Out with the Old...

{One of my favorite spots I discovered this year on the Cape}

Another month gone...this time it's taking all of 2012 with it. 

This year has been extraordinary for me in so many ways.

Changes big and small have turned my life upside down and right side up. 

This year has been one of the best of my life.

I began to find myself again after a long time of uncertainty and soul searching. I made decisions and began directing my life exactly where I want it to go.

January of 2012 began a new journey in my life with a new career that still makes me excited to go to work each day.

March marked the ending of my six year relationship. I finally had the courage and confidence to end something that should have been over years before. The best, albeit tardy, decision of my life. March also brought one of the best weekends of my year, as I got to see one of my dearest friends in NYC.

April, May, and June were spent relaxing at the Cape and enjoying the spring and early summer sunshine. I also got my DSLR camera, which has been my best buddy this year.

July brought another one of my best friends up to the Northeast, and I got to show Laura around my beloved Boston and Cape Cod.

August allowed me to travel out West with my mother to visit my uncle. Exploring Montana and Yellowstone was on the of highlights of my year.

September through November were a blur. I loved soaking in the arrival of Fall and spending Thanksgiving with my crazy family.

December has been the craziest month so far. Work has exploded and opened the possibility of an exciting new adventure in 2013. I also ventured to NYC again with my Mother to see the Rockettes and experience the magic that is New York at Christmas.

These may seem so simple and slightly boring to the outsider, but those who know me know how much I have loved this year. How I love the person that I am, the job that I do, and the people that I have in my life.

I am constantly on the go, but I am running with purpose, direction and ambition. I know who I am and I know where I want my life to lead.

2013, I know you will not disappoint.

Sending all my love and prayers that you all have a wonderful New Year.

Bozeman

Hello, Monday. 

I am not ready for you. I could use another five days of sleep. The 20 hours I slept between Friday and Saturday were not enough, apparently. 

There's always next weekend, right?

I am still sifting through my Thanksgiving pictures {and trying to figure out the whole picture storage situation}, so I thought I'd share something I already had in the line-up: Bozeman, Montana. 

I had the pleasure of getting to know this little town one day last August. It is a truly delightful college town full of one-of-a-kind shops and quaint coffee houses. I have a crush on this little town, and I wouldn't mind paying a visit again :)

 

P.S. Don't forget to check out Mingle Monday over at Meg's blog!

Sunday Social: Thanksgiving

1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?

Thanksgiving always brings so much laughter, life and love to our family, and I don't always remember the specific details but I remember the emotions of the day. We are all so silly and laugh at everything {this may or may not be attributed to the vino; I personally like to think it's due to our upbeat and happy-go-lucky personalities}.

2. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

I don't think there is a Thanksgiving food I don't like. We have the traditional turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. But since half of my family is Italian, we have to have lasagna, gnocchi, and Italian cookies on our table too.

3. What is a Thanksgiving tradition you and your family have?

We have Thanksgiving at my parent's house every year with all my aunts, uncles and cousins. My parents get up super early to start cooking the Turkey. I still get this childish excitement when I wake up to the sounds to pots and pans banging in the kitchen. It means {one} my tummy will be happily stuffed with yummy food in a very short time {two} I get to see some of my favorite people that I don't see very often {three} I know I will be laughing nonstop all day.

For the last few years, my mom, aunt and I have run a 5 mi Turkey Day race in my mother's hometown in Connecticut. I always have a blast and feel ready to take on the turkey and stuffing after 5 miles of hills and freezing temperatures :)

4. Show us a favorite Thanksgiving picture(or 5) from years past

Mom and I at the Turkey Day race last Thanksgiving. All smiles before we remember we have to run up "Heartbreak Hill."

5. What are you most looking forward to about this Thanksgiving?

Relaxing and visiting with my cousins. I haven't seen some of them since last Christmas, which is unacceptable. Everyone is so busy and always on the run, so Thanksgiving gives us all an opportunity to take it easy and enjoy time together.

Thanks Neely and Ashley for hosting!

It's OK #932447648

It's OK...

...that your most productive time of day is around lunch time.

...to be increasingly addicted to dried fruit trail mix. A couple pound bag may only last a day or two around here.

...to be annoyed at the first snowfall this year because it turned your hour commute into a two and a half hour commute.

...to be excited to sleep past 5:30 AM this weekend.

...that you fell off the calorie calculator and accidentally gained a couple pound after eating a few bags of post-Halloween candy corn.

...to buy the same corduroys in four different colors because they fit you so well.

...to hate crazy weather swings. Snow one day and temperatures in the 60s the next is not OK.

Happy Thursday, friends!

It's OK Thursday

It's OK...

...to still blush when you see your high school crush.

...to identify with Taylor Swift way more than you want to admit.

...to be slightly panicked to turn 25 in a month. I'm still in denial that I'm not in college anymore.

...to opt for 30 extra minutes of sleep each morning instead of blow drying your hair.

...to only lose 2 lbs in the work weight loss challenge. Better than nothing, right?

...to be the worst closet-cleaner-outer in the world.

...to look forward to going home each night because your doggy with be jumping {literally} with joy to see you.

...that Sandy did not give us the beating we were expecting. We are all counting our blessings and praying for those who are suffering the aftermath.

