snowtober

Well, this past weekend was like no other. We had something highly unusual for New England in October. A little something called Snowtober.

Yep, New England was hammered with a Nor'easter and left snow, trees, and power lines all over the ground. Snowtober made more of an impact than Hurricane Irene. All of the trees still have their leaves on. So add some wet, heavy snow and we're really in trouble.

front yard

The forecast {hahaha the meteorologist in me is talking now} predicted rain all day Saturday, changing over to snow late Saturday night. We didn't have much rain at all. It basically started snowing around 11am on Saturday. And snowed the rest of the evening. We ended up with about 5 inches of snow. I'm glad we didn't get 12 as they had predicted. So many trees and branches fell down that more people lost power this time around compared to Irene.

this branch was blocking almost the entire road

snowtober

After running a few errands and taking some pictures early Saturday afternoon, we went home, lit candles, and played board games. It was fun. I am so glad that we didn't lose power.

I'm hoping we don't get anymore snow until December. I was just getting used to fall... Sheesh!

Stay warm!

top 10 reasons we love fall

10. boots, scarves & sweaters

9. apple picking

8. daylight savings time- love that extra hour of sleepies

7. crisp, chilly air

6. corduroy

5. time for cozy snuggles

4. warm apple cider

3. pumpkin patches 

2. colored leaves

1. love season! aka dating and wedding anniversaries!

pumpkin carving 2008

october 09- celebrating our 5 year dating anniversary in boston 

pumpkin picking 2010

carving 2010

pre-wedding pumpkins 

at the pumpkin patch 2011

Us Johnstons love fall. Hubs and I are thrilled it's finally here. I think last fall was overshadowed by our wedding. We are taking full advantage of it this year. Because we fell in love in the fall and got married in the fall, Bry likes to term fall the "season of love". This weekend is probably peak foliage here, and we're apparently getting snow tomorrow. Well, stay warm everyone. 

Happy Fall to all!

<a href="http://www.thewiegands.com/p/art.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/WALDOROY/festbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br />  

nyc on a fall weekend afternoon

Recently, Bry and I have seemed to have weekend days where we can't figure out what to do. As we went for an afternoon hike, we decided we wanted to go into New York City for the remainder of the afternoon and evening. We raced back home to change and catch a train and then didn't even end up taking the train. Instead, we drove in to Brad & Jacki's apartment.

We arrived at their apartment and still couldn't decide what to do- this happens when the four of us are together. We usually always have the discussion... "what do you wanna eat?" "I dunno" "I don't care" "You decide"...

However, we wanted to walk in Central Park, so we strolled on over.

It was the perfect time of late afternoon to take some photos at the reservoir. 

Of course Starbucks was a must before we walked very far at all. 

gorgeous

We found flowers in a park. Hubs called this "He loves me not".

the met

love this shot. 

Bry was actually a little proud of himself for this one. Everyone else is blurry but somehow I turned out in focus.. He always captures some pretty cool shots. 

We took the subway down to SoHo and ate a delicious Italian meal in...Little Italy. Then we went to an Italian pastry shop for dessert.

We had a ton of fun heading into NYC and being a bit spontaneous. We didn't really have much of a plan before we got into the city but made the best of a clear and crisp fall evening. I feel spontaneity can always make things more fun!

the patch without pumpkins

This past weekend, Bry and I took my brother to a local pumpkin patch. We wanted to pick up some pumpkins to decorate and carve. We were excited when we arrived as it was a sunny late afternoon and with just the right chill in the air. We didn't take home any pumpkins. But I think we'll try another patch this weekend in hopes of finding the perfect pumpkins. 

colorful displays

"jarrahdale" a bluish squash- I almost bought one because I loved the color so much!

my hubby has skillz at photography. yep, that z is necessary

psyched for pumpkins

strawberries growing for next summer

yes. its true. there was a pumpkin shortage this year. 

sald was pretty excited about all the rotten pumpkins and ones that had "bullet holes" in them

:)

love this one

corn maze

nice stem!

love my bro

No pumpkins, but a great time!

sunday evening walk

One Sunday about two weeks ago, Bry and I were having a tough time figuring out what to do. Eighty degrees in mid-October is a little strange in New England. Usually the leaves are changing and the air is crisp and chilly. Nope- not this Sunday. We were a little frustrated because we wanted to go pumpkin picking and enjoy fall weather and there was none of that around. 

We went out and grabbed lunch. Then B suggested 16 Handles froyo {as mentioned in this post}, which had me hooked from the second it was said. After lunch and froyo, the late afternoon slump hit hard {those frequently torture me, those late afternoon full-belly slumps}. We went home and I took a nap on the couch.

I'm pretty sure Bry thought the evening was done for when I laid down at 4:00. However, when I woke up, I was a bit groggy {as always} but I decided to make the most of our evening. I said, "Hey, let's take a walk." It was just beginning to get dark, so we set out. 

the leaves just starting to change

b&a

waiting for me as usual

Once I remembered that there is a stray coyote that has been roaming around our neighborhood, we didn't stay out much longer, but it was a fun walk nonetheless. When we came home, we poured some wine and  played our favorite card game Gin. 

