WE'RE MOVING!!

It has been a crazy busy time for us lately.... so much stuff to sort, boxes to fill, and goodbyes to say! While we're sad to leave the place we've called home for the first two years of our marriage, we are so excited about this next chapter of our lives.


Where will our next adventures be, you ask??


Here are a few hints about the state that will soon be our home...

There are scenic mountains...

a beautiful coastline...

magnificent waterfalls and lush forests...

majestic mansions...

and a great college basketball rivalry...

That's right. North Carolina here we come! 

Sophie is excited about the move also, and she'll be even more excited when she sees her new fenced in backyard and sun deck!

(And yes, we're wearing Duke shirts, but only until we can buy these...)

Happy Friday everyone!

What I'm Loving Today!

I'm linking up with Jamie once again to share my loves for the week.

I'm loving the fun times I've spent with friends lately. Since we're moving soon, we said many goodbyes to our Boston friends this week.

I'm loving this Cape Cod Screwball bracelet that my friends gave me to remind me of time in Massachusetts.

I'm loving that my parents and extended family are visiting us this Saturday!

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I'm loving this shirt from White House Black Market.

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I'm loving that school's....out....for...summer!

I'm loving that I have a job lined up in a school that I'm super excited about!

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I'm loving this sweetie with her crossed legs! (And she's loving her new bed!)

And I'm loving this guy!

What are you loving this week?

St. Louis - The Most Underrated City?

Kris and I have made another quick trip recently to St. Louis, Missouri, which could be one of the most underrated city in the country, in my opinion. I was so impressed with the cultural attractions (free of charge!), restaurants, and beautiful parks and gardens. 

We met with a city tour guide that showed us the many of St. Louis' neighborhoods, each having something special to offer with rich heritage and culture, pubs, festivals and live music.  

The Hill is an italian district where the sausage is so good it's exported to Italy. The hip Lafayette Square offers fine wine and dining. South Grand offers authentic Asian restaurants and one of the top three botanical gardens in the world. Soulard, the historic french neighborhood, is a very eclectic, active community that offers the "High Heel Drag Race" every year during its Mardi Gras celebration. Clearly, there is something for everyone here.

We have already decided that we must go back soon. Unfortunately we didn't get to explore City Museum, a 600,000 square foot adult fun house on crack.  Check out the amazing photos below!!

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Have you explored St. Louis? What are your favorite parts of the city?

You can keep your fruity pies and cobblers...

Give me a chunky, gooey, buttery, cream cheesy, rich dessert.  

I have a sweet tooth, a massive sweet tooth. In fact, I'm tempted to have brownies for dinner tonight. Pinterest is a great place to find ridiculous dessert recipes, and I am certainly looking for any excuse to try them. Feast your eyes on these amazing desserts I recently pinned, and click the link on the bottom to take you directly to the recipe. 

Happy baking!

Butter Cake Bars

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

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Caramel Brownie Bites

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Oreo Pudding Poke Cake

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Cake Batter Bars

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Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

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Sugar Cookie Bars

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Cookies and Cream Peanut Butter

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Red Velvet Brownies

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Cinnamon Roll Cake

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Cookie Dough Dip

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Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Muffins

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Strawberry Lemonade Layer Cake

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Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

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Krispy Kreme Cupcakes

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Duke University

Kris and I visited the Durham/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina a few weeks back. While there, we took a self-guided tour of Duke University. The campus definitely earns its "Gothic Wonderland" nickname, as it's breathtakingly beautiful with it's gothic architecture and acres of forest. Like Yale, it has a very Hogwarts-like feel, which made me love it even more. :)

Chocolate Protein Smoothie

When I'm craving something sweet I have a few healthy go-to snacks that combat my cravings. This filling chocolate protein smoothie is one of them.  It makes a perfect on-the-go breakfast and after-gym snack. It's packed with vitamins and protein, low in fat and calories, and so delicious!

Chocolate Protein Smoothie

1 banana

2/3 cup oats

1/4 cup chocolate ovaltine

2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

1 cup chocolate soymilk

1 scoop chocolate protein powder (I use Designer Whey brand.)

8 ice cubes

Put all ingredients (except ice) in a blender until smooth.  Add about 10 ice cubes and pulse until desired consistency. Pour and serve immediately.  Makes two 12 oz servings.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Calories         Fiber         Protein         Fat

    395              8.5g            18g            5.5g

Readers, what do you enjoy in your smoothie?

Tidepooling Trip

In my second grade class we studied organisms in a tide pool and even had an salt water aquarium in our classroom to observe the characteristics of animals that live in a tide pool. Tide pools are rocky pools of sea water that form at low tide. The organisms in this habitat are exposed to sun, rocks, and strong currents and must be able to cope with these ever-changing conditions.  Some organisms found in a tide pool include sea stars, shrimp, limpets, mussels, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs etc.  

What's better than taking the students to a tide pool to observe these animals in their natural habitat?  So, off we went to Marshfield, MA with our buckets, sturdy water shoes, and left no rocks unturned.

Enjoy the pictures!

Best chaperone ever!

What I'm Loving Today

I'm linking up with Jamie once again to share my loves for the week.

I'm loving the girls night I had this week with Jessica from Mrs. Lodge's Library. Her blog has terrific lesson ideas for teachers and librarians.

I'm loving that my grandfather is feeling better.

I'm loving the big move we're making this summer!  We made it official today.

I'm loving my Perfect TeaMaker and strawberry blooming tea.

I'm loving there's only 25.5 days until summer vacation.

I'm loving the long walks in to Boston, but brrrr it's cold!

I'm loving these beautiful picnic accessories.

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Share what you're loving today!