need to read her diary again

"think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." 

-anne frank

california dreamin'

we found our way to san jose! so happy for my family; 

they are enjoying a beautiful and fresh adventure. 

the rolling hills straight out of a dr. seuss book, 

vineyards with orderly green rows spanning for miles, 

perfect weather and countless new experiences to unfold 

are all part of my family's new home.

we're back in our home now, newly determined to to be positive about the place we're living... and looking forward to the places we might get to call home in the future. 

...and ready to go back to san jose. 

i'm turning 45

not really, but my latest crafting endeavor might suggest otherwise. 

but seriously, so many wreaths out there are 

pricey & 'maw-maw,' if you will.

so, i took matters into my own hands & it was pretty fun

to make custom, affordable, seasonal cheer for our first home. 

please note the fierce baylor bear. 

and why don't more fall wreaths feature footballs? 

wow, i just got really deep there. 

sometimes my crafts make me as confused about my age

as texas is about what season it is.

...and i definitely plan on updating it frequently. 

next month: candy corn garland, hehe.

wreathing party- anyone? 

ooo this thrilling life i lead...

austin lovin

reunited with friends in austin this weekend.  

burnt orange was actually a sight for sore eyes. 

spiderhouse, walking around the lake, 6th street, catch phrase, 

a whole meal from samples via whole foods, 

getting lost, sbucks & hobby lobby equal

a great little labor day. 

 the only way it could have been better is if i took more pictures. 

need to get better about that, 

especially because my friends are the silliest... 

and sometimes make me feel awkward about blogging (ben). 

anyway, now i have a 2 day workweek. 

someday i'll have a real job... just happily not now.

2 months in!

yesterday was our two month anniversary- woohoo!

some things we discovered:

- mangos are seriously yummy

- young married/ newlywed classes at church have the best food on sunday morning

- no matter what you're doing, always take a moment to accept or give a kiss... it's much more important than whatever else you're working on.  if you're one minute late to work, or if it takes you a pinch of extra time to unload the dishwasher, there's nothing worth more in the whole world than the person who may be causing a brief (if any) delay. 

ross & i both got pretty inspired to try more new recipes after seeing julie & julia.  so for our anniversary, we tried a rockin pasta sauce from our weight watchers cookbook:

"Pasta Fra Diavolo"

2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes {we used roasted red pepper flavored}

3 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp dry red wine

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper {we used cayenne}

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 lb. linguine {we used tortellini} 

1. in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil. add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 8 minutes.

2. add the tomatoes, tomato paste, wine, sugar, salt, and red pepper; bring to boil. reduce the heat to simmer, uncovered, until the flavors are blended and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. {we also added shrimp} stir in parsley

3. meanwhile, cook the linguine according to package directions. drain and divide evenly among 4 plates. spoon the sauce over linguine. 

baylor bears around the world

really excited about this. 

welcome fall

{via littlebrownpen}

you pretty season, you