deertale

ello' weekend

2012-02-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

Its the weekend! need I say more? Joey and I are going out for a fancy schmancy dinner on Saturday for an early valentines treat. Who knows what the rest of the weekend will hold. As long as neither of us have colds, we were going on two weeks and weekends strong with the them over here (and that's why you shouldn't kiss when sick kids) , I think we'll be happy no matter what we do.

Hope you have a pretty one! xoxo

Also if someone could talk my Husband into seeing "The Vow" that would be great to :)

take me here

2012-02-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

I'm dreaming of vacations somewhere tropical. This girl needs sun! Why does winter do this to us? can we say torturer? I would like to have a nice drink in my hand, beach strolls holding hands, and night time swims. Can someone make this happen?

please :)

ps: I'm obsessed with the song Emmylou, by the band First Aid Kit. You should listen to it.

create

2012-02-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

(painting I did over Christmas for my sister-in-love)

I don't know whats gotten into me but the creative juices are flowing like Niagara falls. perhaps nothings gotten into me, perhaps i'm just reverting back to my normal self. It could have something to do with the fact that I have a whole week of vacation to devote to the arts and no nanny business to do(which actually makes me kind of sad not to see the little doll face every day), but alas my creative side has prevailed.

I think I'm getting to the point where I'm not afraid to put myself out there and exploit my self like its nobody's business. Who cares if they don't like it or don't get it, whoever they are?who are they anyway? I declare that the year of 2012, is the year i will give myself to art and try harder than any year before. Who's with me!

blogger friends

2012-02-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

You know what, making blog friends is awesome. I've been making friends with some new bloggers and its very funny what kind of instant connection is made when you blog about your life 5 days a week and other people read it :) I feel so encouraged and uplifted by a few sweet ladies and its nice to feel that. It's nice to remember what new friendship is like.

The budding friendships are like the ultimate experience for me, for example: We talk practically everyday whether its through comments, emails, or snail mail, we discus girly things and boys, we catch up on all the best tv shows out there, compliments are all over the place, and they influence you and encourage you in the most positive of ways, not to mention they pretty much know everything about you already from you're blog. Although we cant go out and get mani/pedi's or coffee together every weekend, I know I'm meeting some really neat and hugely inspiring people.

I hope I make one hundred million blog friends :) they're sweet.

misty mountain tops

2012-02-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

It was misty up in the mountains this weekend. Joey studied forever and ever and I worked on some art projects. After a while we started getting some cabin fever, so we headed out for a drive through the country side. This is our favorite time to dream about living on a farm in the high hills and listen to some seriously good tunes. We've both been trying to get over colds all week so we were pretty low key and boring. I have a whole week off of work this week and I plan on doing some serious painting! I hope you had a warm cheery weekend! Here's to a good week for everyone!

its friday night, and the moon is bright, gonna have some fun, show you how its done, TGIF

2012-02-03T00:30:00.000-08:00

Please tell me you guys watched TGIF every Friday night as a kid. if not, the name of this post probably means nothing to you. And yes, this is me in creative mode, thinking out ideas real hard, taking self portraits at the same time. If you look hard enough you can see the creative process in my eyes ;)

What is everyone doing this weekend? Joey and I have nothing planned except a babysitting date on Saturday with miss livi while her parents go on a real date. We actually really enjoy hanging out with babes together, its cool. Some of my favorite weekends are the ones where we have nothing planned and spur of the moment mini adventures come of it. I'm hoping that's how this weekend unfolds. Hope you have an awesome one!

xoxo friends!

sneak peek

2012-02-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Just a little sneak peak of something i'm working on! When i paint, I tend to do big colorful layers of business, its nice to take a step back and go to the roots of it all and draw in black and white(with a little color obviously). I'm having a lot of fun with it! Who knew simple drawings could be so ascetically pleasing and enjoyable to work on.

ps: I've survived working on projects all week with out a studio. I know, hard to imagine, but I'm finding contentment in my coffee table for now : )

reading together

2012-02-01T03:00:00.000-08:00

Do you guys read out loud with your significant others? Husband and I decided we would read the hobbit together every night before bed, being since I've never read it, and the hobbit is one of his all time favorite books(he's read it at least 8 times), we thought it would be fun to get caught up in a book together, instead of our own nighttime reads for a change. At first the idea is kind of silly, and you feel like you're in grade school again playing popcorn, but after you get used to it, it's actually rather sweet and dare I say... romantic.

I think I need a studio

2012-01-31T05:52:00.000-08:00

(seriously, this is what i'm working with people. And half the tools I use aren't even in this picture they're on the porch or in the closet because I don't have enough room. eeepps!)

Studio space. It is about time I had one. I'm at the point in my life where i'm ready to take my art seriously. Working in the convince of your own home could be nice if there were no distractions and the actual space for it, but lets face it. There is not. Trying to set up shop in a corner of your tiny apartment is not conducive to good art work and you actually start choking on fumes after a while which it is really unhealthy to in-fumigate the entire apartment for the sake of art. If your not an artist this may be hard to understand, as I've tried explaining it to the hubster about 1,000 times. For me it makes sense. I need somewhere I can go and flip the switch into work mode. When I'm home im naturally in relax mode, or lets surf the net mode, or lets see how many times we can open the refrigerator mode, or husband is home and distracting(in the best way possible, sorry hun). Its so hard to pin point my creative juices. Lets put it this way, its like sensory overload for your right brain. That is why there is library's for students and offices for business people. If everyone worked from home this country would never get anything done.You feel me? My mind needs space to wonder, a blank slate that helps artist thrive and curate art more freely and naturally. a place where its just me and the ideas in my head, ahhhh a girl can dream right?

I've been researching studio space. It runs about $195 a month here(for a tiny space), which is cheap, and affordable, unless your pinching pennies like we are these days. It would be great to share space, but I know few people here and none of them artists(which is a bummer). Whats an artist to do? Sell a kidney, start taking donations? or keep painting in the 2'x3' space between the back of the arm chair and the computer desk?

If your like me and trying to take your art to the next level read this inspiring article on Lisa Congdon.

our weekend in pictures

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

-dry lavender soda is heavenly

-random findings from our favorite antique store

- me in black mountain

-husband

-our favorite coffee shop

-banana grams and homemade ice cream

-printed instagrams from postalpix(its an app for your phone!so cool and convenient)

ps: I changed my blog name, read more about it under this post or here!

Blog news!

2012-01-29T16:45:00.000-08:00

Howdy partners! we're switching it up a bit over here on this blog!

I know I know, why? Well, I really wanted my own domain name and the one I wanted was already taken so, change the name of the blog. Doh! Being since it's pretty much only family that read this little ditty, i didnt think anyone would mind too terribly. I think this new name is more fun and suiting anyway.

Now this is the really fun part. You can just go to www.deertale.com and BAM its me! or you can keep going to saacox.blogspot.com and it will still show up. No worries.

You know you're moving up in the world when you get your own domain name.

High fives all around!

it's friday, im in love

2012-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Its about time Friday showed up!

Fridays always feel liberating and exciting to me, even if there's nothing exuberant planned. To tell you the truth, most the time i don't mind if we have nothing going on, i like to sleep in and move slow when I can. I love making impromptu decisions and having zero obligations to be met. It's a nice break from the work week, where getting up at 5am everyday is the staple.

I've got some paintings to finish and some relaxing to do. I've been craving a good do it yourself project like none other. I'm going to see if I can talk the husband into making us a cool coffee table like this! We also have to decide this week if we're going to rent somewhere else or stay at our apartment another year, eeeps!

I hope you have a lovely low key weekend like us!

mister golden sun

2012-01-26T02:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was January 25th, and I would like to report that it was 65 degrees and sunny here! What in the world wide web?? I don't know if its global warming or what, but I like it. I felt euphoric and wonderful prancing around in the warmth all day, it's insane what a good amount of sunlight will do for the soul. unfortunately, I think I've now got early onset of spring fever. shoot!

Since it was all sorts of sunny deliciousness, we took full advantage after I got off work and went for a little stroll through our woods. We packed all the cheese, salami, and mountain dew(bad I know) we could find in our fridge for a snack break, where we pondered what life would be like if polar bears roamed in the woods. It was so nice getting to spend quality time with the boy and mister sun.

Winter please stay like this for the rest of your season. PRETTY PLEASE. no, seriously stay!

Guilty pleasures

2012-01-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

(pic found here)

There is a few things I cant get enough of lately. As of recently my guilty pleasures include

-Pretzel m&m's

-The Bachelor

-Bubble baths

-Dreaming of adventures

Some of these bad, some of these not so bad.

The Bachelor, so embarrassed to say this, but once I start watching, i'm hooked. I haven't been tuned in for a couple seasons because its just so awful. This year I love it and am embracing my annoyingly girly self. Its so fun to chat about with all your friends afterwards. Don't judge.

the other guilty pleasures are pretty self explanatory and pretty awesome.

