The stockings were hung

This past week off work has been a blur; non stop errand running, visits with friends, early Christmas with my grandpa, haircuts, baking and cleaning!


Our Christmas tradition has always been a big Christmas Eve dinner and then a relaxed Christmas day brunch in your pj's. This year, we are trying out something a little different for Christmas Eve dinner- my mom, sister and I decided that we are sort of over the turkey and sides (had it already twice in the past two weeks), so we are doing homemade Chinese! I couldn't be more excited! I am in charge of the dumplings, friend rice (making from scratch eeee), edamame, and crab rangoon. My sister (the culinary school graduate) is in charge of the homemade egg rolls or spring rolls or something and that delicious ginger salad like shogun. Mom is in charge of the main dishes (beef broccoli, sweet/sour chicken), and matt's bringing the saki of course! He may not get to partake as the road scenario with the so called snow should arrive around dinner time, hurrying him on to Fort Smith. But I sure will!!


I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with family or friends. I am ready for all the hub bub to start, then on to Matt's 30th Birthday next week!! So much to celebrate!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

These are the days

This is my favorite time of the year,
because of the people that I get to spend it with.

So thankful for...

Dress up reunions

Welcome home parties

Cheers and laughter

Singin' and Dancin'

Sweet family time

Homegrown beauties

Lifelong friends

Hugs after such a long span of time

The one by my side

Wishin' you a Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Homeward Bound

I still haven't pulled pictures off my camera from Thanksgiving, so my posts will be slightly out of order, but I COULD NOT wait to welcome home Joanna and Richy stateside! The long journey of foreign approvals are finally behind them, and they will be arriving in Fayetteville this Thursday. I know life in Dublin was more than an adventure, and I can't wait to hear Joanna rehash everything. As for Richy, I know he will be experiencing a lot of the "newness" that Joanna lived through in Ireland, hopefully we can all help him with his transition!

Hugs to you both, see you SOON!

Peaceful

May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.




Just a little quote I received today from my mama

Bumps in the road

I have been missing for a few weeks, literally from life in general. I won't go in to all of the details, but I had a strange sudden problem last week that I thought was a torn muscle (you know from all that tennis I've been playing), which in reality was an awful infection. Needless to say last week ended with me in the hospital for a few nights, had surgery, and now on strict orders to rest at home for this week until I heal. Sometimes when life throws you lemons, instead of getting really down about it, though I've had my woe is me moments, I just feel really thankful. Thankful that I have never had any other reason to be in a hospital before now, thankful for amazing family and friends who are still cheering me up, thankful for matt as always- still trying to make me laugh even if it hurts, and most importantly to my amazing mom who has been my nursemaid for two weeks- taking care of duties way above and beyond.

This unsolicited down time has also reinvigorated me in the work out department, and I really want to get into running when I'm all better (ask me again in two weeks if I feel the same way...). I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact I am still hobbling around, a far cry from jogging much less breaking into a sprint. More realistically, I have been wanting a bike for a few years, a Crossover I think. We have an extensive trail system all around Fayetteville that I haven't even explored. I can think of nothing better right now than hopping on my bike, taking a ride downtown for a little art show, glass of wine and cheese, then peddling home again.

I digress... Thank you for all of your thoughts, concerns and offers over the past week to make my life better. I feel like my cup is very full and I am extremely blessed.

For the love of costumes

Yes I love costumes. Yes I realize Matt may not share that enthusiasm. This is my standing round of applause for his effort and approval to let me deck him out in western wear to become Woody Pride from Toy Story. Jessie didn't come along until TS2, but I thought we made a nice duo. Enjoy!

Pretty good outfits, no?
I only wish you could see his boots over his Wranglers,
it really made the costume complete!

Courtney and I

Sarah and I- Wish I had gotten a picture of Juno and Bleeker together, they were priceless!

"There's a snake in my boot!"

Dustin and Morgan, Storm Chaser and Tornado

Em and Steph -aka 80's rocker or Cyndi Lauper!

Em and Cody- what a cute blond as Sandy from Grease!

