Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ok, so I'll admit that I've never really liked Thanksgiving. Maybe it's all my negative associations (my brother almost died on Thanksgiving, the horrible incident happened around Thanksgiving, I spent many Thanksgivings alone in my dorm, eating ramen noodles...).

Now that I am married maybe we can start some fun traditions!

What are some of your favorite traditions? Do you eat anything out of the ordinary? (I know a family who bakes a ton of enchiladas and has a Mexican feast for Thanksgiving!).

Mon Cartable

This is a cute little French poem about "my book bag" smelling like "a million smells"

Mon Cartable a mille odeurs.

Mon Cartable sent la pomme,

Le livre, l'encre, la gomme,

Et les crayons de couleurs.

Mon Cartable sent l'orange,

Le buisson et le nougat.

Il sent tout ce que l'on mange

Et ce qu'on ne mange pas.

La figue et la mandarine,

Le papier d'argent ou d'or,

Et la coquill marine,

Les bateaux sortant du port.

Les longs cheveux de ma mère,

Et les joues de mon papa

Les matins dans la lumière,

La rose et le chocolat.

"These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.."

MUSIC FROM INDIA AND BELLY DANCING!

Only One More Month

It's a Christmas Survey!


1.Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I love to wrap presents with wrapping paper and bows!

2.Real tree or artificial?
I couldn't imagine getting a fake tree, I love the real ones. They smell great and they look better!

3.When do you put up the tree?
I don't know when we will do it, maybe a week after Thanksgiving. This is our first Christmas as a married couple so we are just establishing our traditions!

4.When do you take the tree down?
Maybe on New Year's

5.Do you like eggnog?
I do! I love eggnog lattes

6.Favorite gift received as a child?
Probably my barbie dreamhouse! We woke up to a sea of pink!

7.Do you have a Nativity scene?
Brenden has a small one. Eventually we will get a new one.

8.Hardest person to buy for?
I can usually figure it out

9.Easiest person to buy for?
My mom

10.Worst Christmas Gift you ever received?
I really can't think of a bad gift!

11.Mail or email Christmas cards?
If I did Christmas cards, I'd mail them. I think an actual card is more personal than an email.

12.Favorite Christmas Movie?
I don't have a favorite movie but I do have a favorite play (Christmas Carol) and a favorite ballet (Nutcracker)

13.When do you start shopping for Christmas?
As soon as I can. I've never done the "black Friday" thing and I hate shopping when it's crowded with grumpy people!

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I don't think so...I usually get pretty good gifts

15.Favorite things to eat at Christmas?
Salmon (it's an old tradition to have fish for Christmas), petit pain au chocolat (French dessert), monkey bread, and les crepes!

16.Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Clear lights look so classic. I love them!

17.Favorite Christmas song?
"Carole of the Bells" I love singing it!

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
This is a hard one because we have family here and in Iowa. Tickets are SO expensive around the holidays, I don't think I will see my family for Christmas again.

19.Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes...only because I know the song

20.Angel on the tree top or a star?
We don't have anything yet...I think we should get an angel

21.Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Morning, I love the anticipation throughout the night before

22.Most annoying thing about this time of year?
All the toy commercials

23.What is the "silliest" family tradition you do, or miss doing?
We were raised playing Santa and we used to try to trick him! One year, along with the milk and cookies we left him a note asking him to write something so we could analyze his handwritting...CAUGHT YOU MOM! Haha! I really can't wait to have kids and play Santa with them!

24 Ugliest christmas ornament ever invented?
There was a reclining chair ornament at Hallmark last year.

25.Which looks best, theme trees or homey trees?
Brenden and I are going to do an antique toy-Norman Rockwell type of decor!

26.Gingerbread or sugar cookies?
Gingerbread although I love all cookies!

27.Do you like Fruitcake?
I've never had it!

28.What is the most important part of Christmas?
Remembering that our Savior was born and giving love to one another!

"If God Made You, He's in Love With Me"

I woke up this morning and stumbled into the kitchen to tackle last night's mess. I noticed that my husband had gotten up early and cleaned all the pots and pans by hand for me. Then as I was running out, I grabbed my book (that I haven't touched in weeks). And tucked inside the book was a little love note.

I feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Pax

Peace- A state of tranquillity or serenity; silence, stillness

"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace."

