Mrs. Rogers Neighborhood

What reminds you of time at home? I think of Christmas Eve matching pajamas. Warm coats and scarves. My Uncle Robbie making jokes and telling stories. Random people in and out of our home. A huge buffet table with lots of food and drinks and people crowded around. Stripes and color. Movie and DVD TV show marathons. I am always astounded when I talk to other people that their traditions are completely different from the ones that my family holds dear, because I cannot imagine anyone celebrating in a different way than we do and I question the validity of everyone else's ideas.  I love to be with people and we always have people sleeping on the couch when we wake up in the morning.  Breakfast includes at least 10 people and    we end up playing games with a different random group every night. This season of life makes me happy.  I want to enjoy every moment, and it feels like days flash by.  I cannot imagine life without these people.  Is this how

I love you Bill Rogers and look forward to our years to come and spending every Christmas with you until we are old and gray.  You were the perfect boyfriend, are such a wonderful fiance, and you will be an amazing husband. Love you Smiles! Love, Smalls :) 

This Christmas, I was really focused on getting Bill something special.  I have a few more tricks up my sleeve after this one, but if you have seen It's A Wonderful Life , you will know why this is such a lovely gift.  It is Bill's favorite movie, and we watch it together each year.  I found an artist on Etsy who was able to personalize it for me, and he did such a wonderful job.  It is absolutely perfect, and Bill could not believe it when he opened it up!  The truth is, Bill really does Lasso the Moon for me.  I know he would do anything I wanted or needed and he amazes me on a daily basis.  I am marrying someone who is not only my best friend, but also someone I am proud to be with.  Bill Lassos the Moon will hang in our house for the rest of our lives, and I hope it constantly reminds him that I think the world of him. George Bailey : What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it

What a fantastic evening this was!  When Bill told me he couldn't come, I knew I needed my best galpal by my side, and that is exactly what I got.  Mikaela and I drank wine, played in the photo booth, and enjoyed a room full of cheese.  There were carollers and a string quartet playing, and tons of fancy people toasting and celebrating a year of hard work. My co-worker Heather was also lovely company.  She and I had a blast taking pictures, and I'm loving getting to spend time with her outside of work now!  It is such a blessing to have a good friend at work.  It has really changed my entire experience. This new cake pop craze is awesome to me. Cupcakes and cake pops make me happy, and they are just the right amount of cake!  This red velvet cake pop was the perfect icing on the cake (pun intended) for the night. Thanks for coming with me Mickey!  I had a great time :) 

In through the door I flew like a flash Set down your gift, I hope it’s a smash! Then with a twinkle and gleam in my eye I quickly disappeared before you could spy I can’t let you see me I have to be quick You don’t know my name ’cause I’m your secret St. Nick!  This past week we had Secret Santa in the Office, and it was such a blast!  For my office, it lasts a week and you leave a little treat for the person you have everyday, ending on the last day with the big reveal at a dessert party.  We fill out wish lists of our favorite treats and places, and then we buy items on the list for the person you have chosen.  It really is a fun way to grow company morale within our cubicles :) I got such lovely gifts (as pictured above), but what was more exciting was the difference between last year and this year.  I had just started working here last year when this event happened, but I participated anyway, and I did not know who anyone was.  This year I did the organizing,

 Sometimes, I find other people's words encouraging and often think about sharing them with my lovely readers.  I stole today's post from About.com .   I felt they said what I wanted to communicate today O' so well.  It is very important to me to take a look into someone else's perspective often!  Enjoy dear friends. Make Room for More Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you. And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing, Returns to you glad. - John Greenleaf Whittier "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38 We have heard people say, "You can't out-give God.&q

Bill and I spent some time wandering around Rogers Gardens  this week, and took in their presentation of the Christmas season.  If you live in the Newport Beach area, this is definitely a place I would recommend!  It is right around the corner from Fashion Island, and is completely free to walk around and take it all in.  They have tons of deocarations and everything is lit up and so beautiful.  The property is expansive and it was nice to just hold hands with Bill, breathe in some fresh air, and appreciate God's creation. Unfortunately, I only had my iPhone camera with me, so I could only take pictures of the inside portion, however it let me soak up the rest of it with Bill and not be distracted by taking pictures. It is so amazing how much a simple night of strolling and looking at plants and hundreds of decorated trees while being with someone you love can bring the biggest smile to your face.  I'm going to be a Rogers :) Merry Chirstmas Week Friends!

