glass half full.

 "there are always flowers for those who want to see them."

it's hard to be positive. it takes so much extra effort! the last 5 days have been jam-packed with things that have not made me a very positive person (uhmm...snow?!) luckily the big things all got turned around into happy endings. and the snow melted. 

people are just mean sometimes: have you ever wanted to punch someone in the face? i mean right there in the nose. or maybe pull them aside and really tell 'em off?  it is not a pleasant feeling! and deep breaths, going for a walk and time just don't do the trick. but then, you realize that you are a classy girl that keeps her emotions in check. plus date nights at peachwave make those feelings go bye-bye real fast!

the husband who hates valentines day: i love mike, obviously. he stands up for what he believes in and won't let anyone sway him. unfortunately for me one thing he does not believe in is valentines day. for the last 4 and a half years i have BEGGED him to put his anti-v day feelings aside and just acknowledge the day of love. after a supremely horrible morning on monday, mike shows up to my work with a vase full of my favorite flower...daffodils. way to go, hubby :]

creative writers block: well, it's not exactly creative and i could have at least painted the dang things...but look how fun! of course i am talking about the WALK hooks i bought at michaels for a buck a piece. attach pictures of the men of the house, add leashes and a treat bag and BOOM! a semi-crafty and functional wall display! 

my poor winston: our jack russel-chihuahua spent the first year of his life in a puppy mill with 500 other dogs. enter health problems. this time he has a yeast infection in his ear. ugh. we are very lucky though...winston is AMAZING at the vet and he is going to be just fine. totally treatable. a bit of medicine and he'll be good to go. he's already able to perk up both ears!

crappy days are better with surprises: good surprises. like a box of chocolates and a card that says "i love you and wanted to show it. that's why." have i mentioned how awesome my husband is? :]

we're really looking forward to our boise trip this weekend. its been almost 8 months! can't wait to spend time with family, play games and just hang out. <3

hello, two-thousand-eleven!

may the new year bring you happiness, good fortune and sanity. 

love,

mike + ellen

christmas cheer.

in case you cant read it...it says "husband and dog missing...reward for dog" thank you grandma pat!

our tree kept trying to steal the presents...

thank you for all the gifts, pictures and cards! we hope you all had a great christmas!

pop culture!

 on a very very rainy afternoon mike and i ventured over to vancouver washington for a date. we had heard about soda shops in the portland area that sold specialty flavors...we just had to check it out for ourselves! we arrived at pop culture and were amazing by all the different and exciting soda flavors they had (BANANA!).

i ended up with a mango lemonade...with real lemon bits in it! mike had black cherry cream soda that was sooo smooth and yummy.

if you ever get the chance and are in the vancouver area, take the time to go up the pop culture and have a soda. it was definatly worth the trip!

pop culture.

its the best time of the year!

have a holly jolly christmas...

from mike,

ellen

and the animals.

give thanks.

the target two-day ad. a must read :)



larissa, my master pastry chef sister, and me!



this is larissa's boyfriend, scott. if he really wanted to, he could crush that kitty with one hand. dont worry, he's a lover not a crusher :)



would any gathering with any family be complete without a funny face picture? no. it would not.

this thanksgiving was such a treat. with me working at gap and prepping for the busiest day of the year and mike actually working on thanksgiving we thought we would have to be on our own for the holiday. lucky us, there was a very mueller thanksgiving happening just 100 miles away in springfield :) we drove down when mike got off work and drove back up a few hours later...but it was soooo worth the drive. Here are a few of my favorite things from Thanksgiving this year.

• larissa's pies and her bread that was supposed to be some rolls. she is currently enrolled in a culinary program on the oregon coast and she is an amazing baker. oh my goodness.  
• all the hugs. i stinking love how many hugs this family gives. it really makes me feel like i fit right in!
• gary and chubbs. they are cats. i don't like cats. but i might change my mind after these two!
• catchphrase. boy that game gets loud!
• when larissa and i found winston. he ran away for the first time EVER. but we found him. it was a happy occasion.
• realizing how much chelsie and i have in common. i think that she and i have the same heart. cant wait to see her really grow up over the next few years!
• the fact that we were with family. the time went by so fast but i'm so thankful that we were able the make that drive.
• confirming that just because your a brunette doesn't mean your not blonde. even more than me. but i'm sure nicole will grown into her common sense soon :)
• did i already mention the pie?
• seeing how happy erik + beth were to have all the kids under the same roof for the holiday for the first time in YEARS.

i hope you were all stuffed with good food and good company. we love everyone and wish we could have been to all our family thanksgivings. maybe next year :)

thankful for...

this week, i am very thankful for pippin. i can always count on him to keep my lap warm, eat my leftovers, give me kisses, steal my covers and pose perfectly for heart warming pictures like this one.

"animals are such agreeable friends. they ask no quetions, they pass no criticisms."