Ten thing Tuesday :: Happiness Edition quattro.

Editions one, duex, tres


31.  Homemade cocktails

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I can't say that I am good at (or have ever) done this.  Since D works for a beer company, we typically drink mostly beer.  And who am I kidding, I'm cheap and spirits are not.  But there is something so fun about muddling and making your own cocktail.  I don't drink cocktails as much as I would like (let's be honest, they're damn expensive and often not high in alcohol content), but they're fun an delicious!

32.  Breakfast food

Source: culinaryporn.tumblr.com via Belinda on Pinterest

[Last week's fruit, yogurt, and granola breakfast from my first WIaW link up]

I rave often about D's master breakfast cooking skills.  For some reason, I'm not the biggest fan of pancakes or french toast unless he makes it.  Anyhow, I adore breakfast.  I eat eggs for many meals.  I love them over easy.  The sole reason I could not be a vegetarian is breakfast meats (and trust me, I've tried the bacon and sausage alternatives...NOT AT ALL THE SAME).  Breakfast foods are just delicious.  I could probably devour an entire package of bacon if calories didn't count in life.

33.  Warm evenings sitting on the porch with a beer

I do this a lot more in the spring before the mosquitoes get all hot and heavy.  I take the dogs outside and let them run around in the yard.  I love just being outside since typically I'm cooped up inside with kids all day.  There is something just so relaxing about sitting down with a beer, and preferably some food, on the porch.  I hope we can make our my screened in porch dream a reality sooner than later so I can enjoy the warm weather and my beer without mosquitoes flocking me.

34.  Having my hair played with

Having typed that, it sounds a bit strange.  You get me though.  Something about someone touching your scalp, playing with your hair just feels wonderful.  I love it when D picks up a piece of my hair and twists it or rubs it.  Even at the salon, the washing, the scalp massage...just wonderful.  I'm sure it's some neurological, erogenous zone of the scalp?  Whatever it is, it just makes me happy to have my hair played with.

35.  Laying in the sun

Source: 16.media.tumblr.com via Rushi on Pinterest

Source: matchbookmag.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I love going to the pool and the beach just to lay under the warmth of the sun and read.  D prefers actually being in the pool or ocean more, which makes me a party pooper for him (let it be noted that the ocean still freaks me out a little...jellyfish?!).  I love just being out there though.  I am anal about using the SPF, but it totally makes me happy to darken up my pasty, pale skin in the warmer months. 


36.  Synders Pretzel Pieces - Ranch

I seriously love these things and I might be the only person.  I first had them on a beach trip with some friends 4 or 5 years ago.  They don't taste so much like ranch flavor as they do dill.  They are delicious.  I only buy them on "special" occasions due to the calorie count and my obsession with them.  I'm much more of a salty person than a sweet person, and these things totally do it for me.

37.  Kayaking down the Broad River

[Via Google images...I do not know this man]

This is what it looks like.  Back in Athens, the Broad River is the place to go kayaking.  It is super chill (read: no helmets and most calm).  We bring beer, subs, and spend the day on the river.  It's such a fun activity!  I mean how many times can you get a work out in while drinking.  It's rare; I promise you.  I seriously can not find anywhere in or around Raleigh to do this (without having to buy our own kayaks, etc.).

38.  El Sol Torta

This is possibly another reason I could never go vegetarian...the steak torta sandwich from our favorite Mexican restaurant in Athens.  I've learned that nowhere has Mexican food like Athens, GA.  I'm not sure if the torta is "traditional" or not.  It is delicious, and I have yet to find one that compares.  It has steak, avocado, lettuce, cilantro, jalapenos,  tomatoes, and cheese.  You top it with salsa and their delicious green sauce.  I could seriously eat it every single day.

39.  The Grit

The Grit is an all vegetarian restaurant in Athens.  It is amazing.  Again, we have yet to find an all vege restaurant in Raleigh.  While breakfast meats and the steak torta keep me a carnivore, I typically eat mostly vegetarian/pescetarian (spelling? too lazy to look it up).  The Grit does tofu in the best (and probably most fattening) kind of way.  I'm obsessed with their "Golden Bowl" that is choke full of tofu, veggies, and cheese.  Since D is a master chef, he perfected the tofu and we started making our own Golden Bowls at home...but it's just not the same.  Seriously, we miss Athens food...a lot.

