We're Paying Attention

Recently somebody told me,

"If you live in Chicago and don't care about politics and architecture

you aren't paying attention."

I can honestly say since moving to Chicago, the handsome hubby and I are definitely paying attention.



Obviously I've got the architecture covered, but I'm a little bit surprised that the hubby is handling the politics part. I've always known that he had opinions, but suddenly he's sharing them. Regularly. And sometimes his opinions are totally wrong (translation: different than mine).

Maybe it's because he's become a news junkie. Suddenly, he watches the news at least once and sometimes two or even three times (if you count the Daily Show) a day. This is way out of character for him and very surprising to me.

I'm pretty sure that our television, that is MUCH more accustomed to playing Real Housewives and Top Chef than NBC Nightly News, isn't quite sure what's going on either.

Maybe it's because it's an election year. Maybe it's because Chicago's local news is a little more entertaining than what we're accustomed to. Or maybe it's this crazy, amazing city.

Chicago has made me realize how much I adore architecture so why should I be surprised that it's awakened a political interest in that man of mine?

Has your city fostered a new or surprising interest in your life?

Thankful for 6 Years Together

Earlier this week I told someone I was about to celebrate my 7th wedding anniversary.
The only problem is tomorrow is actually our 6th anniversary. Whoooops.


Maybe it's because we packed so much life into this year it feels like it was 2.
Maybe it's because I have a horrible memory.
Maybe it's because I made a mistake and I don't need to read more into it.

I feel like I couldn't say much more about marriage than I did in last year's anniversary post.

But I can always come up with plenty of reasons I'm thankful for my husband.

our rehearsal dinner

I'm thankful he continues to make me laugh.

this was the best meal I've ever eaten

I'm thankful he learned early in our relationship that the way to my heart is through my stomach.

in the midst of the crazy

I'm thankful we survived the crazy years. Because there were definitely some crazy years.

our costume periods didn't "match" but we looked gooooood

I'm thankful he plays along and embraces my silliness.

Mostly I'm just thankful we met. {here's how we met}

Happy Anniversary, Babe.

An Ideal Day

I wake up in our enormous bed happily smothered by fluffy pillows. I can't help but smile at the handsome hubby as he blissfully snores in his sleep. I'm feeling well rested. Years of practice have taught me how to sleep right through all his ruckus and wake up feeling refreshed.

Source: habitualbliss.tumblr.com via Molly

It's a crisp morning in Chicago so I sneak out and start the day with a run. I run not because I have to and not because I'm training for anything in particular. I run because I love it. Running is a regular and cherished part of my day.

As I take off down Michigan Avenue I think back to last night's party. After twenty-five years of marriage, we finally threw another dream wedding. It took months of planning but the evening was a success. All of our friends and family were together feeling happy and healthy. It was the best wedding gift. Renewing my vows to the man I continue to love, respect and cherish is a memory I will not soon forget.

I arrive back to our condo to find the hubby is awake and he offers me a cup of coffee. We laugh about the night before and feast on left over wedding cake from the The Cakery. An indulgent breakfast is a perfectly decadent way to begin our second twenty five years together.

Source: micasaessucasa.tumblr.com via Molly

Once we clean up, we lock our place up tight and jump on the blue line headed for O'Hare. We have a long day ahead of us but my carry-on is stuffed with good music, a September issue or two and plenty of our favorite snacks to keep us entertained during our flights to Rotterdam.

Today we fly to Europe to begin our second honeymoon. After years of planning we are finally taking the Passage to Asia cruise we have always dreamed of. For the next 37 days we will explore the world while we celebrate the life we have created and share together.

Source: hollandamerica.com via Molly

As we ride the train, I find myself feeling a wonderful mix of emotions. I am blessed to be sitting next to the man I love. I feel relieved and content that our party was such a success. I know how fortunate I am that we got to see and spend time with the people closest to us before leaving. And I am full of anticipation and excitement about the adventure we are about to experience.

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Imagining an Ideal Day is something that I've never tried before. But as I allowed my mind to wander and weave together elements that had to be included, I began to see what all of Jason Womack's fuss is about.

One of the many fantastic things about my job is that I'm being introduced to books and authors that I might not have discovered on my own. I recently finished Womack's book Your Best just Got Better: Work Smarter, Think Bigger, Make More. At first glance it doesn't seem like this book and I would be a match. But I was surprised to discover that we are.

