Category: Cheer

A Little Autumn Happy Dance

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I woke up yesterday morning at 6:15 a.m., as per usual, and came downstairs for breakfast. Now, I live with this little monster I like to call Indy, and every morning just about the time I’m ready to sit down to eat, she comes tearing down the stairs like it’s Christmas morning. She stands in front of the door, doing a little happy dance, clicking her nails on the laminate floor, until I let her outside to relieve herself on the little patch of grass between the houses.

But this particular morning when I opened the door, it was different. In the dim dawn light, the wind was blowing, the leaves were rustling, and the air was electric.

Ahhh, FALL.

By far my favorite season, I can’t wait for that first fall day every year. Toward the end of September, I get the itch for Pumpkin Spice Lattes, boots and sweaters, and football on Sundays. There is nothing like the crisp air and the changing leaves that mark the last few months of the year. And working at a university, campus comes alive again at the end of September, filled with both new students and those returning to their four-year home. Walking around, you can feel the excitement of the new school year – the chance to make yourself over, get the grade (or the girl/guy), and make this year your year.

Now, where I grew up, you can see, feel, and smell that it’s fall. On the Central Coast, not so much. My autumn giddiness was soon replaced by slight panting and fanning myself while hiking up the hill that is campus in… 87 degree weather. Go ahead, call me a spoiled brat. I know people who would kill to live where I live, which is why I’m not complaining. After all, it’s not the weather or the clothes or the apple-picking that make or break the season (although I do loves all those things like Indy loves to pee outside in the morning, and by that I mean in a happy dance-inducing kind of way), it’s the feeling that comes along with the combination of all those things. Feelings of warmth, of comfort, of home. People say spring is when love comes out in full force? Honey, I say that’s just hormones. True love comes out in autumn, when every day gets a little chillier, and all you can do to keep warm is pull your loved ones a little closer.

So until the beaches sit lonely, until I can pull my scarf a little tighter around my neck, and until Pumpkin Spice Lattes take over my go-to Starbucks order… I’ll keep my friends a little closer, hold Bill’s hand a little tighter, and call my family a little more often.

And happy-dance that fall may be just around the corner outside, but it’s already here in my cheesy little heart.

Kind of like this.

20130925-082714.jpgThis picture is the view from my father’s house on Thanksgiving morning last year…

Soon, darling. Soon.

All You Ever Need

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Great friends, good wine, fine china, and inner peace.

California Through and Through

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As part of our holiday festivities, Bill and I got the opportunity to head to his home town to spend some time with his family. Where is his hometown? Um, here.

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It is not this cold in California. Not in Northern California where I grew up. And definitely not on the beautiful, sunny, just-about-70-degrees-year-round Central Coast where we live now. Anybody who has experienced a Minnesota winter was skeptical when I told them we were going. Bill asked me which cold weather clothes I was bringing, and when, on a 60 degree night, I pointed to the one I was wearing, his only response was laughter. And even though I spent part of my time packing laying in the fetal position on my closet floor, I was DETERMINED to be tough, to be a champion, to not let it get to me. That’s just my fighting nature.

But then we got there, and it was effing COLD. Like lungs-turn-to-ice-when-you-breathe-in cold. Like I-can’t-open-the-car-door-because-it’s-frozen-shut cold. Like constantly-falling-on-my-ass-because-the-ground-is-pure-ice cold. Yeah, it was kind of like that. But the weirdest thing is that people still do whatever it is they would normally do, like go to the movies (This Is 40 is hilarious), or shop at the Mall of America (omigod LOVE), or walk from their apartments to lunch (um, hold on… I didn’t do so well with that one).

I got over it (on the outside), and we had an amazing time. Here are a few snapshots.

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Flying over the states at sunset!

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I found a little peace on the plane in a good book and the kindness of strangers. Thanks for the healthy organic snack, Ernest! I hope you had a good journey to Chile.

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Our first morning there included venturing outside. Snow angels were made, and sled rides were had.

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Huh. That’s something you don’t see every day. (Well, at least I don’t!) I carted this little puppy around with me for the better part of 20 minutes. An icicle!

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The Timberwolves *cough*marrymerickyrubio*cough* put on one heck of a show, breaking the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 12-game winning streak.