What are your guilty pleasures this year?

getting older

2012-01-24T02:55:00.000-08:00

You know those talks you have with your significant other where you both casually dream and think about future things together, and the conversation usually ends with a "Someday" and a smile. Well the funny thing about getting older is those someday's actually start turning into realities and considerations and plans. Its so cool!

We're at the point now where we're still kind of dreaming about it all , but also trying to plan for them. You know big things, like eventually buying a house, making babes, and having, I hate to say this but, big kid jobs(and buy big kid jobs I mean something that makes you happy and pays the bills). Every time we talk about it, we get these toothy grins and just look at each other with pure contentment and happiness knowing all these things are slowly getting closer and more realistic. Not only are they getting closer, they're kind of molding us and leading us on a fun journey(i guess that's what we call life?) We think its all terribly exciting and are embracing growing up with open arms, it feels good.

Weekends over here

2012-01-23T02:57:00.000-08:00

This weekend we pretty much did awesome things everyday all day! And everyday when we did those awesome things,we did them all with our sweet friends Ryan and Ellen.

Friday- painted pottery, made pizza, went to trivia night, & played euchre!

Saturday- went to the music store, went to the antique store, talked to my bestest friend in colorado on the phone, played lots of games, and drank lots of coffee and tea.

Sunday- slept in, lounged in joeys robe all day, studied(Hubby did this), tried to be creative, and last,but not least, we finished the weekend off with a movie(of course)!

I don't know about you guys but this pretty much sums up a good weekend for me. I hope your weekend was a great one too! Now back to the grind! Have a good week everybody!

Happy weekend dudes

2012-01-20T01:00:00.000-08:00

(picture from last spring, when everything was green, Le sigh)

Happy Friday friends! Anything fun planned for your weekend? We're thinking about painting some pottery, taking a day trip to Charlotte, and possibly hitting up some trivia tonight. The weekends calling for rain which might halt our Charlotte plans, and if it does, I'm treating myself to a manicure(not the worst thing that could happen :)

I hope you guys have some fun stuff planned and i hope you tell me about it!

PS: i'm stuck in a creativity rut. What do you do when you cant get inspired?

Spring, come soon

2012-01-19T06:31:00.000-08:00

Is it spring yet? I'm cold.

I want to smell flowers and grass
I want to have picnics
I want to get really good at climbing trees
I want to go play in the mountains
I want to wear dresses and skirts(sans tights)
I want to kiss in the park (hehe:)

Is that to much to ask for?

Just being a nanny

2012-01-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

Seriously, how cute is this kid?

Wanderlust

2012-01-18T10:30:00.000-08:00

(picture found here)

Latley I've been wanderlusting. We're enjoy the mild winter here in NC, but a girl can dream right?Winter always seems to make people want to get out and go somewhere warm, and new, and as always exciting!
I've been seeing all these BEAUTIFUL pictures of Europe that bring on so much wonder and astonishment and I think to myself, how have I never been there? And then I tell myself I'm a poor newlywed trying to pay my bills, and my lovely wonderful husband is a student again,thats why! and then I think when I get to Europe I'll have made it, and Ill do one of the picturesque waves from the top of the Eiffel tower, or stop for a long pause and questioning of religious thoughts in the vatican, ride a train through the french countryside while munching on the best cheese and wine in all of europe, and then I'd toss some change into the Trevi fountain and dream of my return. Ahhhhhh that would be perfection right about now.

For now those thoughts are going to have to stay in this big dreaming head of mine, like many other things :)

Who's taking me? I have a lot of vacation time to spare!

farm life

2012-01-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

Does anyone else around these parts day dream about living on a farm?

Joey and I have a notion we need a farm. Just a tiny one, with lots of animals. Where I can wear overalls everyday, and he can play in the dirt. It sounds pretty dreamy to us. If we ever have a farm we would like to have a pet deer, and chickens, and goats, and cows, and sixteen puppies(said in my best 101 dalmatians voice), but no we dont want that many dogs guys I was kidding. Is that to much to ask for?

For now we'll keep dreaming, but it sounds fun doesn't it!

If you want to see some amazing people with farms, look at these blogs, here, and here!

(these couples are amazing and inspiring!)

ps:I had a really sweet post ready for today about being grateful, and when it was posted there was nothing there? not even the picture? what's going on blogger? has this happened to anyone else? It always happens on the well thought out post doesn't it?

The weekend via iphone

2012-01-15T18:00:00.000-08:00

It was a good one :)

Wedding pictures

2012-01-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post these, you know, after the wedding. Totally spaced it, but you guys get to see them now! Better late than never right! I posted way to many pictures and you can see them all after the jump. I dont know how many times I've looked at these pictures, but its so fun reliving the best day of my life. Pictures never do weddings justice. I'm so thankful I had an amazing photographer(MeganWphotography) and amazing family to make everything about this day perfect.

PS: I had the worlds prettiest bridesmaids :)

Yes we did have a lightning show, and a real professional surprise fireworks show! I mean it was the 2nd of July! Let me say it again, BEST DAY EVER.

duh!

2012-01-11T08:40:00.000-08:00

No one is to old or to cool for playing.

Also, marc johns has a cute little website here.

This week

2012-01-10T04:27:00.000-08:00

Husband surprised me with a little jacket business!how sweet is he? Only stipulation being I must go on a backpacking trip with him this summer(its an outdoorsy jacket). Lord help ME,but I will do it!

I've been cooking from recipes(new years resolutions!) and the food taste so much better, and our grocery bill is happy about it too! Go figure right!

The little babe I nanny for turns 1!

I realized I never really posted pictures from our wedding on the blog, just one or two here and there. Silly me. Is it to late to post those?

I will create. The whole only working two days this week, gives me a nice opportunity to do some crafty painting goodness. I'm also seriously considering working on a nice body of work for an etsy store. Trying to conquer these resolutions left and right!

I cant stop watching the Bachelor. Seriously the lamest show on TV, but I cant stop!

Husband started school again this week! Not going to lie, I'm pretty proud of him :) Its so cool to see the journey and the path that he's being lead down, and how things always seem to naturally take him in the right directions. Watch out world he's going to be kicking some nursing butt!

rainy day weekend

2012-01-09T03:44:00.000-08:00

It rained ALL weekend.

We were pretty, well really insanely boring, having a weekend consisting of movies, and more movies, and running errands like the grocery and laundry. I love and hate weekends like that. So productive and relaxing, but boring all in one.

On Saturday we decided to forgo our errands and play hide and go seek with some of our friends at the Biltmore, that was actually highly entertaining, we wore black coats and pretended we were spy's. If you have season passes and you've been there 30 times it is pretty rad racing through the place like you own it.

Husband starts school tomorrow! And I only work two days this week! Am I dreaming? Hooray Hurrah for all of it.

Homage to the weekend and the husband

2012-01-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

Thank you weekdays for letting it be the weekend! Thank you husband for renting movies and being cozy on Friday nights! weekends and husbands might be the best things since sliced bread, that might even be under exaggerating the whole shabang, which its not like me to under exaggerate things!High fives to both of you! you, me, and the weekend can sleep in the next two mornings and I sure am ok with that!

Anyone have exciting plans for the weekend? we're running errands and watching movies. I've also been itching to see my week with marylin at the arts theatre so i'm hoping we get a chance to do that! Hope you all have a good one!

PS:This post was pretty much just en excuse to put a picture of that stud of a husband up :)

2012-01-05T04:09:00.000-08:00

Bowling, now who doesn't love bowling?

Last week we discovered the tiniest bowling alley we have ever seen. We've been taking full advantage of the two dollar bowling nights, being since winter has officially begun and outdoor activities are hard to do with out getting frosty and cold. I still haven't peeked over a score of 100, but I'll get there some day guys don't you worry. In the mean time we'll just keep having fun. What kind of fun things do you people do when it's cold and chilly? I'm needing some new ideas for the winter.

PS: I beat Husband on the first game that night! WHAT! that never happens, but I love when it does.

2012-01-04T06:03:00.000-08:00

Hello 2012!

2012-01-03T10:46:00.000-08:00

This year for New years eve we went South Carolina to see our favorite band The Avett Brothers ring in the new year. I'm not exaggerating when I say those guys put on one heck of a show. They played for over 2 hours. Thats crazy, but totally made it worth the drive and mulla! We normally end up sitting on the couch in our pj's for new years so we were excited to get out and do something really different for the holiday. I don't know how any other new years would beat this one, but we'll just have to wait and see.

Now how about resolutions? To make some or not? Maybe my first new years resolution ever will be to actually make a resolution this year? I'm giving myself one more night to think it over. ok? OK!

Happy new years weekend!

2011-12-30T13:26:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has an amazing and SAFE holiday weekend! We're headed to a concert for new years, and we'll have guests new years night! YIPPEE! It's officially time to celebrate!

