Smile #88 - I Got A Cheap Proposal

Bubble and I are now the proud owner of the newest thinner, faster, lighter, bigger, most revolutionary, gorgeous iPhone 6S.  (I am not boasting, Steve Jobs told me so!)

We signed our lives away in a joint contract.  So for the next two years, we are bounded together ... by our cellphone agreement.  :)  No diamonds, no rubies, just a cell phone contract.  He got off easy on this proposal! haha!   :)

I am so excited to bring my new love on our adventures around town and our upcoming trips.  :)  Get ready for the flashes!

Smile #87 - Nice to Meet You, Davidson, NC!

Nice to Meet You, Davidson, NC!  

Exploring Davidson has been on my radar for a while...even though I drive past it at least once a month.  We finally put it on the to-do list for today.  :)  

This little charming college town was very lively when we arrived.  As it turns out, the town was hosting its annual Downtown Davidson Art Crawl.  Local artisans flooded the street with handcrafted gifts and fine art.  Local musicians performed their harmonious tunes.  

The three block Main Street lined with quaint shops.  We browsed through Main Street Books, a cozy little book store.  We stopped at Sanctuary of Davidson, a boutique for handmade local art.  

I absolutely adore the Village Store.  :)  This store is packed with unique gifts, stationary and neat little trinkets.  I'll be sure to return during the holiday season!  :)  

 

 

Aside from shopping, there is also a great selection of food, from the original Toast Cafe to nation's top rated restaurant - Kindred.  We decided to try out Pickled Peach.  I didn't find the healthiness too delicious, but Bubble enjoyed his Brie sandwich.  :)

Opposite from the busied Main Street is the quiet Davidson College campus.  We were wandering around the very green campus when we stumbled across a tree swing.  I haven't seen one of these in ages.  Of course, I have to give it a go. ...Except this turned out to be more difficult than expected.  I am just a few inches too short to sit on the paddle.  I have to find the perfect balance to avoid tipping over the other end.  

After some moments of struggling, I managed to sit tight on the swing.  Victory!  :)

Davidson's small town historical vibe made me smile in reminiscence of my beloved college town.  Thank you Davidson for sharing a slice of home with us. :)   

Smile #86 - $5 of Happiness

What can you do with $5?  For me, I brought happiness for $5.  :)

I was trekking through my daily tasks at work when my sweet tooth unexpectedly ached for desserts.  The thought of a lemon tart melted away any resistance.  :)

Tucked away in a rather small shopping center is Renaissance Patisserie, my new favorite bakery/pastry stop.  In contrast to the plain exterior, the shop is beautifully themed in black and yellow and embellished with small chandeliers.  Two display cases stocked with a variety of desserts and bakery items.  Freshly baked croissants, danishes, eclairs, tarts, cheesecakes and more.  :)

For a moment, I baffled at all my options.  How can I make a choice?!  Do I want a delicate multi-puff-layered napoleon or a decadent chocolate mousse?

I finally decided to take the decadent chocolate mousse.  :)  The soft chocolate coat with creamy chocolate mousse and a surprise raspberry middle garnished with chocolate swirls.

It is beautiful when plated and lip-smacking good when consumed.  :)

I'd say I spent my lunch hour very wisely!  :)

Smile #85 - Speaking Jitters

I was surprisingly calm about today's presentation.  It is just a presentation to just to my colleagues just about my Dubai experience.  Right....until I saw the invitation was forwarded to our C suite executives.  Okay, here comes the speaking jitters.

I mustered up my nerve and thank everyone for joining.  Slowly I eased into the zone and powered through Lesson 1...Lesson 2...Lesson 3...Lesson 4...Lesson 5.  Soon I was asking if anyone has any questions.  I looked at the clock and a whooping twenty minutes has gone by.  :)

I answered a few questions from the executives and my team.  And the presentation is over!  :)

Looking back, there will always be the presentation I 'should have delivered'.  Nevertheless, I did it!  I made my first presentation to our company executives!  A work milestone achieved!  :)

Smile #84 - Puzzle & Me

Since my parents first introduced me to puzzles at the age of three, I have been addicted.  Puzzles and I are the ultimate best friends. :)  I will clear my schedule just to spend time with the newest puzzle.

My addiction has slowly swallowed up all the walls.  Images of cartoons and iconic landmarks hung proudly around my parents' home.

Mom has placed a 'ban' on this nonsense (AKA we are running out of wall space! :) ), but those around me continued to fuel my addiction.  :)

For 12 hours, I sat with my laptop and complete the newest addition.

Wall, meet hot air balloons.  :)

Just the right image to capture our adventure over the summer!  Read Smile #32 for our unforgettable experience up up and away on a hot air balloon!  :)

Smile #83 - Nice to Meet You, Carrigan Farm!

Nice to Meet You, Carrigan Farm!

For me, Labor Day represents more than just sales (though that's always a plus :) ) and end of summer vacation, it also serve as a notice that Fall is coming!  :)  To kickoff, Bubble and I went apple picking, a quintessential Fall tradition.  :)

We headed to Carrigan Farm, just 50 miles from Charlotte.  I supposed we arrived relatively late in the afternoon, the farm was surprisingly idle.

After we got our large bags, our guide directed us to where the apple trees are.  Just a short walk past the field of greens.  :)  Just a tip, she explained, we should try the apples to determine if it is ripe.

Rows and rows of red and golden apples readied to be picked! :)

To my surprise, these apple 'trees' look rather like apple 'brushes'.  I was expecting to see a garden of tall trees with sturdy trunk and limbs.  Apples cluster on its branches.  Quite the contrary my friend.  These are actually scientifically modified dwarf apple 'trees'.  I guess it is easier for picking, especially for short people like me.  :)

See! I can reach the apple brushes!

Bubble picked a red shiny apple from the first brush.  Sweet and crunchy!  :)  As we walk down the aisle, we tried a couple more apples.  A tart one and a powder-y one.

Snuck in a selfie between these apple 'brushes'

Opposite from the apple section is another green field.  Upon investigation, that's the pumpkin patch!  Little green pumpkin sprouting beneath the leaf.  Oo, can't wait until Halloween!  :)

Not too far up the hill is a small petting zoo.  A few goats were roaming around the pen.  Two silly goats were wrestling for the top platform.

I wanted to pet this brown fella, but he refused my affection.  So I proceed to pet his buddy instead, then this brown fella kept nudging his buddy out of the way.  I sense some jealousy issue here!  :)

In addition to the boundless green field, there is a pond.  It looks rather picturesque!  :)  We took a break on the landing and took in the nature.  :)  

After picking apples for another hour, we came home with a bag brimful of apples! :) Just the perfect Sunday date. :)