Adventures in Howland

Fin, Twenty-Fifteen

2016-01-16T19:07:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year! I'm a few weeks late with this post, but we've been just a little busy... 2015 was a year of highs and lows + ebbs and flows. Introspection and personal growth aren't glorious matters, but they can be rewarding. I was very ready to kiss this year goodbye, but looking back I realize how many great moments it held. Here's a recap:

one: lots of concerts in music city! | The Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

two: ice storm = 10 snow days

three: much needed spring break | Gulf Coast, FL

four: pet therapy! | Cora Howe School, East Nashville

five: 15-mile hiking/camping trip | South Cumberland State Park, TN

six: earthquake relief | Nepal

seven: Mr. & Mrs. Donohew! | Rochester, NY
eight: my sendoff from one school to another

nine: one of many amazing sunsets from the year
ten: my first ever Bills game! Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

eleven: celebrated our 10th anniversary (a little early) | Smoky Mountains, NC
twelve: European refugee relief | Athens, Greece

Best Album: Needtobreate's Rivers in the Wasteland was on repeat for maybe 3 months straight. We also saw a ton of good concerts this year (another outstanding Live on the Green lineup, a backyard supper + song with The Lone Bellow, our first concert at the Ryman for the Ten out of Tenn 10th anniversary, Nashville's NYE headliner Kings of Leon), + I am currently obsessed with the Leon Bridges Pandora station.

Best Read: I hardly read anything this year (besides text books) but our small group went through The Good and Beautiful God and it was a worthy read.

Best Movie: Besides the blockbusters (Jurassic World, Star Wars, etc.), we discovered True Detective, and I'm pretty sure I watched The Battered Bastards of Baseball (Nexflix documentary) at least one more time.

Best Buy: we treated ourselves to a little getaway to the mountains to celebrate our 10th anniversary + Jud will soon have a seat with his name on it (literally) at the brand new, and long time coming, ACU football stadium!

Highlights & Notable Discoveries:

#papapaintmethesky

My pinboard of quotes

The worst physics class ever

Lasagna pizza

Summer membership to the Y (and all the poolside days summer dreams are made of)

Surgery #5

Practicing being a good listener

A steady supply of Mas Tacos' chicken tortilla soup and fish tacos

Women's World Cup (USA!) + Abby Wambach's final season

Kayla Itsines' killer workouts

Sisters and cousins

All the homemade apple pie

Cora Howe, my most favorite place I've ever worked

The roller coaster that was my first semester of grad school

Goodwill gems, always and forever

Many epic games of Catan

Nepal, Greece, and hours on hours of FaceTime

Getting my ears pierced!

Snuggleland
Lessons in decision making, self-confidence, goal-setting, compromise, and forgiveness

Twenty-sixteen, I'm coming for you!

XO from Howland

Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

2015-12-25T16:52:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas friends! Hope your day is filled with the love and peace and joy of the holiday. We're back with big news...

We're moving to Greece! In a few weeks, we'll be stashing our stuff for a year and relocating to Athens to aid with Samaritan's Purse efforts in the refugee crisis in Europe. This hasn't been the easiest decision, but one I just couldn't pass up. ("The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity" kind of thing.) This next year will have a lot of unknowns, but life is a grand adventure or nothing at all, right?

Until then, καλές διακοπές! (Happy holidays!)

XO from Howland

#DonohewPartyof2 {Part Four: Ceremony & Reception}

2015-08-02T00:32:00.003-04:00

This wedding was so much fun! It began with all the guests being pinned with a ribbon and flower (a Bosnian tradition), then a walk down the aisle (the weather was perfect!), and lots of family photos afterwards. The reception was a blast. Papa Rizonavic roasted a lamb, the cake was delicious, and open bar helped to get the party started! Corey's best man, Svet, a hip-hop violinist put on a great performance, followed by lots of dancing with glowsticks. It was such a memorable day spent together celebrating. Congratulations Corey and Nini!

XO from Howland

#DonohewPartyof2 {Part Three: Wedding Portraits}

2015-08-02T00:32:00.002-04:00

How can you not love them? Such a photogenic bunch! We went via limo to Cobbs Hill to take some wedding party photos, and then onto the wedding venue. The day was so well planned, thanks to the most organized bride ever!

XO from Howland

#DonohewPartyof2 {Part Two: Getting Ready}

2015-08-02T00:32:00.001-04:00

Hanging with these girls last weekend was so much fun! All the bridesmaids were family (either sisters or cousins) so it was that much more of a party when we all got together. Nini made the most stunning bride, and we were so happy to share in her special day!