2011 was such a great year! sad to see it go! on to bigger and better things :)

PS: Auld lang syne means old long- since or old long-ago. It's not far removed from the English saying once upon a time. COOL!

Christmas in review

2011-12-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

This year was filled with lots of Christmases(6 to be exact). We did tons of crafty things, we had a talent show, and I got to make my first ginger bread house ever(collaborative act with Joey's family), seriously i'm 25 and I had never made a gingerbread house until now. A Christmas FIRST!
We spent tons of time with our families and got so very spoiled. A whole week and a half of people cooking for you, sleeping in, and watching as many Christmas movies as possible is something I could get used to.
Now we're all home trying to get back into the swing of things, missing family,working on A LOT of thank you notes, and loving Asheville's warm weather.

I hope you all had Christmases as fabulous and cheery as ours. I cant believe its over already :( until next year!

we're BACK!

2011-12-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

(pictures from our rainy 8 hour drive home yesterday. Can you tell which ones from the beginning of the car ride and which ones from the end?)

We're finally home after a nice long break. We had a very merry christmas in deed! Every year Christmas just keeps getting better and better. I feel so very fortunate and lucky to have such amazing families and friends to spend the holidays with.

I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas! Hopefully Sharing some pictures from ours tomorrow!

Merry Christmas Break

2011-12-16T05:19:00.000-08:00

(This was our Christmas Card this year :)

Hey you friends!

We're going home for the holidays. Be back after Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.

10 days!

2011-12-15T04:26:00.000-08:00

(found this picture here)

This will be me in two days you guys.

Feet roasting on an open fire with all my sisters(sister-in-loves too!).

Yes I do like the sound of that.

I cant explain the christmas excitement. Honestly I cant put into words how excited I am. It's funny how the older you get the more you value time spent with your families(Its like you have to be half way through your 20's before you realize that one). I know we're all excited for gifts and gift giving, but when I get down to the nitty gritty of my Christmas elation, its definitely more about quality time spent with the people I love. Whether its feasting on hams, setting up the nativity scene, or watching "White Christmas" every single eve together, it's always good because its with these secret best friends you never knew you had, that were really just your family the whole time.

Family= Best friends+ Christmas= BEST TIME OF THE YEAR.

You catching my drift?

Winter playlist

2011-12-14T03:46:00.000-08:00

(Illustration by: Becca Stadtlander, my new favorite artist! See her blog here!)

While I was reading up on some tumblers and blogs yesterday I found this fabulous playlist on OH,PIONEER(Honestly i wish I was the musical genius behind this playlist, but I'm not). After listening to it once, I found that I really quite liked it. This winter playlist makes me feel all warm and cozy inside, like your warming up by the fire on a snowy night, slippers and hot chocolate in hand.

Tracklist:
We Are the Battery Human — Stornoway
Old Pine — Ben Howard
Blood — Middle East
Put There By The Land — Great Lake Swimmers
Angel in the Snow — Elliot Smith
Fuel for Fire — M. Ward
Winter Fawn — Matt Pond PA
Some Day Soon — Alexi Murdoch
Atlas Hands — Benjamin Francis Leftwich
Blood on the Snow — Horse Feathers
Without a Doubt — Isbells
Casimir Pulaski Day — Sufjan Stevens
Faded from the Winter — Iron & Wine
Noah’s Nameless Wife — Bryan John Appleby
Blood Bank — Bon Iver
Garden — Noah Gundersen
To Build a Home — The Cinematic Orchestra

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do :)

A wee little Christmas

2011-12-13T03:38:00.000-08:00

So long story short, we needed to give our gifts to each other before we go home this week for Christmas break. We pretty much were looking for any excuse to give each other gifts, but we tried to play it off with the whole "I dont want to bring your gift all the way home to Indiana, there is not enough room in the car" idea. So we ended up celebrating our tiny two people Christmas early.
We went big on the stocking stuffers and little on the gifts this year. Joey went with the heartfelt homemade gift, while I went with the science theme for him(he's kind of a nerd guys. In the best way of course :)

I kind of have a fascination with snow globes, so Joey made me one. It was adorable, it even had a whole Fall theme with a tiny wittle dear in it. Being since Fall is my FAVORITE season of all and deary fawns are also my favorite, I was kind of in love with it. Thank you Mister Husband, you make a dern good snow globe!

Clearly I was to excited about my present to take any good photos of the boy with his (Sorry Joey, maybe next time). Since he was a good boy this year he got a super sweet little gadget that shoots all the stars and constellations from our galaxy onto the walls and ceilings. seen here, and here. Scientific and romantic. WIN win!

Yay for our first married Christmas, we still have like 6 Christmases to go to while we're home. eeeppps! we are kind of super pumped about them, whats better than family and presents and really good food? Shoot, I dont know anything either?

PS: you guys better turn your Christmas music up, we've only got 12 more days left until CHRISTMAS!

a very boring weekend

2011-12-12T04:45:00.000-08:00

1&2. Playing outside

3&4. Bluegrass Brunch

5&6. Gifts(Christmas came early)

7. It was a good weekend for the ol' Banjo

8. Sunday driving

Our weekend was full of nothing exciting, just lots of little ditties. There was lots of sleeping in ,and you know you cant really complain about that :)

Flight of the boomerang

2011-12-09T03:57:00.000-08:00

Remember when I said we are easily entertained yesterday? We spent the greater part of Thursday learning how to throw a boomerang. Why? uhhh I really really don't know. Why am I writing a post about it? I really don't know that either, like I said our week is pretty uneventful. Did I learn to throw it? Not really. Did Joey?of course.Give that Joey kid anything that shines,flies, or makes noise and he's a happy camper. And thus concludes the story of our Thursday (my days off really need to start getting more exciting).

ps: Boomerangs REALLY do come back!

pps: Have a happy weekend!

the usual as of late

2011-12-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

Howdy, I hate to break it to you guys, but this week the most exciting thing we've done is going out to dinner, we're kind of boring people over here. Due to going over our Christmas budget and the Hubbsydoodle going back to school we are like poor college students again. I like the think that being poor for those reasons is ok, lets face it going back to school and Christmas are like the best things in the world to be poor for. You know!
Thanks to the lack of it all we've been sticking around in our little apartment watching Christmas movies and just relaxing, which is fine with us. We are very easily entertained and we are kind of funny people, so staying in is kind of mostly almost always a blast, even more so if we have the right snacks on hand! Seriously, pretzel m&m's and my night is made.

What do you guys like to do when you're bored at home?

I just remembered something else fun!!! it kinda snowed last night so we hiked up the trail behind our house to get a good looksy, by the time we got there it had stopped snowing. See guys, good clean poor people fun! (This is not me being sarcastic, it was really very was fun :)

Excitement!

2011-12-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

(Picture from thanksgiving break. Your totally aloud to laugh at this one)

Holy cows! Only two and a half more weeks until Christmas!

Two more weeks people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have serious trouble containing my excitement. The exclamation marks really give it away.

This year I'm most excited for:

GIFT GIVING
Gift receiving(lets not kid ourselves)
Gingerbread houses, I've never made one. Ridiculous I know.
Drinking wassail(recently obsessed). Did you know wassail is also a salutation wishing health to a person on a festive occasion? Hence where the drink gets its name.
Having lots and lots of family time.
Playing music with my pretty sisters
Having two families to celebrate with (truth be told, I've been celebrating with them the last 8 years, its just OFFICIAL official now).
A pretty Indiana snow or two
I know this is cheesy, but Im really really excited to have our first Christmas as Husband and Wife.
And last, but not least, EATING LOTS OF CHRISTMAS HAM, seriously.

What are you guys excited for?

Christmas cheer!

2011-12-06T03:56:00.000-08:00

A little Christmas cheer from our neck of the woods!

Happy Tuesday!

Why must the weekend always end?

2011-12-05T05:03:00.000-08:00

(this is an oldie, but a goodie)

Due to the nature of me not having a real camera, I had to dig into my old archives and look for something to post up here. Not having pictures from the weekend is like the biggest blogger no no right? am I right people? who doesn't like seeing a weekend recap in pictures? I feel sad about it, I do! Sometimes the Iphone just does not cut it, and obviously I was too distracted this weekend to stop everyone in there tracks and have them pose for bloggity pics. for shame!

Anyway friends, the weekend was lovely, the In-laws came to town! We did a little Biltmore, a little shopping, a lot of eating, and we even got a trivia night in there somewhere. nothing says love like having your parents spoil you with paid for meals, and Christmas shopping. You guys are welcome back anytime :) We love having our family in town, its so fun having a little bit of home with you. I like to try and convince every family member or friend that comes to visit us, to move down here. I really thought by now I would have talked someone into it??? I'm very persistent? Hmm maybe someday!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! We are joining our friends for some Christmas fun tonight. Chestnuts, reindeer, jack frost, we'll have it all. Cheers to the Holidays!

contentment!

