Kan-tucky

This past week my sister came into town for vacation. She really didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. Once Brent and I found out we were moving to Nashville, the following day I booked my sister a ticket to visit us. She’s a trooper to spend her vacation with us, in a temporary house, with tons of boxes, sleeping on a twin bed, sharing a bathroom with her sister AND (stinky) brother-in-law. I’m sure she would have preferred the beach, but I had my ways of convincing her, one being cheese grits.

To say we laughed a lot this week is an understatement. It’s been a blast. And I was very sad to put her back on the plane. I did my best to convince her to move here. But she said, “No way! You don’t have Central Market!” : )

On Labor Day we took a journey over to Cincinnati to see my parents, which is only 4 hours away. It’s taking some serious getting used to the fact that if you drive 4 hours, you are actually OUTSIDE your state. In Texas, you can drive 8 hours and STILL be in the great state of Texas.

Anyways, to drive to Cincinnati, you have to go through Kentucky. And let me just say, I don’t have much of a good track record with Kentuckians thus far.

When I went and picked up my sister from the airport, my Texas driving skillz apparently upset a Kentucky “gentleman.” Unfortunately for him, when he decided to “school” me on the art of driving, he didn’t quite know what he was getting into. I might be little, but I’m mighty in spirit. Let’s just say, he walked away quickly. And that’s without my 6’5” husband being there. (Don’t worry…I behaved myself. He just had to be reminded how to speak to a lady.)

So after visiting my parents, on our way back to Nashville, we stopped in Kentucky to fuel up, literally and physically. While popping in to the local “Krogers”…it’s customary to add an “s” in small towns by the way…I was asked a question by a lady that I can honestly say I’ve never imagined being asked in my life, nor ever really expected.

Keep in mind I’m dressed pretty trendy. On road trips you never know with me, but this time I actually wasn’t in sweats. I was in cute jeans, a t-shirt and a trendy scarf. I say all that to give you a point of reference.

Right when I grabbed the Advil, I heard an “Excuse me.” I at first thought she wanted around me, so I moved and said, “No problem.” But THEN, she said, “No, I actually need to ask you a question.“ . . . (Uh oh)

“Do you know if jock itch is the same thing as athlete’s foot?”

Yeah, read that again.

To say I was stunned is an understatement. First of all, why in the WORLD do I look like I would know the answer to that?!?! And second of all, I have NO earthly idea?! I am not a mom, a boy and I sure hope I don’t look like I am plagued by either of those.

I think I just stared at her for a good minute and blinked – and the first thing out of my mouth was, “OH! I don’t know…there should be some gold bond over there somewhere, I’m sure that will help.” And then I quickly backed up, found my sister and we RAN for the door.

My sister and I laughed the whole way back. That question stayed on repeat for the rest of the drive. And the more tired you are…the funnier it is. The best response was from Brent when I told him what I had been asked: “OH MY LORD…NO they are NOT the same thing?!?!”

So, please don’t ever ask me that question. I have no earthly idea. Nor want to.

Trader Joe's

I’ve actually never been inside a Trader Joe’s until we moved to Nashville. They had just opened one in Ft. Worth a couple of months ago, but I never braved it. Word on the street was that the lines were out the door and if you parked anywhere other than the parking lot, they were towing cars left and right.

I had been quite fine with my Central Market. I calculated that have probably been going to the one in Southlake at LEAST once a week since it opened. I can honestly say no grocery store has ever made me happy. In fact, I have always dreaded going. Up until Central Market opened.

It was my happy place. And once I went gluten-free 2 years ago, it became even MORE of a happy place. I have lots of special memories in that one in Southlake. Memories with my former roomies (we’d pack up and head there and do our grocery shopping together) and our favorite cashier, Carlos, memories with my mom – she even embarrassed me once in front of “hot guy”…never did get his name.

And my sweetest memory of all is telling my husband, when we were dating, that I loved him for the first time.

