April 30, 2012

It's home


Good morning, friends.  Did any of you want to stay in bed when the alarm went off?  You better believe it.  Josh and I hardly ever get up at the first alarm.  We wake up just enough to silence the vibrating cell phones and we hold each other for awhile.  Marriage is nice.


I haven't done much to decorate our bedroom yet.  There's something about the simplicity that I like, that I haven't wanted to change, despite having had 10 months of marriage to do so.  The linens are white and clean.  The space is unpretentious.  The empty, white walls allow the morning light to soften the room all the better.

One of these days I'll spruce it up, probably after obsessively perusing Pinterest for inspiration.  But for now, I like it the way it is.  It's home.

April 28, 2012

Around me


Sometimes, your surroundings take on a new life.  The scenery which yesterday seemed so commonplace, so blurred by the busyness of the day, is now sharply focused with striking detail and hue.  The buildings stretch upward, today not looming, but protecting.

Even on the cloudy, melancholy days, I love living and working here.

April 26, 2012

In the kitchen


Our kitchen is small, but oh-so-large in character.  Where else can you find mint green, enamel cabinets with glass handles?  I'm trying to spend more time in here, slowly but surely expanding my horizons by experimenting with these new, not-too-hard recipes:
  1. scrambled eggs with fresh ricotta and chives
  2. crock pot sante fe chicken
  3. turkey stuffed bell peppers
  4. easy parmesan chicken
  5. baked shells with sausage, spinach, and ricotta cheese

(That is an old ice box... for real!)  Have you had any Pinterest success stories recently?

April 24, 2012

Happy Birthday... to me!

Today marks my birthday and the two-year anniversary of Josh's proposal. 


:)  I am one happy lady!

April 23, 2012

Untitled


We attend a church which is 30 miles away from our little home in Chicago.


With scenery like this, the drive is certainly worth it.


Josh took these stunning photos!

April 20, 2012

Goals for a new season


It's been one month since I started my full-time job!  I am so blessed.  Now that I have the predictable schedule of a grown person, I am rethinking some aspects of our lifestyle.  Here are some goals I've set...
  1. Try at least one recipe from Pinterest per week
  2. Pack lunches so that Josh and I can avoid spending money at the cafeteria
  3. Watch a little less Hulu Plus during the day
  4. Take advantage of our wonderful camera as often as possible
  5. Keep those stunning flowers alive a few days more
Do you have any springtime goals?

April 18, 2012

Home

Our apartment building is very old.


Every so often, I step onto our back stairwell to admire the exposed brick and the chipping paint, all aged to perfection by years of harsh, Chicagoan weather.




We won't live here forever, but I'll always remember this place fondly, our first little home in Chicagoland as husband and wife.

April 16, 2012

Good morning


We overslept today.  I stumbled to the bathroom to mend my matted, pillow-dried hair.  He went straight to the kitchen to brew fresh coffee.  He's my hero.

Here is what I'm listening to this morning:


Aren't they magical?

April 9, 2012

Pinterest






Is anyone else addicted to pinning stunning photos, delicious-looking recipes, and DIY projects (that will likely never get done)?  I know that I am.

(Click on the images for their sources, and click here to view my boards!)

April 3, 2012

The Hunger Games


 
Even if you haven't seen the newly released movie or read the books, I'm sure you've been hearing all about The Hunger Games.  This engaging series by Suzanne Collins explores the effects of violence, poverty, and injustice upon adolescents.  It is a dark, horrific tale, speckled with triumph and all-too-brief moments of redemption, a marvelously written story which is difficult to put down.  Whether you're a parent or student, allowed to read the books or not, you should at least read up on this phenomena which has so captivated our culture.  I recommend two articles to you:

"Hungry for the Hunger Games: Why We Need Dystopian Tales" by Monica Selby
"Engaging the Hunger Games" by Rachel Held Evans

For those of you who have read it... what did you think?!  I am part-way through the final book of the trilogy, and I am eager to dialogue about the series!