Just A -Tiny- Bit of News

Read it here.

The Valentine's Surprise

Okay, so if you've been following us long enough you know that surprises are a common occurrence around here. Cliff loves creating them and I like being the giver of the "oh my goodness!" It used to be the other way around when we were dating, but I think ever since our engagement on top of Big Frog, Cliff's been on a kick that won't quit. And I don't mind.

He'd been telling me for about two weeks that he had something planned for the evening so I didn't need to worry about putting anything together (last year I whipped up steak, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and chocolate fondue... thank you, again, PW).

Yesterday we spent the day kind of out and about. We've never spent a weekend Valentine's Day together so it was nice to just have the whole day. I had scheduled some portfolio "engagement" sessions with some friends of ours for the day (and today!), so Cliff played assistant and helped me switch lenses, scout out locations, and gave general suggestions for different shots. It was so great to have him with me and I'm thankful for a husband who is willing to share in this experience with me.

By the time we finished up, it was back home to do some editing for a bit and "get ready" for his surprise. Before leaving, he gave me a surprise (go figure!) gift which was just enough money to purchase Adobe Lightroom for my photo editing. After we celebrated, searched online, and purchased it he mentioned needing to head out for a bit and that he'd be back in time enough for us to get cleaned up and go. Well, I wandered off into Photoshop land and in no time he was back and knocking at the door. I opened up and there were white daisies and grocery bags in tow!

CLIFF MADE ME DINNER.
For the first time, ever!

And I was just shocked and so pleased and happy and smitten it was ridiculous. Not to mention, proud. Because he didn't just go anywhere to pick a recipe. He, knowing my deep admiration for Pioneer Woman, scoured through her recipes online and picked, unbeknownst to him, my favorite recipe of hers (of all time, hands down, no competition). He forgot that I had made it before, a long time ago (probably September 28, 2007... the day after it was posted) and thought it might be something I'd like. Was he ever right!

We enjoyed his delicious culinary creation with with the company of Chardonnay, Candlelight, Norah Jones and finished off with a few Schakolad chocolates from our Lampo Christmas giftbox. Then, to top it off, Cliff borrowed a Hallmark movie (featuring my favorite actress) from Julie a couple of weeks ago, knowing I hadn't seen it and that I'd more than likely love it. We watched the movie while nibbling on our favorite break-and-bakes and drinking milk, and it was perfect.

Just perfect.

My Life Was Changed...

...in only a matter of minutes, just a few moments ago.

It went from this:

to this:



Thanks to this pretty baby:


and to the subject in the pictures above... also known as my amazing husband!

No more standard flash-in-your-face for me - I'm going mobile! WOOHOO!


Thank you to Shane and Zach & Jody for being a part of Cliff's sneaky but oh-so-wonderful surprise Christmas gift!

P.S. Please never-mind the state of our apartment. It is, shall we say, suffering from post-traumatic Christmas syndrome... or something like that.

The First Snow-el

Man, last night was incredible!

All throughout the day, the forecasts were calling for precipitation but no accumulation of the snow-kind in our area. Sure, they said "south of Nashville" but threw in classifiers such as Tullahoma, Manchester, and a number of places much further south than our own quaint little Franklin.

When I left work early to prepare for last night's Division of Student Affairs annual Christmas party, it was sleeting. When I got out of Publix, where I was picking up my green bean casserole ingrediants, about a quarter inch of sleet had accumulated on my car. When I left the house after cooking for an hour, I stepped out into a winter wonderland, no lie. ACCUMULATION RIGHT HERE IN FRANKLIN. About a half-inch's worth, too!

It's been awhile since we've seen snow like this here and I loved it, even when it took me twenty-five minutes to go all of five miles to Andrew's house for the party. Oh, and an hour for Cliff to go about the same distance except on the craziness that was the interstate. We both had the same mindset. Turn up Mix 92.9 (which has been playing non-stop Christmas music), drive slow and cautious, and enjoy the beauty of this unexpected gift!

We got to the party late, but still managed to get some of the scraps left of everyone's wonderful food they brought as well as much green bean casserole as we can manage (and we still have a half of a huge pan left). Getting out was the hard part, so we just hung out talking and ended up being the last people to leave. The moment we stepped outside, I gasped aloud because it was just so beautiful. By then, the clouds had cleared and an almost full moon was out reflecting off the snow which cast a beautiful blue glow all around. I just wished it had snowed more!

This morning I waited a couple of hours before going in to work because our parking lot was relatively a skating rink. And wouldn't you know, when I finally got up to Nashville there was no snow. What's the deal?