Post Christmas Blues

I refuse to allow myself to "wallow" in post Christmas blues. Instead, I am pondering the many ways that I can keep that cherry glow in my heart, and in my home. Most of my day was focused on cleaning out our clothes, and getting ahead on laundry. By the first of the year, I want a clean and organized place of comfort. I'm also refocusing on other areas of my life, and hoping to cut back.

Josh joined me in running many errands. Including groceries that we needed to stock up on, and didn't have to pay a penny for (yay for gift cards!). We opted for one last drive around neighborhoods in search of Christmas lights, and sharing a salted caramel hot chocolate. Now, for relaxing with some Rum & Coke.

Good night, world.

Love

Boxing Day!

Slept in. Coffee & pastry for breakfast from Starbucks. A little shopping, but didn't buy a thing. Cleaned the house while Josh was out with his brother, and dad. Dinner & A Movie (highly disappointing movie...). Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream before bedtime.

Inspiring:

Christmas Day

Christmas Day arrived! We greeted it with a warm fire, and opening our gifts to each other. Homemade cinnamon rolls, Irish Coffee, and viewing of "Public Enemies" ensued. The stockings this year were as loaded as before, and filled with all kind lovelies. My cup overfloweth with Starbucks, chocolate, and a new Poppy Coach. I'm still relishing our Christmas gift to each other...booked tickets for Ireland! We've been busy dreaming, and planning our days there. Christmas dinner with family. Fell asleep in front of the fire, listening to instrumental tunes.

Christmas Eve's Eve

Woke up rather late after a long night of sleeplessness. Tired, and groggy. Finally started the day off with eggs, and Ovaltine. Wrote many articles, worked out, and did a little shopping. We drove around all evening looking at Christmas lights: the tackier, the more humorous. I love the simple lights, with garlands & wreaths. Especially with bright red bows. Baking, and visiting with Kristina, while watching Home Alone 2. Classic.

Our Life

Yesterday: Pleasant, and still cold. Wrote 10 articles, updated blogs, cleaned house, and played with Mr. Darcy. After a full day of work, relaxed with homemade latte's while booking our tickets. Happy dance in the kitchen, and million kiss for my man. I love our life.

Cold

Yesterday: Extremely cold. Cleaned house, and exercised. Had a delicious Indian lunch with Josh, complete with Rice Pudding for dessert. Did a little shopping, and found a couple of sweaters for the both of us. Last minute preparations for the party. Breakfast for dinner. Watched "Santa Clause 2", and made homemade hot chocolate. Fell asleep on the couch.

Daily Dose 10-24-10

Yesterday: Unseasonably warm, overcast, and threatening rain. Spent the day cleaning, and readying for the upcoming Thanksgiving preparations. Small dinner party at our home: Spaghetti, Bruchetta, and Boggle ensued. A few more holiday preparations. Midnight run around the neighborhood...the weather was perfect. Fell asleep with my boys on the couch.

Daily Dose 10-15-10

Quiet day. Spent most of the morning editing pictures for a recent family session. Loved the earthy feel, and outdoor setting. Finished the session in record time. Egg Nog for breakfast. Walked 6 miles for exercise. Tortellini for dinner. Ice Cream sundaes for dessert. We settled down for a movie: 84 Charring Cross Road. Now, I must visit England. Letters should be reunited with my mailbox as well...

26 before 26

My dining table is currently littered with handfuls of books. Some children literature, some fiction, and old hardback stories that so few people care about. With my goals of reading, I am naturaly inclined to think of other areas of my life that I wish to expound upon. Thus, the list of 26 things before 26 was born.

Legend: Bold means finished.

1. Learn to make homemade lasagna.
2. Take up jogging.
3. Backpack on an overnight trip.
4. Go camping in the dead of winter.
5. Spend a rainy day in a quaint tucked away bookstore.
   
6. Start riding a bike again.
7. Start a wine journal.
   
8. Learn how to make old fashioned rice pudding.
9. Go to a time period Christmas event. Done!
   
10. Dress up for dinner out, for absolutely no reason at all.
11. Read a book with Josh. For pleasure.
12. Learn how to make a Red Velvet Cake from scratch.
13. Volunteer in soup kitchen.
14. Fly a kite.
    
15. Put together a 500 piece puzzle.
16. Make homemade cappuccino, and build a fire.
17. Design my own stationary.
    
18. Write an old fashioned letter.
19. Become pen pals with someone.
20. Write more articles.
21. Build my own writing base.
22. Become successful with web marketing.
23. Start collecting Eloise.
    
