Photo Diary: Brittany's Big Day

It's been weekend after weekend of incredible weddings through the month of May! My dear friend Brittany had her special day over Memorial weekend. What an incredible event to send us into summer break before Markus' brother's wedding in September! 

Disclaimer: This wedding was so, so incredibly fabulous that although I took an insane amount of iPhone photos of the decor and florals, I am not sharing them right now because I have a feeling that the official photographer and florists have big, big plans for this event - far greater than lil' ol' Pancakes and Beet Juice. That said, once I see those I will be sure to pass on their greatness to you, as I still cannot believe that I know someone, let alone was a bridesmaid in, one of THOSE weddings. Brittany was a perfect bride and kind enough to not bring up that I had my wedding reception from a building from the Dallas Parks Department throughout this entire affair. What a gem of a friend...

The photos above were of the gifts I found for Brittany at Forestwood Antique Mall before her big day. Her colors were lavender and grey so I settled on the purple/grey block print hanky for her wedding back (a something "old"). The bride married a Rodriguez so I could not pass up this vintage apron covered in sombreros for her to wear when she made her hubby tasty enchiladas upon returning from their honeymoon!

We started the weekend off at the Zodiac room at the downtown Neiman Marcus. The gelato trio with a shot of espresso is the perfect way to end lunch there! I adore that of all the places in the world the Neiman Marcus menus have marked gluten-free dishes. Maybe Stanley was a celiac? Much appreciated!

When Brittany finished getting her wedding hair done I told her, "The higher the hair, the closer to God. This is going to be one religious ceremony." How perfectly retro romantic is that beehive?

There was a perfectly subtle but wonderful key motif through the whole weekend. Loved our table card! Um and yes those linens were absolutely amazing. Loads of different patterns and textures all in pretty pewters.

The reception was at the Trinity River Audubon Center. You cannot be at this place and feel like you are in Dallas. This is the bride and groom as I looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows to see them posing for photos. An "Is this real life?" moment.

Brittany cutting the cake in her gorgeous Vera Wang, which suddenly made everyone very much not hungry because holy tiny bride.

My swell date and I! I put this photo on Facebook and got a share of compliments. Um, do you think? If it is not completely noticeable in this photo (which it is), the makeup team basically added goop and coloring until I had a completely new face for this wedding. It only took two Neutrogena makeup remover wipes to return to my normal self at the stroke of midnight. (No Cinderella metaphors here, I really did crash at midnight.) Well played, makeup team. You are invited over for my birthday or anytime for that matter.

The newly married couple's getaway car was Flo, as rented by A Stylish Soiree! So cute - people died when we rounded the corner and all saw it. A perfect ending to a perfect wedding! 

Are you in the throws of wedding season?

What details of a wedding do you most look forward to?

Puppy Seizures or How Maternal Instincts and Mommy Blogging Got Me Through It

Our family is a pretty healthy bunch. Since being a three-up for about four years now, we've had one nurse visit for a human and one trip to the emergency vet early on when Little Child (the puppy dog) ate a pack of hair elastics as a young pup. Other than that we stay pretty low key thanks to preventative measures and I'm sure a good dose of general ignorance. Yesterday we had a family medical emergency with Little Child. I'm still trying to figure out how it all came to be that I was there to help her and knew what to do. I'm giving credit to a good mix of fate, maternal instincts and mommy blogging that equipped me to react with a quasi-calm and efficiency that I would not have imagined myself to possess.

A few weeks ago Markus was watching baseball so I decided to see what my internet friends were up to. My future mommy mentor I Pick Pretty put a mom's blog account of her daughter going into seizures and how she went into Supermom mode and got her help. If Markus hadn't been watching baseball, keeping me away from my Bethenny Ever After marathons love of Saturday afternoon historical documentaries, I most likely would never have read it. I thought my only takeaway was how we are more than we think we can be when the health of a loved one is on the line, since seizures are not a part of my family history and don't happen to people I know.

Yesterday at around 4pm I got inexplicably stir crazy at my office. There was no reason to leave but I had wrapped all of my meetings for the day, the internet was going in and out and I wanted to beat traffic, so I packed up early and headed home where I could log-in remotely and stay on top of any final emails. After getting home and setting up my working office, Little Child jumped on the sofa next to me. As she tried to do her usual walk-about until she finds her perfect spot, I thought she might be slipping beneath the sofa cushions since she could not stand up straight. When I took a closer look, she was situated on the cushions fine but could not get weight on her limbs, as if one was hurt or broken. But it was the same struggle with all four of her legs.

