Another reason I love Fall is Farmers Markets





While on my way home the other day i stopped by to taste some fresh pears and apples!! Delicious. Have any great farmers markets in your area?

Free coffee

Free coffee today at 7/11 from 7 till 11 am.

Enjoy!

Marry Me...

I found this quote the other day on Pinterest and immediately loved it....

Chocolate and Soda Detox

 When I started my 30 day challenge in August to obstain from Chocolate and Soda, I thought my world had ended.  I still craved chocolate on a regular basis and longed to end the day with something sweet and delicious.  After a month of struggles, I literally counted down the hours till I could have it again.  

However, when I finally finished indulging in a giant slice of Chocolate Cheesecake, I realized that the 30 days weren't that hard and I think I could make this a regular thing.  After a weekend of satisfying my sweet tooth, I decided to restart the 30 day challenge again.  No chocolate, soda and this time I am adding NO ICE CREAM!

Do you think you could challenge yourself to go without some of your guilty pleasures!?! It isn't as hard as you think.  Just make it past the first few days and you are home free.  Its a good detox for your diet.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday...Soup's On!

One of my favorite things about Fall and Winter is all of the delicious soups that you can make. Although, I still love soup in the summer, nothing beats ending a cool Fall day or chilly Winter night with a steamy bowl of soup. 


Today's semi-wordless Wednesday features all of the soups
I hope to make this Fall.  

"Pearls, Handcuffs and Happy Hours" 

has a delicious list of fun soups to try including, Potato Soup,Chicken Tortilla,  Chicken Noodle Soup, Minestrone, and much more! Check out her delicious recipes

(Photos from Pearls, Handcuffs, and Happy Hours)

The Disney Channel's website is not just for kids! 

Steamy hot bowls of Creamy Corn Chowder, Tortellini Vegetable, Vermont Cheddar and Cheese Tortellini with Cannaloni had my mouth watering!

(Photos Courtesy of the Disney Channel Website)

and before you run to the grocery store to load up on soup supplies, stop by "My Blessed Life's" blog to check out her top ten soup recipes.  I can't help but drool over the Corn and Bacon Chowder, Broccoli and Cheddar, and French Onion Soup recipes!

(photos from My Blessed Life)

Ok, quick, run, don't walk to your nearest grocery store, turn on the

 crockpot and begin cooking! 

Ten on Tuesday

I meant to write this post first thing this morning, but I couldn't sleep last night and ended up oversleeping this morning instead of writing my daily post.  So here it is a few hours late:

1. What is your dream vacation?

I would love to take a trip to Costa Rica, no wait......New Zealand....make that Bora Bora....Ok, my dream vacation would be from Costa Rica, to New Zealand, to Bora Bora. 

2. What has been your favorite trip so far in your life?

Thus far, my ultimate favorite trip has been to Alaska.  It was seriously the first time I really appreciated God's work in our world.  I have always appreciated the things around me, but for the first time I really saw true beauty that was made with the hands of God.

3. If you and one of your best friends could go anywhere in the world for one week, where would it be and why?

All expenses paid, I would love to go backpacking through Europe.  I think it would be completely beautiful and relaxing for one of my friends to travel with me.

4. Have you ever booked a trip using an online deal? How did it go?

I actually have not, but love when the weekly emails from Travel Zoo get sent.  I get a little hesitant if the deal is too good to be true!

5. What’s your favorite thing to do while you’re on vacation?

Exploring, hiking, sight-seeing, eating at local restaurants.  

 

6. Have you ever missed an opportunity to take a trip that you regret?

No! I never pass up an opportunity to go on a trip (well that is, if my bank account allows it!). I have been very fortunate growing up to have seen alot with my parents.  I hope some day I can take my family on fabulous vacations as well.

7. You travel far away from home and get stranded with no way to buy anything, what’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Change of underwear.  

8. What’s one of your favorite traveling memories?

The road trip through Utah, Nevada, and Colorado I did with one of my best friends and cousin.  It was a trip of a lifetime!

 

9. All included resort or backpacking? Why?

I am not one who typically likes to just lay on the beach with a good book.  I have vacation ADD and love to explore, so I think backpacking would be better for my personality.

 

10. Are you more of a lie on the beach kind of person on vacation, or do you prefer to see the sights?

Oops, just answered this question above! Show me the sights! I can read the book on the plane.

Champions

This weekend as my way to unwind from the busy week, I participated in my team's kickball playoffs.  For those who don't live in DC, kickball is a very popular way to pass the time.  Sadly, after 8 seasons, I have decided that this will be my last one.  Obviously, I couldn't miss out on the championship game.  Our team has never won the playoffs and we were determined to make it happen this year.  

