our first thanksgiving

December 3, 2013January 15, 2014 Rachel Atwell3 Comments

(I’m in the middle of organizing things we’re taking in our car and taking pictures off the wall… I can’t believe we’re moving tomorrow! ahh!)

At first I was a little intimidated by the idea of a Thanksgiving meal on our own here in Hampstead. But after a little bit of planning and pinning, it really wasn’t that bad and actually kind of fun. With the exception of the 20 minutes we skyped with my family, it was by far the most quiet holiday I’ve ever experienced. But there was something special about cooking, reading, and listening to music with G. It was the kind of quality time we don’t very often find ourselves with.

Our menu consisted of turkey tenderloin {a little less intimidating than a whole turkey} and lots of carbs. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked this much for two people – and are whole table was covered. I also used our blue and white china for the first time!

Oh and I made my first pie! {with store bought pie crust…shhh…}

We also decided to start a new tradition that night. I asked Gary to pick out a movie for us to watch, one that we could watch every year on Thanksgiving {or at least the Thanksgivings we spend on our own}. The only rules were it had to be a holiday movie and it had to be kid friendly. He chose The Polar Express which somehow neither of us had seen all the way through. A movie and hot chocolate on the stove with homemade whip cream – perfect end to a good day.

Thanksgiving 2013 – you were sweet and memorable.

How was your Thanksgiving?

31 days

31 days – fall 2013 – date night

October 30, 2013January 15, 2014 Rachel Atwell1 Comment

Date nights are one of my fav weekly traditions… well because, who doesn’t love a date?

We’ve made date night a priority in our marriage – especially in this newlywed stage when our schedules are steady and predictable, we don’t have children, and we like going out to explore on Saturday nights! But even if all those things change one day, I hope we still get to go out on regular dates.

Eh-hem… hear that Mr. A? 😉

One of my favorite dates since we’ve been married was the night we decided to take Japenese takeout to picnic on the beach. After we set up our blanket and got our food out, we realized they had left out utensils. So being ever so classy, we ate our food with our hands {and I think I made a scoop for rice with my lid from my drink}. But on the bright side, I did get to enjoy it all with this one!

#Memories

Do you have regular date nights?

31 days

31 days – fall 2013 – weekly questions

October 28, 2013January 15, 2014 Rachel Atwell1 Comment

I read alot of blogs each day {thank you for helping with this one feedly}. One that I’ve read for a couple of years is Tim and Em’s Today’s Letters.

After we became mr. and mrs. in July, I introduced G to Today’s Letters weekly questions and we decided we would try them out.

Each Sunday night before we say goodnight, we ask the five questions. It usually only takes a few minutes but has helped us in knowing what our weeks look like and how we can best serve each other in the upcoming days.

Do you have any weekly traditions with your spouse?