It's a beautiful day!

Imagine me singing the title of this post, which is one of my favorite U2 songs. The sun is still shining and it's 5:40, a hopeful reminder that Spring is just around the corner.

The sun has been out all day, and I couldn't help but get outside. It started this morning as I tidied up the compost and swept off the back porch. Patton decided that wasn't long enough, so we played soccer for a while.

After lunch, I had to find another excuse to get outdoors, so Patton and I went out.

We started out on a path that we've taken with Matt before, out between farmland, or as my husband likes to call them, "crop fields".






Patton loves where we live! There are trails all over the place. And on days like this, you'll pass many locals who also got the itch to get out.

We walked various trails for about an hour; it was fun to find all the paths in between fields!





He loves to run through the fields. Thank goodness they are barren right now.









I got a picture of Matt wearing a KU shirt that I bought him in Lawrence. See Eryn, we do wear Kansas stuff!!

I hope you're having an equally beautiful day!

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The hills are alive, with the sound of my yardsaling down the mountain...or something like that

We spent last weekend in Feichten, Austria, and had a spectacular time! Skiing was done at Kaunertal, which is basically a snow covered glacier.

This was my second time skiing, and I wasn't exactly thrilled. However, our friends Emily and TJ and his parents, Ronda and Tom, told me last month that the first time I'd be discouraged, but the second or third time I'd love it.

They were so right! Though I, as Matt likes to call it, "yardsaled" down the mountain a few times, I had a blast. And at least I tried, right? My favorite part is going lightening fast (and not crashing). Matt was so patient with me, as I broke down in full on tears during one spill and he coached me down the run.

Here are some pictures :)

Our First Night in Austria

This weekend we went to Austria again with our friends Sam and Justine. It was our second time skiing, and we had a fabulous time! Details to follow. Until then, here are some pics:



Sam and me



Matt's vegetariche pizza



Mine. Yummo!



But of course!



The moon :)
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Bye bye Waltons!

Last night was our last with Emily and Bailey. We had such a great time, and Emily was an amazing host.

Thank you Emily for starting my addiction with peppermint tea and Stays chips. And I cannot wait to try your lasagna recipe!!

I think during the past two weeks, we managed to consume two boxes of peppermint tea, ten pounds of honey, and three times our weight in hummus ;)

Here are some pics from the visit:






My Valentine, Bailey






All of my Valentines






Bailey trying, and hating, asparagus






Bailey wanna cupcake?

And I saw this at the commissary. Just one example of why Americans are fat:







Now to Austria!
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WAR DAMN EAGLE!

So in case you haven't heard yet, there's some pretty disparaging news coming in from The Plains. Matt received an email about an hour ago (around 5:30AM our time) and we've been up talking about it since.

It seems some ignoramus going by the name of "Al, from Dadeville" has poisoned the 130 year old oak trees all Auburn fans have learned to love on the corner of Magnolia and College, otherwise known as Toomer's Corner.

This fine gentleman called into "The Paul Finebaum Show" in Birmingham and said he poisoned the trees the weekend after the Iron Bowl because, get this, he was upset that a few college kids rolled Toomer's after Bear Bryant died. Now I hate that they did that, "Al", but really? Really?

I'm just gonna put it out there - this guy is probably a middle-aged redneck living the Dadeville dream, he's probably been to a total of 3 Alabama games in his life, but never attended the university (a trait common to many Alabama fans). But to destroy life, to destroy tradition? It's unfathomable to all Auburn Alum, and most descent human beings.

I grew up in a house divided. My mom is from Auburn, dad is from Tuscaloosa. My dad is a huge Alabama fan, and both of my brothers are U of A Alum. In fact, I almost attended the university myself. Thank the stars I visited Auburn that summer and changed my mind!

Back to the point...

For years I have been defending the University of Alabama. The times people have screamed "Roll Tide" in my face when all I wanted to do was have a little fun, when people would mock my team, when wearers of crimson and white would say the most despicable things just because they believed they had the best team in the SEC. It seems more often than not Alabama supporters are talking trash or being, in general, classless.

