Monday Morning Review

I'm on a roll with Monday Morning Reviews!! Last Thursday the Heels took on State at home. State is actually having a pretty good season and rolled into Chapel Hill with a 4-1 conference record. We had to be ready! And thankfully, we were. The boys played a great game and won by 19 - but it wasn't even that close. I love getting a win over the Woofies!

Last night we beat Georgia Tech by 12, but again it wasn't that close. We got a little lazy toward the end of the game resulting in a score that was much closer than the feel of the game. We play tomorrow night at Wake!

This is a short work week for me - 3.5 days! Thursday at lunch I'm headed to the mountains with all of my best friends for a fun and relaxing weekend. As y'all know, I don't really do snow. I tried to ski last year and was awful and it was painful and I ended up spending most of the time at lodge bar (which is TOTALLY okay with me - drinks in a wood cabin surrounded by beautiful scenery is always okay with me). This year, I think I will have a couple of people joining me on the no ski front. I told them I'll be at home sitting in the hot tub with a glass of wine and will have dinner waiting for them when they get back. I'm so looking forward to a little r&r!

Triangle Restaurant Week - Restaurant #1 - Coquette

This morning when I mentioned TRW I didn't know I'd be partaking at lunch! What a treat!

Marcus and I met at Coquette, our local French brasserie, to enjoy a 3-course meal that has most definitely induced a post-lunch coma. Bring on the green tea!

We strategically ordered different menu items so we could try a little bit of each. Marcus started with the brie en croute and I had the white bean with smoked ham soup. Both were delicious. Y'all know I'm a sucker for cheese so I naturally adored MG's brie, but my soup was really good, especially when I got a bite with the crispy onion topping.

Next, Marcus had monkfish and I had a pork tenderloin baguette. I didn't try the fish (I don't do fish), but the pork tenderloin baguette was delicious - and huge! I could only eat half and had to doggy bag the rest.

Lastly, we finished the meal with a chocolate peanut butter pie (goodness gracious) and creme brulee. The chocolate peanut butter pie was out of this world and the creme brulee was traditional, but yummy.

It would have been the perfect lunch had I been able to indulge in a nice Savignon Blanc or glass of champagne, but I think it would have turned my post-lunch coma into a post-lunch nap!

All in all, a very successful start to Triangle Restaurant Week!

Newest Addiction

Have y'all tried Palmetto cheese? I may be addicted. I'm REALLY picky about my pimento cheese. I like mine to be more cream cheesy and less mayo-y, which is exactly how this one is. I've had the original and bacon flavors and both were incredible. I bought the jalapeno flavor today and, knowing my affinity for spicy things, think it will be a hit too!

Speaking of hashtags

Speaking of hashtags... follow me on Twitter, @LindsayPriester. I know some of you already do, but I love meeting and chatting with more of you!

Monday Morning Review

Oh, look! It's actually Monday morning and I'm posting a Monday Morning Review! What has gotten into me? (Yeah, I know, I shouldn't actually be celebrating this when I've missed over a week of blogging, but it's Monday and I'll take what I can get!)

Some updates.

The bball boys lost an awful, awful game last weekend at Florida State. We got absolutely destroyed and played terrible.

We followed it up with a good win at Virginia Tech Thursday. But the happiness was short lived as Dex tore his ACL. What a huge loss! We are really going to miss his explosiveness. Feel better, Dex.

Our next game is this Thursday, at home, against State. State's been playing well lately so it will be a big game for us, especially without Dex. I'm already starting my "Can't go to college, go to State!" cheers.

TJ lost a tough one against the Ravens last week, ending the Texans playoff run. The Ravens defense really got to Teej and he threw some interceptions and didn't look as steady or confident as usual. It was a sad end to an amazing season. TJ didn't dress out for 10 games of the season and then lead the Texans the furthest they've ever been as a franchise. I'm so proud of him. #Yatersgonnayate (Am I becoming a person that uses hashtags in real life? Yikes!)

In other news, it's Triangle Restaurant Week!!! For those of you living under a rock, TRW happens twice a year and different local restaurants feature three course lunch and dinner menus for 15, 20 or 30 dollars. I cannot wait. I want to try them all. I'll update soon.

I need some advice, dear friends! I'm going to Atlanta in March and want to know what I should do, where I should eat, etc. Any and all advice is welcome!

Thought for the day:

Have a great week, kiddos!

Sports Update

The bball boys have started the ACC season 2-0!

Saturday, Dad and I went to a Coaches Circle party in the Blue Zone before we took on Boston College. We enjoyed barbecue biscuits, chips and dip and wine (for me) and Blue Moons (for Daddy). The most exciting part? We got to meet Coach Fedora! I literally stalked him around the party until he was forced to stick out his hand and meet me. I loved it! He gave a speech to the entire party that included the words,  "When we bring an ACC Championship to Chapel Hill" and "I'm Larry Fedora and I'm a Tar Heel."

You earned yourself some points with me there, Larry.

My dad had to go back to Raleigh so La met me and we went to the game. It got a little close in the second half, but for the most part, we dominated.

Tuesday night the boys took on Miami at home. It was a solid victory despite awful shooting. Kendall was our leading scorer, if that tells you anything. But I think it shows what this team is capable of, even on off nights.

Next up: Florida State at Florida State.