2011-12-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

I'm finding so much happiness in contentment this week. I know I've got this mountain gem of a man on my arm, a nice toasty roof over my head, and all the things in the cold winter world to look forward to(I'm not going to lie the whole Christmas utopia I'm living in kind of adds to the happiness ; ). It's one of those ahh haa! moments where I'm realizing how blessed and lucky I am. When the kinks start working themselves out, and all the anxiety gets thrown in the trash, I can see the path so much more clearly, and thats some seriously refreshing business yo!

I'm having these perpetual sensations where I smile and am ridiculously silly/giddy for no reason all the time, where I feel really warm and happy in my heart, when I have like ZERO complaints. Yup. I must make this last forever :)

Life is good. The end!

reminiscing

2011-12-01T03:04:00.000-08:00

This was the best day ever.

I love him.

And it really does just keep getting better and better.

(Does anyone else feel the need to gush all the time? Or am I the only annoying sap out there?)

tis the season!

2011-11-30T04:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not going to lie guys, I'm pretty good at gift giving. I'm also pretty obsessed with gift wrapping. Which makes me awesome on all levels of Christmas. Last night it took me over 4 hours to wrap like 8 gifts. I enjoyed it a little too much, mostly thanks to Pinterest and Washi Tape. Its letting all my wildest wrapping inhibitions come out.

We pretty much devote our lives to Christmas and online shopping once Halloween is over. No offense Thanksgiving, there is just a lot of preparation for Christmas. And you only get to hear Christmas music once a year, so we kind of like to live it up. Do you guys get like this at Christmas, all crazy and obsessed? I think this is the absolute best time of the year. Seriously guys I do. Its all about love, and giving, and family, and the birth of a savior, and getting presents, GETTING MORE PRESENTS, PRESENTS!!!Just kidding guys we all know giving is wayyyyyy more fun :).

The anticipation of Christmas is like 50 million times better than Christmas day itself, at least I think so. So I'm going to relish in every little bit of it.

Hallelujah Holy Shhhhiii!!!

(guys i would never say the whole word on here, and clearly I've already watched to much Clark Griswold this year)

Back home!

2011-11-29T04:31:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving guys, thanks for asking :)

Out of all the pictures I normally take, I only ended up taking a total of three over break, and hardly capturing anything flattering or of importance. I should be ashamed of myself. Three Thanksgivings, and this is all I have to show. Not to mention its via Iphone(broke my camera a couple months ago :( must replace soon).

Oh yeah Thanksgiving break, it was awesome. We spent lots of quality time with our families, and ate as much turkey and mashed potatoes as we could possibly stuff in before returning home. It was grand. Never have we had a more enjoyable thanksgiving.

Is it just me, or do Holidays get better the older you get? Perhaps I'm learning to appreciate all things more? Perhaps I'm able to eat more delicious food than I used too? Perhaps it's because I've got a cute Husband on my arm to share and experience it all with? Hmmmmmmm, I say YES to all of those things.

Now time to start going CHRISTMAS crazy!

Thankgiving!

2011-11-23T02:31:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for these people.

Joey and I have been so very lucky to be born into two amazing families. Trying to describe or entail the love these people give to us is impossible. Their never ending supply of hugs, support, laughter, and encouragement are the best best things any kids could ever ask or hope for and we are so thankful for that. Getting to spend the next few days with them is just the cherry on top :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FRIENDS!

PS: I'm pretty thankful for that Husband of mine too. He makes everyday full of wonderful silliness! Sharing laughs with him are kind of the best thing in the world.

oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

2011-11-22T02:31:00.000-08:00

This weekend we dedicated our Saturday to all things Christmas. Clearly first on that list of Christmas duties was chopping down just the right Christmas tree. Second was me singing very loudly to Christmas carols the rest of the day. It's a really good thing the Mister likes Christmas as much as I do or I would have driven him nuts by now(thank you Mother-in-law for instilling that delightful Holiday loving quality in him!). And third was being sure to get "Love Actually" in our dvd player at some point.

Now, back to the real point, picking out the perfect tree ain't no easy task(please tell me you read that with a Carolina twang)! Especially when you're on a tree farm surrounded by hundreds of luscious green pines that look the exactly the same. Luckily we forgot where every single tree we liked was, and stumbled upon this beauty. Dont be fooled by its small stature, thy branches are lovely. Now that those pretty little branches are decorated, we can really really start ringing in the Holidays, CHEERS to that friends!

the weekend over here

2011-11-21T04:55:00.000-08:00

1. Silliness- Joey was in typical form all weekend with the sillies. I wouldn't have it any other way.

2. I crocheted my first scarf- yep you can officially add me to the Grandma status, I'm ok with it.

3 &4. went to see "Breaking Dawn"- Ridiculous, good,bad,weird, entertaining? I'm not sure?

5. Christmas dog- yup, got one.

6. Christmas tree, got one of those too.

7. Christmas hats- Might have received strange looks in Lowes for this.

8. Christmas wreath- I did make that, thanks for asking!!!!

We also made lots of Christmas decorations, played lots of music on the old banjo, did lots of smooching, got lots of Christmas presents, listened to lots of CHRISTMAS MUSIC! Guys, can you tell we like Christmas? We still love Thanksgiving, but we like to think of it as a Christmas warm up.

Our weekend was great, mostly dedicated to gearing up for the Holidays, a little bit relaxed, and a lot of fun. The end!

Florida, butterbeer, and birthdays!

2011-11-18T05:53:00.000-08:00

This weekend we took a road trip to the sunny state of Florida to see some of our best best friends. You guys remember them, they lived right across the hall from us last year. The ones we always say "We wish Chris and Abi were here to play with us"seriously we say it daily. Its always a definite guarantee that we will be doing old people things/ awesome things when we're all together, case in point being we learned how to crochet, and played canasta all weekend. Need I say more?

On top of all the crazy wild things we were doing, we were there to celebrate Abi's 30th birthday! Did I mention it was Harry's birthday too(4 years young!!!!)? We had cake, watched a lot of Harry Potter, drank butterbeer, played some crazy music, and spent the rest of our free time playing in the sun. We tried to plan about 80 trips for the future, and dreamed up plans for someday living on a farm together, or at least living closer than 12 hours (even though Joey and I refuse to live in Florida again, so its going to take a lot of convincing). We had a jubilee of a weekend, and its a shame it had to end. C'est la vie!

I know I've said this once you guys, but I'll say it again. We love them. They are the type of friends we'll have for life. The friends that we talk to once a week for the fun of it, the friends that always encourage and inspire, the friends that love to join in on our childlike nature, the friends that will always be there :). THEY ARE THE BEST. Thanks for hosting such a lovely weekend friends, we miss you already!

PS: We are finally caught up on Sara Joey life!Hooray!

mini snow!

2011-11-17T07:20:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago it got really cold for a night or two, we decided to go hiking the next day, low and behold we found snow! It was only at the very tippy top of the mountains, but it was lovely. It looked like something out of Narnia. We did get really really excited about the snow, like frolicking and chasing each other and laughing like kids(I mean come one its me and Joey), but after being in Florida this weekend I really dont think I'm ready for snow just yet. Lets hope it can hold off until at least December!

Hey all you Indiana people, I heard it snowed last weekend! A real snow! WOWSA!

ps: Dont my boys look like such studly men when they're in the mountains?

the babe job

2011-11-16T07:35:00.000-08:00

When I'm not up in the woods with the Mister or hanging out with friends, I'm most likely spending my days with this tiny girl, you know guys I do have a job, it cant be all fun and games up in here (but it kind of really is). We pretty much talk in goo-goo-gah gahs all day and eat baby puffs together. She is going to be one little whipper snapper when she gets bigger I do know that much. She's a doll, being a nanny is great, and I love the fact that my job is different every day. Her parents make great bosses too :) I feel lucky to be one of those people who actually enjoys her job, makes life a little bit easier.

ma and pa come to town!

2011-11-15T06:27:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago momma and pops came to see us. The pictures kind of scream out GOOD TIMES don't they? We did a little wine tasting, a little mountain hiking (we conquered Mt. Pisgah summit!), and a lot of food eating. They got to see all the craziness and beauty Asheville has to offer, unfortunately they missed the drum circle which is our favorite thing to show people new to the area(lets just say people get wild!) we love showing off our cute little town.

Parents are the best, they always bring a cheery, loving, and caring energy when they visit. They also pay for dinner :) We cant wait to see them next week for Thanksgiving.

Playing catch up!

2011-11-14T05:02:00.000-08:00

Hey you, I'm playing catch-up now. I'm going to try and update you on all the cool things we've done in the last month. Hopefully by the end of the week we'll all be up to speed.

