Saturday, September 29, 2012

"I own this"

My cats think they own me and everything in our house. And I guess they pretty much do. Here's the proof... 

"I own this sleeping bag"
"I own this map"
"I own this laundry basket"
"I own these papers you are trying to grade"
 "I own this fake Christmas tree"
 "We own this sink"
"I own this pillow"
And that's a cat for you...you just have to love them.

                                                                       Source: catversushuman.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Take the real friend test...

Real friends...don't let you pay for parking.
Real friends...share their funnel cake.
Real friends...hold your hand when you are scared on a roller coaster.
Real friends...hide their heads and hands inside their jackets for a classic headless/armless roller coaster picture. 5 weeks until Halloween!
Real friends...let you borrow their clothes.
Real friends...make you laugh.
Real friends...share the same occupation. Yep we are all teachers.
Real friends...share the same first and middle name. (Okay that's just Alison and I, but how weird is that?)
Real friends...all share the same first initial. A is where it's at. Andrew, Allison, Alison, Alex. 
Real friends...like what you like (or at least pretend to.)
Real friends...know your pets names and ask about them like they are your kids.

I'm so thankful that Drew and I can call these two real friends. This weekend they even shared their cheap Kings Island tickets with us so we could all go to Halloween Haunt. We love them!

P.S. Can you tell fall has made it's way to Ohio? It got down in the low 40's the night we were out. Brrrr!

Sunday, September 23, 2012

A HUGE Giveaway to brighten up your day...

Do you like free stuff? Me too. Well today you have a chance to win lots and lots of free stuff (including the banner above from my shop) over at Erin's blog, Living in Yellow. 
So click on the link above and you not only have the chance to win some awesome FREE stuff, but you also get to meet Erin who is just over the top hilarious! How's that for brightening up your Monday?

P.S. I would love you forever if you liked my shop on facebook...it needs some friends. Happy Monday!

And the Reds clinch it!!!!!!

It just so happened that we got free Reds ticket for yesterday's game against the Dodgers. It also happened to be the weekend of Octoberfest and the PERFECT fall day. We got downtown early and stuffed ourselves with German food then headed into the big game.
Yesterday was the game the Reds needed to win in order to clinch the Central title and they not only won they shut the Dodgers out 6-0. Playoffs here we come!!!
                                                                                            Source: google.com via Allison on Pinterest

 Oh and I wore my new red Tom's shoes to support the Reds...they must be lucky shoes.
What a wonderful weekend to be a Cincinnati Reds fan!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Friday's letters

Can you tell we are related? Because we are.
Dear Friday, Why oh why did it take you so long to get here? Dear Cincinnati Reds, You are amazing! I can't wait to see you clench the Central title on Saturday! Wahoo. Dear Pumpkin Spice Latte, I'm behind the times and just gave you a chance 2 days ago. Well I am now your new best friend and will be visiting you frequently. Dear Grandparents coming to visit Room 308, The kiddos are so excited you are coming. We have prepared the most adorable presentation ever for your enjoyment. Dear "little" brother and sister, (see above) You aren't so little anymore...in fact I'm the oldest, but the shortest in the family now. How did that happen? I loved our talk at lunch the other day even if we don't all see eye to eye on political issues. Haha. I am so blessed to have you both in my life. Dear customer who bought $70.00 worth of purchases from my Etsy shop, I LOVE YOU! Now I can start on my craft table and make this little business of mine officially official. Dear sweet husband of mine, I loved reminiscing with you about our engagement anniversary. Now we just need to find that missing video footage! I'm sorry things are rough for you at school right now, but you are an amazing teacher. AMAZING! So don't you forget that. I wish you had been my teacher...wait that would be weird and kind of illegal. Let's forget I said that last part. I love you!
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Now go link up with Ashley for Friday's letters!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The day we got engaged...all the mushy details

September 19th will always have a special place in my heart. It was on this day 4 years ago that my sweet boyfriend became my fiance and then 9 months later my husband. Drew is such a thoughtful guy and all that came out in his proposal. I've mentioned it briefly on the blog, but I'm in the mood to gush so I'm telling you again with more pictures and lots more details.
It was a typical Friday. I woke up and pulled out a Bengals jersey from my closet because it was spirit day at the school I was teaching at. I grab a quick breakfast and chat with my mom for a few minutes before heading out the door. (I moved back home for a few months after coming home from college...I highly recommend it!) As I was leaving my mom who is the sweetest woman in the world asks..."Allison are you sure you don't want to change into something nicer?" My mom never tells me I don't look beautiful in what I'm wearing so I was a little caught off guard, but shrugged it off and told her it was spirit day and that I didn't feel like showering so Bengals jersey and pony tail it was.

