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We had a great week traveling along the "Christmas Triangle" as I called it: We went from Nashville to Peoria, to Louisville, and back to Nashville. We got to spend time with both of our families (most importantly little Drew - who I basically didn't put down for 3 days straight...). It snowed in every city we went to and then we came back to Nashville on the 25th to a white Christmas too. We unpacked and cooked an Italian Christmas day dinner, and relaxed on the couch. Now it's back to work and the routine, though I always feel ready for that after a vacation. January always seems a slower month, when we're holed up inside because of of early sunsets and snowy weather, but I sort of look forward to a slower pace and catching up on projects and books and conversation.

Christmastime is Here

Festivities

"A Christmas Story" themed party (Ralphie and a leg lamp)

The first Nashville snow!

Our first Christmas tree :-)

Thanksgiving

We had over 40 people to our house for Thanksgiving Day this year. Thankfully the weather was warm and the rain held off, so we were able to use the deck and the porch and gain a little space for everyone! Mark smoked a turkey on the grill and everyone brought a side and there was plenty to go around. Both Mark and my parents came to Nashville, along with friends and neighbors, making it a big crowd, but really a fun day.

Carving the turkey and ham

Good times and good conversation on the deck

Billy - "The Mayor" of 17th Street

Family from Bowling Green that came to join us

Friend from the Congo that came to join us

Kitchen finishes

Here are some before shots of the kitchen - right after we knocked out the wall and discovered the chimney (which I love!). Exposed brick just makes a house seem cozy somehow.

And here are some after shots of things. Mark's dad built us an island and a kitchen bar. He is so talented at woodworking (and generous!). Then we got some black granite countertops. Next step: paint the green wall and hang up some blind or curtains and we'll be done!

Boston in the Fall

I just got back from a 5 day trip to Boston with two great friends. It was technically for work purposes, given that we were there for a nurse practitioner continuing education conference, but it was also a great excuse for a girl weekend get away. It was so much fun to go out for dinner each night and just talk for hours on end and catch up. Plus, Boston in the fall is beautiful. Our hotel was right by Boston Commons so we walked through everyday on our lunch break (with scarves, hats, and hot coffee of course since it was 35 degrees outside...brrrr).

The best Italian food ever!

Eating some yummy gelato

Boston Commons

Monique and I and the future baby - did I mention she's pregnant?!

I could live here...

Busy-ness

I sometimes don't know how I have time to breath.

Projects and events for the month of November:

• Put the house on the market
• Sell the house (I hope. Please. Please sell.)
• Nurse Practitioner conference in Boston with old friends
• KIPP potluck with the parents and kids
• Thanksgiving gathering at our house
• Siloam Medical Outreach at St. Luke's Community Center
• Not necessarily in that order...

All good things. All fun things. All fit into a 45+ hour work week. I'm a little overwelmed. I want to take a long week away at a cabin in the Smoky Mountains and take naps and read novels and go for trail runs and not be this busy.

Highlights for the month of October:

Mark's birthday party (I accidentally left him out of the picture...oops)

Trip to Chattanooga for a wedding. I love the 'Nooga in the fall!

Avett Brothers Concert at the Ryman for Halloween

Training for the Memphis Half Marathon at Shelby Bottoms Park - it's beautiful this time of year!

And now - here is one of the easiest recipe you'll ever make...

Pumpkin Brownies:

1 can of pumpkin

1 box of Devil's Food Cake Mix

2/3 cups water

1/2 bag choc. chips

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes

Birthday

Today is Mark's 37th birthday. This is the year of the Louisville Ironman! It's also the year we'll celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. This morning, in a sleepy haze, I told him I couldn't wait to celebrate his next 65 birthdays together. Ok, so maybe the math was a little off...but, then again, you never know.

I love him.

October

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

- Albert Camus

I'm loving this weather! Note to self: Next year I am going to take a stay-cation and actually spend a week enjoying the Nashville fall...