Before I continue, Dad, please don't disown me for this post. I'm a little enraged at this moment and I've gotta get it out.

But for someone, who more likely than not has never set foot inside a university's classroom, to poison 130 years of tradition? And not only that, it may destroy all of Samford Park! A park I walked through every day, a place I found refuge in between classes and on sunny days, a park where Matt and I used to picnic and where we had our engagement pictures taken.

We took it for granted that we would bring our kids to Toomer's and share with them the tradition we hold dear. But sadly, our children will never see Toomer's Corner the way we did. It will only be a story and a few photographs. Since I was a toddler I've been making it out to see the oak trees, but my children will not have that luxury. And this kills me.

I just wanted to blow off some steam, and reminisce of good times passed, and say one last thing....I believe in Auburn, AND LOVE IT!

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!

Sarah and me at Toomer's Corner with Aubie after a good 'ole Auburn victory!

Weagle, weagle!

The Florys and Coles in front of the oaks

Matt and me on Samford lawn, a place we visited often, and a beautiful yard that may be destroyed

WAR.DAMN.EAGLE.





For more read Opelika-Auburn News' Article: http://www2.oanow.com/news/2011/feb/16/40/report-toomers-corner-oaks-poisoned-little-chance-ar-1472533/

Becoming A Veganista

For all of you who roll your eyes at the title of this blog (and I know who you are), I have some good news.

"Das Coles" is going back to being apolitical - YIPPIE!

My apologies to those of you who have found the last week or so a little annoying. A lot of exciting things are happening in my life, and I just felt I had to share! But this is not the forum.

Sooooooo (drum roll, please!!!)

I have created "Becoming A Veganista"!!!!

For information on a vegan lifestyle, becoming a vegan, healthier meal choices, or just plain hilarious anecdotes of my trying to convince Matthew that vegan best, check out -> www.baveganista.blogspot.com

Cheers!

I love to READ!

I have been reading since I was a little one, and my love for learning and books has defined who I am as a woman.

My favorite books as a kid were "Wait Till Helen Comes", "Little Women", the "Boxcar Children", the American Girl series, and anything by Dr. Seuss.

As a teen I got pretty heavy into Ray Bradbury, classics, and Shakespeare. In high school, I would skip lunch and head to the library. There I would indulge in a true feast of knowledge! That, and for a while I was the new kid, so books were my best friends.

In the library I read four books that changed my entire outlook on life - "Fahrenheit 451", "1984", "Animal Farm", and "The Giver".

Suffice it to say I loved (love!) Science Fiction, which may have led me to two of my favorite television series, "Star Trek" and "Battlestar Galactica". Oh geeze, I just let the nerd out of the bag...

In college my obsession continued. I started reading books on Islam and the Middle East, as well as other political tomes.

My favorites were "Bono: The Autobiography", "Natural Capitalism", "White Privilege", and "Full Frontal Feminism".

As you can see, books define me. For every time in my life where I grew, I can name a book and/or song. That's just the way it is. Some people have calendars, some people have pictures, I prefer books.

So it was a little disappointing when Matt and I would talk about different issues, and I'd quote a lesson from, say, "Animal Farm", and he'd have no idea what I was talking about. This guy, who can recite lines from almost any movie produced after 1990, looks at me like I'm a moron when I recite from popular tomes.

Sad face.

Recently he has picked up an interest in reading (or as I call it, mind jogging), and I couldn't be happier! We started our first book, "Are you there, vodka? It's me Chelsea" last night.

It is hilarious! We started reading it out loud, per suggestion of Emily, and it is so much fun!

But Matt requested that I find him a book on his true love, space. So I asked around and the general consensus was this little beauty:

It looks spectacular, and I can't wait for him to start and finish, so I can read it!

But alas, there are more books that I crave to dive in to, but they are a shipment away.

1) The Veganist, Kathy Freeston

I saw Kathy on "Oprah" and fell in love! Since that show, I have entered her contest to win a free copy of the book, so I must wait a little while longer to see if I'm the winner (cross fingers!).

