Happy Valentine's Day

Love,
Joe and Cori

Life so far

Last weekend (February 1st) I went home to celebrate with my Mom for her birthday. I left early Friday morning and got in Friday afternoon. We had our ritual Friday night dinner, Chinese Food, and lots of laughs. Then Heather and Denise and I went to Danielle and Matt's for some company and drinks. It was a really nice time. Saturday Mom and I spent the day in New Paltz. We had a great lunch and walked around the town, shopping and exploring. It was 50 degrees and sunny! After New Paltz, we headed to Wappingers Falls to have dinner and birthday cake with the family. It was such a fun time! Thank you everyone! Then I went out Saturday to Shadows with Heather for a little birthday dancing (it was her birthday as well!) I left Sunday and got home Monday morning. The week went by quickly. Had one exam and came back to Fort Wayne this weekend to hang out with my husband. Seriously, I know we are still considered newlyweds, but nothing makes me happier than cooking and cleaning up my home and being near my husband. Ask me in 30 years and I'll probably have a different thought, but for now, it reminds me of our time in California, and I love it. Joe and I made homemade butternut squash soup. It was the first time we attempted it (Mom and I had it in New Paltz the following weekend, and I fell in love!) So here is a step by step process
You will need
1 butternut squash
1 onion
3 or 4 stalks of celery
1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 of cup of Heavy Cream
2 teaspoons of nutmeg
2 teaspoons of thyme
1 blender
1 large soup pot

First, dice the onions, cut the celery and squash into cubes and toss into soup pot with olive oil
Allow onions to brown, celery and squash to soften. If needed (which it is, add 1/2 cup of water to avoid burning)
Cover, and let steam soften veggies
After 10 minutes, use a fork to determine if it is soft enough. If so, transfer it all to a blender.
Liquify and blend until finished
Transfer back into the pot and add heavy cream, nutmeg and thyme. Keep on low for 10-15 minutes

Let me know! It turned out pretty good!!

We also went for a nice walk in the neighborhood to check out all the snow! Wow, I do not remember this much snow since I was a kid!
Anyways, weekends over, back to school..T Minus 2 months for class! Then clinicals. Then hopefully move somewhere for a job (fingers crossed)
Hope all is well!
Cori

photo fun!

To do list!

So here is the latest To Do List that needs to be accomplished!

1. Dine at Joseph Decuis in Roanoke, IN. It is a culinary restaurant close to Fort Wayne, IN and I have heard so many great reviews about it. (May---> After classes are done)

2. Go to the Indy Art Museum for Robert Indiana's display (starting Feb 16)

3. Visit Kurt Vonnegut's library in downtown Indianapolis (Feb)

4. Jungle Jim's in Cincinnati (spring break?)

5. Louisville, KY (spring break?)

6. Shipshewanna, IN for Flea Market (May)

7. Ann Arbor, MI to visit (spring break?)

8. Thrift Shop in Detroit, MI (spring break?)

9. Mackinac Island, MI (summer)

Pay it forward.

So on Friday I stopped at Starbucks for coffee before class started. After I ordered at the drive through and pulled up to pay the gentleman working there He informed me that the person in the car ahead of me paid for my coffee. Surprised, I then offered to pay for the person behind me. As he was cashing me out, his coworker came up to him and asked him why there was a backup (I guess they were running 'slower' than normal) I overheard him say to his coworker that there has been a lot of pay it forwards today and that was why it was taking time. So, turns out a lot of people were paying for other's coffee at Starbucks that morning!
So that being said, I was part of this fantastic chain of events on Friday morning and it made me so happy! Because no matter how crappy of a day you are having (it can even be crappy first thing in the morning!), or what someone said, or if you messed up, there is still time to be kind and grateful. I loved being part of that!
Thanks Starbucks of downtown Indianapolis! You definitely surprised me!

2014: scorpio overview

Scorpio

The intensity continues, Scorpio! You've been through quite a ride in 2013 and you're very clear that change is the only constant. With all of the trials and tribulations endured, you're certainly stronger than ever. The metaphor of the Phoenix rising from the ashes (often associated with your sign) could not be more apropos this year. You've let go of so much during the last year and now you're preparing for a major rebirth. After shedding layers upon layers and ancient attachments, you're ready for the new. This is your year to get crystal clear on what you're most passionate about and commit to it in the deepest way possible. You are an all-or-nothing sign to begin with, and this is a year when you simply must embrace your all-encompassing nature. You want to live life to the fullest, even if that means going to hell and back. It's what keeps you feeling on fire and stretched to your max. You want to know that you're growing and facing your deepest fears and insecurities, and coming back stronger for having done so. This is exactly where you're at when 2014 kicks in.

You've got both Saturn and the North Node of Fate in your constellation again this year, creating a powerful feeling of destiny. The North Node will move out of your stars in March, so you may be concluding a powerful evolutionary chapter around this time around intimacy and commitment fears. You're about to then enter a phase where you're being asked to look inward and reflect on the relationship you have with yourself, Scorpio. Put all of those hard lessons you survived in 2013 via your love life to the test by closely examining the relationship you have with yourself. How do you treat Number One?

With Saturn continuing to push you to your highest level of growth and maturity, you're feeling tested on a daily basis. Although this might be quite a grueling experience as Saturn can create a feeling of isolation or separation, you're being given the gift of finding out what you're really made of. When you no longer have external sources of support that are totally reliable, do you turn inward to your own resources or continue to focus on the disappointment? The test is to let go of any bitterness and just strengthen from within, Scorpio.