"Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name."

cherry blossoms

So, I am completely obsessed with these trees lately. I cannot get enough of them. 

 There are two growing in my backyard, so lovely.... I love the bed of petals they leave on the grass below.

So I painted my nails the color of cherry blossoms... it makes me smile.

That is all.

easter weekend

So I am feeling a bit depressed because school vacation week is over, which means my alarm is going to go off at 6am tomorrow and I am probably going to yell something I don't want to say here, snooze it one too many times, and be rushing out the door (a normal morning for me - I am NOT a morning person).  That's ok though because I have started applying to new schools and I am nervous/excited for what the new school year will bring!

Here is a little Easter weekend recap:

Friday night I didn't do much of anything. I was in a real funk, and couldn't make a decision to go here or there, or really...to do anything at all. So I made myself some pizza and watched about 6 reruns of Sex & the City.

Naan, edamame, avacado, arugula and sprinkled goat cheese baked in the oven at 350 degress for 10 minutes... viola! It was a bit of a green/cheesy mess, but delish nonetheless!

  Saturday morning (or should I say afternoon by the time I rolled out of bed) I watched mom make a red velvet cake with my Poppy's cream cheese frosting. We were looking over the recipe card and admiring his handwriting, laughing at his spelling errors, and just missing him altogether. The cake (which we dove into today) was to die for! Mom loves making cakes because it allows her to use the cake plate, which doubles as a punch bowl!, that I got her for her birthday last year. This thing is cool, I kind of want one.

It was rainy and disgusting out so my sister and I decided to color Easter eggs with dye and sparkles. We made lots of bright and cheery colors, and put them in a bowl as the centerpiece on the table. We also treated ourselves to pedicures and some sister bonding time :)

 McKenna's 1st Easter! She wore the most adorable little sleeveless dress and matching bloomers. 

 I held her, all wrapped up in blankets for a long time. I was calling it her little nest because she looked like a baby bird in a nest. So darling.

The best piggy toes.

Time to catch some zzz's and pray I make it through this week. Lots to do! I want to send my resume out to some more schools and get my butt back to the gym! 

Have a good week!

miss him.

Mike has been away on business since Monday and I am seriously so lonely without him. Sure, I have my friends and family to hang out with, but he is my very best friend. He is the one I want to be silly with, tell my dreams to, cook dinner with, lay in the park with, do absolutely nothing with (and love every minute of it). He is traveling a lot in the next few weeks and I have to wait another week to see him!

The things I am missing the most....

 Watching him run around outside in this nice weather playing hockey like a little kid.

 The love notes I wake up to or fall asleep to.

 The little surprises.

 This pout.

 This mug, overall.

Being truly happy and crazy in love!

a day on Newbury

Today I spent the day with my beautiful sister-in-law-to-be, Colleen, and niece, McKenna aka McNugget aka Pumpkin pie aka lil monkey...the list goes on. We were on the hunt for the perfect baby dress for Easter and some other fun things like baby bloomers and headbands. Welp, we didn't find a thing! Sure, there were a few (only 4!) cute stores with cute baby clothes , accessories, etc. but everything was so expensive (duh- we knew this going shopping on one of the nicest streets in Boston). Oh well, I am sure she will look darling no matter what on Easter morning. 

We had a great little lunch at Sonsie on Newbury. It was delish! I had the mesclun salad with chicken and Coll had a chicken ceaser. We got peach bellini's to drink, and had a great time chatting. Love her.

Here are some pictures from our day....

 Walking along Newbury.

 This was McKenna the whole time we were eating lunch, what a nugget.

And in the car....

Yummy lunch.

What a great day!

the joys of vacation

Some time home....

 Easter egg blue nail polish gets me excited for Easter!

My sister dyed my hair (out of a box- gasp!) Dark brown with reddish hues.

 Mom made a mean chicken broccoli alfredo! Yum!

 Mom & Dad reading the paper, doing crosswords.... cuteness times 2.