XO from Howland

#DonohewPartyof2 {Part One: Rehearsal Dinner}

2015-08-02T00:31:00.003-04:00

These two. I am so happy they met! They make such a great couple, and I'm so excited for our families to join forces. The rehearsal dinner was delicious, we passed out engagement photos as souvenirs, and then went outside to take a million pictures ;)

XO from Howland

Michael & Nihada // Corey & Nini

2015-07-21T23:09:00.000-04:00

MY BROTHER IS GETTING MARRIED!!! I still can't believe it, and I'm SO excited. They've been together for the better part of 8 years, and it's been so awesome having another sister around :) Nini shares my childhood nickname, so she instantly felt like family. Can't wait to make it official on Friday! We snuck in a short and impromptu engagement session last weekend at the forever amazing George Eastman House Gardens and it was a blast (I was thinking of adding a blooper reel to the end of this with all their hilarious silly shots). Congratulations you guys, I love you! Enjoy!

XO from Howland

30 (+1)

2015-01-23T19:26:00.000-05:00

A year ago this weekend, my sister and I rendezvoused with our BFF from high school, Liz, to celebrate her 30th birthday among friends. It was a short drive up the road from DC to Gifford Pinchot State Park (for all you history buffs out there, Pinchot was one of the first forest conservationists in the country!), and was perfectly snowy and cold. We went hiking and played games and made dinner and ate an entire 17" Wegmans cookie cake. Growing up, Liz and I always made a point to spend a day in the park in winter wonderland weather, and I'm so glad we had the chance to do it again, especially on such a monumental weekend :) So here we are a year later, and I'm just now getting around to posting photos, but Happy 30th (+1)!

XO from Howland

Fin, Twenty-Fourteen

2015-01-05T00:44:00.000-05:00

Happy new year! 2014 was a very adventurous year, and I am honestly glad to see it go. It held some really wonderful moments though, even in spite of the difficult ones. Here are the top moments from this past year:

one: OBX Sunrise | Outer Banks, NC

two: snow days on snow days on snow days | Fredericksburg, VA

three: MARCH MADNESS! Kentucky's Cinderella Run to the final

four: two full weeks of monster camp

five: some very memorable time with family | Rochester, NY

six: the best summer vacation weekend | Lake Nantahala, NC

seven: Jud's travels to Africa | Kruger Safari Park, South Africa
eight: family reunion of sorts | Atlanta, GA

nine: exploring our new city! | Nashville, TN
ten: the most amazing fall foliage | Smoky Mountains, NC

eleven: my Papa's last days in his studio

twelve: home sweet for the holidays

Best Album: We didn't buy a lot of music this year, but we did go to some great shows! Live on the Green had an outstanding lineup this summer, we we were there every night :)

Best Read: Harry Potter (3 books in!)

Best Movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson forever); also a Netflix binge of The Killing

Best Buy: We finally upgraded our phones! 3 years and 5 models later, we are now sporting the iPhone 6.

Highlights + Notable Discoveries

turning 30!
craft nights
game nights
spring in Virginia
Carl's ice cream
chocolate custard and walnut donuts
my 1.6 mile pedestrian commute to my favorite job to date
Sochi Olympics + the World Cup in Brazil
sister dates
eye liner + I'm growing out my bangs
early morning breakfast dates at Blackstone Coffee Company
kickboxing class
Netflix marathons: House of Cards/The Killing/Hell on Wheels
Jud traveled to Africa and The Philippines for work (lions and giraffes and elephants, oh my!)
another house tour
moving to [East] Nashville (and saying farewell to the chaos of life in DC)
fixing up our new apartment (and former residence of Kings of Leon !!)
lots and lots of live music
Jeni's black coffee ice cream
tacos (the obsession is real)
We joined a gym! And I started running again
p u r g i n g
leaf collecting
slowing down
a renewed love of red wine
my Papa, his life, his love, and his artwork
sunrises + sunsets (I think I've seen more this year than ever)

I am really excited about you, 2015. Here's to a hope fulfilled this new year.

XO from Howland

Happy Holidays!

2014-12-25T13:27:00.002-05:00

I'm posting on my blog! It's a Christmas Miracle!! It has been an eventful past few months, so I'll be updating this space with happenings soon. But we have much to be thankful for, and today we are celebrating the love of family and friends, and the hope of redemption in Christ. We've spent the holiday reminiscing our way through boxes of old photos with fond remembrance. And continual eating, drinking, and all-around being merry.