Sundays are beginning to become one of my favorite days of the week. I used to hate them. But that's for another post :)

cheers cheers to 7 years

Seven years ago to the day, Bry and I started dating.

 It wasn't this grand gesture of him asking me in a special way. We'd liked each other for a while, but I was just out of a relationship and was somewhat set on being single for a little while. But on a Sunday night in October after going to Sanctuary, while sitting in the parking lot of McDonald's listening to Switchfoot's "Only Hope", I said, "I'm ready to be your girlfriend". Nothing too romantic, but it's part of our start, and here we are 7 years later, together forever. 

In honor of 7 years, I decided to dig up our 1st "Bry & Ali" mix CD. We had four or five over the years, but the first one was the best. Made by the best boyfriend in the world. 

As you can see, this mix is a little beat up. It went from my car to my room and back to my car again. Repeat about 50 times and then account for my speedy driving skills- ie, CDs sliding everywhere; this guy doesn't play that well anymore. Luckily I have it all backed up on my iPod. 

Here's the playlist...

Fabolous- "Breathe"

Kelly Clarkson- "Breakaway"

Yellowcard- "Only One"

Ryan Cabrera- "On The Way Down"

Switchfoot- "Only Hope"

Mandy Moore- "Only Hope"

Hilary Duff- "Fly"

John Mayer- "Daughters"

Oasis- "Wonderwall"

Usher ft. Alicia Keys- "My Boo"

Howie Day- "Collide"

Maroon 5- "She Will Be Loved"

Jimmy Eat World- "23"

      & 2 bonus tracks.

Some songs were popular in 2004, others were inside jokes. All are special to us. 

Happy Monday to all!

Happy 7 years to my man!

a little taste of florence via kelsey

My sister in law, Kelsey, had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Florence. She jumped at the opportunity- who wouldn't?! She's taken more trips than I thought physically possible and is making me seriously jealous- but in a good way, of course. She started a blog at the beginning of her journey to make it easier for everyone to hear about her experience. 

 If you would like to read about her endeavors, head on over to her blog, Vita Mia in Italy. Every time she posts, I know I have to stop what I'm doing (ie multi-tasking) to read what she has written. Kels tells of her travels & experiences, along with comical stories with her and her roommates, and even writes about how much she misses us Johnston's back in the US. 

Kels, Bry & I miss you! We love you and can't wait for Christmas time when we get you back! Until then, soak in all of the European culture that you can! We have to live vicariously through you since we won't be traveling to Europe any time soon. We love you!

the hot spot

Yesterday morning, hubby sent me a text that said...

"I just wanna tell u I love u and im sorry for being a cranky pants sometimes. I want to make a sepcial weekend because its our 7 year dating anniversary on monday"

My heart melted a little bit.

Then, a few minutes later, I received a FB notification. Bry's status said...

"I am a lucky guy. Around this time 7 years ago, Ali became my gf. Now 7 years later we are creeping up on our 1 year wedding anniversary. Chasing after you for 5 months in 2004 was a good move."

{I, of course, responded "Playing hard to get for those 5 months really worked out for me ;)" }

So it wasn't a shock when we decided to go out to dinner. We chose this place called The Hot Spot. It was the cutest little place with the sweetest ambiance. 

We ordered a bottle of wine and two cups of soup to share{potato&leek and butternut squash}. Then he chose the sirloin, and I chose the lobster mac'n'cheese. It was delicious! 

Bry, 

 These past 7 years have been a dream. I cannot thank you enough for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with. I am one blessed gal and I am so proud to be called your wife. I will love you forever. 

<3 , your Als

Cheers to 7 years! 

Hope you all enjoyed the mush and gush.  Happy weekend!

brit

{this post inspired by a friend's blog post, Colleen of Mademoiselle Michael}

Today is one of my bestest friend's birthdays. My friend Brit, who I've known since the first day of college, is 23 today. I had the pleasure of spending a few days this weekend with her. I thought I'd share a couple of photos of this gal in honor of our friendship and her birthday. 

we were such cool freshmen.. huh?!

summer '07

out for my birthday

senior formal 2009

oh ya know, just horsin around during formal pictures with lily and erin

senior formal 2010- "hi awwwi"

graduation day!

4 years together! we made it! {love this one}

Brit's blog is called a journey down twenty-something. She wrote such an inspirational post today about her birthday and how she plans to spend the remainder of her birthday month. Read it here. 

Bwitty, I love ya. Hope this is the best birthday ever. I'm so blessed to have you as one of my closest friends. You really understand me and put up with me even when I can't put up with myself. Thank you for always being there! Can't wait to see you next weekend! Love, Awi 

today's to-do list

going to turn those to-do's into ta-da's today. 

{I'm cheesy, I know}

*taken with my new iPhone4!