New House -- New Post!

So, it's been awhile since I blogged. But better late than never.

I've lived in DC for almost one full year. I think I arrived around August 7th which is a little more than a week away. And as my time at the Quincy Home for Wayward Boys comes to an end with Lyndsey and Anders I am so thankful for the time I have gotten to spend in DC with the WTFs. It truly feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so grateful for the past year. I can hardly believe it has been a full year since I left California. Most days it feels like it has only been a couple of months.


Ryan and I were able to find a place to rent on very short notice ! I think it will be a really great fit for us for the next year. It's a cute two-story townhouse, two bedroom/two full baths with a nice backyard for cookouts and even doggy-door access for Grace in Columbia Heights. I'll attach some pictures more pictures:



It's two blocks from the Columbia Heights metro station, two blocks from the new Target and shopping area, two blocks to a grocery store, one mile north from the 930 Club and some fun gay bars, and one block from the Wonderland Ballroom! It doesn't have huge square footage (e.g., the kitchen is very narrow) but it has in unit washer and dryer, access to a parking space in the back, and ample street parking out front. And the street (Sherman) is undergoing beautification to make it more accessible for walking and less traffic.

All in all, the housing search ended up not being too bad. Despite a very competitive market. One landlord told me that in less than 24-hours of having an ad up he had received over 80 inquiries. Ryan and I ended up emailing about 20 places, visiting about five-six, wanting to apply to two, actually applying to one, and landing that one within six hours! I am glad that now I have something to blog on our brother-sister blog at last!

Birthday Party Pictures!

Anders birthday was a huge success. I didn't outsource anything and instead tried 4 new recipes, which are were great. I failed to take any pictures of what I made, but the food looked just like this montage below... YUMMY.

I made apple and blueberry french toast casseroles, spinach bacon quiche, broccoli cheese quiche, Betty crocker box mix cupcakes (high class) to name a few. The apple french toast was a huuuuge hit! Trust me, you should go make it right now!

To really get the party started I also decorated the house with balloons, streamers and confetti. Unfortunately for you, my loyal blog readers, I didn't take pictures of the decorations either. However I looked just like this:

Super glam. And perhaps a little like prom?

Anders had friends from near and far come to celebrate his big birthday! As always our friends are a rocking good time. Luckily I was able to snap one picture of our guests Clearly these ladies were really having a blast! What can I say? We throw awesome parties. So perhaps this wasn't actually taken at Anders birthday. But it could have been because we had this much fun. And it is possible that my outfit looked just like that lil' cutie on the left! Or maybe I just wished it had. You go girl!

Happy weekend everyone!

Birthday Party

The past few weeks have been flying! I had a low-key birthday last week and am planning a BIG ol' birthday for Anders. Tomorrow my sweet husband turns 30! Personally, I thought turning 30 was the best. Seriously, our 30s are going to be totally AWEsome! Work, life, family etc. Its all going to really get moving and shaking this decade.

Unfortunately, my little squashblossom is at a very intense work retreat in Chicago until late tomorrow night. So no big suprise party or night out on the town. Instead we will be having an awesome boozy brunch celebration on Sunday. Yummo breakfast food, lots of friends and mimosa galore! It should be very fun!

I had dreams of baking quiches, muffins, casseroles, etc from scratch. However some other very big life changes (more details soon...and no mom - its not a baby) are taking priority this week. I could seriously spend all day on tastespotting.com obsessing about new dishes to try. I am sure I will make some of it - but I think my good friend Whole Foods will be taking on major elements too.


Anders and I often think back fondly to his 28th birthday. My birthday is just 11 days earlier then his- and that year he took me to one of DCs nicest resturants. Just a week and a half later I planned a verrrry romantic date. I took him to Taco Bell, gave him a giant dollar bill necklace to wear, and topped the night off with seeing Notorious (the inspirational film about the life and death of Biggy). We both had so much fun - it seemed clear that we were just meant for each other. The next day followed with this special email from me:

Who doesn't love a talking taco? Hoping we can make 30 even better!

War Eagle!

I am just so excited about the BCS championship tonight ! Auburn has such a tender place in my heart! The summer I spent working at AU orientation program was just magical. I cant picture my life without those months at Auburn and the amazing people I met there. I believe in Auburn and LOVE IT!


Everyone should spend at just a little bit of life in Alabama.






Beautiful Auburn University

Momma G's - known for their nachos (made out of Doritos and pepperjack singles), a really terrifying bathroom, and some of my best nights at Auburn. Basically amazing.


Two very important items here: #1: Toomers Corner - a landmark at AU. #2: One of my best friends in the world Sus. She and I clicked instantly and lives were changed forever (specifically mine). She connected me to so many awesome friends at AU, rocked my summer/my whole world and taught me the fight song. Auburn would be nothing without her!