Catch up day 1: Biking, fall, and scarves. That's pretty much all you need to know about this day in fall. It was beautiful and simple and fall was bleeding out of the air like a drug. We had the best day. My parents were also in town that weekend so it was extra awesome, but I'll show you that tomorrow:)

I've decided fall is the season that gets gipped. Its way to short(winter is practically half a year! what's up with that?). Next year i would like more days like this.

My thoughts on blogging

2011-11-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

I have a love hate relationship with the blogging stuff lately. Although I find it so very amusing and entertaining to spend countless hours reading other peoples blogs and cooing at their pictures, I find myself dreading the whole process these days. If i don't blog I feel guilty, if i do blog i think to myself"this is silly why am I doing this? Am I vain little Narcissus? I could be doing something productive?I write like a 12 year old? what in tar-nations should I write about? who reads this stuff?" Does anyone else ever feel that way? whats a girl to do?

And now-a-days when I look on my bloggy spot it seems so lonely and sad? And then i feel the longing for my little corner of the internet. AND WITH THAT BEING SAID!!!! I think I maybe might maybe wanna MAYBE end my personal protest against blog postings.

But seriously, how often is often enough to post? what if i don't post? what if i don't use proper grammar? what if i look fat in my pictures?(just kidding, maybe)

Thus taking away from my productivity already. I'm going to Florida tomorrow and we are leaving at 4 am. I have not packed and its midnight. I Better get on that. Perhaps when I return I will show you all the fun stuff we've done in the last month. Deal? DEAL!

Our Saturday

2011-10-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we make silly movies and have fun outside. that's all.

(the video cuts off in the end a little abruptly, oops! And it's bigger if you play it on youtube)

weekend life

2011-10-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

We spent our weekend smooching in the grass, playing boccie ball at the park, and having picnics on the hill behind our house. It was simple and perfect.

this week I love...

2011-10-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

This print!

the colors the trees, give me all of it!

It has such a warm fall feeling that makes me all cozy inside. I would like an Extra large copy for my living room please.

Joey making dinner(everyday), and making the bed! He got some serious points for that this week!

My job! I get to hang with a little bambino all day. Its pretty rockin

(seriously we rock in a rocking chair A LOT, its cute)

pumpkins all over your face kid

2011-10-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

Its October, my most favorite month of the year. I actually really don't get excited for Halloween(unless I get to dress up as something cool like this, which is pretty much never since we're not in college anymore), but I do get excited about pumpkins, daylights savings, and any other fall nonsense. I think the real secret reason I like fall so much is because that means Christmas is right around the corner, and you guys know i love some good Christmas jams, maybe a round of Elf or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 maybe even 6 who knows. Now I'm skipping months and holidays and I'm getting way off track. The point is PUMPKINS. We carved pumpkins! Joey went above and beyond this year with his portrayal of starry night, and I went with the usual doodley thing I do and did flowers. Clearly Joey was trying to make mine look like a lame understudy, but don't give him all the credit, i totally thought of the idea for him he just executed it. We may have a new arteeeest in this family that we didn't know about, and in all real honesty, Joey's takes the cake this year it looks really really awesome, good job husband, you've done me proud.

conner prairie!

2011-10-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

If your from Indiana you know what Conner Prairie is. Its only the coolest interactive history park around(might be the only one). Not only is it cool because people dress up ,talk, and act like 1860's olden times, its cool because: you can pet lots of baby animals in the petting barn(my favorite part by far), you can relive the civil war and underground railroad(not for sissys) and last, but not least the husband used to work there.Balloon pilot what! if you don't remember see this, or if you guys wondered how he got this sweet outfit when he proposed; all thanks to that place Conner Prairie.
It was a lovely day, we learned how to make beeswax candles, we learned that you could stay a night in the hotel for 6 pennies, and we learned that the confederate army were crazy son of a guns. If that doesn't make you want to go there I don't know what does! (just kidding guys). In all seriousness its a great place. as long as you bring your cool big sister, and remember to keep your hands out of the pig fence. GO!

that one time when we went home

2011-10-09T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hey friends, remember two weeks ago when we went home to Indiana to hang out with our awesome families? Yeah I forgot too. OK not really, but I've been so busy this past week I forgot to tell you what we did(getting used to the new work schedule, you know). It kind of seems silly to even be writing this post considering most the people that read this are my family whom we were with the whole time, who know everything we did. I'm just going to tell you anyways bare with me.

Clearly from the pictures you can tell we spent a lot of time down on the farm. Roping horses, herding the cows, fluffing the chickens. Nooo we didnt really do that stuff guys. It was only nice out one day of our whole stay, but on that one day we did ride the horse. Other things we did while we were home included: Eating lots of family dinners, aunts cousins mothers fathers sisters grandparents, the whole shabangity bang! Seeing lots of my friends! Going to the Avett brothers concert with both sides of the fam(it was awesome. Best concert ever), went to Conner Prairie(I'll give you a lesson on that place tomorrow), more foood, more sleep, then it was over and we drove home. In this short whirlwind, blab of a post, i'm really just trying to say we had a damn good time. We love our families.

We cant wait til Christmas when we can do it all again!

a note for Mr. Husband

2011-10-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

Well life is ever changing

But I will always find a constant

And comfort in your love

With your heart my soul is bound

And as we dance I know

That heaven will be found

Well you send my life a whirling

Darling when you're twirling

On the floor

And who cares about tomorrow?

what more is tomorrow?

Than another day.

When you swept me away

-The Avett Brothers

Full hearts, full stomachs

2011-09-28T18:59:00.001-07:00

I forgot about Indianas gloomy fall weather. The rain and gray clouds are always fashionably early in this town. I think they should consider not showing up until December or January. It's really putting a damper on our plans of horseback riding, Bon fires, and star gazing.

While the rain is a drag ,being home is great. We are being fed the best meals of our homecoming lives. We've got some moms that really love us, clearly their cooking says it all. Who needs a welcoming hug when your being served beef tenderloin, and home made lasagna. Nothing compares to momma's cooking. Don't you agree?

The only thing I could use more of this week is sister time. My sisters, and sister-in-laws, all of them. I need to see more of them! All those responsible kids with jobs and in school, don't they know we need them? We need to see there happy faces, laugh about things from our childhoods, gossip about all things juicy, watch all the Disney movies the VHS can handle! Garsh maybe a week home isn't long enough?

Ok now I'm just flapping my gums, what I'm really trying to say is home is where the heart is, home is where the family is, everything is love when your here and that's a good feeling. Thank you momma's and pappa's, sisters and friends, dogs and farm animals for putting up with us all week and making us feel so loved. Your the best familes we've ever had :) we've loved being with you all week.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Home home on the range

2011-09-26T21:27:00.001-07:00

So home again home again. We've got one last week before the new job starts and a rocking concert to attend, so we said "what the hey! let's go see those folks we call family!". And here we are. Endless amounts of good food, crisp autumn air, and love all around. How can you not be happy right?

First things first! brunches, mall shopping and pen station. We pretty much conquered all things good our first two days here. The rest of the week holds untold tails of lasagna, friends, paintings, and the harmonius music stylings of the avett brothers. In due time I'll tell you all about those things, but for now I must rest my little head.

Wear some orange, buy a pumpkin, heck! get an early start raking those leaves! Have a lovely first week of fall!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

sometimes I like to paint

2011-09-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

We all know I love to paint and jump into any artistic en devour I have around, but its easy to fall off the creativity train, really it is. If I'm not inspired or in the mood I find it damn near impossible. I keep reading no matter what happens when you get into those stages of your art life you have to keep painting on and on and on until the rush of toxic paint fumes catch up to you, just kidding, keep going until it becomes natural again! So in honor of painting and art in general I'm going to try and do at least one painting a week. I know this might not work out so well once I start my job, but just as long as i'm fulfilling my creative juices once a week I think I'll be happy. So here is hopefully the first of my weekly creativity posts.

A fun note about the painting! I'm kind of becoming obsessed with deers? how weird and strange, I've never been one of those girls to fawn (fawn,get it!)all over something, but earlier this year me and joey had these crazy crazy cards that had animal spirits on them, my animal spirit ended up being a dear. Each of these animals has it's own significance and symbolism, the dear was a symbol for gentleness. I kind of fell in love with its hidden meaning being since I can be gentle and sweet, but most times i tend to come off as being a little bit brash and obtrusive(just ask my family and husband). Anyway I thought it was a good to always keep a reminder of this deer silliness in my head. To speak act and be more gentle all around, and it's kind of stuck with me. And I like it! So there you have it that was my strangely grand inspiration for this painting.

pie-pie-me-oh-my

2011-09-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

WHOA, i baked something good for once. In the kitchen im prone to mess ups and burning schtuff, and spilling grease all over the walls. If you live with me you know this. Well times have changed. I baked zee perfect apple pie. Now im not usually one for pie or bragging about myself, ok ok i might like to brag about myself, but since I had all them there apples, I had to do something.

