Anniversary Getaway.

As I've come back to this space, I've realized that a few things have been missed. Well, more than a few. But at least a few that I intended to post about. We celebrated our third anniversary this fall, which I did talk about, but I didn't manage to cover the surprise trip that we took to Bend a couple weeks later.

Since we knew that our anniversary was going to fall about a month in my crazy new school schedule and right in the middle of Taylor's travel season, we decided to set aside a weekend in November to celebrate. We also planned to simply lock ourselves in our house and hang out, since we knew that we wouldn't have the extra cash to plan something especially costly. Little did Taylor know that I had purchased a Groupon in September for a weekend away in Bend.

Since we've been married, we've really only traveled for work and to see family. We've had a night or two away here and there, but we haven't really taken a "trip." And though it was only a three hour drive for a couple nights, I was over the moon to be able to steal my love away from the rest of the world.

We had an incredible time just relaxing in our sweet little condo, watching the snow fall, eating delicious food and enjoying each other's presence. Our schedule this fall has been and continues to be pretty nuts, and we usually see each other for about an hour total during the week. To have a whole weekend together was pure bliss.

Christmas Letter.

Here's our 2011 Christmas letter. We've done a photo card in the past with a link to a digital letter, but there was so much to update on this year and we haven't had a chance to take a photo, I figured a graphic-y letter would be a great compromise! Also, printing it ourselves and using WinCo envelopes saved us a boatload of cash, which is quite helpful for a culinary student! :) Enjoy!

Week Who Knows: Culinary Check In.

I realized the other day that I have not touched this site in a real long time. I had such good intentions of blogging the crap out of culinary school, but that has not happened. And though I wish I could perfectly capture every delicious moment for all, it's often easier for me to live in the moment when I'm not trying to capture it in words. Needless to say, I've been living in every moment of Term 2 and I've learned quite a lot about food and cooking, and even more about myself.

Here's just a few things I've learned during T2 so far:

• I can be far more patient than I ever thought possible.
• I really like baking bread. 
• Despite my desire to do it all, I need to be careful about how many things I load up my schedule with.
• I miss my friends.
• I miss my husband.
• I'm really glad this program is only 8 months long and that I'm officially halfway through.
• And at the same time, I'm sad it's only 8 months long and I'm half way through.
• I have a definite food comfort zone, which I tend to stick to.
• But, I've really enjoyed venturing into the lands of international and vegetarian cuisine this term.
• I am a huge nerd, and put up a pretty nerdy grade for the first half of Term 2.
• I am a person who needs to rely on other people, even though it's hard for me to do. And I feel like lately, the people in my life have really been stepping up and being there for me.
• People can surprise you.
• Duck breast is kind of stressful to cook.
• Team Rocket is awesome (my current group).
• Resilience and flexibility are huge traits needed to survive this industry.
• Meat is kind of gross. Delicious, yet gross. And I desire to eat less and less of it.
• Food prepared by someone else almost always tastes better. Especially sandwiches. 
• I absolutely, no holds barred, fricking fracking LOVE cooking. 
• Anxiety totally sucks. But Jesus totally rocks.
• It's okay to let things like laundry and blogging and taking photos, go by the wayside when all you really have time to do is wash your uniforms, pack your lunch and snuggle your husband.
• I like being around other people.
• I love working with my hands.

Here's a few other, non-school related things that have been happening lately:

• We had a great Thanksgiving with my brother and Taylor's family.
• We found out that in June 2012 we're going to be Aunt and Uncle to a very special Martin baby!
• I had the Fab Four (my three best friends) over for a special Christmas dinner. And it was so so great to be together. Our lives are crazy right now, but getting together just makes everything feel normal again.
• We had a great time at the annual Gingerbread Competition/Christmas party at our friends' house.
• We have NOT sold our house, but I've made peace with it, especially since it has a fireplace and a lovely Christmas tree in it right now.
• My ridiculously awesome Aunt & Uncle put together 12! Days of Christmas for me, which means I get to open a present every day from now until Christmas. SUH-WEET!
• I actually found time to send out a Christmas Card/Letter, which I'll post here soon.

What's up with you people?