the natives.

Taken from seat 10A.

I just arrived in lovely 67-degree Florida.

Folks were looking at me funny in my closed-toed shoes (who's ever heard of such a thing?) and turtleneck sweater, but I don't care. I am just happy to be home for a little while with my sweet grandmother and family.

(FYI, I did pack some flip-flops so I can fit in with the natives. What's that you ask... tank tops? With these pale arms? That's taking things too far...)

Thanks.

I know it could be thought of as cliche, but I don't care; I can't help but make a list of things I am very thankful for today, right now.

Things have continued to be difficult for sweet Grandma Pat and for our family, but one of the many things I have learned from my tough grandmother through all of this is to be thankful. She just continues to give thanks for the many blessings and people in her life...

So here we go. Some are serious; some are not. But, these are just the things that come to mind in this moment.


Family.

The body of Christ here in Pittsburgh.

Thanksgiving in a new place.

My mother-in-law's Cherry Cobbler recipe (which will be taken to Thanksgiving in a new place).

Old friends.

Thermal tights and Smartwool socks.

Tuco and Turk (and Sport, though she has a new family in Tavares that affectionately calls her "Spook").

Snow.

A phone conversation today with my cousin who I miss.

Art, in all its many forms.

Runs in the park.

Airtran Airways, providing cheap, direct flights from Pitt to Orlando every 30 minutes (or just about that often...)

205 N. Dallas Ave #2

Having someone to spend my life with who compliments me and helps me grow up.

Casey Anderson, who takes such very good care of my sister.

Generous, kind employers.

Afternoons off.

Creekside in Gainesville, where Brad and I learned so much about people and about hospitality and about the Lord - lessons I remember most every day as we are forming new community here.

Winter fruit.

New Perspectives.

Wool sweaters.

Time off to go home to family and flip flops!




What is one thing you are thankful for today? Large, small, I'd love to hear!

Light it up.

This weekend was light up Pittsburgh. Brad and I had a date night and a very cold snuggle on one of the bridges as we waited for the fireworks. As always, on this night we were proud of this city and all it signifies and were excited about the holidays and the changes to come.

What a great place, Pittsburgh. We're so happy to be part of it all.

war eagle

my car, 3pm, stinking cold.

And I thought Auburn was cold in November.

Comfort Food

Reading Terminal Market produce, Philadelphia

Recently, Brad and I have been neglecting one of our favorite hobbies: cooking! Ever since we both got so busy with work, coming home after normal-dinner-time most days, we have resorted to throwing something in the oven quickly and sitting down to chat over whatever requires the least energy to make!

This has been an okay so far; however, it's now getting colder outside, and the idea of coming in from the cold to sit down to a cold chicken salad sandwich isn't as appetizing! I want to be warm and full!

So my question is this: what's your favorite winter-y comfort food? If you have a second, leave a comment with the recipe, a link to the recipe, or just the name of the warm winter-y goodness! It doesn't have to be anything special, just something you love to throw together on a cold afternoon. I can't wait to have some new things to try...

I'll start it off. Here's an amazing recipe we made last night; it's delicious, easy (though it does take some time), and made enough for 4 meals!

What's your favorite?

underprepared

our street this morning, as seen AFTER putting on boots and underarmour

At 6am this morning it was 19 degrees outside as I rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth in the dark, wrapped the biggest wooliest scarf I could find around my neck, threw on a hoodie and warm slippers, and crunched my way through the snow to the car to meet a friend at yoga a few minutes away.

As cranked up the car, shivering as I waited for a thin layer of ice to melt, I laughed to myself about how ridiculous this is - me living in the cold. I am wearing slippers and a Target hoodie, for goodness sake! Where are my snow boots and underarmour?! Clearly I didn't prepare well for this.

But, I sweated my way through an hour of 90-degree heaven, had a second to chat with my friend Steph afterwards, and then came home to hot tea, breakfast, two very excited boys, and a hug from Brad on his way out.

We are determined that the cold will not keep us inside, and so far it hasn't. But, we will have to learn how to keep our toes and ears warm! I learned one thing this morning - slippers, PJs, and cheap cotton isn't the way to to it!

Do you have any suggestions about the "right" way to do it?! What are some things you do to stay warm?

change

Fall is definitely turning into winter here, and we are loving it so far. Again Tuco and Turk's personalities show, as Tuco prefers to sit inside by the heater while Turk prefers to run around in the back yard eating snow. So funny. Is fall turning into winter where you are?

great day.

Here are my boys, watching the snow fall. We are are snuggled away in our warm little apartment, eating leftover Pad Thai and warming up hot chocolate. What a great day.

What are you doing today?

my little dog.

"My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet" - Edith Wharton

the fam.

I mentioned in my previous post that my family came to Pittsburgh... well, here we are, the Thompson/Anderson/Chappell crew, all six (well really eight...).

We really had an absolutely wonderful weekend. It was so nice to have everyone together. Some highlights were...

Mom started putting on gloves and long underwear IN OUR HOUSE on Thursday afternoon, and I was very concerned that she might not survive the weekend. But, on Friday it warmed up to a sunny 70, and the rest of the weekend was wonderful!

Everyone came to Pitt after I finished teaching on Friday, and we ate at the famous Primanti Bros and then took pictures in the cathedral (picture #2). That beautiful classroom is the German room, I believe?

We had lots of down time, which was wonderful. We made chili, we talked, we watched football, we made key lime pie, we went shopping, we ate brownies (why am I seeing a theme of food here...) Anyway, it was great.

To work off all the above-mentioned food, we went on a long walk in Frick Park (picture #1). The dogs were happy, and we were happy for them to run some energy off.

Saturday night, we went to see The Great Gatsby downtown. It was wonderful, and we felt oh-so-cultured after.

Sunday everyone headed home, and then it got cold again here. I think the Lord knew what my mama needed to enjoy her weekend in the nawth...

Big Sweater

I refuse to post about politics today. After being harassed at the bus stop and then almost gagging over all the crazy posts on my reader, I don't want to add another desperate political plea to your day. So instead, I'll leave you with a bit of meaningless fun! On this election day, here's an example of why I love working with people from other (more blunt) cultures. International students really do say the darndest things...


Student: Hi Meeeela! Ooooh! *very concerned* Are you okay? Are you sick?

Me: *confused* No, I feel fine. Do I look sick?

Student: *patting my shoulder* You are wearing such a big sweater!

Me: *laughing* Oh, no, I'm not sick. I just get cold very easily, so I wear very warm clothes.

Student: Oh, you look very warm! Very pretty! *good cover!*


I love my job. How else would I realize that teachers wearing flip flops is not appropriate in _______ country and that I should wear removable layers early in the morning so I don't appear to be sick later in the day. haha...