Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays means different things for different people. Hopefully, all of you had a great time, and if you're lucky, you might even be starting this week with one or two more stories for the books. Perhaps you bravely got on your little cousin's trampoline, only to feel closer to 30 than ever before in the grasp of the motion sickness that ensued. Your little brother might have convinced your dad to go to Black Friday at 1 am "to get shampoo" and visit Waffle House. Your dad might have even gotten up to dance Gangnam Style during Saturday dinner.

These things all happened in Aiken this Thanksgiving.

Happy Holiday Weekend

"Thank You" by Trey Speegle at 20x200.com

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Hope yours was, too! Today is for family, yoga, rest, and movies. Here are some photos from our holiday.

And from Tuesday, when Herbie and I collapsed at 9:30 pm after the start of our holiday. It's been a busy fall.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

xo,

Lauren

November Gratitude: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving really is my favorite holiday. It's kind of incredible that in a country so preoccupied with consumerism, we have a day devoted to gratitude.

This year, I'm especially grateful that I married John Concklin, truly the best gift I've ever been given. His support, in big and little things, is unwavering. He has shown me what it means to take care of another person. Also, he does the dishes. Our dish washing philosophies are different. I would rather relax for a while after dinner and force myself to clean up later, and he would rather do them immediately. This, as you can imagine, works out very well for me!

Almost December

Thanksgiving weekend was so relaxing. It was, however, very exciting to come home; this time, it's really ours, and we're here to stay. John and I did more cake tasting and in the midst of wedding planning, squeezed in a mid-afternoon date. We realized it's been a while since we've actually been on one of those, so that was nice, too. Coffee with homemade whipped creme and a generous shot of Whiskey never hurt anybody! And as you'll see below, Herbie is serious about hugs and serious about sleep. Just like Mom.

A Very Sunny Thanksgiving

I know I grew up in South Carolina, but no one ever told me how gorgeous it was! Leaving for a few years made me so grateful for this bright blue sky and gratuitous sunshine. Or maybe it was Cleveland's Lake Effect Clouds. Either way, I was in awe of today's beautiful weather - spent celebrating life with my wonderful parents, brothers, fiance, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandfather.

I was always the tall big sister, but look at how tiny I look next to my baby brothers!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. If you're reading this, chances are I'm pretty grateful for you, too.

xo

Everyone's saying it

via oh joy!

But it's true: I'm so very, very thankful.

John and I are homeowners! We can hardly believe it. We continually marvel at the space we have, and those of you who saw the Cleveland apartment will understand why. Herbie likes having stairs inside! He's also been making beds in the weirdest places, i.e. any box with soft things in it that hasn't been unpacked. It's adorable.

This is the time of year when I think of the Butterball Hotline and the Ping-Pong Table. You should, too.

xo

Lauren

The Butterball Hotline

Aaaaand now that dinner's over, have a laugh with my favorite non-existent people. 

The One (and Only) Moment I Don't Want to be C.J. Cregg Incarnate

A Gift From the Personal Sous Chef to the King of....Autosales

A Full Life at a Children's Zoo

With Many Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving

Steamed artichokes from my boyfriend.

Hi friends! 

I'm a very lucky girl. John's steamed artichokes are a recipe passed down from his mom, and with her permission, I might even share it with you sometime. It was as good as it looks, and with a little dish of delicate buttery dipping sauce, we peel the flower layer by layer until we get to the always-celebrated (and worth the wait) heart.

We are getting ready for Thanksgiving, which is going to be Jewish for us this year; we're celebrating with an Orthodox family that belongs to a lovely friend of mine here in Cleveland. It's our first Thanksgiving together, and although I wish I could make the trip to see my family, we are going to make the most of being together in our new city and starting the holiday season off with cheer. 

A few surprises up my sleeve...

Right This Second

 1. My Wilco Pandora Station

2. Friend Grace

3. Puppy Dog Herbie

4. Boyfriend John

5. Amazing Harry Potter

6. Grapes and Plums 

from West Side Market

7. Saturday Night Dance Party at B-side Lounge