Southern Living... in the mail that is

It was a very interesting experience to open my mailbox and find my Southern Living waiting for me to read. I always look forward to getting that magazine and looking at all the pretty places and yummy recipes. My Grandmother is so sweet to give me a subscription for Christmas each year. Receiving it this time was a little different. It made me realize again I am not in the South anymore and am learning a new city with new people and a new unique culture to it.

Although we are not in the south, Philadelphia has its own sense of friendliness to it. There is a reason this northern city is called "The City of Brotherly Love". Strangers have noticed a "lost" expression on our face and offered to help. Our apartment neighbors have been quick to introduce themselves and offer any assistance (we hope to become good friends with all of them!)...People have been friendly.

Now on the roads of Philly, that is a different story!! People are so very very quick to honk. It's pretty comical. Another thing people are quick to do is call you out on using "y'all". Here is a good scenario for you: Today I was at a coffee shop and politely asked a question about their coffee selection. My question was something like this, "Do y'all have a dark roast brew today?". The nice coffee man swiftly jerked his head up and said "where are you from?"with a look that meant he probably  thought I was from mars! We then had a nice conversation in which he agreed that y'all should be more widely accepted as the plural word for you. I told him we could start the movement together!

Seriously, we are enjoying Philadelphia. The weather has been nice. We really enjoy the part of Philly that we live in. We have detoxed from central air conditioning and are enjoying our window unit, but really use our fans the majority of the time. We are enjoying meeting new people in our search for a church home. We are beginning to get settled here.

Austin starts class September 6. I am looking for a job (you can pray for that!). Other than that, I think that's the update, y'all!

Here are a few pictures from our first few weeks in Philly!

Us in NYC with our dear friends, Andrew and Olivie who are gearing up to go serve in Spain with MTW!

One of the highlights of our NYC trip...eating at a crazy Indian restaurant who thought filling their very small restaurant with lights was the greatest idea!

Austin happy about our window unit!

Austin unsure about his leather school satchel, wearing it like a man!

Excited faces post window unit arrival

Before image of dresser that I painted

After image! very pleased with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

We have loved frequenting our Saturday's Farmer's Market

Trying my hand at rainbow swiss chard

Fun night at a street festival close to our house!

Enjoyed the night market with our buddies! Jonathan and Mary (on right) arrived this week. They are our dear friends from UGA. On left, Jena, our new friend here!

Silly boys!

Updates on our house coming soon!

-Anna Caroline-