a gratitude list.

Thanksgiving was the first major holiday Danny and I spent together. It was 2008. We were newly engaged. The six years before that we'd both gone home for the holidays. I'm glad we waited. It made it that much more special, the families understood and our engagement suddenly felt very real. But now I'm so happy we celebrate together.

Like many married couples we're faced with the "every other holiday" schedule. This year is technically Bockting Thanksgiving and Schramm Christmas but we're attempting to do both this week. We'll celebrate turkey day with the Schramm's in San Diego for a few days and then fly back for a Thanksgiving weekend with the Bocktings.

...i'm thankful for...

danny, a wonderful best friend & husband.

the past 8 years we've been in love.

that we found each other so young.

my parents... my mom. my dad.

my two brothers, their other halves and the beautiful children they've made.

that i didn't get stuck with crazy in-laws.
southwest rapid rewards vouchers & companion pass.
girlfriends turned pseudo-sisters.

the real & close relationship i have with both my mother and father-in-law.

family in arizona - earl, tricia and her expanding belly.

huntie our furry son, the sweetest french bulldog in the world.

the 3.5 hilarious years we had with our silly sydney.
leggings.

a handy hubby who created our cozy home.

our health.
handwritten cards from family & friends.
so many amazing vacations, travels and experiences this year.

the iPhone 4 & my macbook pro.
uncle bob's move out west.

 the kind of friends you can't imagine life without.

 postino and the many long conversations about life we've had there.

arizona's ten months of patio weather.

pandora and music in general.
the not-so-bad outcome of our kitchen fire and that i didn't hurt anyone.

vitamins that are making my hair grow - finally.

....now it's your turn to make a list.

...from our family to yours...

{happy thanksgiving}

style has gone to the dogs.

Right now I really wish we lived somewhere cold. While on Etsy, I bumped into the most adorable winter wear for dogs. I may have to use our sporadic trips to Pinetop to justify buying Hunter one of these winter accessories because they're that cute and stylish. I mean, seriously? How can you not love these? Check out Beantown Homemade shop on Etsy for even more designs and custom colors. Know a dog lover? I think you just found a great holiday gift.

And for those of you wondering... they're Boston Terriers - not French Bulldogs.

giftcards no more... give unique gifts.

The holidays are here and you better believe I've already started my Etsy shopping. I. love. Etsy.

What is Etsy? Etsy is a website to sell and buy things homemade or vintage. The Etsy mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. The vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.  

I turn to Etsy before a retail store. You find the most unique, personalized gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting independent people. Take a look. It can be a little overwhelming at first - especially if you don't know what you're looking for. But, that's the best part - you'll find things that you never knew existed and may just bump into that perfect gift! Start browsing - you'll love it. Don't know where to start? Browse by category or start by searching something you love... French Bulldog, beer, music or specific ideas like engagement gift, shabby chic wedding, birthday card, etc. and see what comes up.

Another reason Etsy is awesome... if you're not finding exactly what you want, contact the designer to see if they'll work with you to make a custom piece, 9 times out of 10 they're more than happy to. Do you want that item in orange instead of pink? Want that greeting card to say Happy Birthday instead of Congratulations? Chances are you can do it on Etsy. It's fab. I promise. 

Tip: Create a free account and add items to your "favorites" list for easy access later.

I practice what I preach - some of my Etsy purchases seen here and here. I'll have to snap photos of our other Etsy treasures which include Danny's wedding ring, Lisa's bachelorette party invitations, my wedding hair broach, Jake & Colby's engagement party invitations, ring holders, artwork... the list goes on and on.

I'd take an inexpensive, unique and thoughtful gift over a gift card any day of the week. Wouldn't you?

{some recent handpicked groupings by Etsy buyers and sellers}

pathetic.

The furry member of our family has gotten a little ridiculous with begging and his treat obsession. He has no shame when it comes to begging and thinks he deserves a treat each time we come in the house or he runs outside. He's been camping out at the treat jar a lot - fine, sit there. But, tonight got out of hand. 

First, the pathetic begging... 

Then this... Homie has been boycotting his dog food the past 24 hours and acting starved. So tonight Danny grabbed his bowl, hand fed him some bites and then let the king eat dinner on the couch. Out of control.

Spoiled much? 

lucky strike.

We spent Friday night bowling downtown at Lucky Strike with Matt & Mallary. They posted all kinds of photos from the night on their blog The Story of Us so I won't repeat them here. However, what the blog failed to mention is that team Matt & Teri took home the gold - even during speed bowling. Good times.

girlfriends, wine & cheese.

The holidays are upon us and 'tis the season to reflect on what we're thankful for. On my list: wine, girlfriends & cheese.

So this past Thursday night I hosted a girl's only wine & cheese party for about 30 girls. Some of us knew each other better than others but a wine night proved to be a fun way to kick off the holidays, mix and mingle. It was fun to have girlfriends from so many different parts of my life - old friends, sorority sisters, co-workers, new friends, family and friends-of-friends - all together and enjoying themselves. Everyone was in the mood to eat, drink and be merry... I don't think I've laughed so hard in a long time.

Danny earned husband of the year the past week helping me get everything ready. Together we made all kinds of appetizers - cheesy stuffed mushrooms, chipotle lime bacon-wrapped shrimp, deviled eggs, jalepeno & cranberry meatballs, tomato & basil pizza, prosciutto and parmesan pinwheels, homemade chex mix & more... a recipe post coming soon.

I wish I had more photos of everyone from the party but I guess you know you're enjoying yourself when you don't remember take many. Not everyone was captured but here's a glimpse into what I'm thinking will become an annual Thursday before Thanksgiving tradition. Thanks to all the girls who came - it was great seeing each of you. Cheers!

{lots of empty wine bottles = a fun night and one very full recycle bin}

it's lisa's birthday.

Yay! It's my dear Lisa's birthday today. Lisa is truly one-of-a-kind and I'm so happy to have a friend like her. Both Danny and I love our Hippie Sticken. She's one of the most real, genuine and grounded people and I'm lucky to have shared so many wonderful memories and experiences with her. Back at the end of 2004 and early 2005 (hence the outfits & sunglasses in the photos below), Lisa and I studied abroad together in Sevilla, Spain and for months we traveled all over Western Europe together. Looking back at the photos makes me laugh and cry for so many reasons and I wouldn't change any of it.

Stick - you know we love you and couldn't be more excited for you and the Reedster's upcoming Mexico wedding extravaganza. You're both wonderful people and together you make a dynamite couple! I sense lots of trips requiring Keens in our future - especially when you finally get to move out west! Have a very happy birthday!

{on lisa's rooftop in chicago - amazing}

{lisa + reed & jenny + matt at our wedding welcome event, The Del Mar horseraces}

 {the room we shared in sevilla, spain - holy memories.}

 {the abroad girls in granada, espana}

 {lisa lounging on some gnomes in verona, italy}

 {before she rang along side the sled dogs in the sierra nevadas}

 {lisa's boyfriend on The Rock of Gibraltar}

 {our spanish familia. isa y charo... te echo de menos mucho! besos}

 {getting some sun in the south of spain}

 {just chillin' with God at the Meat Rack}

 {senior alpha phi luau}

 {our sassy seventies flower child}

 {senior year alley house roomies}

 {kill them! The Colosseum in Rome}

 {no big deal - just monkeying around in Gibraltar}

{showing off our newest souvenirs in florence, italy}

{a weekend getaway to the canary islands, spain}


Craving more photos of Lisa? Lots more here from her bachelorette party in Manhattan Beach!