Rejoice! Rejoice!

Christmastime is finally here! It is my favorite time of the year, and such a wonderful reminder of the miraculous birth of our Savior. Rejoice! 

Pip on drugs

Poor Pip got the snip a few days ago and though we hate to see our little gentleman suffer, it does provide pretty priceless, drug-induced hilarity like this:

A Very Good Year

UPDATE! Thanks to all those that have inquired about collaborating on a custom timeline of their own. Click HERE to order!

When I originally started this little piece to give to Ben for our anniversary yesterday, I began with a timeline of the big milestones from this past year, but then I got to thinking... years from now, we will probably still remember all those big events, but the memory of our day-to-day life will be foggier. So, I decided to capture a glimpse into the little details of our very first year together so that someday, many years from now, we can can look back and smile and say "Oh yes! I'd forgotten about that!" I was so inspired by this first try that I hope to make this a yearly tradition!

Owl-oween

Just reliving the glory of our costumes from 2 years ago... maybe they will take flight again this year? (PUNS!)

Squash

Butternut squash, destined for some gnocchi

It is fall, that is all!

Cider and pumpkins and scarves... oh my!

A piece of our whimsical, woodsy wedding decor

Autumn is obviously our mutually favorite seasons since we chose to get married during this glorious time of year and one of the only advantages to the weather in Nashville is we get a relatively long fall.

Though this time last year was full of so many wonderful things, there is much to look forward to this year as well, including (but not limited to):

• Our 1-year anniversary! (Where has the time gone?!)
• My darling friend's wedding on October 13th!
• Pumpkinfest - The most amazing event in Tennessee (besides the Fainting Goat Festival, I suppose). So great in fact, I may have to give Pumpkinfest it's own blog post one of these days
• Cardigan and scarf weather! (I should say "comfortable cardigan and scarf weather" since I have unsuccessfully tried to sport both this summer)
• Apple picking! Caramel Apples! Apple Crisp! Apple cider! 
• Walks in the crunchy leaves at Edwin Warner Park
• Our annual fall viewing of The Village

This list could go on, but I will save my fall-ccetric ravings for another day. 

Fairest Fair

The delightfully crisp air that has overtaken Nashville was the perfect backdrop for a magical evening at the Tennessee State Fair.

Some people go for the rides, some for the fried "food," some for the exhibits... I go with the hope of meeting a friendly alpaca or two. This fair did not disappoint as I had ample hang time with not one but THREE alpacas, shaggy goats, tiny sheep, momma and bebe mules, super stylin' ducks and an ear-less goat (see bottom right... WHAT IS GOING ON THERE!?!?!)

I was thrilled to find the only stand at the entire fair selling Elephant Ears (apparently a Midwest-exclusive treat?) and Ben got his Swanson on whilst devouring a giant Turkey leg.

Thrilling pig races and Kenyan acrobats were the icing on this Blue Ribbon-worthy cake.

Loungin'

We three are currently basking in this gloriously crisp breeze... sure hope this weather is here to stay!

Happy September!

Happy supposed fall season time! We refuse to let the sauna outside dampen (pun intended) our autumnal spirits!

Cheer

I really like this photo from my birthday dinner for some reason. It is candid (except for me being a goober) and I love how relaxed and cheerful my sweet grandma Jane looks. Yay for wonderful family. I am quite blessed.

Kitty comfort

Is there anything better than coming home to an adoring, cuddly Pip?!

Well, maybe for Ben who gets to come home to an adoring, cuddly Pip AND Ren.

24 is the new 23.

My 24th birthday, as well as the 6th anniversary of our first date, was this past Saturday! Par-tay!

We spent the weekend in Indiana going to not one, but TWO weddings. 'Twas a busy weekend, but we were able to fit in a lovely Buca Birthday Bounty (triple alliteration win!) with my family Saturday evening. My darling mum also made my favorite birthday dessert of Angel Food cake with  homemade chocolate sauce, fresh whipped cream, and raspberries. Lucky me!

I was reflecting upon this past year of my life and it struck me what a truly eventful year this has been!

Why, you may ask? 

Well, in my 23rd year, I:

• Planned our wedding
• Had the most perfectly lovely wedding
• Went on a dream honeymoon with my dreamboat lad 
• Officially moved to Nashville 
• Settled into our first little home/apartment together
• Got an amazing job
• Celebrated many of our dearest friends weddings
• Saw our wedding featured on Martha Stewart Weddings
• Got a precious kitty cat
• Started this blog  

 I look forward to seeing what this next year has in store! 

