"fall" in love

so we are half way through september and i couldn't be more ecstatic! fall is so thrilling for me. although i am in florida and the weather doesn't turn AS cold as i would like as QUICKLY as i would like, it still brings many things to smile about. fall means, halloween and ALL THINGS PUMPKIN, thanksgiving and family, pretty leaves and changing winds. i look forward to the time of year where scarves, boots, jeans, and HOODIES are acceptable. i crave fall. having night classes brings me back to the days i spent in tallahassee when fall semester meant BUNDLING up and drinking spiced pumpkin ;) latte's! also, i met a certain mister two falls ago. tell me THAT isn't something to celebrate! last year i slacked on the pumpkin carving...this year i have so many ideas my head is bursting with joy. oooooh yes, fall, you are so enchantingly filled with crisp air, PERFECT cuddling weather and endless camping opportunities.

never lose infinite hope

sometimes you just have bad days... but you can't let it keep you down.

crab stuffed mushroom

i love MUSHROOMS! i could add mushroom to just about any dinner meal. tonight i am going to make crab stuffed mushrooms. i usually make them around the holidays but am in the mood for them this evening. here is the delicious recipe if you want to try!

INGREDIENTS
20 large fresh mushrooms, stems removed
3 tablespoons Italian-style salad dressing
1 cup crabmeat ( use the real deal but you can use imitation)
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup minced onion
1 teaspoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1. marinate mushrooms for 20 min. in italian dressing
2. combine crabmeat, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, eggs, mayonnaise, onions, and lemon juice.
Fill the mushroom caps with the mixture.
Arrange the mushrooms on the prepared baking sheet.
Top with remaining breadcrumbs.
3. Bake for 15 minutes. Top with parmesan cheese

THEN EAT! :) YUMMY! pic to come later.

i woke up this morning to a lovely cup of coffee. such a good feeling... not to mention the smell of coffee brewing is pretty wonderful. we got lucky down here in florida this weekend by dodging hurricane irene. the early stages of this cane looked as if it were coming straight at us but somehow we managed to slip by with high wind and amazing waves. i was not able to test the waters and show my skills ;) simply because i was working, but the boyfriend got out there a few times! on thursday waves were up to 10 ft. which is particularly large for us... the waves were forming smoothly and consistently(surfers dream). long time locals were teling us they have been waiting five years for waves like this. i was only able to watch from shore for a few min. before tending to some hairs but what i saw was incredible.

in the end it skipped right by us and ended up near the northeast where my sister is. she evacuated to new jersey and is currently without power. the storm has already passed through they are just waiting for the electricity to return.




i stumbled upon this video this morning and thought i would share. lovethisman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4_ghOG9JQM
the boy and i are celebrating 1 year and 9 months today. we have had our ups and downs (as any couple would) but i wouldn't trade what we share for the world. so cheers (clinking coffee mugs) to many many more months of love and support. <3 it's a beautiful thing.

beautiful mess

as i sit here drinking a glass (of what is arguably the most tasty red wine ever) and listen to ben harper (with an amazingly unique voice) cover the beatles, i can't help but think about how fortunate i am. really. i have this amazing bond with the man i hold so close to my heart it's scary, and not to mention he is an INCREDIBLE chef! after helping him with the prep work i sit at my unfinished oak (3rd generation) kitchen table while he continues to work his magic to create a remarkable meal which i have the pleasure of enjoying in approximately 18 minutes. i mean seriously... when did this happen??? how was i able to go from stressing out every day about going home to a situation i wanted out of but felt [stuck] in, to being swept off my feet and at the snap of a finger become head over heals in love?!?!? total euphoric life change. yes, we have our days and things can be tough, but together i know we can (and will) accomplish SO MUCH! we have the capability of achieving great life long dreams at our fingertips. i know sometimes i can be a bit of a mess, but he GETS me and it's a beautiful thing. finding someone who understands how you feel and would do nothing less than EVERYTHING for you. alright, enough of the mushy ranting, time to finish this glass of wine and enjoy a fabulous meal prepared by mi amor.

fresh start

fall semester starts next week and i am actually excited. lately i have dreaded each semester and couldn't WAIT for the end. as i am sure this feeling will not last too long i must hold on to every bit of this eager spirit. i have decided to start fresh with all new supplies (notebooks, pens, pencils, calculator, etc.). since next week also starts the public schools new year this weekend is tax free! everything school related (even clothes) has no tax for one weekend only. who DOESN'T like back to school shopping?!?! it is something i always looked forward to each year when i was younger, why not now?



i have been trying to tell myself that i am ONLY 25 and should get through school while i am still 'young', but it is a little discouraging when i do not know a single soul in any class and just about every student is younger than i. this feeling is silly (i know) and this opportunity should be taken to meet new people and FOCUS on the task at hand, my degree. this semester i vow to do just that and being with a positive attitude while concentrating on making good grades and possibly meeting new friends.
so cheers, to a new semester full of new possibilities!

sun salutations

my favorite way to start the morning...



this and a cup of coffee. :)