remembering it all.

^^From the day that Cade got the job.

Yesterday morning, Cade and I were out to breakfast and I quickly took out my phone to snap a picture of our full table .. I had no intention of doing anything with that picture, other than to keep it for a memory. So that one day, when I'm scrolling through my photo's I'll remember that time that we went out to breakfast on a Sunday morning and had some pretty comical conversations while also talking about some things that we're proud of.

Am I alone in this? There was one point in time a few years ago when social media was becoming more popular (thanks to Instagram, for me) that I would only take photos that I could use for posting. Now, I take them to remember details in my days. I have so many random pictures that hold memories... It's so nice to have my own personal nostalgia lane to go down sometimes. 

So here's a brief glimpse of my very best memories. I want to remember...  

Frank in a hat. Cade and I took Sir Franks to the park and he wore this hat without any issue! I thought for sure it would've been thrown off in a millisecond. This was also the day of the Cav's championship parade and Cade and I were both off work for it.

my visit to Edgewater Park for the first time, shortly after moving to Cleveland. This was such a great day I had exploring Cleveland with Cade and I am so glad that I have photos to remember it.

the first time I met Lilah. All 5 lbs, 13 ounces of her. 

that I was having a bad day at work so I went to Rocky River to clear my mind. There's something about nature that makes me more of a forgiving person. I don't remember what I was upset about but I remember standing there watching these leaves gently move with the wind... The water, softly rushing in the back ground over rocks of every size. 

when my aunt came to town and we walked into this church (her request) off the street and the beauty and magnificence of it reminded me of somewhere I've never been before.

this first hat that I crocheted that came nowhere near fitting Lilah's head. In her defense, it was a very tiny hat.

Mexico... Sitting on a white-sand beach just breathing in the salty air. The warmth I felt on my face from the sun was a blanket protecting me of anything that I could possibly have to worry about in that moment.

how my mom never fails to get me the most beautiful flowers every birthday. More than anyone else, she has always made me feel the most special in this lifetime.

that time I went to Tucson and was blown away by how beautiful something so dry and lifeless could be.

the book that changed my life.

seeing my fearless, strong, emotionally rock solid brother become a ball of mush around her.

when I finally got out of my slump of not using my camera and took this photo with no tripod. It was like this waterfall, the lighting, and my camera all knew that I needed something to get me back into the swing of things.

when we decided to be active and silly on a cold and rainy Saturday morning instead of staying home in our PJ's like we thought we were going to do.

Finally, this. When Cade snapped a photo and edited it just because. It's thing like this that remind me of his love in ways that aren't words or random kisses. I imagined that he looked over, saw this scene and decided that he also wanted to always remember this.

Here's to the future and creating more memories for me to look back on.

Have a great week!

It's Friday, witches (Halloween Inspired links)

How cute are these pumpkin ideas from Lauren Conrad?!

I'm also really in love with some of these ideas.

While we're on the Halloween train, have you ever looked at all of Jimmy Kimmel's half and half costume designs throughout the years?! They always give me a good laugh.

Anyone else hate scary movies? Here's a list of non-scary Halloween related movies. I recently already watched Nightmare before Christmas and Corpse Bride. I think I'm willing to give Beetlejuice another shot. I never liked it as a kid, but I might be ready to try again.

Most importantly ... ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL STRANGER THINGS! Here's the countdown.

Not so much Halloween related as it is just kind of spooky related, but I recently started reading this book and I can already tell it's going to be a page turner. But, I mean... can Paula Hawkins do anything wrong?

Eat too much candy lately? No worries, there's a detox for that!

Patton Oswalt just released his new stand-up special on Netflix titled "Annihilation" and it's wonderful, and funny, and sweet, and perfect!

I think that's all for me! Happy Friday, enjoy the weekend and eat some candy.

On being an aunt.

Lying peacefully in her bed, in a dark room that she was sharing with her grandma and mom after a fun-filled girls night, was a happy, wide eyed little gal. She wasn't crying or moving around... In fact, if you didn't see her toothy smile through the little light that the crack in the door allowed, then you'd never know she was awake. I quietly opened the door for the third time since I woke up at 6:30 to see if the princess was awake yet. It felt like Christmas morning waiting for the entire family to wake up. I was fine to let her sleep however long she wanted, or needed to. So when I opened the door at 7:30, I finally heard a little "coo" that I took as "I'm awake, you can have me now". I picked her up and walked out of the room. She nuzzled her forehead between my neck and my shoulder as if all those years ago, I grew into a body that she would feel comfortable on. I gently tip toed down the hall way, into the living room housing the air mattress that I was sleeping on, with a big cozy comforter and the faintest light that the morning could offer. We snuggled for a few minutes until she was awake and ready to play. Shortly after, we were joined by aunt Ashley and together we followed her all through the house and let her get into whatever she wanted. We even let her spill a little cup of water on the ground because the smile it brought her from holding and drinking it herself was more worth it than not. 