Allison threw a great party as always!

Don't Stop Believing

For all you fellow Glee lovers out there...Enjoy!
This guy taped himself singing all parts of the Glee cover song, Don't Stop Believing.

And here is my FAVORITE song so far this year, Bust Your Windows

If you haven't watched this new show yet, give it a try, it will make you sing and dance (or at least that's what I do!)

Turning red

Red leaves.. Red Razorbacks... It is officially Fall in Northwest Arkansas! Besides the insane amount of rain we've had over the past month, the temperature has been pretty nice. I am still waiting on a few more sunny weekends for a nice hike but Football really seems to get in the way lately.. Other than weather, I've been playing tennis (high five Michelle for our shut out last week), reading my first book in book club, enjoying a weekly Flow session (yoga, pilate's, tai chi mix), watching a LOT of gossip girl and football, and trying out new fall recipes!

Favorite recipe this month- Asian Sesame Noodles with Chicken

Without further adieu, a few pictures from September and October. Stay tuned for a Halloween post to come. After an incredible amount of brainstorming, our costumes for Friday's party are pretty dang cute, and not at all when we originally had planned...

My Sis Meredith's 25th Birthday dinner at Bordinos! At this point, we had polished off a pitcher of sangria, so mom's smile is quite cheery.

My good friend Molly chaired an event benefiting the Children's Safety Center, and raised some major dough to benefit our local kiddos in need. I'm so proud of her, and we all had a great time.

Celebrated Bikes Blues and BBQ down on Dickson! We don't really look the part do we...at least we had fun watching the bikers zoom all over the place.


Watched some Razorback football in Ft. Smith and surprised one of Matt's best friends, Brian, for his 30th birthday. Matt's is just around the corner, December!!

Hosted a Southern tail gate themed wedding party for one of my college friends Brooke (sandwiched between Theresa and myself). The bourbon punch was a hugeee hit ;)

All the hosts with Ms. Brooke! We were all ChiO's together, and we welcome all excuses to get together and throw parties. There is nothing like a good time with my great friends!

Matt's roomie from college, Taylor, was married on Old Main Lawn. We had fun catching up with all the PDT boys, dancing the night away. You can imagine whose idea that was.

This past weekend we all headed to the Curry's lake house to watch the Razorback's play and celebrate Matt's brother in law, Jeff's, 30th birthday. These pictures are towards the end of that night, but we had a blast playing yard games and sitting by the new fire pit.

Frizzy misty mess

You surprised me today by telling me how pretty I am... on the rainiest of days, when my hair is in a pony tail and I feel the furthest thing from pretty. I'm sure you have no idea how much I appreciate that. But I do.

Pitter Patter

I just have to admit it. I have a thing for maps and globes. So when I stumbled across this, my heart went a flutter. I think Martha Jones may have to order this for her fabulous new condo.

Cut out paper map of London!

Close up shot of one section, red version, super adorable.

I heart Etsy

When I became a ChiO and began my semi obsession with owls (that I hear will last my entire life), owls were just not hip. They were rare to find, and almost all owls were creepy scary looking barn animals, though we sort of loved them anyways. Fast forward to three years ago (guesstimate), and owls started popped up EVERYWHERE, and are the cutest little things you have ever seen! As I was doing my weekly perusing through Etsy, I found a few adorable Owl prints that I just might have to own. I love the sellers handle LuckyBluebirdArt, and she has a variety of equally swoon worthy designs for the non bird lovers as well.

If this little face doesn't "recruit a hoot"...not sure what will!

What a Hoot!

With the first Fall football game underway, I really feel like summer has packed up its bag and headed outta town. Which to me meant one thing last week, Fall DECOR! Anyone who knows me well can attest to my love for Halloween. I totally geek out during the fall, and my little condo is already fully decorated with fall gear. The last addition I need to work on is the yearly pumpkin craft. I normally carve pumpkins, a tradition that I've loved since I was little. My mom always salted and cooked the seeds for us afterward! For the past two years, she has grown a garden full of blue pumpkins (the best for baking pumpkin pie she swears)!

