Avery Island...and the life changing cinnamon suckers!

So a few weeks ago we made an AWESOME trip over to Avery Island outside Lafayette with Nolen, Ashley & the girls. We stayed the night in Lafayette the night before and we had yummy yummy Masala for dinner! We love Indian and there are literally no good Indian food places in Covington! So it was quite a treat. 

The next morning we got up nice and early and made it over to the Tabasco place before it even opened! I've been there before when I was younger but it was way cooler seeing it with Jacob. He was so excited about all the history & processes that go into making his favorite hot sauce! 

My favorite part was definitely the store with all the fun Tabasco cooking sauces & seasonings & of course...the most delicious cinnamon suckers ever! We bought 4 and I think they were all gone by the end of the weekend! So spicy and cinnamony! Haha - that's not a word I know!

After we finished with the tour & store we drove over to the Jungle Gardens and toured that. Talk about cool! It was a driving tour so we called a number & it talked us through the tour during the drive around the park! So it was still quite "wintery" and not many things had bloomed but it was still a really neat experience. Highly recommend it! We stopped & took pictures at a few of the places but mainly just enjoyed the gorgeous weather and spending sweet time with family.

Jacob's personal favorite picture of Chloe! 

We rounded out the day with an awesome & yummy lunch @ Prejeans before heading back to Covington! So cool that we're so close to so many fun things to do here in Louisiana. This place has sure grabbed on to our hearts!

xoxo, 

Amanda 

Why I'll be unplugging for thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving is such an amazing holiday...especially for my family. Since we are all scattered all over the place, thanksgiving is our Christmas too. I look forward to it all year long! 

So this year I made a decision that I would be ALL there. Meaning for me - no Instagram, Snapchat, Blogger or Bloglovin while I'm spending time with my family later this week. 

Recently I've felt very convicted to be intentional about my relationships and interactions with others and I thought; what a more perfect place to test that out than with my own family? 

How can you truly treasure those memorable late night talks & laughs with those closest to you if you're sending random snaps to people you never talk to in person? How can you be a shoulder to cry or listening ear for a cousin in need if you're constantly checking insta for likes? 

Thanksgiving is not about Black Friday, it's not about turkey or stuffing or pie. It's about cherishing those closest to you. It's about showering graciousness on those who love you in your valleys and peaks. It's about glorifying God and all the blessings he's poured out over us. It's about appreciating your crazy uncles awkward quirks...because that's who God made him to be. It's about gratitude. It's about grace. Wherever you are - be all there. This Thanksgiving I'll be all there so that those most important to me know they are a priority. 

So this thanksgiving I challenge you to this; whether you're chopping for stuffing, setting the table, watching football, sitting by the fire with a glass of wine (or bottle with my family), or playing an intense game of Yahtzee...be all there.

Let's unplug together this thanksgiving & catch up on Monday. Until then, 

xoxo

Amanda