Petite billet doux (little love notes)

Dear Africa,

I wish I could come visit. Why do you have to be so dangerous?


Dear allergies,

I'm grateful for what I've been gifted in life, but allergic to the yellow fever vaccine... Really?


Dear San Diego,

I finally feel like myself again. I have you to thank for that.


Dear Little Italy,

I like your little neighborhood. I mean, MY little neighborhood.


Dear new job,

I like that I made my own hours, my bosses appreciate me, my salary is perfect, that I basically have the run of the town, and my accounts love me already. Plus, being able to walk to work is a HUGE bonus.


Dear Mama,

I miss hanging out with you and talking forever into the night. I am so grateful that I was able to spend 4 weeks with you. I wish you were here to see my new place, but I know that when you come visit, you'll absolutely love it!


Dear Dad,

I miss you. I'm sorry that my move wasn't planned better. There's no time like the present and there's no point in waiting it out. I'm happy here, but I miss you a whole awful lot.


Dear little sister,

Sorry I couldn't explain it better or wait any longer. I hope that one day you'll understand the why's and how's of it all... And in the meantime, just know that I miss my best friend and really wish I could drive across the bridge to see you right now.


Dear Allisen,

I miss hanging out and wish, now more than ever, that I'd spent more time coming to visit. I hope you'll visit me soon.(and maybe stay?)

Dear Michelle,

I am so glad that we've come back into eachothers lives. I forgot how much I missed you and I'm so grateful to you for needing me as much as I need you right now.



Dear blog friends,

I don't have Internet yet, but I promise to update more and catch up on what I've missed as soon as I do.


xx Carrie



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

spontaneous combustion

Have you ever felt so much excitement you just feel like you're going to explode?

I have.

A lot lately.

maybe too much?

is there a such thing as 'too much'?

I mean, if it's exciting, you might as well get all worked up about it right?

Well, let me tell you what made me feel so much giddiness that I happy-danced around the house awhile...

I was chatting to my sweet sister, Michelle,

(you know, the one that lives in San Diego with my darling niece & nephew?)

she was having a tough week -

they have a WHOLE lot going on right now -

and mentioned that she wished I was around for sanity & company.

Well, that got me to thinking...

(and that's always dangerous)

I really want to see them again soon.

(and no, when I move there in July is not soon enough)

They have a couple of trade shows coming up

at the end of February
(next week)

 AND a store opening the first weekend in March.

Well, the shows are in Vegas.

And then they are driving back to San Diego for the opening...

And Vegas is on my list...

(it might not have been on the 2010 Intentions list,

 but it is definately on the life list.)

So guess what?

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

I'm going to Vegas ((!!!!!!))

and then back to San Diego to pop bottles with my sis for her grand opening!!

I'm making moves.

my super fantastic awesome day

today is amazing!

I am finding oh-so much happiness with the little things today.

all of them.

And if you know me,

you know I am ALL about the little things.

well, and 3+ inch heels..

and those huge purses that confuse men because of how much (and what) you can pull out of them..

and mayyybe some nice big pretty jewels..

 but I digress.

...

I woke up this morning after a few short hours of sleep

and the first thing that I ususally do...

{thanks to the iPhone}

is to check my e-mail.

Much anticipated email responses were there.

{insert excited & happy dance here}

I love getting emails from Desi (of Life or Something like it) & Krissa (of Randomness).

We've been going back and forth a lot lately and it really is the highlight of my morning.

Thanks ladies for making my morning great!

...

I made chili in the slow cooker last night and had a very happy lunch.

Michelle's chili recipe is one for the books.

Especially topped with sour cream & chives.

And a side of sweet tea.

and the book...

that I may or may not have stayed up until 4am reading

until I actually couldn't understand the words anymore -

no, I mean it.

 I was reading and then all of a sudden,

I couldn't make sense of the letters anymore..

...

When I asked grandma if she wanted some chili for lunch...

she said no.

She wanted apple pie.

And she makes a mean pie.

No really -

if pies could laugh,

it would cackle in your face and demean your intentions to stay fit & trim.

...

And so,

{being the wonderful granddaughter that I am}

 I immediately set her to work mixing up the pie crust.

yes, even with a broken arm.

don't let her size fool you.

She's got more spunk than most 20-somethings that I know.

combined.

Take, for example,

her reaction to my camera capturing the moment below...

"get that thing. out. of. my. face."

oh, grandma Opal...

And then I discovered something that I cannot do.

at all.

roll a pie crust.

seriously.

I'm inept.

And I'm usually great in the kitchen.  I promise.

ask my friends.

ask my old boyfriends.

ask my mom.

which reminds me... Jackie -

 please, may I bake you some mini cupcakes for your birthday soiree?

 I found the sweetest (no pun intended) recipes for mini cupcakes

and they are just so darned fancy

 (just like you).

they have names like:

salted caramel chocolate cupcakes

fresh citrus cupcakes with ruby red grapefruit glaze

cappuccino cupcakes

fresh citrus cupcakes with orange buttercream

(i think you get the idea... now wipe the drool off your chin, and keep reading.)

So I guess my pie crust needs work. 

A lot of it.

so I added it to my life list.

one more thing to do.

sad, isn't it?

 the finished product...

And after cutting into it...

I've officially renamed this from apple pie, to apple crumble...

...

Also... made schnitzel & red cabbage...

served with a side of broccoli casserole & mixed vegetables.

Oh... and did I mention, the whole time in the kitchen,

was dancing to this playlist..

I know.. it's a wide array of artist & genre...

but these fit my mood today.

Oh, and I almost forgot...

These are the wonderful books I got yesterday!

**not including the one I mailed for my swap partner today, I might add.

Was your day just as wonderful??

a smile for my past

I know, I know... I have a new years post all set & ready to go, but I had to post this -

http://www.runawaygallery.com/2010/01/jolene-jolene-jolene-jolene.html

I read this blog this morning and it immediately made me smile this morning.  My lovely big sister, Michelle, used to sing this when she was little.  She used a turkey baster for a microphone back in the day.  She knew all the words and I can just imagine her sweet little children dancing around with turkey basters and wooden spoons belting out old tunes like this...


It definately made my day.  Thanks Kristina for posting this.

A few of my favorite things in San Diego...

Plus her sweet little family that brings joy to my soul and silliness to my heart. She is my original best friend.






Love love love being by the water. The air is calm, softly salty and the breeze is warm in the fading sunlight.





And the sky at night. It's not black, but navy blue. The stars are twinkly and bright. Sweet moments of light in the uncertainty of life.