Wishing you and yours the merriest Christmas and happiest new year!

XO from Howland

Prince Edward

2014-08-09T11:04:00.001-04:00

Last May, Jud and I wandered down the road from DC to Fredericksburg, Virginia, and left having somehow landed a beautiful house on the best block in town. Seriously. Not only is it in the heart of historic downtown, a few blocks walk the best little shops and restaurants and the 3-mile trail loop along the canal, it's also filled with the kindest, friendliest neighbors there ever were.

The house itself needed a lot of TLC, which included a fresh coat of paint (or 4) in every room. The backyard proved to be a bit of an untamed jungle monster, and not having a lawnmower for the first month meant some gladiator style yardwork. After all of that, it definitely proved to be the loveliest house we've ever called home. It was a Sears and Roebuck catalog-ordered house from the early-ish 1900s (our next-door neighbor's house is identical to ours!) and has all sorts of charm that greets you right at the front door.

Here are some before...

After!

^my favorite room in the house!

^I loved waking up to this picture arrangement everyday :)

^Annie finds a "spot" in every room (for important business like playing with/destroying toys)

XO from Howland

Craft Night Forever!

2014-07-26T23:43:00.001-04:00

Last fall, I proposed to my friend Megan the idea of a craft night-basically an excuse to get together and do artsy things. She was all about it, so she invited some friends over to my house, we ate apple pie and made stuff, and so it began. We are the perfect combination of pale-skinned redheads and curly-haired brunettes. We cook (and eat) more than we ever end up crafting. And we are always laughing (mostly about cat videos on the internet, but still). We have expanded our repertoire to include holiday pajama parties, olympic ceremony parties, new year's parties, surprise birthday parties...it's basically party all time. These girls were pretty much the first people I hung out with in town, and I have been so very grateful for their friendship this past year. I am going to miss them more than I can say right now, but craft night lives on. FOREVER.

XO from Howland

Lucky Number Seven

2014-07-13T19:16:00.003-04:00

Guess what? We're moving! (Again!) We are Nashville bound at the end of the month :)

This may be one of our biggest moves yet (and after 3 cross country moves and 7 (or 8?) cities, that is definitely saying something). DC/Virginia has certainly had its perks, but we are ready to move on from our incessantly fast-paced lives here and take a load off down the road in Tennessee. It's almost the exact halfway point between our families, and we already have friends in town that we're looking forward to seeing more. I'll be going to school there next year and Jud is looking forward to ditching his suit and tie and horrendous commute for some fun stuff that's in the works. Plus, there will be music concerts and festivals, good food galore, and hopefully lots and lots of visitors!

XO from Howland

July 4th

2014-07-04T23:47:00.000-04:00

I know I've said it before, but Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. We spent this year at my friend Emily's house, grilling out, playing yard games, watching fireworks, and playing with sparklers. You know, the kinds of things that really make you appreciated the independence you have. Happy birthday, America, you sure do throw a great party!

XO from Howland

Five!

2014-07-03T13:14:00.000-04:00

Today my blog turned FIVE! This little piece of cyberspace has been home to so many of our favorite adventures these past few years, and it's exciting to think about all that is yet to come. Happy birthday little blog of mine, and a high-five to you all for coming along for the ride!
XO from Howland

32

2014-06-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

Happiest birthday to my favorite adventurer! 32 is going to be a good, good year.

XO from Howland

Lake Nantahala

2014-06-12T23:08:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we surprised my friend Becki with a rendezvous in the NC mountains at a glorious lake house (almost exactly 6 months since our last get-together). We drove into the night right from work on Thursday and made our grand entrance at 2 am (SURPRISE!). The next morning/a few hours later, I walked through this incredible house and stepped out onto the porch to see the Smoky mountains in all their glory rising above this incredibly peaceful, emerald water. Le sigh. The next few days consisted of boating, kayaking, tubing, rope swinging, island exploring, hiking, swimming, dock jumping, reading, sunbathing, hammock swinging, shish kabobs, campfires, birthday cheesecake, an epic game of Settlers of Catan, + lots and lots of laughing. It was such a refreshing time and with the best of friends. I think I've decided to make it a life goal to own a lake house in the mountains. It was pretty much an entire summer vacation wildly and perfectly packed into a single long weekend. I'm pretty sure there's still a piece of my heart out on that dock…Also, since I've hardly posted anything in the past 6 months, I'm making up for it right now...enjoy!