-Philippians 1:2

"Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 4:7

"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord."

-2 Peter 1:2

During a time of economic hardship, political worries, and my friends falling away from the faith, I need peace. I've been called "hateful" and "narrow-minded". My beliefs have been called "hateful" and "archaic". How can I express that the heart of God is LOVE and acceptance? Man is turning further and further away from the truth. Like it says, they have replaced truth for a lie. My heart grieves and there is nothing I can do...

Lord, give me peace.

Statistically Speaking

Following alongside my previous post, I found this cool site about each state and it's various statistics (employment rates, education levels, crime rates, etc).

And I found a list of the best places to live. Here are the top ten:

1. New Hampshire

2. Minnesota

3. Vermont

4. Wyoming

5.Virginia

6. Iowa

7. Mass.

8. New Jersey

9. South Dakota

10. Nebraska

To see the different lists, go here:
http://www.statemaster.com/graph/lif_bes_sta_to_liv-lifestyle-best-states-to-live

One of My Favorite Things of All Time!

The Nutcracker Ballet

I Have a Gift

I can guess the sex of a baby instantly (within weeks of pregnancy)! And I've never been wrong!

Tatum had a girl, Tess had a boy and then a girl, Travis is having a girl, Andrea and Michael are having a girl, and we just found out that Jenny is having a boy.

My next prediction: Liz will have a girl! I know the odds are good (50/50) but still I haven't been wrong yet!

Hm..what will you have?

Top Ten Places We Should Live

I want to move! Here is a list of my most desired places to relocate:

10. Langen, Germany (stayed here after high school and loved it)

9. Geneva, Illniois (lived here, it's a cute little town)

8. Chicago, Illinois (possibly my favorite city)

7. Denver, Colorado (yep, lived here too)

6. County Cork, Ireland (this is where my family is from)

5. Des Moines, Iowa (currently where my family is)

4. San Diego, Ca (this is where the sun lives)

3. Greece (I have no comment, it just sounds nice)

2. Southern France (not Paris!)

1. Denmark (recently labeled the happiest place to live)

Where are your dream locations to reside?

Thankfulness

It's that time again! "What are you thankful for?" will be asked around dining tables throughout the country! Here are my top ten random thanks:

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

What are you thankful for?

Is it too early to say?

I AM EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS!

A Weekend to End all Weekends!

This weekend was fabulous! I wish all weekends were like this one! We saw "Quantum of Solice" (the new James Bond movie), went out to eat three times (we are cooks and usually prefer our food to a restaurant, except for sushi), hiked Mt St Helens, found a hidden spot in the woods, and um.....um...ya I am not going to tell you what we did there!

I made amazing crepes/pain au chocolat and Brenden made amazing steak! I lead such a charmed life :)


Aw, what a wonderful weekend!

Conquoring Mt St Helens

This weekend, Brenden and I are driving 2 hours north to hike Mt St Helens! Hopefully it won't erupt. Pictures to come!

Warning: This May Offend Some...

The infamous pregnant man (from Oregon, ironically) is pregnant again!

OK, I am tired of the title "Pregnant Man" because the very fact that he is pregnant means he is not a he, he is a she. I am being strictly scientific. I know she wants to be a man but she isn't. She is just a very mainly, hairy woman. I won't apologise for the truth.

I would love to be a giraffe. So when I'm pregnant, I insist on being called a pregnant giraffe. And I shall be a wonder.

The Tale of Two Cities

Des Moines, Iowa and Portland, Oregon.

Can you tell which one is which?

The Significance of my Wedding Ring

I have always been a contrairian (defined as a person who rejects the majority opinion). So when Brenden and I are started ring shopping (well, when I started ring shopping on his computer). I knew I didn't want the typical ring. So when everyone was getting this same ring (the solitaire, princess):

I really wanted something different, something that had more significance. And then I found the journey rings. What a good word to describe marriage! It has been a journey so far, that's for sure! The ring reminds me of two hands holding the precious stones. A beautiful symbolism of marriage; Brenden and I working together, holding our marriage and our lives together as one, equally. So I proudly wear my ring because not only does it represent that I am Mrs. Drew but it reminds me of the importance of marriage, every time I look at it.

