Hello, Spring.

Ahhh, Spring. You're here, and you're good. Oh, so good.

I can feel you. Hear you. Smell you. See you- finally.

You might be unusually premature this year, but you won't find any complaints from me. You are welcomed. Warmly welcomed, in fact, with open arms... widely reaching, unbarred arms.

You have nourished my soul, and provided me with an urgent push to put on my new sneaks, and get outside...

My new kicks- Like 'em?!
I do.

Outside to explore. To wander. To discover. To take in and enjoy all of nature's artistry. To hush the inner chatter, if only for a moment. To look outward, and appreciate my surroundings. To soak in all of the glory and goodness.

And I thank you for it.

Here are a few shots from a lovely excursion with Callie last week. She's the best little walking/hiking companion- the heartbeat at my feet.

I love her. She loves me. And we love our outdoor time together. l.o.v.e.

Anyway, I went a little camera crazy, but I couldn't resist. It was just so colorful and budding and beautiful and wonderful...

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

New & good

Here's what's new, good and up with me recently: 

Back in the burbs
I made the hour-and-a-half trip back to suburbia to visit my family this past weekend. My visit was pretty fun and eventful. Here's what I did.

>I boogied hard at Jergel's Rhythm Grille with my sister, my friend, Heather, and my mom and a few of her friends on Friday night. Our favorite, local disco funk band, Dancing Queen was playing. I say that like I know a ton of 70's cover bands- I don't. I just know Dancing Queen, and they rock. It was a blast.

>I got a hair cut- a free one from my sister. And I love it. Not because it was free, but because I feel like a new woman. Thank you, Tracy, for ridding me of terribly long, uneven, dingy, end-splitting locks.

>I enjoyed a sushi lunch at Jimmy Wan's. MY favvvvvvorite!

>I watched the best scary movie I've seen in a long time with my mom on Saturday night- Fright Night. Then I watched Twilight: New Moon (for the fifthish time) to restore my faith in the vampire species- I felt much better afterward.

>I took my family's Yorkie for a neighborhood stroll. Walking Fergie is much different than walking my giant hounds. When she pulls on the leash it doesn't violently jolt your entire body forward, she doesn't romp through mud puddles and/or cow poop, and she even poses for pictures.

Sometimes I don't even think she's a dog...

Durdy is dandy
So remember I told you about my pet rabbit being under the weather? (here is the post if you don't recall) Well, I'm happy to report that Durdy's head is un-tilted, back on straight, right-side up and looking fuzzier and cuter than ever. I'm so glad he's better!

Terrible two
Our niece, Julianna, just turned turned two- and she's not terrible at all. She's quite delightful, in fact. Her wit, bouncy blonde curls and charm continue to tickle my funny bone and tug on my heart strings. But don't take my word for it...

See? I told you. What a doll. I love her.

Happy birthday, Julia!

Gaining with Lose It!
Have you heard of this weight loss website? Well, let me tell you, it is amazing. Chris and I are addicted. You have to check it out!

After forcing myself to weigh in this weekend, I decided that I need to lose a few quite a few LBS. I'm calling these LBS 'love pounds'. Because I'm a loved and happily content newly wed who steadily cooks and bakes and very heavily snacks- that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Anyway, I'm desperately feeling the need to shed these extra, pesky pounds before my love handles require their zip code or something. And Chris has decided the same, so we've been using the Lose It! app on our Droids... we can scan bar codes on food and everything. Very cool.

Pic taken on my phone while on a long hike with Callie last night.
{Gettin' my ducks cows in a row}

We've both been really into it, and exercising- I hope it stays that way. It's always easier to get healthy and stay on track with an encouraging buddy by your side. I already feel better!

K-FAB hearts P-DUB
My one and only pioneering, red-headed idol, Ree Drummond, AKA The Pioneer Woman is coming to Pittsburgh for a book signing on Monday, and my gal pal, Laura, and I are going! I'm so anxious/excited (borderline crazy) to meet her.