40.  Aruba

[All personal pics from our elopement/honeymoon in Aruba]

Lots of it, of course, has to do with the fact that we got married in Aruba.  Aruba combines many of my favorite, happy things though:  travel, flying, beach, drinking, laying in the sun, memories with D, etc.  What is there about Aruba to not make me happy?  I will always have wonderful, happy memories of Aruba.  I can't wait to celebrate an anniversary there in the future. 

Ten things Tuesday :: Happiness Edition tres.

Here it goes...(and check out editions one and duex)

21.  Random/surprise acts of affection

[weheartit]

In conflict with this picture, a surprise does not have to be done by others to make me happy.  I love surprising D or my friends with an item, a note, or an actual act of doing something.  I feel like I've started to let these random acts slip away from me, as I've gotten absorbed in my own life.  It's a wonderful feeling, and I need to get back to it.  But of course, random surprises in which I am the recipient make me really happy too. 

22.  Feeling beautiful

Source: inspiredbythisfeeling.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

For me, there are numerous things that make me feel beautiful.  Even if I'm not feeling like I am, when D says it, I feel it.  There is something about knowing that someone else thinks knows you're beautiful that makes you know it.  In a seemingly inappropriate way, losing weight makes me feel beautiful.  It doesn't  make me feel beautiful because I'm getting skinnier, yet it is because I am getting stronger and healthier.  Sweating and exercising my body make me feel strong and beautiful.  Of course dressing up fully, in an outfit I feel confident in, makes me feel beautiful.  Those days and outfits can vary quite often for me though.


23.  Heels that don't hurt

Source: ciarabird.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

    [Somehow, I don't think these qualify]

I do not know if it's just me, but I can not find heels, wedges, etc. that do not kill my feet.  Some of my favorite summer shoes are wedges.  I've braved them at two summer weddings.  Embarassingly, I've had to go barefoot at one wedding by the end of the night.  Being smart, I brought flats to change into for the other wedding.  I can't win.  I have heard that the Toms wedges are comfortable.  I adore a pair of heels and wish I could wear them more often.  Any tips?

24.  Cinque Terre, Italy

[All photos from our 2009 trip to Cinque Terre]

This is my ultimate happy place.  The fact that D and I got engaged there contributes only a tiny bit to my affinity for the most wonderful place on Earth.  That being said, I'm not world traveler (yet).  I would give lots and lots of things to go back there right now.  I would give even more to live there one day.  I hate to increase the tourism to such a perfect town, but if you get the chance...visit.  You will never want to leave.

25.  Painted nails

Source: None via Kristin on Pinterest

Painted nails just make me feel more pretty.  I love coordinating colors with seasons and following the current color trends.  I wish I had more patience to do unique nails like those above.  I wish I had more money to get regular manicures...or that I wasn't so lazy/busy to maintain keeping my nails painted all the time.

26.  Pictures

Source: designmom.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I'm not photographer, and I don't claim to be.  I'm not planning to take up photography or start my own independent photography business like everyone and their brother (no offense, but is everyone I know on facebook or otherwise dabbling in photography?!).  It's the memories I enjoy.  Pictures are pretty, and I love an artsy picture as much as the next person.  I adore simple pictures like this one...

Edited with Picnik and take in 2009 in Munich.  Why do I love it?  I love it because I remember being there.  I remember the food we ate (which we didn't take pictures of).  I remember the business men drinking beer across from us.  All the wonderful memories come flooding back, and I'm so happy I have pictures to remember my happiest moments.

27.  Kittens & puppies

Source: oh-of-kors.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Any person who is not happy when around a kitten or puppy is crazy, in my opinion.  This is not to say I want anymore kittens or puppies in my life right now.  I love holding a little baby animal though.  It immediately can make a bad day good to just be around a little pup or kitty for just a bit.

28.  Concerts

This one is drastically contingent on who is playing at the concert since I am getting "old" and don't like standing for long periods of time.  I love a concert outside where we can bring a cooler of beer and hang out.  These concerts are rare, and the price of alcohol is always ridiculous and increasing.  I love casual concerts where you throw down and blanket and just relax and be.  Sadly, it's getting harder for concerts to make me happy since they are often overpriced and crowded.