24. Organize my library.
    
25. Refinish my old chair for the office.
26. Watch a foreign film.
    

Change

I need change. Been going through the motions with work, and trying to keep up. There comes a point when you have to admit you are overwhelmed, have to much on your plate, and are ready to move onto something else. I think I'm there...ready for change.

Daily Dose 10-13-10

English Tea, Strawberries & Nutella for breakfast. Working feverishly to catch up on editing, and date base entry. Planning on a fun evening out with a dear friend, and my husband.

French

Sparkling water in an antique glass. Nutella.

(I am feeling very, very french today)

In other news most of my time today was spent changing my camera settings for inside use. I've been trying to use my Cannon flash to a better advantage. Also, spent some time writing, blogging, and voting on my favorite photos (of course).

My brother came over for dinner, so we had a Fajita night! Now, I'm trying to wind down, and ignore the pain in my back. The guys are now watching a movie, while I catch up on some blog reading.

Good night...

Dear September

The days leading up to September, you will find me pining the hours away, as a child would on Christmas mourn. I cherish autumn with much zeal, and anticipation. I love the crunching of leaves, the crisp evenings, and sunsets. Even the stars seem brighter, more magical during the months of fall. I reminiscence of days past that include caramel apples, bon fires, and camping. Some may laugh at me, but I am already looking forward to baking my first pumpkin pie of the season, and listening to Christmas carols. These are the months memories are made of, when dreams come true, when the romantic side of me comes out. So, dear September, please bring your cooler days soon.

Movie

Fairly certain that I need to watch "Inception" again.

Daily Dose 7.21.10

Spent the day painting the kitchen cabinets. Not even half way done. Drove around listening to "lifehouse", while watching the lightening storm from the mountain.

Holiday

Movie Love...

Currently...

Reading: America's Queen by Sarah Bradford

Drinking: Iced Lemonade from Chick-fil-A

Listening: Pink Martini

Dreaming of: Our night out on the town!

30 Day Challenge, Day 9: A Photo I've Taken

Daily Dose 8.16.10

Exhausted, and discouraged. Wishing there was more to this than a 9 to 5. More than just getting by. I want to live elsewhere, far away.

Today...

I am praying for rain.

Weekend Love.

Saturday: Found a few lovelies at yard sales: Audry Hepburn Biography, Jackie O Biography, and "Hoot". Caught up on work. Spent the rest of our afternoon at the beach. Tanning & Swimming. Quick dinner. Watched "Valentines Day". Horrific movie...

Sunday: Woke up early to meet up with my parents. Took a day trip to Branson, Missouri. Found a classic hounds tooth print dress, perfect for our upcoming night out on the town. Dinner at Steak & Shake.

30 Day Challenge, Day 7: A Thank You Letter

I would thank my husband
for all his love, and support
for believing in me
for loving me
for showing me time and again our Father's love
for setting an example of praying,
and always giving thanks.
I love you, Joshua.

Quote of the Day

Daily Dose 8.9.10

Wrote several articles, and worked on my web site. Updated blog, cleaned the kitchen, and dusted the house. Quick lunch in the car with Josh. Grocery Shopping. Barbeque chicken, and loaded sweet potatoes for dinner. Hot fudge sundaes for dessert. Charade, was our movie of choice.

30 Day Challenge, Day 7: Five Things I Couldn't Live Without

1. God's forgiveness
2. My husband's love
3. Our parent's support
4. My brothers
5. Ice Water
   

Daily Dose 8.4.10

Today: enjoyed a sushi lunch at a local Japanese steakhouse. The ginger salad was stellar; even Josh enjoyed it! Finally found my own copy of Edith Holden's diary. I love her illustrations, and journal entries. If I could write half as beautiful, I'm sure I would be pleased. Finished reading "And They Were Young" by Madeleine L'Engle. It was my first book by her, and I absolutely devoured it. Read it in two days. In fact, it deserves a post all its own. Currently: Exhausted. Good night!

30 Day Challenge, Day 6: A Moment You Could Relive

Saying our vows, on our wedding day.


We chose to write our vows, and took a lot of time making sure they were what we wanted to say each other. We both choked up, and I cried, because I knew that I never wanted to forget any word, or forget that moment as I pledged my love, my heart forever to my husband.

30 Day Challenge, Day 5: Favorite Quotes

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

-Helen Keller


I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out."
-- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." --Alice in Wonderland

Currently...