The rest of that Sunday morning I spent tirelessly chasing her around the house, and even outside. I didn't get a single sip of coffee, and I ate my breakfast while standing up in the middle of the kitchen while letting her have every other bite. I know that I'm not a mom, and I will forever have an immense amount of respect for every mom out there. But what I am is an aunt. I get to steal her for hours at a time, or have a morning with just the two of us that renews every downfall that I might have faced that week. I get to do 1% of what moms do and I make sure to take advantage of 100% of that time. 

Sometimes I'll be on the phone, or Facetime with Jess or my mom and every once in a blue moon they'll say something along the lines of how rotten, or fussy she's been that day and I always come back with "oh, but she's so cute, how can you be mad?!" I think that should be the international slogans of aunts everywhere... 

"They're so perfect, how could they do anything wrong?". 

Being an aunt is the ultimate gift. Being an aunt to Lilah is something that I don't quite know how to put into words, but I'll forever keep trying to explain it until I can get it right. Watching my sister become a mom has made me a proud sister. Watching my mom be a grandma ensures that I'll never lose sight of my own childhood from when she was the best mom to us. I know Lilah is surrounded by pure, authentic and unrefined love and for someone who can't speak yet, she gives it all back in her own ways, that only she can do. I don't know if this is understandable to anyone who isn't an aunt, but it makes perfect sense to me. 

I love being "aunt nae". It's held high as the best title I've ever had. 

The dreamiest date night.

Just as I got home from work on Thursday and was putting on my comfy clothes, I got a call from Cade. He asked me if I wanted to go on a date with him that night. "YES!" I exclaimed over the phone as I'm buttoning my jeans back up. It takes a lot for me to prefer to wear work clothes over comfy clothes, but a date night is right up there as the main exception.

When he got home we played with Frankie outside for a little bit so that he could get the fun time in and exercise that he needed before we headed out. While standing outside I said "I'm not saying that I'm necessarily only hungry for pizza, but I was thinking about going  to Citizen Pie?" and he let out a little "psshht" followed by "that is exactly what I had in mind, too!". Does that mean we're meant?! Cause I kinda think so. But it could also just mean that Citizen Pie is really, that good.

So we ordered our dinner and sat at the bar. Between the delicious pizza and the guy completely mesmerizing us by how perfectly he made the pizzas, we didn't really say much. But it was perfect nonetheless! We finished dinner and went over to the best little secret in Ohio City - The Market Avenue Wine Bar. I had a 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet (my first one EVER in that year - worth all the hype) and Cade tried a Spanish red (which was, like, mouth watering-ly flavorful and nearly perfect in every way). It should also be noted that Madeline (our waitress) is a Sommelier and all I wanted was for her to sit down with us and just talk about it all night while perfectly pronouncing all the different regions that the wines come from and their respective names. So, I guess we were mesmerized by two people during this particular night.

When the date night came to a close and we headed to our car, I noticed that the streets were empty but it was so beautiful. The house lights were on, and the hanging bulbs from those upstairs decks/porches made it seem like something out a movie. I know I brag on Cleveland a lot, but crowded streets or empty streets, this town has it going on. 

I live for these dreamy date nights and the handsome man that I get to call my husband. The guy who stops at the drop of a dime when I absolutely have to take this photo, and the guy who enjoys a nice glass of wine with me (he has a better palette than I do, by the way). I don't know what kind of spell I put on him to make him love me, but I hope it never wears off. And if it does, I hope he's been convinced enough to stay with me anyway!

Guilty feet have no rhythym, guys.

George Michael just came on my shuffle and I had to stop everything I was doing to serenade Cade to "Careless Whispers". Just in case you guys wanted a little glimpse into our every day life. It's going really great if you ask me!

OK, now that I got that out of the way. Let's focus on the important thing. Me. (just kidding!)

