Friends, football, and fireworks

Shortly after finding out I was pregnant, Beau and I received a call from Dallas, Beau's friend from Texas, telling us he had proposed to his girlfriend, Teresa.  We were beyond excited for the two of them, 1) because we knew Dallas was incredibly happy, and 2) because knowing Dallas, the wedding would be something big and exciting.  We envisioned a beach wedding, a week of all-inclusive with good friends, and a welcomed getaway after becoming parents (even though I now wonder if I could have left our little man after all).

After we found out Dallas and Teresa were planning a September wedding in Hawaii, we were a little disappointed that we would not be travelling to the the tropics to celebrate with them; however, we also knew that with all the expenses that go along with a new baby, it was probably better we stay put and focus on crib-building, sub planning, and diaper-buying.   

Last weekend, we got the next best thing!  We traveled to Fort Dodge to welcome the newlyweds back to the mainland and celebrate at a wedding reception.  No, we didn't have fresh flower leis, sand between our toes, and an umbrella drink in hand, but it didn't matter.  We had a river, a totally B.A. bar that resembled a 1970s style basement (complete with a lava lamps and an 8-track player), and Iowa football...what could be better than that?!?! 

Best of all was the fact that we had an entire day to hang out with great friends.  We laughed, listened to our husbands reminisce and tell the same college stories we've heard a million times before, and ate really great food (I'm allowed to comment on the food for a couple more weeks)...



We don't get together near as often as we should; however, it's such a comfort to know that when we do, nothing seems to change.  Families may grow and locations may change, but the relationships remain strong. 

The reception was held at this beautiful little golf course in Fort Dodge.  The patio overlooked this really pretty hilly area, perfect for the fireworks show Dallas put on as a finale to the night.

Yes, there was a fireworks show. 

A really great fireworks show.  

I told you Dallas likes to go all out.  

Although I was utterly exhausted by the time we made the trek home at the end of the night, it was worth it.  Beau was his typical giddy self after getting to spend a day harassing and telling jokes with his friends, I was forced to relax a bit, and Jen got to feel Baby J move...twice.  This might have been my favorite moment!  



Now, we await for July to celebrate the wedding of Heiney and Danielle.    



And if we're lucky, we'll have some visitors after Baby J arrives!

After a full day away Saturday, and a busy baby shower last Sunday, I am looking forward to a full weekend at home.  Lots to do before this little one arrives and Texas Roadhouse is calling my name!  

My Autumn Fix

It's here.  The crispiness of a welcomed cold front after a perfect late summer rain.  The small of a pumpkin spice candle illuminating from a sparkly clean countertop.  Zucchini bread baking at 325.  Little twinkling lights in between gold, burnt orange, and olive green garland.  A slow cooker full of tortellini, marinara, and Italian sausage. 

Fall found its way into my house last night.  I love how a simple lit candle motivates me to clean the kitchen, fill the crockpot, and bake bread.  I love how a 65 degree high in September moves everyone to break in their blue jeans and sweaters, but a 65 degree high in April is matched with shorts, tank tops, and flip flops.  It's one of the reasons I relish in Iowa's four seasons.  We never quite have a chance to take a season for granted.  It makes the first bike ride of spring, the first ear of sweet corn of summer, the first football game of fall, and the first cozy movie night of winter better...

and better...

and better...

I know I always say this, but fall is my favorite season.  I think I like it for its simplicity.  Summer is busy, Christmas is expensive, and spring is too short, but fall is just right. 

Fall is an oven-baked pot roast, complete with carrots, potatoes, and a glass of Chardonnay. 

Fall is a pan of homemade, melt-in-your-mouth, chocolate chip cookies, fresh out of the oven on a Saturday afternoon, with the sounds of the Iowa Hawkeyes filling the space in the background.

Fall is the crunch crunch crunch of leaves under shoes.

The warmth of a cinnamon spiced cappuchino from Kwik Star.

The first roaring fire, 

and the look of three pumpkins placed perfectly on the front porch. 

And with every new season, comes a wish list.  Mine is a little lengthy this year...  

1. Make every recipe from the William Sonoma Comfort Food Classic Cookbook…and make my dishes look as good as the pictures in the book!
2. Plant some mums in place of my dead summer flowers
3. Begin a love affair with The Pioneer Woman. I have a feeling we could be great friends.
4. Eat lots of Honeycrisp Apples. In breads, and cakes, and pies, with peanut butter, and caramel…
5. Find a super cool Halloween costume for our new little pumpkin
6. Make banana bars with cream cheese frosting that runs picture perfect off the edges
7. Sit on the deck on a Sunday morning with a newspaper and a mug of cider
8. Snoop around in some gift shops
9. Hibernate under tents of blankets and sheets, chairs and chip clips
10. Build a fire and snuggle
11. Pumpkin bread
12. Have breakfast for dinner
13. Carpet picnic and movie date night
14. Road trip to Northeast Iowa with Baby J in tow. Cozy blankets, a stroller ride, leaves, wine, and apples!
15. Keep crocheting
16. Marshmallow popcorn and True Blood...it's morbid how much I love this show
17. Hooded sweatshirts, a mittened hand clenching a Styrofoam cup of cocoa, and a chilly football game
18. Bake an apple crisp…or two.
19. Clean out my junk drawer
20. Wild rice soup. Chicken tortilla soup. Beau’s chili.
21. Make s’mores by the fire…outdoor or indoor
22. A new pair of pajamas and a new pair of mukluks
23. Fresh flannel sheets
24. Go to a pumpkin patch…for real.
25. Decorate with hay bales…real hay bales
26. A-corn squash with so much brown sugar and butter
27. Dinner in a pumpkin
28. Drink lots of pumpkin spice cappuccinos
29. Take Baby J trick-or-treating (and eat all of his candy corn)
30. Eat Pepsi roast…all the time
31. Lay around in pajamas and snuggle with our little one all day
32. Spend an afternoon at Heartland Farms
33. A dinner-and-movie theater date night, pre-Baby J, complete with buttery popcorn and lots of candy stuffed in my purse.
34. Make caramel apples for the first time
35. Game night! Potluck style.
36. Hold my baby.  Rock my baby.  Pat his footed-sleepered little butt as he snuggles in close.  Bundle him up with pretty blue blankets and take a walk around the neighborhood.

Tonight, we devoured a crockpot of Beau's famous, Hall of Fame Chili and finished the third season of True Blood.  Check and check!