I spent my first week back in Virginia at my parents house in Roanoke. It felt weird to come "home" and call it "vacation," but it somehow managed to feel like both. I spent time with friends, getting drinks, having dinner, and going on coffee dates. I went to the gym and then to the spa with my mom, had a wedding dress fitting, got dresses for my bridesmaids, cuddled with my dog, and read a book. It was great.

On Friday morning, Rob flew in from Minneapolis and I picked him up at the airport. We got coffee and did some grocery shopping for my mom before heading home, then back downtown for lunch with his friend, Ed. A few hours later, Rob's brothers and their friends were arriving, and we went back to my parents' house for beers and hard cider on the back deck. The next day his parents arrived with his oldest brother, his wife, and my sweet nephew-to-be. My best friends Tina and Emma came over, and everyone got acquainted and we had a little engagement party.

There's not much better than having so many people you love all together under one roof.

Last night's airport date. Celebrating fall and traveling together with OktoberFest (his) and hard cider (hers).

Hello from my apartment in Minneapolis! Rob and I landed late on Sunday night and I'm just writing this quick post before I hit the hay. I've had such a wonderful time over the past two weeks seeing friends, spending time with my family, having our engagement photo session, and seeing a college roommate get married. I can't wait to share some photos I took while I was away. It feels good to be back and I have a to-do list a mile long, so this week will certainly be busy!

Because I don't usually leave my blog unattended like I did last week, I wanted to take a second or two to link to my current sponsors and thank them for supporting me and my blog. While I get back to my regular posting this week, I hope you'll stop by their blogs and/or shops and say hello.

Betsy Transatlantically

Found Love. Now What? | Royal Proclaims

Side Street Style | The Hunt Life | What You Make It

Amanda K. By the Bay | When Life Gives You Mellins

Kakers in Wonderland | On Verbosity | Taking Notes...Coast to Coast

PS If you're interested in sponsoring, the info is right here.

Thanks for hanging with me while I took some time off! 

I'm looking forward to catching up on blogs, comments, and emails with my coffee this morning!

I'm back with another Twin Cities restaurant today, but instead of Happy Hour, we're going to go to brunch, which, in my opinion, is pretty much Happy Hour with breakfast.

Rob and I walked around a farmers market a bit one Saturday morning and soon decided that we were starving. We headed to Uptown, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite Minneapolis spots to eat. Bar Abilene is big, with lots of natural light, $5 bottomless mimosas, and a Bloody Mary bar.

Their menu has a bit of a southwestern flair, so I went with it and got their Eggs Benedict (my favorite brunch dish), which was served with slow-roasted pork instead of Canadian bacon and chipotle Hollandaise. Hello! It also came on top of Sourdough bread instead of an English muffin, which I'm sure would have been delicious, but I asked for sliced tomatoes as a base instead. Unlike Happy Hour, brunch is much more Paleo-friendly.

Rob got a beautiful goat cheese and mushroom omelet, which was delicious and came with a side of greens tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. As usual, he got a mimosa and I dove right into a Bloody Mary. We have brunch down.

Bar Abilene

1300 Lagoon Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55415

Food 5/5

Service 3/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Prices & Specials 3/5

Paleo-Friendly 5/5