2) Decoded, Jay-Z

I like Jay-Z, though I'm typically not a rap lover. I heard him talking about his new book, and it's gotten rave reviews. Matt seems to have an interest in it as well, so maybe we can read it together!

3) The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank

Sarah and I want to re-read this before we visit her home in Amsterdam this summer. My memories of this book are so vivid. I recall reading it in the fifth grade and bawling through chapters. As a child, reading the diary of a girl your age going through such turmoil makes you appreciative of what you have, yet aware of the world's evil.

4) Night, Elie Wiesel

I'm incredibly embarrassed to say that I've never read this book. I don't know how I got through school without reading it. But I certainly look forward to getting into it soon.

5) Decision Points, George W. Bush

Regardless of your politics, I feel it is important to read presidential memoires. Quite a few friends of mine are in the middle of it and say it's pretty good, so I'm pretty excited to finally get it.

6) The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexandre Dumas

I. LOVE. This. Book.  I read it in high school and couldn't stop turning the page!  It's at the top of my classics' list, and I strive to read at least five in the next year.

Well, that's about it for now.

Happy Reading!

Skyping with Mom and Vegan Cooking

Last night we had our first Skype date with Mama Matson. We were all so excited, as you can see from this picture:



Gotta love her!

Also, yesterday I bought "Appetite for Reduction", a stellar find for the PX, seeing as they seemingly only carry romantic novels and "books" by Bill O'Riley and Glenn Beck :)



But yes, I was stoked to say the least. "Appetite for Reduction", by my new favorite author, Isa Chandra Moskowitz, is phenomenal. It is composed of vegan recipes, as well as tips to making the best of your kind diet. She is freaking hilarious, and I can't wait to purchase her other books, "Veganomicon", "Vegan with a Vengance", and wait for it - "VEGAN CUPCAKES TAKE OVER THE WORLD"!!!!!!!!

A smidge excited about that last one, to say the least.

But seriously, I'm almost done with this one, and thus, my love affair with Amazon continues.

Oh, and it's Valentine's Day, YIPPIE! Matt and I have decided to do VDay sans presents this year. A year ago I would have been begging for a gift, but I had a bit of an awakening this year and it seems kinda silly. I mean, why should we show our love with gifts one day a year? If there's anything that doesn't scream love to me, it's chocolates that will result in larger thighs. Ew!

So instead we're writing a letter to the other, awwwww. I can honestly say I can't wait to read mine, which I can assure you is not yet written. But the fact he can make me weep like a child with only 5 minutes worth of manifesting his love for me in written form...that's pretty spectacular.

And to be cheesy, yet serious, I suppose the greatest gift I could have on this day is Matt. He has shown me what unconditional love is and is the absolute light of my life. Love you MBC!!

Have a fantasia day!

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Thank you Emily!

This past week I have tacked on a couple of obsessions to my growing list, thanks to Emily Walton.

First is Peppermint Tea:



I'm a tea freak, so I don't know why I has never tried it! But it's my new favorite tea, and is especially divine when mixed with...

BAILEYS!!



A Walton staple.

And get ready for this...



They are insanely addictive!! We first had Stacy's pita chips in PCB with Sarah and Daron. I loved them then, but Matt prefers warm wheat pita.

These are perfect for when I have a sweet tooth. They aren't too bad for ya, and a lot better than alternative desserts.

And look at these boogies:




And shout out to Daron Flory. We were playing wii the other night and found an iceskating game. Naturally, we thought of you, sir.





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Pino's and Houdini!

All week Emily has been raving about she and TJ's favorite restaurant in Hirschau, Pino's. It's Italian and simply fabulous. Matt and Emily both ordered pizza (which I tasted - amazing!), while I feasted on a salad and tomato soup. Yum!

With dinner, Matt enjoyed a Keller:









Emily and I preferred Barbera:





And as is Walton tradition, we finished off with some scrumptious amaretto shots:








Yay for shiny foreheads!

But this party started back at the house, before dinner. Emily received a Houdini, which every wino must have. Sarah gave me mine, and I was just following the tradition:




I think she likes it ;)






In other news, my husband dresses like a freakshow:






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