ghosts of halloween past

 Growing up Halloween was always the highlight of fall for me. Not so much because I got a pillowcase full of sweet treats, but because it was the only chance I had to really embrace my theatrical side and pretend to be someone else for a whole day. Each year I'd immerse myself in whatever character I was to play and learn as much as I could about the way they talked, moved, and even what they ate. I must have watched the live action Popeye a dozen times the year I was Olive Oyl for Halloween (bottom image above). I went around saying "Oh, Popeye," for weeks, much to the chagrin of my younger brother who had to be my Popeye that year.

Through the years I've been characters like Rainbow Bright, Maid Marian, the Little Mermaid, Morticia Addams, and so many others. This year I was Nancy Drew, and next year who knows? It's still fun putting on someone else's hat for a few hours, like an escape from your own reality. Some things never change. big kiss, bekuh

m&m wedding (part 2)

Today I wanted to share more photos from Martin & Mollie's wedding but I wanted to let the photos speak for themselves, instead of spouting off at the mouth about how amazing their big day was. You can just see for yourself. More good gollie miss Mollie, she sure was cute.

big kiss, bekuh

m&m wedding (part 1)

Let's travel a little backwards in time to early October when two of Ryan and my favorite people ever got married. They planned the coolest wedding at a summer camp in northern Indiana, on the shores of the most serene little lake. It was awesome. The weekend was warm, the trees were changing shape and love was everywhere. Several friends and family stayed at the lake, us included, and so what would have normally been a day of wedding fun turned into a full weekend of nonstop coolness.

The day of the wedding was overcast and a slight haze made everything soft and beautiful. Storms had been brewing all night, but the rain had stopped in the morning just in time for the ceremony. It was perfect. In the sweetest little nook of the camp we all gathered around the altar and sat in great anticipation of Mollie's arrival. Martin and his groomsmen casually greeted guests and when the time finally came for the ceremony to start he looked like a little kid about to receive the biggest Christmas present ever.

As we all turned to look at Mollie my breath caught in my throat. She was so beautiful! I'd seen a picture of her gorgeous lace dress but could never have anticipated just how perfectly suited it would be for her, and how she would glow from the inside out. As the ceremony came to a close the skies opened up and it began to rain, normally this would have been a bummer but just then it seemed like the most wonderful way to end a wedding ceremony. We all headed back up the hill towards shelter and a day of yard games and bonfires. It really was the best. big kiss, bekuh

a tradition of strong women

I love how the simple act of reading something, or watching something, or just observing something can send you down a path of introspection. Ryan recently did just that when he said that the women in my life weren't exactly your typical female influences. It had never really occurred to me to see my family as anything but typical, I mean they seem pretty normal to me. But, as I thought about it I realized that I come from a long line of strong, independent, and rebellious women, and I'm really proud of that lineage.

My childhood is riddled with stories of their amazing lives. I had a great great grandmother who owned a boarding house for college students after her husband died, a great grandmother who raised 8 children in a two bedroom farm house and was a pillar of faith to her community. I have a grandmother who dared to choose nursing school over marriage first, and a mother who managed to get her bachelors and masters in five years despite being a single mother at 20. To me stories like these are commonplace family history, but that doesn't make them any less extraordinary.

We don't celebrate the women in our lives enough. My life's story, and the roads I've traveled down thus far, are a direct result of these exceptional individuals and it's my duty to continue the tradition they started. big kiss, bekuh

our holiday weekend

I can't believe how quickly the long weekend came and went. I'm sitting at my desk wondering how on earth it's already Tuesday! June is only a few days away now, and I'm in full on Summer preparedness mode. Visiting friends and family in Virginia proved to be the perfect retreat for us to kick-off the warmer months, and looking over the sparse imagery I have from the weekend I know it was a good time. We ate too much, laughed too much, and just generally enjoyed our first trip back to Roanoke. Nothing too out of the ordinary really.