You see, we had only been dating a couple of weeks before he said he loved me. Homeboy didn’t play around. For the first time in my life – I didn’t say the words right back. I actually looked him dead in the eye, and rather than say the words back, before I could stop myself, I said, “I’m going to have to think about that.” And you know what? He looked me right in the eye and said, “I understand. Take all the time you need.” Yep, I love that man.

So one day, a week later, after we spent the whole day together – we pulled into the Central Market parking lot and before we got out, I said, “I need to tell you something.” . . . “I love you.” No pomp and circumstance, no fireworks, no angels singing “Hallelujah.” Just the sweet realization that you would never say those words to any other love interest for the rest of your life – except that person – the love of your life.

Ok, this is getting too serious because it’s making me tear up.

Remember how I said moving is a crisis? Still true.

So I say all that to pick up a few days later when I went to Trader Joe’s. Central Market is a Texas thing. Now more than ever, oh how I wish they would branch out. Believe me, my prayer life has just increased.

People had told me that Trader Joe’s was even better – but THEY LIED!

Brent and I walk in (he’s sweet like that to do the shopping with me)…and as we start walking around, I get overwhelmed. Aisle after aisle I start to realize how DIFFERENT it actually is. And then I’m so thankful I had made a last minute run to Central before I left. You should have seen the look on Brent’s face when I brought grocery bags home to my parents for him to somehow fit into our already full car (sheepish grin).

I walk down the next aisle and am overcome with immense sadness. Brent sees it and asks me if I’m ok. I respond, “I’m just so sad. It’s so stupid…but I miss my Central Market. I could even start crying”

“It’s not stupid, it’s ok. It was your place – you knew where everything was.” (Again, love that man.)

So we head up the next aisle, him looking at one side and me looking at the other. And all of a sudden, the welling up begins (I’m now really familiar with the feeling). I turn my head so no one sees me, because MY GOSH, I’m in the middle of a grocery store. And there are HIPPIES all around me?!? I didn’t fear them seeing me as much as I feared them stopping and giving me a hug.

Brent turns to ask me a question and double takes – and before I know it, with one step – he moves from one side of the large aisle to the other where I am and just holds me while I cry. In the middle of a grocery store. I thought the underwear drawer was bad – I think this was worse.

Through the hiccups, I just kept saying, “This is so stupid – but I miss it. I miss it so bad.”

He continued to hold me, unsure of what to do next. But asked if there was another store we could go to.

(Hiccup)…”I think there is a Whole Foods Market around the corner.”

“YES! Whole Foods, let’s go!”

I think he was even willing to call Central Market and have them deliver, STAT.

We found the Whole Foods, and although it wasn’t the same – it will do for now – until I get my first care package in the mail from my mom and sister. And Thanksgiving, you better believe I will be stocking up!

Trader Joe’s on the other hand. All hype. No thanks. I love my Central Market way better.

P.S. I’ll try and make the next post about something other than breaking down. : )

underwear drawer meltdown

So, last month…right around the time when work was a bit more stressful than normal and details of “the move” were in full swing…I had a slight breakdown.

Up until this point, I was actually quite proud of myself for handling “the move” well. I had handled the details extremely calm and peacefully – but, the calm wore off quite quickly.

I’m not usually a crier unless I’m stressed to the ultimate max…or overly exhausted. Both of these happened to fall together at the same time.

The night before this had happened, Brent and I'd had a “discussion”…which didn’t end well. In the Warren household we don’t always abide by the whole “don’t go to bed angry” thing…people, sometimes its necessary to sleep it off.

So, the next morning, we made up and then I asked him to be honest with me about something. If there’s anything neither of us have a hard time being, that’s honest. Don’t ask us what we think if you don’t really want to hear it – because we will tell you.

Any other time I would have been fine hearing it…but not this time.

After he told me “the truth”…I walked away and headed back to our room to finish getting ready for the day. I headed to the underwear drawer – you know, the basic necessity to face the day.

