Wine and Love

more info on wine and love found here

W(h)ine:

I miss school. I'm hoping I can do more...grad school application in review. Nerves.
If it is this warm in January, the summer down here is going to be miserable, and I will be sure to complain about it all the time.
I have no friends in close proximity. Another problem with Texas.
Those stupid command strip hooks. Are stupid. Over the last month, everything we hung up with them has fallen down. First, our moose welcome sign, fell and broke a little. Yesterday, two photo collages. Today, an artsy photo in a frame fell and the glass shattered. Not cool, command strips. I'll stick to a nail and hammer from now on.


Love:

That husband brought actual wine home after work!
Thursday NBC shows.
My bridesmaids. And this wedding. I'm getting really excited.
The kittens. Even though they drool all over me. They love to cuddle.
Having a couple good hair/outfit days!
Working out.
Our old people habits, like going to bed at 9 and waking up at 4:30.
Our one year marriage anniversary is coming up so soon! A little over a month away. Crazy. This means a trip to IHOP!

I really don't have much to complain about. Things are pretty great. :)

- Mrs. M

Some Photos

starting to collect mason jars for wedding fun!

tasty tasty wine from Christy

kittens watch the outdoors

tea time and found this in the fridge

adorable save-the-date from Kendall (see her amazing flowers here)

Huxtable

dinner for Chinese New Year in Pittsburgh

Darwin

out for a hike

our hats, back when it was cold in the world

paw print in the snow

Settlers of Catan I want to play more!

Netflix time. this movie was so sad

Suomi

Apple Pie drink I should really get the recipe for

pretty new shoes

moose socks from Tracy!

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Broccoli Quinoa Casserole

Remember back when I got a giant bag of quinoa and ended up not actually cooking much at home? Well I brought it with me to Texas, determined to use it up in some tasty meals. I've found a few I would like to try, including this broccoli quinoa casserole. Kyle has never had quinoa before, so I decided to make the casserole today to serve as a side dish with leftover meat from Clem's down the street. It was tasty! Nice and creamy, and I think it's even better (tasting, and more healthy) with quinoa than it would be with rice.

And then there was some cuddling with Darwin. Both kitties have been super affectionate since we haven't been forcing them into a car for hours and hours.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Wednesday Wedding: Pearls

I kind of have a thing for pearls. I have a pretty unique pearl and diamond engagement ring, something I knew I wanted since I was little. For our wedding, I thought it would be nice to work in pearls somehow, to tie back to my ring. So far the only way I've really done that is with the wedding cake; there will be sugar pearls on the cake (I can't wait to see it!). Another obvious way to work them in is through accessories for both me and my best ladies.  Last summer, the lady at the jewelry store where my ring was being fixed (replacing a diamond and tightening the rest) told me basically that I should never ever wear my ring because just about everything it touches will ruin it. Sure lady, I'm just not going to wear my engagement ring. I know they are more fragile and susceptible to the elements than other jewelry, but pearls are just so classy and pretty, I can't think of a better way to accessorize a wedding. {I also think that the jewelry store lady was exaggerating a bit. She wore a bunch of pearls herself, and I think if they can handle the rough and tumble atmosphere of a jewelry store, they will be OK at a wedding/ worn on my hand all day every day. Am I right?}

my rings

my pearl necklace from my in-laws

I really love this ring, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore. 

I found a similar at BHLDN, but it is not quite as pretty.

The BHLDN ring matches these earrings:

Again I am linking up to Joelle at Something Charming, who is also helping me out by answering a wedding question I had, on how we should work our atypical vow renewal ceremony. I can't wait to hear her suggestions!

And as a side note, we've started collecting mason jars for our wedding! I'm excited to plan exactly what to do with them, and to get crafty in the process! I also had a stroke of genius and came up with the perfect table number idea this morning! :)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

images

Read All About It

My favorite author is Bill Bryson. I first discovered him during my Obsessed with Australia phase in high school, when I found his book "In A Sunburned Country" on one of the Barnes & Noble travel shelves. Now I've got a whole shelf dedicated to his books (plus LOTR and a little Hemingway; keeping good company), and even two copies of one. In 11th grade English class I led a lesson about him and his writing. Bryson writes about travel, science, language, and his own childhood. He is hilarious, especially his traveling stories. He has a new book called "At Home" that I'm going to order, perhaps on husband's kindle.

My three favorites:

I have read this one several times. He went a lot places I did on Euro Tour (Parts I and II), and I brought it along and read about the places I'd soon be visiting. He even went to a place in Finland called Muonio, way way up in Lapland, where I also visited!

I suggest you make a cup of tea and settle in to read one of these.

- From the desk of Mrs. M