road trip!

Few things compare to a trip filled with delicious (usually forbidden) road snacks, sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs tunes, and the people you love (both alongside you in the car and waiting for you at your final destination). This weekend, Douglas and I hopped into my trusty, little red Civic to celebrate the marriage of my two lovely friends, Steve and Jennifer. We also got a quick visit in with my dear friend, Carolina, as she was kind enough to let us crash on her couch during our stay. The trip was short and we had to squeeze it tightly into our weekend, filled with the usual hustle-and-bustle of chores, errands, and homework in addition to Doug's rapidly-approaching midterms and my upcoming observation by the superintendent, but it was a fun little getaway for the two of us. I was so happy to celebrate the love and commitment of two wonderful people and to get out into the fresh air for a little while. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the fall foliage was as enchanting as ever. I love the drive up to New England - mountains, trees, rivers, farms - so many beautiful sights! Congratulations, Steve and Jen, and thank you for letting us share in your special day. We wish you a lifetime of love, health, and happiness.

Scoping out the wares at a roadside farmers' market. The Zakim bridge and a glimpse of Boston. Two happy wedding-goers. Enthralled by the honey-bee art exhibit at the Museum of Science. The Charles River, mid-autumn. A handsome man across the table. Shameless self-photography. Willamette Valley pinot noir after an adventurous evening - we miss you, Pacific Northwest! Coming home to the Hudson River. (Thank you, Douglas, for being my tag-team photographer whenever I need you.)

ahhh, italia.

I am not sure if it is because my cousin Robert and his beautiful bride, Maria, just returned from a trip there, because one of my favorite bloggers, Naomi, is planning a vacation there with her family, or if it is simply because I am foregoing gluten-products and therefore craving all things bread-related (the pizza, the bruschetta, the bucatini - somebody stop me!) but BOY do I miss Italy right now. I had the amazing privilege to study abroad in Rome my junior year at college, when Italy became my home away from home for four months, and I have had one opportunity to go back during my backpacking trip in the autumn of 2008, but it has been four years since I stepped foot on Italian soil - e sono nostalgia di casa! I miss the people, the art, the architecture, the language, and yes, most certainly, the food.

For anyone who has never been to Italy, it is everything you would expect it to be. The food is unbelievable (seriously, I think everything tastes better there), the sights are breathtaking, and the atmosphere is just as romantic and historic and beautiful as you would hope. I have a few wonderful memories frozen in my mind that I will never be able to forget (and would not want to). A herd of sheep interrupting a photo shoot in a Roman park. An enthusiastic cabdriver singing to Shaggy songs with a birthday girl and her friends (he knew every word, and not just to Mr. Bombastic!). An Iranian suitor trying to steal my heart with a delicious, home-cooked dinner. Watching countless episodes of Arrested Development with my friend in Florence. A crazy, passionate neighbor threatening to set a bomb off in our apartment...

My wanderlust has been a little overwhelming lately. Ever since I stepped foot out of the country for the first time my senior year of high school, I have been infected with the travel bug. If I sit tight too long, I get antsy, anxious, like I am being trapped against my will. Does anyone else out there feel like that? I just need to get out of New Jersey! Part of me feels guilty for it, that I should be happy exactly where I am at all times, but my restless soul just simply will not allow it. I want adventure! I want to see, hear, feel, smell, and TASTE new and wonderful things all the time. Unfortunately for me, traveling takes a bit of money and time, two things that I find myself continually short on... so I am in need of a few suggestions. Does anyone know of any great short trips that one in my adventure-deprived, financially-lacking predicament might be able to venture off on for a long weekend? Please disclose!

For now, I will dream of my Italy and the delicious homemade pomodoro sauce the mother of my wonderful friend, Carmelo, would send him from Sicily (that he would beneficently share with us). Honestly, the best food I have ever tasted was a simple spaghetti dish with this sauce. Amazing.

Mi manchi, Italia!

Venezia. Perugia. Il Pantheon. La Cappella Sistina. La campagna.

glimpses.

A beautiful autumn bouquet.  

A new chicken timer for the kitchen (since I melted the last one).

Being serious.

Being not-so-serious.

Pretty little memory jars I made from our trip to the northwest. 

A frowning farmer who finally made it up on my wall (I cannot resist anything farm-related... one day).

saturdays in october.

What a great autumn day! Today was filled with football, my first bikram yoga class (that's a story for another day), family dinner, and sugar cookies. We started the day off watching my brother play his last home game of the year. The team did not win, but it was still fun to joke around with my sisters, watch my brother finally wave to us (probably just to get us to stop) after screaming his name a hundred times, and soak up a little sunshine and oxygen. The air had a gentle, refreshing chill and a sweet, wet-leaves smell that had me singing to myself all day long. I love spending time with the ones I love. I especially love taking care of them. I do not know if it is some feminine "maternal" instinct, a quality that comes from being the oldest of five, or if it is just simply part of my unique individual personality, but I live to care for others, particularly when it means I get to be in the kitchen. This morning it was making eggs and hot coffee for my Douglas. This evening, I got to prepare spaghetti squash with chicken meatballs for my family (sissy Samantha was home from school for the weekend). Tonight, I am baking cookies and my apartment feels toasty and festive with the sweet aroma floating through the air. I probably did not need to taste the dough so many times, but everybody knows that's the best part (even when you are trying to be gluten free... uh oh). It was a wonderful Saturday and I already hear Sunday's stern voice telling me it is time to buckle down and get some work done, but it is so hard to concentrate when there are so many wonderful things to do, for myself and for others. I know tomorrow will be full of all I "should" have done today, but for now I will bask in the glory that is kinfolk and homemade pastries!

 

Rooting for #74. Goofing around with my sissies (smooch attacks included). Squinting in the warm sunlight with handsome men. Baking cookies. Success. Diet... maybe not so much. Oh, well, there is always tomorrow :) Goodnight.

stretching it?

I am not sure if I should be expressing excitement or fear, but I just signed myself up for a one-week "hot yoga" promotion. I have been interested in trying this style of yoga, and there are a lot of bikram yoga studios near where I live, but classes are rather expensive. Just recently, one of the studios near my apartment advertised a special: seven consecutive days of lessons for the price of one.  I am now diving head-first into the bikram experience!  For those of you unfamiliar with hot yoga, it is a system of yoga that is performed under very hot conditions, typically around 105 degrees fahrenheit. I guess the premise is that you will sweat (and sweat and sweat!), increasing circulation and benefitting your lymphatic system. I am thinking this could be a good opportunity to cleanse and really kick off this commitment to fitness I have recently made (or, err, remade for the millionth time). My only fear is that I am going to burn myself out or injure myself... but its yoga, right? And besides, I am Jenna Leigh, champion of life, conquerer of fears! No sweat (pun intended). Well, I guess we will see.

Has anyone out there taken a hot yoga class before? Advice? I would love to hear your thoughts.

halloween classics.

Some Wilson family Halloween shots, as promised.  There are some pretty classic ones of my parents that I have still yet to track down, but keep a look out for a real treat coming soon... The fall always reminds me of family. Halloween 2008 was the last time I saw my mother "healthy" and in good spirits; it is a bittersweet memory but I will always cherish it. We are a silly bunch, but my family is the best. What is your favorite costume memory?