happiness.

Since school is back in full swing for me, and Patrick has been traveling quite a bit for work, we haven't gotten to work on our house too much lately...hence the long pause in my blog posts. There's still quite a bit going on at the Rockwell residence, however...so I thought I'd write about a few things (and people) that have been making me super happy lately.

1. Working out.   Patrick and I joined the Y in January, and have been (pretty much) faithful about working out regularly ever since. I had forgotten how great it feels! I ran 2 miles (without stopping) last week for the first time in...forever? Probably since high school. I don't aspire to be a marathon runner by any means (I don't have the long legs or the motivation), but I would like to be able to run a 5k in 30 minutes. My goal is to be able to do that for the Color Run, which is coming to Nashville in October.

2. My husband.   Patrick and I are not very mushy over Valentine's Day, but any holiday that includes an opportunity for a good meal and and sweets is alright by me! We've gone out to dinner in years past, but every restaurant is always so crowded...so this year we opted to make a nice dinner at home.

Steak, asparagus, and potatoes au gratin (along with some Sister Shubert rolls)...yum! I was going to make a dessert, but since no two people need an entire batch of red velvet brownies at their disposal, we opted to just get a couple of pretty cupcakes from Fresh Market...which I forgot to take a picture of...sad day. They were extra delicious.

3. Baking. Speaking of red velvet brownies and cooking, I have really been on a baking kick lately. No one is complaining (other than MyFitnessPal...yes I feel like I am being judged by my phone app). Here's one of my favorite new creations:

This is a Funfetti Blondie. It is AMAZING. It's the consistency of a brownie, but made with funfetti cake mix and white chocolate chips. And home-made frosting. Here's the recipe.

4. The Hunger Games.  Oh my goodness, I cannot WAIT til the first movie comes out in March. This is probably the best series I've read since Harry Potter. It's infinitely better than Twilight. You should read them. I also cannot stop listening to the song "Safe and Sound" (by Taylor Swift, featuring the Civil Wars) that will be on the movie's soundtrack - it's so beautiful and sad (and so is the video)...and in my opinion could not be more perfect for the Hunger Games. Well done, T. Swift.

5. Thoughts of graduation.  Even though I won't graduate until May 2013 (which is still approximately 14 months away, but who's counting), I will soon be finishing my LAST semester of class. Ever. Starting in June, I will have a rotation - at a hospital, community pharmacy, or specialty practice - each month (except December) through April 2013 (10 rotations total). This makes me so happy. I mean, I like school alright and all, but I've been in school for nearly 20 years. It's time. Though, I'm also kind of nervous...I have no idea where I'll be working when I graduate. Or if I'll do a residency. I'm so glad the sermon at church today was about trusting and doing God's will...very applicable to this situation.

6. Trader Joe's.  Trader Joe's is the best. It's this fun little quirky grocery store that sells mostly their own brand of products. Everything is all natural, and often organic...but it's super affordable. Their prices are quite often less than a regular grocery store's. And everything I've had from there is delicious! They don't have the widest selection, per se...like, if you want 15 varieties of alfredo sauce to choose from, this is not your place...but they have the most fun little odd items that you don't see other places. Some of my favorite items so far are:
    - Olive oil and salt popcorn (only 130 calories for 2 cups!) = $2/bag
    - Vanilla Clusters cereal = normal cereal price, like $2-3
    - Steak burritos (frozen) = 2 burritos for about $3
    - Mandarin Chicken (frozen) = $5 for a bag that serves about 4 people
    - Coffee ice cream = $4 for a quart (the cookies & cream kind is delicious, too!)

      They also have really pretty flowers for super cheap :)

7. Ava Clayton (and my Australian family as a whole). My beautiful cousin Lindsey (who is about 5 years older than me) moved to Australia to marry the love of her life, Danny, about the time I graduated high school. Lindsey and I grew up very close, and I am SO happy that she has found the one whom her soul loves (and whom we all love too!) ... it's just hard for her to live half the world away :( . In July, Linny gave birth to sweet Ava - and this week, we finally got to meet her! She is the first baby on our side of the family in more than 20 years...so you can imagine how excited I was!

Sweet Ava

Ava with her great great grandmother, Mama Mac (who is my great grandmother)

Ava with my mom, whom all babies automatically love

Ava and me :)

She is absolutely beautiful. She's so sweet and calm and smart - and Linny and Danny are such good parents. I (selfishly) want her to live in Tennessee. And to spoil her and hold her and love on her every day that I can. Looks like Patrick and I will just have to make a trip to Australia sooner rather than later!

Linny and me at my wedding