dinner and a movie

Date night, a couple weeks ago: 

Italian for dinner (he got a calzone with pepperoni and sausage, I got seafood manicotti). I think I had four bites before I had to have mine boxed up (too much salad).

 Ben and Jerry's for dessert (he got chocolate something, I had vanilla heath bar crunch [which has nothing on coffee heath bar crunch, by the way]). 

Following that, we went to see Courageous. We were the only ones in the theater until the previews... then we were joined by a whopping two more couples.

All in all, a successful date night.

reilly retreat

The Reilly Building went on retreat the first weekend of October.

We had a marvelous time in Idaho, relaxing, watching movies, reading scripture together, swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding and enjoying the fellowship.

Though we were enjoying ourselves, we failed to take a group picture.

Unfortunate, because now that there are 12 of us, times where we're all around are few and far between.

meanwhile, here are pictures of our retreat:

click to make bigger.

Seasonal

Fall happens to be one of my favorite seasons. I like crisp mornings, changing leaves, apple picking, sweater wearing, bonfires, pumpkins... all the things that make this season seem so special.

This fall, I'm welcoming all those things, albeit a bit sadly because I know that the chill of winter is soon to come. 

Though this is the case, it's going to come whether I welcome it or not, so here's what I've been doing to celebrate the season! 

So many people have made Fall bucket lists. I was inspired to do the same. I thought Carson would hate this idea, but he got really excited when I showed him the things we can do this fall. 

In addition to that, I had him bring up the Christmas boxes, where the fall decorations were stored as well. 

I had the silk leaves as part of our decor last year, found the branches at the Dollar Store (we now live in the city, or else I could have found my own sticks) and stuck them in the vase I'd been using all summer. 

I pinned this idea and actually used it. Love it!

Carson has asked me to please tell him not to eat these, otherwise his hands would be dipping in to grab some candy corn all the time. 

I sprinkled more fake leaves by the entryway and moved around the vases which used to hold springy paper flowers... I think it works for fall.

We also had these Styrofoam gourds and pumpkins from last year. 

I sprinkled fake leaves on the tops of bookshelves and tables in the apartment. John came in the day I decorated and said "It looks like fall in here!" I was happy to see that someone else noticed. 

This is one of my favorite seasons to decorate for because the things you can use are so obviously seasonal. 

fall birthdays are the best.

Years and years ago, I became blessed by the friendship of one Brooke Mixson (now Kauffman). 

Early on, we would spend our time jumping on her trampoline. Over the years, she's introduced me to coffee (I have the pictures), explained the game of football and corrected my earliest papers in college. 

She got engaged 8 months after I did so we were able to share a month where we both planned weddings together, though we'd theoretically been planning since we met. We've survived braces, crushes, road trips and been there for each other for our various wedding stresses. 

Happiest birthday, Brooke!

Owl Howl

So there's this "thing" I have with owls. 

I may have mentioned it before but it basically started with being asked what my favorite animal was and coming up with "owl" as the response. I wasn't thinking real owl... because sometimes, they're a bit creepy. I was thinking about CUTE owls, which I call good owls.

Owl stuff is everywhere, which means I've been collecting it (strictly as gifts... I'm not actually a collector)

I have an apron, cookie jar, oven mitt, plate, coin purse, earrings, children's book (also the title of this post) necklace... and probably other items I'm forgetting. 

I guess it goes without saying that I'd try my hand at making my own owls. 

These are quite possibly the silliest things I'll ever make, but they're fun to make and when I'm done they seem to take on little personalities. Not really, but I love how the cut and pattern of each fabric make each little owl pillow different. The brown one in the middle was my very first owl and the pink one was my first attempt at hand embroidery. These little guys are fun... and I think they need homes. I don't actually have the space (or desire for so many owls in my home, they just happen to be easy and fun to make. 

Second Time's a Charm

So, remember the failed pillow making from a couple of weeks ago? 

I mentioned that I thought I could learn from my mistakes and guess what? I did!

This evening I decided to give pillow covering a second chance and whipped up another pillow cover. Much, much nicer. The whole process, from choosing fabric to sewing the final stitch took less than an hour.

I love it! 

Around the House

I don't have much to say (a lie. I always have a lot to say) other than to show you what we've been up to lately. 

A few weeks ago, I made peanut butter cookies. I enjoy most cookies before they're cooked (dough) but peanut butter cookies and the oatmeal cookies my mom makes are the two exceptions. I had all the ingredients for peanut butter cookies, so I set to work filling up the cookie jar. 

Unfortunately, since I like them, the cookie jar is once again empty. Oh well. 

Carson returned to work at Super Supplements. His boss called and offered him a full-time position. Yes, please! I made a sign for his first day. 

 I also thought I should make a note of how we watch movies around here. On the macbook, propped up by other dvds, with computer speakers. This movie, by the way, was the updated version of "Charade" (with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn). This one was called "The Truth about Charlie" and it just wasn't that great. We have Charade and I think it's much better! 

With ice cream, of course. Carson keeps getting my favorite (mint chocolate chip) so we keep eating ice cream... it's a problem I don't mind all that much :) 

Here's another something I made: an owl pincushion. The drawback is that it sort of looks like an owl voodoo doll. I don't know that they have those but I feel bad stabbing this poor creature in the back. He has been rather handy though. I don't miss having to stick pins in the couch when I'm trying to sew.

I just love squash and zucchini cooked together. Something about it just seems so summery. I think it's the colors and the fact that growing up we had a million squash from Granddaddy's garden each summer. 

Since I'm showing you "life", here's some Reilly Building pictures and updates. 

This is our list of rules for the apartment building. Some people took the liberty of calling others out on certain misdemeanors. I, for instance, have a drug and alcohol issue... clearly. Some of the names are personal jokes (Rachel has a fish and was called out on the "pets" rule and Keith may or may not be loud late at night).

That rule list is posted on the whiteboard that's in the foyer of the building. I think it's supposed to be for helpful notes. There are a few, but there are mostly pictures and funny notes. Stephanie recently made this one of the Reilly women (yes, we have new people)... and Izzy made an addition. 

The biggest Reilly family news has been that two of our members, John and Rachel, got engaged last week! We're all THRILLED for this event, to take place this winter over break. They will continue to be our neighbors - she'll move down the hall to his apartment, which happens to be right next to ours!