Milestone

Today is my baby's birthday! She is officially one year old. I am happy to report, I have had no emotionally wrought moments of "time is slipping by too fast" realizations. Rather, I feel so crazy, overwhelmingly, buttons bursting proud of this little lady. I can't wait to post some birthday party pictures (we had a friend party on Monday and a family party is happening on Sunday) and share all of the details of our birthday festivities.
Until then...
Happiest of birthdays to my joyful, warm, adventure girl. You bring me so much joy.

Adventures in cooking

I do not consider myself a cook. I admire cooks- Ina Garten, Ruth Riechl (cook and writer, be still my heart), Rick Bayless. But, sadly, I am not among those ranks, nor am I hardly cook-worthy enough to call them mentors. Once in a while though, the ingredients align and I create a kitchen wonder. A culinary gem. Last night was such a night. Not to toot my own horn, or really for the only purpose of tooting my own horn, I cooked a lovely dinner last night that left my husband grinning and my belly too full. I found the recipe for tomato and sausage risotto off this blog I love, smitten kitchen, and the rest was foodie history. Despite starting to cook and realizing that I didn't have butter for the last final step and my hero husband having to fetch some from Jewel, the recipe was followed with ease and the risotto turned out to be a creamy, robust marvel. We enjoyed a few bowl-fuls sitting out on our deck under the lights and hanging plants.

Date night coffee with my favorite coffee snob

On our first official date, Joel and I closed down a Starbucks drinking Verona blend and telling stories. From the start I found that man captivating. Now, hundreds of coffee dates later, we can still close down coffee shops drinking immensely better blends, captivated by each other.

New season, new list

On the first day of summer vacation, I made a summer resolution list. Some of the items I accomplished, some I did not. BUT, if any of you readers know me well, you know that I LOVE making goal lists. Why be satisfied with New Year's resolutions? I say, new season, new resolutions!

Fall Resolutions
1. Same as summer, my first resolution is to cook more. Many new recipes were cooked this summer, but I am still not satisfied. I love fall produce- apples, cranberries, pumpkin. Plus, my mom just bought me a roasting pan. Roast chicken and root vegetables? Yes, please.
2. Tour an apple orchard.
3. Write an absolutely killer unit plan for my 12th grade class.
4. Read a few new books- I have a massive stack on my bedside table to get working on!
5. Throw Ainsley a birthday party. A great one.

A short list, but a fine place to start!

If the baby ain't happy...

I've had a bit of a day. First Day of School went splendid- love my students, love what I get to teach, double love that I can wear jeans to work now. As soon as I got home, however, Ainsley decided that today was not her favorite. She voiced her displeasure in whines, cries, screeches, growls, and a wide variety of stink eyes. Ugh.
Thankfully, Joel is home now. AND, he brought take-out. That man is too much, I tell you.

Goodbye, Summer. It's been real.

Students come tomorrow. In just a few short sleepy hours, my classroom will be buzzing with first day of school jitters. This summer, like it's predecessors, has been a whirlwind. I remember before school ended for the year, I  was spending a lot of time praying about this summer, so nervous that I would get stir-crazy at home with my daughter all day. On the contrary, this summer has been the most adventuresome, exciting, and memorable summers I've ever experienced.
Most memorable moments include:

-Cubs game with Mel and Andy, despite an hour rain delay. Brewers were victorious. Too bad, Cubbies.
-Celebrating at Andi's birthday party and getting to meet the rest of his British family
-Late night cards played sitting in the patio furniture section at Meyer grocery store with Rachel and Joanna
-Michigan Vacation!
-3rd anniversary dinner at Texas De Brazil.
-Seeing Midnight in Paris with my mom, sis, and sis-in-law
-All the Thursday afternoons I spent with three students studying the Bible. Hard to beat that.
-Celebrating Joel's birthday in Morton and then in Milwaukee
-Park fun with my Mom, sis, nephew, and nieces

-Early morning Alterra Coffee at the Lake with Maja and Amy.
-Taking on St. Louis with Joanna and kids
-Listening to music at the summer concert in Elgin
-Honoring Joel's grandpa, Ernie, in Morton and Michigan.
-Camping out in Milwaukee for a few days with the lady and my family
-Lunch at the Pub and apartment touring with the Hoaglands
-Small group dinner at Tatums
-Many, many days off with my favorites

-Pingree Grove Garage Sale with good friends
-Barbecue Chicken and Oreo Pie with the Sooters, Marshall, and Kristi
-Bridal Shower for my dear friend, Lindsay
-Amy spending the weekend here is Elgin

The bar for Fall has been set pretty high! Hopefully you too had a memorable and delightful summer. Bring on the cooler temps!

Weekend

Yes, my weekend is over. And yes, I have to work tomorrow. And major yes, classes officially begin on Wednesday. But am I melancholic? Am I cranky? No, I am most certainly not. This weekend was so wonderful that I couldn't possibly be down in the doldrums.
My dearest friend Amy visited Elgin this weekend and we had a spectacular time. Long chats, sushi, One Day (Anne Hathaway had the fakest British accent there ever was), Ikea shopping, watching vintage SNL, church at Harvest, and laughing until I cried...what an incredible time with my friend! THEN to top all the fun off, after church today Joel, the little Miss, and I jetted up to Milwaukee to have dinner with my parents. This weekend was too much.
So take that, first day of school. Just try to get this teacher all nervous and fidgety. I dare you.

Out on the town...