Reading: And Both Were Young by Madeleine L'Engle

Dreaming: Of finding a copy of "The Shuttle"

Working: Gearing up for a wedding

Listening: Buble, of course.

30 Day Challenge, Day 4: A Favorite Show

Lie To Me.

30 Day Challenge, Day 3: A Favorite Book

Only one favorite book? Must I decide?



David Copperfield by Charles Dickens I have no idea why this book remains in my heart, and mind, but it does. I am fond of Mr. Copperfield, of the characters, how the story progressed, and even more by the ending.

"Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show."

Twinkling of Tea...

I remember reading edited versions of "Alice in Wonderland" as a child. My grandma had recorded the cartoon movie, and I watched it almost on a monthly basis. It was a staple in my childhood, and I often followed Alice down the rabbit hole in my imagination.

After seeing the movie in the theaters, I was prompted to read the entire book. Conclusion? It was charming, full of whit. Frankly, it must be one of the most quotable books that I have ever read.

Equally as charming were the illustrations in my book, by John Tenniel. I should like to have the tea party framed for our library...

"There's plenty of room!" said Alice, indignantly, and she sad down in a
large armchair at one end of the table.

Currently...

Reading: Alice In Wonderland

Drinking: Iced Starbucks Summer Blend with hazelnut

Dreaming: Of San Fransisco

Working: Editing Engagement Pictures

30 Day Challenge, Day 2: A Favorite Movie

A favorite movie? Just one? That could be tough. But, I will have to say, out of all the movies, Pride & Prejudice still ranks at the top of my list. I love both the 2005 version with Matthe Macfadyen, as well at the black & white version with Greer Garson.

"So this is your opinion of me. Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have be overlooked had not your pride been hurt by my honesty..."


"He's been a fool about so many things, about Jane, and others... but then, so have I. You see, he and I are so similar."

30 Day Challenge, Day 1: A Favorite Song

I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it, plus Michael Buble has been a favorite of mine for years. It seemed only fitting for this to be played for the grande exit at our wedding. My husband is indeed, everything to me!!

The 30 Day Challenge

I was reading through several blogs who are doing a "30 Day Challenge", and it sounded perfect for this blog. I'm not sure of the rules exactly, but here are the topics that I am to cover each day for a month. Here is where I originally found it!

Day 1: A favorite song.

Day 2: A favorite movie.

Day 3: A favorite book.

Day 4: A favorite television program.

Day 5: A favorite quote.

Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.

Day 7: Five things you couldn't possible live without.

Day 8: A Thank You Letter To Someone Who Has Changed Your Life

Day 9: A photo you took.

Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.

Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.

Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).

Day 13: A guilty pleasure.

Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.

Day 15: A person you admire.

Day 16: A song that makes you cry.

Day 17: An art piece.

Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.

Day 19: A talent of yours.

Day 20: A hobby of yours.

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.

Day 22: A website.

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.

Day 25: A recipe.

Day 26: A childhood memory.

Day 27: A physical feature you love.

Day 28: A scar you have and it's story.

Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.

Day 30: A motto or philosophy.

Daily Dose 7.28.10

Busy day cleaning & working. Enjoyed pepsi, and hot dogs at the baseball game. We had to leave early because of the storm moving in. So we decided to have a scrabble game, cheesecake, and coffee date after we left.

Dailiy Dose 7.26.10

Sushi lunch date with Josh, then quite possibly, had the most delicious Mocha from G's. Stopped by one flea market before heading home to work on more articles. Bible Study, and fellowship with friends.

Quote of the Day

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."
e. e. cummings

Daily Dose 7.25.10

Married 15 months today. Feels like only a handful of week...time does fly. Went antiquing, and found a couple of A.A. Milne books. Quick lunch. R&R.

Success

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
-Dr. Seuss

Daily Dose 7.21.10

Pancakes for dinner. :)

Daily Dose 7.20.10

Enjoyed cleaning up the house, and taking care of a few things on the internet. Made homemade quesadilla's, along with veggie salsa, and chardonnay for dinner. Josh and I started reading a Hardy Boys Mystery together (he must love me so!). French Press coffee, brownies, and cello at the moment.

Daily Dose 7.20.10

Spent the afternoon with my husband on a quick business trip. Coffee, and browsing at Barnes & Noble. Finally watched "Letters To Juliet" at the theater. Dinner at Chili's.

{Things I Love...}

Chandeliers.

And this one is no exception.