I love my job, but this time of year makes me want to be outdoors going for walks and bike rides, or sitting out on the front porch swing reading a book. Also, it makes me want to warm up with a bowl of chili, so here is one of my favorite recipes. It is really easy to make, and tastes great. Warning - it has some kick. It is one of the few things Mark actually doesn't add hot sauce to...

Pepperjack White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 32 oz. box of chicken stock
• 3 cans of white beans, left undrained
• one rotisserie chicken shredded
• 1 16 oz. jar of green salsa/salsa verde
• 8 oz of shredded pepperjack cheese
• 2 tsp. cumin
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• black pepper to taste
• salt to taste

Place all ingredients in large pot on stove and cook on med-high until all the cheese is melted. I always add cornchips and sour cream too.

We have been busy with work and life. Next week is Mark's 37th birthday, so I'm in the process of putting together a birthday gathering for him which will be sure to include a bonfire on the deck with good friends. Last week was Oktoberfest in Germantown and so we did a 5K Bier Run followed by the festival. Mark took first place in his age division. (For that we won a giant beer mug.) Tomorrow we are headed to Chattanooga for a friend's wedding. I love Chattanooga! Mark and I took a day trip there 3 years ago when we first started dating, so it has some good memories. Here's and old picture from that day:

Lookout Mountain, Oct. 2007

September

Labor Day weekend Mark and I took a whirlwind trip to South Haven, Michigan and back for his cousin's wedding.  The wedding reception was on the lake and the waves were so big I felt for a second like I was at the ocean!  I admit I wasn't really looking forward to 8 hours both ways in the car to visit a place for just one day, but Mark and I enjoy roadtrips and I know someday we'll only wish we had 8 hours of uninterupted talk time together.  During our brief trip, we got to buy some treats from the South Haven farmers market, including 5 pounds of Michigan blueberries that we are still working on, and some homemade cinnamon-pumpkin potpourri that makes the house smell like fall.  :-)  It was fun to visit with Mark's family and enjoy the beautiful sunset and celebration together.

The beautiful bride and the groom:

Who doesn't love a good cupcake pyramid?  I had one of each flavor...

I love this picture of all the cousins - this group represents a total of 4 weddings in less than a year!

Tomato Festival and other August fun

Every August, our East Nashville community has it's annual Tomato Festival, a day of tomato fun! It's motto is "The tomato...a uniter, not a divider - bringing together fruits and vegetables." The day starts with a 5K race through the neighborhood and proceeds to an all day festival of tomato-themed art, music, costumes, food, and contests.

Mark started a Couch-to-5k program this summer for those who have never run before (or had let it fall by the wayside - thus, self-proclaimed couch potatoes) and it was a huge success. He trained over 50 people to run in the Tomato Festival 5k and it was so fun to see how excited they felt and how motivated they were to continue running. Their t-shirts read: "Potato to Tomato" and there has never been a happier group of runners. They got him a yellow "coach" shirt to thank him. :-) So he is easy to find...

It was a hot day outside, but it was worth it. We got to hear Katy sing songs from Coaltrain Railroad, meet up with friends, and buy some great tomato art.

Try and ignore the sweat stains. That tomato fan clearly didn't help much in the 105 degree humidity!

This past weekend, I got to go visit one of my best friends in California. Monique and I met in the parking garage on our first day of nursing school orientation 7 years ago, and we were pretty much instant friends. It was good to have four days with her to just talk and catch up. It didn't hurt that she lives in Pasadena near the ocean and that it was 75 degrees of sunny perfection outside either...

Mark's parents visited a few weeks ago. His dad is an amazing woodworker and made us an island for our kitchen. He did such a beautiful job - we showed him a picture online and he basically re-created it. It has a lovely butcher block top that I am still afraid to cut on for fear of putting a scratch in it, but I guess that is inevitable!

And even though I love summer with it's long days and fun trips, I am ready for the fall and some cooler temperatures. I can't wait for pumpkins and 'mums and the leaves changing color. Tennessee has great autums and I always enjoy running outside so much more this time of year. It's a good thing, because Alison and I signed up for the Memphis half marathon in December so I better get to training!