12 Dates of Christmas

I saw this idea here and here and loved it.  Christmas can get so busy that it gets hard to spend time with the mister.  We both wrote 6 date ideas down and put them in an envelope to draw daily until Christmas.  Some of them are a little more low key for the week days (like make and decorate sugar cookies) and then others are for the weekends (go ice skating).  Each day we will be able to really enjoy each other during the holidays! So...

On the first date of Christmas we ate 99 cent tacos!

Our friend Seth showed us this little place and I think we are in love.  After dinner we stopped at The Cup before I had to take a final. 

After my final we ended the date at Jordan Valley where we walked around and looked at all the Christmas lights.

It was a lot of fun and we are definitely looking forward to the dates to come!

Collect : Horse Ribbons

When I was a little girl I always wanted to be a cowgirl with my very own horse.  I would wear white cowboy boots and watch Black Beauty like crazy.  I also dressed like a Dalmatian for a year straight, but that is a different story for a different day...

I think I started this collection because I still secretly want a horse.  They are also really pretty.

I have found a couple on ebay and then some at one of my favorite antique places. 

They are fun to use for parties or you can display them on a picture.  I currently put them on the backs of my dining chairs.  It's kind of fun to think of each guest as a prize. Or as Charlie Sheen would say "winners!" 

I also thought it would be fun to make a wreath out of them for our front door. 

I may not ever own a horse, but I sure can pretend like I did!

Around here

The holidays are in full swing around here. It's getting colder which means we are hiding under blankets for the most part. I am looking forward to Christmas break. I can't wait to have a little spare time away from school to get some things done around the house! Here's whats been going on according to my iPhone.

Tomorrow Evan and my dad are going to pick up an awesome couch my parents got us for Christmas. It is perfect for our bedroom and I am so excited to start making it feel more cozy!

First Annual Pie Social

Last Saturday, Evan and I hosted our first annual pie social. We thought it would be fun to have all of our friends come over, bring a pie, and enjoy each other's company before the holidays kick into full gear.

I have never seen so much pie!

By the end of the night there were pies everywhere!

Kate's strawberry rhubarb pie, Lyndi's pecan pie, and Keeley's apple pie. I made a coconut cream pie, which was the first pie I've ever made. It was an adventure to say the least!

There was lots of laughing, pie, snuggling baby Charlotte, coffee, and over excited puppies to make it the perfect Saturday evening.

I am so thankful for these crazy people who are my friends, for a new cozy home to share, and my wonderful family. 

Tonight there are pies to be made again. Hope everyone has the best Thanksgiving.

The Swing of Things

I am happy to report that Evan is home safe and sound. This weekend we did a little bit of shopping, saw baby Charlotte, and got tasty cupcakes at The Cup.  It feels good to have him back.  I think Elton would agree.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Two months

I pick up Evan this Thursday from Illinois and I am over the moon! I can't believe it will have been 2 months since we last saw each other.  I guess one would say our marriage isn't a "normal" marriage, but what is normal?  Having a husband who tours for a living is extremely hard.  There are some downfalls. (time zones, horrible reception, our crazy schedules...) At the same time, it is the best feeling in the world when I see that bearded face for the first time after he has been on the road. I always buy a new dress for the occasion and then plan 1,000 activities for us to do. He is home for the rest of the year, but we have some serious catching up to do!

A typical Friday night date.

A girl's getaway

At the end of September my sister, mom, and aunt went to Kentucky to visit my other aunt who lives there. It is the ultimate girls weekend, jampacked with tag sales, amish farms, and chocolate pies. 

This year we were able to tour a huge tobacco farm. After the tobacco is cut it is hung in a barn and then fired. The smoke is so intense you can barely stand it! We also rode in a huge combine. 

We had the the truck packed down with pumpkins, mums, and some amazing vintage finds. It is the best way to celebrate fall.