I opened it, looked inside, and before I knew it I could feel the welling up begin…

I tried to talk myself out of it, “Ashley, seriously?! You’re going to lose it over this?” “For gosh sakes, you’re going to lose it right here in your underwear drawer?”

And people, yes I did! And we’re talking the ugly kind of crying. I don’t think I’ve cried like that since I was a kid.

About that time, Brent comes walking around the corner and starts to ask me a question, “Hey babe, do you know whhh (GASP)…BABE!!!…WHAT HAPPENED?!?!”

It was so bad I couldn’t even answer him. I had liquid flowing from every orifice on my face. To quote my friend, Margo, it was “WHOAH BAD.”

He was extremely precious and sat on the bed and held me why I continued to make an even bigger mess on his shoulder…until I finally got the words out. Not even sure if they made sense…but he pretended to understand.

Thank God for him.

When they say moving is a crisis…it’s so true. So there you have it – sometimes you lose it in your car, your bathroom (you know, so you can watch yourself ugly cry and say, “I did my best, I did my best!!!”)…and apparently sometimes even in your underwear drawer. And you know what? It’s ok. : )

Pretty Girl on the Move

KISS Wannab

As I write this I’m sitting in a Nashville Starbucks. You get to see quite a few characters here. I think everyone is connected to the music business some how. Right now I have a wannabe KISS band member and a wannabe Jimi Hendrix nearby. It’s quite entertaining to say the least. Jimi smells like he hasn’t had a shower since playing Woodstock in 1968 so I’ll be moving tables shortly. Seriously, my eyes are beginning to water.

Jimi Hendrix Wannabe

For those of you that haven’t heard…my husband got a job in Nashville, TN as a youth pastor. So he asks me to marry him and move across country with him in less than a year?!? I’m actually not bitter about it at all…it’s an exciting opportunity for him. I just like to be dramatic about it.

So the big move happened on Wednesday-Friday of last week. Packers came on Wednesday, which really is a story in and of itself. These guys were funny! Country as all get out! And I’m having fun trying to interpret their spelling on my boxes:

Guest Bedroom  = Gust, Pillows = Pilliows, Linens = Lenns

They got gun-ho and said they’d have everything done on Wednesday, which meant all “pilliows” and “leens” got packed up. When they pooped out around 2pm, that meant our night’s sleep consisted of sleeping on a couch, with no pillows and a mattress cover as a blanket. Awesome.

They loaded up everything on Thursday and hit the road. We spent the night with my parents on Thursday night and left early Friday morning at 6:45am. Our goal was: Sunrise in Texas and Sunset in Nashville. Who knew that it would actually turn out to be: Sunrise in Texas and Sunrise in Nashville.

Leaving my family consisted of quite a few tears. But I won’t go into that now because that would make me cry all over again. Really, I am excited about this move. Promise.

We stopped at a Cracker Barrel on the outskirts of Texas…made it to Texarkana and right when we were about to roll into Little Rock, AR around 2:15pm…the trip took a turn for the worse…

Brent’s AC started blowing less than cool. So we started calling places that could take us in immediately, and we found Arkansas Air. Friends, this place was a TRIP. Whatever you do…DO NOT go here for your air to be fixed…but PLEASE do visit the waiting room. We stepped in and it was like slipping into a time warp…we were immediately in 1975. This place had shag carpet, pleather sofa and chairs (with ash trays), which was ironic because above were signs that said, “Thank you for not Smoking.” And the artwork was AWESOME!

Think I had an Op T-shirt like this

We expected to walk out of there with spending no more than $45 because that’s what the estimate was for. They were supposed to tell us before they did anything. So 2 hours later when they rang us up for $140…we were SHOCKED! We at least talked them down to $70…but all they did was flush Freon…CRAZY!!!

After feeling totally ripped off…all we wanted to do was get back on the road and out of Little Rock as fast as possible. We decided to stop and get something to drink at Starbucks. Side note – two very crucial stops to make any road trip awesome are Cracker Barrel and Starbucks. Cracker Barrel you’re usually guaranteed clean restrooms (which we two germaphobes appreciate) and Starbucks for the obvious – CAFFEINE!

