So...yeah

So much going on and so much to talk about! But some things will have to wait just a little longer for the blog...

I stillllll haven't finished documenting our Italy trip. I'm sure my sister thinks I forgot. I didn't. 

J got a new job! Da, da DA! He is now my rockstar Network Analyst at San Diego State University. So we are becoming Aztec fans by default. He is so happy to work for great people and a larger university and I am so happy he is happy!

J and I just got back (last week) from a little trip to Seattle, Portland and Roseburg, Oregon to see our besties. We always love Oregon, the Ritters are our faves, and Pike Place Market is sure a fun place to explore.

Every time we visit Oregon, we say we want to move there tomorrow. It's so stinking beautiful up there! But this time, along with the 'it's so amazing here' thoughts, we also felt a new sense of peace and contentment with our lives in San Diego, and are incredibly thankful for where we are at. We don't have plans to move to Oregon for quite awhile, if ever. We've decided will love our home city we are blessed to live in, give thanks that our family is so close (S and V, move here darn it), and make Oregon the family vacation spot.

Fall is here, which might be my favorite season. Well, I love winter, and Spring is pretty nice. Just not summer in El Cajon. Ugh. the heat is not my friend. But there's something about the anticipation of the upcoming holidays and change of seasons (even though it's still 86 degrees outside here) that makes my heart happy. I've failed at bringing out my fall decor this year, which I'm bummed about. But we did get two little pumpkins and I have a harvest sign that are happily sitting on our mantle and my desk. I also have yet to make anything pumpkin related, while last year I had pumpkin bread and cupcakes and muffins and cookies and pancakes going by now. Some years it just doesn't work out. But that's ok with me.

We did make a trip to Target and visited the fall Halloween section, which is not our favorite section by any means. (seriously, when did October turn into skulls and goblins month? what happened to harvest time and preparing for a heart of thankfulness?) But we did get quite a kick out of the gigantic skull heads larger than J. It was his idea to document it. 

I love my husband.

I'm sick as a dog (where in the world did that phrase come from?? It doesn't even make sense, my dogs aren't sick...) with most symptoms you can imagine, including crazy allergies, which is making looking at this computer screen a tad tricky. When I feel better, I'll upload my pics from our trip and also the rest of Italy (it was only 6 months ago...). 

Life feels crazy...doesn't it always?...but good. I'm feeling extra thankful this morning and that's a good thing. 

Lord, make my heart thankful every morning.

Just me

Coffee shakes... ice cream... frozen yogurt... frappuccinos... these things make me smile in a huge way.

I talk about being organized. I have a degree in organization. But I'm actually not that organized. But maybe I'm more organized than I think I am. [I have a dilemma with organization.]

I want to like to read so much. But I've only made it through one whole book in the last year.

Listening to music soothes my soul. Especially music with lyrics that speak Truth.

I love adventures. New cities, new songs, new routes, new friends, new ideas. Every change and piece of newness becomes a story to tell later. 

I wish I was a snuggler. But I'm really not. But I do like hugs. A lot.

I have a dream of a perfectly crafted home filled with peace and love and beauty. 

I can't wait to be a mom. Well, maybe I can. But I am sure excited for it. 

I'm terrified of what to do if I have a boy. I love baby boys. But once they turn 3 or 4... what do I do? Thankfully, they grow just one day at a time.

Coffee dates and tea parties make my heart full. 

One on one time is my very favorite. 

I never get tired of hanging out with my sister. She is just the funnest ever.

I didn't know I was such a dog person until I got Emma. That little black canine won my heart so fast. And her little counterpart won my heart too.

There is a constant battle in my head to paint every wall a different color and unique theme, and to have a uniformly themed "adult" home.

I wish I could craft all day long. And come up with crafts on my own instead of pinterest. But I sure love pinterest for ideas. :)

I love how much my husband loves our family. He's gonna be a great dad.

I really love kraft macaroni and cheese. And bean and cheese burritos. I'm a kid at heart stomach.

I've always had categorized friends. Church friends, nursing friends, work friends, nurse friends, college friends, married friends. I rarely mix them for fear of anyone feeling left out or uncomfortable.

I really like calendars. And lists. But half the time, I forget to put things on the calendar. And I lose my list.

