Snowed In Sleepover

Hey guys!

So I literally disappeared in the snowstorm that hit Friday night.

We got around 3-4 inches, and it was perfect, because my cousins and I [there are 5, FIVE, 1-2-3-4-5 of us girls between 19-23] had a sleepover planned for the weekend with our SINGLE LADY! aunt. [Everyone should have a SINGLE LADY! aunt. They are mucho fun!]

It was a hair raising time.

We ordered pizza and watched the Olympic opening ceremonies.

‘Scuse the flash.

At some point after the USA trotted through, we all passed out from exhaustion and when we woke up [on the couch!] the next morning, a blanket of white greeted us!

It was so pretty, but gone by noon.

Not gone before we made SNOW CREAM!

Southern tradition, ya’ll.

[And I ate 47000x more food than is pictured.]

Since the snow was gone by noon, I spent the rest of the day in IKEA! and then went to CHURCH, DINNER and watched MOVIES with friends + family.

It was cozy.

Yesterday I woke up feeling not so great, so I spent 95% of the day in bed.
Alls good today though! I feel like 1,000,000,000%!

I hear snow was on the ground in 49 states this weekend! Did you get some, or no bueno?

Snow makes me like a kid at Christmas, case you can’t tell.

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Snow Day!

I found myself up to my ankles in snow this afternoon!

Where was I?

Not here, that’s for sure!

We saw nothing but rain all night last night despite our high hopes of a large snow fall. Just like always, our snow dreams were dashed.

But luckily Stacey and I had made plans to drive up to Winston-Salem and spend the afternoon with Megan.

They got 6-8 inches up there, just an hour and a half north!

 

We immediately set to work making a SNOWMAN!

And Megan’s mom set to work photographing the process! Thanks Megan’s mom!

I quickly found out that neither Megan nor Stacey had ever made a snowman. I was quickly promoted to being ‘snowman instructor’.

Luckily they caught on quickly and before we knew it we had a HUGE snowman!

Presenting PHIL!

 

 

I could eat his face, he is so cute!

After snowman making it was time for snowball making!

And of course snowball fighting!

Snowball fighting of course leads to snow angel making!

And snow angel making to hot cocoa drinking!

[and cookie eating! Megan made the BEST cookies with SNICKERS! inside]

We warmed up in front of the fire, and chatted about life…and boys…and running.

It was so fun to catch up with Megan, who I haven’t seen since the Healthy Living Summit in Boston this August; hang out with Stacey [always fun!], and show off my superior snowman making skills [thanks Dad!]

Thanks for having us Megan!

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Chicken: Terms of Endearment.

Hey there, chickens! [new term of endearment for me. I call Cecily a chicken.]

In return she calls me Chicken Leg and Chicken Poo. Feel welcome to do the same. Chicken was learning how to draw with depth today. She did a pretty bangin’ job on a barn. I love that kid.

Also love green monsters.

Had one of those on the way out the door this morning. I was in such a hurry that I didn’t even notice some had dripped down the side there + I left my camera cord at home.

In the pink bottle:

• spinach
• almond milk
• pb
• vanilla whey protein powder
• ice
• frozen naner

That’s a winner every time! LOVE IT.

At lunch time I was going to post about that green monster, but I realized I left my camera cord at home, so I ate some steamed veggies instead.

Cauliflower, carrots, broccoli.

I think I died and went to veggie heaven. This was SO GOOD. No kidding.

Later a snack was had. [At like 2 pm. Those veggies did not hold me over very well. But the green monster did. What what, smoothie power!]

STRAWB. adore.

But peach still holds first place in my heart.

Once all my work was done [on food and otherwise] I went home. When I got there I was not feeling very motivated. I was in fact feeling very SAD. Sunny summer days, come back to me! You motivate me so.

I think I am part bear. I just want to hibernate in the winter.

Ate some pizza.

+ salad. I had two slices of the pizza though. I wouldn’t want to deceive anyone.

Annnnnyway…

It was ERIKA’S! birthday, so I went over to help with the celebrations.

Such a gorgey cousin I have there. Her + Scott = cutest couple ever.

She is 19! [tomorrow] *

I loved this cake. In more ways than one.

And this whole table?

Well I was like a horse and it was my pasture. Grazed all night.

FUN was had!

PS: I suck at Rock Band + I am getting my hair done Saturday. No more roots! That stuff is looking wack!

PPS: Have you heard this song yet? SO GOOD. I am obsessed.

G’night chickens!

*ETA: This posted at 12 AM so it was officially Erika’s birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love you, girlie.

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Things

Things making me happy this Monday:

Candles.