Last year I got into the spirit by playing with spray paint techniques, inspired by Martha. Stewart that is. Think polka dot and striped pumpkins galore! So far this year, I'm lovin' What a Hoot! I'm also a sucker for anything monogrammed, so these Letter pumpkins are hot on my list as well. I'll post a picture with my finished product for all to admire. Jump on my hayride and get inspired!

I heart these blue pumpkins with lace detail. I feel like you might need some serious tools to tackle this project...

My 2008 Inspiration

2008 pumpkin painting party- notice my bronze and chocolate brown polka dot pumpkins in front of me! How funky is Cody's wicked witch broomstick hanging over the table? Must have it.

Frenzied

Some ladies lose their significant others to a wide variety of hunting seasons. To me, this has always been a little foreign, since I have never dated a hunter. Maybe we lived a little too "Northern" in Arkansas, or the fact that my dad was never in to it- after shooting a bird when he was about 10 and swearing he'd never hurt another creature on purpose... I really had no idea how much time and travel it took. Well ladies, I think I've found my sweetie's equivalent. It's a little sport really, called football. I mean, what else can make a 29 year old man act like every Saturday (Sunday and Monday) is Christmas morning!

First we start of the season with a very pricey fantasy football draft. I am somewhat pleased that Matt chose the Bengals defense and TO as one of his players, since really their reality shows have launched my interest from a 2 to about a 6. Then comes College Game Day, an entire 24 hours of heart pounding intensity. I will admit that I enjoy College ball, I am a die hard Hog fan, and I enjoy other SEC games. That does not mean that I feel the need, desire, or desperate aching pain to watch each and every game that happens to be televised, like Matt. When football is on TV, the trance consumes him. His only verbal or mental break is a phone call from a friend (again talking football speak about "D" and other abbreviated words I am not familiar with), or food.

After last weekend, the full day of College games, and start to the NFL season, I had somewhere right around 8 games under my belt. I was the definition of a couch potato. I even ate egg rolls, Doritos and almost an entire bag of beef jerky for lunch. That is NOT ok. After all of that, I welcomed Monday morning, and work, as a way to get moving away from that boob tube! Driving to work, I was spaced out with the radio humming in the background. About 20 minutes down the road I realize that the entire drive, I had been dialed into sports talk radio. Sort of like when you flip to golf and 30 minutes later you are still watching, and have no clue why, don't know any of the players, and don't care? Similar situation. The funny part was, I understood what they were talking about, and deep somewhere in my unconscious I liked it.

HELP! This disease better not spread. I can't handle two crazy football fans, one is very much enough. Cheers to what will be a very long few months of football. Maybe I'll take up knitting again, at least I can be productive from the couch...

Georgia/Razorback game is this weekend, first home game of the year! So many friends are making it to town, the festivities to visit are a mile long. I wouldn't have it any other way.

GO HOGS!

Rachel Zoe Shuts It Down

Okay, Would you not just die to work with Rachel Zoe each day? Why does Taylor have such an attitude?? Maybe it's part of her charm, but she seriously acts 7. I wish it were appropriate to act 7 at my job, life would be so much more interesting if my bosses asked me to do something and I replied "Never", and meant it. If I could move my desk anywhere, it would for sure be next to the kitchen, you get to chat it up with a lot of people, and are only seconds from a mini Reese cup or pretzel stick.... I couldn't be happier that this show is back on, I always find myself seriously laughing alone in the living room each time she says BANANAS. I too, always agree with her choices, and boy wouldn't I love to even have a few of those dresses, even the ones that didn't make the cut. Can't wait to see her QVC line this fall.

If you don't watch Rachel, start. If I were a famous person, I would call her in a second (after I lost like 20 pounds so I could actually wear the sample sizes), and would look fabulous all the time in my vintage statement necklace and one of a kind Chanel.

Can someone tell me this is not award show perfection??