XO from Howland

Since You've Been Gone

2014-05-19T15:49:00.001-04:00

I've found myself on a bit of a hiatus from blogging (thanks to school and work and the general business of life right now), but I'm back with tales from faraway lands/Virginia. Here's what you've missed:

Early mornings. I have learned to enjoy them.

Our Kentucky Wildcats made an incredible run in the NCAA tourney this year-seriously, KY basketball at its finest.

Panang curry, where have you been all my life?

Back in the saddle again! It's been wayyy too long, but amazing how you don't forget a thing ;)

The annual Guinness Cake finally had its day, and was served as a birthday cake this year. So.Good.

This pretty girl turned 2! Happy birthday, sweet Annabelle :)

April showers-a whole week of them...

May flowers! Spring has been incredible this year-slow and steady sunshine + warmer temps + light breezes. We've spent many evenings on our front porch, swinging away. Also, the blossoms have been out of this world-cherry trees, tulips, daffodils, dogwoods, camellias, lilacs, peonies, and now roses! Spring, you are convincing me this is my favorite season...

Monster Camp! These two have spent almost a whole month together playing fetch and eating boney bones and pretty much being attached at the hip. Love these two.

This sunset/moonrise. Cotton candy clouds for the win!

I also hosted a massive clothing exchange, been loving my kickboxing class, took a trip to Nashville (more on that later), saw Godzilla, got a front porch view of the Marine Corp historic a half-marathon, and celebrated a wonderful Easter with friends.

Until next time!
XO from Howland

Bella Sorella Gemella

2014-03-28T06:57:00.000-04:00

Today is my 30th birthday! I went to sleep last night feeling beyond grateful to have reached this milestone in my life. There's no way I'd be the person I have become if it weren't for my incredibly encouraging, adventurous, and supportive bunch of family and friends I have around me. THANK YOU!

The biggest highlight of my birthday has always been being able to share it with my sister. It is truly the most incredible blessing to have a twin sister. I don't know how we were so lucky, but I'm so thankful to have grown up side by side with her...I really couldn't imagine life any other way! She is a feisty and determined go-getter, and inspires me to live the life I dreamed. Happy birthday to my bella sorealla gemella, here's to a new decade, and to a lifetime more memories!

And now for an onslaught of photos…have fun telling us apart! (P.S. My mom always wins :))

XO from Howland

Luck of the Irish

2014-03-17T14:59:00.005-04:00

I have been stuck in bed for the past few days with an awful stomach bug, and was just about to call out of work when St. Patrick came in and saved the day! (I've lost count of how many snow days we've had this year, it's been a crazy [awesome] winter.) Annie and I snuck outside for a bit of fun earlier this morning (she spent her time wrestling the snow off the low-hanging branches and has recently taken up soccer!) It's funny to hear the birds still chirping chirping...T-5 days til spring!

This is the first St. Patrick's Day in three years that I haven't made a Guinness Cake, and I'm a little bummed about it (there's still time, I know, but I'm not sure I could stomach it yet). In the meantime, I'll be cozied up on the couch, writing a research paper (blah) and enjoying some Irish tea. Happy St. Pat's everyone!

XO from Howland

Spring Forward

2014-03-09T13:04:00.000-04:00

Hello again. It's been a while! We've been busy beyond belief, with work and school and life in general. Today is already daylight savings, and I'm pretty excited. Don't get me wrong, I have l o v e d the snowy winter we've had, but I'm very much looking forward to longer, warmer evenings ahead. In the meantime, here's a few snapshots from the past month:

^New in the shop (thanks, in part, to the countless snow days we've had!)

^A dozen of these babies from Paul's Bakery.

^Snuggleland, always & forever!

^Jud's perfect homemade cookies + season 2 House of Cards marathon.

^The Olympics (of course). I am an unashamed junkie, winter or summer games. Also, this mug finally sold!

^The latest from the studio, inspired by a 1970s cross-stitch design. Always thankful for the opportunity to do commission pieces!

^Indoor gardening…this was a plant our neighbors gifted us for Christmas, and bloomed just in time for Valentine's Day!

