bandit living

It hit me last week that every year on Thanksgiving I always focus on being thankful for my family and friends and health and blessings...

 

and that's wonderful - don't get me wrong.

 

But I forgot that the reason we have the holiday to begin with is to be thankful for America. And it was the perfect moment for this revelation, because I've spent the last two weeks running all over this country - and she sure is beautiful.

 

The last few weeks, via instagram :)

 

 

isn't this country a beaut? I think so!  

home again home again

Oh how I love going home. The smells - the people - the love. It's such a wonderful feeling.

This break was no different. It was so happy, with so much to be thankful for.

The trip to Indiana was full of the same traditions we're accustomed to, as well as an announcement from my cousin, Chris, that he and his wife are expecting a baby just a few days after Court (!) is. Yaay! Those babies are going to be great friends.

My dad, Duke and I helped my mama in her classroom Wednesday after I got in town, then went out to lunch.

Wednesday afternoon my parents bought a last minute ticket for Sam to come home on the redeye, which was amazing news!

 

Wednesday night, I convinced Duke and my mom to go to yoga with me. Then Thursday, we picked Sam up bright an early, just in time for Thanksgiving.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my cousins, lots of happy time with my family, got to see Katie Z. :) and all in all, just had a great break.

 

the cousins who were able to come to thanksgiving :)

 

happy entrance to our neighborhood decorated for Christmas - whoop!

 

muff and dave cracking up so hard she almost spit out her wine

 

getting my mom's classroom all decorated for the season!

 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a happy, happy Thanksgiving, too!

happy thanksgiving!

 Happy Thanksgiving you guys!

 

I took the day off work and am posted up in Indiana with my dad, mom and Duke. I am so thankful for them - and all of you fine family scattered all over America.

 

I'm itching to do a Turkey Trot tomorrow, but with my bum foot am going to have to settle for yoga or spinning. Luckily just a few weeks to go until I can run - and for that, I am also very thankful.

 

I hope you have a great holiday weekend, with lots of eats and gratitude!

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pat your weave

I've expressed my feelings about DIYs before, but in case you missed it, let me refresh you. I think DIYs are awesome during the planning and supply purchasing phases. But once the actual D-ing starts, I tend to lose interest. Unless the projects are 30-seconds or less, they are normally too long. I like to think of myself as an excellent DIY delegator. But not so much an executor.

Courtney and Ashley, on the other hand, tend of have a higher skillset and level of patience for such projects, and, being ever so inclusive as they are, allow me to participate in their craftiness.

This weekend was no exception.

Saturday, Ashley busted out in a rocking necklace, which, it turns out, she made. Yep. She rules.

So, Sunday afternoon, we thought we'd try our hand at finger weaving. She turned t-shirts into yarn (for real) and then let us use it to make bracelets. Apparently a lot of little kids do it, so Ash thought we could handle it. I had a few struggles, including a loss of circulation for pulling too tightly and not unweaving at the right time, and having to start over once (or twice), but all-in-all, I'd say the task was a success.

And, as your DIY delegator, I feel it my duty to provide instructions. So check out V and Co's tutorial, which is exactuhly how Ash taught us to make them, and go forth with braceleting vigor. It's your charge.