Be careful when you read it, Mr. Womack is an inspirational guy. You might find yourself running a 5K or imagining Ideal Days. Consider yourself warned!

What would be an essential element of your Ideal Day?

ROAD TRIP!

We're hitting the road...

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Molly on Pinterest

The hubby and I packed up the car and we're taking off to spend a few days together.
These articles proved very helpful in our preparation:
Creating the perfect Road Trip Mix
How to Pack for a Holiday
A few Road Trip Tips
Some non-roadtrippy Travel Essentials

What's on your agenda this weekend?

Bridal Daydreams

Last night I got a panicked text from my soon-to-be sister-in-law that they were moving their wedding up several months because of illness in her family. She is rightfully stressed and frazzled and almost starting from square one with her wedding planning.

Immediately my mind went into a fugue-like state where taffeta, flowers and towering wedding confections were twirling and whirling around. I loved our wedding. I loved planning our wedding. I loved attending our wedding. I loved every part of it. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to marry my husband all over again and pick out a whole new collection of pretty pieces.

Source: amsale.com via Molly on Pinterest

Like this Amsale Blue Label beauty Calista...

Source: francoiseweeks.com via Molly on Pinterest

Or maybe these almost ready to explode white peonies?

Source: bcbg.com via Molly on Pinterest

I think I'd wear this BCBGMAXAZRIA Beti Lace Crochet Dress to my bridal shower.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Molly on Pinterest

...and have my favorite bakery recreate this stunning A Simple Cake masterpiece.

Source: net-a-porter.com via Molly on Pinterest

What do you think about this little sequin-embellished Anna Sui number for the bachelorette party?
Look for your invitation in the mail.

Circumstances

For the past year or two I've been learning a few happiness lessons.

Over and over again, I seem to be stumbling over the fact that joy in my life does not - should not - be solely dependent upon  my circumstances. It's been a goal to experience contentment in my current situation, no matter what my current situation might be. 

{read me go on and on about it here and here and here... ya, I talk about it a lot.}

Well, the funniest thing happened.

When I stopped obsessing on my circumstances and looked elsewhere (I'm talking about you, God) for contentment, things began to change.

All of sudden, when I look around, my circumstances have improved!

My natural tendency would be to over-analyze and think the whole situation to death. Typically, I'd try to figure out why or when or how this all shifted. But instead, I'm choosing to just say, "Thank you." Thank you to my Creator and Provider, thank you to my amazing husband, thank you to my supportive friends and loving family, and thank you to me for getting out of my way to allow this wacky change.

While I don't want to cling too tightly to the "happy" circumstances that I currently enjoy, I do want to appreciate them while they are around. I recognize that there are seasons of joy and seasons of pain in life. To everything turn, turn, turn... and all that. I accept that the circumstances currently making me happy aren't going to last forever. They are temporary. So while they are here, I'm going to laugh and love and dance and smile and drink in every moment of joy that I'm receiving. Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Any circumstances making you smile right now?

Excuses, Excuses

I've been a very bad blogger. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, I have some very valid reasons why blogging has dropped down the priority list.

1) This time next week, the handsome hubby and I will be landing in my very favorite city on earth. We're spending a week together in NYC to celebrate five years of wedded bliss. I've been up to my ears in planning, planning, planning. There may be an excel spreadsheet involved.

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2) At the end of the month two of our most favoritest friends are boarding a plane and moving their lives to Wolfsburg, Germany. It is an amazing opportunity for them and I'm happy for them. Really, I'm happy for them. I swear, "I'm happy," and if I repeat that enough I'll believe it. Not only am I interested in spending as much time with them as I can before they head out of town, we're also throwing an Auf Wiedersehen party for them this weekend. 

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3) Can't stop looking at Fashion Week Collections.

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4) I got sucked in. I stayed away for two seasons but was convinced in a moment of weakness to watch a few episodes of The Vampire Diaries. Now I'm completely hooked. I've been power watching season 2 in preparation for the series premier this week. Don't judge, it's angsty teen drama at its best. It turns out that pretty people + great music + complicated vampire mythology = good television. As we speak I'm on episode 18, which means I've watched ... carry the one ... thirteen and a half hours of Kevin Williamson's latest masterpiece in the past two weeks. Who says I have commitment issues?

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5) Then, in my freeeeeeeeee time I've been boning up on all the fall trends to put together a few looks for Fall Fashion Week. I must admit that I'm loving playing in my closet and re-working all my old pieces to come up with some fun new looks. Nothing like shopping your own closet!

