Gray Snow Day

Thursday was one of those quintessential snow days. The sky was gray all day and while the world seemed bright because of all the snow you realized after a few minutes that you hadn't seen the sun all day. The entire world seemed to shut down. Okay, it doesn't hurt matters that the day started off with some amazing challah bread french toast and coffee. I can't wait to finish the rest of that loaf of bread this weekend. 

Unfortunately, I can't be as rambunctious in the snow this year as I have been in prior years. I had a routine checkup earlier this week for the little one and my doctor joked that, "falling at this point is still more dangerous than drinking and smoking at the same time." She wouldn't clarify the danger order for falling, drinking, and smoking all at separate times. I got her point though, take it easy and don't go too crazy when there is ice and snow underfoot. 

Jax is taking one for the team and is fully enjoying playing in the snow for everyone in the family. I can't wait to toss more snow balls out into the yard this weekend and watch him run around liked a crazed pup. And Jewels is most likely looking forward to stealing more of my hot chocolate. 

At this point in the calendar I'm ready to be rid of these gray snowy days and I'm looking forward to spring. It's sad to say since I love winter, but I'm ready for this snow storm to be the last of the season. 

Stay safe and warm! 

Lens Testing

Eeck! I'm photographing a friend's wedding this weekend. In an attempt to keep my nerves at a somewhat comfortable level I rented a few extra pieces of glass to take with me to the wedding. That meant I had to get outside for some test shots. Unfortunately the weather forecast is nothing but rain, so last night as soon the workday was over the hubs and I took the dogs out for a quick set of photos. 

It was also the perfect way to get a few fresh images with the pups. Can we talk about how awesome the bokeh is on that 135f/2 L lens? Oh wait, how about how the 50f/1.2L completely lit up the hubs and Jewels when it was practically dark outside? And left my ISO on 100 the entire time because I wanted to have a consistency to compare different images. 

This photography hobby is expensive! I do "need" a telephoto lens in my arsenal and I'm fearful after this weekend I might have to save up for one sooner rather than later! 

Here's hoping for good weather this weekend and sharp images! 

Snow Day!

Made in USA: Jeans: old James Jeans (similar) // Tee Shirt: American Apparel //  Socks: Wigwam // Hat: Brixton // Gloves: old Filson (similar) // 

Imported: Boots: Hunter 

My ideal day goes as follows: nice run in the morning, breakfast (gluten free chocolate chip pancakes, french vanilla latte, and a side of bacon), scalding hot shower, read by the fire, watch snow fall, play in snow, thaw out from snow, read some more, play in snow some more, eat chicken noodles soup, get back in the snow etc. Basically I want to play in the snow as much as humanly possible. I was that kid who would only come back inside for a mug of hot coco before changing gloves and then running back outside into the snow. 

I love snow. I get sad every winter where there isn't more snow because I miss it dearly and it's one reason I couldn't imagine moving any further south.

Thankfully, I've got a snow partner in crime in Jax. We huddled in the house on Sunday, eagerly watching the snow accumulate in the backyard. Finally, I looked at the hubs and said, "it's time to play in the snow!" I promptly "borrowed" one of his heavy flannels (I hate running around in a heavy jacket and would rather layer up and wear a heavy flannel), threw sweaters on the dogs, pulled up my boots and away we went.

Jewels lasted all of nine seconds and then begged to be picked up. Jax and I ran around in the yard like the crazy ones we are and the hubs just took it all in. Then we came inside, watched some football, warmed up by the fire, and stared longingly at the snow outside. 

Did you get snow over the weekend? Are you a snow person or do you hate the snow? 

Made in USA: Dog Gift Guide

1: Orvis Collar (more colors/patterns available) // 2: Collapsible Bowl // 3: Filson Leather Leash // 4: Kong Wobbler Treat Dispenser // 5: Auburn Leather Tug Toy // 6: Stainless Steel Bowl // 7: Jax and Bones bed // 8: Billy Wolf Rain Jacket 

Ever since Lady and the Tramp came out it's been the ultimate dream to get a puppy for Christmas.  As a kid I always hoped to find a puppy under the tree, but alas that never happened. My parents were far too rational to give a bunch of screaming kids a puppy! I kid, we had plenty of dogs growing up. 

However, eight years ago the hubs and I got a call that a 9 week old Boston Terrier was "too rambunctious" for his new family.  The hubs and I had talked about getting a second Boston and ideally we wanted a boy. On the car ride over to see if this puppy was a good fit for our family the hubs was more excited and I was more hesitant because I wasn't 100% sold on the timing of getting a second dog.  That first moment I saw Jax reminded me of the time I was a 12 year old when I walked into a pound, craddled a 50lb dog in my arms, and told my dad the dog was coming home with me. The bond was instantaneous between Jax and me. He's been my pup ever since that day. 

And so we brought Jax into our lives just weeks before Christmas. The hubs even joked that we could put a bow on Jax since he was our Christmas present to ourselves. He didn't go for the bow, but both pups help us open our presents every year. Even Jewels loves shredding wrapping paper. (just make sure your dog shreds the paper and doesn't actually ingest the paper) 

So if you've got a special pup in your life (my furbabies are eight years old and I still call them pups!) or you've got friend with a pup - don't forget them this holiday season. Every dog needs more collars, leashes, toys, and beds. Seriously, my pups have four beds in our house. And that collapsible bowl needs to get in my life ASAP because that would be perfect for taking with us on our longer hikes in the park.  I'm shocked that Jewels doesn't already own that rain jacket!