Her face seemed almost frozen and her body would tense in and out. She looked nothing like the convulsing humans I've normally associated with seizures, but somehow I knew that she was slipping into one.

I scooped her up, trying to grab her torso and avoid her neck and limbs, and called Markus. I told him Little Child was seizing and he needed to leave work and call our vet, Dr. Carroll at Midway Hollow Pet Clinic. I don't know what's appropriate to ask your spouse to leave work for, but I needed to know he was on his way and I had no idea if this was something simple or our last day with L.C.

It was school zone and high traffic time in our neighborhood. I kept Little Child's heartbeat really close to mine and put the hazards on my car. We calmly ignored every flashing school zone and fresh red light if I could tell no one was coming through. I took my mommy blogger's advice that if someone wanted to stop and ask me questions about it, they most likely had the authority to be our escort to the vet.

I talked to Little Child the whole way there, telling her how much I loved her and talking about our favorite memories. She was drooling and losing control of her bladder. Her breath was very labored and she was shaky. She would tense her whole body like she was stretching but stay rigid for moments at a time. I kept reminding myself that since she could hear my heartbeat it was really important that I keep it slow and comforting to help calm hers down. The most she could respond to me was a few short whimpers and she never looked up at me or recognized me speaking to her. She never acted anything like what I would typically associate with a seizure so I really don't know how I knew that's what it was.

When we got to the vet she was beginning to pull out of the seizure. Dr. Carroll explained that seizures are not uncommon in dogs, but that I was lucky to be home and catch it during operating hours so she could go to her home clinic instead of an emergency vet. Her temperature was fine and we did blood work and she got a little puppy Valium to help her relax throughout the night. No Valium for me, who of the two of us seemed very much the most in need of it at that point.

It's not the most dramatic story to ever be posted on a blog. The story is, to me, a testament that, like I read before, it's so easy to become dramatic yourself when someone that means the world to you is in distress, but there's so much more that can be done and learned if you fight with all you have to stay calm. I thought about how much time I would have later to be upset if I could just focus for right now.

I see my story is a testament to blogging - which is an oversaturated, egocentric enerprise for many, but holds enough truth where I was able to learn about something from a real person's perspective. I doubt I would have found myself googling "early signs of seizures" at any point in my life before witnessing L.C. yesterday, but the loss of body control, lack of focus and drooling were things I had learned from the Velveteen Mind's post. I doubt that WebMD mentions the value of being calm and neglecting road signs during critical situation or communicates how in a situation like this every person you speak to will seem like an idiot and how it is important to refrain from communicating your awareness of this issue.

My blog today is a testament to the fact that I think there is something bigger than just "being at the right place at the right time." I believe we are exposed to things by God in the order in which we are supposed to receive them. We are stretched beyond our expectations for a reason and when we love someone we are often challenged to prove how much of ourselves we are willing to put on hold for that person (or animal), even for a perioid of time as short as a drive to the vet's office. Little Child centers her world around me every day and I am glad I was able to be home and compltely present for her for just a few short hours last night.

We are still waiting for blood work results but it's most common that Little Child is epileptic and this will just be something we montior over time. We're working with our amazing vet to see what the next steps will be in her maintenence or recovery, but in the meantime she is getting a lot of extra rubs and attention. She is also getting her photo gratuitously posted at the end of this entry.

We love you, Little Child!



Blissful Bishop Arts District

You know during wedding season in your mid-twenties, when one reception venue door closes another one opens. I am a bridesmaid again this weekend in what is sure to be the most-pinned Dallas wedding of the season. I wanted to plan a special day of fun for the bride before the big weekend that would be as unique and quirky as her event and naturally thought of Oak Cliff's Bishop Arts District!



I met Brittany on Saturday at Hattie's for a late lunch. The sophisticated Southern setting was the perfect way to kick off a girl's day. The service was exemplary as was the food. Brittany enjoyed the pecan crusted catfish over mashed potatoes and I had the soup of the day (an incredible roasted corn and red pepper chowder) before the fork and knife ceasar salad with added grilled shrimp and goat cheese. Since the menu boats incredible meatloafs and fried green tomatoes, I thought it might be difficult to find something that worked with my gluten-free diet but I was very impressed and satisfied!

I loved the decor, a very high brow take on low country without being for a moment campy. I had eyes for the blue and white tapestry that perfectly matches my Spode china that I love to use at home. It's a good thing that the food made me want to be invited back, since I was a little tempted to yank it off the wall and make a run for it. Mother taught me better than to steal the art at fancy lunch.

