Christmas Vacation

So my wonderfully extended Christmas vacation was delightful...to put it mildly!

I shopped, wrapped presents, entertained, read (a LOT!), baked, played, lunched, brunched, gifted, crafted, and best of all, spent quality time with friends and family.My vacation comes to a close in less than 24 hours and I will greet my second graders with big smiles on Wednesday morning. I'm also excited to get back to school to see my good friends at work and get into a solid routine for 2012. So speaking of the new year, I think I've decided upon two goals. Here we go!

Resolution 1: make healthy choices (pretty open ended, right? but I really stink at sticking to a "resolution") -- I'm excited about a new ballet fitness class at the Y and Mom gave me a new headband to keep my ears warm so no excuses on those cold winter days for a good, long run! Grant and I have been staying away from processed foods, dairy, fat and sugar for several weeks now so I'd like to continue that. We'll see!

Resolution 2: be more patient while driving. I really need to just say Scripture out loud instead of raising my voice at the cars that can't hear me! They can't help it if they're ignorant to their left-lane-go-slow-obsession...right?

And since photo posts are more exciting and than just rambling, here are a few phone snapshots from our low-key holiday....

Sawyer on Christmas morning...I promise, we don't always mommick him in such ways. Just on special occasions!

On Christmas evening, Grant went to get some shots of the sunset with the AB bridge in the background. Sawyer had to join in on the fun! I captured this shot from the warm car with my phone. It was such a sweet moment.

Found some time to peruse the racks at Talbots before joining Grant for lunch last week. I had taken this photo in the dressing room (not a notable pastime for me...hah!) and he immediately convinced me to get this 70% off steal of a blazer! What do y'all think? I can't wait to layer with this during the cool/cold months in Raleigh.

On New Year's Eve, at Smith Mountain Lake. We loved spending time at the Linderman lake house! I think that sunset is taste of how beautiful heaven will be!

What are your resolutions for Twenty-Twelve?

A Christmas Carol

Grant and I joined his family to go see A Christmas Carol put on by Theatre in the Park of Raleigh It was awesome! Being somewhat "new" to Raleigh (read: not having lived here all my life) I had never seen Ira David Wood III's take on this traditional story. We definitely laughed a lot!

Celebration

Much like the day we were married, the summer temperatures soared into the low 100's. Ridiculous! Grant and I made a unanimous decision to stay indoors! We spent a week celebrating with friends and family and enjoyed several concerts together. I dubbed this week Music Mania -- it was awesome!

So I had typed all the details, added the links, videos, pictures...and then it just all disappeared. Oh, technology. Boo!

Here's the breakdown:

Friday - The Craig Thompson Band and Blue Dogs at Lincoln Theatre

Wednesday - Josh Ritter at Cat's Cradle

Thursday - Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at Koka Booth Amphitheatre

I'm heading back out to school to get everything ready for the beginning of another great year!

Quick shout out to our wonderful family and friends who helped us celebrate with concerts, pampering, and my wonderful husband who treats me a like a queen!

Country Road

Grant and I ventured to West Virginia a few weekends ago with my nana and poppy. We had a GREAT time visiting with family friends at their cabin and enjoying God's gorgeous creation. The pastures, muddy trails, river, cool mornings, and stubborn cows made for a great long weekend. Here are some pictures of our weekend!









We did have to leave Sawyer at the kennel for the first time -- I have to admit, I shed a few tears when I had to say goodbye. Let me tell you...he was a HAPPY and tired puppy when we returned. See for yourself!

My week...

Here's my week in numbers...ready?

10 - Number of times I wanted to have a Diet Coke today (I gave it up for Lent)

9 - Number of times I shouted at the referees during the UNC vs. Duke game. I still say GO Heels! PS -- I watched the games while wearing my NC State sweatshirt. I have a strong disdain for Duke and I'm married to a Tar Heel.

8 - Number of times I've thought about writing a blog post but got distracted by something more pressing :(

7 - Number of chicken wings I consumed during Grant's birthday party. SPICY!

6 - Number of days before Grant's official birthday...no gift purchased...yikes. Ideas anyone?

5 - Number of days before one of my most special friends get hitched to her sweetheart! I love you RLE!

4 - Number of prescription medicine bottles I've got in my purse right now...no fun!

3 - Number of times I've visited Urgent Care this week

2 - Number of times Sawyer has had an accident inside our house

1- Number of kidney stones I've passed. Thank God it was only one.

Our new obsession!

We've added a member to our family! (No, not a baby...)

Meet Sawyer!



He will be nine months old tomorrow! Sawyer is a yellow labrador mix -- he was rescued at twelve weeks by another family outside of Raleigh. We are so blessed to have found this pup who needed to be rehomed.



So far, he has been very well behaved! He loves his rope toys (which I have banned from our home because of all the strings he leaves behind after a chewing session!), tennis balls, and plastic Kongs filled with peanut butter.



He loves to lick but thankfully doesn't slobber much; he's a king at using his sniffer and always obeys to not follow me upstairs with his shedding yellow/white fur coat. Sawyer's a winner!

Family.

Every year my daddy's side of the family gathers together for days on end to celebrate our blessings. This year, we had our dinner at my parent's house instead of my grandparents -- it was exciting to start a new tradition!

My MaMa wanted a picture made of the grandchildren...and it was quite a feat! We had a blessed time and it was fun to visit with everyone since Grant and I make it home only once a month or less.




How was your Thanksgiving holiday?

100th Day!