Olympi-Cat

This cat isn't afraid of water!

Stick it!

Out of sync...

Happy 30th!

Happy 30th Wedding Day to my marvelous parents, Steve & Darlene Maus!

Thanks for getting married so I could exist.

Barrie Wisdom

Team Katniss

A little Hunger Games design in honor of the dvd release today! 

Lewis Wisdom

Another in the series... that will hopefully have many more!

Tolkien Wisdom

I feel a series coming on...

Rowling Wisdom

A little Potter philosophy to brighten your day.

Lucky 13

Two years ago today, Ben crushed all previous superstitions about Friday the 13th by proposing and making it a pretty stellar date. I'd never been so happy (or surprised) in all my life!

Also of note, the 6th anniversary of our first date is in a mere 12 days. Love is in the air!

Maus in the Haus (err, cabin)

I love my family and the one bummer thing about being in Nashville (beside the Hades-esque summers) is being away from them. So, I am beyond excited to spend this weekend with them at a lovely cabin on a lake in Indiana.

We thought this was the only time we would all be together this year, but we had a bittersweet reunion in April following my grandfather's passing. My brother, David, and his wife Faith made the trek from Uganda to be with us, so we took the opportunity to get this lovely photo of us all together.

David and Faith will be in the States for about a month and then they are off to merry 'ol England. And yes, we are already planning our trip to visit and yes mum already found Les Mis tickets whilst we are there and yes I may faint with joy when my feet finally touch British soil.

Darling family photo by the lovely Emily Gluntz

Pipster

Hipster cat - Pip liked Purina before it was cool

Don't worry!

A little humorous reminder about the silliness of worry.

Les Mis Wisdom

Longfellow Wisdom

Just a little creative fun by yours truly.

A Dark Night

Today, the world feels like such a dark place. But there is hope. "The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul." Psalm 121:7

The Tale of Pip

master Pip - following in the footsteps of his Dickensian namesake

This past weekend, we were graced by a visit from Ben's "little" sister Laura and her delightful friends, Macey and Jeanie. We showed them around Nashville, ate some amazing food, relaxed at our apartment and, whilst strolling in Centennial Park, saw the most spectacular rainbow!

However, all of that only scratches the surface of eventful encounters this weekend. Whilst relaxing on our porch Friday night, soaking in the mild weather, Laura spotted a white cat cowering under a van in our parking lot. Never one to pass up the chance to befriend a cat, I hurried down to check it out.

Long story short-ish, after practically crawling under the van to retrieve said feline, we found him to be deathly skinny, horribly dirty with a badly injured eye. Several bowls of milk, kitten food, and three flea baths later, he is the fluffiest, cuddliest most grateful kitten I have ever seen.

At a mere 1.1. lbs, he'll have to double in size to meet the humane society's 2 lbs minimum weight for them to take him... if we don't get too attached first.

Olden Days

Took an unexpected stroll down memory lane as I happened upon my old Myspace photo page. Here are a few gems.  

My superman (age 6)

Precious lady (age 3)

Gracie girl (age 3)

California Dreamin'

Today, I am dreamin' of the crisp, cool morning we spent at Muir Beach during our honeymoon. 'Twas truly the most beautiful beach I ever did see.

Muir Beach

Ponderin'

Land Ho (harhar)

Wanderin'

Red, white and scones

We celebrated the Fourth with a leisurely breakfast, Indian food + Moonrise Kingdom with dear friends, pizza in the park, and fireworks - viewed from our alma mater's parking garage roof. 

Cheddar + Dill and Raspberry Scones

Benjamin's delectable Iced Coffee

We've kept the mischief to a minimum so far this weekend...

• Local Taco and Fido with brother Tim last night.
• Homemade chocolate chip coconut pancakes and Aero Press coffee this morning.
• Las Americas for lunch.
• Snugglin' and more coffee this afternoon.

Hopefully the rest of this long weekend continues in the same relaxing, tasty fashion.

Homemade Coconut Chocolate Chip Pancakes

The shenanigans begin!

It is such a delight to see all the lovin' our wedding has gotten on the world wide web lately!

Here is a link to our photographer Austin Gros' site

Thanks to him, our wedding is also featured in Martha Stewart Real Weddings 
with an additional blog post in the Bride's Guide section by the lovely Shira Savada.