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I know excuses, excuses. But hopefully, I'll be back to the blogosphere on a more regular basis pretty soon. 

Until then, what have you been up to lately? 

5 Years

Here's the thing I've learned about marriage in the five short years that we've had together.

The first "I Do" is magical and memorable and a true photo op. But it's all those other "I Dos" that you say in your head and in your heart every day that determine what kind of marriage you are going to have.

"I Do" respect him.

"I Do" find him really, really funny.
"I Do" trust him.

"I Do" learn so much from him.

"I Do" appreciate him.

"I Do" admire him.
"I Do" choose him.

"I Do" love him.

Happy Anniversary, baby.

Not So Offal

One of the items on my Ultimate To DO List is to try 25 Foods that Might Make Other People Gag.

Here's another adventure...

Last Summer when we bought a big ol' hunk of cow with a group of friends, we all split up the offal.  We ended up with the Liver and a couple of pounds of Oxtails.  I'm not going to lie.  I was intimidated.  The liver turned out to be a horrendous failure.  It was just as icky as I imagined it would be - even when we cooked it with bacon and a pound of butter.  So, cooking and eating the tail portion of the cow made me a tidily bit apprehensive.

After doing a little bit of research I learned that oxtails have been a part of southern cuisine for decades.  Knowing this, I turned to the queen of decadent southern cooking, the one and only Paula Deen for a recipe.  I cringed when I discovered the cooking method to be "low and slow." Low and slow is my Achilles heel. (Incredibly fitting if you know my personality).  Thankfully, when the handsome hubby looked at the recipe, he offered to cook.  When I suggested we cook together, he politely said, "no."  His reasoning? We have very different cooking styles. read: he reads the recipe beforehand and carefully follows it and I don't.

Who would have ever guessed that these: 

would become this?

You guys, it was out of control yummy. The meal was absolutely delicious.  We served it over buttery rice and ate until our stomachs literally ached.  The meat was rich and flavorful, tender and savory.  And although it was a bit of a task to get all of it removed from the bone, the extra work was undoubtedly worth it.

I'll admit that I was pleasantly and hugely surprised.

Would you be willing to scarf down a pot full of the butt appendage of a cow?

Happy Thoughts (12)

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Date Night
The hubby's been out of town for the last three weeks (give or take 36 hours here and there).  This afternoon/tonight is date day/night.  Just the two of us.  Sorry, as much as I love you, you're not invited.  He's all mine.

Trees In Bloom
This week blossoms have been popping out all over Chattanooga.
Pretty, pretty trees everywhere.

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Coconut.
We currently have Almond Joy coffee creamer and the most scrumptious Libertẽ Méditerranée Yogourt (their spelling NOT mine) in our fridge.  I'm telling you either one could legitimately change your life.

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"You can understand dependence

When you know the maker's hand"

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I'm currently a little bit more than obsessed with Mumford & Sons.  I know, I'm a bit late to the party.  But I'm finally fully committed and head over heels in love with them!!

I'm a Winner, I'm a WINNER!
The beautiful Kellie over at Second Star hosted a stupendous necklace giveaway last week, and guess who won?  That's right, people, ME!  Woo Hoo.  I can't wait to put it to stylish use.

Click the fancy button below for even MORE gratitude!!

Your turn! What is making you happy, happy, this week?

A Hard Road

Hopefully marriage isn't looking to the film industry to handle its PR. Because, yowza.

Over the past few weeks in preparation for the AcadeMolly Awards, I've had the opportunity to watch several really moving films centered on married couples.  What several of the films have in common is their protagonist's struggle to survive while a relationship crumbles.  I was reminded of something I heard a pastor say once, "You know who's most likely to struggle in marriage? People who get married." There is no doubt marriage is hard and the film industry is not afraid to show us just how hard.

Blue Valentine was the first of the bunch.  We're introduced to Dean and Cindy in the middle of their story.  Neither character seems particularly likable and they have reached a "just survive today" point in their marriage.  As the plot unfolds we become privy to the heart wrenching circumstances that transformed these individuals into a family. Instantly, for me, this was a love worth rooting for and a relationship that deserved the hard work.  Writer/Director Derek CianFrance creates two characters responsible for the broken beauty of their past and numbing pain of their present.  Fantastically acted by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine will squash your misconceptions about happily ever after while tempting you to hope for it anyway. 

