Our Year in Pictures

This past year has gone by so quickly but it has definitely been a year that has changed my life. B and I have grown much more close since making our big move last summer. We came to Connecticut knowing absolutely no one and knowing very little about our new residence. We are leaving with new and close friends that we will keep for a lifetime and with memories and experiences that we will remember forever. Connecticut will always hold a special place in our hearts and it will be a place that we visit many times in the future. I have soaked up the sites of the Connecticut shoreline, become an avid train passenger traveling to NYC, discovered new friends, been in awe of having Yale's campus as my playground, watched my hubby complete an awesome year of training, experienced my sister's and SIL's first visits up north, and we have gone through many "firsts" of our own. 

Here are some photos that reflect some of our time in this special place:

I am beyond grateful that B and I are on this journey together and that Connecticut was a pit stop along our path. We have really enjoyed our time here but we are very much looking forward to what this next chapter has in store for us.

xoxo

Weekend Update!

Hey y'all and Happy Monday! Hopefully there is sunshine and beautiful weather where you are because it is nothing but hot and rainy where I'm at... not the best way to start off the week. 

But I certainly can't complain about my weekend...

I came back to the apartment Thursday night and found this guy sitting on my couch:

My friend Shawn surprised me for a weekend visit and I was so excited! B knew all about it... they had been planning it for about a week. I was shocked that the hubby actually kept a secret from me, haha. It was a fun weekend for sure. We grabbed dinner Thursday night and while B was at work Friday, Shawn and I enjoyed the day together walking around town and catching up. Saturday was absolutely gorgeous so we spent the afternoon in Greenwich. It such a cute town and the shopping ain't too bad either ;) Later that night we headed out to meet a group of our pals at a local bar/tavern. I'm so happy that Shawn was able to meet most of our Connecticut friends and it was so great to see them over the weekend. We only have a couple more weeks together...  boo :( This week is B's last full week of work... so crazy! Anyways... Sunday was a super lazy day with a few errands thrown in.

A successful and fun weekend for sure, especially after having such a busy week last week. I'm just so thankful for great friends and for out year up here in New England. 

Have a great Monday! 

xoxo

Oh Irene!

Happy Monday ladies!

I am so thankful that we have such beautiful weather today... I decided to grab my laptop, a good book, and head up to Yale's campus to spend the afternoon outside. This is not at all what I had planned today but... you just gotta go with the flow ;)

I'm sure most of you all heard about this crazy lady Irene and all her drama she brought with her this past weekend... well she brought it but it wasn't too bad up here in New England. B and I kept an eye on the news and weather starting Thursday night. I hadn't really paid much attention to the "hurricane" but when we saw that it really was headed our direction, we figured we should start paying attention! Saturday morning we made a quick trip to the grocery to get some things to hold us through in the event we lost power. Number 1 on our list: Doritos and Diet Pepsi... I'm so not joking! haha :) We had candles and other important items ready to go but really... as long as I have Diet Pepsi, I'm good to go!

Well we waited and waited for Irene to hit us on Saturday. It was gloomy most of the day but by night time that lady still wasn't here soooo... B and I met up with a couple of friends a few blocks away and had a hurricane party. Why stay cooped up?!?! Mom... I'm sorry... we just had to get out!! We were fine ;)

By the time we headed back to the apartment it was raining... and it was raining hard! 5:00 am Sunday morning B and I woke up to LOTS of rain and LOTS of wind. But that's all we got. We were very, very, very, blessed to have kept our power and not have any major damages in the city. Some tree branches and some neighborhoods were w/o power but things were fixed quickly. Oh Irene... you thought you could get us!

Well... here's what we woke up to this morning:

We're assuming that it's just from all the rain and somehow it leaked through from the floor above us. No biggie though... maintenance was called and hopefully they're fixing this minor setback now. That's why today has turned into a day outside of the apartment... and I'm ok with that ;)

Since we were locked up most of the day Sunday, B and I spent time watching lots of DVD's and I found myself on Pinterest more than I would like to admit!

Here's some fun things that I found:

What a fun idea this is for a centerpiece. Smart and practical. Use what you have!

I wish I could pull off this outfit... love the touch of country!

Flowers always bring a smile to my face and brighten up a room!

Why didn't I think of this?!?! The bottom of the glass is dipped in chalkboard and then names painted on... LOVE!

This is just so, so, so true! Best way to live!

Have a great Monday y'all and for those of you who had a run-in with Irene... I hope and pray you're safe and sound :)

xoxo

Just Around the Corner

Last night it was cool enough to crack open the windows and I've left them that way all day. B and I woke up to a brisk breeze coming through our windows and I could not have been a happier gal... it was a lil' reminder that fall is right around the corner!

Now, don't get me wrong, I love summer... the warm sun, the ocean, grilling out...

But... fall is my favorite :) Scarves, boots, football, cider, that extra blanket thrown on the bed... it is by far my favorite season. To get in the spirit, I threw on one of my summer scarves and tucked myself away in a cozy cafe. I'm really looking forward to an autumn in Connecticut... orchards, changing leaves, weekend getaways, and spending it with my love :)

I'm weary to see another summer pass by and come to a close but what's coming next is SO worth it!

