Cool Creek.

This is our favorite time of year to go hiking. We have our favorite state park, but are trying to stay a bit more local this year. We tried out Cool Creek Park this weekend, and it was a hit with the pups.  We're already planning another trip back after work tonight...

Wednesday randoms.

because Wednesdays are just random in general, here are some of my randoms today!

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year was this book that I gave my mom, for us to work through together. Has anyone else see this? Its such a great idea for crafty people who like to help others!

Speaking of crafts, I'm thinking of making up a couple of these cute gifts to have on hand for last minute gift ideas. And I'm just loving Ashley's blog and well, life in general. She is so crafty and stylish...and has 4 of the cutest kids!

J and I have been working on getting back into shape (along with every other new year's resoluters). Has anyone tried any Wii fitness programs and loved them? I'm trying to find some winter running alternatives...

and because everyone (most everyone, anyways) loves a cute dog...

bah...isn't he adorable?! 

Happy Wednesday!

Ready, Set, Back to School.

And one month later, I'm diving back into grad school. 

head first.

4 (harder) classes.

1 (seemingly wonky...so far at least) practicum.

Lots of homework.

Still selling bras and panties.

Trying to get back in shape with the hubs.

and also trying to keep quiet in the meantime.

woooooweee. 

I.will.not.be.overwhelmed.

(repeat to self x5)

Anyone else feel like this new year is coming in full force? eek!

Cheer up pup! Only 1 1/2 year left!

its beginning to look a lot like christmas.

After the whirlwind of life that's been this last month or so, I finally got around to making our apartment look festive and Christmas-y! I love (almost) everything about this time of year :)

Christmas candle, room spray (aka awesomeness in  a can), and a vintage holiday doily. (and, um, dust on my lamp.)

Miniature ceramic nativity (compliments of some elementary catalogue fundraiser back in the day)under the Christmas tree I used to have in my bedroom as a kid.

Cute little snowman from my box of decorations for my little tree

Little known fact about me: I have collected nutcrackers since I was like 8. J's still on the fence about this quirk of mine.

Our first Christmas 2009. How sweet <3

We found the perfect ($15) tree this year! Its so perfect, it looks fake! Also, we didn't forget the topper. I just haven't found one I love yet! Suggestions?

My favorite snow baby.

We love the Raiders in this family.

Ok ok, they aren't christmas decorations. Just roses from my amazing husband. Just because he loves me, he said. He's a keeper!

Now, only a day of work, a Brady Christmas celebration, and one lonnnnng car trip separates me from the sunny beaches of Florida. Mmmmm...I can't wait!

this.close.

two more papers down.

one group project and one policy paper to go.

and a measly exam

I'm so close I can almost taste it...

(also so close I may be going crazy.)

I'm determined to come out alive.

for a glimpse into my life...watch this. 

mondaymonday

today's monday. 

ever since I left work and went back to school, I've started loving mondays. seriously.

Why? 

Well, mostly because I feel like I'm taking 2years worth of sick days, when I'm not really sick. Its like playing hooky (is that how you spell it?!), but I can't even get in trouble.

i'm allowed to take mondays off. i'm actually supposed to. (well, until my practicum starts in January. but whatever)

Also, I get to hang out with two pretty cool elderly ladies for a service learning project I'm doing.

And I get to sleep in.

And eat lunch with my hubby.

And play with my dog (who is currently running laps around the apartment)

And eat tacos.

um, well I don't eat tacos every monday.

but today I am.

and I looooove tacos. (we may or may not eat them at least once a week. don't judge)

i.love.mondays.

get 'er done.

I have been oh so productive today...

and it feels wonderful!

(side note: I totally understand how being a stay-at-home mom/wife is a full-time job. I don't have any babies, but I could still fill my day with home-y things. seriously.)

6 retail applications submitted. (did I mention I need a job? I do.)

loooong walk with the dog.

potato soup in the crockpot.

 bread in the bread machine. (best.kitchen.appliance.ever...besides the food processor)

fixins' for chili ready to go.

errands run.
and homework underway.


ah...getting things done feels so good!

and now, just because I love him so much...
a gratuitous Murphy picture! He's such a mama's boy!

happy tuesday! :D

thankful.

I've been feeling pretty thankful today...

for lots of things.

here's just a few:

TPCC. J & I couldn't be happier we found this place as soon as we moved to Indy. humble, biblical, and real.

York peppermint patties. I'm obsessed right now.

Crunchy fall leaves. and really just everything about Fall. change is good for the heart.

Brisk morning runs with Murphy. I always feel so refreshed and clear-headed afterwards

Learning. and the privilege to do so. I feel so blessed with my education.

Justin's job. God's been so faithful in providing for us and we are so thankful that he has this job!

that Friday is only 5 days away. (that's when Justin will be home!)

