BBQ Exists in CT!

Ok, so we were a little worried, but now we can relax a little - we found barbecue. Adam and I lucked out and caught an episode of one of our favorite shows on Food Network (Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives) on which they featured a restaurant in CT that was only about 25 minutes away...and it was BBQ!
So we set out after church on Sunday with high hopes of finding some BBQ that was comparable to what you find in Texas. When Adam and I arrived at the tiny joint, Wilson's Holy Smoke BBQ, we could see the smoke rising about the rooftop, and we got excited. The place was packed, but luckily Adam eyed a picnic table outside that we were able to snag. And luckily, we weren't in Houston so it actually felt a little cool outside.
With a pulled chicken sandwich, a trio of pulled pork, Texas-style brisket (I guess you have to say "Texas-style" when you're not in Texas), and sausage, along with some baked beans, mac & cheese, and a huge piece of cornbread, we were happy. Not to mention the three sauces that we had to choose from to top off our delicious meal.
Now, granted, we have probably had some better BBQ in Texas, but this was pretty stinkin' good, and definitely satisfied our craving.

Next mission: Mexican food (Tex-Mex, that is). Wish us luck!

Talk About Ambience

First of all, this blog should have been written at least a week ago - sorry!

Finally, after a month of not seeing my hubby, I was able to make a trip up to my soon-to-be home in Connecticut. I was really excited about this trip for multiple reasons. First and foremost, I got to be with Adam. A month is way too long a period of time to go without seeing your hubby – I do not suggest it. On top of that, it was our 2-year anniversary, and I was getting to explore the place that I would soon call home. I had been up there before, but never with the mindset that this is where I was to be living. Adam showed me around a bit and we found some sweet parks, but there will be plenty more details of those adventures to come in the near future. For today, we stick to the anniversary.

New York City is only about a 30-40 minute train ride away, so naturally we decided to head over there for our celebration dinner. I have never been to NYC, so just the idea of it was exciting. To be honest, it just felt like a big city. I think I need to take a tour or something to really appreciate it. However, don’t let this statement mislead you – we had a great time! I am what my mom calls a foodie, so just walking down the streets and seeing the hundreds of restaurants and what not was fun.

side note: when I say walking down the streets, I mean there were about 42 blocks between us and our restaurant…we had to stop about half way and hail a cab because of the nice blisters I was getting from my heels...I wanted to admire the city as we walked the streets!

So we get to our restaurant, Milano’s (which Adam scored because he knows people), and it is this nice little place that people are packed in to, because according to some, it is the best Italian in NY. Soon after we are seated, our full-blooded Italian waiter that's dressed in tuxedo attire comes by to tend to us, followed by another that is carrying this huge round of fresh parmesan that he breaks onto our plate. This was accompanied by what was probably the best garlic bread you will ever have (garlic oil soaked into a perfectly crisped bread), what seemed to be carmelized zucchini, deliciously fresh bruschetta, and salami. And this was all before we had even ordered an appetizer! People arent kidding when they say Italians like to eat! Adam and I then enjoyed a romantic dinner together with a great bottle of wine (which paired well with our flourless chocolate cake), and then the same little man that brought us the appetizers was kind enough to come around and serve us an after dinner drink! What a treat! Never before have I experienced such ambience at a restaurant. The whole night made for a great anniversary!

(<--train ride home)

I guess it's my turn?

Ok, so I have to admit that I didn't really think we would get into the blog world. I mean, who has time for these things? Then I started reading the blogs of my two best friends, Jessica and Angela, and realized that it really is a cool thing - something worth finding time for. And as the hubby said, I think this will be a great tool for us as we begin exploring our new home in CT.

On the note of exploration, we have a lot to do! I mean we dont know anything about the world we are about to dive in to. Adam will have a leg up on me as he has been able to do a little exploration of grocery stores (please pray that we find a good one, seriously), a church (again, please pray) and what not, but we have a ways to go.

One thing you hear a lot of is that the people up north are not as friendly. Though we have heard that this has been known to send native Texans fleeing back to their homeland, it excites me in a way. When I meet someone that seems to have a good heart, I often think, "They have got to know Jesus." Now I know that this isn't always the case, and we all have our good days and bad days, but if we continue to hear about how people are not as nice, and of kids being questioned by other kids for going to church, then there have got to be a lot of people that need Jesus up there! It will be a whole new mission ground for us, and I look forward to it.

I decided to start reading 1 Peter a couple of days ago, and I can't seem to make it past the first chapter - I just want to keep reading it over and over!

6In this [your salvation] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope full on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I think there will definitely be trials that accompany our move to CT, but it is all part of the Lord refining us, making us into the Christians that Adam spoke of at the end of his post. He is melting away our impurities and allowing us opportunities to become more like Him, to serve Him, and to proclaim Him. Please pray that He prepares our minds and our hearts for this, and that we can see and seize these opportunities to bring Him glory!

Kelley