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College basketball teammates came together at a St. Paul pub to catch up about engagements (us!), weddings (Eric!), and babies (Jeff!). Even though I wasn’t around in the glory days, you could tell that times they are a-changing (as is the definition of “glory days” it seems).

Not pictured: the amazing Christmas celebration we had with Bill’s family, the timeout we took for beers at Wild Bill’s Saloon, meeting Bill’s best man and family over appetizers at TGI Fridays, or the bonding time I spent addressing our save-the-dates with Bill’s mom and sister. Even though I was nervous about the cold, the trip was incredible. Bill introduced me to another little piece of himself, and the more time we spent in Minnesota, the closer I felt to him. It was so nice to spend part of the holidays…

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…with the new side of my family.

(But I am glad to be back in California. It’s much warmer here.)

You Can Never Go Back

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Once you give a man a man cave, that is. Those were the words of coworkers, friends, family – everyone of the female gender, really – who I told about Bill’s Christmas present. I didn’t feel an ounce of doubt then, and I don’t feel an ounce of doubt now. You wouldn’t either if you saw Bill’s face when I let him open the door. I’ve turned my guest room over to the dark side… It’s a MAN CAVE!

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Since he couldn’t really open it, I wrapped the door of course.

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A new comforter and a throw repping the Timberwolves…

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A panoramic canvas of Target Field, home of the Twins…

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Heritage banners of his favorite pro teams… He might be from Minnesota.

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A grown-up version of an over-the-door basketball hoop reminiscent of childhood days…

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And don’t forget a stash of Bill’s favorite MAN FOODS aka PROTEIN.

Of course, there was also a stocking filled with things like A1 Steak Sauce, an NBA sweatband, an microwaveable Egg McMuffin maker, and ball pump needles. Overall, I couldn’t wait to give him everything, and the smile on his face was worth it.

And of course, the next week of hearing him brag to his guy friends about his present from his girl wasn’t such a bad thing either.

Choosing Wisely: Simple Thoughtfulness Or Marriage and Babies?

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Big exciting things are happening today! Bill and I have yet to spend a Christmas day together, and unfortunately, this year will not be our year either. But that’s okay, because like many other couples, we declare a day sometime before the holiday our honorary Christmas. And that day…

Is today! Merry Christmas, everyone!

An honorary Christmas picture from last year:

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There will be a lot of orchestrating going on today. I have a BIG surprise planned for Bill, and I am really excited about it. I can’t reveal it yet because sometimes the sneaky little bugger checks my blog, but I can say that this year is a lot different. Last Christmas was our first together, and you could tell. We both were crazy over what to get each other, as it was my second big present-requiring occasion  (his birthday was first) and his first as a couple. So needless to say, exasperation was rampant and many an opinion was gathered before taking the plunge. It’s amazing how stressful it can be finding that painstakingly perfect gift for a new to semi-new significant other. Is this enough? Did I spend too much? Do you think this conveys just the right amount of thought to express how I’m feeling, or does it say “IKNOWIT’SWAYTOOEARLYBUTIWANTTOGETMARRIEDANDHAVEYOURBABIESTOMORROW!!!!!!”

So there’s that.

But like I said this earlier, this year the pressure was off. We seem to know each other substantially better, and I thoroughly enjoyed picking out a gift that would mean a lot to the Billy in my life. (And since he decided to propose in June, the whole scaring him away with marriage and babies thing is sort of off the table by his own doing…)

Now, don’t get me wrong – it still took awhile to figure out what would be perfect for him. To begin with, he never really asks for much, and when he does, I POUNCE. So I did spend awhile looking for nice leather messenger bags, since he casually mentioned one night that he could really use one for work. Commence obsessive online searching for bag with said criteria. But I am a huge proponent of thoughtful gifts with lots of personal meaning, and after a week or two of looking, plus a near-decision, I got off the whole work bag thing pretty suddenly.

And then it hit me. I knew exactly what to get him. And now after hiding things ALL OVER the house as they arrived over the last few weeks, I am beyond excited to put it all together. So, what is it, you ask? Oh, I’ll tell you… but first I’ve got a day of covert mission-ing to do. I can’t wait!