29.  Pickling fresh veggies

Source: peasandcrayons.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Ok, I haven't done this yet.  If I'm having dreams about it (um, seriously), then I know I need to do it.  I seriously love almost anything pickled.  I'm an avid hater of onions, but I love them pickled.  One of our favorite downtown bars, the Raleigh Times, makes homemade pickles.  They are to die for.  A recent beer dinner at the Busy Bee, had a course of pickled favorites.  I already bought the vinegar; I'm hoarding our hot banana peppers and jalapenos in the freezer.  I'm simply missing the jars.  Jenn at Peas & Crayons posted an awesome easy pickling recipe that I am dying to try.

30.  Homemade Guacamole

Source: thisfreebird.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

Is it possible for me to rave more about Carrie's guacamole recipe?  I basically doubled it and have it memorized at this point.  I'm obsessed with making it.  I'm obsessed with eating it.  It is supper easy, but it still takes a decent amount of time for me to chop and muddle and mix.  No matter...I love it.  I've even made it for just myself...in a double batch.  This stuff will never cease to make my day.

Ten things Tuesday :: Happiness Edition duex.

So keeping in check with my weekly and ongoing happiness list...


11.  Massages

[weheartit]

Honestly, they don't even have to be professional massages.  There is something about a massage that completely and utterly relaxes me.  They make me feel absolutely wonderful.  It can be D just giving me a back and shoulder massage or a professional one.  There aren't many better feelings than a massage for me.

12.  Mexican food & margaritas

If there is one meal I could eat every day for the rest of my life, it would have to include chips & salsa and margaritas.  Since we're often on a budget, we do Mexican at home a lot.  I tweet a ridiculous amount about how often I am making Carrie's guacamole.  I'm basically obsessed.

13.  Reuniting with friends

[In Birmingham, AL this month for KDS' wedding]

[Friends in Raleigh last summer to hang out]

We make it back to Athens a lot and reunite with friends there.  We have some of the best times going back to Athens.  I love reuniting with friends in Raleigh.  It's always so fun to be able to show friends around my new town.  I adore reunions in other new towns.  It's just so fun to reminisce, laugh, and explore with old friends that I don't get to see regularly living in Raleigh. 

14.  Funny shows

[Parks and Recreation]

 [Arrested Development]

I'm currently obsessed with Parks and Rec but will never be over the loss of Arrested Development.  Funny shows make me so happy.  Since D and I currently don't have cable, it becomes of ritual of catching up on the NBC Thursday sitcoms on Sunday mornings after he's been out of town.  I'm also loving Modern Family.  Summertime TV sort of sucks without cable and no hilarious reruns.

15.  Sleeping in 

I won't lie.  I can still sleep late.  Like 11:30 late.  I'm not ashamed.  I figure I should just keep doing it until I can't anymore.  And hell, if I ever have kids I figure those sleep in days will be nonexistent, so I'm taking advantage.  I try don't waste all of my summer days sleeping in until 11:30.  Admittedly, I don't get the same satisfaction from sleeping in during the summer as I do during the school year.  But I will tell you, 215+ days of the year getting up between 5:15-5:30 makes those sleep in days feel like heaven.

16. Amusement/water parks

[Yep!  Six Flags over Georgia circa 2003!*]

I used to be scared of roller coasters, but once I conquered that fear I never turned back.  I love going to water parks.  I spent a lot of my high school (and even a few times in college with D) time going to amusements and water parks.  I love the thrill of the roller coasters and the water slides.  D and I even spent one of our college spring breaks here...

[Haha...circa 2008]

*Identity kept since permission was not asked to post this photo

17.  Flying

[weheartit]

Lots of people get scared flying.  For me, it means I'm going somewhere new.  I've never flown anywhere I've been before.  Flying is expensive, so when I do fly it's typically for vacation.  I hope that, as we get older and make more money, we will eventually fly back to places we've already visited.  I associate flying with a new adventure.  I suppose if I ever do fly someone for a work conference, somewhere I've already been, etc., it's still a new adventure.

18.  Accomplishment

Source: penniespoundsandponderings.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

It's that feeling.  I've mentioned before that I didn't feel that I was really successful or accomplished this year in teaching.  I turned towards being accomplished at running.  It's something I am going to will finish.  I feel accomplished and strong when I finish a run.  I have a goal to meet, and I complete steps to meet it.  Running is giving me my sense of accomplishment right now (and if you check out Megan's post here about running and self-esteem, you'll know why).  I know I'll get that feeling from other aspects of my life sometime though.  At least for now, I don't have to continue to search out that feeling.

19.  Chai from Jittery Joes

Jittery Joe's is in Athens.  There is no where that I can find a chai like theirs.  I'm in love and obsessed with it.  I would get it all the time...hot and iced.  Delicious...