Brittany and I were definitely too full for any of Hattie's gorgeous desserts but could use something sweet for our palette, so we walked down the district to Dude, Sweet Chocolate. The staff here is very knowledgeable as well as conversational, and there are free samples of any of the unique flavors that strike your fancy. We were so intrigued by the Hill Country and the Carrot Cake that we purchased a sample box and sat on the big chairs by the front door for a spell while we taste tested.

The pinnacle of our day was a massage at Skin and Body Solutions. The Super 60 massages were a good mix of beneficial and relaxing and included a parrafin foot treatment and cucumber eye packs. We each had an hour while the other of us enjoyed her massage to mill around the many shops in the Arts District.

I went straight for my must-visit shop in the Arts District to see the fun and congenial ladies a Zola's Everyday Vintage. This is very much one of the top vintage stories in the Dallas area and I cannot go to Bishop without paying it a visit.

I was so glad I stopped in so I could see the new icons they now sell at Zola's. These stunning pieces are handmade and on wood that has been reclaimed in the Oak Cliff area! I think they will make a great birthday or housewarming gift for some friends soon and I know Jesus would approve, him being a carpenter and all.

Of all the fun areas of Dallas I was so glad that I picked the Bishop Arts District as a special place to treat a sweet friend. The feel of the area is so different from the rest of Dallas that you feel like you're out of town. Everyone we encountered was so hospitable to us and excited for Brittany's big day.

An added plus to Bishop Arts that is never lost on me is besides evening valet, parking is free and without a time limit! I thought as least a few times during the day how nice it was to not think about what time I needed to be back to my car to move or feed the meter. A rarity in Dallas! Another beautiful day well spent down in Oak Cliff. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

Have you been to Bishop Arts District in Dallas? What is your favorite part of the Oak Cliff area?

What is your favorite way to treat someone special to you?

Jonathan Adler Does Dallas!

A few years ago as I was moving back to Dallas and getting settled into quasi big girl life I happened upon Jonathan Adler and fell in love. It has been so fun and thrilling to watch the growth of his joyful empire! When we took our family vacation to Chicago last year, my only personal request was that we visit the JA store on Michigan and it did not disappoint. I've worn the skin off the bones of my fingers, keeping them crosseed that one day we would get an outpost of our very own in Dallas and dreams come true for those who dream in technicolor! 

I love the location and curb appeal of the Dallas store on McKinney Ave. The squirrels are amazing and it is right next to other quirky chic home and lifestyle shops such as Nest, Forty Five Ten and Z Gallerie.

I took this photo on the opening day of the store. I love how they styled the monogram pillow in the entry to make it decidely Dallas! Everyone knows that Dallas is obsessed with itself and I'm glad there was no question of the importance of this by Mr. Adler.

I wanted to get something special on the opening day of the store, so I took home the boom box match strike. I have always loved this piece as it reminds me of Markus, who is a guy's guy who believes in the power of candlelit ambience at the end of a long day of kickin' it. Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys left us on Earth the same day of the Jonathan Adler store opening so the boom box selection had an even greater meaning. Us Catholics love to light a candle for the departed, so we can send one up to MCA each time we make a flame from our match strike.



My second trip to the store was Wednesday night for the opening party, where Jonathan himself was in attendance with his wonderful partner Simon Doonan. I blogged about Simon's new book, Why Gay Men Don't Get Fat, and how much I absolutely admire their relationship in a previous post, and their behavior towards each other at this event was no exception. I joke with my friends quite often that I'd love it if one day Markus and I were referred to as "the heterosexual Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan," so seeing a couple as fun and unassuming as them is always inspiration for my own marriage.

Before getting some one-on-one time with JA I added a few items to my wish list:

An ironic gift for Little Child, whose chicken jerky is marinated in lavender because girlfriend is cray.

This I just need a million times over. The utopia collection is my personal favorite.

Jonathan and I (pictured below) discuss a shared favorite pastime: family outdoor fun! Jonathan and Simon love to paddleboard and the puppy comes too! Our time together made me so excited for Markus and I to use our White Rock Paddle Co. vouchers this weekend and I'm thinking about taking Little Child along now.

I asked Jonathan if we could take a quick photo before I left. His repsonse, "Um, yes. Let's model."

We're fairly good at it, if I do say so myself...

Have you been to the new Jonathan Adler store in Dallas?

Austin is next on his hit list so buckle up if you are reading from south of 35!