Justin. my better half. I couldn't ask for a better husband. I fall more in love with him every day. and I miss him so much when he's gone!

what are you thankful for today?

treasures.

Last Friday, after lunch with some wonderful friends from high school, I headed to my parents' house to go through some of my things as they're in the middle of cleaning the garage. In addition to discovering some favorite books I had forgotten about and gaining some awesome and free school supplies (am I a nerd?!)...I stumbled on some real gems. 

I've really gotten into sewing after my mom gave me my first machine last year for Christmas. So when she found my great-grandma's sewing box, she knew I'd love it. When I saw it sitting on the fireplace at home, I got.so.excited.

this old little beauty has tons of goodies inside! Old buttons, ricrac,lace trim, and old singer needles are just some of the neat stuff my great-grandma passed down! I'm so excited to start on some projects knowing that I have true vintage touches to add!

My mom also gave me permission to rifle through old Christmas decorations and random knickknacks. I found these two old doilies. One has poinsettas and will make a cute Christmas decoration for our coffee table or something...I have quite decided. The other is more spring-summery with brighter colors. But I'm stoked for both!

In the midst of my piles and piles of books (have I mentioned that I love to read?!), I stumbled on a collection of things I saved from studying abroad in France. Among them was this envelope of wine labels I kept from all the different wines we tried. It's where my love for wine began!

And on a (mostly) different note, I went to the Covered Bridge Festival this week with my mom and sister and found this little beauty...

...a vintage gold & pearl necklace that cost me $1. score! (I should note that I also bought two MASSIVE bags of kettle corn. we're.obsessed.)

...and today at Goodwill, I found this little treasure for $1. yes. one buck. One of the candle holders is missing, but I'm on the hunt for a new one at Goodwill to have my dad weld on for me. awesome, right?

and no post with be complete without the murphster.

(he loves watching his reflection. He sat like this all afternoon while I organized the office. what a stud.)

happy weekend!

Grad school

...that's what Murphy thinks of me going to grad school. No worries, sweet puppy, after today we'll have time for more walks, ball-throwing, treat-eating, and your favorite, cuddling!

supper.

This week seemed to consist of a lot of settling in. Into

the routine of my classes and homework, into Justin's routine at work, into the cooler fall weather, and just settlinginto life here in Indy in general. it's like one big sigh. I like routine and settling in. Its comforting.

On a (mostly) unrelated note, I thought I'd share one of our latest obsessions...homemade pizza. Its one of our go-to meals and we eat it almost every week!

I use the pizza crust dough mix from Wal-mart, it costs less than $.50 and tastes delish. It's also one of the healthier options. When we're feeling crazy, we splurge on Trader Joe's $.99 dough.

After adding hot water the the mix, I brush with olive oil and cover for five minutes or however long it takes for me to get out all the toppings! Then I press onto our AWESOME pizza stone (seriously, we use it for every.thing), poke with a fork, and brush with more olive oil. Have I mentioned my love affair with olive oil? Then I bake it at 475degrees for about 5 minutes.

While the crust is baking, I chop up the toppings. Justin's out of town tonight, so I took advantage of the chance to load it with stuff I love and he could do with out. Green peppers, fresh garlic (LOVE garlic!) and mushrooms...and cheese of course. I also threw on some crushed red pepper as an afterthought.

...and this cutie was my audience the whole time.

All topped and ready to bake!

5 minutes later...delicious!

almost perfect supper. (Could only be better if J was was here and I had a glass of white wine!)

...but I'll settle with The Apprentice...

...and some Fall candy!

Justin's in Chicago for a bachelor party this weekend, so I'm trying to keep myself busy working on school stuff, cleaning, menu-making, and hanging out with this fool...

(he's been laying like that for the last 20 minutes, no joke.)

I love quiet and solitude and all that jazz and usually I would relish weekends to myself like this, but for some reason I'm not this time. I barely slept last night without Justin and find that I have to keep myself busy to not go crazy in this apartment alone. Sunday afternoon (when J gets back) most definitely cannot come quickly enough!


(I'm loving my new, warm fall candles! They make we want to put white chicken chili on my menu for the next two weeks!)

and so it begins.

Grad school hasn't officially started yet (not for 5 days), but I feel like I'm already jolted back into student mode. In the last few days I've poured over pages crammed with social welfare statistics and personal stories. And I still have a paper and three article readings to check off my to-do list before 9am Tuesday morning when I step into my first ever grad class. eek! If all that weren't enough to make me really start feeling the change, the shift from working full time to being a student again...than the fact that my husband is fast asleep (as normal people are at 1:30am!) and my mind is still turning after finishing The Glass Castle, a gripping memoir assigned for my first paper. This must be a forshadowing of many, many nights to come. At least I have a partner in crime...


Isn't he a cutie?!