THE GLAD GAME: THANKSGIVING EDITION

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely readers!
and

Happy six years of dating to my amazing husband!

A little list of the things I am feeling thankful and glad for this morning, Thanksgiving Day...

coffee
the Macy's parade
this sunny, amazing day

being home at my parent's

the smell of cooking in the kitchen
the food that I'll be over-eating later
the family I will see very soon
looking forward to spending Saturday with friends
+

this day last year was my first non-wedding post, so I'm also thankful for a year of blogging
+
YOU, for supporting my blog

1984 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

1940

 1931

 1934

and the parade finale... Santa!

image credits: one // two // three // four // five

What are you thankful for?  I would love to read your comments!

Wishing you the happiest of days {and weekends}... filled with warmth, good food, and family.
Until Monday...

THE GLAD GAME - OVERDUE

Happy Friday, friends.

I think I'm way past due to play the glad game.

I am glad for the following... 

> being challenged, and learning, at work.
> wearing my favorite sweater for the first time.

> a few really good, meaningful conversations that made me think.

> a really sweet, honest, and encouraging email from a new blog friend.

> tortilla soup for lunch {El Vaquero, there is a place in Pittsburgh that could give you a run for your money}.

> I'll soon be sleeping in my own bed, and not be kept awake by loud hotel neighbors {seriously, 4 of the 5 nights here... ugh}
> the white noise app on my iphone I found this week {it came in handy at 12am, 1am & 2am... I'm not bitter ;)}.
> the bottle of wine I brought with me this week {see above two}.
> going to bed last night knowing I'll see my Mr. tomorrow.

+

> this view on my way into Pittsburgh Sunday night.

What are you glad for?

Have a wonderful weekend, friends.

THE GLAD GAME {WHAT IS THE GLAD GAME?}

If you haven't seen Pollyanna, you might wonder what this Glad Game feature on my blog is all about. 

{If you have seen Pollyanna - you can skip the next paragraph.}

The title character in the 1960 Disney movie (based on the best-selling 1913 novel by Eleonor H. Porter) is named Pollyanna Whittier - a young orphan who goes to live in Beldingsville, Vermont, with her wealthy but stern Aunt Polly. Pollyanna's philosophy of life centers on what she calls "The Glad Game", an optimistic attitude she learned from her father. The game consists of finding something to be glad about in every situation.

Pollyanna has significance to my family and me, not only because the film was a family favorite, but because we have always called my Mom "Pollyanna." She is constantly optimistic and trying to find the good in every situation. This can be a tad annoying when you just want to vent and feel sorry for yourself {wink wink}, but it's a quality I admire and love.

Days like today are what the Glad Game is about. Friends, I just plain had a bad day. I'm feeling a little lost about what I want to do with my career, and it was a pity party of one around our apartment today. Silly, silly way to spend your day.

So... today I was glad for this basket of flowers. 

Gifted to the Mr. from a co-worker, whose father owns a greenhouse. 

THE GLAD GAME... IT'S BANANAS!

I know it's only Thursday, but so far this week 

I am glad for the following...

thrifted goodies // three maxi skirts, a jacket, two dresses, and one silk top...

+

guilt-free one ingredient "ice cream" made with frozen bananas {and a few chocolate chips}...

+

Mint by Goorin hats I had been eyeing at Urban Outfitters for $3.99 at TJMaxx...

+

this lovely little surprise I found in the fridge last night, from the Mr...

It tasted like champagne.

xoxo

THE GLAD GAME: EASTER EDITION

Happy Belated Easter, friends!

This weekend I was glad for the following...

...macarons from Pistacia Vera  {the pistacio flavor is my favorite!} 

+

...the Mr. bringing me a coffee, and surprising me with this bottle of wine {my husband = comedian}

+

...this article about two baby owls found via Miss Moss

+

...tulips purchased Easter morning {tulips are just such a happy flower!}

+

...these chocolates from my Grandma {I love it when there is chococalte "map" in the box!}

+

...this claddagh bracelet from my sister - all the way from Ireland

+

...hosting Easter at our home for the first time as a married couple. 

We made quite the team Sunday morning... 

the Mr. cooking up a storm {even making his own North Carolina BBQ for the pork}, 

and me running around straightening up our apartment, setting the table, and making a last minute trip for flowers {plus I decided we need Easter candy}.

The food was delicious {thank you, love!} and the day was wonderful. 

We got to hear about my sister's trip to Ireland, and it was so special to have my Grandmother here.

I hope yours was just as good.

THE GLAD GAME {LEAP DAY}

Yesterday I was glad for the following:

> finding my old silver horse pin {from when I was a youngin} in my jewelry box

> new boots {*that actually fit} = happy feet

> my Mr. surprising me with my favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream from UDF 

{which made me happy x 2 because it meant he actually read my blog}!

*Those of you that know me well, know I have a very very very hard time {thats 3 verys} finding shoes. 

More on this sometime soon. Because I know you're all interested in my shoe issues. No?