I bought her new cook book yesterday, but I was also thinking about having her sign a cooking utensil for fun- you know, because I want to be cute and stand out and receive an invite to dinner with her on the ranch in Oklahoma. A girl can dream, right? So my mom suggested a wooden spoon. Any other ideas?

I also just started reading her book, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels-A Love Story. I'm already on chapter five, and so far it's laugh-out-loud hilarious, adorable and heart warming. Not that I would expect anything less... I just adore her.

Well, that about covers it. What new and good things are happening for you?

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

To smash, or not to smash?

That is the question.

Has anyone else been watching "Smash"? If so, what do you say- yay or nay? I would really appreciate your input because I can't decide how I feel about the show yet.

Unfortunately, after just three episodes, I lost Christopher. He has confidently determined that it's painfully lame. So now, I have to figure out if I like it enough to go it alone, and commit to watching. Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

I mean, it does include a few of my guilty pleasures: musical numbers at random; Debra Messing; and a healthy helping of raunch (wah, I miss my "American Horror Story"). But I'm not sure if those three items can override some of the show's terrible acting and cheesiness. It's pretty ugly at times- like laughably ridiculous and annoying.

Oh, how fine the line between love & hate.

Regardless, I must say that the show has given me a new appreciation for the late, lovely Ms. M. Monroe- so that's a plus. In fact, she (and one of my favorite sayings) inspired the following hump-day silliness:

I seriously think Marilyn had it all wrong...

image via

Well, not all wrong. I think that gentlemen do prefer blondes. I won't argue with that.
Naturally.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a very wonderful Wednesday!

A wittle weather

Lately, we Fabins have been under the weather...

The Mother Nature Kind
It rained a lot last week. Hard. And we even heard some thunder. Yeah, pretty strange for February, but it did make for a great post-storm sky, with some pretty peaceful blue, grey and gold hues.

And now that we are in to March, we're seeing more white and feeling more cold, providing scenes resembling the innards of a Christmas snowglobe.

I. Am. Over. It.

AND more importantly...

The not-feelin'-good kind

While Chris and I have both finally gotten over our recent, painfully prolonged colds, the Fabin I was/am most concerned for is Durdy. 

He is my Holland lop rabbit adowable, wittle, fuzzy wuzzy, white and gwey bunny wabbit.

Awwwwwwwe. I wuv him.

My poowah, wittle sweet hawt. He's not feewin' vewy well. : (

Last Monday morning I noticed that his head was curiously tilted to the left. And unfortunately, I had a lot of time to think about all of the possible causes as I called almost veterinarian in the area because our regular one (and most) will not treat small animals- So dumb.

But luckily I found an animal hospital located 30 minutes from our house that sees bunnies, so I took him in later that afternoon.

The vet informed me that there are many causes for a head tilt/wry neck in rabbits, and that it can be fatal but most do recover with regular doses of antibiotic and physical therapy.

So like a good pet parent, I've been doing just that. He gets 2.5 mL of medicine through an oral syringe once a day and PT on his head and neck. It's been over a week now, and his head is still a bit off, but he is eating, drinking and playing like his normal, lovable, fuzz-ball self, so I'm hopeful.

In time the exercises should retrain his brain, and correct the position of his head, but we'll just have to wait and see- Cross your fingers!

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Be first

Today's post is short and sweet, inspired by another life lesson (via email) from my good friend, Steve. This message is invaluable, so I hope it speaks to you as clearly as it spoke to me.

"The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest." -anon

So be first.

Far too much of our (precious) time, energy and emotion is wasted on holding grudges, being 'right', and allowing the past to engross our minds- And for what? Life's too short.

So let go, show a little love, and be first to put others ahead of yourself.

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

26 going on 14

So, listen. I realize that some most will not understand and/or appreciate what I'm about to tell you. I know this because I already get a lot of flack for it, but I'm going to say shout it out anyway, and I'm trusting that you will not judge me (pretty please).

I love Hanson.