 We found one, exited and pulled through a neighborhood to get to it. Please keep in mind that Brent is pulling my car behind us on a 2-wheel dolly…this is VERY important to remember.

Bout to hit the road...little did we know

The trip then took an even bigger turn for the worse. We pulled through a stop sign after a massive rush of traffic and as we started turning left…we hear a loud, “BA-BANG”…and as we turned left…my car came off the dolly and continued to roll on right beside us . . .it was seriously the most surreal thing I’ve ever seen.

I immediately started screaming and trying to get out of the car. I’m not exactly sure what I thought I could accomplish by getting out of the car. Apparently the Wonder Woman in me decided I could stop my Chevy Trailblazer barehanded.  As I’m trying to get out of the car, Brent is screaming, “NOOOO BABE….NO!!!!” and locking the doors. All he saw was a significantly less than Wonder Woman wife about to lose her flip-flops and get run over by a car on the loose.

It hit a TREE (ruining my bumper and hood) and then started rolling backwards…into oncoming traffic.

At this point…the next appropriate thing I knew to do was grab my face and begin screaming, “JESUS, JESUS, JESUS…please make it stop!!!!!!” By the grace of God it stopped…before hitting any other cars. UNREAL!

Apparently Brent thinks he really is Superman because he pushed the car out of oncoming traffic. Show off.

I call 911, because that’s the only thing I know to do and Brent calls U-Haul, his probably made more sense, but I at least thought cops would be friendly and help outsiders out. Um, not true. Do your best to not get in a wreck in Little Rock. These guys showed up – 30 minutes later. Told us we needed to move our cars (NO Kidding, Sherlock), and proceeded to tell Brent how he SHOULD have done things and tried to start our car, WITHOUT our permission. My car was totally nondrivable because the drive shaft had been disconnected so the transmission wouldn’t burn up (I sounded really smart right there). In blonde terms, if you started the car, it made an awful sound.

The car couldn’t be reconnected to the dolly because the safety chain was broken. Yep, you heard that right. The SAFETY chain broke. Kinda ironic.

To make a long story even LONGER, we were left by the cops, transferred over and over by U-Haul, stood on the side of the road for 2 hours, and FINALLY got some help from U-Haul. I may or may not have told Sherry from U-Haul in no uncertain terms that a tow truck show up ASAP or else.

Tow-guys showed up, one being from Australia. This made Brent’s day. When the guy started explaining things, Brent unknowingly responded in the same accent. HILARIOUS!

Our angel, Odell, happened to be at U-Haul. While I was taking pictures to document our “adventure” he came over, very concerned that I was taking his picture for “Candid Camera”…poor guy didn’t know Dom DeLouise doesn’t exist anymore.

Odell gave us a FOUR TIRE dolly, and then the tow guys reconnected my drive shaft. As Brent and the other guy laid under the car with him…all I kept thinking was, “How many guys does it take to connect a drive shaft.”

"How does this keep happening to us?!"

Odell trying to figure it all out.

Once it was all said and done, we were hot and sweaty and ready for something to eat, because by this time it’s after 8pm. Remember, we pulled in at 2:15pm. We stopped at Red Lobster (a little scared – also important to remember) and when they brought us our food, mine had hair in it. I’d like to tell you I was surprised, but in my family we like to call this the Miller Curse. If it could happen, it will happen to us. And APPARENTLY, changing your name doesn’t help.

scared to go inside

Yep, we have officially broken up with Little Rock at this point.

Next time we drive back home to Texas, we will avoid Little Rock at ALL COSTS. You think I’m kidding, but I promise you, we don’t even care if it takes us longer…we will AVOID that city. I’m sorry if you are from there.