At our annual open house every year on Chirstmas day at my parents house in Maryland, we always have people bring over food to share.  It is very much a family style mentality with a table full of goodies and everyone taking a little of everything :)  This is one of the many goodies that was brought 2 years ago, and I am hoping it will be there again this year!  SUCH an easy recipe and so delicious!  I stole this pictures off google, yours may not look exactly the same!   CHOCOLATE TRIFLE  1/3 cup Kahlua 1 2-layer chocolate cake (from cake mix)  (you only need 1/2 for cake for the trifle) 2 pkg. instant chocolate pudding (4 cups) 1 large container Cool Whip 6 Skor candy bars, frozen and crumbled 1 cup chopped nuts  Crumble cooled cake and sprinkle with Kahlua.  Mix nuts and candy in small bowl.  Layer in trifle bowl: 1/3 cake mixture 1/3 chocolate pudding 1/3 Cool Whip 1/3 candy and nuts  Repeat to build 3 levels.  Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

 While my list may slightly differ from this one, the general idea of a list of things I like is fun. Write one over the next few weeks!  Give one to a friend, significant other, or family member and encourage them to write a list of their own.  Just thinking of things that you like will brighten your day. Smile friends!

A very dear friend of mine had a wise series of thoughts the other day.   She brushed them off as her babbling mind going into a weird space, but I found some truth in what she said.   I am going to attempt to break it down here, and if it comes out as gibberish feel free to ask me more and hash it out with me! We live in a broken world.   God gave us free will from day 1 to exist and do what we wished.   God did not create brokenness, God created free will.   We, as a people, made choice after choice that led us to where we are.   Small nuances of change and ideals that shifted created a completely new idea of what is acceptable in society.   Think about how much has changed in just 100 years, much less over the course of all time. God is not up in heaven dolling out punishment to those he doesn’t care for.   In reality, we as a human people are making decisions that are causing harm to others.   Maybe it is not a direct decision to harm someone else in a variety of ways, but

I feel like a lot of people I know stress out about to what to get each other for Christmas.  They spend December frustrated and angry and stomping around or worse, sad and depressed because they can't find that one perfect item.  What a privilege!  Not everyone gets to stress over such things.  Consider it pure joy to have the right to do so! Bill's parents, aunt and uncle, and cousin got Bill and I a wonderful gift this past weekend called, The Little Book of Christmas Joys .  It is a wonderful way to remind yourself what is important in life.  I want to share a few reminders with you - excerpts from this book.  I hope you take them to heart and bring the spirit of the season back into focus.  #9 Don't schedule yourself too tightly during the holidays. Before making an appointment, ask yourself, "Can this wait until after Christmas?" #12 make an effort to attend every Christmas party you're invited to, even if you can stay only for a few minut

Bill and I are so blessed with wonderful friends and roommates.  An engagement party was thrown in our honor about a week ago and so many people turned out for the event.  It was wonderful to see our friends from different areas of our lives come together into one room and spend time in each other's company. The plan was drinks and food and to be with each other, no agenda, no set ideal on what was supposed to happen.  We celebrated in our own low-key way, and it was so perfect for me and Bill's personalities.  Some people want a night out, some people want a big fancy dinner, we just wanted to be surrounded by friends and family! I specifically bought this white lacy shirt for our engagement party, which did not feel as silly when I saw these pictures.  I am still in shock that I am going to be a bride and I am going to start planning a wedding very soon.  I knew it was coming, but it honestly feels so surreal to be in love and have found the man I am going to

I hope that everyone who sets their eyes on this post has had Pho, and if you have not please stop reading and go get some.  The secret is out, I LOVE PHO! Pho is a Vientnamese noodle soup, usually served with beef of chicken.  The soup includes noodles made from rice and is often served with Vietnamese basil, mint leaves, lime, and bean sprouts that are added to the soup by the person who is dining. I was introduced to it from a friend at my work, and have been obsessed with it every since.  I love soup, and this soup is fun because you can make it as flavorful and spicy as you want.  A siracha bottle is never far away from me, and the piping hot broth and delicious add-ins make this one of my favorite meals.  It is inexpensive (usually about $5 for a huge bowl), and low in calories.  All this talking about it makes me want to go out and get some!  Enjoy your weekend dear friends.  Eat well!

