Saturday, November 30, 2013

giving thanks #30


i'm thankful for Christmas!

here's our heart tree!

we spent the day setting up our festive decorations while listening to christmas music.  what a lovely time of year!

Friday, November 29, 2013

giving thanks #29


i'm thankful for friday nights in.


they usually consist of candy, movies, and ice cream.  our newest tv series is the big bang theory.  we bought season one at target today (gotta love those black friday deals).  with all of the laughing we have had around here tonight, i have a feeling more seasons will make their way on to our christmas wishlists. 

Thursday, November 28, 2013

giving thanks #28


i'm thankful for family traditions.
we participated in four of my family's thanksgiving traditions today even though we weren't with them.  that's the cool thing about traditions... they connect you to family and help you feel closer even when you are on opposite sides of the country. interestingly enough, my family started each of these traditions when we lived in Wyoming (1999 to 2004), away from all of our extended family.  there's certainly something about family traditions.  they just make life better.
 #1
 we started our morning off with pumpkin waffles and homemade buttermilk syrup.  my mom has been making these every year for at least 10 years.  jeremy and i tag-teamed it.  i made the waffles, jeremy took on the syrup (which he perfected beautifully this time!).  we plan to have round two this weekend.  can't let homemade buttermilk syrup go to waste.

 #2
we saw a movie in the afternoon.  we used to see the new disney releases every thanksgiving and sometimes we still do, but this year jeremy and i saw the new hunger games and it was awesome! we couldn't remember what happened in the book so we were pretty much on the edge of our seats.  movies on thanksgiving rock.  there were only six other people in the theater and who doesn't want lots of popcorn and candy for lunch?!

 #3
we enjoyed our delicious thanksgiving feast at a restaurant, joe's american bar and grill on newbury street, just like last year.  this started back in 2004 when we met our dear friends, the brus family, at disneyland for thanksgiving and we had thanksgiving dinner at the restaurant hotel.  we had such a fun time that we continued meeting them in different locations for thanksgiving every other year and finding a random place to eat our big feast. i love it because it suddenly becomes stress free holiday.  no slaving away in the kitchen before and after the meal.  just a play day for all!

#4
we ended our night by adding things we are thankful for to our thankful tree.  for years ours has always been 2D, drawn on paper with construction paper leaves glued to the tree.  the concept must be gaining popularity because i have seen some pretty cool 3D versions online with real tree branches even.  maybe we will get all fancy next year.  it would be an adorable center piece for the whole month.
we had a lovely day.  hope your thanksgiving was lovely as well!


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

giving thanks #27


i'm thankful for the last can of pumpkin at the grocery store.


i found this beauty in the completely wrong section of the store after searching the usual places and they were long gone.  shame on me for trying to buy pumpkin the night before thanksgiving.  i grabbed the can, audibly gasped a few times, declared it the last can of pumpkin in the store, and tucked it safely into my "carriage" - as the east coasters would say.  pumpkin waffles will be happening in the morning. thanksgiving dreams do come true!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

giving thanks #26


i'm thankful for scarves.


i may be a little obsessed.  i wear one almost everyday and i don't think i could possibly have too many of them.

Monday, November 25, 2013

giving thanks #25


i'm thankful for my bed.


it's so cozy!  i'm so glad i have a nice (and warm) place to sleep at night.
something i often take for granted.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

giving thanks #24


i'm thankful for game nights and ice cream.

a perfect combo.

we are loving spending time with family!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

giving thanks #23


i'm thankful for airplanes.

especially the airplanes that take us out of town.  

we are spending the weekend in maryland with jeremy's parents.  we will be seeing a show, checking out the amish country just north, and eating lots of delicious food.  hooray for vacations! even mini ones.


Friday, November 22, 2013

giving thanks #22


i'm thankful for my job.

cards from our awesome clients

i love my job!  my coworkers rock and i love that i am doing something i enjoy so much.  graduate school was so worth it.  i am doing what i dreamed of doing.  it is challenging as well as rewarding. it makes me stretch and grow which can be such a painful process and i know i that i am learning crucial skills for my career.  i love that i get to see people change, becoming healthier and happier.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

giving thanks #21


i'm thankful for spinach smoothies.
(oj, frozen fruit, spinach... yum!)

because then i don't have to eat veggies!  hooray!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

giving thanks #20


i'm thankful for knitting.

working on a hat while on the T today.  it makes the commute so enjoyable!

i love knitting.  it is definitely a seasonal hobby for me.  it's hard for me to keep it up in the heat of the summer, but as soon as winter comes knocking i suddenly need to knit hats, cowls, and scarves. there are so many perks to the cold weather.
 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

giving thanks #19

 
i'm thankful for my puffy vest.

 
 i don't know what it is, but i love it.  it's a game changer i tell you.  i put that thing on and suddenly i'm feeling pretty cool. and it matches everything (in my book at least). i certainly love it when the weather calls for puffy vests! who's with me?! 


Monday, November 18, 2013

giving thanks #18


i'm thankful for calligraphy.


who knew writing could be so fun!?

Sunday, November 17, 2013

giving thanks #17


i'm thankful for my little brothers.

christmas at disneyland 2011
(we are a bunch of goons!)

they are the BEST!  they are both loving, smart, hilarious, and hard working.  we watch out for each other, pray for each other, and always have fun together.  sure, sometimes we argue, relentlessly tease, and push buttons, we are like any siblings.  but we know that we love and care for each other and that trumps all our differences.  growing up with these two has been a blast.  i can't wait for the adventures ahead. 