We get back in the car at 10pm and hit the road. Poor Brent is beyond exhausted but I made him keep driving. I blame my dad and pawpaw for this one. ; ) I have the road warrior instilled in me. We DO NOT STOP for anything until we’ve reached our destination. No spending the night – PUSH through at all costs. I think Brent’s still bitter about that.

Anyways…to keep him awake, I played everything from Metallica, Van Halen, MJ, Aerosmith, Rocky IV soundtrack, Devil Goes Down to Georgia, Christmas music, ANYTHING to keep him awake.…

Somewhere around 2:30 IN THE MORNING we pull into a church parking lot. Yes, I acquiesced and we slept for about an hour. I’m still a bit bitter about that part.  Keep in mind I’m not allowed to drive because of the dolly. He doesn’t trust me. Next time we will be doing things a bit differently. Trust me.

After we get back on the road, around 4am, while I’m screaming some anthem at the top of my lungs, I look over and Brent is sniffling. I quickly turn down the music and ask, “Babe, are you ok?!” “Yeah, it’s just so surreal?!” “What, that we’re actually here in Tennessee?!” Bigger sniffles, “Yeaaaaahhhhh” Whimpering, more sniffles and actual tears “I’m just soooooo tired!?!?” Brent hardly ever cries, but ladies and gentlemen, the Academy Award went to Mr. Warren that night. He.was.delirious!!! I kinda felt bad for pushing…but only kinda. We kept on truckin…

FINALLY, an hour and a half later, we pulled into our new driveway at 5:30am…and I wish I could say safe and soundly. Right when we pulled in, we heard a “thump…thump”…yep…that would be the sound of a flat tire. Awesome.

Brent said, “I can’t even believe that would happen?!?! Wait. Yes. Yes I can.”

My dad happened to be up and we text him what had happened and he said, “Step away from the car until the exorcism has been completed.”

Worst.Trip.Ever.

Go ahead, you can laugh. You know you want to. I think I’m finally at the laughing stage…maybe. You might ask me on Friday…it really all depends on how U-Haul responds.

Blurry...kinda like our vision after being up 20 hours.

P.S. Still waiting to hear back from U-Haul. . .

are ju married? jethk!

It’s been WAY too long! I have decided I am the worst blogger ever. I have such great intentions…and then life hits. I am going to be better. I resolve to be better this year. I have an entire year to catch up on – but instead of recapping it, I will just hit the highlights and dream of the future…God’s up to something new…Isaiah 43:19 has been my life verse for the past year…

You may remember a post from 2010…"Are ju married?"…I have to say it was one of favs to write. It was very personal and seemed to strike a chord with many of you as well. In fact, it was the most popular to date – not that there’s that many to choose from…haha!

And believe it or not…almost exactly a year later from writing that…I got engaged to my very best friend…and married 5 months later (September 16).

Other than if you attended our wedding…I haven’t shared very many personal details about this special someone. I kept it a very dear secret. Not from my God, my family or my very dearest friends…but to the world…especially the FB and blog world.

If you’ve ever publically fallen in and out of love, you know what I mean. When something special like this comes along, after years of turmoil and hurt, you want to keep the good thing good and not have it tainted by “the others.” You know, the ones who love to give their opinion, think they owe it to you to be honest or maybe even have a “word from the Lord” on your behalf. Some being friends, and some even being family. When what’s good becomes public, many times what starts as sacred becomes, well, stained.

But this time, this time was different. I had heard over my 31 years of life that once it happened, it would be different. And it was. I had also been told when it happened, it would happen fast. And it did. Two weeks from the first date, he said he loved me. It took me an additional week to say it back. I told him I had to think about it…and he was man enough to handle those words. I had known that the next time I said those words I wanted them to be the last. Then 5 weeks from our first date we were engaged and 5 months later we were married. In fact, we haven’t even been dating a year yet. Crazy I know?! : ) But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

He is my best friend, my love, my other half, my equal, the one I can be an absolute dork with (I’m told on a regular basis), the one I laugh the hardest with, the one I can be vulnerable with and the one who doesn’t try to change me and lets me be me. He is well on his way to knowing me the best. He’s learning…as am I. And more importantly, he loves Jesus with all his heart and desires to lead us well. He is my answer to prayer. The one I prayed for, the one I cried over and the one that made all the lonely nights absolutely worth it.