20.  Cuddling with the cats

[Bailey 9/6/06 - the day I got him]

Bailey was my first pet of my own as a college student.  D surprised me with him.  I actually wasn't really into cats (although I had been obsessed as a child) because I didn't want to deal with cleaning a litter box.  Yeah...that faded away pretty quickly.  Bailey is the most cuddley, loving cat ever.  My computer is filled with probably hundreds of pictures of him.  Little girl was our second cat, and she is not as affectionate.  She still has her moments of loving...when she does, I snatch her and don't let her get away.  I'm always snuggling with one of them and instagraming their pictures (follow me on instagram if you follow me on twitter!).

Ten things tuesday :: Happiness edition.

If you check out my 101 in 1001 list, you'll see this:

83. Identify 101 things that make me happy

During all the boring standardized  testing I had to administer, I had lots of down time.  One of the things I worked on was compiling that happiness list.  I only got to 80, but I want to document what I have.  I'm going to do a Ten on Tuesday :: Happiness Edition to slowly document what really makes me happy.  I wrote the list in no particular order and will keep it that way.

1.  D

[3.8.10]

I adore the simple things with D.  Sleeping in and having brunch.  Late night movies on a whim.  Beach days.  I also love traveling with him.  For me, traveling is just better with someone than alone.  I want to share all of my traveling experiences with him.  There is nothing that makes me more happy than getting on a plane with D on our way to discover a new place. 

I still remember the feelings of this day.  The frustration of being on standby, the nerves and anxiety of wondering and traveling.  This was the day we finally boarded the plane to spend our month in Europe.   

2.  Travel

[My favorite place on Earth, ever.  Cinque Terre, Italy]

I banter on forever about travel and how much I love it and that it's all I want to do forever.  If only a girl had an unlimited budget for travel, I'd be golden.

3.  Sushi

 

Source: healthful.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I seriously can not get enough sushi!  I've been having an obsession over it lately.  Unfortunately, D and I tend to spend quite a bit of money when we go out to sushi.  The excitement of it comes few and far between.

4.  Reading

Source: freshome.com via Kristin on Pinterest

There is something I love about getting lost in a book.  In college and during my first job, I didn't make much time for reading.  Now I try to make at least an hour every night to read.  I should never say never (anyone automatically think of Justin Bieber when I say that?), but I don't see myself getting a Kindle or Nook in the near future.  I love checking out books from the library (even if I do sometimes accrue late fees).  We also have big bookshelves built in in our living room.  I'm dying to completely fill them.

5.  Beach

[One of our first beach trips to the NC Coast]

One thing I have discovered this year after living in Raleigh is that the beach is essential to my well being.  This may or may not be an exaggeration.  We live two hours from the coast, and it is amazing.  There is something about sitting out there, lathered in sun screen, sweating, and listening to the waves.  It makes it better to have a cold beer and sub sandwich by your side, but that's not a necessity.  The beach is my ultimate place to relax and de-stress.

6.  Warm Weather

 [Camping 2010]

 [Terrapin Anniversary party 2011]

[Homemade steak tacos, homemade quac, and local grown corn!]

Camping, beer events, eating dinners on the porch.  These are some of my favorite warm weather activities.

7.  Feeling fit/skinny

Source: prettinessandbuttons.tumblr.com via Kristin on Pinterest

It's not necessarily the number on the scale that makes me feel the best.  It's seeing those muscles develop and being strong.  Sometimes the numbers do consume my mind, like getting down to that "ideal" jean size.  Even though I am not at my goal weight, I love putting on a swim suit and just feeling better about it.  I love that feeling I get after working out.  It makes me feel strong and empowered.   

8.  Breakfast cooked by D

He is the best breakfast cook.  My favorite thing he makes is stuffed french toast.  I love it when he wakes up a little earlier then me and gets the breakfast started.  I don't think I'll ever tire of his homemade breakfasts!

9.  Traveling/exploring with D

All pictures from our month in Europe. I talk about this a lot (and mentioned it above).  I do love exploring Raleigh and other local places with D too.  

10.  Shopping

I really don't get to actually do a lot of shopping much anymore, but I love it. I love having a new item.  I love shopping for others too.  I wish I had more money these days to do both.  There is something so fun about finding an awesome piece, (clothes, shoes, jewelry, furniture, etc) and purchasing it.