The Occasional Favorable Outcome

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Kicking off the work week with a (Not So) Ugly Sweater Party…

(Bill had to practically pry this amazing Old Navy Fairisle Sweater from my sleepy little hands last night – it’s so soft I just wanted to cuddle with it all night long.)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Monday

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Alright. I’m usually a hot mess when it comes to all things domestication, yet there is one thing that when it comes down to it, I can definitely fend for myself. And that, my lovelies, is baking.

I have always loved baking. It’s almost therapeutic – SO relaxing – and you can almost just turn your brain off for a while and end up with a rewarding finished product. Any and all things baked goods are great to give away, and baking for someone is usually a surefire way to put a smile on someone’s face. However, in relationships there are always those unfortunate times where something doesn’t quite click between two people, and it has to be dealt with. One of the first things that surfaced for Bill and I was his aversion to all things sweet and sugary.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s GREAT that he doesn’t eat sweets. We both try to live our lives making healthy choices, and sugar/butter/white flour aren’t the best things for your tummy/thighs/derrier. That doesn’t mean my heart didn’t sink a little when I realized that I wouldn’t be baking for my man (usually the way to the male heart). But I recently read somewhere that you should love and appreciate your partner for those differences or quirks, not just simply accept them. I am thankful that Bill’s habits have rubbed off on me, and my sweet tooth has gotten smaller the longer we’ve been dating. (My ass thanks him for that one too.)

BUT…

The holidays are great for many things, one of which is baking. A great activity to spread some holiday spirit at any party or event is a cookie exchange, which I have just recently learned to appreciate. Tomorrow morning marks the beginning of a week-long holiday party at my amazing office, and the cookie exchange is the first thing going down. The way it works is this: everyone was invited to participate, but anyone could opt out. Once it was established who was in, a final head count is taken. Each person is asked to make their favorite holiday cookie or other treat and bring six per person participating. For instance, we have seven people participating, so we are each required to bring seven bags of six cookies each (one for the front office too). The point is not only to share your favorite recipe, but each person goes home with a huge assortment of sugary goodness that can be readily available for family members, friends, guests both expected and unexpected, you name it. Naturally, I was all over this.

Forget the fact that Bill, Emily (our roommate), and I are going to have a shit-ton of cookies to eat, not having children or relatives visiting or even friends. Okay, that last one isn’t true. But there will be a lot of cookie eating happening, and even Bill is just big talk. I’ve seen him sneak a few when he thought no one was looking.

So here is how I spent MY night:

When I think of my favorite cookies, I usually think of ginger molasses cookies. They were those cookies that my grandma made, but not so often that they lost that squeal-inducing reaction straight from my giddy little heart. Now, I usually cook out of Cooking Light. I’m a Cooking Light junkie. But when it comes to the holidays, if I’m going to eat it, it had better be GOOD. So like my mama taught me, when you want a guaranteed pleaser, reach for the basic and the best:

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The ginger cookies straight out of the BHG are to die for. Just saying.

Next, after getting out everything I needed, I reached for my go-to large Pyrex bowl, subsequently remembering that I sufficiently smashed it a few weeks ago. (See Experimentation post.) So I had to improvise, which left me with too much cookie and not enough random plastic bowl.The recipe then instructed me that I needed to use a mixer to beat the shortening. And the sugar. And then the eggs. And then the molasses, the spices, the four and a half cups of g&%damn flour. Too bad my last roommate took my hand mixer with her when she moved out in June. Thirty obnoxious minutes of hand-beating later, and boom. Dough.

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Big dough. In a small bowl.

From here on out, I was a little less of a hot mess, even though you couldn’t tell by the disaster that was now my kitchen. However, that’s just how I bake – throwing ingredients everywhere – and I’ve accepted it. So should you. The ginger cookies turned out beautifully, if I do say so myself.

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I ended up with 60+ cookies. In the past I would have just thrown them in Ziplocs and given them away in their sad little plastic bags. But the new me has realized that presentation is HUGE, especially when it comes to food. If it doesn’t look good, your brain will most likely decide ahead of time that it won’t taste good, and every knows I need every advantage I can get. Thanks, Target, for your adorable little treat bags, making my cookies look all festive and stuff.

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So now that I’ve gotten my baking fix, I’m prepared for any “What does that DO for you?” that Bill throws my way every time sugar is in the vicinity. Because sometimes the purpose of food isn’t to feed our bodies, but – more importantly – our souls.

Want one? ❤

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