Déception is French for Disappointment

I have to say, I was very disappointed in the "remake" of "Le Ballon Rouge". Not only was it boring, slow, and undeveloped but the famous "ballon rouge" only made brief apperances and had little (if anything) to do with the plot. Hours of meaningless conversation would occur and then, oh look a red balloon looking in through the window! Pointless.

Skip this one. And here's a balloon for reading :)

The Death of a Relationship

My parents have been seperated for over a year. And although they reside in seperate houses, they have remained close (as close as seperated couples can be). Initially, we all thought that the seperation was a temporary thing, especially since they didn't file for divorce. We thought it a time where they could both reflect and change (which they have for the better).

Yesterday they filed for divorce, officially. Of course, none of us kids are still living under their roof but I still feel a great loss. What will this mean for their future? For my future? Will my kids get enough time with both of them? Will I see them both as much? (Of course, I only see them once a year). Will they be ok? Will they meet or marry other people? So many questions and only time will answer them. At least I know that I love them both so much and they love me so much. And that will never change.

The Red Balloon

Although before my time, I love the silent film "The Red Balloon" ("Le Ballon Rouge", 1956)

It's a charming short about a boy and his lively balloon. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it (if you have Netflix, you can watch it online instantly).

I was happy to find out that there was somewhat of a feature film remake ("Le Voyage Du Ballon Rouge"), starring Juliette Binoche. I found it in my mailbox today! What joy!

I can't wait to watch it tonight! And yes, Brenden, you get to watch it too!

Words of the Day

Learn them! Love them!

English word of the day: obsequies-funeral rites or ceremonies

French word of the day: entrouvrir (a(n)-troo-vreer)- to half-open or open slightly

Make Me Up!

I've never been one to wear make-up. Not that I think it's wrong or have any ill feelings towards it, I'm just a little lazy when it comes to fixing myself up. I've never really seen a difference in my looks while wearing make-up, so naturally, I don't wear it at all. But I've noticed lately that I am feeling a bit frumpy (yes, it's probably all that weight I've gained! Gasp!) and so when my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I said "make-up!"

Now I just got a text from her saying that she's bought me a ton of really expensive make-up and an instructional dvd. Wow, intense! Don't be surprized if I come over looking like this:

Just kidding! But really, I am excited to be pretty again :-)

Thanksgiving and sushi?

As a newlywed, Brenden and I are having a fun time talking about holiday traditions (the traditions we had growing up and the traditions we want to establish for our family). We were chewing over the idea of skipping Thanksgiving all together and going skiing. Neither one of us are crazy about turkey (I am more of a vegetarian these days) and Brenden hates any kind of squash vegetable (with a strong, passionate hate). After some thought, we decided against the skiing idea because seeing family is the most important thing about Thanksgiving! However, we are thinking about adding our own personal touch to the dinner table (or rather, the aux-d'oeuvers table) and are thinking about bring some sushi! Ironically enough, on doing some research on the history of Thanksgiving, seafood (particularly crab and lobster) adorned the first Thanksgiving tables! Turkey wasn't accessible until much later.



So I guess it's not a bad idea after all!

Words of the Day

Aren't words awesome?

English word of the day (which consequentially, is a French word):
Soiree- an evening party or social gathering.

French word of the day:
Crisper (kree-spay)- to get on one's nerves "Anne me crispe" (Anne gets on my nerves)

Adopt me!

I got to admit, I love the Jolie-Pitt family. I don't necessarily like Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt as actors but as humanitarians. I've always been an advocate for adoption. If I could write my life as a script, we'd have just as many adopted children as biological ones. It's always been on my heart. I always say that if I won the lottery, I'd adopt as many kids as I could handle and work in orphanages around the world. That's my truest calling. Alas, money constrictions probably won't allow for that so for now (until I win the big one)

I will live out my humanitarian desires through the lives of two actors, go figure.

Words of the Day

I love words!

English word of the day: Sidereal- measured or determined by the daily motion of the stars.

French word of the day: une coquille (pronouced: co-keel)- a shell

This is my feeble attempt to teach French, much to the Brenden's chagrin!

Another blog

Hello! I must say, this is my third attempt at blogging. Sometimes I get the creative vibe and write something interesting and profound but I am no Valancy Jane (whose blog is a source of constant entertainment). I usually find myself too boring to keep a blog. But maybe not.