THE GLAD GAME {VALENTINE'S DAY}

It's so good to be home. I missed you guys. Thank you one last time to my husband for his fabulous post on Friday. Hopefully I can tempt him to do that again sometime!

This morning, as I'm still trying to catch up on sleep after too much fun in Nashville, I am glad for the following...

...my Dad's old wool pendleton that I threw on this morning for my "before I have to get ready couch time"

+

a new brand of coffee I found at the store last night

{see that their dark roast is called "Tall, Dark and Handsome"? 

I can't lie - I bought it because of the packaging}

+

the smell of coffee brewing and these anthropologie mugs

I am still getting back into the swing of things after arriving home late Sunday. I spent last night at the grocery store {the cupboards were pretty bare} and unpacking. I wanted to get myself caught up so the Mr. and I could spend some quality time together tonight for Valentine's Day. We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, but we do at least get each other cards, and plan on grabbing take-out from one of our favorite restaurants, Figlio. I even bought a bottle of champagne, so I'm not a total valentine's scrooge. Maybe 75% scrooge?

THE GLAD GAME {MARCEL THE SHELL}

Today I am glad for Marcel.

The Mr. does not share my fondness for Marcel, but my good friend, N, does. 

Last week N sent me the link to an article about the Marcel the Shell creators, 

and wait for it... they're turning it into a tv series! 

I know Marcel will grow on the Mr. eventually... 

{Marcel the Shell With Shoes On}

{MTSWSO, TWO}

It's so silly it makes me giggle.

THE GLAD GAME {CHRISTMAS EDITION}

Today I have to work, but only until 2pm...then I make the 1 hour and 30 minute-ish drive to my home-town; Straight to church for me! I hope my family saves me a seat. Hey husband, save me a seat.

This sunny Christmas Eve morning I am especially glad for the following:

{an antique ornament chandalier at our favorite antique shop}

{brown paper packages tied up with string. all loaded in my car}

 

 {this creamer my mom told me about that I found on clearance at Target. 

It's 35 calories per tablespoon and I probably added 5 tablespoons to my coffee this morning... oops}

 {our precious kitty, bailey, who I teared up *petting good-bye to this morning. 

yes, I did and I'm not embarrassed.}

 {annual Christmas gathering with the girls last night. yummy food...}

{...good wine, and the best company ever. I love you, girls}

*petting good-bye is sort of like hugging good-bye. you can't really hug a cat.

THE GLAD GAME

This morning I am particularly glad for these two pictures on my fridge that are always there, but are especially appropriate this time of year.

The photo on the left is my good friend N's puppy - Daisy. I believe she is having a new one taken this year... I can't wait to see it! The other photo is my sister and I on Christmas morning via 1981. Notice my parents tried to get me a new stuffed dog to replace my beloved {his name was nappy & I took him everywhere}, but I would not have it. Apparently I even cried after this photo and wanted my old raggedy one back. 
Doesn't my sis look thrilled? I really wanted her hair.

THANKFUL, PART II

Day after Thanksgiving post... 

Did you eat as much as I did? I strategically got everything on one plate so I didn't have to make myself feel bad for going back for a second plate!! But, let's not kid ourselves... that was enough food for two plates.

My cousin, Ben, and his sweet wife, Jessica, were in town from Oregon.  I was so thankful to finally meet their daughter, my little cousin, Elsie. It was the first time my hubby got to meet any of them, so we were extra excited. Isn't she adorable?!

 

My sister-in-law, April, and her husband, Matt, were also in town with our beautiful niece, Zoey! We were SO excited to see them. Isn't Zoey the prettiest baby ever? I'm not biased or anything.

 (and she loved Uncle Izzy)

I was so grateful for the time we got to spend with my family AND my hubby's family. We had the best day and feel oh-so-lucky. When we were visiting with my parents my Dad found this old photo and certificate. I had seen it before when I was a wee one, but it was so cool to see it again. So proud of my Papa.

 (that's him on the far left)

 (and here on the far right, kneeling in the front. my handsome dad.)

And as much as we enjoyed being in our hometown surrounded by family, it was wonderful to get back to our little apartment and our little man, Bailey.

I hope you all had a warm and happy Thanksgiving surrounded by family and friends, and are feeling as thankful as we are.

THANKFUL, PART I

Six years ago my Mr and I re-met when we were both out the night before Thanksgiving. Five years ago when we were both home to see family again... we started dating. Happy five years of dating to my handsome husband! Looking forward to celebrating five years of marriage... and more.

A little list of the things I am feeling thankful for this morning, Thanksgiving Day...

our first thanksgiving as Mr. & Mrs.

coffee

my parents' home

the smell of my mom cooking
my first non-wedding blog post

music

friends

the family I will see soon

OPI nail color "suzy says da!"

sunshine

hugs

seeing my new hubby's wedding band when I glance at his hand

my parent's cats

the Macy's parade

 the anticipation of seeing my lovely sister-in-law, brother-in-law and my beautiful niece, Zoey,

who are home for the holidays

I am also thankful for all of the food I will soon eat! What are you thankful for?  

Happy Thanksgiving!