Drew and I had plans to have dinner with friends later that evening and about an hour before Drew was supposed to pick me up he called and said he needed to run over to check in on his grandma and asked if I could meet him at the restaurant. Sure no problem...so I head to Applebee's still wearing my Bengals jersey having not showered that morning and without the slightest idea that Drew was up to something. I get to Applebees and no one I am supposed to meet is there so I sit in the waiting area and wait. Hmmmm. The hostess sees me and asks "Um are you Allison?" I was confused, but admitted I was and he hands me a heart shaped box. Okay people that's when I knew. I was getting proposed to! My heart started beating 1000 times per minute and my hands were shaking as I opened the box and read the letter inside. Meanwhile I was being videotaped by one of Drew's friends (someday I might post this footage, but it is currently MIA.)

I will admit I was confused by the letter at first because my mind was racing...it had clues of where I was supposed to go next, but I still wondered if I was meeting people at Applebees for dinner or if I had to move on so I called Drew. Me-"Um hunny what is going on?" Drew-"Babe read the letter it tells you what to do next." Me-"Ok. I'll read it again. Thanks bye." So I read it a third time and figure it out...I was just too excited the first two times to slow down and actually think a thought besides I'm getting engaged tonight. What's an almost engaged girl to do?

As I get in the car I have to remember not to speed then I remember what I'm wearing and I say to myself out loud "I can't get proposed to in a Bengals jersey!" Now I do enjoy the Bengals, but I also enjoy fashion and I especially enjoy pictures (particularly the ones where I actually look good). Thankfully my house was on the way to my next destination...our elementary playground where we ended our first date together 7 years earlier. So yes I sprinted inside (no one was home) ran down to my bedroom and pulled out my favorite fossil dress, sprinted back up the stairs and back in to my car.

I get to the playground and there he is on the swings waiting for me. We make small talk for a minute and then he stands up, walks around in front of me and gets down on one knee.
So here's the play by play taken by my sister in law who was cleverly hidden in some playground equipment. And yes I'm literally jumping up and down with excitement in that picture.
After we got engaged Drew had another waiting surprise for me. We headed to Montgomery Inn where Drew told me that my parents were eating. We got into the restaurant, rounded a corner and walked into a room filled with so many of the people I love and I was completely overwhelmed. I felt so loved and cherished and Drew continues to make me feel that way 4 years later. I'm so thankful for him and to God for allowing us to find each other. And that's the end of my mushy gushy love post.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A rustic bridal shower

This weekend my family threw a bridal shower for my cousin Carmen who is getting married in just 3 short weeks. Her wedding theme has a very rustic feel so her shower fit in perfectly. Lace, burlap and mason jars were everywhere and since our family roots are tied to Kentucky, the shower had a Southern flare.
On the menu: Burgoo (Kentucky's most famous stew), biscuits and grits. 
Dessert: Derby pie, key lime pie, macaroons and other assorted cookies.
I'm so blessed to have such sweet cousins. The 6 of us have always gotten along and supported each other and it is a beautiful thing. And yes we all have lots of curly hair. This is our traditional "smoosh" picture started a few years ago.
We played games, talked, reminisced, cried, helped Carmen "write" her vows and did a lot of laughing. It was the perfect shower. I can't wait to see my family again in just a few weeks for Carmen's big day!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

You might just need to do a fall dance...

I had been praying, crossing my fingers and doing a "fall dance" (like a rain dance, but in hopes of fall instead of no rain) that this weekend would finally feel like fall. I had chili and cornbread on the menu and I bought caramel apples. I thought if I wished hard enough for fall that it would just show up...well it actually worked!

Friday evening was our fall kick off. We had our friends Brian and Courtney over for fall food, fall drinks and then of course a bonfire.
Conversations around a bonfire simply can't be beat. I don't know what it is, but some of my favorite conversations ever have happened around a bonfire. Carmel apples by the bonfire are pretty fun too.
Then Drew decided to spice things up and set a wooden plane on fire...that show lasted about .5 seconds and then it was over. At least he tried...
I'm so happy fall showed up this weekend in Ohio. If fall hasn't graced you with it's presence yet maybe you need to try a fall dance too. It worked for me!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Friday's letters

Dear crock pot, Get ready because you are going to be going to be busy this fall. I love coming home and having a meal ready to go. You are so thoughtful to do all the work. Dear perfect fall evening, Thank you, thank you for finally showing up. On the agenda: chili, cast iron skillet corn bread, Woodchuck's new pumpkin ale and a bonfire with friends. Dear Baby Kitties, Thank you for not running away when we left you outside for 30 minutes unsupervised last night. Oops. You are the best. Dear future novelist husband, I love laying in bed and listening to your story ideas. All we need is one best seller to pay off our student loans okay? Dear Macaroons, I'm making you with the help of my dear friend Courtney. This is the first time you are being made with a purpose besides Courtney and I chowing down on you. Please turn out cute for my cousin's bridal shower!

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Now go link up with Ashley for Friday's letters!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Love it!



I'm linking up with Jamie and Michelle to share a few things I'm loving today.

