where has snails been?

Don't call this a comeback.

So, it's been about 5 months since I blogged. I really love blogging but I hate it too. It's kind of like working out. Ok, no, I just really hate that. I love blogging because I get to document my life and read responses and encouragement from others. But I hate it because I have to organize my thoughts first, and it takes a lot of time. Especially for a snail.

I will try to be better about blogging more often. I had a nice hiatus. I've had some time to think about my little blog. I've realized that I don't want my blog to just be about one thing. At first I thought this would just be a sewing/craft blog, but I want to write about more- my family, my friends, my husband, my cats, cooking, food, music, and.... well, anything. So I'm not going to limit myself. Ok? Capece? I'm glad we got that all straightened out.

So, how was your summer??? How is your fall??? Here's what I've been up to:

1. Our garden was very successful this summer. Oh how I will miss fresh salsa. We tried to can a lot of it.



2. We went to the Outer Banks with Josh's side of the family in July.

3. We went to Hilton Head with my family in August.

We did a family photo shoot complete with matching outfits. It was awesome. And by awesome I mean a little embarrassing.





4. More recently, Josh and I went to the Philly orchestra to see Joshua Bell. We had the cheapest seats but I think it's the best view.

5. We went on a fall weekend getaway with our best friends.




We played hard.



I love fall.


6. The cats are doing great. Snuggly as ever.

7. Josh got a full-time job working at an alternative school. It's been an adjustment for us, but he loves it so far.

8. I took a new job babysitting one little boy before he goes to school each morning. And of course I am still teaching all of my little punk violin students.

....and now you are all up to date! I did miss blogging.

I'm so proud...

This past weekend my husband Josh graduated from Eastern University! Yay!



It may have taken a long time...


But all the hard work



Will be so worth it.

(no, I'm not preggers, it was windy)

My husband is such a hard worker, sometimes working 50+ hours while in school.

I'm so proud and grateful to be married to this man!

Random pictures from my phone

Ok people, I figured out how to get the pictures off my phone. And now you will enjoy a random post of things I've taken pictures of... randomly.

1. This is Junebug. I watch her once or twice a week and she is the best!

2. Isn't this so pretty? Seriously it looks like art. It's actually a vanilla caramel latte. I go to this coffee shop near where I teach in Wayne, PA and they make the BEST lattes. YUM.

3. Me and my babies.

4. I want this license plate.

5. Is this TMI? Sorry if it is. You know how I don't like to shave my legs? This was my leg back in Feb. Yeah, pretty bad. I laugh every time I see this picture because it looks like a man's leg. So gross! What is my problem??!

6. It's a little hard to tell in this picture because I was trying to be discreet taking a picture of this man. This is such a classic scene though- the guy was sleeping in his car while his wife was in Joann's. Poor guy. This will be Josh in 40 years. (sorry honey)

7. A typical Friday night for us. Three sleepy babies.

8. Did you know I am deeply attracted to Wrangler Jeans commercials? I mean, c'mon. I know I can't be the only one out there. Well, my husband happens to own a pair that he wears only when he's working. He wore them when we were working in the garden the other week. Mmm mmm mmm. I snuck a few shots. Here he is checking out the tiller, while I am checking out the tiller-er.


9. One day I was driving to work and looked up through my sunroof and saw this gorgeous tree. I love spring!
10. Josh and I seriously have the best cats in the entire world. This is how they were sleeping the other night. Sometimes I get scared because if only one of them were to die, the other would surely die soon after of a broken heart. And then Josh and I would follow shortly after that and die together holding hands and spooning, just like in The Notebook.How's that for random?

The End!

Best of 2009

Ok, I know most people did "Best of" lists like three days ago... I'm a bit behind. I'm always behind. Does anyone else always feel that way???

Going into the new year has been hard for me for the past few years with my mom being gone. I always get sad thinking that I am another year older, and that's one more year I've lived without her in my life. All the memories from this past year did not include her, nor will any memories for the year to come. I really miss her. I miss her gentle smile and comforting presence.