YES- The easy-on-the-eyes, musically inclined, tender-hearted, all-American pop rocking trio of brothers, Hanson.

YES- MmmBop was/is their biggest hit of all time.

And NO- it's not their only song (and fyi, if it were, I would still love them because MmmBop is timeless). In fact, I'll have you know, that their newer songs are just as catchy, feel good and fun- like this, and this.

So YES (again)- I love them. And I don't care who knows it.

That's Hanson: Zac, Isaac and Taylor
{Swoon}

But why am I telling you this?

Well, I've loved them (and their music) since the ripe, old age of 14. But 12 years ago, it was acceptable to express your prepubesent puppy love by taping tacky, Tiger Beat centerfold posters of the ones you crushed on to your bedroom walls.

Ah, those were the days...

Obviously, I can't do that anymore. I'm 26, and I have more taste than that. Not to mention, it would be weird. Really weird, actually, and I don't think my husband would approve.

So this is my 'mature', grown-up way of expressing my long-time adoration for this band of bros. {Thank goodness for blogs}

Anyway, I was seriously reminded of this love after last Wednesday, when my friend and fellow Hanson lover, Laura, and I got in touch with our teenie-bopping selves at Hanson's show held at Carnegie Library Music Hall. 

That's us.
And a pic of Kiele (she loves Hanson, too).

That's our snack pile, and there's red wine in that cup.
The perfect, edible blend of our teenage/adult selves.

That's the stage.
It was beautiful.

Holy, 1997, It was magical! Singing along and acting like a giggly, hyper-active and mildly awkward teenage girl again never felt so good.

Love can make you do crazy things, I guess.

So cheers to the young at heart, and long live Hanson!

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single 2 photos - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Say 'I love you'

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

I know it's super cliche (borderline boring) for a newly-wedded gal in her mid 20's to like love this holiday. But I do. I love it.

I love that there is one fun day, plopped right in the middle of one of the coldest of months of the year, that warms us up, and reminds us to say, 'I love you'.

Today is a day dedicated to the mushy-gushy, lovey-dovey, happy-sappy expression of our hearts, and it's just awesome...

Here's our adorably declared love pile.

Whether with kisses and hugs, cards, flowers, words, candy and chocolate, balloons, or in Chris' case, with a six-time Grammy winner's album and a <3 Pandora bead, JUST SAY IT.
Say 'I love you'.

Here's how I did...

 Peanut Butter & Chocolate-Covered PB Creme Oreos

(Try to say that five times fast)

YOU'LL NEED
-1 package of Oreo cookies
-1 tbsp. of creamy peanut butter
-1 package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
-Sprinkles (b/c everything's better with sprinkles)



Boil some water in a pot over medium heat, and place a glass or ceramic bowl over top of it.
Add the peanut butter and chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.

Dunk each cookie in the mixture, on both sides, until well coated.
Remove from the mixture with a fork, and carefully tap it on the edge of the bowl to get rid of any excess chocolate.

Place the cookies on a baking sheet, lined with plastic wrap, and decorate with sprinkles.
Refrigerate until the chocolate sets, and enjoy!

They taste really good, and I'm happy to say that my Valentine loved them! 

And FYI, to continue our tastey Valentine's Day binge, Chris and I are embarking on a romantic cinematic adventure tonight over a large bag of extra buttery popcorn. 

No dinner. Just popcorn... and soda pop.

I. Am. Excited.



{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

A post for Chris

“Believe deep down in your heart

that you're destined to do great things.”

       Joseph Vincent Paterno

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Punxy Phil can suck it

Well kids, it's that time of year again: Groundhog Day 2012. I know you were just squirming with anticipation, as the world’s most famous and admired groundhog (I think he's the only one, really), Phil, emerged from his sleepy burrow this morning...

image via

Yup, lucky us. That furry jerk saw his shadow, allegedly. We’re in for six more weeks of winter. Not that this winter has been all that bad, I guess. But still, who is this Phil character, and how can he read the seasonal future?

