Chronicle of an "average" weekend

"Average" weekends in Virginia are my favorite.  This generally means that Aaron and I have enough free time and no major plans, allowing us to pick what we want to do rather than defaulting to work/school/pre-planned events.  Mostly, they don't turn out to be too average.

First on the agenda for this weekend was Bible study with our couples group from church.  Since you all know what a Bible looks like, I didn't take any creative pictures of that for you.

I did, however, discover that our friend Kaloon has a more than excessive collection of keytag "club" cards on his keychain.  Not sure why he needs a discount at grocery stores in Manhattan anymore, but I'm pretty sure he could probably win some random scavenger hunt one-day with these.  

...Oh wait.  Whattaya know.  A Bible made it in the picture. (Just noticed that.)

After Bible study we played a fun new game involving strategic bean-planting and harvesting.  It was a super-fun card game and totally appropriate for the start of fall.  After playing this and Ligretto (a game our friends Doug and Ashley picked up in Deutschland...) I'm finding that the Germans tend to make the best group games...

Watching us during game time was Hallie's new October decor and seasonal guest, a super cute TY ghost beanie.  I like him so I wanted to share him with you.

Today (Saturday), Hallie and I went to the National Book Festival on the National Mall.  We got to see several Teen and Children authors, much to my good friend Hallie's excitement...after all, she's the best middle school English and Reading teacher's I know :)  Even for me (who didn't know a whole lot about these authors' books before heading into their presentations), it was a great time!

Also on the agenda at the festival were Laura Bush (!) and Ree Drummond, who you may know as the Pioneer Woman.  (This is only a super-recent discovery thanks to my good buddy Amanda.  And if you like cooking, blogging, laughing, and all things country and sassy, you should check her out.)

(pictures of the festival to come...)

After that, we went with the Cases (generally meaning Bryan and Hallie, not a box with an excessive number of bottles of wine) to Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton, VA. There, we did a tasting of some Virginia wines and enjoyed the outdoors.  It was beautiful and we had ourselves a good time!  Afterwards we headed to Main Street Pub in Clifton, VA, and it was a great dinner to top off the day.

And as all weekends would have it, we made a trip to the grocery store (more affectionately known as Wegman's ...or WigWams if you're a smarty pants).  And I found the previously-mentioned little ghost's boyfriend, the cutest TY monkey I've ever seen.  Had to take a picture of him, duh.

Also while at Wegman's, I informed Aaron that Noa (our puggle) needed a new autumn wardrobe, so we bought her this snazzy new purple argyle collar.  Isn't it cute? :)

So, weekends aren't always birthdays or vacations, but we try to have a good time with our free time.  Especially since there is so much to do 'round these parts.  So that is the tale of this weekend's adventure.  Back to the grind on Monday, but we're hoping to enjoy our Sunday before then.

Ciao.