Anyway, sorry to be such a downer. I did have some great memories in 2009, though, and below I will share them with you, my dear bloggy friends:

Best of 2009, Snails' style

1. Learning to sew, of course!!
I am so amazed at all I've learned in only a matter of a few months.


2. Starting the Snails blog, which will be getting a major face lift in a few days. Can't wait for you to see!

3. Starting my Etsy shop and starting to sell a few of my handmade goods. It feels really good to make a little money off of this hobby I've come to love!

4. Graduating from college. I've never felt more free.


5. Going to Mexico with my hubby for our 1 year anniversary.





6. Watching [some of] my violin students grow into young musicians, and seeing their hard work really pay off.

7. Watching my baby kitties grow into little adult cats and become the most loving, adorable, best kitties in the world.

8. Moving to a newer, more affordable apartment.

9. Making new friends and having a community of people who we know love and support us. This is our house church! 10. Loving this guy more and more every day.
Happy 2010!

Things that make Snails happy

1. Josh's semester is over, and he is now on break with only ONE SEMESTER LEFT!! Hallelujah, praise Jesus.

2. It's been a busy week for my etsy shop, Sewing Snails. If you had checked it last week, you would have seen "0 sales." But if you look now, you will see "7 sales." Seven!! Wahoooooo! This makes Snails very happy. Ok, half of them were family, but I did have a few real sales this week too!

3. I am a year older than last time I blogged. Yep, I turned the big two-three on Dec. 10. I don't feel much different. Just a little more blah. I feel like being 23 is a really boring age. 21 is like, "wahooo I can drink!" 22 is like, "wahooo people don't think i'm a drunk 21 year old anymore!" And 23 is like, "meh. blah." Oh well. I got some clothes for my birthday, and also... (see next point)

4. My techie/geeky sister Bekah purchased some URLs for me for my birthday. (Is that what it's called?) Yes, she thinks of those kinds of things. She's also the sister that helps me when my font gets bigger and bigger with each paragraph and I can't fix it. And then she laughs at me and posts about it on facebook. Well anyway, you will soon be reading my blog at musingsofasnail DOT COM. Yay! Or is it abisnails dot com? I forget.

5. I played Handel's Messiah this weekend. It was so lovely. I've heard so many of the pieces my entire life, but I never played it until now. I've been humming "All We Like Sheep" all weekend and trying to teach Josh the bass part. Hil. Arious.

6. I've been sewing. Sewing sewing sewing. I've had several orders for things from family members, and I'm trying to get it all done in time for Christmas. I definitely will, I'm just not sure anyone will be getting presents from ME this year because I have had no time whatsoever to shop.

I will post pictures of the things I've been making this week! Have a GREAT Monday, everyone.

I almost forgot...

I almost forgot what it felt like to be a girlfriend.

I almost forgot what it felt like to have a boyfriend.

But then I remembered....


Being kissed on the cheek for the first time.

OBX, 2006

Holding hands in the car.

Hilton Head, 2006

Opening doors.

Christmas morning, 2006

Giving cards just because.

NYC, 2006

Getting dressed up to go on a date.

Senior Prom, 2005

Not looking at prices on the menu.

OBX, 2006

Complimenting each other.

Hilton Head, 2006Making out on my parent's living room couch. Yep, mmm hmmm.

Easter, 2007

Dreaming about our future.

Engagement June, 2007

Praying for each other.

Easter, 2007
Listening intently.

2005

Chasing each other around my parent's house.

Memorial Day, 2007

Getting a little nervous.

Phillies game, 2007

Kissing goodnight.

Hilton Head, 2007

On Saturday night, Josh took me on a date. A real date. Dinner and a movie. Well, in our case it was movie and a dinner (because Josh isn't too good at staying awake during movies, so we have to go earlier). It's been too long since we did that- just had a night being carefree, ordered an appetizer AND dessert. Somehow in the midst of our busyness, work, Josh being in school, money worries, and now moving, we forgot. We forgot to be each others' boyfriend and girlfriend. We forgot about trying to impress each other, being playful and carefree. And when life's so serious all the time.... things get to be too much. And you have to go back.

Back to a simpler time in life.