Sharpies are the cats pajamas.

I make up phrases/words a lot. Not on purpose. I say it how I think it is supposed to be said, but it usually turns out to be a little off. 

The word "condone" makes me cringe. It sounds so angry. But it's a compliment? Too confusing for me. I've dictionary.com'd that bad boy more times than I can count.

J describes me as the most dependently independent person he's ever known. I tend to agree.

Wintergreen tictacs make me feel like I'm 10 all over again. Those little light green friends are sure hard to find these days.

Target? Every single item in every single aisle? Be still my beating heart. I swear they market RIGHT TO ME.

I love fall. I love changing colors and falling leaves and cool weather and clouds and rain. Mostly rain. :)

I'm constantly learning. Always trying to grow. Frequently humbled. And awed by my Savior's grace He bestows on me daily.

Falling into Thankfulness

Right about this time of the year is when I begin wishing the view out my balcony was more like this.

[source]

Alas, I suppose I should be satisfied in beautiful San Diego.

The weather is finally cooling off to the mid-70s this week, which is a fun change.

Still sunshiney as ever, but I hear the clouds may be rolling in soon for a brief sprinkle. 

And I remember,

I am thankful.

For our peaceful home.

For colors and how they change with the seasons.

For my city I get to live in.

For my husband. How sweet he is to me.

For a job I love and an incredible friend to mentor me as a nurse.

For the two cutest pups I've ever seen - Baker's spunk and Emma's sensitivity.

For the seasons and the anticipation and joy each season brings of its own.

For my little bird who cracks me up with his songs he sings.

For laughter and joy and love.

For my sister. Oh how I adore my sister. She makes me l.a.u.g.h.!

For fresh new fall bedding and new fluffy pillows.

For my mom. How much she loves me. No matter what.

For special friends... sharing joys and trials with them.

For my family. How much I enjoy spending time with each of them.

For the sunshine. Because without light, I would live in darkness.

For my Savior. My true source of Light.

Falling into Fall

Did someone say today is the first day of Fall???

*

This makes my heart glad. 

What are some things I am looking forward to this autumn season?

celebrating sister's 21st birthday tomorrow

women's bible study starting up

my first book release party

reading

a little learning

some great training walks and the big 3-day with mom

a trip with the hubby to visit m, k, and e in oregon

fall activities

candles, fires, hot chocolate and tea, blankets, and snuggling

rain, cooler weather, sweatshirts and slippers

changing leaves and colors

making christmas cards and christmas gifts

baking with pumpkin

friend time

achieving some goals

growing closer to Jesus

What are you looking forward to this fall season?

Halloween Delights

Well, the pumpkins are carved.

The pumpkin seeds are cooked and ready to eat.

The candy bowl is ready for little trick-or-treaters.

This only means one thing:

Happy Halloween!

Continuing the pumpkin carving tradition

Last night, we got together with our pumpkin carvers for a delightful night of church and Halloween-prep!

LOVE mark and katie :)

the finished products!

from left: J, me, Katie, Mark (they are the artists... we are the simplists) :)

It was so fun to carve pumpkins with you guys! Thanks for coming out to our town :)

Welcome to the McGovern home, Fall

The day has come...

I acquired my first fall decorations!

[might I say, on amazing sale at old faithful]

Little by little, our house becomes a home.

Instead of wishing everything was perfect right now,

I'm trying to embrace the process.

It's actually kinda fun. :)

I assembled this basket. I'm rather proud. I baked the pinecones and everything.

It's a small feat. But a feat, none the less. 

[is feat even a word? it sounds kinda funny... oh well]

Thanks for my scarecrows, Grandma! :)

  

(please disregard the fact that half the shelves are empty... I opted for empty shelves instead of this)

Yay for fall!

Next up - pumpkin carving!

Tis the season

Pumpkin... pumpkin... pumpkins everywhere!

I must confess something.

I've never been a big pumpkin-eater.

Oh, I like picking real pumpkins and carving them, and even eating the seeds.

But pumpkin bread... pumpkin pie... no thank you.

Until this year.

Something changed.

It started with my friend's amazing pumpkin cupcakes at Bible study one night...

followed by me making them...
then trying a pumpkin spice latte...

and then making pumpkin bread...

and ordering a pumpkin muffin (who AM i?)

and again, mini cupcakes.