Do you have a favorite interiors or lifestyle guru that you identify with to a stalkerish extent a la me and Mr. Adler?

Happy weekend to you from Pancakes & Beet Juice!

Where do we go from Here: Finding Motivation after Hitting a Health Goal

So did you know my sister's wedding was last weekend? You didn't? I wouldn't know how, what with the photo diary, endless countdowns and bachelorette party posts...I don't even care because it was amazing and I want to sing of its amazingness all day long! LA LA LA LA LAAAAAA...

I was speaking with one of the bride and I's best friends last night and he and I shared the same sentiment, being, "Why are we so tired and where do we go from here?" The engagement was nine months long and this wedding took a village. Add in the fact that my sister is the darling of our still-closeknit neighborhood group of friends and it is easy to see how last Saturday was the finish to a very exciting whirlwind start of 2012.

Seeing how I was the oldest bridesmaid (by, like, 18 months - but it was a factoid that did not go without my notice) (thank you Markus again at this moment for the pre-wedding Botox intervention. did not need that in my life and I see it...now), exercise meant more than the standard health benefits over the past few months. Now that the wedding is a wrap and  I really don't have any other events of this proportion until the fall, I'm facing an Eliza Doolittle moment. As in wanting to kind of sit on the floor and cry out, "WHAT IS TO BECOME OF MEEEEEUHHH?!"

Instead of this behavior specifically, I've mostly just been (barely) working, sleeping and sitting on my sofa eating processed carbohydrates covered in cheese. The more bright @$$ yellow the cheese, the better.



We've been non-stop [pajama] partyin' this week...

More than a few days without breaking a sweat is the danger zone for me, as I start to forget what endorphins feel like and it becomes more and more difficult to pull myself out from the rabbit hole and get back into my routine.

Here's what I've tried before and am going to be focusing on again soon (pinky swear) to get back on the fitness wagon after I've hit a big goal or date on my calendar:

1. Hot Yoga
This is seriously for me like hitting the "reset" button on my body. The group setting, schweatiness, stretching and increase in heart rate are a great combination for me when it comes to getting back into exercise. It also seems to help me tremendously with getting back into good eating habits and hydrating, as twisting myself into a grunting, glistening pretzel rarely has me craving junk food and go-go juice afterwards. I tout being the fitness DVD queen, but I am always happy to pay a premium for an in-studio yoga class. The guidance, adjustments and warm environment are really key for me in the yoga experience and something that I'm always happy to pay for when I feel I need it!

2. Being my Own (Mean) Personal Trainer
The serious self-talk I have given myself to get dressed and press "play" on a fitness DVD could make for a deleted scene from Rocky if ever recorded. This is a risky venture because no one knows how to negotiate with myself like myself, but when it works and I can actually get going I have no regrets by minute 10 of the program, or at least by the time it's finished! Reward yourself with a recorded TV show or threaten yourself with not being able to watch it, depending upon whether you prefer to reign as a good or bad witch.

3. Scary Pinterest Photos
The fitness boards on Pinterest really do not do anything for me on my more confident days, but bless these young women and their assumed poor relationships with their fathers for putting it all out there and giving me some serious motivation during my lulls and low-points. I don't want these girls' bodies, but they are a good reminder that I can do a little more for myself than what I have going on most days and that it might be time to get off the sofa and give it a shot. There are also lots of great workout quotes on Pinterest if you are more motivated by words than bikini shots fitness photos!

4. Trying Something New
Trying new things is always a big part of how I keep things fresh on the workout schedule, but hitting a previous goal or date is an especially good time to give something new a whirl. I've had some friends that love the barre classes around here so it is very tempting to give one a try. I've also been wanting to try the new spin studio in Dallas, Beyond Pedaling, so this is a great time to bite the bullet and pedal my way back over to the fit side!

How do you find motivation after hitting a fitness goal?

Photo Diary: Sistah's Wedding Weekend

I can't believe THE weekend was last weekend - my baby sister's wedding! She was walking perfection and I loved spending time with my family and her friends. I'll post more details when the official photos are back. I tried to keep the camera and iPhone off for most of the weekend but did snap some memories of my own! Hope you enjoy the photo diary of one of my all-time favorite weekends.

Leaving Dallas at 8:30am on Friday. All of the reception decor in the back of my cargo van!

Truth be told, Markus was the one to actually drive it down 35. God bless that boy.

My favorite dessert of all time, Strawberries Romanoff, at the rehearsal dinner.

