Here Is to You Old Friend

I can not thank you enough for what you have given me.

You brought me back to life, then encouraged me to live it to its fullest.

You gave me friends, family and loved ones to share the greatest stories and experiences with. You were good to me, and I am so sorry to see you go.

But 2010, I have faith in you.

This past month has provided such hope and excitement for your coming. Not to get ahead of myself, but I have it in good faith that you may better than many years past.

In fact, I sincerely hope you are.

pondering questions, answers and love

While more photos and story tellings of my trip will follow, I want to address the question that has been on everyone's lips.

Did I fall in love?

To these people I have but one thing to say, I did fall in love; I fell in love with Israel. I went to Israel to experience the country and the history that makes me the person I am today. I went there to breathe the air, eat copious amounts of falafel and just experience the jewish state. Had I allowed myself to be side tracked by a short lived romance, then the country would not have been given a fair chance to leave its everlasting imprint it did on me.

Maybe this will find me though...

Elderly couple Fran and Marlo walked into the lobby of the Mayo Clinic for a checkup and spotted a piano. They've been married for a whopping 62 years, and Marlo turned 90 this year.

home, or something like it

I do not know where to begin this post.

I returned back from Israel three days ago and have since been rummaging along in what I can only describe as a state of complete and utter confusion.

For 10 days I spent my life surrounded by 50 of the greatest people I have ever met. Even more incredible, not having met a single one of these people before in my life; I don't think I can honestly say I have ever felt so accepted and loved by anyone.

To these 50 people, my new found family, I thank you for experiencing all of this with me, and so look forward to our lives together.

And yes I just said that we would be spending our lives together. Do not think for one second that I am loosing a single one of you to the demons of distance and work. You are my family, and I love you each accordingly.

ode to hannukkah

via Around the Bend

Ode to a perfect Hannukah.

My mom and I are slaving away in the kitchen on our continuing quest for the perfect latke recipe.

(I will let you know if we come to anything close)

The continuous finger cuts from the potatoe peeler do not faze us as we are too distracted by our dancing, and singing along to the Glee soundtrack; which I gave to her for Hannukah tonight.

Oh it is a perfect hannukah.

my new little blog

Sorry all for the delay in blogging lately. I have once again opened a new blog., only this time with my dear friend Jocelyn. The Lovebug Letters is sort of the equivalent of two friends passing letters in class. So here are our notes on our day to day lives and tips for one another be it fashion, music, or movies. Come be apart of our lives and if you enjoy our little blog, I ask you to become a follower and watch our little blog grow with us.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This year I am thankful for everyone in my life. My family who is always there for me, my friends (both old and new) who have turned the hardest year of my life into the most incredible, and for all of you in between who have had an impact on my every move. I am thankful for you all.

Happy Thanksgiving my loves.

via Around the Bend

This photo makes me believe in love all over again. 

via ashley thalman photo

I heart Ban.do

Loving Ban.do's new super affordable line

Heart by Ban.do 

Head-over-heels for this rainbow bow.

 

the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe

Who can ignore some telling you about the BEST chocolate chip cookies EVER. I had to try the recipe out for myself. These are, without a doubt, the best chocolate chip cookies I may have ever had. Enjoy my loves. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

8 oz butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup turbinado sugar
1 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 lb good-quality chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch chunks
sea salt

Preheat the oven to 360°.

Cream the butter and the sugars. Add eggs, one at time, then vanilla. Mix well, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in another bowl. With a whisk, stir to combine. With mixer on low, slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in the chocolate.

Before baking, sprinkle with a very fine dusting of good quality sea salt. Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are lightly golden on the outside and a bit gooey on the inside (they will continue to cook as they cool).

Via Mustard and Sage & Not Without Salt

missed connections

These days I have become all too familiar with missed connections, A simple decision can change a life forever. This video about Sophie Blackall's project Miss Connections, shows just how romantical it all is.