Saturday, November 16, 2013

giving thanks #16


i'm thankful for sneaking in another round of golf this season.


we woke up to find plenty sunshine with temperatures reaching the 60s.  so we headed to the golf course for our (probably) last round of the season.  we both had some nice shots.  we each birdied a hole and parred some others.  i think it was my best round ever actually - 46 on 9 holes!  jeremy beat me by only 4 strokes.  it's always a good time out on the golf course especially with my best bud.

Friday, November 15, 2013

giving thanks #15


i'm thankful for subway seranaders.
they always brighten my day.


especially this happy guy singing you are my sunshine on this friday morning.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

giving thanks #14


i'm thankful for impromptu frozen yogurt dates.


they are the best! i got fudge brownie frozen yogurt with oreo and reese's peanut butter cups mixed in.


Wednesday, November 13, 2013

giving thanks #13


i'm thankful for the sunshine.


especially on these cold fall days.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

giving thanks #12


i'm thankful for hot chocolate.


hot chocolate is one of my favorite things about fall and winter.  it warms my soul, which is more and more important as our temperatures begin to drop around here.  i love it topped with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.  delicious!

Monday, November 11, 2013

giving thanks #11


i'm thankful for breakfast dates.


yum! especially when we just roll out of bed.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

giving thanks #10


i'm thankful for my education.

i love what i do and i love that i was able to get my master's degree in social work.  it's something i dreamed of doing before i even graduated from high school.  i am so thankful for the teachers, mentors, and friends i have had along the way.  i'm also thankful for jeremy and our families that supported and encouraged me every step of the way. it was an awesome adventure.

do you remember that project for my school that i mentioned months ago?  
well, it finally all came together.  i got the finished product in the mail last week.


I'm in the Simmons School of Social Work Information Booklet!!
the booklet is to send to potential students wanting more information about the masters in social work program.  i guess i am what the school would consider a success story. ha!  they interviewed me, took my picture, and BAM there i am. i'm pretty much going to be famous. if you want an autographed copy just let me know... i would be happy to oblige.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

giving thanks #9


i'm thankful for painting pottery especially with jaime.


it is one of my favorite things to do.  i go at least once a year, usually in november to paint someone in my family a christmas present.  it is so relaxing and it soothes my soul.  i tend to go by myself and spend a few hours there.  this time i went with my dear friend jaime.

we met in school and we were totally meant to be friends. we had 3 out of 4 of our classes together in just the first semester.  she is a serious rockstar.  last fall, as our last year of school was starting, jaime was diagnosed with brain cancer.  she had surgery right away, had radiation, and chemotherapy and she is now in the clear.  hooray!  while doing treatment she managed to still come to school, pass her classes, and do her internship.  she is amazing, i tell you... amazing!  she rocked cancer and grad school at the same time.  i'm so glad she's my friend and that i was able to witness the miracles in her life.  you're an inspiration jaime!

Friday, November 8, 2013

giving thanks #8


i'm thankful for weekends.
i especially love that i get to spend so much time with jeremy.
walking downtown to dinner... date night!

this week has been nuts for me at work and i have so much work still waiting for me on monday.  i just love that i get a couple days off that i can think about everything but work. weekends are sure awesome! 

Thursday, November 7, 2013

giving thanks #7


i'm thankful for my legs.


they allow me to run, and jump, and do fun things - like workout with my friends every week.  bodies are pretty cool.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

giving thanks #6


i'm thankful for milk duds.


they are certainly delicious, especially when they are a surprise from jeremy after a couple of crazy days at work (with more packed days on the horizon).  i can do this! 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

giving thanks #5



i'm thankful for my parents.

aren't they cute?

i love my parents. they rock! they are awesome examples, give great advice, and constantly encourage me.  over the years, i've learned that not all parents are great and i'm lucky enough to have these two on my side.  i love being their daughter.  they are two of my best friends and i know they are always supporting me.  thank you mom and dad for being the BEST parents, role models, and teachers anybody could ask for.  my life has been a blast because of you two.

Monday, November 4, 2013

giving thanks #4


i'm thankful for drawing.


i seem to be collecting a lot of hobbies lately, drawing being my most recent one.  i took art in middle school and it was something i always enjoyed and never consistently pursued.  i have been wanting to take a drawing class the last couple of years and put it off because of school.  so i finally took the plunge this fall and enrolled in a class at the BCAE.  and i loved it!  it gave me the confidence boost i needed to just go for it (sometimes i don't do things because i'm afraid of failing).  i finished drawing my potted succulent today and while it certainly isn't perfect, i am proud of it.  i can see myself improving and it is really refreshing to get in the zone.  my whole mind fills up with observations... studying the shapes and light patterns i see and trying to recreate it on paper.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

giving thanks #3


i'm thankful for jeremy.
(and our sunday afternoon cuddle sessions.)


he is the sweetest boy in the world and such a good person through and through. he's my absolute favorite and he's mine forever.  we are a dynamite team. i am so lucky.


Saturday, November 2, 2013

giving thanks #2


i'm thankful for my east coast adventure.

i love living here. there is so much to see and do and so much history around here. it has certainly been a learning experience being so far from my family and i have grown up in many ways.  i have learned more about who i am, what i stand for, and who i want to become.  i'm not sure how long this adventure will last (at least another year and half) and i am enjoying every moment of it.

today we went to the red sox victory parade (world series champs!  woot woot!) which will forever be one of the highlights of living here.  the weather was absolutely perfect - these fall days are just dreamy.  we saw tons of players, whooped and hollered, and tried to catch the dancing confetti.  it was a fun time.  after the parade, we visited saus for some healthy snacks with our friends noelle and eric.  the girls got floats (i got a cream soda one... yum!), the boys got corn dogs, and we shared 2 rounds of fries. we had a lovely time and it was so fun to celebrate our favorite city.







i love it!