A boy named jacob.

 

happy 15 years of life

to my sweet, multi-faceted, inquisitive, charlie chaplin~rib~IMDb~raspberry-sorbet~disney-evolution~monopoly~johnny cash~information~lovin' old-soul.

{the kinda boy who'd truly appreciate the wonder that is a 1970's olive green label-maker} 

 {we got label-makers too :)}

...and when you used to try to "outlove" me on a nightly basis {in our i-love-you-more battles} by declaring so boldly:

I LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE MOON!!!

my response is still the same.

I LOVE YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE MOON 

AND BACK.

 

Stamped with love.

~~~ 

{my valentine~ who never complains when asked to jump right in... to cabbage-chopping and homework-helping- immediately upon entrance- after a LONG day at 'the office'- for his wife who has once again put herself in a position to make her way through a heavy-hearted party city- in search of red napkins... the night before.}

hope yours is filled with LOVE~ & candy.

The pursuit of happiness.

Last week was Ryan's final week at Starbucks Coffee Company.  Definitely the end of an era, for him- and for us (a combined 27 years, between the two of us).  The week was filled with goodbyes & a bit of coffee-amassing (we'll definitely miss our free pound per week)... Goodbyes, tax appointments, colds & fevers (that started with Hailey, & ended with me, in a big way), homework assignments... packing, playlists, & car repairs.  The boys were headed to the snow on Friday for an ice climbing trip.  Needless to say, it was a busy week.  He literally turned in his [company-owned] laptop and [practically new, company-owned iphone 5], picked up his final paycheck, & they were on their way.

So Hailey and I fended for ourselves for a few days... 

a little recovering, pizza & a movie {in bed~ the highlight of our weekend, for sure :)}, a bit of valentine shoppin', a high-adventure girl-scout-cookie-selling-dog-walk, an art walk, a day of cleaning (for all of the cleaning that was not done in the preceding days), & a big pot of short ribs... a welcome home dinner, a farewell to the week- to 27 years- and a hello to a new adventure.

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the aforementioned valentine's shoppin'... not surprisingly, my mom considered valentine's day another "big holiday." 
so do i. 
commercialism/forced affection/hallmark hoopla... bring it on.

~~~

a few of the treats i bought for the kids (not really valentine related, but sentimental nonetheless)...

...the book above (for my earnest, curious, book-lovin' boy)... a little set of worry dolls for each (do you remember these? thanks to mrs. habit i was reminded of them, & their simple wonder)... the little pig game!! (do you remember this?? thanks to kelle l was reminded of them as well, & their simple wonder ;))... a "beef-jerky-chocolate confection" (hmmmmm.) a little hello kitty pink cocoa (why not?), & of course, a few conversation starters.

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pure nostalgia.
 

Heartfelt.

hailey & i painted the town red over the weekend...

...if you give a mouse girl a cookie pair of scissors & some felt :)...

 

Eat your heart out.

               

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  (from the show that gave football an entirely new meaning)

 (...but don't ask me which team i'm rooting for.)

I may not know which teams are playing, but I do know we'll have a full house, full hearts, and a very full table.
  
...No baked beans this year {even though they were amazing~ i'd highly recommend}. This year is all about the wings, or drumsticks, rather.  I've yet to try either recipe- but how could you go wrong with a "spicy, sweet, salty" Sriracha glaze- or an authentic "warm up your belly" Jamaican jerk chicken (from one of my new[-to-me] favorite food blogs)?...diligently testing this recipe and this one tonight, cause the super bowl [menu] is serious business.  And I'd hate to put out anything but a winning dish.
  
...But really, sriracha, fresh ginger, brown sugar...

Can't lose.