Finally, I'm not a cat person. I'm horribly allergic to cats and since they're slowly trying to kill me I try to avoid cats at all costs. However, if you're looking for a few cat gifts that are made in the USA please let me know in the comments and I will certainly try to help you out. Felines are furbabies too! 

Warm fuzzies

There are moments in life where all I want to do is change into a pair of comfy sweatpants, eat a mountain of Panera's baked potato soup, and cuddle with my furbabies. Yesterday, was one of those days.

Here's to the warm fuzzies in life. The happy moments that keep us moving forward when the world just refuses to make sense.  My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was affected by the terrible tragedy that took place at the Navy Yard yesterday.

Cast Iron

The hubs and I are romantic saps when it comes to traditions and every year we exchange the customary anniversary gifts. There were concert tickets for our paper first year, egyptian cotton sheets for our second anniversary and so forth. However we were both stumped when it came to picking out something for our iron anniversary. We could have gone the standard route and purchased cast iron cookware, but I was randomly searching one day and came across this cast iron statue. 

It's perfect!

Backstory: last summer the hubs came home and proclaimed, "I think we should have gargoyles made modeled after Jax and Jewels. Wouldn't it be awesome to see Jewels as an evil gargoyle?"

After pricing out said statues I told the hubs that such a purchase would have to come out of his personal savings account.  When I found this little, yet heavy, guy I thought it was a perfect compromise.

Although, now the custom gargoyles idea has been brought up again!  Honestly, who could think of Jax as an angry gargoyle? There isn't a mean bone in his body.

On another note, I can't even imagine the weight of a life-size statue of Jax! That would be a exceptionally heavy garden gnome.  Honestly, this thing looks just like Jewels, but she wanted nothing to do with posing next to it. 

What do you think? Should I tell the hubs to put in an order for gargoyle statues? Or would that take our Boston obsession a tad too far? 

Sights from OBX

Just a quick photo dump of an incredibly relaxing trip the hubs and I took to the Outer Banks two weeks ago.  We rented a tiny cabin by the beach (no wifi!) and just enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation with the dogs.  Crazy thing, I didn't take a single picture of the pups by the ocean because I never even brought my camera to the beach when I had the dogs!  

Totally crazy thing happened at the beach - Jewels ran right into the ocean. And, then promptly out :) 

Guess who got ZERO sunburn while on vacation?!?!?! That's right - the palest kid in the room. 

This was the first, but certainly not the last time, we've been to the outer banks.  I could hang out in the those Adirondack chairs every evening and be blissfully happy.

Case of the Mondays

Just a quick puppy post. They've been uncharacteristically absent from the blog lately. 

If you thought daylights saving time was rough for you, then you are sorely mistaken.  Let me introduce you to two Boston Terriers who were not having any of it this morning. 

This guy usually barges in on me in the morning. He has knack for using his massive head as a battering ram and forces his way through the bathroom door. I'm not kidding, but on Monday morning I heard him hit the door, seeing the door not budge, give up, and put himself to bed in the hallway. Game over. 

Jewels, true to form, put herself back to bed immediately after going out in the morning.  The snooze alarm hadn't even gone off and Jewels was back to snoring while buried in her blankets.  I'm pretty sure the hubs had to carry her outside just to get her outside in the first place.

Now, the one perk of daylights savings time is being home with lots of daylight to spare and getting to take the dogs for a long walk and still have time to play in the yard.  These guys were not in the mood for playing yesterday.  Again, had to carry Jewels outside! 

Even my chubby puppy looks tired and he's always ready for playtime.  Those little eyelids looked so heavy. 

Seriously tired! 

If anyone else is struggling this week due to the time change, fear not because you are not alone (cue the Michael Jackson!). 

I'm not a fan of leaving for work when it is so dark out, but I do enjoy the extra hour of daylight in the evenings.  I'm hoping to start running again and that'll allow me to walk the dogs and get 45 minutes of daytime running in the evenings.  Daylight running = less chance of getting hit by a car!

Anyone else struggling with the time change? 

Just a boy and his dog

Over the weekend the hubs and I took Jax for a two-hour walk around the park.  We went ahead and bought a season pass to all of our county's main parks because we anticipate we'll be at a park almost every weekend this year. 

The weather was an unseasonable warm 55 degrees, but the water was cold enough that Jax only got his paws wet and then he was done with the bay.  Funny story, even though he's 7 years old, this was the first time Jax has ever been down to the bay (or to the beach).  He's been out in lake by my parents house, but this was a bit different.  Come summer time we won't be able to keep him out of the water! 

I don't know who was more excited to get out and walk around: Jax or the hubs.  The hubs hasn't been cleared for running yet, so walking is his main form of physical activity at the moment.  

For the record: I held Jax's leash for most of the walk.  It's just safer that way.  Also, even though it was 55 degrees out we left Jewels at home.  Anything under 60 and it might as well be snowing out in her book.  Plus, one pup is enough for two people at the park!

Anyone else get out and enjoy the weather this weekend before the cold air came in? It was crazy how warm it was on Saturday and then by Sunday afternoon you could just feel the chill descending in the air.  Beyonce would have been able to sing live at the inauguration if it was in the 50s! 

Christmas Recap

The hubs and I weren't able to travel this year for Christmas, but rather think of our situation as the first Christmas away from my family I thought of it as the first Christmas of just the hubs and me.  Plus, two spoiled Boston Terriers.

My grandma's vintage ceramic tree fits right at home in the kitchen's bay window.  A little dusting of snow on Christmas Eve certainly didn't hurt the view. 

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas.  

Thank you for all of your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. The hubs came through surgery with flying colors on Wednesday.  He has a long road ahead of him to full recovery, but getting through surgery was step one.