My sister Megan is kind of a baking expert (I think she gets it from our pops, he loves to bake) she sent me all sorts of recipes and prepared me with pre baking pep talks and the right tools for making the bomb diggity of all pies everywhere. She said I must do it like the French pastry chefs do, and I believe fraisage is what they call it. And holy goodness, I dont know what in the world that fraisage even really did, but that was the best pie crust I've landed taste buds on. Needless to say I just ate it with cinnamon ice cream(home maid too!!) for breakfast. If this breakfast routine keeps up we could have a problem, but in the mean time I'll enjoy every buttery morsel of that good ol' apple pie.

If you've got a hankering for a really good pie crust or shall we say Pâte Brisée go here! (Ignore the homemade pop tarts just scroll down to where they say pate brisee)

My loyal companion

2011-09-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

(Picture taken by sister Megan when she visited for my birthday)

Harry,

Thank you for the countless hours of entertainment and love, when faja is too busy and too cool to play with us. I think your just the bees knees and you don't even smell bad. If only you would stop begging for dinner at three o'clock in the afternoon that would be great. If you could learn to speak English that would be even better, but everything else is great! And if it's just between me and you, I like when you sleep in bed with us. Lets be best dog friends forever.

Yours til the cat barks,

Master of the house/ giver of all leftovers/ best dog mother ever

holy apple sauce

2011-09-20T08:09:00.000-07:00

Fall is officially making its entrance here in Asheville. The weather has been cold and dreary and we're starting to believe this might just be fall making its way in. Fall probably has to be my most favorite time of year ,besides Christmas, but I dont know if that even counts. Lets just say Fall is my favorite season. Sweaters, scarves,boots, pumpkins, cider, soup, squash,you name anything fall I probably love it.

Anyway back to the point, we drove to the tipsy top of a mountain and went apple picking with our favorite friends Ryan and Ellen. We tasted so many scrumdiddlyumptious apples(my favorite being the Golden) and squandered the premises for theeee best apple. It was a blast, I wish I could go pick something everyday.I talked Joey into letting us pick a huge bucket instead of the baby bushel bucket. That could have been a mistake on my part? But everyone else was doing it!!!! Ohwell apples for everyone!

Now I've got 30 apples staring me in the face asking me why I'm eating a Hershey bar over their healthy delicious red curves. whoops? If only those apples knew I've got big plans for them this week.

Side note: I feel like an official north Carolinian, I finally saw bears this week! BEARS! Three cubs and a momma, eating trash in the city! Then they got stuck in the trees, then they ate trash again. It was crazy. cute, and a little bit scary.

I got a j-o-b!

2011-09-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION all friends and family, I AM NOW EMPLOYED! I get to be a nanny for the sweetest little baby girl. My post wedding-no-job hiatus is over,and I couldn't be any happier about that. I haven't even been able to sleep because I'm so excited. Is that crazy or what? Sounds silly now that I'm saying it out loud. Hello online shopping!!!! Ok ok its more like hello paying rent, but I'll take it! Any job is a fine job for me, but this one kind of makes me really really super awesome funnest job ever happy.

If you want to start to referring to me as Mary Poppins I will not be opposed.

the waterhole!

2011-09-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you come visit us in Asheville we'll probably take you somewhere like this. Thats kind of what this city is about. Being outdoors and doing fun things, exploring new places.
A couple months ago we found this fun spot along the blue ridge and decided to see what the fuss was all about. It was amazing and beautiful. Screw the public pool we know where we're going swimming from here on out.

ode to the weekend!

2011-09-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

Of course we couldn't start the weekend out right with out getting our hairs cut! Yes that right everybody Joey chopped those mangy locks, and behind all that hair was a real man. I think he's kind of a stud either way :)

Then a trip to the Biltmore and outside fun was necessary now that we are year round members. Yep that's right guys call us cool. You know your jealous. And it makes a lovely place for picnics and people watching and pretending its our own. We've decided its like Disney world for adults, people love and flock to this place. Clearly we are one with them now, and we are cool with that.

And last , but not least, to round out are weekend, we went for a nice scenic drive along the blue ridge. We brought snacks and books and the baby(baby dog, that is). We drove forever and honked twice each time we went through a tunnel,until we found a good spot for reading and enjoying the day. The weather has been beautiful here. It's practically unbearable to sit inside when the sun and trees are calling our names.

The weekend was lovely over here! Now that Joey's on the mend things are getting back to normal, like lots and lots of picnics and outside fun. We've decided to try and have as many picnics as we can in new places before the summer ends. It's proving to be quite fun. We had three different ones this weekend. Yippee. Maybe if your reading this you should come join us?

Asheville we LOVE you. We never ever ever want to leave you and your pretty mountains. Thanks for letting us have such a sweet weekend!

Ps: now that Joey is put back together again i'm going to be more timely with my post.

crash (the comedic version)

2011-09-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

This is Joey's version of the day in his head. I think its pretty self explanatory, and safe to say he was on drugs when he made this, but he was insistent that i show you folks at home.

Feet on the ground, Head in the sky, It's ok i know nothing's wrong

2011-09-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

After the insane business of last week, we are now a week post-op. wooowho! And due to the look on this guys face, I'd say he's feeling a little bit better, just a little bit ;) And from the looks of my face, people are sending us tooo much candy. You guys are the best, but seriously i think I've gained 5 pounds :)

Since last week was pretty much spent moping around, feeling sorry for ourselves, and sleeping in bed, we were feeling pretty adventurous this week. We started the week with a movie uhhh "Cowboys and Aliens"(embarrassing, clearly not my choice of movie, but i cant really say no to the hurt boy), and then today we had a little picnic and milkshake date. Things are looking up on this side of town. If things keep healing like this he'll be back to doing dishes and taking the trash out in no time :)

ps: Joey worked really hard on making a comic of his accident last week, but we're having trouble getting it on the blog. Maybe soon? He's pretty proud of it.

a little Lennon for ya

2011-09-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

and we'll all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun- John Lennon

(real post coming soon, having a bit o' bloggers block you know?)

The bionic husband

2011-08-29T18:52:00.001-07:00

We'll the last week has been eventful to say the least. We just returned from a mini vacay and then joeys motorcycle decided to dump him in some gravel. That meant broken collar bone and some handy metal plates being put in his arm. Talk about ruff.

That dern motor bike always scared the beejees out of me and now I know why. It's never easy seeing your loved ones hurt, not to mention I'm a total baby so being the big strong wifey was a challenge. I think I did ok though, the kit-kats and ice cream really helped :) Joey said I did great, but that could be his meds talking.

Nothing puts life into perspective like a two day trip to the er. We are thanking the Lordy above for all our blessings and that the worst was a broken clavicle and a few scrapes. Amen amen amen. Can I get a hallelujah brotha!

Life is going to be ok folks.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Gone fishin'

2011-08-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

OK Ok. im not fishing, but i am at the beach! see you next week world!

PS: My lovely sister is back in the blogging world yip yip yippee! check her out here.

Birfday Success!

2011-08-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

The birthday was a success. First of all, we ate A LOT of Mexican food, opened gifts, and laughed like 12 year olds all night (that's typically what happens when he's been gone for a week). Second of all, he shares his birthday with Davy Crockett(need i say more?He is very VERY proud of this fact). Aaaaannnd third of all, we had a cake of donuts. In this cake of donuts we had 20 candles, we needed 25, so Joey was insistent on re-lighting 5 after the initial Birthday chorus and blow out, so then again another round of happy birthday was sung, and another wish was made, finally 25 candles down and we called it a night. Amen. Happy birthday. Hallelujah he made it to 25 folks (if you know joey this is shocking, that kid does some crazy daredevil stuff)!

More celebrating to come this weekend with the Fam, huzzah!

PS: He's on his way to an interview now! Say a prayer or keep your fingers and all other body parts crossed for him! It would be amazing if we didnt have to keep going every other week with out seeing each other. No more lonely gooses here.

Happy Birthday Husband!

2011-08-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Dearest husband/ shining star,

Happiest birthday to you.I feel so honored and lucky to be able to call you my husband on this exciting occasion. The last seven birthdays I've spent with you are just a peek at how many more birthdays and celebrations we will have have together, and that is an exceptionally swell thing. I'm hoping that everything this birthday is as you wish and that the candles you blow-out bring all the rest of your future wishes to life. I hope your day is filled as much joy and laughter as one can possess, and this year of 25 conquers all years before. Soak it up, celebrate, and know that you are loved so very deeply.

Yours Truly,

Sara

Some bunny's got a birthday tomorrow!

2011-08-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

(dont ever leave me alone for a week with streamers and balloons, this is what happens)

Tomorrows the day! The big 2-5 for my main squeeze!

