15 years!

Today, it is exactly 14 days until Christmas and I am celebrating 15 years of marriage with my sweet hubby!

Several moves, a career change, babies, deaths, surgeries and staying home have all been a portion of our journey together. What a wonderful ride it has been!

A recent photo of us on an adventure.

Home again, Home again...

Five Minute Friday of raw, unedited writing for five minutes straight. Link up and join us here

Home isn't where you hang your hat. It's where you hang your heart. The welcome mat is laid out no matter how long I've been away. No signs at the door to say, "closed" or "no vacancy" because this home, my home is always open. A place where memories are born and not just made.
We can drop our masks and be the human, beautiful mess we are and we are still loved.

   Pajamas, unkempt hair, forgiveness, laughter, coffee rings and tear stains adorn the rooms and home feels real and like a warm, cozy bed I can't help but jump into. I cling hard to this comfort and to this familiar.

Home isn't four walls full of perfection, but of imperfect people.  

These people, they are my home. 

   

The likes and dislikes of Ground Hog Day...

Okay, Feb. 2nd. It is just a day, right? Not for me. Let me explain with a list (smile).

What I like about GHD:

1. It is one step closer to spring and warmer temperatures.
2. It is my late mother's birthday
3. A cute rodent is famous because of tradition.
4. Sometimes the said rodent predicts correctly and spring comes early.

5. You can eat too much chocolate and no one thinks that is wrong or weird unless of course a person is uber strict about calories and thinks sugar is evil. Okay, yes, I have proved that one can have a slight addiction to the white stuff, but I will never apologize for having my fair share of chocolate.

6. It is pretty much a neutral month with most people getting President's Day off (bonus)...except for Valentine's Day...which is nice because it is about chocolate and loving someone, but see below for what I don't like about this month. I am torn.


What I dislike about GHD:

1. It is my late mother's birthday. Read, a reminder that she is no longer here to celebrate another year of life.
2. It is one day closer to my birthday (May) which reminds me that although spring is coming, I am no spring chicken. However, I am growing old gracefully, thank you.

3. Valentine's Day-Blah. A day for others to show you they love you...shouldn't we always show others love? It is also a day to waste money on ultra-CHEAPLY made chocolate, silly stuffed animals that know adult really wants, and flowers that die. How depressing. Alright already, I will confess that I am a chocolate snob.
Honestly, my hubby or others should spontaneously win me over with chocolate at least once a month. Okay, I know that sounded selfish. Sorry, just being honest about my chocolate addiction fascination.

4. In most of the U.S. it is still winter (enough said). Sometimes the Ground Hog predicts more winter. Boo!

5. The failure of too lofty goals (some people call them resolutions) has shown up by now.
This is why I don't make them. Instead I take small steps to change me or I plan a reachable goal. For example, I might try exercising an extra day or for 15 minutes more or send one piece of writing to a publisher.
One year, I slowly introduced hubby and I to whole grains and whole wheat. We now eat mostly non-white carbs. Think whole wheat bread, tortillas, multi-grain or wheat noodles, and my personal favorite: whole wheat Jasmine or Basmati rice for my authentic Indian and Thai recipes, Yummy!

6. The lack of sun causes depression, my nails don't grow well and I am getting spring fever BAD!
Did I mention I love spring, summer and fall? Winter is pretty and needed, but it is not my favorite.

SO there ya have it. Your turn. Tell me what you like/dislike about Ground Hog's Day?

O Coffee! My Coffee!

If you understand the reference in my title above...well, then we are both well versed in literature.

There are really only two earthly delights that excite my taste buds, tickle my nose with giddiness and well, perhaps reign over me: Chocolate and Coffee. 

 I was 6 and my parents adored coffee as much as I do now. I was allowed to swallow the beautiful concoction of decaf with milk and sugar. Heaven! Strong, addicting. That was probably when I fell in love with coffee. 

Java served me well after nights of too much of a different beverage (not my finest moments), and no sleep, and lots of studying in college.

AND...then there was a certain store that offered all kinds of different mixes, flavorings...iced or hot.

 That's when I couldn't stop thinking about it. When my affair began. When the artist in me decided that my coffee should reflect my creative self. 

So I started with frothy, steamy coffee and added a myriad of different tastes. All with the help from that big chain that exists on every corner.

Chocolate, Hazelnut, both, just vanilla, or vanilla and white chocolate, Creme Brulee, pumpkin, cinnamon and chocolate...well, you get the idea.

Turns out my favorite is Hazelnut, or chocolate or sometimes both.  

 Did I mention the jolt as the extra bonus?
 Yeah, that is probably the secondary part of my addiction. 

"O Coffee, My Coffee!