Vanderbilt is doing something this year called 365 at VU where they post one picture from campus each day for a year. I am seriously in love with this winter skyscape and think I'm going to frame it and hang it on our bedroom wall. Will be a compliment to the giant vintage map of Dallas over our bed. (I know it sounds like we're obsessed with Texas, and I never thought so, but maybe, just maybe, we are.)

But I think these colors are so pretty...

Winter Wonderland/Weekend Update

Hello everyone! I will start by saying that I woke up this morning with a text from Pamela, my mother in law, "Just saw on the news that TN has declared a weather related state emergency. Everything ok with yall?" To which I replied "We got 3 in of snow but other parts got up to 10. More to come tomm, this will get interesting. It sucks!"

And that folks, is exactly how I feel.

The snow is absolutely beautiful but it just makes getting around town so
darn inconvenient! Give me a fire and a cup of hot cocoa then we'll chat. :) I am trying to stay positive because winter here lasts much longer than I'm used to! Seeing as it's only January, we have several months of winter to go, but I am thinking March will bring my happy place. Maybe I will learn to love the cold in time. :)

On a lighter, happier note, we had a wonderful weekend here in Nash! Doug and I went and checked out the Impressionist exhibit at the Frist Center for Visual Arts. Ever since I was little I had adored the work of the Impressionists...Degas and Cezanne in particular! Two thumbs up there. Saturday Doug was working on a project in sustainability while I had my first Team Rio run! I loved hearing about the charity we're raising money for - Big Brothers Big Sisters - and the impact they're making on Middle Tennessee. Then we went for a chilly 5 miler - that's right, I know I just complained about the cold, but when you're moving fast and with a group of people you can chat with, I swear it's not that bad. :) We had a lovely dinner Saturday night at Sunset Grill (another 2 thumbs up - I had the stuffed acorn squash and it was delicious!)and Sunday was church, some cooking, another chilly 5 miler with my friend Kristi and otherwise just hanging out. Bring on the work week!

Auld Lang Syne*

Good morning friends! It's the last day of the year, can you believe it? When I look back on 2010, I can't believe all the crazy/awesome things Doug and I have experienced together!

Here's a very quick recap of the best things of 2010:
-We celebrated our one year anniversary in Hot Springs, Arkansas and I am still so very in love with the guy I married May 2, 2009!
-Doug was admitted into the business school program at Vanderbilt and I could not be more proud of him!!! Way to go!
-In April, we visited Nashville for the first time, our new home!
-I was sad to leave friends, family, and my job behind in Dallas but excited to embark on a new adventure, and starting a new job in development at Vanderbilt University! I am so grateful for this amazing job opportunity!
-Doug and I ran a hilly Tennessee half marathon in September
-Visited Chattanooga in November (loved it!) and played hostess to some wonderful friends who visited us in TN
-Spent time with family over the holidays back in TX and also in Florida! Great times!

Looking back on it, 2010 involved a lot of job and grad school applications, waiting, planning, hoping, dreaming, praying and CHANGE! It was a lot of being patient, being impatient, and being patient some more. I can't wait to see what surprises are around the corner for 2011. Here's a few things I know for certain:

I am running the Country Music Half Marathon and raising support for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. If you'd like to support this awesome cause by giving even just $5, click here:

I still blog for As you wish... DFW wedding coordinators! If you're in the DFW area and are planning your wedding, check out Shari and the other ladies, they ROCK! We have been asked to contribute posts to a Daily Candy-type site called The Feast Dallas (eek!) I am so excited to have exposure on a bigger scale! Check out the As you wish... blog at www.sharijohns.blogspot.com

I want to keep up the running and work on increasing speed and distance. I have a few specific goals in mind! Other than that, my plan is to sort of "power down" a bit and lead a simpler life. Less time in front of the tv or computer at home, and spend time reflecting and reading, cooking, creating --- I believe it's important to clear the mind and your life of unnecessary junk in order to keep the creative juices flowing! {I know that sounds vague, and I guess it's supposed to...} Sometimes I forget to build in down time so I never really sit and catch my breath. I want to focus on what's really important this year and not sweat the small stuff!

All in all, I am looking forward to what 2011 has in store!

*I had to look up "Auld Lang Syne" to see what it means, it's a scottish phrase that translates to "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days."

Christmas Recap {Part 1}

Hello again!! I've been out and about for a few days but now am back home safe and sound in Nashville. We had a great time when Doug's mom and brother visited Nashvegas for a few days, then Doug and I jet-setted to Orlando to spend Christmas with my family and, you guessed it, Mickey and the gang! I've enjoyed the break from blogging and all-around unplugging for a few days. Now that I'm back, I'm geared up and ready to go back to work tomorrow (wait, am I?!) I've enjoyed catching up on all your blogs and hearing about how everyone's spent their Christmas. And it was wonderful to come home to a mailbox full of Christmas cards. I love a fridge covered in pics of friends and family we don't get to see on a regular basis... having your pictures so close at hand is a great way to remind me to pray for you guys!

Hope you've all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season!

On to the pictures...

Hanging out in Nash...
Pamela with two of her three boys... Critter you were missed!