Top Favorite Shows of the Moment:

Design Star- Final 4! I'm liking Antonio at the moment.
Flipping Out-OCD flipper, I'd hire him any day, but only if Zoila could hang out too.
Rachel Zoe- I die.
Project Runway- Missed it last week but I know it will always be at the top of my lists once I catch up tomorrow.
Hard Knocks-Bengals training camp- Real life of football, I'm totally hooked.
Entourage- Always entertaining.

Most Looking Forward to:
GOSSIP GIRL- I heard that Chuck and B actually stay together this season, and I couldn't be more excited about that.

Gosh am I glad the Bachelor and Bachelorette is over and I can focus on quality reality shows. :)

Wrigley and Ruby

This picture just kills me. I was digging through some old picture albums on my laptop and ran across this, probably when Wrigs was only 2 years old. The pink animal (Yes totally suckered into it from the adorable Pets Smart commercial) named Ruby is her best friend. We have been through two Ruby's (one light pink, one dark). Now Wrigley even has a HUGE blue Ruby that stays in her bed. I often find her laying her little head on her animals, and it is just so sweet.

For anyone entertaining the idea of a new small pup, I couldn't say enough wonderful things about Schnauzers (oh except she might have a TINY issue with babies, but I sort of think it's a jealousy problem more than a dislike, or I like to think that anyways).

As much time that I take out of my day to take care of this little girl (known around the park as Sissy or Sister, her two of many nicknames I have), I couldn't really ask for a more consistent and sweet being to welcome me home each day with the most intense happiness. Matt recently taught her to lick or kiss, and though I don't bend down to let her kiss me (hands and arms are always FULL of laptops, purses, gym bags, lunch bags, shopping bags...), she sort of sticks her tongue out a bit, and it's just hilarious.

Okay, no reason for this post, just love that girl, can't wait to get her a friend (and have a backyard again!!).

Music and Home, go hand in hand

Two cool projects that I came across this week that I have been itching to share-

First, on AETN there was a special called Playing For Change, where a producer traveled for 10 years recording street musicians singing, playing, drumming, tapping along to the same songs. Mark Johnson, the founder, then connects all the recordings together to get this "we are the world" affect, with a lot of different musical sounds and voices. I think what struck me the most was the immense talent of these musicians. Some students, street performers, all ranges of social backgrounds, and all incredibly talented. They held so much passion for music, and I was sucked in to the show wanting more and more. It seems like I'll have to order the CD online. You can enjoy some of the videos on YouTube follow this to see Stand By Me.




The second project is about home. A collection of the visuals and meanings behind a simple word, that evokes a vast array of emotions. At first, when I was reading through all the submissions, I was thinking about what my contribution would be. What is "home" to me? Is it people, or conversations, or a place? For me, the word home is comfort and love, but the place changes. Since my parents are no longer in the house where I grew up, I don't associate the word with a place as much as I do the people that I love. The mental setting of my first thought of "home" goes something like this... Family sort of the chatting around a dinner table, drinking hot tea, or wine depending on the time of day, sharing stories...

For Me It's comfort, joy, relaxation, real life problems, it's brutal honesty, it's me feeling and saying how I really feel, no fluff, homemade cookies, jazz music playing in the background, it's tears and laughter, it is sweet memories tucked away in my heart, long hugs, homemade sun tea, family photos, celebrating achievements and milestones, my birthday cupcakes, my family, friends and loved ones all sharing in life.

As I started to think about what the word means to me, I realize that my concept of home is very different than it use to be. I have a deep desire to create my own home and fill it up to the brim with a family, my family. The ironic part is, when that happens, the meaning of home will yet again morph to mean something entirely new and different to me. I really can't wait for that experience, I look forward to sharing with my children and creating their own sense of what home means to them.

What does the word home mean to you?

Read about this blog project. Submit something! I will let you know what mine is when I fine tune my thoughts.

Amore

Just feeling sentimental this week, looking back at pictures old and new. If love isn't what makes the world go round, it surely makes the ride worthwhile. Thanks for making me laugh every. single. day.

Her wag just says it all...