I could not love the cold more than I do!  Snuggling up under a blanket with a cup of tea and a Christmas tree lit in my living room bring my heart to a happy place.  I love scarves and hats and mittens and coats.  I cannot wait to be in Maryland for Christmas.  I love love love the nip in the air and the fuzzy socks my toes want to be in. However, the grass is always greener right? I have been daydreaming about sunshine and a picnic the last few days.  I found myself making a collection of food images that bring me to a summer fruit, pizza party, crab feast happy place. I hope you enjoy these weather innappropriate images! Ugh, this collection is one of my favorites! The last image literally brings me home.  Have a lovely day friends!  What have you been daydreaming about?

One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is all the holiday events that seem to spring up out of nowhere.  If you know me at all, you know how much I love crafts and festivals/fairs and the Holidays... so, Holiday Craft Fairs are absolutely one of my favorite things :)  I have been to 2 so far this season, and I hope to find at least one more to puruse. I love the variety offered and the ambiance of a church boutique.  There is so much excitement and bustle to make sure everything is just the way it was intended.  I love feeling like a part of someone's favorite day of the year.  These people do not always do this every year, but just by buying something they are selling they are making money for Christmas presents, what a wonderful idea! I hope you love craft fairs as much as I do, becasue the people selling at them are really excited to bring you what they have made.  Go to a local craft fair during this month and support local artisans!  They will ap

I sat for awhile considering how I could encourage someone today.  What are the perfect words to offer that will help change a perspective or a life just by reading them, and then it hit me! I want to encourage you to be encouraging to others!  How wonderful is it when you receive a hand written note that encourages you in some way?  How blessed do you feel by someone complimenting your outfit and telling you that you look great?  How amazing is it when someone offers to buy your coffee when you are out?  How easy is this to do for friends? Do those things for others! Encouragement does not come at a cost.  Think about it.  Do it.  It will only take effort.  It will be worth it. I wish my blog reached hundreds of people so I coud start a revolution today, but I will have to just suggest an idea to the 40 or so readers I have aquired, and hope they pay it forward.  Do something nice for a stranger before Chirstmas hits, with the only follow up being to pass it on.  Leave a

Well folks, I was waiting for more pictures before sharing this event with the world, but I have not gotten them, and I do not want Thanksgiving to feel like a distant memory when I finally post this! About a month ago, Mikaela and I were sitting and looking at a magazine that had a few twists on conventional Thanksgiving recipes and we discussed our frustration with the fact that we never have an opportunity to try them!   Every family has their favorite Thanksgiving traditions, and there is not much wiggle room for experimenting.   So, we developed a plan that made me grin from ear to ear.   We decided to throw an unconventional Thanksgiving feast where everyone brought something that was a twist on a normal dish.   The results were epic wonderfulness! We had sweet potato fries, cheddar and jalapeno stuffing, an amazing take on green bean casserole, and much much more.  The pictures do not do the food justice!  This was a fantastic night filled with friends

Disregard the Red Eye! I feel like I have had 100 glasses of champagne this week, and it still isn't enough celebration! Our dear friends Mikaela and Adam are throwing us a party this weekend, and I am sure many more pictures of celebration are to come! We spent the night following our engagement with Bill's mom and dad (who will make the best in-laws and everyone should be incredibly jealous), as well as his aunt and cousin.  We had a delicious dinner and watched a slideshow of all the pictures we had taken of our engagement day.  We re-lived the whole experience for them and they greeted us at the front door with a beautiful card, a bottle of champagne, and humongous smiles.  It is wonderful to be accepted into such a kind and generous family.  I also got lovely presents from Mikaela and My sisters :)  My sisters gave me the mug with the wedding band as the handle and Mikaela wrote me a wonderful card and gave me a wedding magazine and a bottle of almond c

Do I have pictures? He would have been an idiot to not have a camera that day!  Here is a collection of pictures (with captions) of our very special day.  My First and Last Blind Date...   A Perfect Day in La Jolla  For All Those People Who Want a Picture of the Ring...  Where It All Went Down...   The Whole Group Looking Great!  

