the happiest place on earth!

we FINALLY went to disneyland!! (it's been something that i've wanted to do w/ husband for a while) ... it truly is such a magical place.  we had so much fun.  the fireworks, the rides, the "snow" and the all-you-can-eat bbq (aka. big thunder ranch) made for such a grand time w/ our close newlywed friends.  thank you people of disneyland for the clean bathrooms, amazing service, and a perfect day.  

some friends are for a lifetime

i've known these girls for almost 20 years. it was so amazing seeing them ... especially the friend who lives so far far away. the last time i saw her was at my wedding 1 1/2 years ago . i feel blessed to still have them in my life .. these are very special people. thankful.

brownies

we decided to buy a box of brownie mix after dinner + i "spontaneously" baked what might be MY VERY FIRST BATCH OF BROWNIES.  it wasn't my dessert of choice (husband's request, mine would be this), but if i am going to bake more, i have to start somewhere right? ... even if it's a not-too-gourmet-betty-crocker-triple-chunk-brownie mix. ;)

ta-da!! 

husband's messy portion ... 

this is why he got the messy portion ... it kinda fell apart.

my little bit + pellegrino w/ orange slices

the long week ahead

i am going to have probably the busiest workweek next week, w/ back-to-back parent conferences + minimum days + having to teach well the letter "N" + art projects + making copies (the list goes on ..) with the little time i'll have.  i just hope the upcoming thanksgiving break will be here soooooon!  but other than busyness at work ... (a moment of vulnerability here) ... life feels really tough lately.  i am in need of peace + a lot of letting go.  i know it takes the darkness to see the light and it takes much ugliness to appreciate true beauty, but the lesson i am learning feels too difficult, almost too impossible.  i am realizing that love has to be tested for it to be true, and forgiveness has to be exercised for the heart to grow.  it's all a process, it's messy and raw ... and life shows no partiality to who will learn what lesson.  oh. i am looking forward to the day i come out the other side FREE + NEW.  how exciting.  the possibility of owning a kind of love that have been found true, brings hope (and tears) to my heart.  in the meantime, back to report cards.  

things that make me happy

1. fresh flowers
2. home-made chicken tortilla soup
3. sweet treats w/ a sweet friend
4. getting my annual physical DONE
5. 11.11.11
6. the upcoming holiday season
7. the possibility of moving in the near future
8. a peaceful home
9. my new BIG cutting board
10. my brand new rolling pin from Anthropologie (see here)
11. will reagan + the united pursuit band - set a fire
12. friendships

what's in our space

1.  amarula (creamy liqueor) ... a delicious drink. 

2.  burlap art project. materials arrived today .. thank you amazon.

3.  fish measuring cup. a gift. 

4.  fall color.