I’m currently sitting in the British Airways lounge before my first one-way flight. Whoa. I had envisioned this moment so many times before today, wondering how I would feel. I assumed I’d be a nervous wreck, honestly. But right now, doing a full check…
I find English to be a fascinating language, a combination of roots of different languages with variations in meaning depending on context. As the news of our move is shared, I hear people exclaim, “You’re moving to England? That’s terrific!” Really, I…
Our Wedding Vows Martin, of all the blessings I’ve been given, you are by far the best. The last six years, four months, and fifteen days have been the greatest adventure of my life. We’ve celebrated the highest of highs, consoled each other in the…
Normally, I am all about New Year’s Resolutions. I set them the week between Christmas and the new year, write them down, and make them into S.M.A.R.T. goals which I put in my calendar. But this year has been different. I’ve talked…
My best friend Audra (and the maid of honor in our wedding) lives in Orlando, and every time I visit, there is never a shortage of things to do. Even better, she used to work for Disney and has tons of connections, so when we wanted to do…
An overcast day in Florida can only mean one thing: exploring the hidden treasures of bookstores, antique stores, and art museums the Tampa area has to offer. Martin and I found a gorgeous gem adjacent to the University of Tampa, a bookstore/restaurant/gift store/event space combo called the…
My favorite holiday – hands down – is Christmas, and I’ve been day-dreaming about what Christmas at Holly Tree Cottage will look like. If it’s anything like what’s in my brain, I may never leave that home for the holiday! This year, we…
Every Christmas Eve no matter where we are in the world, Martin and I (and whoever wants to join) find a Christmas Eve church service to attend. It’s always a big to-do for us: ladies in dresses, men in suits. I couldn’t resist wearing this…
One of my favorite Christmas traditions is decorating the Christmas tree. For years, I had a cheap $20 tree from Target, and while it did it’s best, that little tree didn’t hold up to our peaked ceilings! This year, Martin and I got our first …
Yesterday was the first major snow of the season! Snow always makes me feel so warm, cozy, and a bit nostalgic. I love the excitement I felt as a kid, waking up in the morning to find snow on the ground in hopes of a day off (or…