And we did!!! 

Afterward we celebrated with a little champagne and beer celebration at our favorite watering hole

Followed by of course JUMBO Slice.  Pizza that is bigger than my head.  

I couldn't even finish it all. But it was delicious.

Vodka

Enough said :)

Chivalry is not completely dead

When I got on the metro this morning, my heart sank a little as I noticed a packed car, no empty seats and a back up of trains on the tracks.

Having just worked a 13 hour day last night and looking at a 12 hour day ahead of me, the thought of staying on my feet for one more second frightened me.

Although, I love my career as an event planner, long days on your feet followed by lack of sleep at night can begin to wear on you.

After two stops, I spotted a seat a few feet up. Although my eyes widened I knew the odds of me landing that seat were pretty slim.

Just then my knight in shining polyester turned and said, "Would you like to sit?"

I was so relieved and excited I could have hugged him. I forget sometimes that there are still nice guys out there.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

For semi-wordless Wednesday today,
I am posting quotes that inspire me daily.

Knitting

Last week, i started a three part knitting class. This week's homework assignment was to make a winter hat.

I have to admit I was frustrated in the beginning because I wasnt picking it up right away, howerer now that I have the hang of it, i am excited to see my project turn into something.








p.s. Only three more days till I can have chocolate again!!

Ten on Tuesday

This week's Ten on Tuesday has been a little revamped.  


A. Age: 27
B. Bed Size: Queen
C. Chore that you hate: Cleaning the shower
D. Dogs: Huskies are my favorite (and labs)
E. Essential to start your day: SHOWER!
F. Favorite Color: Red
G. Gold or Silver: Definitely Silver
H. Height: 5'4...ok I am really 5'3
I. Instruments you play: Used to play the piano and flute
J. Job Title: Event Planner
K. Kids: None...yet. I hope some day
L. Live: I live in Arlington, VA
M. Mother's Name: Linda
N. Nicknames: Sugar (when I was younger) and Lemontree (now)
O. Overnight Hospital Stays: I have gone in the middle of the night but never stayed more than a few hours
P. Pet peeve: Misuse of the turn signal 
Q: Quote from a movie:  "Maybe we are lying here because you don't want to be standing somewhere else" - Serendipity
R: Right or Left Handed: Right
S. Siblings: 4 (3 brothers, and 1 sister)
T. Time you wake up: 6:55
U. Underwear: Cotton and Satin
V. Vegetables you hate: Cucumbers and Celery
W. What makes you run late: Not enough sleep the night before
X. X-Rays you have had: CT scans for kidney stones and concussions
Y: Yummy food that you make: Buffalo chicken wing dip
Z: Zoo Animal: I love elephants and tigers




Interested in Ten on Tuesdays? Check out rootsandrings.com each week to participate!

Homecomings

Fall is one of my favorite times of year.  It reminds me of college, football, and sweaters! This past weekend was my college's Homecoming, as well as my 5 year college reunion.  A few of my best friends and I went bet to celebrate the weekend together.  It was so good to be back on campus. 

 

My Irish Blessing (my angel in disguise), and her amazing husband traveled all of the way from Jersey for the weekend. 
They are the cutest Irish couple ever!

 

It was fun to watch the parade right from the main entrance of campus.  Unfortunately one of the significant others was sick and had to sleep in the car most of the day.  At least he parked conveniently near the parade.  I believe they tossed him some candy in the window! Poor guy.  

It was nice of us girls to be together, however, we were missing two of our best girls that weekend.  I should have photoshoped them in.

Thankfully, although we were missing two people from our strong circle of 5, we got to meet up with Erica's brother and his fiance for dinner! 

They were life savers saving our table for us as we were stuck on the awful shuttle for over 30 minutes.

Before leaving, I had to make a pit stop at our old house from senior year.  Its hard to believe 5 years ago, I was living here, without a care in the world.  So many nights we spent drinking wine on the porch, running between houses for fashion advice, and oh yeah, of course studying. 

I can't believe 5 years has come and gone. 

I look forward to my next visit back on campus!

Without technology

For the last twenty four hours we have been without computer access at work. I know know what it must have been like to work in 1976.

Fixing Problems

Semi-Wordless Wednesday.  I am exhausted from work this week and can't wait till the weekend, so I am more than happy to have a semi-wordless Wednesday today!

Ten on Tuesday

Ten on Tuesday:

WOULD YOU RATHER:

1. eat chocolate covered grasshoppers or this freaky squid thing?

Chocolate covered grasshoppers!

2. never see another movie or never watch TV again?

Never watch TV again. I can't live without my movies!

