what’s worse …

than sitting on a wet chair?  I’ll tell you …

photo via

Sitting on a wet chair in your car for the 40 minute drive to work.

I guess that’s what you get for leaving the sunroof open … all night … when it was supposed to rain …

Even though I adorned the seat with the thickest of thick towels and cranked the wonder of a seat heater up for the long drive down the long hill, upon removing myself from the vehicle, I still felt the damp repercussions, causing my jeans to cling, ever so uncomfortably.

lesson learned.

2 years and counting

I’ve only had the privilege of experiencing two anniversaries so far, but the appreciation I have for the excuse to break away with the love of my life for just a day, if not any longer, is truly extraordinary. I believe anniversaries are meant to be celebrations! Now, I am fully aware that two years is not a milestone, {although in our world of “oh, hey, would you like to be my first husband/wife? we’ll see if this works out, shall we?”, two years may seem like a lot}; however, the date marking the beginning of the 2 GREATEST years of your life {to date}, is worthy enough for a celebration if you ask me. To say the least, March 21st, 2011 filled my little heart with SO much excitement for the future, it was kind of ridiculous. Yes, I am also aware of the fact that I’m a bit of a sap. A romantic, lovey-dovey, sap. But what can I say, I’m married to man that just makes me that way. {He’s a total bit of a romantic too!}

Needless to say, it’s been 2 years {plus a couple weeks, a few days, a number of hours, and a lot of minutes} … and I still can’t believe that I get to be married to Mr. Erik Benson for the rest of my life. {mind currently blowing right now}

Ok, I’ll move on from the mushy stuff. The actual date marking 2 years since the “I do’s” was a Monday. A breakfast date before work made the fact that it was Monday much easier to deal with … and then a bright arrangement of flowers happened to make it’s way to my desk, by the hands of the man whose hands I get to hold {did you get that? I barely did}. I’m a spoiled girl.

Since the weekends surrounding the 21st were booked with work and failed immune systems, we scheduled the “Anniversary Celebration Weekend” for the first weekend of April. And this is our official documentation of the weekend that commemorated our very own historical date:

Ok, I’m done bragging about how cool {and cute} my husband is. Until next time.

makes me think of …

The month of March makes me think of Ireland; all because of it’s 17th day.  The day on which Americans sport the every-vibrant shade of the emerald isle. 

Side Note: When I was young, I hated St. Patrick’s Day.  I wanted to be different, so if I would wear green, it would be un-noticeable enough to get me pinched.  Oooo, I hated that lame excuse to pinch a person it would otherwise be inappropriate to touch.  It just seemed a little absurd to me. 

Nevertheless, after having had the extraordinary opportunity to see the actual green that defines the day of the Irish, I am slightly more inclined to enjoy the America-fabricated Irish holiday … simply because it brings back beautiful memories of a nearly enchanted land.

To top off my Irish musings, it’s raining right now.  If only I could curl up next to the fire while eating a hot bowl of Irish stew … it would be grand {“grand” being the Irish equivalent of the American “awesome”}! 

I do realize that whenever something is even relatively close to anything Irish, like St. Patrick’s Day, I never cease to reflect on my adventure, which thus includes the posting of more Ireland pictures.  But hey, I’m not going to apologize.  It’s just what happens.

what a picture says

Ssshhh!  He begged for silence as he crept through the house to find the 22.  Ever so softly, he tip-toed out the door with a look of mischief in his eager and ready eyes.  He hoped his shoes wouldn’t squeak, as each step drew him closer to the target of his anticipation.  Ready.  Aim.  “Click”.  I digitally took my own shot before he took his.

Anyways … this picture says so many things to me:

1) the little boy inside my nearly 3-decade old husband is still alive and well (and I love that)

2) this man is determined to pursue, to conquer, to see his mission accomplished

3) he was meant to live amongst the nature he so loves to explore, where the echoes of a gun shot are appreciated, not feared

4) he finds adventure in everything

and so much more about the man I get to love

total advocate …

of this type of advertising:

I was sitting at my desk, minding the business that filled my computer screen, when a lovely lady entered the office and placed this sugar filled box of pink deliciousness on my desk.  She then announced that the box of samples was just to let us know they had a place on this little planet.  They came not long ago and hope to stay a while.  Simple business mission statement, I would say.  Ok, maybe those are my words for her reasoning in bestowing this valentine’s worthy treat to our office, but I imagine her words would be something of the same.  This is a little bit of sweet gravy, if I do say so myself.

Thank you “Icing on the Cupcake” for this little afternoon snack!

things I am currently loving:

• Picasa Collages {indulging my romantic obsession}

:: our wedding in the rain ::

• Pomegranate Cranberry fruit & oat bars from Archer Farms {courtesy of Sarah Benson … thank you!}
• new recipes {or even recycled ones that had been retired for much too long} thank you very much “blackened chicken Caesar salad” for turning out so great
• instagram {super cool iphone app that transforms regular old pics into works of art}
• productivity
• pretty nails {it’s been since junior high that I regularly painted & polished my nails.  the attempt has succeeded for two weeks so far.  here’s hoping it lasts!}
• super cuddly husband {he’d probably seriously role his eyes if he knew I posted that, but what’s he gonna do about it?} thank you uber cold weather!
• wool coats.  new and old … they are a savior to my frigid bones.
• flowy scarves {adding a girlish touch to every outfit}
• puppies {namely German shorthairs named Porter}

the gravy project

gra·vy

[grey-vee]

“something advantageous or valuable that is received or obtained as a benefit beyond what is due or expected.”

2011 is the year of the gravy project.  it was established by my sweet mamacita {for those that don’t know my father’s native tongue, that is español for “little mama”.  I can say that, because there are roughly 7 inches from the top of her head to mine}  and I continue.  on Christmas day, my mom gave each family in our family-circle a journal.  along with the journal was a note, inviting us to join her in this “gravy project”. 

what is the “gravy project” you ask? 

the project is this: to write, jot, scribble, draw {or however feels best to you} the gravy that is in your life.  the gravy that you experienced that day.  every day.  gravy is the stuff that we don’t need.  it’s the little gifts from God that come unexpected.  it’s the silly things.  it’s the big things.  it’s all the things in between.  the project is to remember them.  to avoid the tendency we have to just skim over the little joys in life.  like that open parking space that reduces your walk into the store by even 10 steps.  that cup of coffee that someone made/brought/bought for you … just because.  the letter/e-mail from that old friend you’ve been thinking about.  the dinner that turned out just right.  the incredible man that works so hard to provide for you, every day.  the little conveniences that made your day better, whether you realized it or not.  REALIZE it.  APPRECIATE it.  REMEMBER it.  and in the process, thank the ONE who gave them to you.  the ultimate goal is to focus on the blessings God brings us every day … and waste less time dwelling on that stupid excuse for a bad attitude.  or even a mediocre attitude.

would you like to join us in the gravy project?  Start a journal.  it doesn’t have to be every day.  just remember to take the time to be thankful.  my dad is taking the project a step further.  forego those things that have become a “normal” part of your day/life that don’t need to be.  {example: he has decided to eat what is needed, and not was is available.  that extra burger that he wasn’t hungry for was simply a want, not so much a need.  he is determined to be thankful for that one burger, and forego the second} 

I do it when I do my quiet times.  it’s amazing how many little {and ginormous} things there are to be grateful for.