Mom and I made Peppermint Patty milkshakes with chocolate sprinkles mixed in, and I spent the evening on the couch reading Women's Health, The Rolling Stone, and Real Simple... it was quite nice.

Cannot wait for this......

Newport Folk Festival July 30 & 31 this summer!

Check out the lineup

Gonna be sweet!

Here are some pictures from last summer's folkfest --

 The Felice Brothers

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Us.

Seriously the best festival all summer. Go! Get tickets! I'm so excited!!

Just me

Cute Idea from Sarah over at Anonymous was a woman... thanks Sarah!

Age: 26

Bed Size: Comfy queen

Chore you hate: Vaccuuming

Dogs: Jack & Abby  

Essential start of your day: Coffee or tea, upbeat tunes on the ipod

Favorite Color: Blue

Gold or silver: Gold

Height: 5'5" 

Instruments I play (or have played): Flute, Piano (wish I still played... maybe one day)

Job Title: Special Education Teacher

Kids: None yet, but hope for 3

Live: Boston

Mom's Name: Diane

Nickname: Court, Courts, Gooch, C-lo, Sissy

Overnight hospital stays: Yes for surgery

Pet Peeve: An unmade bed, Annoying drivers

Quote from a movie: "So the guys at the morgue can identify the bodies..." (name that movie, i'll give you a dollar!)

Right or left handed: Right.

Siblings: Brother, 2 Sisters. I am the oldest.

Time you wake up: 6:20 am on weekdays; varies on weekends (usually no earlier than 10am - I like my sleep!)

Underwear: Colorful.

Vegetables you dislike: Can't think of any.... Love everything green!

What makes you run late: Trying to catch those last couple minutes of sleep, saying goodbye in the morning, tidying up the apartment

X-rays you've had done: Both arms

Yummy food you make: Chicken Francais, Pumpkin bread!

Zoo animal: Favorite? Monkeys are pretty entertaining and wildly cute.

Copy and share the love!

Have a great day!

my happy place

 Today I headed home to spend some time with Mom and see my precious McKenna.  I had Jack & Abby in the back, country on the radio, and the windows down... ahhhh.

 McKenna took a nice snooze laying on top of me.

 This is my new "happy place."

Isn't she darlin'? My heart could burst. So needless to say, we spent the entire day together. I was told I was "hogging" her, but I just can't help myself.  I could cuddle with her all day long. I love studying her little fingers and toes, and looking at her face when she sleeps. She has the cutest button nose, and makes the silliest faces when she's dreaming. What can she even be dreaming about? 

Sunday night stroll

We took Jack & Abby out for a little walk tonight. It was beautiful out, and the sky looked awesome. There is a park near us with a lot of open space to run, but it was muddy in the grass. There are a bunch of fields there as well, so we took them to the football field to run around. A few kids came up to us and played with them for a few minutes. We saw a mother teaching her son how to ride a bike, so cute! It was great to get some fresh air and just hang!

looking forward

In 4 weeks and 5 days (but who's counting?!) I will graduate with my Masters Degree in Special Education! I cannot wait!

 This is a cake our Program Director got us for our last class!

 After my class we went out for some margaritas... I had been dreaming about this all day!

 Yummy treats from Kickass Cupcakes - thanks Ang! I have truly great friends.

Flowers from Mike - love the bright colors!

Such a great song! Just bought her album... check it out!

healthy snack!

I made kale chips the other day, thanks to the suggestion for a healthy snack from Danielle! Not ever having had them before they were... different!  I couldn't decide whether I liked them or not, so I am going to make them again soon... and leave them in the oven longer so they're crispier!

the cutest little nugget

 My beautiful niece, McKenna Peach... born March 7, 2011. Weighing in at 7lbs 11oz... she is the love of my life.

 She always has her hands by her face, what a little diva.

 So sleepy.

 Headbands & tutus are all the rave.  And she's wearing her Mary Jane glittery shoe-socks from Auntie Courtney :)

 Mr. Giraffe is her favorite. She likes the jingling sound his necklaces make.

Perfect lil angel.