what we do for fun

One time someone asked Aaron and I what we did for fun. We looked at each other with blank stares and finally I said something about how we like to go out to eat. (lame!!!) I almost lied in that moment just to save face and sound cool...you know, say something like how we like to hike or travel or whatever. I didn't lie though, and actually I still support my initial answer--we really do love going out to eat. But ALSO, after our little excursion this past Saturday, I can safely and honestly say that Aaron and I really love going to museums and art galleries. Maybe that's still a lame answer, but at least it sounds like we're a little deeper/mysterious than if we just say we like going out to eat......right???

We went to The Huntington Library (Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA) on Saturday and it was magical. We took way too many pictures and completely wore ourselves out with all the walking, but it was worth it and I couldn't believe I had never even heard of this place before.

We started at the Desert Gardens (this part was in a greenhouse):
And made our way to the Lily Ponds:
Through the Japanese and Chinese Gardens:
To the Children's Museum (Aaron's favorite):
And through the 4 art galleries! They even had a Diebenkorn painting! Definitely not my favorite painting, but for sure one of my favorite painters:
Saw lots of other cool stuff outside along the way:
And after going through all the gardens and museums, we were pretty beat. Proof:
But we made sure to get a couples pic to make our day complete. So here you go, just for good measure:
And that was our day. Probably more pictures than anyone ever cares to see, but it really was THAT fun. And remember to start thinking about what you and your husband/wife like to do for fun so you can be on your toes when someone asks you the big question.

P.S. Our Thanksgiving was fantastic. Christmas here we come!

gorgonzola cheese....

...where have you been all my life?!

Tonight I made the most delicious. salad. EVER. And it wouldn't have been so delicious without some gorgonzola (...and the glazed pecans...obviously). Here is the recipe:

spinach
craisins
glazed pecans
gorgonzola cheese
blackened chicken
creamy balsamic vinaigrette

This is a salad that I discovered at Tonyburgers (located in Centerville, UT) and tonight I tried to duplicate it. It wasn't exactly the same, but almost. When I eat this salad I eat all the spinach first, and leave all the "toppings" to eat last. SO STINKIN GOOD!

Speaking of food... can't wait for tomorrow :)
happy thanksgiving!

the forecast

So, Thanksgiving is almost here... And I'm still trying to adjust to this perfect weather. I keep forgetting "The Holidays" are coming, mostly because the forecast looks like this:
In my mind I keep thinking I should be putting on boots and sweaters and coats, but you can imagine my confusion when I step outside to sunshine and 70-degrees. Seriously, bizarre! At first I was frustrated.....until I realized that it's usually around this time of year that I stop running outside. But for some reason it's not as hard to go running outside when it's a beautiful day every day.

Besides loving the weather, I am also l-o-v-i-n-g how Aaron works from home. We don't talk that much during the day, but it's just a dream come true to have him home more (compared to our previous situation when he was only home on the weekends from July through September!) and he looks so darn cute in his new little desk:

For now we're just enjoying our weekend and looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with family! I'm in charge of making apple pie(s) this year.....and we all know how much I love making apple pies (here and here). :)

Men are from MARS

Aaron and I bought a new TV for our apartment on Monday night. Tuesday morning we got our cable installed, and by Tuesday night we were already hooked to the tube. We made cookies and watched one of my favorite shows--So You Think You Can Dance. Earlier in the night Aaron said he felt like one of my girlfriends (making cookies and watching a dance show). But by the end of the night (near the end of the 2-hour episode), we had this brief conversation....

Whitney: Aaron!!!! What are we doing??? I feel like all we've done is watch TV tonight! We haven't bonded at all!!!!
Aaron: What are you talking about?? This IS bonding! ........You girls are crazy.

The "girls" he is referring to are those of us who don't think watching TV is considered bonding. You know....the girls who would rather sit and TALK. Or is that just me??? I admit I was being a little dramatic, since it was my idea in the first place to watch TV. :) Either way, we really enjoyed our time together watching our new TV (even though I'm not convinced yet that we were "bonding") and the whole ordeal confirmed to me once again......
boys and girls are so different.

remember how i graduated with an art degree?

This is a painting done by Clay Wagstaff:
I found out about him a couple weeks ago and love his work. I don't know if I'd do anything very much like it (mostly because I'm just not that good), but I love the color he uses in that painting and most of all his artist's statement.

gLee

Last night Aaron was gone on an overnight business trip,
so I did what any normal girl would do
in a brand new city/state with no husband, no TV, and no car.

I painted my nails pink and watched online episodes of....

I know it sounds glamorous, but I was lonely by 4:00PM
so I'm really looking forward to
having my cuddle bug home tonight.

last visit to Provo

Last Wednesday I made my final visit to Provo. I thought I was excited to move out of Utah until I left all my friends and favorite people on Wednesday night, not knowing when I'd see them next! ..............But then I got a good night's rest, remembered I was moving to California, and snapped out of it pretty quick.

Either way, it was a much-needed trip down to Provo and here is a list of all the things I did because I know everyone loves reading the play-by-play of any vaca/day trip/etc.:

• Visited the BYU Museum of Art and got some last-minute advising from my old professor/program advisor Wulf Barsch von Benedikt (Aaron loves his full name)
• Had lunch at Zupa's (love that place) with my good friend Merrick White
• Went shopping and hung out most of the day with my beautiful sister STACI
• Made a surprise visit to my adorable grandmother and said goodbye to my cousin Nikki
  
• Had dinner at Staci's (cinnamon french toast!) with Staci and my best-friend-since-freshman-year Krystle Lowen
• Treat at McDonalds with Staci and Krystle
  
• And last but not least, said goodbye to the one-and-only Adrienne Barringer

Dropping Staci off at her soccer game
and saying our goodbyes one last final time (JUST MISS YA!):