I still don't think I can do the massive pumpkin-ness of pumpkin pie.

[although i may try it... a small piece.]

This season has definitely stretched me

to give pumpkin another chance.

Why would I write it off before I really know what it's like?

God has used this season to challenge me

to be bold, to try new things, and learn more about who He made me to be.

And part of that journey involves pumpkins.

Kitchen Adventures: Apple Pie

With all the apples we collected, I decided to attempt apple pie.

I'm not really a big pie person, so pie isn't something I ever would think to make.

But when you have 25 little apples in the frig begging for attention, 

apple pie is the first thing that comes to mind.

So, since apple pie is my favorite type of pie (excluding mud pie, of course... if that counts)

I got to work.

Thank you Betty Crocker for walking me through it step by step. 

1. Collect some apples

 2. Peel them. Core them. Thinly slice them.

(be prepared to sit there for 2 hours, unless you're a pro, unlike me!)

3. Make the crust. [or buy the box crust and mix with water], roll, put in pan.

Slice second crust for lattice top. Or crumbles for french apple

(that is actually my favorite, so that will be for next time)

Mix apples with some fun things, put in pan, put lattice on top.

4. Bake for around 40 minutes, cool, eat!

Okay, so the recipe is something like that. I don't remember the specifics.

So, what did I learn?

8 things [for now]

1. Cover the edges of the crust with aluminum until the end of baking so they don't get crispy.

2. Do the same to the top of the pie.

3. Put in frig after first serving if any is left.

4. Plan for an afternoon of pie-making. Don't make other plans :)

5. Use a potato peeler to peel the apples... unless you have an apple-peeler-corer-slicer, like my mom. 

Then use that. Definitely.

6. That little ridge around the crust edge is tricky. I have a new respect for pies with ridges.

7. Wear an apron. It definitely makes you feel legit.

8. It doesn't have to be perfect the first time :)

It was a fun adventure. I'm looking forward to the day when I can crank these bad boys out like candy. Until then, I will make one every couple months.

Although, it IS fall. 

Fall = Pie Season.

I may be making another in the not-so-far future!

Oktoberfest delights

Yesterday after church, J and I hopped in the car with our friends and headed downtown...
that is, downtown La Mesa, for Oktoberfest!

Sidenote: downtown La Mesa, if I haven't mentioned, is one of my favorite little areas in East County.
Cutest restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, my favorite tea shop, and a cute train and trolley station. 

they had corn on the cob, or as they say, 'roasted corn.' A.Ma.Zing.

we love Dwain and Jaclyn [and shaved ice]

when I saw the cappuccino shake booth, that was it for me.

this rootbeer maker was sure cooking some rootbeer!

the cutest most creative dog collars by belle pepper couture

i asked her if i could take a picture because they were so cute and got her card to give her the credit :)

tell me what is weird about this sign.

 "installed"?? really??

i love these types of homemade signs and cuteness. i get that from my mom :)

surfboard rug anyone? it would make lovely bathroom decor, as Jac suggested

my personal favorite. i shoulda bought this shirt.

I love Oktoberfest! It's fun for the whole family :)

We will definitely be back next year. First weekend in October, baby!

October love

October brings: 

the season's change

a cool breeze

a few random color changing trees

pumpkin picking and carving

pie baking

and

change in a fresh month

Happy October!!

A bag of apples, please

May I recommend a fun fall activity? 

Apple picking in Julian.

Armed with Starbucks, we headed up to the orchard Saturday morning with our friends,

Dwain and Jaclyn, to meet some YMC friends for some apple fun!

Picking

the apples.

Jorden and Jennifer

Ari and Daemey

Jeremiah and Kelsie

Dwain and Jaclyn

Hubby and me!

The girls

We found a tractor randomly in the middle of the orchard :)

 After a fun morning, we headed back for a gorgeous ride home... 

but not without a few stops.

10 minutes, 5 loaves, breakfast bars, and a cheese puff later...

(don't worry, we didn't eat it all at once!)

We continued down the road and found ourselves at the sweetest little cafe for lunch.

What a fun and festive fall activity.

I love doing new and exciting things.

This was a great adventure and it was so fun to share it with friends.