The dinner was at UT Stadium Club and amazing. This sauce recipe was just like the one at our club growing up!

The morning of the wedding the bride and I walked from the Four Seasons to the farmer's market on 3rd St for breakfast and some fresh air. If I lived in Austin I would defintiely be here on the regular!

Tessie's favorite taco spot, Tacodeli, was at the market so we got some breakfast tacos.

The owner said he could not take a girl's money on her wedding day so we had our delicious bridal breakfast c/o the kind folks at Tacodeli! Loved my migas and all of their sauces.

Sister planned a salon day at Karu with hair and makeup for all of the bridesmaids and the mothers of the bride and groom. The staff here was exceptional. Everyone's hair was unique and gorgeous and when I got a little emotional they brought me ice cubes wrapped in foil to keep my face from getting puffy! Exceptional!

One of Tessie's sweet friends took this of me helping the bride into the skirt of her two-piece dress.

A joyful moment in my life! And we did tell her to remove the hair bands on her wrist before she got married...

Our car ride to the church! Markus drove us and our wonderful godmother was in the front seat.

I bought my hot pink lipstick from the Sephora line as a whim before I left for the weekend and I LOVE it!

With the groom and best man on the smoking patio at the reception.

They are both fun and easy going guys and I love having them as new brothers!

The Matchmaker Band was phenomenal and led my sister and her new hubs out of the reception ballroom and down Sixth St in a New Orleans style second line. Everyone on Sixth was stopping and clapping with us!

Our pet sitter left this for us when we got home to Dallas.

Missed L.C. like crazy and was sad to leave but happy to be back!

Homemade Vegan Elotes and Gluten-Free BBQ Chicken Pizza

I can do anything for "XX" days...

This has been the motto of 2012. I alway thrive under a deadline and life has been full of big important dates lately. Some of them work related, some personal and some inspiring me to be more conscious about exercising and watching what I eat.

In an attempt to keep things quasi-healthy and limit our spending so we can focus on buying a bunch of gifts for other people (oh hi, wedding and graduation season), we've been throwing some mad dinner parties at the hippie haven lately.

A lot of old favorites are in the mix but two new favorites have popped into the rotation. I love a good game of survivor pantry - using what you have at home to make something unique instead of throwing your hands to God and having cereal for dinner because you're out of one choice ingredient. These new menu items came from a good hunting and gathering session in my own kitchen and I am in love with each of them!

Gluten-Free BBQ Chicken Pizza

Shopping List:

Udi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts (2 per pack)

Quorn Meatless Chicken Tenders

Horizon Organic Cheddar Cheese

Austin's Own Barbeque Sauce (Costco find)

Garlic Salt

Cayenne Pepper

1. I browned the Quorn "chicken" in a pan and put the pizza crusts out to thaw. I really love Quorn chicken and feel like even if I go back to eating meat one day, I'll keep this on hand for salad, pizza or pasta toppings! Way better than the packaged chicken pieces.

2. Spread the Austin's Own or similar barbeque sauce on the crust - out to the edges!

3. Top with cheese and sprinkle with cayenne and garlic salt.

4. Goes into a 400F oven for 7-10 minutes or according to crust packaging instructions.

5. After the pizza came out of the oven I topped with avocado chunks - divine!

Vegan Elotes

I LOVE the Mexican groceries around our house (Fiesta, El Rancho, etc) for unique produce, fresh tortillas and most importantly the little woman in the front that sells fresh elotes corn out of her cart. Elotes are my love language. Markus enjoys pointing out that the markup from a $0.25 ear of corn to a $3 cup of corn and butter is a pretty steep markup. I'll never quit the elotes woman but it's been fun putting a vegan spin on my favorite dish at home lately.

Shopping List:

1 ear of corn per adult

Earth Balance vegan butter

Tofutti "Better than Sour Cream" vegan sour cream

cayenne pepper (you could also use a bag of taco seasoning if you have it)

garlic salt

optional: Nutritional Yeast for vegan parmesean topping

1. Wash the corn and remove it from the ears.

2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of butter to the pot under medium heat and stir in the corn as it melts. Add spices and continue stirring.

3. Add three tablespoons of vegan sour cream and stir until melted. Reduce heat after 2-3 minutes and leave it in the pot as it will thicken. Top with nutritional yeast for a dairy-free parmesean taste and enjoy. 



Photo Diary: The MS87

Life at the Neubauer haus is typically revoling around my projects and commitments. This weekend was some Markus time as he rode in the MS150 race to cure Multiple Sclerosis! This was his first charity bike race and everyone was very excited for him.