It's almost Friday, friends! I hope you had a wonderful Halloween :)

Jersey

A few weeks ago, I went to visit one of my best friends in New Jersey. It was my first time in the state that included more than sitting on the highway in traffic. Although, we did hit our fair share of that too on the ride down.

I was seriously delighted with my little trip! We ate some pretty fantastic diner food, spent a gorgeous fall day cursing around Lake Hopatcong, and caught up on life. I was seriously impressed with this little nook in Jersey, and can't wait to explore some more of the state!

 

 {Seriously in love with this little Jersey diner}

 {Some much needed best friend time on the water}

 {Urban Table had an amazing California Burger. It gave you a hug from the inside}

{NYC Skyline...zooming by after waiting for.ev.er. to go through the toll}

P.S. To all my Jersey friends: thinking of you as you clean up from Sandy. I sincerely hope you and your loved ones made it through the storm safely and with little damage.

Frankenstorm?

Last Ocotber, around this very day, I believe, we had a terrible snowstorm that left much of the Northeast without power for a week.

{Halloween Blizzard of 2011. This was after my car had been cleaned once}

Now this year we are getting something referred to as a Frankenstorm?

Awesome.

While I, admittedly, enjoyed spending my workday in leggings and a sweatshirt, I spent all day waiting for the worst to come. The news keeps saying in a few hours...but the hours come and go and all we get is more wind and less rain. I'm praying that we have already seen the worst with a few downed trees and shingles missing.

Is this the new Halloween tradition? I certainly hope not.

To all those in the Northeast, I hope you are staying safe! 

Dear Life: You are Wonderful

{An all-too-inviting hammock at the local coffee house}

Dear Friday,

I have been waiting for you for what seems like months. 

All I want to do is curl up with a few good books, a pumpkin chai, and my puppy dog for a few days. No phone, no computer, no interruptions. 

Nada.

Alas, there are oil changes to be had, commitments that were made and work to be done. But as I think (with a huff and a puff) of all these things keeping me from mindless days and hours of sleep, my heart is happy. 

I remember that I have a beautiful life.

 That oil change is for a car that I'm lucky enough to own; that commitment is with a truly beautiful group of teenage girls that are part of the youth group I work with; and that work is for a job that I absolutely love, that brings me excitement, pride and a challenge every day.

All these seemingly pestering things that stand between me and my pillows are things that make me completely happy. I'd choose them over sleep any day.

Friday, you don't bring me rest, but you do bring me joy. I can't wait for this weekend.

xoxo M

It's OK Thursday

It's OK...

...to absolutely hate orange juice. So much, in fact, that you spit it out all over your kitchen and proceed to eat/drink anything and everything that will get the taste out of your mouth. Not to self: check that you didn't mistake your apple juice for orange juice next time.

...to need alone time to rejuvenate and reenergize yourself.

...to prefer wearing dresses when you are going to places where you know you will eat a ton of food. I don't need the "I wish I could undo the button on my jeans, but that would make me a creep" feeling. Dresses=comfort for me.

...that you have so many scarves, you keep finding ones that you didn't even know you had.

...to open your computer after a 14 hour day and realize you have no words left. There's always tomorrow.

...that your oil change needed to happen 1000 miles ago. Oops.

I hope you are having a wonderful week! :)

Friday's Letters

Dear week: The past five days seemed to never end and fly by at the same time. Why aren't there ever enough hours in a day? 

Dear weekend: I could not be more ready for a girls' weekend in Jersey with two of my favorites. 

Dear Jersey: Please treat me well. This will be the first time I've ever spent more than an hour or two with you. 

Dear parents: Thank you for everything you do for me. Specifically my laundry and having a nice dinner just out of the oven for me when I crawl home after a 15 hour day. Those little things are truly wonderful. 

Dear self: I know you've been exposed to absolutely scrumptious eats for the past two weeks, but learn some self control. The scale was not happy with you this morning. 

Dear cannoli(s): Don't tell the scale, but you were worth every bite.

Have a lovely weekend!

Wine Time (Part 2)

Little did I know how blessed we are here in New England. Apparently we have vineyards aplenty. 

While visiting my uncle in Newport last weekend, mom and I stumbled upon this gem. Nestled off the beaten track is Greenvale Vineyards. I must admit, my mother and I didn't know what to expect after seeing the tiny sign on the side of the road. However being lushes winos the wine enthusiasts that we are, we decided it would merit investigation.

What a lovely surprise! This vineyard is tiny, but it has breathtaking vistas of the ocean! A charming post-and-beam barn serves as their tasting area and bar. And a lively jazz trio serenaded us as we tried the portfolio. The staff behind the bar was wonderful and made us feel like were were guests in their home. I also loved how some of the wines were named after the Newport mansions. It was a perfect afternoon with my mother!

I also came away with a new favorite wine: Rosecliff Pinot Gris.

It has the faintest taste of rose at the finish - genius!

Wine Time (Part 1)

One Two Three weekends ago, my friend Kimberly came to visit me on the Cape. It was a cloudy, cool morning, so what better way to warm up than go to a wine tasting? Cape Cod is home to Truro Vineyards, a little winery with abundant charm! It is one of my favorite places to bring guests and friends. We had a perfectly lovely afternoon with a tour of the grounds, tasting 10 different wines, and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.

I think all Saturday afternoons should be spend at a vineyard :)