{via}

10 Things I've Learned About Connecticut

Well... we've been here for a lil' over a month and I thought I would share some things that I have learned about my new home:

1. The cost of living in the New England area is A LOT more expensive than what we're used to. Everything is more... rent, gas, taxes, milk. Yes, milk goes for about $4-$5 a gallon. It has taken us a little getting used to but I think we are coping alright so far, haha! I'm looking at this as a lesson that God is teaching us about the value of a dollar. It has definitely made us appreciate our money and helped us maker better decisions in how we spend it. I'm also cooking in a lot more these days ;)

2. The people drive like maniacs here! No joke... I sometimes fear for my life when I'm out driving. They swerve in out and out of traffic like they don't care if they wreck and it makes me SO nervous. I tend to stay in the slow lane and let the others fend for themselves. This fact will also probably explain why our car insurance skyrocketed when we informed our company that we were moving!

3. In order to get anywhere, it is mandatory that you take the interstate. Traffic isn't always bad but there are times when it is bumper to bumper. I'm still getting used to always hopping on the highway to go to the grocery or run a simple errand. It makes me realize that New Circle Road wasn't always that bad!

4. The state of CT, and especially the city of New Haven, is very eco-friendly. I love this... makes me more environmentally aware. If B and I want to run an errand and it's downtown, we walk. Why take the car? Our entire apartment building is eco-friendly too. Our electric bills are ridiculously cheap ( that's about the only thing!!) It's amazing and very refreshing to live in this sort of environment.

5. The people here are NICE!! I was so excited to move here but there was a small part of me that really wondered if I would ever fit in. You know... the whole Yankee/ Southern thing. Not the case!! B and I have met some of the nicest, most helpful people and they have all made us feel very welcome. We have found some great conversations with complete strangers who have lived here for years and I'm always so interested to hear about their life here in New England. Of course... they all love my "accent" and immediately want to know where I'm from, haha! I'm proud to tell them that I'm a KY girl ;)

6. It's illegal to talk and drive. That's right... no phone while driving. No texting, no calling,... I wasn't aware of this until I saw a billboard on the highway... while I was on the phone. Oops!

7. There are some GREAT restaurants! We've had the best pizza from Frank Pepe's ( I can see why it is a legend!!), the best seafood, the best fresh fruit, the best cheesecake, I could keep going but now I'm just making myself hungry.

8. There is always something to do. I was out walking last Wednesday and I stumbled upon a sidewalk Farmer's Market with a live band playing across from them. Friday nights, in the green across from our building, they have a free movie night. There are several beaches and state parks close by. You can go antiquing, to an aquarium, wine tasting, see a play, listen to music at a coffee house, read at the library,... the list goes on and on. I'm thankful we are in a vibrant city with lots to offer.

9. Here in New Haven... Yale reigns supreme. Store windows are full of anything and everything to do with Yale. There is a sense of pride here and B and I are proud to join in. You already see signs up around campus for the elite and heavily rivaled Yale/ Harvard football game. People are already talking about it... it is a lot of fun to be a part of! I love walking around campus with B and admiring the outstanding architecture of the campus and the sense of history that is brought to life here. I'm beyond thankful that God brought here so that B gets this incredible training and so that we are exposed to this amazing area.

10. I love it here! B loves it here! We knew we would probably like it but we were surprised at how quickly we settled in and called this home. The summers are gorgeous and I'm secretly awaiting the fall time. And yes... I'm looking forward to the winter days here. The snow, the cold, a blizzard or two... I don't care! The winter's may be harsh but it so worth it to turn around and see spring and summer in CT. What a beautiful cycle of seasons... I'm happy to be here and to be able to go through this experience. I'm not sure what God has in store for us after B's fellowship comes to a close but I have a feeling we would be just fine sticking around here for a lil' while longer ;)

Lots of love ladies... I'm going to go enjoy this Connecticut sunshine!

xoxo

Getting Excited!

I can not believe that February is coming to an end and another month is getting ready to begin. Is it just me or is time flying by?!?!

For B and I this means another month closer until we're all moved into our new place in Connecticut.

Today was one of those days where I got REALLY excited about our big move (and a little anxious because we have not started to organize our packing strategy)! I'm feeling so blessed that B has such an amazing opportunity at one of the best hospitals in the country...very proud of the hubs ;)

Here are some things that got me all giddy about our adventure up north:

We are a train ride away from some pretty great cities in the New England Area...lots of weekend getaways!

About an hour away?!?! NYC...a city that I hold close to my heart!

I'm really looking forward to decorating our new place and making it "ours"...I gotta add my own flair and dash of sparkle ;) and PS...I'm loving this headboard.

We are close to many beautiful beaches. I can't wait to spend lazy days and summer weekends listening to the ocean and relaxing...New England style.

I can't wait to explore our new neighborhood and find our "place". That bakery/coffee shop that we hit up on those Saturday mornings.

I've heard Connecticut has A LOT of antique shops (I prefer the term vintage)! I'm ready to visit these unique stores and find that special something.

Aaahhh....vineyards and picnics...sounds like a great date to me!

This gal loves good food and the New England area is known for its fresh seafood....mmmmm lobster, crab, shrimp...oh my! Yum!

Hoping to brush up on my photography skills during B's fellowship year.

Fall in Connecticut is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! Orchards are popular up north so I'm sure B and I will be making a visit during those cool, crisp autumn months.

They had a rough winter this past year but honestly...I can't wait for winter and snow up north. I'm dreaming of a White Christmas...maybe a little more white than I'm used to. Ha!

I can never seem to find the time to read as much as I would like. Hopefully, this upcoming move will allow me more time to read those books that I've been putting off.

{All photos above courtesy of via}

And of course...I am so excited to be on this journey with my wonderful hubby! Words can not express how happy I am for him and this once in a lifetime chance to train at Yale- New Haven Hospital. Should be a fun time and we plan to make the most of it.

Many blessings ladies...

Have a fabulous weekend y'all!!!!