His experience made my weekend equally unique.

Markus left for the race before 5:30am on Saturday, leaving LC and I to guard the palace. One on one snuggle time with Little Child is a rare favorite of mine. We both kind of drift in and out and figure out how much space we can possibly take up in the bed now that it is free of the male brute.

When I did make my way to the kitchen I was able to tell that it had been realized by Markus before his departure that I would surely be incapable of pouring my pre-made coffee without friendly instructions. Bruised ago aside I more than appreciated his effort!

P.S. Homeade iced coffee should always be enjoyed from a sorority date party tumbler with a biodegradable straw. I buy my made-from-corn straws by the case a few times a year and love them! 100 straws for $3.



Photo I got of Markus before he took off. He wore his bandana for a woman named Grandma Patty who sent him "big hugs!!" It is so fun that MS Society links their riders up with patients!



Markus finished Day 1 of the race with great time, but went down for the count about an hour after he finished with heat exhaustion and vomiting. This is how I found him in the medic tent - what a trooper! The high on Saturday was over 95F, which means the asphalt was scorching hot and many, many riders fell to heat exhaustion, including some other members of our team. Thankfully everyone stayed safe and on top of it and lots of money was raised for a good cause!

I got Markus out of the sun and to our hotel, the Marriott Solana, for some turtle time. It was perfect timing as the Derby was just about to start and this Kentucky girl loves to watch every year! I'll Have Another had so much heart and I was so happy that no horses were injured from racing this year. 



Biker's tan. Thank goodness homeboy is wearing suits all of next weekend at Sistah's wedding...



Southlake's Taco Diner for Cinco de Mayo. I love the Tacos Cancun. Markus had at least two plates of fries with his dinner. Our neighbor ordered a margarita with salt and Markus said, "I want a Sprite with salt!"

Dehydration cravings > pregnancy cravings. I've never seen Markus eat this much food in my life.

Sunday was supposed to be another 5am wake-up call to finish the race, but with some mild tendonitis and some lingering heat exhaustion symptoms, Markus decided to keep it to the MS87 this year. I am proud of him for raising money for a good cause and knowing his limits! And I did not mind lounging in bed until check out with three of my loves - husband, Domino and iced coffee. I love a good staycation!

Markus really loved everyone at MS150 and is already looking forward to it next year - while hoping for cooler weather!

Do you like to use charity runs and races as a way to train and stay active on the weekends?

What were you up to this weekend?

Destination Day Dreaming: Petit Jean State Park

Since I've made it humiliatingly clear that we are thinking about expanding our family, I've thought more about travel as a family and how I think it will be quite different than how Markus and I travel now. I love the idea of the whole family, lots of healthy groceries and Little Child (who will get to ride in the actual vehicle) heading out for an adventure all together where we can settle into a cabin or beach house instead of a hotel room. Outdoor activities by day and board games at night.

It reminds me of my family's love of state parks before we moved to Ecuador, specifially Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas.

I love Markus and I's trips to Europe to see his family and our excursions to Chicago and San Francisco. That said, since we live in a big city to begin with, some of our most relaxing vacations have been just out to Lubbock to unplug and get some time on our bikes and outside walking around. I think we would love a state park vacation!

One of my favorite things about Petit Jean State Park is its namesake. Petit Jean was actually the young French girl Adrienne Dumont, who disguised herself as a cabin boy to accompany her love over to America during the French exploration of the New World. Petit Jean was the perfect stowaway until she became ill before their return and her gender was discovered. She died in the mountains of Arkansas and her grave is a part of the park. I love a good secret romance with my nature hike!

Petit Jean has some great cabins for families with kitchens, one even featuring a jacuzzi tub for post-hike soaks! I am also so excited about the re-opening of their Mather Lodge - with guest rooms and a dining room with meal service for those, like the current Neubauers, who may not have enough people in their party to warrant a full cabin rental.

There's also camp sites and RV hookups, though I personally find life to be too short to spend nights away from a real bed.

Some visual highlights from Petit Jean Park that have me wanting to throw on my yoga pants and SPF to head to the mountains:

Cedar Falls - a 95ft waterfall in the park

Some of the incredible rock formations on Bear Cave Trail

I want to go there...

If you love state parks like I do, head over to the Travel Tuesday link-up at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life, where bloggers are sharing about their favorite park excursions!



What are your favorite types of vacations?

Do you have a favorite family vacation memory you hope to revisit one day?