XO from Howland

Seven Sisters, A Kentucky Portrait

2014-03-08T22:32:00.002-05:00

Today in Kentucky is Seven Sisters Day! It's been nearly 15 years since this film debuted about the lives of seven sisters in rural Kentucky. It's a heartwarming and personal story for anyone to watch, but it is an exceptionally special story for our family to have documented, since those sisters are my great Aunts (my Granny is the 3rd sister), and my uncle is the brilliant storyteller. I would encourage you to find a way to watch it. (It can be purchased here, or, if you're in Kentucky, it is probably showing on KET right now!) Here's an introduction to the documentary (via sourmashfilms.com)

This is the story of a family of seven sisters whose ages span a generation, who grew up during the Depression, and who, each in their own way, moved away from the tiny community of West Liberty, Kentucky, deep in the Appalachian Mountains, to the city of Lexington below. This is a story of women coming of age, of rural to urban migration, and of how personal hardships build the ties of a family. This is a story of heroism-not in a grandiose, earth-shaking way, but through a collection of small acts of sacrifice, courage and generosity. At the center of it all are seven strong willed and colorful women-one family and the fierce bonds that hold them together.

Most of the dominant media images of Appalachia perpetuate long-held misconceptions and continue to dis-empower what is an amazingly strong culture of family and community support. This happens because for too long the region has been denied its own voice. Seven Sisters is an attempt to give the stories of the regions back to its people, celebrating the power of family and community, and overturning stereotypes along the way. What makes "Seven Sisters" unique is that it tells the story of everyday people faced with a series of life's traumas, challenges, and joys and of the ways that the fabric of a family is woven from acts of ordinary heroism.

On a personal note, I feel a strong sense of purpose to tell this story, as I am a member of the first generation descended from these sisters. My motivation to record this history is an extension of this film's main theme-the legacy of these sisters' belief in the power of family, and in the strength it can give one another and successive generations. Through examining and recording the lives, hardships, and joys of my family, I hope to both preserve and strengthen the bonds that hold us together, as well as tell a fascinating and compelling story.

I am incredibly grateful for this film. It has been several years since my Granny passed, and it's simply wonderful to have this animated piece of family history to enjoy for years to come.

XO from Howland

Snow Days

2014-01-30T13:11:00.000-05:00

Here, south of the Mason-Dixon line, snow days are literal (as in, when it snows even an inch, we [usually] get a snow day!)...at first I'm like, "that's kinda pathetic," but then I'm like, "snow day! yay!" So in the end, snowy days have become that much more amazing. Last week, schools were out all week. AN ENTIRE WEEK! In Rochester, that has only happened when ice was falling from the sky (literally) and the city was without power for days upon days. Anyway, I didn't have a week's vacation, but I have gotten hump day off two weeks in a row! I can't tell you how productive the past two Wednesdays have been...sewing, mending, cleaning, cooking, laundry, homework, photo editing, etc. Of course there have also been many snowy walks in the neighborhood (despite freezing temps) with our little leashed snowplow + hours cozied up on the couch watching House Hunters International and Sherlock. I only wish it could be like this til the end of winter!

XO from Howland

Payday

2014-01-15T21:59:00.001-05:00

I very grateful to have started a new job last week! I'm working with kiddos again, this time doing behavior therapy (think of it as intensive parenting for kids with special needs). I really like it (besides my 9 1/2 hour day during a FULL MOON, which I am currently recovering from with a dish of panang curry and a healthy dose of New Girl...) The other thing I really like about my new job is getting a paycheck! Of course, I have big plans on how to spend it. For the most part, the money will be going in the bank, but I figured a top ten list was way more fun :)

1: These saavy new boots with all the rave reviews (via DSW)

2: A few orders of these amazing condensed fruit & veggie gummies that we have been direly missing. Ask me about it! --> howlandslovejuiceplus.com (via Juice Plus+)

3. A donation to my friend's coffee bar that will employ young adults with Autism (via Dirt Coffee)

4. My Anatomy + Physiology II class that started this week

5. Maybe something (or one of everything) from H&M's clearance section

6. These awesome moon phase stamps (via AHA-arts)

7. We're thinking of becoming Costco members again...and stocking up on the essentials!

8. A roof rack for our new car (pooling money from all the REI giftcards we've been collecting)

9. I desperately need a watch, and have my eye on a few (via Target)

10. A ski weekend away! To celebrate my friend Liz's 30th birthday of course ;)

XO from Howland

Happy New Year!

2014-01-01T20:37:00.002-05:00

Hope you all had fun and safe celebration ringing in the new year! We had the best NYE with friends :) Not pictured: 3x more homemade pizza, Cards vs. Humanity, fireworks from the back porch, our little party animal (who put herself to bed a half dozen times). Cheers to you, 2014!

XO from Howland