pumpkins or apples...which do you pick?

**enter here to win a $50 gift card from tiny prints**

Every fall Dan and I go to a some country-on-crack kind of festival. We started on our second date. It was Dan's idea, and every year he still humors me when the seasons change. Our motto is....

You can't be bored when there's a gourd!  {In all honesty, that's my mantra, but...I'm married to a pretty good sport!} 

This year we tried a new place, Baugher's Farm in Westminster, Maryland. The long drive sent us way into the country and smack into a perfect October day where the only big decisions we had to make were....

donuts or fritters?

Pumpkin patch or apple orchard? We hopped on this flatbed...

and you can see where ended up over at my Fedscoop column.....!

Out-Planned, Outwitted: My 35th Birthday Surprise

In my family, we celebrate Birthday Weeks. Since marrying Dan, he's done a nice job of keeping up with the tradition. It usually means little happies, like a fun magazine or a Starbucks card, every day leading up to the big day. I turn 35 a week from today and that means birthday week began this morning.

I'll be honest...I was starting to feel a little blue (or rather, gray, like the hair of the same color I found in my crown this week - what timing!) about it. Not because I begrudge aging; I made a promise long ago not to ever lie about my age, because the alternative to not having birthdays is well....

BUT. I've been a tad bummed that, despite a little nudge here and there, Dan seemed to have really dropped the ball with making ANY plans for my birthday. That seems a tad whiney, I realize, but 0's and 5's are a big deal, no? 

After no formal plans were made to mark my looming 35th, I did want any event planning control freak does: I made a dinner reservation myself. I invited friends on my own. I requested the kind of cake I wanted. Then, I bitched a little about having to do it.

Early this morning, still inside the echos of my complaints, in swoops Dan with a big reveal, by way of my best friend Cassie's blog:

With the help from my friends, Dan and Cassie had been planning a secret trip to Atlanta (and a totally indulgent spa day!) for months. I leave on Friday and I cannot wait!

Some people get wiser, more patient, and less self-centered with age.  Seems like all I have to show for 35 years is some gray hair....and a lot of people who make me feel so, so loved.

Our Second Anniversary

It was Dan's "Choose Your Own Adventure" for me.....

verses the sports-themed  "Game Plan" I created for him.

Adventure always trumps a plan, no? It did for our Anniversary Challenge.

From the choices Dan offered, I would have quickly bounced on a picnic and sailing, which was to be followed by dinner at my favorite restaurant in Washington called TenPehn. Only....to our disappointment, it rained and to our surprise, TehnPehn has gone out of business. The plays and productions at the theaters in Baltimore and Washington were just kind of meh to me, so....

we ended up at a drive-in movie theater somewhere on the outskirts of Baltimore. Dan had found it weeks ago, and I LOVED the idea! It was the perfect way to kick off Fall, tossing lots of pillows and blankets into the back of an SUV (maybe sneaking in some red wine...) and snuggling down to watch a movie, popcorn and cotton candy in hand, respectively, with the tailgate open.

Ugly Bootlegged Photo - the drive in is CRAZY strict about no camera use

In the spirit of  the drive-in, I wanted to dine somewhere that was really cozy - no linen table clothes for this anniversary date! 

To his credit, Dan spent hours searching for a place that had the "stone and fireplace vibe" I was wanting...

We found it at  Woodberry Kitchen...

Also on the outskirts of Baltimore, this restaurant has one of the best urban-meets-rustic vibes EVER! I adored it, everyone there did! Check out the amazing firepit!

By Sunday morning, when it became my turn to step up to the challenge, the bar was raised high. It was kind of a downer to go from Woodberry's farm-to-table gourmet to.....down on the farm with Bob Evans.

But at least Dan got his beloved biscuits and gravy.  And just as I altered his plan a tad, he chose to forgo my "halftime show" of seeing Moneyball, and traded it for his own time-out (a nap) before watching the Raven's play...

with our friends Kim + Dave. Sweet victory awaited back home when I served up Dan's favorite cake!