Pretty fall trees + sunshine!

Plain ol’ oatmeal.

Turkey sando.

Reminiscing about the weekend.

 

What’s making you happy this Monday?

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At the track

Hey, hey!

Fun concert Saturday night!

Meredith + I got glammed up and went to see Gary Allan.

Diva.

Crazy lady.

We danced to our little hearts content until we called it a night at 11:30. We ain’t what we used to be, ladies and gentlemen!

****

This morning I burned some pancakes…

Oatmeal pancakes. I ate around the burned part. They still weren’t very good.

Then pops and I went to church. LOVE Pastor Scott, the youth pastor. He preached today!

After church, I zoomed home, and Meredith and I set out for THE DIRT BIKE TRACK!

Windshield salad I ate on the way. [PS: Check out that cop. Totes had someone pulled over. Am I good with picture taking or what?]

At the dirt bike track there were lots of things going on.

Dirt bikes, obviously.

Linden’s fiancé Matt rides motocross, so since it was such a lovely day she went out to take pictures of him and we tagged along.

At the track, everyone has a job.

Linden took pictures of Matt.

I took pictures of my shoes.

Chucks, what what!

Matt’s mom took pictures of us ladiezzz.

Tori took videos.

Meredith cheered.

And wore funny glasses.

 

There’s our boy, #27!

Plus Izzle was there!

Note: His mom and dad did not name him Izzle. Meredith and I did.

Those boys jump high.

High.

High.

Higher.

HIGHEST!

I LOVE motocross.

I am such a guy.

Actually, if I were a guy I would be doing this:

Zoom in:

Really?

You are watching a video of yourself?

Instead I was crafting my newest Etsy line:

Hand painted [well Sharpied] plastic knives. I expect them to become a best seller. Linden and TJ, I will not be splitting the profit. Sorry.

Meredith and Linden washed dishes.

We had spaghetti for dinner, obvs.

And played a rousing game of cards.

I dominate.

Oh, yeah. You’re scared. Very scared.

That concludes my weekend.

18 miles, a concert and some dirt bike spectatin’. Plus a little cards and crafts. ‘Twas fun. Very fun.

And now I’m off to bed. Monday comes too soon.

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lucky girl

It’s been the best day! I just haven’t been able to quit smiling, ever since Julie called me with the BEST NEWS EVER this morning.

You might remember her, the girl I celebrated my birthday with? And go gallery crawling with? And party in style with? Yeah that girl. The yin to my yang, the big sister I never had?

Mama D’s little sister?

Ha, bet ya didn’t know THAT ONE!

Anyway Julie, my lovely big sister/aunt/friend called me today to let me know she is PREGNANT! With her first little munchkin!

I screamed.

Really loud.

And then I tweeted.

Because I love babies.

So long as I am not the one giving birth, that is.

Because then I would be scared.

And cry probably.

But someone else?

Then. Oh, then I am excited.

So congrats Julie, the big sister I never had, gallery crawl buddy and fabulous artist in your own right. 

I love you.

Ok, dry those tears.

I had an apple for a snack today!

Plus cinnamon. And nuts. [twss]

And then I worked. Worked through my smiles.

Worked late.

Mainly because I was chatting with my bosses wife. She is adorable, and I love her! I know, I’m so lucky.

I was also lucky to have this dinner.

I was lucky to find tofu in the fridge and bake it up.

425 degrees for 25 minutes!

I was lucky to find these peas in the freezer and microwave them.

Water, salt and 2.5 minutes!

I was lucky to find this pasta in my bedroom [don’t ask!] and boil it.

Hot water, salt and boil until al denté or tender, whichever you prefer!

I was lucky that Mama D. was stewing some of those apples that are still coming out our ears from our mountain trip.

I’m a lucky girl. Very lucky, indeed.

PS: Head over to Katie’s blog and check out her very special chocolate covered November challenge!

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Punk Rock Out

80’s punk rock stars!

That, my friends is the costume I have been working on all week. And the green hair? Totally washed out. SCORE!

The best part was not the hair, nor the leggings. Not even the tutus, though they were fantastic indeed.

No.

It was the black converse with lace socks. Classic.

Partay up in here!!!

What were you for Halloween?

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It’s Fate

Just about the time I was finishing up this:

Mr. Chocolate Brownie Z-bar, may God rest your soul.

The mailman brought me a package containing this:

My S’mores Z-bar prayers have been answered!

Holly sent me a Halloween care package of Z-bar goodness. Holly, thank you, thank you, thank you SO MUCH.

Instead of digging right into that, and doubling the number of Z-bar deaths in my household today, I chose to take my remaining hunger out on an apple.