This dog is ready to party.

on top of old smokie

2011-08-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Last week we found ourselves at the tallest point this side of the Mississippi river(please tell me you read that with a country accent)! We accidentally climbed some of mount Mitchell in search for our friends. You know that stereo type where guys don't ask for directions cause they have a ruff estimate of where they're going? this was Joey's shinning moment for that one. Although I would never place him under the "i know where im going honey" category it accidentally happen this day (Hes always really good with directions I promise). The inconclusive game of hide and seek ended with us yelling our friends names from the tippy top of the mountain. We never found them because we were on the opposite side of the world, silly us, but naturally we had a good time.

Why didnt i see this 5 months ago. so cute

2011-08-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

We all know i like to complain about being lonely and sad every other week, but i found this online today here and i couldn't help but repost it. So cute and so true. Just reading it makes me feel instantly better and warm inside. If only i had found this like 5 months ago!

Fun week ahead!

2011-08-15T10:38:00.001-07:00

(Harry cracks me up in this pic)

I'm blogging from my phone while I get an oil change. I just wrote out a pretty decent post and accidentally deleted it all! Needless to say I'm annoyed with myself!

Anyway!!!! Busy week ahead, fun week ahead! Husbands birthday is Wednesday and his last shift of work and being gone for a week will be over! Thank the lord! Also some of joeys family will be here and we're going to the biltmore and a mini vacay to the beach! How spoiled are we? It's going to be a wonderful week indeed! I can't wait to have some company around our parts of town!

In the meantime I'll be writing thank you notes, making birthday cakes, and job searching! Whoopi! Have a splendid week!

Ps: blogging from my phone is really cool, but typing is hard! Beware of spelling errors!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The dog days are over

2011-08-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

Living alone sucks. I've never actually really lived alone, but being alone every other week for 5 months counts for something right? Thankfully those days are over with, and i get to see my Bonny on a daily basis from here on out. Just imagine me doing a jig right now, like a prize winning amazing river dance, thats how excited about this one i am.

In those 5 months i felt so alone, I might have even got a little bit depressed. Being in a new city, living by myself, and having no friends is kind of uhhhhhhhh, what's the word i'm looking for? LONLEY, yes thats it. Very very lonely. Luckily i got a few calls a week from my Mom, Mother-in-law, and Sister. Thank god for my sister and the mass amounts of text and phone talk, I really think that is why im still sort of sane today. It was just a solo me hanging with my dog wanting to sleep through the next 8 days soo they go faster(no offense to Harry, he's just not much for conversation). Depressing right? I told you i might have been depressed. Enough with the whining though we're on to better things now.

Really what I'm getting at is, living alone is hard. How the hell do people do that? Seriously how do they? Someone should write a good book on how to live alone and what to do with yourself. I would have bought it in a flash and read it cover to cover.

I am so freaking excited to have my main man back. I loved his honorable fabulous job, at which he was amazing at and did amazing things, but i am so so so excited to have him here with me and the pup living life together again on a daily basis. What's life if you cant share it with the ones you love right?

(picture from our honeymoon of Alcatraz.I thought it was sort of suiting,kind of alone out there?ok ok. i said kind of guys)

PS: Yesterday was our 7 years of togetherness. He's a pretty swell fellow if i dont say so myself.

New favorite friends!

2011-08-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Seriously dudes and dudettes, we really really made friends. Making in friends in a new place is not an easy task i've discovered. Every time im at my lowest no friends point and I start getting really worried im going to have to make friends with the crazy neighbor lady(there is always one), and start hanging out at the dog park throwing pennies for friends, we seem to make them. Phew and thank god!

The other day I picked Joey up from work and promptly he explained to me that we had a dinner appointment with friends. Why he called it an appointment, i dont know, i think he was just really excited. He even wrote it in sharpie on his pants in case he forgot it(we were meeting them in less than an hour,seriously)? the guy does weird things. Ever since then Ryan and Ellen have called us every other day to hang out. So we think they really like us, three times in one week has got to be the seal of approval right? or else they are using us for are incredibly good looks and boccie ball set (just kidding, i mean we aren't that cute guys). Honestly though we really think they are pretty neat folks and we hope to spend lots of fun times with them.

The friend gods always seem to rein down on us in our most time of need. i guess? There's nothing like having some fancy friends to go on picnics and hikes and play games with. (i hope they still want to be our friends when they find out im writing about them. hmmm, little creepy) Anywho im posting pictures from out picnic the other night. We pretty much laughed and giggled the whole dinner and then we played in the sunflowers, then we got milkshakes, then we watched princess bride. It was pretty much a done deal after the picnic and milkshakes, they already know the way to my heart. twas a great night indeed. (air high-five)!!!!

Honeymoon part 2

2011-08-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Prepare your eyes for a feast of pictures(sorry the place was just to pretty)

Want to know something cool? Seeing the redwoods was on my bucket list, and we did it! really really cool huh?(it was like a real life fern gully, we were in heaven) I suggest that everyone should see them before they die. Just spectacular. Pt Reyes and Tomales Bay weren't to shabby either.

Ummm can i go on another honeymoon please? pretty please??? ok ok fine. Clearly we had a good time :)

I think this is what summers about

2011-08-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

I took my dog, my man, and a good book to the park and soaked up some dreamy sun yesterday.

Dont you think going outside and doing something is what summers all about?

Honeymoon part 1

2011-08-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

For our honeymoon we went to Tomales Bay in northern California. Tomales bay was full of beaches and national seashores, and tons of good hiking; we even saw seals,sharks, and lots of jellyfish right off our dock! After living in Florida for 10 months we were excited to go somewhere not so tropical. We kind of ditched the typical honeymoon and went our own way, we absolutely loved it though. We stayed at this lovely place! the town was quaint and tiny, and in the middle of nowhere. Peace and relaxation was kind of a give in on this honeymoon(right-oh!, just like a honeymoon should be). If you ever get the chance to visit there do it. It is amazing, and the views and scenery are breathtaking. oh and the oyster we cant forget the oysters!The place was splendid.

Learning your craft

2011-08-04T10:01:00.000-07:00

I read an article the other day that seriously sang out to me. It was like grandmother willow came out of the computer and was speaking directly to me. Elsie from the blog Red Velvet said, "It takes time (sometimes many years) to develop a vision and learn your "craft". Wherever you are, don't rush the learning process. The more time you spend developing your skills and style, the better. Be encouraged and keep learning!"

I'd like to say I've been on a sabbatical from painting the last two years, but truthfully i think it was just lack of drive, motivation, and inspiration. After painting in school for four years i think i just got burned out and needed a time of re-growth. After so long i started getting really freaked out that i just didn't enjoy painting anymore and was seriously afflicted by it. Then i started thinking what a waste of four years and what the heck was i going to do now i'm mid-twenties and have no clue where to go from here. How useless am i?

THANKFULLY i'm finally not feeling that way anymore. My urge to paint and create is coming on stronger than ever and I've been working like a mad man on silly little projects around the house in between job searching and fetch with the dog. I was so inspired by the fact that she said learning and tweaking your craft takes years. sometimes i get the feeling if i'm not good at something instantly i never will be. It kind of brought everything back down to earth just reading her simple little post.I feel that if i worked really hard i could finally go somewhere with my painting. I'm so happy to get that feeling and force to make and create again on my own free will. Glory be!

A love letter for my Mr. Heiser

2011-08-02T09:37:00.000-07:00

Marriage: Month 1

   A whole month of marriage, can you believe it? That month went by way too fast and we didn't see each other nearly as much as we should have, but all i know is i feel blessed. Perhaps fate, perhaps god, perhaps mere coincidence we found each other and all was well from then on. The good times have always out weighed the bad times(cue the led zeppelin) and the laughs are perpetual when we're together. i wish i could put the way you make my heart swell in a box and give it as a gift to every single person i know, just so they could experience the pure bliss you always make me feel. The sea of love we're sailing on has been such an easy ride and and such a grand adventure, I can not wait to see what excitement marriage has in store for us. Thanks for being mah sweet Husband.
   love,
   Mrs. Heiser

we went into the woods for the weekend, and then we came back out to real life

2011-08-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

Heres are a few(ok not a few A LOT) more pictures from when Megan my sister was here.

I say if you cant hang out with your Mr. a sister is the next best thing.

Pretty much the sum of our weekend goes like so....

Wake up late

drink delicious cappuccinos

try out some new banging restaurants for brunch

drive through the woods and mountains and explore for a couple hours

go out on the town for dinner

relax

I dont know about you, but my weekend was simple and lovely and uhh a little bit lazy too(shhh). But then of course real life had to come knocking on my door again, now im back on the job searching thing and making conversation with my dog all day because looking for jobs make my brain go all wonky and cross eyed after so many hours. I'd say it's rather, hmmmmmmmmmmmm i cant think of a word even great enough to describe this. Lame, awkward, boring, craigslist? im not sure. You guys know how it goes. thats just life. Keeping my fingers crossed i find something really really good. In the mean time I'll keep distracting myself with trips to urban.