I can't recall the last time Dan + I spent both Saturday and Sunday on a weekend doing things just for fun. I can't even remember the last time we had a real date, not just grabbing dinner or going to see a movie. We were long overdue for this time together, and it was such a perfect weekend. I don't think you need an anniversary to issue a challenge to your mate, but taking the time to do some planning on behalf of your partner is certainly time well spent..even if, like me, you get super out-planned!

Over the Royal Wedding Yet?

I'm not! But, Princess Chlo E. Diggers of the Suburbs* is.....

She is, afterall, of French Bitch lineage.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing behind-the-scenes with Good Morning America. It was so, so fun!

*I was a tad nervous on Thursday night, awaiting the arrival of GMA, wondering if our party would please them, worried I'd look like a big cow on TV. In a move that was {as the Brits might say!}  brilliant, Chloe's dad crafted her a Reynolds Wrap Halo design tiara, and sent me the picture of her by text to divert my anxieties. What a Prince!

New Year's Eve!

Tonight, Mr. W + I will be here with some of our friends....

Today, however, we're running around the 'burbs, trying to beat the clock on 2011: eye doc appointments and new specs {for the Dubs} to spend down our HSA and a pedicure {for me} to prepare for the open-toed shoes I'll likely wear to tonight's party.


Even though he was born on Valentines Day and we were engaged at Christmastime, New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday to spend with Mr W.

We met in October, and New Year's Eve was one of the first times the Dubs met all my friends.  Despite having only dated for a few weeks, I declared to all of them my intentions to wed him and live happily ever after. It's the only New Year's resolution (save making those homemade chicken dumplings!) I've ever kept...

How ever you're ringing in the new year - at a party, at a bowl game, home {in pajamas - such a kinder way to welcome 2011 than in Spanx!}with family or with friends - I hope you bid a happy adieu to 2010 and greet the new year with excitement + hope!

Happy 2011!

Counting Cards

One difference between marriage and dating is that, once wed, you've already won the jackpot. No more gambling with one's heart. Therefore, you're not afraid to show your hand.  So when the anniversary cards, addressed identically with the same silly nickname that Mr W and I call each other, were opened last night....

...the shuffle through the decks at Hallmark would reveal...

...Mr W and I chose for each other the very same card.

What are the odds?

A Fran-niversary Football Weekend

Sunday will mark Mr W's and my one year wedding annivesary!

Are you ready for the romantical plans we have????


Well.


On one year to the date that I promised to love, honor and cherish Mr. W forever and ever, he will be loving, honoring and cheering for....

the Baltimore Ravens.


What can I say, he did commit to season tickets well before he committed to our marriage.


I'd actually hoped to spend our anniversary weekend back at the Marriott Ranch where we celebrated our reception, but - shocker - it was booked for a wedding. When that couldn't happen, I decided to practice selflessness and told Mr. W that if he really wanted to abandon me go to the Ravens' home opener on our first annivesary I wouldn't mind.

Most of my friends, who know how I like to make a big deal out of special occassions, were shocked. They couldn't believe I let the Dubs off so easily....and that the always thoughtful, loyal and loving Mister woud bite the apple....


Ladies.


My husband adores his gamedays and it gives me such satisfaction to see him leave the house with coolers full of beer, dressed in another man's jersey, to go spend our money on over-priced parking and concessions. His joy is my joy.


And really, what better gift, in return, am I giving myself than being able to play the You Went To a Ravens Game on Our First Wedding Anniverasary card til death do us part? 



Have fun, Honers.


The truth is, we've already been recognizing this one year mark. We've popped open a bottle of wine we brought back from our honeymoon, and had been saving for our anniversary. Last night I came home to flowers. And, we're heading out soon on a little trip to the Big Easy - part anniversary, part reunion with Anne + Michael (and Baby Luke) and part UT-LSU game. I have no doubt that Mr W will, despite his allegiance to the Ravens, continue to make this a memorable milestone. Because I like to stretch celebrations to maximize full indulging opportunties (Birthday Week, anyone?), and he knows it.


Meanwhile, we'll also be celebrating my friend Fran's 30th birthday this weekend with a sassy dinner party on Capitol Hill. She's prego, and I haven't seen her in weeks, but rumor has it she is adorable all bellied out!