Daily Dose: 7.13.10

We set out for a date night adventure. First stopping for a quick taco bell meal, then headed onward for a short hike. Watched the sunset, then drove to town for an old fashioned ice cream cone. Sweet time spent with my husband. Life is good.

Daily Dose 7.13.10

Yesterday was busy with work, cleaning, and new projects. Went out for yogurt...which made my day. ;-)

Daily Dose 7.11.10

Random musings...

I've been looking everywhere for my own copy of "One Line A Day", obviously I need to just order one online.

I cannot wait to read this...



I want to wear a hat like this...can this please come back in style? Please?

I never thought a movie could rival Pride & Prejudice...but Young Victoria comes in very close...beautiful, and inspiring.

Daily Dose 7.9.10

It's raining ever so gently. Although buried in work, writing, I am inclined to wish for a cup of tea. Maybe a bit of cream, and scone. A Charles Dickens kind of day, confined to the life of David Copperfield, or perhaps visiting the Old Curiosity Shoppe. For a brief moment, I am in England.

Someday. Soon.

Daily Dose 7.8.10 (Evening)

Date night! Bowling (Josh won). Scrabble (I won). Coffee. No Bake cookies.

Daily Dose 7.8.10

Rainy afternoon at Starbucks. Iced Coffee. Lots of writing, editing, and uploading. Still wanting the "one line a day" journal...

Daily Dose 7.7.10

Spent most of the day working. Enjoyed lunch with a friend, that turned into three hours of chatting. Love that! Worked late. Met up with hubby for an old fashioned late night taco bell in the car. Drove in the rain, listening to Dave Barnes. I love rain...

Desires.

I crave quiet nights, illuminated by candles. Whispered secretes, good stories, warm mugs of coffee, and a little place to call my own. A complete disconnect from the rushing, busy, over crowded lifestyle that so often consumes us.

Things I Crave...

...the amazing coffee from our trip.

Daily Dose 7.5.10

Slept in today, and it felt marvelous. Snuck around the kitchen to make double chocolate chip muffins for a breakfast in bed...for the dear husband, of course. Afternoon Iced Coffee at Starbucks. Scrabble Game. Getting ready for dinner with a few family members. Then an evening of wine, and games.

What we love to do we find time to do.
--John L. Spalding

Daily Dose: 6.24.10

Enjoyed cleaning the house, and getting everything in order. Spent some time updating my blog, and getting some work done at Starbucks. Iced Hazelnut Latte, today. Lunch out with husband. Made Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins to go with dinner. Late night outing with friends.

Daily Dose: 6.22.10

Spent the day cleaning house, and getting caught up with a few projects. Enjoyed a fun dinner of Chicago style hot dogs, baked beans, and watching Dick Van Dyke re-runs. Savored an Iced Coffee with cream, and scrabble date night at the coffee shop. Finished off the night with Murder She Wrote.

Daily Dose: 6.18.10

Long day of work. Iced Coffee. Watched "Fried Green Tomatoes", enjoyed more than I would have thought...what a sad movie.

Daily Dose: 6.16.10

We had a delightful eleven day vacation. 8 days were spent at sea on the Norwegian Pearl. We visited Seattle for a few hours, before leaving for Alaska and Canada. Alaska was filled with breathtaking beauty, and was surprisingly warm. Victoria, Canada, was stunning. Would love to go there for a weekend getaway. Long flights home, roughly eleven hours of travel time. Ready to get back into swing of day to day life...or at least as much as possible.

Daily Dose: 6.3.10

Long day at work. Then got some shopping in, but didn't find anything I was looking for. On the list? Jeans, jean skirt, flats, jacket, and comfortable shoes. Did score some fun pink nail polish. Sushi for dinner.

Daily Dose 6.2.10

Caught up with writing, which made my day. Spent time cleaning and organizing our guest room. Ready to start opening our home for more hospitality. Late dinner with hubby at one of our favorite restaurants, then a late night walk around town. Enjoyed window shopping.

Daily Dose 6.1.10

Roughly 12 hours spent on the computer today. Took a 15 minute nap trying to recooperate. Nursing a migraine, and ear ache for most of the afternoon....caved in for an iced coffee (no sugar). Trying to get all the details in place for many projects ahead of me. So ready for a few days to just sleep and read at a leisurely pace. Falling asleep as I type...