And wouldn’t you know, Maria even ADORES him?! The very first time I brought him into McAlister’s they all oohed and awed over him and told him how very happy they were for both of us. It may be sad or endearing, we haven’t decided which, but we invited McAlister’s and Starbucks employees to our wedding, and they came! : )

Anyways…I’m sure I’ll share more over the next year, but in the mean time, please meet Brent and enjoy some shots from our wedding. My sweet grandfather (90 years old in March!) and my amazing father did the wedding, my sweet friend Kari sang and my talented cousins played all the music and I had lifelong friends stand with me on this special day and dream come true…

Happy New Year!

Great-grandmothers and gingerbread cookies

I never had the chance to meet my great-grandmother but word on the street is I might be just like her. Growing up, no one could really place who I looked like – yes I’m a mixture of my mom and my dad of course (no adoption story here) – but I have some unique characteristics that no one could really place – mainly the shape of my eyes and most definitely my big lips (LIPS not HIPS…thank you very much :) - Lord knows where those came from?!).

At some point in college, while I was visiting my grandparents, my grandfather pulled out a large picture of his mother and we were all floored – “SHE HAS YOUR EYES…AND YOUR LIPS!!!” Maybe that means nothing to you, but it finally made me feel like I had a connection to someone in the past that I never knew, yet looked just like. I find genes very interesting. On my dad’s side of the family, we have cousins that look more like our siblings than our own siblings – very, very interesting yet so weird.

Anyways (I promise I will make this come together) – I purchased my very first cookbook about two months ago (GF/SF of course), and one of the recipes was Gingersnap Cookies. My mom LOVES gingersnaps, so I thought I’d attempt it. In the process of changing out some of the ingredients – they turned out more like Gingerbread – meaning they didn’t have the snap to them (which I personally think is better) – they rather melted in your mouth. I brought the new creations over to my parents, who also get a bit nervous when I say, “Here, try this!” – but, as all good parents do, they always try. My dad is the barometer, because if I can make him believe it’s the real deal (tastes like it has sugar and real flour) – that means anyone will love it. (Side note: when I told my dad I had bought a cookbook – his exact words were, Who are you and what have you done with my daughter – see? Told you, freak of nature.) So when he tried the cookie, and his eyes rolled back in his head (in a good way) – I knew it was a success! Then he said, “Oh my gosh, this reminds me of the care packages my grandmother used to send me in college!” So it seems, not only do I look like her, but I have channeled her baking skillz! : ) So far, any party I bring them to, I always go home empty-handed, so I thought I’d share them with you…you be the judge.

Here’s the fancy – shmancy recipe – hope you enjoy!

• 1 Cup Canola Oil
• ½ tspn Salt
• 3 T Black Strap Molasses
• 2 T Vanilla
• 1 ½ Cups Agave Nectar (dark)
• 3 T Stevia and/or Palm Sugar (add more to taste)
• 3 Cups Nameste Perfect Flour Blend
• 3 tspn Cinnamon (add more to taste)
• 2 T Ginger (add more to taste)
• 1 tspn Baking Soda
• 1 tspn Baking Powder
• 1 Egg
• 1 T Cold Water (helps the oil and ingredients hold together)

Preheat oven to 325

Line pan with parchment paper or use Canola Oil cooking spray - I have done it both ways and I personally LOVE parchment paper - not messy at all!

In a medium bowl combine the oil, salt, black strap molasses, vanilla, stevia and agave nectar. In another medium bowl, whisk together the Nameste flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda and baking powder. Then carefully add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until grainy dough is formed (note that it will be a bit sticky, so recommend using a rubber spatula to stir) – then add the cold water.

