I'm back

Well, I have returned from my unannounced absence.  I didn't mean to skip out on blogging for so long - it just kind of happend. 
Tax season is here, so once back from Christmas break I started working full time, we've traveled almost every weekened since we've been back from the holidays, I'm obsessed with reading The Hunger Games (half way through book 3), there was a death in Casey's family, we've had seasonal colds, and friends are getting married!  All of this leads to no blogging time.  However, I don't want to give up on tracking our lives, so I am striving to make more of an effort to pop on and say hey, more than twice a month. 

Small recap of January:
Last month Casey and I both celebrated turning 24.  I was born on Janurary 14th, and he was born the 16th.  I am two days older than him. Therefore, I make a point to tell him every year that I am older and wiser.  He always replies with, "Well, I am younger and more fun!"  One day when we have kids, they'll probably agree with him.  I've already accepted it, no worries.

My mom purchased delicious cupcakes from a local bistro in Cleveland called Crave. 

Strawberry cake is one of the best in my opinion.

Oh yeah, I chopped all of my hair of last Friday.  So, it look a little different from the above picture.  I am donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  I feel five pounds lighter, and it's not just because I have less hair.  Someone in need will be getting a wig made with real hair.   

Hope all of you have a great week!

Foggy mornings, lunch boxes, and playing catch-up

These past few winter days have had the appearance of cold weather, but actually were very warm.  I've been driving to work in heavy fog; which makes me feel like I should be bundled up and holding hot chocolate in my hand.  However, I've been cranking up the air conditioner. 

Yesterday morning.

Last Friday morning.

Speaking of going to work, Casey and I have new containers to pack our lunches in from none other than - The Container Store.   I blogged about shopping at one for the first time over Christmas here.

Dishwasher and microwave safe, two separate compartments, and a fork that can be used as a knife.  That's one smart lunch box.

AND this is just another cute way to "go green."  It takes the place of hundred of sandwich bags.  They also make snack sized bags.  All of the various prints are adorable. 

I take a sandwich to work almost everyday, so this was a smart purchase in my case.  Thanks Granddaddy! 

This week I am finally catching up on mail, bills, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, work, etc.  Thankfully, my piles of stuff are disappearing one by one.  It's a good feeling. 

Be back soon. 

Have a good week!

A New Year is Here

Well, I have not blogged since last year - good thing it's only January 6th (However,I started this post on the 4th - does that count?).  During our travels I did not pull out my lap top one.single.time.  I should have left it at home, but that is water under the bridge now. 

Sunday evening we pulled into our parking space at 201 Blue Gable Road for the first time in 12 days.  We were saddle sore to say the least, and it is good to be home.  Our trip was full of fun, laughter, and family, but I'll be honest in saying, it was not very restful.  This week after work every day we have been recovering by doing things like: eating dinner by candlelight, reading at night with only the hum of the refrigerator in the background, going to bed by 9:30pm; you get the idea.

Looking back over the past few weeks - Here is my recap of Christmas 2011:


On Tuesday, December 20 Casey and I drove from Hattiesburg to Cleveland.  The next day we left from Cleveland with my dad and drove to Gastonia, North Carolina (where my mom is from).  The day after that, we drove with my mom and brothers to Mohnton, Pennsylvania (where my dad is from). We arrived on the evening of the 22nd at Opa and Oma's (German for Grandfather and Grandmother). 

When Opa and Oma built their house they named the property Waldeshohe, which translates from German to "house in the trees".  It's a suitable name since their house is surrounded by 5 acres of woods. 

I think this is why my dad enjoys trees so much ;)

We introduced Casey to Amish country.  This is the horse and buggy "hitching post" at the Target - according to our tour guide, this is the first and probably only Target to have one in America.

We dined on Pennsylvania Dutch delicacies such as Shoofly Pie.

We set many tables, and shared many meals together.

Amish Woopie Pies.

Cooking away...

Cousin pic after church on Christmas morning.

Christmas dinner on the 26th with whole family on Chinet and not on fine china - much easier!

My full plate.

Stephen and youngest cousin Caroline.

 My Aunt told Caroline that the only place for her to sleep was under the tree.

The men did manly things.

The women attended the Nutcracker ballet performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet dance company.

Busy Philadelphia street right outside of the dance theatre. 

On the 28th we headed back to North Carolina.  We saw lots of holiday traffic - sat in some too.

Once back at Grandma and Granddaddy's house, we had a few more adventures.  One of them being - The Container Store in Charlotte, NC.  It was fun in a box - pun intended.

So, wonderfully colorful.

Beautiful sunset our last night in NC.

And that my faithful readers, brings this post to a close.

Thanks for taking time to read this post and all the others.  My one year mark for blogging was December 22.  Hard to believe it's already been a little over a year.  The cliche phrase "time flies when you're having fun" certainly applies here.