I've probably said it before, and I'll probably say it again - GO TO THE BEACHES OF CLEVELAND! If you're laughing then I totally get it. Don't feel bad about it. But, you'd be impressed. I swear! I took my fam there last weekend and there was only good things to say all around. Clean, peaceful, and it feels slightly tropical! 

Update on the playlist: Hall and Oates. iTunes is slaying it right now.

My work station (^^) the other night and let me tell you; "work" is so much better when there is wine involved.  

This is from the tree in front of our house and it's beautiful. I wish it could stay all year 'round! 

A recent sunrise. There's really nothing to say to this. Just perfection.

I'm not much of a gambler, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say that my phone case might be cooler than yours. Star Wars? Flowers? What more could you possibly ask for?

If Cade and I weren't already married then I would probably have our wedding here at Rocky River. It's my little slice of Heaven. I know it's not all mine, but it feels like it sometimes. Also, do you see that quirky little face formed out of the rocks? 

I never know how to finish these random posts sometimes... So, bye. 

JK, I wouldn't do you like that. I am working on a puzzle and it's been consuming a lot of my time lately (time well spent!). I'm finding out that I might be in the minority of people who have a pure, enduring love for puzzles still. Where's the puzzle popularity, guys?!

This was taken on Sunday when I first got the puzzle and now (Wednesday'ish) it is roughly 50% completed. Hashtag: Progress. (Next up in my puzzle queue you ask? Star Wars, obviously.)

May the force be with you!  

Links of Interest [October Edition]

Puppy of my dreams right there.

Quick! If you're looking for a unique, and interesting shirt to wear during your next best day ever, then you should order one of Cade's Viking Biking shirts here!

Did you all catch the new Star Wars trailer for The Last Jedi? I know I've said this for every Star Wars trailer or teaser but ... SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Do you have an online "happy place"? This work instantly calms me! Those colors...

I seriously LOVE those celeb look alike comparison photos, but these are a new playing field. The Jack Black one seriously cracked me up! 

I already posted one of his articles on Facebook, but Tom Verducci (via Sports Illustrated) is being seriously harsh towards the Cleveland Indians. His most recent article only furthers my point. Bully much?

PODCASTS! Listen to them? My favorites are Revisionist History, My Favorite Murder, and the newly released Do you know who Jason Segel is? (I have a major crush on Jason, TBH).

Sorry for the radio silence, I've just had the best weekend (it kept me busy as can be, but totally worth it), and watching my Indians (hopefully) advance past the ALDS. Be back soon with some new posts! 

Have a happy week! 

Fall Y'all!

My first favorite season is winter (whatever!), but my second favorite is definitely fall. Also, for anyone interested, it's then proceeded by spring and then last and certainly least is summer. Am I the only person alive who has a real, genuine hatred for summer? I don't even feel slightly bad for saying that either. It's just heat, and sweating and not being comfortable outside, but feeling guilty for being inside. Just not my cup of tea... But I digress! 

OK, so anyway. I had a little photo shoot outside because 64 degrees with a slight breeze and just the right amount of sun is what my dreams are made of. My 'mum' bought me those mums ^^ up there and I guess I just never realized how much I love mums. I mean, look at them! Such beauts. I guess that's one thing I enjoy about the warmer weather is the fact that plants / flowers / gardens can thrive, and grow out there. SO OK, THERE'S ONE THING. Anyway, I have my apple pumpkin candle lit and all my pumpkin-themed decor out... It's a wonderful thing. Also, I'm going to hang my spooky Halloween sign up here soon so I'm definitely "about this life".

Calling all you "good-deal-lovers"! These little ceramic pumpkins are only $1 at Target. ONE DOLLAR! I should've bought 10 of 'em, but these three are just perfect for now. 

SEEEE what I mean about the outside photo-shoot. Also, back on that Target deal thing; those bigger pumpkins were only $3. Actually now that I think about it, I should go back and stock up ASAP.

(Terrible picture, I know. But I wanted to post it anyway.)

 ^^^ New read. SO GOOD. Cade surprised me with it as a gift because he knows two very important things about me. 1.) I LOVE writing. I mean, I regularly write in a journal, AND I have a blog. 2.) I want to write what I enjoy writing about, but also what other people might be interested in reading. This book is answering ALL of my questions, and teaching me so much. I'm only a few chapters in, but highly recommended! 

 Happy Fall Y'all! (Don't care how often that phrase is said, it's always fun to me!)