Before you add the water you might want to add more cinnamon, stevia/agave/palm sugar and ginger – depending on taste. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so I like things sweeter, which is why I use a mixture of agave nectar (wet ingredient), stevia (powdered ingredient) and palm sugar (granule ingredient - works just like brown sugar). Also, if you’ve never baked with Stevia before, take note that it can turn sweeter after cooking.

Using a spoon and /or rubber spatula, scoop the dough onto prepared baking sheets and bake for about 20-30 minutes (depending on your oven).

Take out and set on rack or wax paper and let cool…but not too long because they are quite tasty warm.

Be sure to put in air tight container – and note that they won’t last longer than about 3-5 days because it’s all fresh ingredients (no preservatives).

Here are some pictures from my cousin’s recent wedding photobooth with some of my fam – including a picture of my grandparents – wish I had a picture of my great-grandmother (his mom), but unfortunately I don’t.

Hope you have a fabulous week – I’m headed to take down my Christmas tree…I figure January15 is a good day to do that.

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holly homemaker and half-marathons

So it appears that a freak of nature has occurred in my household. The former Chick-fil-a, Chicken Express, Eagle Brand Milk eating girl has been replaced by Holly Homemaker. And that would be me. I truly have no idea who I am. If you had told me 5 years ago that I would have given up sweet tea and Chicken Express, and started baking – I would have laughed out loud and then seriously told you to hold your tongue! Who knew the ole’ broad was down in there…I sure didn’t!!!

As you can see, my last post was August 20 – since that time, I have covered quite a bit of ground:

• I was strenuously training for a half-marathon (which I completed my goal during my 30^th year – granted it was a day before I turned 31 – but who’s counting?) – with my dad, sister and cousins.

• Was diagnosed with food allergies for the first time in my life (explains the crankiness, sickness and lack of energy for about 4 months) – my roomies say I am a MUCH nicer person with good food in and bad food out!

• Turned into THAT girl at a restaurant (meaning I pretty much have the chef hand-make all my food) – high maintenance, party of one!

• Learned the ups and downs with gluten-free and sugar-free baking (let’s just say it’s truly possible to overdo it on Stevia and in turn cook the enamel right off a pan)…the roommates have both benefited and been traumatized from this baking stint. Any time I say, “Here, try this!” – they get a bit nervous.

• Was overly excited to not only receive baking utensils for my birthday, but an Anthropologie apron to boot! When I received my first crock pot at 25 – I moped for days – apparently times have changed.

• Took a vacation to California where I shopped till I dropped, enjoyed the beach with friends and family and found Babycakes - a sugar-free/gluten-free bakery.
  
  

• Celebrated my 31st birthday with some of my amazing friends and family - I am blessed!

• Took a road-trip to Orlando to sing at my amazing cousin’s wedding and sang with one of the most refreshing group of people I’ve been around in a LONG time! (Follow Bellarive on facebook!)

• Celebrated and cooked with my mom a first-time-ever gluten-free, sugar-free Thanksgiving and Christmas and made my very first gluten-free/sugar-free apple pies.

• Pulled a muscle from running my half-marathon, which in turn made me take a break from running…boo hiss! Who knew the Psoas was such an important muscle?!

• Dated a bit – a girl’s gotta eat, right?!? ; )

• And finally, have settled back into work and training for another half-marathon in March.

Shew…I’m exhausted…how about you?!?

I’m hoping to continue my blog – but make it more interactive and a little broader. There will always be stories about me – because who’s kidding who – there’s always a story when I’m involved – but some days might be about a new recipe I tried (I’m working on a cookbook with my mom), some days might be about an amazing fashion find (did I mention I started picking out my own clothes at 18 months old?) and then some days might just be about the funny incident that occurred in regular everyday life.

Hope you enjoy and follow along – would love for you to spread the word and help me on this new journey…and as always...love your feedback!

Happy New Year friends – here’s to an incredibly exciting and GOOD life-changing 2011!!!