summer sunset

Early this summer, J and I went beach camping in the Outer Banks with a few of our close friends. I found a few summer sunset pictures I thought I'd share in honor of these waning August days.

10 things I am thankful for

Because it is the season of giving thanks, and because a busy fall has pushed me to the point where I sometimes forget how good I have it, I've made a little list of the little things I am thankful for....

1. My husband, who gives me calf-rubs after long 1/2 marathon training runs, eats and claims to love most of my cooking and who makes me go on afternoon sunshine fall bike rides even when I am being a grump because he knows they will cheer me up.

2. My healthy body, which can chug a long for ten miles (and hopefully 13.2 on Dec 12).

3. Our big family - they are the best and I have come to realize that despite my small failures or successes they will love me the same regardless.

4. My bike - it gets me to the places I need to go.

5. Camilla the cat, because she forces me to take breaks when she sits on my laptop.

6. My friends, who are honest (if not brutal), open, who believe in me and my dreams and who make me laugh until I might cry.

7. My husband's job and my job- because in this economy they are tough to come by and I am so grateful.

8. The smell of a butter, olive oil, onion and garlic saute in a cast iron frying pan- not only is the scent divine, but there are so many directions you can take this delightful mix.

9. Coffee and water- awakens me, fuels me, gets me going- also so many people in the world don't have access to clean water- we are so lucky.

10. Trees on fire- I mean seriously how beautiful is the world in fall? Red, yellow, orange colors- and the light! We are so lucky to experience and drink in this beautiful season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you thankful for this November?

Oh Hello

May was the busiest month of all, but filled with wonderful and exciting things. First,I'd like to announce that I am a candidate....no not that type of candidiate...rather after 4 semesters of blood, tears, and threats that I was quitting and dropping out, I am officially a masters candidate! What does this candidacy mean? Well it means, I took all the classes, passed all the tests, got my thesis proposal approved and all that is standing in my way of that M.A degree is a thesis! Whoop Whoop! Bring on the research!

The second exciting happening in the land of notreallyblogging, is that the husband got a totally, wonderful, incredible new job! Sadly, said job is 60 miles away in my hometown, where the jobs for my profession are few and far between..…however, he just started and there is the potential to work at home/telecommute several days a week…so that rather rush into moving back to my hometown, we are going to take it one day at a time and see what happens! Exciting! But stressful!


Finally, May has officially kicked off wedding season!!! So our weekends have been full of celebrating love! Congrats to all of our friends who are recently or about to be married!

How is your summer going?

2010 and other stories

So far I have kept to my resolution of being confident, working out and making time for others! I even took a break from studying last night to try out this recipe for these black bean burgers from eating bird food, and to watch a movie with the hubster. They turned out super delicious (though I left out the jalapenos).

Also, my university has just opened a fabulous new gym - super exciting and in time for resolutions! Part of this new facility is a saweeet indoor track, which is super fantastic, as I find that running on a treadmill is a fate worth than death.

So while sticking to my resolutions is working out nicely - 2010 has been off to a interesting, chaotic, slightly silly and random start for the following three reasons.

1. falling on my @$$ two minutes after midnight off of a deck bench, knocking the air out of myself and being THAT crying girl at the party.

* Goal for 2010- learn to walk gracefully in three inch heels

2. Spending sunday night in the ER with my sweet cousin who ended up having a severe allergic reaction

3. We spent 9 hours watching ALL THREE Star Wars at our friends house. Seriously. biggest dorks ever, it was like our butts grew roots and

Anywho, the hubster is off skiing at Snowshoe so I'm taking advantage of the weekend by cleaning, studying and watching lots of silly movies that would drive him crazy!

Also I mad men(ed?) myself.com :). And why yes! That is a donut I am holding rather than the Mad Men martini!

And the pursuit of happiness by Maria Kalman

Monticello and Jefferson is a big part of my life whether I'd like to admit it or not. My Dad is a professor at UVa, my mom is a garden guide at Monticello and my brother also works there as a gardender. Jefferson and his ideas surrounded me growing up in Charlottesville, VA. This is why I love this , featured in the New York Times. check it out.