3. be a superhero with a lame power or a supervillain with an awesome power?

Be a super hero with a lame power, cause I would still be a hero!

4. eat only salty snacks for the rest of you life, or only sweet snacks?

Eat only sweet snacks

 

5. never read another book or never hear another song?

Never read another book.  Music makes me instantly happy!

6. be a whale carcass remover or a sewer inspector?

Be a Whale Carcass Remover.  This was an interesting "would you rather"

7. have no electricity or no running water?

Hmm have no running water?

8. be a dog or a cat?

Be a dog! They are so loveable!

9. always be hot or always be cold?

Always be cold.  You can always put on more layers.  You can only take so many off.

10. be forced to watch all 3 High School Musicals on an endless loop, or the Twilight 

TWILIGHT all the way!

Wedding Season

This year has been a fun one for weddings.  

I was in one over the summer and had a few to attend.  

However, this past weekend I attended my last wedding for 2011.  I was so excited to go and spend time with some of my friends from college
(and post college). 

 The bride, a vegan, had a vegan cake which I have to admit was really good! I wish I had the recipe for it. 

Now that 2011 weddings are over, I can focus on 2012 weddings.  I have a total of 8 next year, two of which I am in, one of which I am planning.  I love weddings and can't wait to see what 2012 has to bring!

Fall.

My favorite season!

  Not only does it bring out cardigans, boots, and SCARVES (secret obsession of mine) but it also means football, changing of the leaves, and more time outside without humidity and heat.

Since moving to DC I have become a huge fan of the game cornhole, ladderball, and more tailgating games.  Fall is a great way to spend time with friends enjoying watching the football games and even better potlucks! 

Praying for love

I heard the best quote about relationships today when watching tv. The person said:

"Don't pray to have someone in your life, pray that you are ready when they come."

How true this is!

5 things to do before marriage

It seems like every time I turn on the TV or get my mail I am learning about another upcoming marriage. I figured although I am not within a 6 or even 12 month range of getting married, its always good to get marriage and dating advice from friends who have done it already. 


One of my best friends, who has not been married for two years, offered a piece of advice for me (obviously for the future).  She says that in order to test if someone is marriage material and if you are both ready for marriage you must go through 5 things together as a couple. 

1. You must go through one or both of you being really sick: And by this she doesn't mean allergies or a cold.  You must experience that kind of sickness where you hide from the world because your bedroom is overflowing with used kleenexs, you are running toward the bathroom to spill your guts from the last meal, almost heading to the hospital sort of sick.  

2. You must have one really big fight: Arguing over which TV show to watch does not count.  This fight has to be really big, like doors slamming, voices raised, maybe even something plastic being thrown at the ground, followed by either a few days of silence and a make up or just immediate passionate sex!

3. Two words...ROAD TRIP:  Driving to a football game and being stuck in rush hour traffic doesn't count.  Yes, it will show you a lot about patience during a stressful situation, but to really test your love and communication, the two should take a real Road Trip.  Pack up the car, either staying in a tent or cheap hotels along the way, load up the ipod with great tunes (that you will both love...hey he might love the Spice Girls) and take an adventure together.  Whether it be a weekend, a week or a month...just take the trip together.


4. Share a bedroom together for 1 week: I am not necessarily condoning premartial sex, nor am I saying that you should be a prude, but living with someone in the same room for one week is a great amount of time to learn about each other.  From each other's toilet ettiquette to bedroom behavior you will see a snippet of your future with this partner.  Sharing the bed for one night can be misleading, which is why the week long vacation together is mandatory. I still laugh when my girlfriends tell me about their husbands blowing their noses in the shower or leaving boogers and nail clippings by the bed.  Boys will be boys. 

5. Spending the holidays with the future in-laws: Why wait for all of the family fun after the wedding.  Learning about your in-laws and future family quarks before the wedding is crucial.  Its good to know what you are getting yourself into, not just with him, but with his family.  


I am sure there are many more things you can think of that would be wise for a couple to do before walking down the aisle.  What would you say are things a couple should go through before tying the knot?

Studying

I can't believe that it has been 5 years since I graduated college.  As I look at friends who have completed or are going through grad school I can't even image the reading, tests, and papers they have to do. However, a part of me still craves knowledge.  

One of my personal goals is to start my own wedding and event planning business within the next three years.  In order to do so, I have been trying to increase my collection of wedding and event planning books in the house.  One of the books that I started to read was starting a home based wedding planning business.  Although I am a little rusty on studying habits, I am trying to force myself to get a little bit of reading in each week.  

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

I saw this phrase on Pinterest yesterday and absolutely loved it.  
So true:

Lessons for life: