A Day in the Park - Piedmont Park

This morning we headed out extra early for a morning in the park. Not just any park. We spent the morning playing in Piedmont Park, a beautiful 189 acre park that provides green space and recreational resources in the city of Atlanta. 

 The park is beautiful and in several locations it provides beautiful views of the city skyline. It was designed by the sons of the NY Central Park architect, Frederick Olmstead and today is considered the city's favorite in-town park. 

Today I'm linking up with The Tablescaper's Seasonal Sundays so be sure to stop by and see other beautiful and inspiring posts.

It's Hard to Keep Up

This week it's harder than usual to keep up with blogging, work, chores around the house and THE GRANDGIRLS!   

Yes, the grandgirls have been with us all week attending a day camp at the Atlanta History Center and they have had a great week.   It's been really funny to listen to them talk about playing over at the Swan House.

And at night it's really been fun to go play in the park, play charades, watch movies, play butterfly bingo, put puzzles together, take bubble baths and read Junie B. Jones books.   

We've got lots more to do this weekend before taking them home, but it has been a great week. 

Seasonal Sundays - Charleston

I'm linking up today with The Tablescaper and joining the Seasonal Sunday party.   We haven't taken a vacation this summer but we did go to Charleston this spring so I'd like to share just a few of the 500 or so pictures we took. 

I loved stopping to read the various signs posted throughout the historic district. 

 I'm a lover of "little things" and as a walking tourist, small and interesting details were everywhere. 

 Don't you just love the cobblestone streets?

 Not to mention the garden gates.  I wanted so badly to open a few of these gates to go inside!

 Happy summer.

A Secret Oasis

Don't you just love when life presents a beautiful moment.  Saturday night my husband and I were walking back to our car after going to a hear my niece in a concert.  We'd parked several blocks away from the venue and for the first time in several weeks, temperatures in Atlanta were perfect so it was a great night to be outside walking.  

As we strolled along we walked past a hotel that I have really never noticed even though I drive by it often.  

From the sidewalk I spotted a courtyard.

The sun had gone down and the courtyard was filled with twinkly lights. 

 There were people gathered to celebrate a birthday and they invited us to join the party.  An unexpected surprise.

I'm so happy to have found this lovely getaway located in the city.  I'm looking forward to future summer evening escapes.  

Dennis Dean Has a Blog!

If you live in Atlanta I'm sure you've heard of Dennis Dean Catering.  

I've been working on events with Dennis for more than a decade and he has always been my preferred caterer.  Yesterday I was thrilled to discover that Dennis has started a blog and I wanted to pass it along in hopes that you will be a follower http://dennisdeancatering.blogspot.com.  

Since I'm talking about food, I am so excited to share a recipe one of my best friends sent me.   She is a coffee lover and recently Judy made frappuccinos at a baby shower.  

Coffee cup in hand!!!

I'm sure these drinks have 10,000+ calories but oh my, they are so good!!!!

Here's the recipe:  

1/2 gal. of whole milk

Hershey syrup 

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 t. vanilla

8 cups of really strong coffee

1/2 gallon of coffee ice cream.

Mix 1/2 cup of the milk with the chocolate syrup.  

In another bowl, mix 8 cups coffee, sugar and vanilla flavoring, stir and let sugar dissolve. Let it sit until coffee mixture is cool.

Mix milk and coffee together in a container and refrigerate over night. 

Put ice cream in a punch bowl and pour coffee mixture over it.  We ladled the mixture over the ice cream to melt it and create the mixture.  Perfect for a brunch - enjoy!!!