Maybe if you guys are good this week i'll post some honeymoon pics. yeah? YEAH! I know its backwards order because i haven't put up and wedding pictures yet, but you kids are going to have to be patient with that one.

Hope your Monday is off to a good start, I can't wait until the hubsterfriend is home. I'm feeling rambunctious and outgoing this week. good combo eh?

oh to be young

2011-07-31T20:45:00.000-07:00

Life is too short not to take advantage of the simple pleasures that make you happy.

The birthday i almost spent alone

2011-07-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

So we all know this week was my birthday, Joey was gone, and i was prepared to spend my birthday alone. I was totally fine with it until I actually kept forgetting it was my birthday(that was just awkward and depressing). Low and behold, my sister Megan decided to take a spur of the moment trip to the birthday rescue (were talking 8 hours here people). She always seems to pull something out of her sleeve on mah birthdays. I remember two years ago, she made a secret trip back home all the way from New York to surprise me on my birthday, it was absolutely joyous. Needless to say i burst out in tears i was so happy and surprised. She is a pretty awesome sister, and my best best friend. I love her to pieces and i'm so happy she's here with me this week. I guess that's what sisters are for!

In lieu of the celebration we've been eating amazing food, drinking the best cappuccinos, and being all around silly. That's just how us googly girls roll. Maybe if i'm lucky i can talk her into staying forever? I love her.

Thanks for coming to see me Megs, you made my birthday unforgettably splendid!

(I'm pretty sure Harry liked the company too!)

It's my birthday!

2011-07-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

The big 25! holy cow, I'm getting old you guys.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say 24 was a pretty rockin year(engaged, married, moved to Florida and North Carolina), but I have a feeling 25 is going to be pretty darn wonderful as well. I mean how could it not be.

I've got a insanely wonderful husband(still feels weird to say husband)

two families that love me

lots of really great friends

one super cute dog

and a brand new year of life ahead of me to start on new adventures!

Seriously, Can i get an amen?!

Happy birthday to me!

(ps: I've come to the conclusion that birthday donuts are wayyyyyy better than birthday cake)

thoughts this week.

2011-07-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

-I Married quite a handsome dude!

-Playing the banjo is hard! I'm excited for a new challenge and musical endeavor, but please dont expect me to be as good as Marcus Mumford anytime soon :)

-I want to live in a house, apartments really aren't conducive to dogs and storage and things like having a dining room table. And i really really want a dining room table.

-I've started the job search again, but i dont want just another job. I want to start a career doing something I really really like. The problem is i dont know what i really really like at this point. I've got some ideas, but nothings screaming at me? How does one find their true job calling in life? I'm considering bringing my painting guns out and going hog wild. A painting a day could be key to next life chapter? and exciting. Perhaps.

-As much as i love the Mr.'s amazing awesome job , I would really seriously love to see him on a daily basis. That would be rad.

-North Carolina, is it really necessary to take the written and driving test when getting a new license? Can't you be a little bit less of a hassle? I just want to change my name.

-I will be 25 tomorrow. CRAZY but, cool! I kind of love growing up. at what age do you start feeling like a grown up? I still feel 18 in my head.

Home sweet home

2011-07-27T10:28:00.000-07:00

Normalcy has resumed in the Heiser household! I can not be more excited about this. After being home for over a month and a half and living out of a suitcase im glad to be back home and sleeping in my own bed, with my own mountains, and my own routine. I'm not sure exactly what that routine is yet; perhaps job searching, taking Harry on walks, and eating to many donuts, maybe some more blogging? Sounds pretty accurate thus far(we've only been home one day, so its a little hard to say).
Even though I'm super excited to be home, I will miss seeing all my friends and family everyday. Getting married, celebrating anything and everything with the families,having my sister cook delicious food for me, gossiping with my sister in law, doing crazy wedding stuff with my momma's then reviewing every cute little detail of it, and seeing my lovely friends as much as possible was kind of the best way to be stuck at home for a month. I got used to being surrounded by my favorite people all the time. If only I could have packed you all in my suitcase it would have solved the problemo right then and there. I guess you'll have to visit and we can do all of that again :)

Baby your a firework

2011-07-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

I cant help but hear the ever so popular katy perry singing her overplayed song fireworks when I see this picture. Kind of embarrassing. But we did get married on 4th of July weekend. We should have known we would see fireworks!

I'm off for a busy weekend, Joey comes to town again (a week away from each other as newlyweds is kind of awful),weddings and birthdays to celebrate, then back home to North Carolina. HIP HIP HOORAY! Hope you guys have a fun weekend! Let the celebrations begin!!!

ps: I'm trying to not post to many wedding photos because I know once I get the digital negatives the wedding post will be flying out left and right littered with wedding pictures. So you only get sneak peaks for now, but hopefully soon we'll get the rest of the pictures back and I can share more details of the best day ever with you.

You belong somewhere you feel free

2011-07-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

This week I'm missing my North Carolina home and my hubsyfriend real bad. Now I'm not saying I'm not enjoying my time at home with my families and friends, but living out of a suitcase for a month and a half and being in two different states(post wedding) with no car is getting old real fast.

Luckily my boy is done with work tonight and will be within phone calls reach, one of my best friends is getting married this weekend, we've got lots of birthdays to celebrate, I've gotten to see all my friends many many times this summer, and did i mention the family meals and food and times we've been spending together have been great. See its not all bad. Just a little homesick.

there is nothing worth sharing like the love that lets us share our name

2011-07-18T21:58:00.000-07:00

(photo: Megan Wynn Photography)

You know those people who say marriage feels just the same as dating? They are wrong.

I've had a couple people ask me how it feels to be married and if it feels any different then before. I say absolutely!yes! of course! Then they usually proceed and ask why or how it feels different after seven years of dating, and I go on trying to explain, but nothing ever pins the tail on the donkey. Its like Einstein trying to explain the theory of relativity, or Stephen Hawkings trying to explain black holes. I usually end up sounding out of my gourd, and they look confused. So I'm going to give it one more whirl. This is important stuff you know?

So here i go guys. Have you ever in your life felt so content you could die in that moment, because everything is perfect and as it should be? Have you ever realized that every moment in your life lead up to those specific dates and times and phone calls and it worked out perfectly,just to get you exactly where you are today? Its like putting the last puzzle piece into its perfectly nuzzled space (I'm kind of sounding like an alanis morissette song now, bare with me). It's like reading your most favorite book where the ending makes you smile for days and you want to read it over and over again because each specific word lead you to the happiest ending. You know when you see a shooting star and you make a wish as fast as you can before it fades away, and the rush of giddy childlike excitement makes you feel more special than you ever have before, like you were the only person in the whole world who saw it or felt it? ok ok ok I'll stop there,but thats just brushing the edges of how i think marriage feels. There is no simple way to put it because it really is that great (i think it might have something to do with the guy I married too)

I could go on for days with the cheesy metaphors, but seriously folks its practically indescribably. and being as I've only been married a mere two and a half weeks I'm no expert, but I do know that the passion and the comfort and the fun of being married feels incredible and new and exciting. I have never ever in my life felt so content as i do now.

Dont let those boring old chaps fool you people. Marriage is the sweetest.

Pre Wedding: I get by with a little help from my friends (and family)!

2011-07-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

I know we've all heard of D.I.Y weddings. That was not the case for our wedding. Well we did do a lot of it ourselves, but for the most part friends and family from all over the place came together to help us make our day so so special. The money and time our parents and friends and family put in is incredible. Joey and me were talking on our honeymoon about it and it just brings us to tears every time we bring it up to think that this many people wanted to help us. It was so special that words will never convey how it made us feel or how grateful we are, but believe me we will never ever forget it and how very magical it was to have everyone be a part of our day.

Besides the unbelievable amount of gratitude we have for both of our parents for all the hard work they put into the wedding, we also owe a lot of it to our sisters, friends, aunts, and uncles,cousins, grandparents, and boyfriends, best-friends, parents friends, and complete strangers who came, and worked, and cooked, and donated time and money. I was contemplating writing our a list of everything everyone did for us to show you, but then i decided if i did that i would leave someone or something off and also the list would probably take about two weeks to make and it would be longer than a novel. We had that much help.

I truly think our day was so magical and beautiful, not because it was our wedding and we were excited, but because everyone and their brother wanted us to feel special and wanted to help us, and on top of that, they were elated about helping! They wanted to be a part of it too. And thats a really cool feeling words cant describe.

Since words are failing to show you all the work our friends and family did, I'll share some pictures with you I stole from Joeys sister. (unfortunately these pictures dont even capture half the work or people that were there helping, but you'll get the idea)

ps: due to facebook not letting you steal pictures off it anymore I cant show you the bachelorette party :( maybe someday. For now we're going to wedding post sorry.