We saw the Rockettes (awesome!) at the Grand Ole Opry then enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Tin Angel.



We went hiking on a chilly day at Percy Warner Park. Hiking, eating, running, the Rockettes, The Fighter (good) and Black Swan (creepy, but good) early Christmas presents - all in all a great weekend!

Chattanooga: Scenes from the Weekend

When arrived at our hotel in Chattanooga Friday night (which I will say wasn't the fanciest and we didn't pay top dollar for), we were pleasantly surprised to find they had upgraded our room to one with an in-room jacuzzi and they had left candy bars and a birthday card for me. Thanks, Courtyard by Marriott!

Saturday morning we started our day of Tennessee outdoor-ness with a trip to Ruby Falls. It's an underground cave with a giant waterfall at the end.

Before the adventures started.


Plus or minus 1,000 feet underground.

Stalactites and stalacmites. Quick, can anybody tell me the difference?


This was the waterfall at the end of the underground hike. Pictures don't really show how awesome it really is.

At Lookout Mountain.


There were a lot of Chilean miner jokes made on our underground tour. I just liked the pink hat!

Pretty or what?
The hat was not for style, it was COLD!

Switching gears, after Ruby Falls, we continued up the mountain to Rock City. Doug wants me to point out here that Rock City is in Georgia. He got a kick out of that! The state line runs literally through a neighborhood along a street going up the mountain. Anyway, the name Rock City is misleading, it's WAY cooler than it sounds, and it's much more than rocks. Think gardens and cliffs that lead you up a mountain to a view of 7 states all at once on a clear day.



Can you see 7 states in this picture?

They were starting to put up their Christmas decor at Rock City.



Fat Man's Squeeze

The lookout point. That area part way down with the railing is called Lover's Leap. #nothankyou

Another cool waterfall.

And more Christmas decor!


Then we headed to the Chattanooga Nature Center and did a drive-through nature trail. After several hours of walking and hiking, driving was nice.



Random bamboo in Tennessee along the drive.

Later Saturday night, we had dinner at a tapas restaurant that was quite delicious. I thought Chattanooga was going to be more or less small town country, but I was impressed with their downtown area, and the lofts and restaurants they have. Thumbs up all around! Sunday morning we headed to this crafts fair before brunch. Twist my arm... This doesn't really show it well at all but it was all very hip and etsy-like art. I got a necklace made out of recycled t-shirts. She made it for me on the spot after I requested the colors I wanted.

Modeling my t-shirt necklace.

We ate brunch at Food Works. $1 mimosas and cinnamon apple-stuffed pancakes. YES please! The food was picture-worthy:


Just before heading home! We had a great time!

Homecoming/Reunion Weekend

This weekend is Vandy's homecoming. They are playing South Carolina, and they are going to get killed. That's okay though, I don't know many who really attribute much football prowess to the ol Vanderbilt Commodores. Doug and I went to a game against Eastern Michigan (and Vandy happened to win!) but it was more like a high school football game than anything else. I am from West TX okay, I would know!


Anyway, Vanderbilt schedules the class reunions the same weekend as homecoming, probably to sort of hide the fact that they are going to lose the big game. What they lack in athleticism they make up for in school pride, really! Tons of events are happening all weekend. Tonight, I am working the Class of 2005 Reunion party under a tent on the lawn on campus. I will just sort of take their tickets or money and point them to the food and margarita machines. Not a bad deal.


Every year at homecoming the student organizations on campus host a big concert called Commodore Quake. They bring in all kinds of big name pop or r&b stars. This year? None other than Snoop Dogg - lol. Is that not hilarious?



Tomorrow Doug and I are going to the Owen Business School tailgate (it's always a great party - let's be honest we are probably skipping the game.) I am looking forward to this weekend - it will make for some good people watching and hopefully a good story or two! Happy weekend, everyone!

Super Lame!

So the perfect Christmas gift was delivered to my inbox this morning, sort of. I got an e-mail about Williams-Sonoma’s wine of the month club, which my parents have signed Doug and I up for before. We loved it! It was a good way to try new wine without the pressure of choosing one at the store, it just arrives at your doorstep.

I was definitely considering asking for this for my birthday. Keeping bottles of wine in our home right now is one of those luxuries that has gone by the wayside since we’ve been on an one-income budget in grad school. Not to mention, if you sign up right now they’re running a special where you get two extra bottles of pinot noir FREE! I was definitely jazzed until I learned that they don’t deliver wine in Tennessee. Something about the laws makes it impossible. Seriously, lame Tennessee, lame!! Someone sign up and let me know how it is!!

It's Fall in Tennessee.

Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.
~Emily Bronte

Ready for Rain

Post #2 for the night - I am on a roll, people!!

I just ordered these for all the rainy days I am expecting this fall as I hoof it around Nashville. Aren't they fun?


Zetta Women's rain boots

Then I started thinking: wouldn't these things go GREAT with my new boots??! Sigh....oh to have an unlimited clothing budget right now...! :)

London Fog Cheetah print rain coat


London Fog Audrey Patent tote in Honey

And aren't these umbrellas pretty? A twist on a classic style makes the rainy days not so bad:

London Fog umbrellas in signature black plaid and urban safari plaid