We split our time between Ryan's family and our friends in Roanoke, and my Mom's out on the lake. Though the weather was a little unseasonably chilly it was still nice to sit in lawn chairs and look out over the glassy surface of the water. I think the thing that impressed me the most was how good everything smelled. I'm not saying Philly is stinking (yes I am), but man did the air smell good in the country! I think we already have a deeper appreciation for where we came from. What did you do over the weekend? big kiss, bekuh

Christmas Snapshots

Another Christmas has come and passed. It always seems to go by so quickly, and it's bittersweet looking back on these photos already. We spent Christmas with Ryan's family this year, instead of making the venture up to Ohio. We had a Christmas Eve feast, opened presents, and spent time catching up with his Aunt's, Uncle and Grandpa. It was a real family affair.

I caught a bit of the flu last weekend so taking it easy sounded perfect to me. They have a tradition that each person gets to open all of their gifts before the next one goes, so that everyone watches as you open their gift. It's a kind of sweet idea, and I loved seeing each person's face as they opened our gifts to them. Ryan and his brother both got a glow-in-the-dark racetracks from "Santa." They were so cute playing with their little cars, haha.

On Christmas day we woke early to open our gifts to each other, and spend a little time with Nellie. She got gifts from us, Ryan's Aunts, and my sister; so she's feeling a little spoiled right now. After opening our gifts we headed over to Ryan's parents for breakfast, and my Mom's later in the day for dinner. My stepdad has 7 grandkids so the evening's festivities were a little different from those the night before. There was music, drawing, ipad playing, present opening, tickle fighting, escapades going on around every corner. Sweet 7 year old Lilly took the picture of Ryan and I you see above. The only picture of the two of us all Christmas. It was a wonderful Christmas. Now I'm recooperating on the couch as it sleets outside. How was your Christmas?big kiss, bekuh

Warm and Fuzzy Thoughts on Christmas

Merry Christmas friends! As many of you are opening gifts, and let's be honest I am too, I just wanted to take a moment and thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a wonderful year of readership, kinship, and growth. I've learned so much from you this year, and I've made friendships I hope will last through all the years. You are a part of my story, you are a part of the Christmas story.

As I enjoy time with those closest to me this week, and the next, I hope that you get to do the same. And if for whatever reason you are far from your family during this time know that there's a blogger out there thinking of you, and praying blessings on you today. big kiss, bekuh

From Biloxi to New Orleans: Part 2

I love New Orleans! It's always one of my favorite places to visit because it just reeks of culture. There's just something about the dilapidated old French/Spanish influenced architecture, the smell of seafood and liquor that permeates the air, and the raucous good time that people seem to have all hours of the day. Our Saturday adventure in the city was Ryan's first experience with New Orleans so we kept things as touristy as possible. Wink wink.

We started out shopping a little, since the holidays are quickly approaching, but it didn't take long for our bellies to start grumbling. We headed straight to a tourist (and local) favorite Johnny's Po-boys for lunch and attempted to eat sandwiches as big as our heads! They were delicious, and our foodie hearts sang. On our way to the biggest-sandwiches-ever-made we spotted a spice shop, and decided to pop in after eating for a look around. Thirty minutes later, and a couple of dollars later too, we stepped out moving a little deeper into the French Quarter. On our adveture we spotted street performers, heard a little karaoke, and my sister told us a funny story about the Cornstalk Hotel. Apparently it's haunted by a jealous mistress. Oh, and we decided it was probably time to eat again.

Our final stop before heading back to Biloxi was my favorite beignet shop, Cafe Beignet. I discovered this adorable spot on my last visit to Nola and couldn't resist the urge to visit once again. We shared one order of beignets, so I don't feel the least bit guilty. There was a quartet singing in the streets as we ate, and talked, and enjoyed this very New Orleans treat.

I tell yea, if I could eat, and live this way everyday I'd be a happy, and plump girl. Emphasis on the happy. I love that Ryan got pictures of my sister, and I devouring our doughnuts, while the only photo of him is one where he looks dashing. I love it when he layers! See part one of our trip here. big kiss, bekuh

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