The weekend really started on Saturday morning. We woke up on Saturday morning and Dave made a breakfast request, waffles. Lately I have been making waffles once during the weekend and it has become a great weekend treat. My mom's recipe is both delicious and easy (see below).
Waffles Recipe
1 3/4 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
3 eggs
7 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups of milk
Directions: HOW YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO DO IT: Sift flour. Add baking powder, salt and sugar. Sift together. In a separate bowl mix liquid ingredients and combine with dry ingredients using a whisk. Spoon into the non-stick waffle maker.
HOW I DO IT: Combine all liquid ingredients in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients into the liquid ingredients and if I remember (IF) I will sift the dry ingredients directly into the bowl. The less dishes the better :)
Our waffle maker is an older version given to me by my mom when she upgraded. It works perfectly and the waffles never stick. They are not thick, like Belgian waffles, but I prefer the thinner version. Check out the pictures.
AND let me introduce you to something I grew up eating because of my British parents. Unlike most kids, I didn't grow up with maple syrup, instead we used Golden Syrup...it is AMAZING! If you have a sweet tooth like me you will love it. It is the consistency of honey but basically pure sugar. You can find it in the grocery store near the baking items.
Ok, so there is coffee in that cup but it is so huge you can't see it. That leads me to another one of our favorite kitchen appliances. Our dearest friend Derrick gave us the Keurig coffee machine and it is perfect for us casual coffee drinkers. I will say it isn't great for parties or a large group but for us it is great and meets our coffee needs.
So after our waffle breakfast Dave, Lexi and I took a car ride to continue our house hunting. We are very far from even putting in an offer, but really trying to decide on an area. It was a beautiful day to cruise neighborhoods and discuss our likes and dislikes. We found some great areas and want the same things. I am sure the neighbors found entertainment in our car slowly driving by the house with me, Lexi and Dave trying to see as much as possible from the car. Next step touring houses.
After house hunting we did a few errands, grabbed lunch, watched basketball and then met up with Lesley and friends to celebrate her fantastic accomplishment of passing the Bar...CONGRATS LESLEY!!! We went to a great restaurant, SOUL Gastrolounge, for a late night dinner. I highly recommend this place if you like small plates, sushi and a funky atmosphere.
Saturday was VERY busy, but such a great day with my husband. Dave and I make a point to do something together each weekend. We are both very independent and believe it is important to have our own time with our friends and for ourselves, but top priority is to always schedule quality time together.
Now Sunday. Forecast mid 60's, actual temperature, 70's = a perfect day outside! Earlier in the week I decided on Sunday I wanted to take Lexi to the White Water Center so she could get a good walk and swim (early in the season before the canoes are really being used there is lake access and typically no one around so we let Lexi swim, she LOVES it). It was purely by chance, but we picked the perfect weekend to go! Not only was the weather gorgeous, but it was also the 7th Annual KinderMourn Hope Floats Duck Race. KinderMourn is all about taking care and offering support for families in Charlotte and the 17,000 rubber ducks that battle the rapids during this event symbolically represent that even through rough times you will make it. Powerful message and awesome event. It was PACKED out there, which was great to see so much support for the event and this fantastic, unique place in Charlotte. Lesley, Lexi and I had a blast walking around the rapids, watching Lexi swimming after sticks, having lunch outside, listening to the DJ's oldies jam session (Lexi and I were dancing away, even got a picture request for her impressive moves) and watching the thousands of ducks rush through the water!
Aren't the ducks adorable?! These are exactly what the 17,000 ducks looked like that took on the rapids!
See all the yellow in the water? Those are the ducks!
They did a corporate company duck run with really big rubber duckies and the winning duck got to take home this awesome trophy. Side note - not sure what the women is doing in the background?
Lesley at lunch. We got the best table, in the corner so Lexi had plenty of room and was away from the crowds and we could watch everything right from our seats.
Lexi was feeling left out and wanted to join the conversation :)
There is our corner spot, hi Lesley and Lexi!
This event was a great reminder that even when life gets tough just hang on and go with the flow, there is always a finish line and new day!
Ahhh....it was a great weekend and concluding it with a relaxing night at home watching basketball before another crazy week.
