These past few weeks have been incredibly hard for me personally. I've held myself hostage because a lot of issues I've suppressed. The funny thing about hard times is that you see who your real friends are. I am blessed to be surrounded by a number of people who have made me accountable to getting out there and still living. My dear friend, Janae, made plans for me to attend the Charlotte Renaissance Festival. First of all, I've never been to ANY festival like this at all. Second, my excitement was slightly muted by my current trials. Third, I had a helluva good time. We ate food. We saw a show. We had Chicken and Chips. We bought candles. I took pictures like a tourist. I remembered happiness for the first time in a very long time. I have gratitude for the friends that God has sent me. I am eternally thankful for these weekends. Here are a few pictures from that awesome day!

One of my family's favorite traditions is "Saturday Brunch." That is the one day during that week that we get to have our "cheat morning" and eat out at our favorite local restaurant. A year ago, that restaurant was Dilly Deli. It's a quaint little cafe nestled in the heart of downtown Tulsa. Sadly, Tulsa is no longer my home, therefore, Dilly Deli is no longer my tradition.

For the past year, we have tried to find our Dilly Deli with no luck. Really, there's no such luck. THERE IS NO RESTAURANT LIKE DILLY DELI. With that being said, it was our stroke of luck that I found "Toast Cafe." Toast Cafe is another "quaint" cafe situated in Ballantyne, NC right off of Rea Rd. Hardwood floors, dark interior, bright yellow walls, with a pub feel mark this little cafe. No surprising, the food is awesome: REAL homefries, REAL eggs, FLUFFY omelettes.