Yesterday, Grant and I celebrated our 100th day of marriage. I could hardly believe it. Our celebration included a quick ChickFilA dinner, bible study, and then an episode of HIMYM, with some laundry thrown in. I guess we are already becoming old married folk?!


{image by my Aunt De from Summer 2009)}

I have been overwhelmed lately with missing my family at the beach...we are attempting to make Thanksgiving plans during which we will juggle being at the beach and traveling to the lake. I am blessed to have such wonderful aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, and cousins that will allll be in the same place for the week of Thanksgiving. Grant and I also love spending time with his family. Sadly and unlike how I was raised, families are clear across the state...

Perfect.

The reunion weekend with Grant was perfect.

His family and I got him off the plane,



fed him Bojangles (per request), cleaned up and went down the road a bit to CH so he could catch up with brothers at UNC-CH's homecoming game versus Duke.


Great game on Saturday evening followed up by a perfect autumn Sunday afternoon together and with family.

He is coming to visit my students this week as well -- he is bringing them Ethiopian lollipops :) Grant returned with many sweet gifts for us all. I got a Carolina blue handwoven scarf, Carolina blue Longchamp, and Carolina blue and silver handcrafted earrings. Do you see a theme there?

in love.

I fell in love with Smith Mountain Lake, VA, on Friday. Stayed for the Easter weekend with the Boy and his family. {Image by CGL II}


Trying to prepare for a week of parent conferences, teaching the kiddos, portfolio, resume, and gearing up for formal weekend in Williamsburg.

Been an awful blog friend...will check up on everyone soon. Promise.

Good Times

I've been busy with:














while the Boy has been sailing here:













{Image by CGL II}

So, following his safe return, we had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. And we found a new favorite dinner dish...it turned out to be prettttty yummy! :)

Island Spice Salmon

4 salmon fillets, 1/2 pound each
2 cups pineapple juice
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place the salmon in a shallow dish. Pour pineapple juice over the fish. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, but no more than 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil.

In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Remove salmon from the marinade and discard the juice. Put salmon on the baking sheet. Season the fish with salt and pepper. Evenly distribute sugar spice mixture all over the top of the fish.

Bake for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on thickness, until the fish is cooked to the desired doneness. -Recipe by Katie Lee Joel



Good times :)

wonderful weekend.

I'm still blown away at how perfect this past weekend was. After an extremely stressful week, I enjoyed the following:


Valentine Card Swap with the kiddos on Friday afternoon, complete with the following quote from Wanna Be Jay-Z: "Ms. Henderson, you smell sooo goooood. Not everyone can smell as good as you. Wow!" I felt honored. Truly, ha ha.




Lovely dinner at Crook's Corner and Valentine's Day fraternity cocktail with the Boy. Splendid time. I'm so blessed!


Brunch at my favorite place in Raleigh. Strawberry waffle! yum!

Piddled with the Boy and his chocolate lab, Scout. Scout was in heaven as we ventured to the flea market at the NC State Fairgrounds. I saw so many wonderful antiques and treasures. And the weather was beautiful!

Dinner with the Boy's parents and then a late night movie...followed up with the hilarious home movies of him and his little brother. So precious. I almost died of laughter. He was a wild child. End. of. story.

Lovely church service at Hope Community Church. Today's sermon was The Case of the Devoted Church. Acts 2:42-47.

2009 is going to be a great year. I can just tell!

ridiculous.

Life is ridiculously good right now. Random thoughts/purchases...get ready.


Longchamp Le Pliage. Yep. I finally did it. And I'm thrilled. I couldn't turn down the Green Pistachio.

Going home to the beach this weekend and bringing the Boy (so thrilled to see my family!). Sadly, we won't be dressed in such attire from last weekend. See below :)


Attended a cocktail at his fraternity house. Those ridiculous boys had putt putt holes set up all throughout the Lodge and of course we had to dress accordingly. I loved his green blazer and my argyle socks. Later in the evening I sported his Masters visor. I may have looked like I could golf. Not truth. But it was all so much fun!

Fell in love with a pea coat while being silly with kWb on Saturday. Cream wool blend with sweet buttons and it's just precious. Sadly, cannot find a picture on the internet in the cream color. Trust me, it's gorgeous. AND because I loved it so much, I called a Banana Republic in VA and the toasty coat arrived on my doorstep today.

Bible study tomorrow night and we are starting to study the book of James. yay! Love that precious book. Favorite verse: James 1:2-4.

My students are finally getting used to 2009. None of that "Today is...Tuesday, January 27th, Two thousand Eiigh Ninnnnnne"....ha ha. But seriously, I'm not as tired as I was in the beginning of the semester and the class is going smoothly. Just finished up second quarter and report cards go home on Tuesday, next week. My supervising teacher and I are working well together and we are getting those five and six year olds to write their first AND last name. Big step.

And finally, I stayed around after school today with some other kindergarten teachers and experienced my first P90X workout. We don't mess around. Bring it.

Festivities

After an early morning (due to the 13 year old brother pictured above) of opening beautiful gifts, eating lots of yummy breakfast food, and a big afternoon nap, the family and I are planning to drive around town to look at Christmas lights together. It's a tradition :)

My favorite gift this Christmas morning:

Southern Proper Belle Bands in Light Blue Cotton and Navy Magnolia :)

Yay for family, friends, blessings, and Christ's birth! Merry Christmas!

Holding Hands

With the celebration of Christ's birth, my loving family in town, and a new beau by my side, I'm quite joyful this holiday season.

A visual image of what I've been up to for the past few days...
{Image found here}


PS -- One of my favorite things to do: holding hands with loved ones.