My opinion on soy sauce. [A challenge by Cade]

I don't know if it's because I'm a sucker for girl scout cookies and boy scout popcorn, or if it's that I just don't know how to say "no" to them. Or maybe it's because I've literally been there (done that) and anything younger than 18 is too early to know that kind of rejection... But I have YET to say "no, thank you" to a kid that offers me girl scout cookies or boy scout popcorn. I know what you're thinking right now - what does this have to do with soy sauce? Well, [your name here], Cade so kindly challenged me to write creatively with no event, or planned topic. Just write. He'd give me a subject and I had to write... right then and there. (OK, I made the last part up because he gave me this challenge over dinner and I had a mouth full of pasta at the time and was no where near my laptop.) Anyway, I couldn't say no. But of course, as all marriages go, I turned it into a compromise. Cause why would I just do something willy-nilly with nothing in return? SO, that illustration up there ^^ yeah, that was his part of the bargain. I think it worked out pretty fairly.

OK, so back to soy sauce. Here's the thing - I love it. When we go to Japanese or Chinese restaurants I usually double up on the soy sauce. Sorry to any Yum Yum sauce fans, not my cup of sauce. Also, with sushi!! It's so funny because two things I have to have with sushi is soy sauce and a lemon. Which kind of sound terrible alone together. But it's like heaven when combined over sushi. 

So my opinion is a good one for soy sauce. I'd prefer the sodium one, but my heart and body tell me I should get the low-sodium kind. HEALTH, AM I RIGHT?  

Should this post be all about soy sauce? Probably not. So let me say this; I read a book ... I mean, I am in the middle of reading a book that says, when writing, I need to make sure that what I'm writing is interesting to the reader. I hope this quick read has been interesting, but I also wanted to let you know that while this may be my blog, with my words and silly thoughts, I do it for you. I enjoy sharing the good parts of my days and I really enjoy writing.  I know I joked about it waaaay back at the beginning of this post, but I like the idea of these writing challenges from Cade. There's a whole list of reasons why, but mostly because I tend to be someone who has to put a lot of thought into what I'm posting or writing about, so to write something on the spot is a little nerve-wracking. It'll be good though. For me, and hopefully for you! I promise to keep it interesting as long as Cade promises to choose interesting topics. (Hopefully he doesn't ask me about my thoughts on climate change, or what wood is best to build an entertainment center) ... Also! don't be afraid to challenge me as well. I'm always up for something fun! 

Take care, be well, and buy the darn cookies and popcorn! 

A day with Lilah.

I created this post on Sunday (October 1) in the early afternoon... Before total darkness took over our country from what happened in Las Vegas. It's hard to focus on anything positive right now when so many are aching, and confused (myself included). However, I think it's SO important to find that glimmer of hope. Find something that makes you happy, count your blessings and don't forget to share your love. 

Quick story: every night before bed, I make a mental list of all of my blessings from that day. Saturday night, I was fighting sleep because my list was just so long (the day I'm going to talk about below). I think I even counted corn crops as a blessing... Anyway, I went to bed with a giant smile on my face and I slept so peacefully. It was a similar situation on Sunday night as well... I had a great weekend. But it ended so abruptly when I woke up on Monday morning. Monday night, when I went to bed it was hard to think of anything positive. I'm thankful for my family and friends and that I got to live one more day in this beautiful life... But it felt selfish. I fight with these feelings a lot but I always come back to focus on happy reminders. I hope you do too.

---

I mean, just look at her. Breaking your heart with sweetness, right? 

Last weekend, Cade and I met up with my mom and sister and we all took Lilah-loo to the Rufener's Fall Festival! Not only did I get to hold her for the barrel-tractor ride, but I also got to take her in the inflatable jump house, down the inflatable slide AND in the corn pit. Being an aunt has it's perks when it comes to doing things that are probably, really, only for kids. 

We were probably traveling at the speed of a snail, but nonetheless, it was exciting enough for her, which was exciting enough for me! Look at that face of pure excitement!! 

We barely fit in there, but still; we fit! 

This was, hands down, the best part of the day. Just a big ol' pit of corn that you can play in. My feet sunk directly to the bottom and Lilah could practically walk on top of it. 

Check out that kid in the background completely covered and living his best life.

She probably would've sat like this for hours... I know how much fun I was having in this (as a 20-something year old) so I can only imagine what it was like for her.

Guys, snot and all. I love that face! 

Can we do this again, stat?!