped up in the last 5 years. I so wish I could partake...it's just not my thing.

Cider on the other hand? I love that sparkly, alcoholic apple juice.
That's why I was so excited when Bishop Cider Co opened last month in the Bishop Arts District. A cidery in my neighborhood? Yes, please!

I went just a few weeks after their soft open, so they were still working out some kinks, but I wanted to get this post out in time for their grand opening bash (!!!) this weekend. They will officially be revealing their own brews, of which they have 3, plus offering growlers and numerous other hard ciders they keep in stock.
My favorite thing about Bishop Cider Co is that they have a wide selection of ciders that I've been mostly unable to find elsewhere. Yeah, some of it is found at Whole Foods or Central Market, but many selections I'd never even heard of. Awesome.
Also, the inside is just so aesthetically pleasing. It's minimalistic and modern, but welcoming for an afternoon spent sipping.

I definitely recommend you go check it out, especially if you love cider, and even if you don't. Pete's not a huge fan, but he sucked it up for me and actually enjoyed it!
Any fellow cider drinkers out there?
-e.

P.S. I mean, how could you not love these hours of operation?

things i love lately - may 2014

This month has been one of the best, like, ever.
I didn't really make a huge hubbub about my engagement on my happy Monday post, so I thought I'd kind of brag on my man here. He is, after all, the reason it's been such a fabby month!

So, without further ado, my engagement story:
--Peter and I were about to head to a friend's birthday party when he said he needed to get a gift for me out of his car. He'd told me he was waiting on a package and that he'd gotten me something earlier in the week. I jokingly asked, "is it a ring?" because I was so sure it wasn't. Clearly he caught me completely off guard! When he came back, he handed me a study Bible I'd been wanting. It was one of those things I'd mentioned off-hand and was surprised he even knew it was something I wanted. So, I was gushing about it, thanking him, and he told me to open the box to see if it was the one I actually wanted. My name was engraved on the front...with his last name. I was shocked to see that -- he wasn't allowed to call me that yet! Then I looked up and he had the ring out and asked me to marry him! I cried and "omgomgomgomg'd", then of course finally said "YES!" It was so thoughtful and so great that it was just us to share that moment. I always kind of thought I'd want family and friends there, but this couldn't have been more perfect.--

Now let's all say a collective "awwww" and check out what else has made this month awesome!

The hard-fought playoff series between my Mavs and those icky guys, the Spurs.

Southern comfort meals from eagerly anticipated date nights.

 Days off work spent pretending we're tourists in our own city.

Super spicy meals and the red-faced giggles that accompany them.

Much needed rainfall quenching the city's thirst.

Quiet walks at dusk through our favorite neighborhoods with ice cream in our hands.

This. Because sometimes I get embarrassed over how excited/upset/amazed/generally just emotional I get about things, but sometimes it's okay to just wear that emotion out in the open.

This booger, of course.

And these two boogers together, of course.

Not to mention: we started Merge last night and are v v excited about it. And I get to see my favorite college professor tomorrow. So, pretty darn good month!

-e.