Girls' Weekend in ATL

Last week was pretty calm and relaxing in the Lyles' household for a change. We did get to eat with some new friends and old ones too throughout the week. Monday night one of John's friends from work, along with his wife, invited us over to their lovely home for dinner. Both of them are originally from Texas. So, they cooked us an authentic Texan meal complete with enchilada casserole made with beef from John's friend's cattle ranch back in Texas! How cool, right? Later in the week, our friends Lauren and Lee came over for a celebratory dinner in honor of their recent engagement! John and I are both so happy for them and excited that we could hear all about the engagement story first hand over dinner.

Friday night, I headed to Atlanta with my friend Jenny to see our friends Meagan and Leigh Anne. It was such a fun and relaxing girls' weekend and I loved getting to catch up, laugh, and just hang out with no worries for a few days. Friday night we went to Ormsby's, a tavern found Atlanta's west-side. that has an indoor bocce ball court and countless board games. So, as we sipped on our after dinner drinks, we were able to play an intense game of Apples to Apples followed by a riveting game of bocce ball!

The next day, we went to brunch and then walked around Piedmont Park. Even though it was drizzling rain, it was perfect and so great to see such a beautiful part of Atalanta. The rest of the day was spent taking it easy before heading out to watch the Alabama game at Tin Lizzy's (which happened to be the local FSU hangout...oops). Alabama brought home another win and I was able to watch them do so with some of my favorite sisters.  Pretty perfect.

These past few weeks have flown by thus far. However, last week I did find some time to cross one more thing off of our fall bucket list: "make apple butter". I used some of the apples we bought from the North Carolina farmers market to make it & it turned out delicious, if I do say so myself (plus it was SO simple)!

Crockpot Apple Butter

10 apples, peeled & sliced 

1 cup apple cider

 1 & 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla 

Place everything in the crockpot on low for 6 hours. After it's done cooking,

place apple butter in the blender or food processor & pulse until apple butter

is smooth/to desired consistency. Can in a boiling water bath for 15-20 min.