Photos :)

For Christmas, Chad gave our families a framed photo of us. I know, it seems a little silly, but we gave them a really pretty frame and an (almost) professional photo, taken by my amazing friend, Meaghan!

Just wanted to share some of them- they came out great!

This one was the winner :)

Our first Vacation

Chad and I have been together almost two years and just this past weekend took our first vacation together. This is NOT an "Igotpaidtoreviewthisplace" post, but we stayed at a lovely place called the Mt. Coolidge Motel. We checked in after a day of outlet shopping in Maine and the owner, Kevin, was extremely friendly and suggested a place to eat dinner once we were settled. Our room was quaint and comfortable, and talk about clean! The view from the room overlooked a gorgeous little river- what a perfect way to fall asleep every night, listening to the moving water.

Woodwards was fabulous, and we had a two for $twenty-two deal on our meals. Our waitress was wonderful and checked in with us just the right number of times, and our Robert Mondavi Cabernet arrived quickly. (We were happy about that!)

After dinner we went out back where there was a trout pond and fed the trout and the ducks- I was SO excited- it was really, really cool!

We went back to our room and relaxed Friday night with movies, Red Sox, and eachother's conversation.

Saturday morning we woke up and went next door to the Mt. Coolidge. Our breakfast server was lovely and so friendly- she suggested a hike to see the Georgian Waterfalls, which we immediately did after getting our sneakers!

Afterwards we decided to catch the Brewery Tour at Woodstock Pub- long story short, we tasted every beer, finally asked for a full glass of their Oatmeal Stout, bought two Growlers of Pig's Ear Ale & their Rasberry Wheat, and met a great couple and sat talking and drinking with for five hours! They were so sweet, we ended up going to their place for dinner a little later on and hope to keep in touch :)

Chad went swimming in the mid afternoon and we tossed a beach ball around- we're such little kids :) Chad also went fishing behind our motel room and caught at 10" Brook Trout!

Sunday morning we left early after packing our things. It's good to be home, but we had such a blast on our vacation that we both decided that if we have some extra cash we'll be heading up there again sooner than later just to get away for a little while.

I took Chad for his birthday steak and then we went to the Pet store to buy Delilah some food- I found the most gorgeous beta I'd ever seen...and Chad insisted that I had to have him. He has no name yet, but I think he is gorgeous!

The diet-er's mashed potatoes, running, & photography

I need WAY better titles. Anyway.

A few weeks ago, my mom posted a comment to my blog. I was glad she figured out how to comment, but I didn't truly acknowledge the brilliancy that she left on xo, me.

Fast forward- this morning I had nothing to do. No work until 3. I woke up at 8 (major sleep in day, loved every second of this...) and had a cup of coffee, debated getting a haircut (but haircuts get me all nervous now since I can't find a place to get a trim for under $60...hence why I look like a ragamuffin...) & then decided against the haircut. I tidied up, went for a run, (okay, whatever, it was more walking then running, I can't help that I'm TERRIBLE at all things athletic) & got home. I sneezed nineteen-hundred times, then looked into my fridge and found the lovely cauliflower that was whispering, "prepare me."

Maybe it didn't say prepare. I was too mesmerized to actually listen to it ;)

Anyway- I remembered my mom's brilliant comment and decided to make the following diet-er's mashed potato recipe.

Cut up a head of cauliflower.
Cover a baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray.
Spread the cauliflower out evenly and season with salt and pepper.
Cover with another sheet of foil and make a package.
Roast in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes until soft.
Carefully take off the top piece of foil and roast 15 more minutes.
Puree in a food processor with a half cup non fat plain Greek yogurt until smooth.
Yum! There's your new mashed potato recipe!
Love, Mom

Yum is right, mom! I don't have a food processor, so my mom gave me a family heirloom- my great grandmother's tomato sauce maker. (Nope, I don't know the real name, but I'm sure someone knows exactly what it is called besides a "handheld food processor" :) It took me a little longer, but all I could think about was my great-grandmother showing my mom how to make tomato sauce as a little girl- I love family stories like that.

In other news, Chad and I got out of the house the other day, despite the gross rain...and we went to a beautiful set of trails a couple of towns over so that he could go fishing. I had the camera and decided to practice some photography. It's just a little Canon Powershot SD780 IS, and Chad has a pretty good Nikon at home, but here's what I came up with with his point-and-shoot.

Hoping you all have a marvelous Monday!

Some pictures today...

If you're a horseback rider don't look at me- because I don't take lessons anymore. There's my little disclaimer ;)

& thanks, Sue, for taking these pictures for us! This day was a blast, and Callie was great while we went for a trail ride and then just had a five minute 'photo shoot' in the riding ring. Yay for t-shirt weather and fantastic ponies!

Being thankful for today.

Today, I played hookie. Hooky? Hookee? I don't even know how to spell it- that's how often I cut class.

Anyway.
I picked up my new car, decided on homemade chili with cornbread for dinner, and got home...to Chad already at home and an air freshener for my new car, with a card on the table. A "random" act of love.

Thank you, Chad, for being my best friend and for being so amazingly wonderful to me lately even while I've been sick and too exhausted to do much more than make the bed.

That's all I really have to say today, but I will leave you with some silly pictures that I've been meaning to show.


Carson likes to hug Chad's leg while he snuggles.


I will probably never read a recipe all the way through before attempting it. This is what I had to google when I got all of my ingredients boiled, mixed, stirred, and...what? You need an ice cream machine?!...


While I do my homework, Carson lets me pretend I have a dog....he sleeps like one.


Thank you Chad, for letting me take pictures of the food that turns out half-okay before I allow you to dig in. Stuffed portobellos, salad, and tofu. Successful evening.


I know, Carson overload. But...Chad made this. Carson is in LOVE.


And here's my new car. :)