Ok, I know this isn't a typical question, but it really should be! What am I learning about love? What am I learning about Bill? What is being engaged teaching me about myself?!? I still want to participate in encouraging people this week, as I have done many weeks before this.   I want to encourage selflessness. I truly believe it is the key to success in relationship – yes, in a romantic relationship, but also in friendship and family and all that comes in life.   While my current excitement revolves around a wonderful romantic relationship, I have tried to concentrate on the other relationships in my life and giving them as much attention as I give my time with Bill.   I am truly engaged (lol) in all he is saying when we are together and I give him my full attention as much as possible.   I have even talked to him recently about putting my cell phone in my purse and leaving it there when we are together.   Media can be so distracting in this current society!  

What a crazy week it has been!  My announcement has been all over facebook and so I guess I should write it to the blog world - I'm Engaged :) I can't stop looking at my hand.  Bill completely took me by surprise and arranged an amazing proposal and story for us that I will never forget.I could not have dreamed up a better story or a better boy.  We fit together and I'm head over heels. If you have heard it, you can read about it again... If not, put yourself in my shoes.  I felt like the most beautiful, blessed girl and can not believe the wonderful boy that God has graced me with.  I fell deeper in love with him through this process and I cannot believe how amazing this day was.    So... here is our very detailed story.  I hope it brings a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.  I am not sure if I have let you all know about my bucket list, but it will be posted later this week :)  Bill knew I wanted to go on a blind date, but I took it off the

Friends, I cannot begin to tell you all that has happened to me succinctly in one blog post.  I need time to gather pictures and I need to let it all soak in and really enjoy it. I will be taking this week off from blogging, and I promise on Monday you will understand why! I love and appreciate all my readers and I hope I do not lose anyone's attention in one weeks time. Enjoy you Thanksgivings with your families and friends!   I am thankful for you if you take the time to read my words at all, and if you do it often, I am amazed and truly humbled.  Thanks again friends! 

Has anyone else taken advantage of a Groupon deal to experience a new restaurant? Well, me and my roomate did, and the results were wonderful!  We got two full breakfasts and 2 mimosas for $12, and spent time in a quaint little restaurant in Huntington Beach.  Our Hawaiian inspired french toast and slightly spicy eggs benedcit were good.  We enjoyed picking a few things off the menu to share and relished our mimosas.  It was a decent meal in a freezing cold restaurant with wonderful service. However, all that was put aside because the real highlight of this brisk morning was the company.  This girl has so much going on in her brain and her heart and it always inspires me to spend time with her and hear about her perspectives.  We are so different, and come from such different places; but our experiences can teach each other things, and I learn so much from her.  This morning spent together was so wonderful because we just fell into excellent conversation and laughed and t

There is something about sailboats for me... If you look through my blog over time, pictures of sailboats pretty consistently pop up.  I am not sure what it is about them, but images of sailboats bring me a sense of peace.  They relax me in a very unique way, and they make me feel rested and alive at the same time. I hope that this collection does the same for you.  Relax today friends, tomorrow is Friday!  Psalm 23:2b "He leads me beside quiet waters."

 My baby sister, Joy Noel posted this on her tumblr last week.  I have been asking her to guest blog for me for awhile, and when she asked me if I would consider posting this I welled up a little.  I am so proud to call this little one my sister.  She is so unbelievably mature for her age and she really has an amazing head on her shoulders.  I feel honored to give you a glimpse into her brain and hope she continues to express herself this way and guest blog for me. So without further ado, here is a piece of Joy's heart.  Pop over to her tumblr and read what she has to say from time to time.  She really is a gem. Patience is a Virture I must’ve heard this eight million times growing up. My mom would tell me this constantly as I was a very anxious child. I find myself learning the lessons of my youth all over again in a new and revealing way as God is showing me his grace differently than ever before.           I was always told, “Joy, when you get to college yo

I often forget to be thankful, but with the day of thankfulness coming up, I try to stay on point.  I love the tradition of going around the table and saying what you are thankful for, especially when people go the unconventional route and really dig deep about what they appreciate most.  I want to do that for you now, and encourage you to do it as well.  Get past the general, and burrow into the deep personal things you are grateful for.  Do not limit your minds wandering... search every corner of your brain.  Sometimes the things I am most thankful for seem subconscious.  I also encourage you to write thank you cards for thanksgiving.  Sounds random, but just thank people for being them and living life with you.  Wouldn't you love to receive that?  I know I would! I will be doing that this year for those I cannot be with that I never thank for being who they are and for being someone I love and admire.  Be unconventional. I am thankful for: The stillness