Sippin' Coffee and Paintin' Bowls

Today started with a coffee date with my friend Lauren at a new cafe in Clarksville... Hops Java & Juice on Strawberry Alley. Espresso drinks (plus nondairy milk for those interested), juices, smoothies, and ice cream as well as lots of homemade sweets and treats... Croissants, muffins, etc. I was impressed! 

Then Lauren and I met our life group to paint bowls to be auctioned off in support of Loaves & Fishes, a soup kitchen in Clarksville that provides hot lunches for 150-200 people, 6 days a week. 

We had such a good time. I'm so thankful for people to really "do life" with... The good, the bad, and the ugly. I really value heart conversations, and they're a given when I'm with these friends!  

Coffee Tasting Class

Our monthly Batallion Spouse event was a coffee tasting class at our local health food store, Tree of Life. 

We learned the origins of coffee and the aspects to taste in each cup. We sampled 3 coffees including 2 coffees roasted from local coffee shops -- Lasaters and Mugsy's. 

We sampled 5 different chocolates with our coffee, including milk chocolate, dark chocolate with sea salt and almonds, and cinnamon chili pepper dark chocolate. 

Coffee and chocolate-- two of my favorite things in one place!! 

Terrapin Beer and Food Pairing

My friend Gretchen invited me to a beer and food pairing event at Hops Road restaurant this week. Each month, Hops Road invites a brewery to come share their beers. The staff at Hops Road creates a course to pair with every beer. 

Thursday night, we had 5 courses! 

This event featured Terrapin Beer Co from Athens, GA. 

Courses included a chilled apple beet soup with Rye Pale Ale, a couscous salad with Hi- 5 IPA, a pimento cheese dip made with hops plus kettle chips and pretzel bread, and the main event (which was actually served first)-- the Elvis Presley-- a Cronut burger with bacon and banana paired with "liquid bliss"- a chocolate peanut butter porter made with banana chips in the cast. 

Dessert included banana chocolate chip cake paired with another version of "liquid bliss." 

Hops Road does not advertise this event. But it does require tickets! Stop by to get information about the next event! I would absolutely go again. 

Mugsy's Coffee

On Fort Campbell Boulevard near gate 3, there is a little gem coffee shop called Mugsy's. Nothing fancy. But my absolute favorite coffee.

This is their only location in Clarksville. If you go, try the "66 Nash Rambler". It's not on the menu. But it's a latte with coconut and almond flavoring. The latte is too milky for me, so I ask for a "wet" cappucino which has foam and just the right about of milk. My friend Kaitlyn also swears by their peanut butter blast latte. 

One more thing, you can text in your order and pick it up in 10 mins! 

(931) 349-0018

Their hours are: 

Monday - friday 5:30a-6p

Saturday 7a-2p

Sunday CLOSED 

Mugsys, you can pay me later. :) In coffee drinks. 

My birthday!

My birthday was so special this year. I woke up, brewed some coffee, and went immediately to the dining room table where I was keeping all the gifts I'd received in the mail. Like a kid, I began opening packages as quickly as I could. 

I got an essential oil intro kit, an electric griddle, a shaker, Delicious Obsessions herb coffee, and Miss Dior perfume! 

It was such a fun day at work. May is also SLP month, so my coworkers made it a lunch I wouldn't forget! More on that later! I received cards, gift cards to Target and Amazon, and lots of hugs and birthday wishes. 

After work, I drive to the Runners Hub for some new running shoes. My good friend works there, and she did my treadmill gait analysis. Turns out I'm an over pronator and need a mild stability shoe, if you're interested. Pretty cool to watch my run pattern in slow motion. 

She also surprised me with this incredible package of running stuff + a cupcake from Nerdy Birdie! 

Last night, I met some army wife friends for dinner. We ended up at Blackhorse downtown. There was a wait, but no one minded. I got my burger fix, which is what I was craving! Plus my friend paid for my dinner... So sweet. 

Thanks for the countless call, texts, and cards! Here's to 28.

Stitch Fix and Mary Poppins

Have you heard of Stitch Fix?! 

It's an online shopping tool where a stylist works with YOUR sizes, your style, and your needs to send you a box of 5 items each month. You pay for what you want to keep. And you send the rest back (from your own mailbox) with the prepaid shopping bag they provide! That simple. They can even look at your Pinterest board to help determine your style. 

Well this week I got my first Stitch Fix! 

I recieved 3 tops, 1 pair of summer shorts, and 1 pair of boyfriend jeans. 

I kept the jeans and one top! I haven't had jeans that fit me so perfectly in a long time! I liked the other items too but preferred a slightly different fit or style. So I went on my computer and told my stylist that exact thing for next time! 

I wore my new outfit as soon as I had the chance. 

And that chance was to see Mary Poppins at the Roxy theater in downtown Clarksville with a few work friends. We had a great time! 

