Versatile Blogger Love

I looked all over Google to try and find the origin of this blog-chain-letter award, and couldn't find the source.  If anyone knows its history, please let me know!  I wrestled with the idea of doing this post, mostly because I'm not big on chain-anythings, and well, I see this award EVERYWHERE, which unfortunately, slightly lessens its value for me.  But, in the spirit of saying thank you and the opportunity to highlight some of my favorite blogs, I am going to happily oblige, just this once!

I just received this "Versatile Blogger Award" from Pamela ~ a SAHM who loves giveaways and reviewing products.  Thank you Pamela for being so sweet and giving me the free PR!

By accepting this award I've agreed to: 1) publicly thank & link to the blogger who bestowed it upon me, 2) share 7 tidbits about me, and then my favorite part, 3) pass along this award to 15 new blog infatuations.


{Seven} Little Tidbits About Me:

{1} There were only 69 seniors in my graduating class.
{2} I'm living my dream come true: writing, full-time wifey & mama
{3} I want to be living in a big airy beach house in San Diego, CA.
{4} My biological parents have each been married over 3x! {I am not a fan of divorce!}
{5} I have 5 sisters & 5 brothers, plus 6 brother-in-laws and 3 sister-in-laws!
{6} My favorite color is blue ~ any shade of it.
{7} I still believe in true love and fairytales.

{LOVE} These Blogs (Sorry not 15!):

{1} Passionate Homemaking
{2} Everything Espey
{3} The Longs In Italy
{4} April's Promise
{5} My Life
{6} From City Corporate to Suburb Mama
{7} A Cup of Jo



Let's Connect!

       

Fall Firsts - Part II: Pumpkin Patch + Corn Maze

This is my Wordless{ish} Wednesday.  :) Enjoy!

Silly Pumpkin Faces

We have a winner!

We actually got lost in the corn maze, 6 adults and 1 toddler, we left via the entrance, lol.

We finished the day at Coogan's Restaurant in Washington Heights…that burger was massive!

Let's Connect! XO, Courtney

       

Photo Challenge: Apple Picking Pouty Lips

I'm linking up with the Paper Mama for the first time with my favorite photo….look at her little pouty lips…I love our little girl so much!

Let's Connect!

       

Fall Firsts - Part I: Apple Picking!

This year, we've decided to nix our usual holiday travel plans:  Thanksgiving in Ohio, Christmas in Seattle.  We've been all over the place the last couple of years and its time for us to take a break.  In order to make the most of this decision we've made plans to do things around NYC that we have never done before.  Instead of focusing on how we'll be missing out on our family traditions, we've broadened our horizons to participate in local traditions, and we'll be creating some of our own traditions as well.

I am so happy that my in-laws came out for a visit this past weekend, together we were able to do a lot of things we'd never done before.  So without  any further delay, I present to you a short series of posts which I will call "Fall Firsts."

We left bright and early from our place in Washington Heights, with a bounty of fancy coffee drinks, fresh baked cinnamon rolls and banana muffins, and headed over to the GW Bridge into New Jersey.  The drive was stunning, even in Jersey you can find beautiful red, orange and gold leaved trees lining the highway.  About an hour and some change later, we arrived at Stonyhill Farm & Gardens in Chester, NJ.

Apple picking was a blast, not only did we experience this very traditional NYC annual pilgrimage, we were able to bring our best friends and my lovely in-laws.  The weather was gorgeous, maybe slightly too warm, but not worth a complaint.  Zion had a great time, and I think we must of all heard, "Ahhh-pull" or "Aaahpuh-pie" a million times, plus as an added bonus she got to ride in a little red wagon for the first time.  :)

Stonyhill also had a wonderful farmers market with apple cider donuts, hot and cold apple cider and other delightful items.  After buying 10lbs of apples, I couldn't wait to get home and make my first apple pie using this fantastic recipe I found.  And it turned out DELICIOUS!!

Are you staying home this holiday season?  What local traditions do you enjoy?

XO,

Let's Connect!

       

Faith Filled Marriage: Never Stop Dating Your Spouse

Inertia:  {A tendency to do nothing or remain unchanged.  Idleness.  A rut.}  This is where the hubs and I found ourselves after several dateless months.  We got used to not having time together as a couple, and struggled to break out of it, it became the norm.

Sure, we could make excuses to justify letting our relationship slip low on the priority list, and we certainly have.  Dates = costly, especially when you have to pay $15/hr for someone to sit on your couch while your little one sleeps.  And being away from family who'd gladly hang at your place for free…thats another big bummer.



But I don't want to focus on our excuses, I want to focus on what can be learned from our mistake of giving up on date-nights.  On September 30th, we went on our first date in probably over six months.  Our besties here in NYC offered to chill at our place and told us to "stay out late!"

Hubs planned a surprise dinner date at HK:Hell's Kitchen, near Times Square.  We arrived early to the area, so we enjoyed sipping some coffees and lollygagging to the restaurant.  Once there, we chose an outside table so we could people watch.  I enjoyed a virgin mojito and some of the best calamari I've ever had, before we were forced to move inside due to unexpected rain.

Our dinner was good, but the best thing about the evening was really enjoying the company of my husband.  For once I was not just Jerry's wife or Zion's mama, I was Courtney, again.  I was the woman Jerry fell in love with.  And I was able to appreciate Jerry as the one I gave my heart to, not just as the provider, or the father of my child.

We broke out of our inertia, forcing ourselves to stop making excuses and do the dang thing!  And I learned a valuable lesson…you should never ever ever, for any reason, stop dating your spouse.  That time spent, out of the house, with the focus of delighting in each other's company, can not be recreated through any other activity.

When you can't get out, I'm definitely a fan of throwing "Date-Night-in" where we make a romantic dinner, put on some smooth jazz, and detach from cell phones, hulu and other distractions - but I think getting out at least once a month is so very necessary.

I can hardly wait for our next date-night this Friday evening.  When was the last time you and your spouse got out of the house for a date night?  What is your favorite date night activity?

I'd love some ideas!!

Let's Connect!