Fill Your Year With Wonder

My darling grandfather passed away over the holidays and it's taken me a while to process the emotions that come with losing a loved one. In the midst of missing him, I often find myself thinking about what an amazing life he had. I always loved his tales of sailing ships in the Navy, traveling around South America or moving to Puerto Rico with my grandmother. When I close my eyes and remember my grandfather I think of dark roast coffee, his dusty library full of treasured tomes and I hear him playing Las Mañanitas on his old harmonica. It got me thinking about how I want my future grandchildren to remember me. What adventures and stories will I be able to share with them?

So for my resolution this year, in honor of my grandfather, I am pledging to fill my year {and life} with wonder. For me, it means planning more adventures, drinking good wine, taking risks, dancing with my husband in our living room, worrying less and finding joy in the little things. I think this quote from Ernest Hemingway says it all...

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end

Friends, here's to an incredible journey and making every single day count. I hope 2012 brings all of you amazing things.

*Thank you to the lovely Kathryn Butler for leaving the the above message on the chalkboard wall in my kitchen. It's going to stay there for a very long time.

every day is valentine's day

This weekend was one for the books. It started out with a trip to the VNSA book sale and lunch at La Piccola Cucina. That was followed by a visit to the Willo District for their annual historical homes tour and a sweet treat at Sweet Republic. Last night we spent a quiet Valentine's Day with a heart shaped pizza, a bottle of wine and a romantic movie. Life is good friends, life is good.

*All photos taken with the Instagram app on my iphone. You can follow me at i_heart_kiwi if you like!

use your good dishes

{image found here}

One of my favorite things about summer break is that I get to spend more time with my family and friends. I love driving up to my grandma's house to have coffee and flip through all her old photo albums. Even if it's just an impromptu visit, my grandma always brings out the Haviland teacups and saucers. The delicate china has been in my family for years... and it only gets more beautiful with time. It makes the mundane feel like a special treat. My grandmother's manifesto is, "life is too short, always use your good dishes." I couldn't agree with her more.

*For more great manifestos check out Joslyn's list over at Simple Lovely. My grandmother would be proud.

delicious autumn

delicious autumn! my very soul is wedded to it, and if i were a bird i would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.

-george eliot

*autumn, i heart you.

(quote shamelessly stolen from meg and george eliot, image found here)

and we're off...

"turn off the t.v. and live your life"

and so begins our south america adventure! i can't wait to see machu picchu, some llamas and have some amazing new experiences with some amazing friends.

**i'm going to miss kiwi... but only a teensy bit.

(image shamelessly pilfered from a friend's recent south america trip)

thank you

today i am getting down to the business of writing my birthday thank you notes. i realized that i have some pretty amazing friends and family.... a make your own sushi party, homemade pinata, pool time with the family, wine tasting and theatre tickets... i realized i am truly blessed. can't wait to see what this year brings.

(image found here)

waiting on the world to change

it just hit me that my life is changing. rapidly. irrevocably.
i just turned 24. my roommate moved to boston this weekend. i'm training my replacement at work. we leave for south america in three weeks. the wedding is in five months. i start school in august. it's all happening so fast.

*whoa. deep breaths.

(image via ffffound!)

25 before 25

25 before 25

1. tell kiwi i love him every. single. day
2. buy fresh flowers once a month
3. go on a wine tour
4. take my grandparents out to lunch
5. take a photography class (actually learn how to use the rebel)
6. cultivate my "french closet"
7. get married (!)
8. read. read. read. (specifically: NPR’s summer reading list and meg’s book club)
9. remember to tell my family how amazing i think they are
10. start going to church again
11. master five new recipes from gourmet (kiwi is getting tired of lasagna)
12. check out artlink first fridays
13. order beautiful, personalized stationary
14. write my grandmother letters, not emails
15. travel to a new country (south america this summer, bali for the honeymoon)
16. put money in our travel fund every month (see above)
17. buy organic
18. find a hobby to replace the void left by rugby ( i really miss playing)
19. go to the opera
20. archive/ organize/ print my photos
21. make it through my first year of dental hygiene school
22. go on a picnic
23. learn to love salads
24. take a salsa dancing class
25. throw a fabulous dinner party

*i can't wait to get started.

(photo via ffffound!)

young at heart

today is my birthday! i am officially 24. does that qualify as being a grown up? i think 24 is going to be a very good year.

*i've got something in the works for tomorrow...i am working on a little list of my own.

(image found here )

rain, rain, don't go away...

i love rainy afternoons... it makes me want to curl up under the covers with a good book.
*there is nothing better than the smell of the desert after it rains.
(image found here)

busy bee

i'm so looking forward to this weekend... kiwi said he has a surprise for me tonight, and i need to wear something fancy (i have a perfect ruffly black number) but he won't tell me what he's got up his sleeve.  then tomorrow, i've got a fun day planned with the girls, complete with pool party and skinny margaritas! sunday rounds out the weekend with a baby shower and some time with the family.  happy weekend! 

*malinda, i'm working on a post for you on monday! 

it's the little things

i was inspired to make my own little list after reading some of the wonderful things that make people happy over at rockstar diaries.

10 things that make me terribly happy...

1. cracking open a new book
2. the smell of the desert after it rains
3. asu rugby girls (past, present and future)
4. trips to new zealand
5. watching jeopardy with kiwi
6. lemons
7. black and white photos of my grandparents
8. down comforters
9. my noisy, loving, amazing family
10. sunsets

*i liked this little exercise sooooo much, i just might have to make it a weekly activity.

the world is yours

*let's make the most of each brand new day. with all the crazy things happening all around us, i am still just pretty darn excited about life.

(via ffffound!)

paris je t'aime

joanna over at a cup of jo is heading to paris in a few days with her fiance. oh how i wish kiwi and i were going! the last time i was in paris it was only for a few days... definitely not long enough. one of my favorite memories was eating fresh crepes under the eiffel tower, just as the lights began to sparkle. oh paris, je t'aime.
*for a little taste of paris, watch this movie. you'll love it.
(images found here)

happy easter

have a wonderful weekend. i'm looking forward to spending time with my lovely family, coloring some easter eggs and going to church. i heart easter.
*if i'm feeling ambitious, i might try to make this for brunch.
(image found here)

what's in a name?

an adorable little husband and wife came into the office today... after 50 years of marriage he still calls her, his little flower. how sweet is that?
(photo via jen gotch and her lovely flickr stream)

this just in...

i got accepted to dental hygiene school! yay!
(photo via flickr)

mojo and a movie

date night with kiwi. mojo and a movie. just perfect.
(photo via a cup of jo)

waiting with bated breath

going to the wedding in new mexico this weekend made me realize just how excited i am to marry this man. i can't wait to start a life together.
*my excitement waned when upon returning home i discovered his new health kick involves eating cloves of raw organic garlic.
*he quickly regained my affection by doing my taxes and finishing our save the dates while i was gone. he's a keeper.