I'm loving that Survivor starts next Wednesday!
I'm loving Pioneer Woman's Lemon and Blueberry Pancakes. Trust me...you want to make these.
I'm loving my class of sweet second graders.
I'm loving that I get to see these lovely faces this weekend for my cousin Carmen's bridal shower.
I'm loving that I have a chili recipe lined up for this weekend...the fall weather better cooperate.
I'm loving the Arts festival I got to go to last weekend with my dear friend Betsy
I'm loving these fall pins...
Mini Pumpkin Pies? Yes please.












                                                             








Apple Cider bar? Okay I'm in.





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                                                                              Source: harvestfurniture.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest

I need to find this place now. Simply lovely.
                                                                                        Source: 500px.com via Allison on Pinterest

And I'm loving my husband who makes every season sweeter.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

9/11 from a child's perspective

I can't believe it's been eleven years since that day. I remember exactly where I was and the feeling inside my stomach. I remember thinking...is this real? How can this be happening? I'm still sick over the whole thing and trying to explain it to a group of 7 and 8 year olds is even harder.  I tried to focus on the positive...all the people who risked their lives to help strangers, the stories of people missing their flight or staying home from work that day, the fact that through it all God was there.

God was not absent from 9/11, he was there. He was there with the firefighters and policemen as they saved countless lives, He was there with the people who were trapped and feeling helpless, He was there for the scared and grieving families. He gave us free will because of his crazy love for us and then he is there to clean up our messes. That is how I explained it to my class.

We prayed for the families, we prayed that we wouldn't have to be fearful, we thanked God for his goodness. I'm so blessed to be able to talk about God with my students. I really don't know how to talk about the events of 9/11 without involving prayer.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea." Psalm 46:1-2

Here is a drawing done by a young girl in Pennsylvania. It spoke to me 11 years ago and it still speaks to me today.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Oh college friends I miss you...

This weekend I went to visit some girlfriends in Indiana and it made me really miss college. When else in your life do you get to live in such close proximity to your best friends? Oh the memories.

We met at a burger joint called Scotty's where I had one amazingly delicious burger. Then we headed over the river and through the woods to Katie's house for an official house tour.
Katie is a country girl and I loved seeing those details in her house. It is very vintage and so adorable.
We sipped on hot cider as a storm brew outside and caught up on life until our eyes couldn't take another minute. We did some reminiscing of our college days and man did we have some good times.
I couldn't resist a throwback picture from one of my favorite college memories. Maybe I will tell you the story if you ask nicely.
I miss you college friends...let's all buy houses in the same neighborhood so we can relive the college days okay??

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Hurry...go get some peaches!

I hope you never get sick of me talking about Pioneer Woman...because I end up cooking at least one of her meals per week and they are always amazing so I always share them. For a Labor day cookout I decided to try out her Peach Crisp with some huge peaches I had bought at a local fresh market near my house. I'm so glad I made this while peaches were still in season because it is sinfully delicious and not very difficult to make. What makes this recipe especially delicious is the maple cream sauce. Oh my goodness is it good!

What you will need:
5 to 6 whole peaches (peeled and sliced)
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 tsp. Cinammon
1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 stick butter
1/2 Lemon
7 Tbsp. of Maple syrup (divided between sauce and the crisp)
1 and 1/2 cups Whipping cream
3 Tbsp. Light Corn Syrup

 All it takes is a little stirring...
And then some measuring and mixing...
 Some cutting and zesting...
A little baking and of course some eating...I ate mine before I could snap a picture. 
It's that good.
For the full PW version recipe click here!

Monday, September 3, 2012

I'm ready for Fall...

1. Tell us what you are looking forward to this fall?
I am looking forward to everything about fall...the weather, the food, the activities, but my top 3 things I'm looking forward to right now are:
-Going to visit my sister and brother in law in Indiana and re-visiting 1812
-My cousin's wedding in October
-Thanksgiving in Nashville

2. Show us your fall style.
Since it isn't exactly fall weather yet here in Ohio I haven't gotten to sport my fall style quite yet, but when I do it will look something like this...
                                                                                  Source: lifeisasunset.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest

3. Tell us your favorite things to do in the fall.
1.) My husband and I love to go hiking and camp in the fall. Nothing beats campfire food.
2.) I always look forward to picking out pumpkins and carving them with friends.
3.) We always make it to at least one corn maze.

4. Show us your favorite fall beverage.
                                                                                Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Allison on Pinterest

Pioneer Woman's Pumpkin Smoothie. Seriously click here for the best drink of your life.

5. Tell us, how you will be participating in halloween this year.
Our good friends always have a Halloween party with a costume contest. It will be hard to top last year's costume (we won best couples costume as the Frisch's Big Boy and Wendy) but I have some pretty good ideas up my sleeve. 


All of these fall questions had me dreaming of fall so I decided to add a banner to my shop this weekend. Check out my new Candy Corn banner, which is now hanging in my house anxiously awaiting fall!