In other sports news, the Texans won their first playoff game on Saturday! TJ and his boys took down the Bengals and I don't think I've been so excited in a while. (Apologies to my best friend who lives in Cincinnati who may have received a few menacing phone calls from me. I'm new to this caring about the NFL thing, Em, but I love you!)

Next up: Baltimore Ravens at the Ravens, one of the top teams in the league. Yikes.

Do it, Teej!

Brother Sister Dates

My brother and I had a date night last night. We went to Noodles, a restaurant that specializes in pastas from different countries. They have the calories listed (which I love), so I picked a relatively healthy pasta. While eating my brother asked me how many calories his had. I said, "You don't need to worry about that!" He said, "Neither do you. Let's make a deal." "Okay." "Calories don't count on brother sister dates." "Done!"

And with that we headed to Goodberry's for concretes. YUM!

Few things in the world beat spending time with that boy.

My tiny, precious, devil, miracle, spoiled, saving grace, stubborn, perfect puppy

Two days after Christmas was one of the hardest days of my life. I had to say goodbye to my best friend of almost 13 years, my sweet sweet baby boy, Tucker. I still have trouble talking about it, so this post will probably not do him justice, but as one of his advocates here on Earth, I know I need to try.

Tuck, you were my tiny, precious puppy. I remember going out to the country to get you when I was 12. You were so cute! We brought you home and you were so little and perfect. You were so little, in fact, that you hid under a small antique desk and I thought I lost you. I was sobbing and had the whole neighborhood, including the mailman, Horace, looking for you. When I found you, you were curled up under the desk, content as could be. Horace still laughs about that day. 

Tuck, you were my devil puppy! When you got a little bigger, you ate everything in sight. The couch, the kitchen table, my ankles. I was so mad at you sometimes, but you grew out of it. 

Tuck, you were my miracle puppy. At three years old, you were diagnosed with lymphoma, an aggressive cancer of the lymphnodes. The doctor said that even with chemotherapy, there was a less than 5 percent chance you would make it more than a year. You showed them. You barked your head off every time we got off the highway to go to chemo treatments. I'm pretty sure you were barking in their faces. You did what no doctors thought you could do and beat cancer and lived another ten years. 

Tuck, you were my spoiled puppy. During chemo, you had to eat chicken and rice because it was so bland. After that, all you wanted was people food. From that day on, you always got a big helping of hamburger, chicken, even filet mignon with your dog food. The dog food was really for show.

Tuck, you were my saving grace puppy. Few people know that there were a few times in college and right after when I would just cry and hold you. I was probably being dramatic and over the top, but there was nothing better than having you in my bed, cuddling with you and knowing that your love was unconditional.

Tuck, you were my stubborn puppy. The last few months of your life were so much harder than you let anyone know. Even two days before the last day of your life, we went on a walk and you wagged your tail with everything you had. On that last day, you barked at the vet's office with all of  your heart. You wouldn't let us know how much you hurt. You were stubborn and strong and my best friend.

We grew up together, Tuck. I'll miss you more than you'll ever know. I can't tell you how much it meant to me when we were sitting on that floor in the vet's office a few minutes before you had to leave that you took that extra effort to curl up next to me. I'll never forget that. I love you too, baby boy.

When we got to the vet's it was pouring rain. When we left it was pouring rain. But on the way home, the sun came out. It started getting brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. I've never seen the weather change that drastically in that short of time. There is no doubt in my mind that sunshine was God smiling as you arrived in Heaven. You always had the ability to make everyone smile. Watch after us, sweet baby boy, and know that you were my best gift ever. 

Tuck, you were my perfect puppy.

Bad blogger!

Like most of you, the holidays kind of took over my life - in mostly amazing ways and in one incredibly sad way.

The bad is going to get it's own post, so for now here are the good ways!

Christmas vacation started off with eggnogpalooza, an event invited by my dear friend Ronnie, better known as Baby B. In this event, you pour different kinds of adult beverages in eggnog, mark the bottom of the cups with the type of alcohol and then mix up the glasses and see which ones you like best.

Next, it was time to build a gingerbread house with one of my best friends, Chris, and his sweet cousin, Ellie. Chris is in the coast guard so I don't get to see him nearly enough. It's always incredibly special when I do! 

After Gingerbread house making (harder than you think, y'all!), it was time to go to a Christmas party hosted by my sweet friends Ryan and Micaela. Here is a picture of Ryan, Matt, Joe and I. Aren't I the lucky girl?

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is Christmas Eve when my mom and I celebrate together. We cook only our favorite parts of the traditional meal (basically everything bad for you), drink wine and dance around the kitchen.

As quickly as Christmas came, it left, and New Years was right around the corner. This year I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my cousin Nikki's New Year's Eve Wedding. It was a blast!

Here is my cousin Tom and I at the Rehearsal Dinner.

On Saturday we had a Bridesmaid Brunch. My awesome grandmother Po was there and she was loving her Bloody Mary!

I, on the other hand, can't quite get the hang of Bloody Mary's and stuck to a Mimosa. Great decision as the champagne came in this little sippy cup - obsessed.

Here is the beautiful bride getting ready. She was absolutely stunning.

And then we partied the night away at by far the best wedding I've ever attended. There were feathers, hot pink, cupcakes and a mashed potato bar!

I really loved the mashed potato bar. Nikki Jo and I are definitely related.

With Mom:

With Dad:

With Nicholas: 

Happy New Year, y'all!