My New Year: 28

First day of 28 and I'm feeling great! Thank you again to all who called, texted, Facebooked and emailed birthday wishes. I felt to loved! 

My 23rd Birthday.
I love this crown! 

This year (if you are into numerology) is a 5 year for me. 5 years are a year of change and personal growth and new freedoms and this couldn't be more true. I'm so excited for all that lays ahead - our wedding, traveling, meeting my godson, Sean's graduation from law school, and so much more. 

With that said, I've set a couple goals for my year because I'm ready for some change and I have great expectations:

1. Train to run a 5K (running the whole time). 
2. Reach my goal weight before my wedding dress comes in.
3. Learn a little German for our honeymoon.
4. Continue my whole food eating and education.
5. Really, truly be present in every moment and enjoy it, instead of rushing around. 

That last one can be difficult, but I feel that it is so, so important and I'm really going to be working on that the most.

This year is going to be so amazing, and I want to be sure I am really enjoying every single minute! 

Where Does the Time Go?

Time is something that has always really intrigued me. I know that sounds dumb, but I always feel its so interesting how time can move fast and slow at the same time. Like when you go on vacation, it seems to speed by (is it time to go home already?) but at the same time seems like the last time you were home was so long ago. I'm totally feeling that way today. 

Today, Sean and I have been engaged for a year. I remember it like it was yesterday, and I can't even believe a year has passed. I remember starting my blog and doing my 2013 goals, and now I need to start thinking of 2014 goals. At the same time, this week is moving so slow, I can barely remember Monday and feel like its been AGES since last weekend. Is it really only Thursday?

I'm sure hoping today and tomorrow hurry up because I'm ready for my birthday weekend and next week's Thanksgiving festivities. Until then, here's a little something in honor of throwback Thursdays, and time. 

We're Having Fish Tonight!

I'm a parents worst nightmare - the pickiest of the picky eaters. Most of my life I sustained on bagels and french fries, with an occasional dose of string beans mixed in (my veggie of choice). I didn't eat any cheese (besides cream cheese or mozzarella)  until I was 18. I lived on what I call the white diet - white bread, white potatoes, white rice, white cheese - and bacon. 

It wasn't until I moved in with Sean and I had my own kitchen that I really started to expand my palette. In the past 2.5 years, I've tried more new foods than I've tried in my first 25 years. And guess what - I actually LIKED some of it! Okay, I liked a lot of it. 

One of the biggest shockers to most of my family and friends is my new found enjoyment of seafood. Nothing crazy (like sushi or oysters) but when I told people I was having cod for dinner last night, a few of them almost fell over. 

I have to give a lot of credit to Sean - he put a lot of effort into strategizing and introducing me to seafood in a way he knew I would like (like starting with fried fish and chips). But the recipe he made last night was definitely the one that topped them all so far. The recipe calls for tilapia, but we used cod and it was incredible, so I'm sharing it with y'all: 

Click here for Honey Lime Fish from the blog One Lovely Life.

Also because I am still a child and treating me like one helps me try new foods, he deals with me continuously quoting Bruce from Finding Nemo ("I'm having fish tonight!") on seafood dinner nights. I'll tell you, he's really a CATCH! (hahaha get it?! Sorry, I couldn't help myself). 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did. Remember - fish are friends, not AND food! 

Austria, Here We Come!

Earlier this week I blogged about the excitement of wedding planning and how much I've been in enjoying it, but I think what we're planning this weekend might take the cake. Since it's going to be a free weekend (literally there is NOTHING on the calendar), we're going to start planning our honeymoon! 

We've decided to go to Austria, and I couldn't be more excited. Fall in the Alps, beautiful old cities, tons of history for us to explore... it's just ideal. We'll also be looking into some mini-trips, possibly to Prague or Budapest or Munich or Bratislava, or maybe a combo.

It took us a really long time to decide on a honeymoon destination, mainly because there are so many places we want to travel and Sean's never been to Europe. We wanted something a little off the beaten path, that we could combine sightseeing and lazy mornings in cafes sipping coffee (and devouring pastries). 

After lots of research (we're now the proud owners of multiple Fromers guides, if you're ever looking for one) and discussion, we think we've picked the perfect trip for us. Now, with 330 days to go, we face the biggest challenge of all - waiting patiently until the trip!

P.S. If you've ever been to any of these places, comment here or on Facebook and share some of your favorite things about them! 

Monday Morning Pizzazz!

More so than any other day, I really like to put the theory "when you look good, you feel good" to the test on Monday. So I decided that would apply to my blog, too. It got a little spruce of color and a face lift this morning. I'm also wearing a new sweater and colorful scarf  - and I feel great. 

However, the scarf isn't the only thing contributing to my cheer. November and December are two of my favorite months. I love the fall and early winter. I love the holidays (including my birthday, which is in just 20 days, so mark your calendar) and spending time with family and friends. And in addition to all the things I love, we get to add some wedding planning in the mix. I've been absolutely LOVING planning for our wedding. 

Some people rush into getting married, but I've enjoyed our long engagement. We'll never be engaged again, and it's such a fun and exciting time, with so much to do and share. It's a time to enjoy and we both are enjoying it very much. 

I'm sure as the clock winds down it will become a little stressful, with all the last minute details and what not, but I know when I look back it will be one of the most fun and exciting times of our lives. The Thanksgiving we had a bunch of wedding appointments. The Christmas we picked wedding cake and invitations. This holiday season will be just a little more exciting with wedding planning involved. And though we have so many holiday seasons ahead of us, I know we'll always looks back at this one with fond memories and a smile. And that makes me feel great. 

Getting proposed to last thanksgiving!

Right after our engagement
(thanks to my ninja soon to be sister-in-law Kate for getting these photos!)