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The next entry in my "I need a Prozac" film festival was John Cameron Mitchell's Rabbit Hole.  Becca and Howie (played achingly by Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) are barely surviving life since a tragic accident killed their four year old son.  After just eight months they have only scratched the surface of their guilt, anger, longing and powerlessness.  The film chronicles how each attempts to tread water as their grief slowly tries to drown them. At times, their marriage seems to be a weight pushing them under instead of a life raft for safety.  It's only during the brief glimpses of their continued commitment to one another that the viewer is offered even a sliver of hope for their future. Rabbit Hole is a beautifully filmed piece of work.  It's a wonder the way Mitchell achieves an almost light and airy tone despite the crushing weight of the film's subject matter.

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Winner for best picture at this year's Golden Globes, The Kids Are All Right is billed as a comedy.  Call me crazy but I have a tough time laughing at a disintegrating family.  I don't find deceit, alcohol abuse and heartbreak anything to laugh about.  Nic and Jules, while billed as heads of a "non-traditional" family, sure manage to step into pretty "traditional" land mines in their marriage.  Their family is thrown into chaos and turmoil when their son and daughter seek out and befriend their sperm donor. Then hilarity (?) ensues as he attempts to worm his way into their family unit.  His presence only serves to amplify pre-existing issues between "Moms" and then creates new problems for the entire family unit.  The cast is outstanding.  Annette Benning, who also won a Golden Globe for her role, somehow manages to be both loathsome and sympathetic simultaneously.  At times, this film was painful to watch and not because it is poorly done.  The Kids Are All Right tackles universal, relatable family issues but just wraps them up in a "non-traditional" package.

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If there's one film that I've seen recently that caused me to say to myself, "Man, I hope that's how our marriage looks in 20 years," it's Another Year.  Mike Leigh somehow manages {wink, wink} to make marriage appealing in his latest film.  Gerri and Tom are a couple who seemingly enjoy one another's company!  They share interests, encourage each other and even keep one another in check during times of stress.  Although they are surrounded by a gaggle of family and friends plagued by unhappiness, the couple finds shelter and comfort in their relationship.  It's no wonder that we are introduced to the couple years into their relationship.  Certainly it is through their tireless commitment and willingness to wade through life together as a team that they have developed the palpable comradery, respect and passion that they share.  Who knows, perhaps if any of the characters in the previous films survive the ghastly drama in which they are embroiled they too can hope for a solid relationship like that of Gerri and Tom someday.

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Have you ever come across a movie relationship that you find appealing?

Back in the Saddle

In the Catholic Church there's a period of time during the year that's known as "ordinary time."  Basically, it's the remainder of the year that wouldn't be considered: Lent, Easter, Advent & Christmas.  {All my Catholic friends and family, please chime in if I'm missing anything}  Ordinary time is the non-holiday season. All the fancy decorations come out of the sanctuary, the priests go back to simple everyday robes and worship returns to its regularly scheduled programming.  I remember feeling such a letdown each time I would read we were back in ordinary time.  I would wish wish wish that Christmas would hurry up and get here.  I'd dream about all the special Easter celebrations.  I'd hope for anything to get us OUT of "ordinary time."  After all, who wants to be ordinary, right?

I've been thinking a lot about "ordinary time" over the last few days.  We've put away the Christmas decorations and meals have begun to look a little greener and a little less doused in gravy or heavy cream.  Schedules, though tweaked a bit with my new job, are settling back down and the daily "to do" list is full of toilet cleaning, coupon cutting and of course blogging. Trips to the gym are once again on the agenda and quiet nights at home are abundant. Life feels like a full body exhale.  Perhaps it's my resolution taking a firm grip on my life, but as I look at this year's "ordinary time" I'm not tempted to wish it away.  As much as I love the holiday season, getting back to real life has been such a relief.

"Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities."

~Aldous Huxley~

What are you loving about life after the holiday season?

Happy Thoughts (2)

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An Extra Hour of Sleep

Learning to be a Team

Chilly Temperatures Moving Into Town

Comments from YOU!!

New "To ME" Music

Thank You, Gina

These happy thoughts are part of my list of 100 Things that Make Me Happy.  I've challenged myself to identify them as part of my Day Zero endeavor.  By the way, have you made a Day Zero list yet?

Also, while I'm asking questions, I enjoyed Gina's musical suggestion so much that now I'm on the hunt for new "to me" music.  What new or lesser known artists/bands have you been listening to lately?