As you know Phil is a groundhog- also known as a wood chuck, a whistle pig and a marmot.

I know a few farmers who have other names for these critters (particularly my father in law). But they aren't very nice names. So, I'll move on and say that Phil's kind are basically giant squirrels that dig holes and peeve the agriculturally inclined.

But why and how has that been considered a prerequisite for weather prediction since the late 1800's?

I mean, that's just silly.

And honestly, I never really thought twice about this strange superstition until I came to the area in 2004, when my glorious college days began at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

You see, Phil's home at Gobbler’s Knob, a hill outside of Punxsutawney, Pa., is about 45 minutes from here, so I know all about Phil and this beloved tradition of vermin weather reporting... I just don't get it.

I'm all about tradition and I think the Easter bunny is just adorable, but this 'holiday' is absurd. Let's get real, Phil is just a glorified pet, spoiled by a bunch of bearded, tuxedo and top-hat wearing men.

Yet this 'holiday' draws thousands of people to the area each year. Why do that many people get up that early in the morning to frigidly await the word of rodent handler, dressed up like Abe Lincoln?

Seriously, someone explain this to me.

Listings letter

Dear 'Keri me home' reader,

Hi! How are you? I thought I'd have some bloggy fun today by sharing a list with you. Lists are just the best. Don't you think? I'm not sure how I'd get anything accomplished without them. They focus my mind in such a wonderfully manageable way, and it seems like I've been making a lot of them lately: to-do; brainstorming; laundry; honey-do; grocery; wish...

Anyway, here's one of those recent lists that I thought might interest you.

"My New Favorite Things" List

1. Gummy vitamins
Have you tried these things yet? You should if you haven't. I have been taking vitamins regularly thanks to these little chewy delights, and so has Chris! Where were these things 20 years ago when I was secretly flushing my Flintstones vitamins down the toilet? They taste so good!

2. My dutch oven
Soups and roasts and stews, oh my! I'm pretty sure that you need one of these lovlies in your kitchen if you don't already have one, preferably in a fun, loud color. I've seriously been crushing on this thing since Christmas. In fact, it's found a permanent home on the stove top- because I can't bring myself to store something so beautiful in the gloomy darkness of a cupboard.

It's orange. It's shiny. It's awesome.

3. "Leadership Thoughts" emails
I think he's on to my adoration/appreciation of his helpful advice and encouragement, as my Gmail inbox has become a frequent destination for these 'thoughts'.
{Keep 'em coming, Steve. Thanks!}

*Here's an awesome link (it's a list, too) he sent not long ago that you should read: How To Be More Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps)

*And here's the latest one, which I find particularly inspiring since the start of a special project with one of my favorite people:

“So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we don’t just sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.”
– Lee Iacocca

Don’t wait to take action in pursuing your goals of growth and positive change. Uncertainty is part of stepping out there. Trust yourself. Take the risk. To do nothing is to accept that this is as good as it gets, when the fact is most of us are not near what we can be.

Trust yourself. Don’t wait.

Take care, 
Steve

4. Rain boots
Yes. These cuties are a country gal's dream kicks, holding up to snow, water, mud... and cow pies. Do you have rain boots? What do they look like?

Mine are tweed.

5. Calving checks
OK, I know this sounds strange, and it's not even really a 'thing' I guess, but I think I'll call my recent obsession 'calf fever'. My symptoms include (but are not limited to) the constant checking on the arrival status of new calves. I feel like I'm always texting, calling and bothering Chris- but the answer is always, "nope" or, "not yet". Ugh. We've had a couple 'teasers' the past few days, and the anticipation is seriously testing my sanity. I just really don't want to miss the first of those fresh, tiny, furry baby cow faces. Because you know me, and you know that I love all babies, even ones with hooves. : )

That's all I have for today. What's on your list of new faves? I'd love to hear from you!

Love always,
Keri

P.s. In the spirit of list making, I hope you'll put "enjoy the day" on one of yours! After all, it is the first day of February, and we are that much closer to spring- which is just one reason to smile big.