It's that time already

Back to life, back to reality...so the story goes. I'm officially back to work in the truest sense of the word. I have sat in meetings, worked on bulletin boards, and tweaked lesson plans. In just a week from today I will students in room ready (hopefully) to learn all about writing, grammar, and literature. I feel over the moon. I love what I do. God's mercy is overwhelming.
So, for today, a back to work haiku-
Classroom too quiet
Lessons prepped, teacher ready
Just need my students

A few things I'm thankful for on this fine summer evening...

- Oreo pie. Tonight we had a cook-out with some good friends and one of them brought an oreo pie. Combine a slice of that with a strong cup of coffee and you will have one happy hostess.

-Words that are not used nearly enough. Tonight, while playing Apples to Apples, we decided that hooligan and psychedelic need to be brought into the word mix. I feel a mission coming on. 

-My job. Today was my first day back to work after a full, wonderful summer. I love teaching English. There were years that I never pictured myself saying that; somehow after all that searching, I came back to teaching and found so much peace and fulfillment. I'm thrilled to be starting a new year with fresh classes. 

-Joel's wit. My husband is truly hilarious. Foxy and hilarious. 

That's all for now. Goodnight. 

Sweet Home Milwaukee

Yesterday and today were spent in the town that won my heart- Milwaukee, WI. Yes, Ainsley and I traveled back to my hometown for a quick hello to the family. If you've never experienced Milwaukee, get over the stereotypes and preconceived notions you might currently have, get in the car, and GO! Milwaukee has all of the appeal of Chicago but with a little charm added in to the mix. I could go on and on, but instead I'll regail you with the top 5 from my brief Milwaukee vacation.

5. Getting my hair colored (a slightly vain way to start this top 5). My hair is now much darker and MUCH healthier thanks to my vastly talented sister. But more than the hair help, I love that getting my hair done provides a lot of time to chat with my sis. A BIG highlight from the trip.
4. Eating desserts from Metro Market and watching Lincoln Lawyer with my mom and sis- lemon creme cake and court room drama is a winning combo.
3. Playing games with my sister, sister-in-law, and mom. I should really say losing games.  Even losing is fun with these women.
2. Wonderful conversation this morning with my parents over gyro omelettes and oatmeal. If you care, Ainsley snacked on bananas.
1. Meeting many of the women in my family for coffee EARLY yesterday morning. I am blessed to be related to a wise, witty, wonderful group of ladies (how's that for alliteration, English class?) and I love any chance there is just to sit and enjoy some coffee with them.

I officially go back to school for meetings tomorrow with the first day of school just two weeks away. Glad I'm getting as much out of this summer as I can!

Our Bird Baby

Ainsley is a voracious, sometimes insatiable eater. She eats with gumption, grunting and talking in between bites. I have yet to find a food that she won't eat. Favorites are still sweet potatoes, bites of banana, and mango. I've come to call her my baby bird because when she wants another bite of food (which is quite often) she will open her mouth as wide as she can in hopeful anticipation. We had to capture a few pictures to ensure that we never forget this silly quirk of hers.

It's up to you, New York

Since I've been on summer vacation, I've started awarding myself a small weekly luxury. At some point in the week I spend one of Ainsley's naptimes lounging on the couch with a cup of coffee and the cinematic brilliance that is You've Got Mail. Yes, I watch You've Got Mail every single week. I love the chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I love the romance in the words they write to eachother, so clever and memorable. I also love the dress that Kathleen Kelly is wearing at the end when she finally realizes that NY152 is actually Joe Fox.  As I type this, the scene where the two are at Zabars and Joe charms the salesclerk is playing. "Rose, that's a beautiful name. Rose." Love it.
I also appreciate that this movie makes any viewer want to go to New York City. Last year, I made my maiden voyage to that notorious town. Though Joel was a bit under the weather throughout our short two day trip, he was a trooper, escorting me to as many tourist sites possible. There were stops I had to make- Rockefeller Center, Statue of Liberty, Chelsea Market, Broadway, Times Square, Soho- we were exhausted by the time we left.
As I watch You've Got Mail yet another time, I can't help but feel nostalgic about our own New York travels.

We started our first day with a stroll around Central Park and a cup of coffee

I'm a fan. I'll admit it. And yes, I was pregnant during the trip. Quite a bit pregnant.

No New York trip would be complete without a trip to Broadway.

At the top of the Rock. 

The Sounds of Summer

The sighs of two grateful, exhausted parents. The lady's deep breaths as she sleeps. Husband tapping on his computer reading his tech blogs. Coffee brewing. Dishwasher rumbling. So You Think You Can Dance muffled in the background.

The resonance of another glorious summer evening with my man.

Ice Cream Run

Oh, how I love a summer evening. Not even 7:00pm and still a balmy 95 degrees. Some find this heat miserable, but I delight in these blazing temperatures. Nights like these are made for adventure. So, after dinner, the Smith family piled into our trusty Pilot and headed over to the closest Dairy Queen. Joel and I each got a blizzard, an ideal summer treat, and Miss Ainsley even got a few bites of ice cream, thanks to her Daddy. Then we took our treats to the car and drove around searching for the newest Elgin houses on the market. Perhaps not the most risky adventure, but still a suitable one for this summer night.

Ainsley's newest tricks...

Along with pulling herself up and saying a few words, the lady has learned to clap. She is not selfish with her applause, either. BUT, her best and most purposeful claps are reserved for Joel. Of course.
Here's a video. Yes, I am that mama.

If anyone is curious about what words our little wonder is saying, the answer to that question would be "Daddy" (sigh), "woah" and "baby." No "mama" in sight.