Unlike in this picture, taken years ago, I'm also now bellied out, but just not pregnant. And not at all adorable. So as a gift to Fran and a favor to all her guests, I will wear 4 pairs of Spanx to her party.


What are you doing this weekend?


Happy Friday, Friends!

Role Reversals: speaking etsy and man lit

Last night I was curled up on the couch finishing the final chapters of The Apostle by Brad Thor. That's right. Not Emily Giffin, but Brad Thor. If reading about stillettoed damsels is chick lit, then reading about CIA operatives is what...Man Lit? I don't know...

 

photo credit: nationalterroralert.com

What I do know is that I didn't pack enough pages last weekend at the beach, so I had to read some of Mr. Dubs'  manly books when I finished the book I had brought (also of the male variety, but HYSTERICAL, and now an indie flick!).


So, in the middle of a terrorist attack somewhere in Afghanistan, I really couldn't be bothered when Mr. W interruppted a most telling chapter inquiring, "What is Etsy? Ever heard of it?"


"Yes, dear. All those custom labels you mock that I order for parties? I get them from Etsy."


"So it's legit?"


Mr. W, tapping into his senstive side that I do deeply love, was shopping online for a sweet and clever gift that he wants to give some friends. It's a unique idea, something you won't find at Pottery Barn, so a Google search had clearly landed him on Etsy.

"Yes," I said with an internal giggle. "Etsy is great," I declared, and  went quickly back to my man book.


I always get a big crush on Mr. W's creative mind and his giving heart. However, seconds matter when you're rescuing American captives from the Taliban. In the midst of my action packed novel it was simply just not a good time for me to offer to stop and shop. 


"Hey..what's a convo?"


"What's a what," I asked.

For someone who makes his living in the computer industry, the Dubs could care less about any website that is not a function of his work or espn.com. While I read Facebook, oh...on the hour sometimes, he logs on about four times a year. Twitter? No way. I was surprised to learn he actually reads my blog (Hi, Z!).


So, it is no surprise that he was a tad overwhelmed with the frills of Etsy.  

"It says 'convo me if you have questions' and I have a question about this."


Hee!


I put down my book to explain that a convo was just Etsy speak for "send me an email" to start a conversation. With that important clarifcation made, I didn't need to instruct further a man who can write sophisticated software on how to set up his Etsy account so he could "convo" with a dealer. 


Mr. W's question was sent, and I don't know yet if he's heard back from the seller with the answer he needs. I hope so; my little online shopper really has his heart set on the item he discovered.


As for me, I finished The Apostle just before my head hit the pillow last night. I am looking so forward to having a convo about the book - and my husband's new Etsy habit - tonight over dinner.

Dreams: His + Hers

I'll share my dreams, which are vivid and frequent, with just about anyone who will listen. That's usually my mom and Jocelyn.

I tell them about reoccuring dreams where my teeth break or fall out, how I wake up and have to remind myself that I did, in fact, earn a college degree, despite often dreaming that I've skipped too many classes to graduate. I dream about famous people (most recently Peyton Manning, and the cast of Friday Night Lights). I even dream about bloggers I have never met.

This morning the Dubs -who says he rarely ever dreams- indulged me in a little REM rapport.

Me: I had the best dream about you last night.

Mr. W {grinning}: Oh really...?

Me: Not that kind of dream!

Mr. W {no longer grinning}: Oh really...?

Me: I dreamt that just out of the blue, you gave me a present. It was wrapped all pretty, and when I opened it, it was this ring I've seen lately in the magazines. 

photo credit: tacori

I asked, 'How'd you even know' and you said it just looked like something I would love.

Mr. W:  I do know you well.  I dreamt that I lost my job. And your hair had been dyed brown. You kept trying to act like it didn't bother you, saying you thought it looked fine, but I knew you were lying.

Me: You do know me well. So...since in real life I have blond hair, and you have a job...does that mean you'll buy me that ring?

Mr. W: Keep dreaming.....

What do you dream about?