Sep 01
They say Virginia is for lovers, but I’m a little more geographically inclusive. Call me crazy, but Virginia is a little small for my liking. Besides, I’d say I’m more a West Coast girl anyway. I know, here I am in the Midwest – don’t ask me how that happened. Well, you could ask, but you already know. The word is “family.”
Regardless of where you’re at, I’m telling you – there’s something about September. Especially when it’s rainy. Like today. How could September get off to a more perfect start? This month begs for soft touchable sweaters, layers of beautiful scarves, and curling up in an oversized couch to enjoy steaming hot caramelized apple cider from Scooters. Or gourmet french vanilla hot chocolate at home. Also in an oversized couch.
This month, make yourself a playlist and fall in love. It doesn’t have to be that romantical kind of love (though that’s a great kind of love to fall into). Just fall in love. You know, with yourself – with your family, your friends and your LIFE. After all, no one is going to live your life as well as you can. Your playlist can help remind you of how great love is. Need a few song suggestions? I’ve got a couple. You’ll notice that they’re all songs by country music heartthrobs. What can I say? Men with great voices help my mood.
Tagged with: are you gonna kiss me or not? • fall • family • happy • invisible • jaron & the long road to love • josh gracin • keith urban • lee brice • love • love like crazy • lover • music • my heart is open • september • that's beautiful to me • thompson square
Aug 29
Actually, there are all sorts of words. Around a quarter million in the English language, if you believe this article. But I don’t think there are any words adequate to express the excitement in the Christensen house since we heard “THE news.” I won’t make you hold your breath – mostly because I’m so excited about it. ALISHA. IS. MOVING.
And not just moving – she is moving to MISSOURI! I don’t know how we convinced her, but we have done it! Actually, she just (finally) felt like it was the right thing to do. And our whole family is super grateful every single day – we’re totally counting down, but trying not to. 16 weeks sounds a lot better than 121 days. If you’re going to get technical, we’ve rounded the weeks down. Don’t get technical – it seems longer. She’ll be out here at the end of December. Merry Christmas to us! I can’t think of a better present. If you can, we don’t need to know about it – this is all the happiness we need.
Tagged with: alisha • christmas • family • happy • missouri • moving
Aug 26
When I was 10, I used to dream of having a pig farm. Really. I read a book on how to raise pigs and my Dad took me to a real live pig farm after I’d read the book five times. Don’t I have the best dad? It’s okay, you can be jealous. He IS the best ever.
Now that I’m a grown up, the dreams have changed a little, but I’ve finally got a pig. Well, sort of. His name is Reece. He’s no relation to my brother – and his name is certainly NOT a fat joke. But my brother Reece has his very own (real) pig farm – of one pig named Cabbage – and I thought it was only fitting that my city pig have a connection to Reece (my brother). Reece has also read the pig farming book. I doubt it will be quite as helpful for my little pig as for his, but I’ve come up with a few of my own suggestions for healthy pig raising in KC. Well, “a few” might be stretching it. I really just have one: Feed Often.
Tagged with: change • dad • happy • money • pig • pig farm • reece
May 20
Please notice the smiley face on the right. It looks happy, don’t you think? Well, it’s all in honor of the youngest 2.0, Cassandra. Cassie for short. And for now, she’s EXTRA short. Or at least still shorter than me. Since she’s 9, I shouldn’t gloat too much. “Should” being the operative word.
You might wonder why the smiley face is in honor of Cassie. It could be because she’s so pleasant. Or because we all smile when we’re around her. Or because we thought she looked like red ketchup on a bun. Take your pick. If you really want to know what it’s for though, I’ll tell you. A few months ago, I took the kids to Ma & Pa’s (Dad’s favorite down home diner). Cassie got a burger. And when it came time for the ketchup, she Very. Carefully. Drew a smiley face.
Mom and I went today – and in honor of Cassandra, there you have it. One happy little cheeseburger.
Tagged with: 2.0s • cassandra • cassie • cheeseburger • family • happy • ma & pa's
Sep 28
There’s a ring I wear almost every day to help me remember all the blessings in my life. I call it my “freedom” ring. This past week was particularly wonderful and I felt it deserved a special celebration of the life I enjoy. My mom and I went to my favorite restaurant on earth this weekend – Fogo de Chao – in Kansas City to celebrate. I’ve been to their D.C. and Philadelphia restaurants, and the food and service are always unsurpassed.
Kansas City was the best of them all! I wore a white coat out – they brought an extra tablecloth to cover it when they hung it on the back of my chair. When I ordered my drink, I asked for tons of ice with my water (my normal mode of operation). Normally they bring your water out before you even ask for your drinks, and it arrived (as usual) while our first server was explaining things – and he sent it away because it did not contain enough ice. Within a minute, we had water with TONS of ice. Our servings were gigantic, and the cheese balls (my very favorite part) were never empty. I ordered a brazillian lemonade and one of our servers stopped by to give us the recipe of how to make them at home. We were well taken care of. Since I live so close (dangerously close!) I will be back. Often.
Some of the things I celebrated:
Life is worth celebrating every single day. There’s a quote I love that says “The best things in life aren’t things.” That’s so true – and I was happy to celebrate some of those things this weekend.
Tagged with: cheetos • christensen • dark jeans • family • fogo de chao • freedom • happy • iphone • kansas city • missouri • red
They say Virginia is for lovers, but I’m a little more geographically inclusive. Call me crazy, but Virginia is a little small for my liking. Besides, I’d say I’m more a West Coast girl anyway. I know, here I am in the Midwest – don’t ask me how that happened. Well, you could ask, but you already know. The word is “family.”
