out of nowhere..

just when i get really sick of photos..

of just him and i..

same ole..arms length - cheesy smile to document the holiday...

just when i have to listen to another ahhh do we HAVE to take a picture...

he breaks out his romantic side. 

he picks up the mistletoe we got at the farm. 

he grabs my neck. 

pulls me close. 

and makes me laugh with complete joy. 

this is the man i fell in love with. 

the one that always keeps me guessing. 

the one that, out of nowhere, is a romantic.

i adore him. 

mother dearest, happiest of birthdays to you..

it's your birthday. you are my favorite. my favorite person. i can't explain how deep my love runs for you. it's reeeally deep. i miss your face. your soft beautiful face. i miss your cracked hands. I miss your firm hugs. I miss your sparkling smile.  you are everything to me. i almost praise the lord more now for us being apart - i feel as thought that is how we have become such bosom buddies. i know we both prefer it otherwise, but man, our relationship now? i wouldn't trade it for the world. thank you for all you are, all you do. thank you for all you have encouraged us to be, to become. you are an example of christ, a top notch mom, wife and friend. i don't deserve you. but i am the luckiest to have you. i count my blessings. you are my blessing. i adore you mother dearest. happiest of birthdays to you today...10 days :)

A little flashback....{forgotten photos..}

bird of paradise & plumeria....and rain. maui. and washington - in san diego. LOVE.

cousins marcus and wife cousin stacie were in SD, we got to see their beautiful faces and play a crazy fun game of quiddler? FUN! short visit, but oh so sweet. chris met stacie for the first time! 

our family....with our pumpkins!  

crochet much?! ....for coralee, and the bear beanie, i'm unsure of who's it will be...

i see the moon and the moon see's me...

my lasagna...amazing. every time. 

san diego baby..mission bay. 

blessing - latte, new hair cut, 1000 gifts by ann voskamp - done.

second attempt at pizza...yummmm.

AMAzing. 

http://shewearsmanyhats.com/2011/10/toasted-pumpkin-seeds/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=toasted-pumpkin-seeds 

why hello sector 9. first time breaking out the longboards since 2008. LOVE.

and fro yo....

loving my holiday drinks....egggggnogg.

early morning sunsets in the city.

somewhere over the rainbow..

my favorite grass...soo pretty as i walk up the hill to my home. 

just a little peek into our lives here in SD. A lot of these little forgotton photos may have been on facebook but to my loves who read my blog - they are the happy thoughts in my life. crafting, beauty on my daily walks, my other half, exploring, baking, cooking and my kitties. love you all. thanks for reading my blog :)

thanksgiving feast...

so many things i thank the lord for. so many. the food we are able to eat. my husband. my family. my extended family. my maui family. my friends. my job. my kitties. my jesus. many more things - big and small that i am just so grateful for. i bow my knees before the lord in praise, to GOD be the glory.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOME ALL BLESSINGS FLOW....is the song my family sings every thanksgiving and christmas, easter?? too? It makes me happy. It makes me tear up. Blessed BEYond belief.

This was the first year in what 2 years that I had Chris all to myself - he didn't have to work. and our first thanksgiving was shared with family - so this was our official FIRSt thanksgiving just him and I. So I went all out. I made a feast, he watched football, it was ready for half time, i cleaned, he watched more football, he napped, i baked pumpkin pie, we watched the ice age christmas, we tried to nap and then went shopping at 12 am :) It was fabulous.

Maple-Glazed Turkey with Apple Cider Gravy

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/dinner-recipes/maple-glazed-roast-turkey-with-apple-cider-gravy 

Can O Cranberry Sauce

Maui Mamas Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

2 sweet potatoes - cut, cook, drain

mix: 1/4 flour, 1/8 tsp salt, 3 tbs b. sugar, 1/2 tsp cinn, 1/4 cup nutts (i never add this...just add more mellows :) ,3tbs butter, 

1 cup mellows. 

Bake 350 - 25 min - remove - add mellos - return till light brown.

Stove Top Stuffing

My Rosemary Lemon Green Beans

simmer beans until tender to taste, drain, add butter, lemon juice, rosemary - toss. 

Apple Cider Gravy

Home-Made Honey Rolls

http://www.sprinklesofparsley.com/2011/03/easy-buttery-dinner-rolls.html 

Sparkling Apple Cider :) Tradition!! 

{pardon the cell pic...}

moms grannys pie crust ..pumpkin pie!! 

pb and mission beach...date with the mr.

pb. every now and then since living in maui i get claustrophobic and have to put my toes in the ocean. this day - even though in november - was particularly nice. so i did. i put my toes in the ocean. and i saw dolphins. they were just for me, i just know it :)

mission beach. a new adventure. somewhere new. beautiful. most clear water i've seen since maui. 

Mount Soledad Memorial

first time that i can remember - going to a memorial on an actual veterans weekend...very sobering. thanks. to those who serve, served and are about to serve - in every form. thank you for my freedom.