Monday, November 1, 2010

Sweet November

Tonight I made chicken piccata with lemon whole-wheat cous cous for dinner. Amazing, other than the fact that I almost made the apartment complex's smoke alarm go off. Oops! Trust me, I have heard neighbors do this before and it ain't pretty! Luckily, I closed off the kitchen and the hallway door before the smoke alarm went crazy.

Now, Doug is back up at the school for the evening getting some assignments and job searching done and I am sitting here drinking my Starbucks Mocha Via with the windows open...letting the smoky apartment air out... and it's lovely night!

November is my favorite month of the year because of my birthday, Thanksgiving break, and Christmas-is-so-almost-right-around-the-corner-but-not-yet and I love the anticipation! This fall has been unseasonably warm for Tennessee (which I'm okay with) but they say it's going to be a long, cold winter. I am also looking forward to November because Doug and I are going to Chattanooga this weekend, just to get away. Then, my birthday weekend, a few of my best buds Rachel, Sarah, Lauren, and Jess are coming to hang out for few days!! Needless to say, I am beside myself with excitement. I can't wait to show them around.

{the last time we were all together}

Besides birthdays and pending visits from friends, here's a few other things that have made me happy lately: (a la Allison @ smartandsassywithsprinkles!)

-Having a running buddy here in Nashville, Kristi. It's great because she challenges me and I ... well I'd like to think I challenge her too, who knows, but we are signing up for the Country Music Half in April! We will be training with Team Rio (some of the guys from Diamond Rio founded the team) and raising money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters!

-This applesauce cake recipe from Smitten Kitchen, I am making it this week!

-These boots, I ordered from Old Navy in camel and brown, they are low-heeled wedges and I have worn them everywhere! Best purchase ever!

-The Hermitage Hotel - *Correction: I mistakenly said the hotel was flooded this spring and underwent renovations. In reality, they renovated in 2003 and weren't flooded this spring. Other hotels such as the Gaylord Opryland and downtown Hilton Hotel were hit but not the Hermitage, luckily. Thank you to the fabulous marketing team who caught my error!* Last weekend, I met some friends at the hotel for drinks before going to see an old Midland friend dance in Swan Lake. The hotel is beautiful, I will be going back! I also love Nashville's resiliency after the flood and the can-do attitude that has brought this city together ... despite lack of media attention or really help from the rest of the country.


-Yesterday I requested time off in March to go to San Antonio for a good friend's wedding!! Yea! Congrats Amy & Ryan it's going to be one heck of a good time.

Just a few of many, many things! What's been making YOU happy?!

3 comments:

Allison said...

Hooray for happy lately lists. You should think about submitting one for my little blog (hint, hint...) :)

Happy November pretty girl!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for mentioning us on your blog. I am thrilled that you enjoyed your stay with us.

I did want to mention one small thing though. We actually did not have any damage at all during the May flood. We are located high enough on the hill that we were untouched. The renovations we did were in 2003. We are, however, close friends with employees at the Gaylord Opryland and the Hilton Hotel downtown which both had damage. The Hilton was able to re-open shortly after the flood but the Gaylord has yet to re-open. We were very sad for all involved. But, as you said, there is a true spirit of Nashville to push ahead and rebuild the city and so we all pitched in and did just that. I just wanted to clear that up in case anyone was wondering.

Again, thank you so much for the mention. We look forward to having you back with us again.

Warm Regards,
Janet Kurtz
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Hermitage Hotel
615-345-7120
jkurtz@thehermitagehotel.com

Stephanie said...

Thanks again Janet!