"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place."
- Author Unknown

Daily Dose: 5.31.10

Woke up early to catch up on some work, and accomplished quite a bit (always a good thing, right?). Had a protein shake for breakfast, before heading out of town. Spent the day shopping with our family for upcoming cruise. Scored the most perfect dress, blue pin stripe with large buttons...had an "eclectic" feel. Now hunting for a pair of red flats. Or another fun color. Gearing up for a busy week ahead: editing pictures, uploading new posts, writing articles, and finding a few minutes to relax. Must read a new book. Feeling overwhelmed, and hurt by things that are not mine to control. Sometimes I do not always understand, but He does. And in Him I find my only source of strength...amen.

Ask yourself: "What am I willing to sacrifice for what I want to become?"--Anonymous

Daily Dose: 5.31.10

Church, then a local soul food cafe for lunch. It was our first visit. Quite, out of the way spot, with amazing peach cobbler to boot. Took a nice Sunday afternoon nap, then visited our parents. read a bit of P.G. Wodehouse. Visited a flea market, and bought a book. Watched movies all night, and enjoyed homemade chocolate chip cookies. Busy pondering life, and the sadness of friendships that are no more. Sometimes, one must move on to realize there are things better left unsaid. The moon was a vibrant orange...picture perfect, actually. I am ready for the upcoming trip, I think.

"A life lived in love will never be dull."

- Leo Buscaglia

Daily Dose: 5.29.10

Woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning. Had a soy caramel macchiato and slice of lemon bread for breakfast. Took a road trip to visit friends over lunch and frozen yogrut. Squeezed in a little shopping before a huge storm payed a visit. Road trips are always fun with husband and Ipod! Ended our night at the dollar theater with enough popcorn to feed a small army. Obviously, we will order a small next time.

Daily Dose: 5.24.10

Yesterday, I worked most of the morning and afternoon away. Had a smoothie for lunch, and picked up some groceries. Made Chicken, Pepper, and pineapple k-bobs for dinner along with Taboulie Salad. Enjoyed guests for dinner, and playing games. Ended the night with "The Princess Bride", and dessert.

Daily Dose: 5.21.10

Long day working, and catching up with writing. Read a few chapters in the current book that I am reading. Enjoyed dinner at Moe's with hubby. Spent some time catching up with blogging, Lie To Me, and playing with our puppy. Time to find some sleep. Zzzzz....

Daily Dose: 5.18.10

Exhausted and overwhelmed. Between work, personal projects, getting ready for our upcoming trip...well it has all taken it's toll on me. Finally took some time to visit with a friend for lunch, which always helps boost my spirits. Took our puppy on a long walk, and visit with our parents. Made honey seared salmon, and sweet potatoes with vanilla bean sauce. Enjoyed dinner on our back porch. It's been a long day.

Lesson Learned: You can't always be superwoman.

Quote of the Day:

"Victory always starts in the head. It's a state of mind. It then spreads with such radiance and such affirmations that destiny can do nothing but obey." --Douchan Gersi

Daily Dose: 5.17.10

Early morning filling in at my old job. Had a lunch with my mom and youngest brother. Caught up on a few articles, fell asleep for a little while. Up late working on projects, and trying to get caught up with work. Severe allergy attack. Trying to wind down with a glass of cold water. Ready to sleep for a week.

Lesson Learned: Don't let yourself get behind, you'll pay for it in the long run.

Quote of the Day:

"Don't waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour's duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it."
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Daily Dose: 5.16.10

Got a head start on writing this morning. Early lunch at a beautiful little bistro. Had an amazing Mediterranean quiche, and white cheddar soup for my entree. A little afternoon shopping, and caramel apple spice from Starbucks. Finally enjoyed a movie date with my husband; watched Robin Hood in the theaters, and loved Russel Crow (as always). Catching up on work, and winding down with a cold glass of lemon water. Sundays are wonderful.

Lesson of The Day: It's the little things in life.

Quote of the day:

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." --Hans Christian Anderson

Daily Dose: 5.15.10

We spent the night with my husband's parents, and enjoyed a morning of neighborhood yard sales. Snagged antique Charlie Brown & Snoopy books, and finally found a copy of "The Joy Of Cooking". Iced Raspberry Hazelnut Coffee & Raspberry Swirl Loaf for breakfast. Spent time working, and visiting with my family for the rest of the afternoon. Celebrated husband's birthday with family. Ended the night with a soy caramel macchiato from Starbucks, and watching Lie To Me (the most brilliant show ever made).

Lesson learned today? My husband is my best friend, and he makes me happier with each passing day.

Quote of the Day:

"If you have it [Love], you don't need to have anything else, and if you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have."

--Sir James M. Barrie