Love my honeycrisps, but my supply is depleting. Good thing I have a mountain trip planned for tomorrow!

After my apple I ran 4 miles. ‘Twas sweaty. What else did you expect?

Showered, but not well coiffed [bad hair day!] I met my girls for dinner.

[Missing: A picture of myself and Hannah. The hair was too bad on my side of the table. Sorry.]

Cabo Fish Taco, I love you!

 

And your BBQ Mahi-Mahi Tacos.

But first, we’d like some pita chips and crab dip, please.

EPIC.

Also epic:

Those BBQ Mahi-Mahi tacos. I could only eat half of this plate, sadly. Oh fish tacos, I have missed you.

Also consumed: pumpkin ale.

Briefly considered: fro-yo.

Decided upon: Starbucks.

1 pump pumpkin spice latte!

I played around with the manual setting on my camera:

Don’t say it.

I will.

I need some practice.

Look what jumped in my hand:

Purchased solely for the lovely photos gracing the cd jacket.

Oh, and maybe his lovely voice as well.

Alright, I’m calling it a night. Me and Bublé are driving to the mountains to go apple picking tomorrow. And the family might tag along.

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Happily Ever After

My friend Amanda, who I grew up with, got married today.

Doesn’t she make a gorgeous bride?

Josh happily agreed to escort both Meredith and I, and really wasn’t he lucky to have such lovely dates?

The wedding was just a casual backyard affair, but the love was evident.

The cake was gorgeous.

le flowers came from Mama D.’s garden when at the last minute they were unable to get the ones she had planned on.

I would have freaked out may-juh, but with Mama D. to the rescue, Amanda kept her calm.

The company was fun.

And I wasn’t the only one lugging around a D40!

Ze food was good. I was excited for CAKE!

They served a delish red punch, that I immediately grabbed a cup of!

Along with a slice of cake (!!!), mixed nuts, fruits and vegs.

 

‘Twas a beautiful evening.

Congratulations to Amanda and Eric, and may you live happily ever after.

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Wine and Dine

I met Kath, Matt, Amanda and Justin for a picnic and wine tasting at the annual Under the Grapes wine and food festival this afternoon.

It was my first time attending the festival, and my first time picnicking with Kath and Co.

I must say I was impressed with both.

The spread was fantastic, and the weather perfect for a festival. It may have even been a little warm. Hello, October! Where did you go?

It was certainly a wine festival picnic, with breads, cheeses and meats. Oh, and a little hummus + veg action. I contributed the fruit that is plastic wrapped over in the back corner.

Amanda brought gorgeous cupcakes in true Race for the Cure spirit.

I sampled a little of everything + extra bread and cheese that you can’t see.

Included in that was half a cupcake.

Then we set out for a little tasting.

I was really excited when Haleigh texted me and said her and Hans were on their way.

I had never met Hans, and it was nice getting to know Haleigh’s other half!

I also enjoyed meeting and hanging out with Amanda + Justin aka The Hungry Wanderers.

Uh oh! Looks like Justin wandered off.

Us girls wandered over to a soap stand with fabulous handmade soaps and lotions.

I picked up a few small lotions and a bar of soap. Everything had the cutest names, most especially my new soap ‘Oats and Goats’, an oatmeal and goat’s milk based bar.

Eventually the sun started wearing on everyone and Matt announced it was last call, before we headed to the house of KERF for pizza.

Us girls walked the half mile to Wolfman Pizza while Justin and Matt stayed behind and tossed a salad complete with homemade vinegarette.

Pizza choices were limited to vegetarian, much to the dismay of Justin, who was really looking forward to a pepperoni + jalapeno pizza.

Apparently the pepperoni decided to stay behind.

I happily had two slices of the ‘original veggie’ + salad. I wasn’t feeling the jalapenos, pepperoni or no.

[As you can tell, I was using my point and shoot all day, as the quality of my photos has sharply declined. I love the SLR, but the bulkiness of it is not exactly convenient for travel.] So sadly, what you see here is an orange plate of pizza.

Kath and I split a pumpkin ale with dinner.

mmmm, tastes like fall!

After dinner, Kath brought out a chocolate sampler platter. Pumpkin + chocolate = the perfect end to a long day.

I gladly had a few pieces, along with a sample of Karen’s famous symphony brownies. Holy yum!

I am not ashamed to admit that by 9:00 I was yawning like a mother the elderly and infirm, so I bid my goodbyes and took myself on home.

Thinking a long bath with my new ‘Oats and Goats’ is definitely in order, as well as a good night’s sleep. Perhaps I will actually get up on time for church tomorrow. One can never tell.

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