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Saturday, November 27, 2010

A Marathon of Eating


We had such a great time in Georgia this past week! Sunday night, we arrived in Atlanta, ate at the Varsity, and then went to the Ben Folds concert at the Tabernacle. Then we headed back to Athens and celebrated my mom's birthday with a trip to Trader Joe's, a hike in the Botanical Gardens, and then dinner out at Last Resort. Gosh, have I have missed Cecilia's cakes!

Wednesday we headed out to Roswell, where we ate an obscenely HUGE Thanksgiving feast at Pammy's parents' house. We spent Black Friday doing a little early holiday shopping, and then, we picked out a Christmas tree!! I cannot think of a better way to spend the holiday.

Tonight we went to yet another Thanksgiving feast at our friends' house. We sat, ate. Sat and ate some more. As we started to feel comatose, we ate dessert. It was fabulous!

Now we're going on a diet.


Happy Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Thankful



So I was looking at the date and I realized that in one month, Morgan and I will have been married for a year. I can't believe how quickly time has passed and how truly blessed we are! I can't believe how often I take things for granted, simple things like a roof over my head and food to eat and good health. And on top of that, I have been given the most precious, amazing family in the entire world. I never have any reason to complain. Ever.

A little early thanks-giving to start the holiday off right.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Cozy Up

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I feel like life has been crazy-busy lately. We are looking forward to a restful Thanksgiving back in Georgia. Ben Folds at the Tabernacle, Southern Thanksgiving feasts (two of them now... perks of being married), and time with family. The recipe for a wonderful holiday

Since it's been so cold here, I've been feeling the need to cozy up indoors with warm cider and old movies. Tonight we're watching Charlie Brown Christmas. :)




Image from T Ruffle.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Let it Snow






We got our first snow last night. It continued all the way into the morning, and when we woke up, our whole street was buried beneath a fresh blanket of white, powdery snow. We went for a walk and then came back to the apartment and had a cozy breakfast of chocolate-chip waffles. Perfection.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Tis the Season

Morgan won't let me get a Christmas tree yet. (I have to say I agree with the whole after Thanksgiving rule). BUT he did let me add a bunch of movies to our Netflix queue. Which means that, for the next several weeks, we will go bananas with Christmas movies. Including, but not limited to the following:

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas
2. A Christmas Story
3. The Santa Clause
4. Home Alone
5. Home Alone 2
6. Nightmare Before Christmas
7. A Muppet Christmas Carol
8. Christmas Vacation
9. It's a Wonderful Life
10. Love Actually
12. The Holiday
13. Shop Around the Corner
14. I'll Be Home for Christmas
15. Elf
16. Batman Returns

Did I leave any out???




Fort Collins is getting really festive too. Downtown, they've put up all these pretty twinkling Christmas lights. I know it's too early and we haven't even had Thanksgiving yet. But there's just something so magical about Christmas...

Friday, November 5, 2010

Nanny Life

Did I mention that I get to nanny for a cute little baby named Grace? She belongs to our neighbors. This baby has been on hikes and bikes and mountain climbs. She is oh so precious.



Tonight, our neighbors are having a party to welcome in the winter. We're having hot cider and a bon fire and lots of yummy food. I think having a party is a fun way to celebrate the seasons changing!

Have a great weekend :)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Sufjan Stevens




My sweet (and very sneaky) husband surprised me today with Sufjan Stevens tickets!! We sat third row, center. It was the most amazing show I have ever seen. At one point, we were all dancing in our seats. We left this concert in the best mood.

We had to take our sweet friends to the airport this morning. I was sad to say goodbye to them, but what a great visit!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Friends Visit

It has been such a great visit with Erin and Leanna! We have crammed so much into one weekend...

On Saturday morning, I picked Erin and Leanna up from the Denver airport. We met up with our friend Karla, who is working in Denver as a math teacher. We went to lunch with her at 16th Street Mall. I saw the Paramount Theater with Sufjan's name on the marquee. He is playing a concert tomorrow (my birthday), but we couldn't get tickets!!! Oh, well. Maybe we'll catch him next time he comes to Denver.

After lunch, we left Denver and headed south to Colorado Springs, home of Focus on the Family (Mom, remember Adventures in Odyssey?) and Pike's Peak. We picked up Beka and headed into the mountains to visit Lost Valley Ranch, the five-star ranch where Mary Ellen has been working for the past several years. We arrived just in time for the Halloween party, but Mary Ellen snuck in a quick tour. This ranch is legit. It is both a functioning cattle ranch and a resort where guests can stay. It is out in the middle of nowhere. The star-gazing is wonderful. I would like to stay there.

After the party, we left the ranch and drove back to the Springs. We spent the night at Beka's apartment. Sunday morning, we got up early and made pumpkin pancakes in honor of Halloween. Then, Beka took us to Garden of the Gods. This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The rock formations are incredible. And so is the view of Pike's Peak. We had some fun playing here.




We had a nice picnic lunch, and then it was time to head back to Fort Collins. We got to take Erin and Leanna to church with us. I may have mentioned this before, but our church meets in the evenings, at 5 p.m., because we rent space from another church who meets in the morning. So, by the time church was over, it was dark out. As we were walking home, we were admiring the Halloween decorations and the cute trick-or-treaters. And then, true story, we saw a black horse with a headless rider emerge from the shadows. The rider was wearing all black. He carried a pumpkin and a sword. Here's the conversation that transpired:
Us: "Um. Are you by any chance the headless horseman?"
Headless Horseman: *Turns towards us and raises his sword*
Us: "Are you a nice horseman?"
Headless Horseman: *Silent*
Us: "Where did you get that horse?"
Headless Horseman: "Wal-Mart." *Rides off*

We later found out that Morgan, who came home separately, had a longer conversation with him. Nice guy, the headless horseman. Sunday night, we carved our jack-o-lantern and attempted to make snicker doodle cupcakes. They weren't very aesthetically-pleasing, but they tasted scrumptious.

Today, we spent some time exploring Fort Collins. We went shopping in Old Town. We went to Odell, where we had some beer and played Jenga. Then, we went to dinner at Coopersmith's, where we consumed more food than anyone ever should. I mean, I think we had ten courses.

Tomorrow, we have to take Leanna and Erin back to the airport :( But not until we have a delicious breakfast at Snooze. I can finally order their special birthday pancakes!