Five on Friday

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TGIF!  I am so glad that it is Friday. I saw a great e-card last week that said, "I don't think I have been this excited about a Friday since last Friday."  How true is that?  Love doing this link-up because it helps remind me of all the good things in life.  Sometimes I can be a negative nelly so anything that helps me be more optimistic and positive is great for me.  Here we go:

1.  Magnolias

Magnolia Flowers

As much as I complain about the heat in Texas, one thing I love and would dearly miss if I ever left here is the smell of magnolias.  Magnolia trees grow like weeds in Dallas.  Our neighbors on both sides of us each have massive magnolia trees in their front yards and they are both in full bloom.  Every time I walk outside I can smell the scent of the flowers.  In the morning it's so heavy and fragrant that it's almost like syrup in the air.

2.  Baseball Games

Steve and I are heading out to The Ballpark in Arlington tomorrow afternoon to watch the Texas Rangers play the Blue Jays.  I even decided to be the best wife ever and told Steve I would be the driver so that way he could have his beers and not worry about it (I usually make him drive out there and back).  I don't think I have seen anyone grab an offer so fast!

Ballpark in Arlington

3.  Wine Clubs

We visited the Santa Ynez Valley a few years ago and fell in love with the area and the wines.  If you've ever seen the movie Sideways, that is where it was filmed.  It has some of the most wonderful sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs that I have ever tasted, not to mention the entire area is incredibly beautiful and it's way more laid back than Napa.  Of course, we had a join a few wine clubs at our favorite wineries and I love it when my wine shipment comes in!  You never know what you will get so it's like Christmas every three to four months.  Just got one from Foxen Winery yesterday.

Santa Ynez on a Cloudy Day

Foxen Wine Shipment

4.  Trip Planning

As you can probably tell if you've looked at any of my posts, I love to travel.  Fortunately, Steve is on board with this and he loves to explore new places just as much as I do.  We've got a big trip coming up in a few weeks to Spain and we finally have everything set from the hotels, to the plane tickets, restaurant reservations, etc....  I'm also starting to think about packing and what clothes to bring.  Hard to believe that in a few weeks I will be sitting on a Spanish plaza in Madrid, sipping sangria and munching on some of the most delectable green olives ever (they marinate them in saffron oil over there -- they are to die for and I don't even really like olives!).  I have to admit that I am a bit anal about trip planning but I actually find it enjoyable.  I love learning about new destinations, studying what there is to do, where to stay, what to see, the history, etc...  I am in full on planning mode for next year already (I said I was anal, remember?) so I've been spending a lot of time watching videos and reading websites and TripAdvisor reviews about Santorini.  I don't know if I can imagine a more beautiful place than this:

Oia, Santorini Island

5. A Day Alone

Maybe this sounds weird but I'm sure some of the other ladies out there can relate.  My husband has to attend a work event on Sunday at The Ballpark (two games in a row for him!).  That means that I have the entire day of Sunday to myself.  What to do?  It doesn't happen very often that I have an entire weekend day to do whatever I want.  I love spending time with my husband and family but I love that time just being alone as well.  I think my plan will be (i) early morning run, (ii) make myself a nice, light breakfast, (iii) a little shopping at the mall (I'm still looking for those new white skinny jeans I need after I ruined my other favorite pair), (iv) an afternoon pedicure, (v) a swing by my favorite gourmet grocery store and (vi) cook a nice dinner for when Steve gets home that evening.  Sounds like a perfect day to me!

My meditation

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!