If you're interested in Stitch Fix, please give them my name (by clicking on this site (https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/4362594) OR emailing hello@stitchfix.com. I'll receive $25 off my next purchase as your referral! :) 

Here's the website! https://www.stitchfix.com

Weekend Fun

I'm so thankful for Army wife friends. And for busy weekends while Billie is away! 

Friday night, my friend Louise brought over sushi. She said "sweats are mandatory." Music to my ears. :) We ate the Naruto roll, which is wrapped in cucumber, from Kisoro. We also tried a new wine. Called Butter. That was a no-brainer!

Saturday morning, I ran 4 miles with Nicole and Brandy. They're training for a half marathon here in Clarksville in October. 

 

 Then we kayaked the Greenway. It was a bit low, so we spent most of the morning pushing ourselves out of rocks! But we had some good laughs and enjoyed the pretty scenery. If you're in Clarksville, you can rent a kayak from Blueway Adventure for $30. They'll drive you to the Blueway, put you in the water, and take the kayaks out of the water when you arrive at Billy Dunlop Park. Pretty sweet deal.

 

After kayaking, we ate at the new Brgs N More...

YUM. Just a tip: the patties are thin, so get a "double" or "triple," or you might feel cheated. From one burger lover to another.  Also, cajun fries all the way.

 

Saturday night, we got dressed up and went downtown to celebrate Nicole's birthday. We ate dinner at Cloud 9. And I'm not too proud for a bathroom selfie, because I wanted to show you my entire outfit from TJ Maxx (except for the necklace, which is from H&M.)

At the end of the night, we saw Grease at the Roxy, which is Clarskville's quaint downtown theater. It was a perfect girls night!

Fishin' and Eatin'

Last Saturday, Billie, our friend Ben, and another guy they work with went to Land Between the Lakes to go fishing. They caught a bass, several catfish, and a bluegill. Self taught fishermen, these guys. And YouTube- taught filleting going on here. :)

Ben and Louise came over to fry the fish with us. 

Ben is a pretty creative cook. Case in point: He fried the fish... in a cast iron pot... on our grill. To spare my house the stench and mess. 

Much appreciated, Ben.

Louise and I dipped the fillets in egg and battered them with a mixture of almond four and the spice mixture from East Nasville Spice Company. 

That was it!

Baked beans, cole slaw, corn casserole, and fried fish. 

Plus Louise's paleo chocolate pie with a coconut crust for dessert. 

Amazing.

Just doesn't get much better than fried fish on a back porch with good friends. On a Saturday night. With almond tea. Did I mention the almond tea?

Barn Sales and Bars

Friday after work, I met my friend Louise at the Hayloft barn sale. The barn had two stories filled with vendors from near and far. Live guitar music outside. Food trucks with cupcakes and coffee. Doesn't get much better than that! 

So very Tennesee. 

Vendors sold everything from homemade spice blends to handmade lace to furniture. 

And I got this...a W for our front door! 

***

Friday night, I went on date night with Billie. Afterwards, we went to a concert with all my coworkers to hear Wes (another co-worker) and his band play. 

That's Wes, front and center in the plaid. 

I really dig the people I work with. Really. 

Don't they just look cool?! Because they are. 

Weekend updates

Clarksville got a health food store! Tree of Life just opened, and Saturday we paid a visit.

They had a great selection. Definitely pricey. I will only go there for things I can't find anywhere else!

Also, Regenerate Juice Bar/Truck joined the fun. I was so excited to try it that I waited outside in the cold and rain while they set up! Billie snapped a pic from the warm car. But I'm proud to say I was their first customer. Dedication or what??

Afterwards, Billie and I went to the gym, and I did a Crossfit workout and Tabata rower with Billie. 

Saturday night, we drove to Nashville to meet some friends at Burger Republic. If you know me well, you know how much I love burgers. And this one is now at the top of my list!

I got the Tennessee... see it?? "One of Zagat's 50 burgers in 50 states." So that means... it's the best burger in Tennessee, right?? We ate at the Lennox location, but a Burger Republic just opened in the Gulch too.

We also indulged in Tator Tot Fondue (top left) and Maryland Crab Dip (top right.)

We do love to eat. :)

Sunday, Billie packed up. He is out "in the field" doing a training exercise for the next 9 days. Yesterday I had a pity party. Then I talked to Jesus about it for a while. And today I'm OK! This weekend, I'm going to visit Sarah in Memphis!! So that's something MAJOR to look forward to. 

Gonna post some recipes soon!

Crazy weather in Clarksville!

We got some serious snow on Sunday night, which led to a 4-day weekend for my husband! 

Lucky duck. :) 

But he woke up early and drove me to work Monday AND Tuesday. When he picked me up Tuesday, he had a scone and coffee from my favorite local coffee shop, Lasater's. How lucky am I?! 

I love the snow, but it should be melting soon! Looking forward to a good weekend. And celebrating our 1-year anniversary! :)