Week 28: Chinese Cabbage

This week Cash is a bit over 2 pounds, the size of a Chinese cabbage...grow baby grow!!

I looked at the calendar this week and realized it had been one year since we said our goodbyes to our UK family, and luckily this week we got a visit from one of them.  Kristine was my cubemate and most days my lunch buddy.  She is incredible intelligent and the most logical person I know.  She became my confidant, my partner in crime, my friend.  She had also just moved to the UK a bit before me from Latvia.  Even though at times what we were trying to communicate to each other might need to be translated, we understood each other on another level that can really not be explained.

Kristine was in the states for business and flew down to Nashville before flying back to the UK.  It is very flattering for a friend to travel so far for a short visit.  She arrived Friday night and the hubs and I greeted her at the airport.  We went back to our home for a nightcap.   I was surprised with a care package from many of our UK family.  Kristine is a wonderful knitter and made Cash a blanket, some socks and gave us a book of fairy tales.  Cash will also be styling an adorable Union Jack onesie for awhile as we got 2 sizes thanks to Tracy and Jo, there we also some treats for us as well...the Team GB Olympic blanket is fantastic!  We chatted on the deck before calling it a night as Saturday was a full day.  We started with introducing her to Cracker Barrel.  We chose the Sunrise Sampler for her and I hope she enjoyed it even though she is not a big breakfast kind of gal.  We then went to a nearby mall for some shopping.  She had found a pair of Calvin Klein heels in Indy but did not have her size and we found them here.  Score #1.  We then went picnicking at Arrington Vineyards with our dear friends of the good ole US of A.  My husband had prepared a lovely spread and we just enjoyed the great weather and friendship.  We could not have asked for a better afternoon.

After freshening up, we took her to Stoney River for dinner.  We had never been ourselves and had been told great things about it.  It was a nice meal and having a medium steak was a treat for me.  We then took her downtown to let her see Nashville at night.  The honkey tonks were hopping.  We ventured in a few boot stores and stopped in Robert's for Kristine to have a Pabst Blue Ribbon and enjoy some music before calling it a night.  Again we came home for a nightcap and just more quality time together.  Today the hubs had to work, but Kristine and I still had a bit of shopping to do before she could fly back across the pond.  She wanted a leather jacket, and Wilson's Leather at Opry Mills delivered.  I am jealous of her purchase and you can get a great deal in May on leather.  Score #2.  We had some extra time so we ventured on through the mall and went in RCC for the heck of it.  And after some consideration, she ended up with a pair of Dan Post cowboy boots.  Score (and splurge) #3.  I was so proud to send her off in some nice boots :)

Saying goodbye was incredibly hard and I am not certain I said enough just how much it meant to see her.  (I am glad "tomato" season was over...haha.)  Next time I hope the visit is much longer and it will be a bonus that Cash will get to met Aunt Kristine.

I pray we will not have to go a year before we are together again my dear friend.  In the meantime, I will keep you in my heart...

Love,
CC