Computer says, cough, cough

Guys, it has not been a good week for my blog. Mostly, because I have ignored her for things like school and teaching and housework. And THEN my laptop caught a very bad virus because I didn’t listen to my dad and un-installed my anti-virus program for like three days because my firewall was causing problems. This has taught me three important things: 1) My dad is pretty much always right. 2) The people who invent internet viruses are you-know-what’s and they can you-know-what where the you-know-what don’t shine. 3) My computer will always freak out the second I really need it like…oh, I don’t know…two months before the biggest exams of my academic career. BAH.

So in honor of computer viruses, I am extending the deadline for the giveaway through until next Monday night at midnight which means you should totally enter to win one of the hand-painted pieces from Katie for Thought! It’s easy and you’ll make me feel better about my laptop…cough, cough.

love, elizabeth

Roadtrippin’

I am FINALLY back from my trip to Colorado and catching up with blogging. If you have been reading, following, commenting, sponsoring, etc., know that I am getting ready to get in touch with you! I seriously took almost 1,000 pictures over the last two weeks and I can’t wait to share (some) with you! Originally, I planned to be all orderly and chronological about it but you know what? I’m not feeling it. So here is the first in a series of random posts in whatever order occurs to me at the moment.

Dad and I took two and a half days to drive from Colorado to Ohio to get me home. I credit my parents with my extreme love of the road trip. I have been on hundreds of long car trips with my family and at this point in my life, I think we just about have it down to a science.

 

I’m also really fortunate to have parents that not only like road trips, but really GET them. Besides the awesome snacks and the car jams and the GPS, my dad also let me pull off the highway any time I spotted a point of interest. Needless to say, we’ve made a lot of stops in the last couple days. More on that next post…

What’s your favorite thing about road trips?

love, elizabeth

lessons from my father

If this list is short, it’s because I was dangerously close to crying. Some stuff my dad has taught me.

1. If one solution doesn’t solve the problem, try another.

2. Real men cry.

3. Reading out loud is an art form.

4. You can learn how to do anything. Just read the manual.

5. Do things the right way even if no one else will ever know the difference.

6. Sing in the church pew like you’re singing in the choir. Offer your best even if only God and your daughter can hear you.

7. Sometimes the most important thing to do in an argument is listen.

8. Attending church isn’t just a priority; it’s an occasion.

9. Following God’s plan for your life might mean joining the Navy or going to the mission field or working in an office building in Colorado, but following God’s plan will always bring contentment.

10. Education is meant to uplift, not to patronize or condescend or look down on others.

I love you so much, Dad. Happy Father’s Day!

What about you? What lessons have you learned from your dad?

love, elizabeth

Starliner Diner

I have discovered my favorite restaurant. Much to my surprise, it’s been here in Columbus all along. Just waiting for me to come and find it and order off its delicious menu and be completely charmed by its atmosphere and staff and well…everything.

Blog…meet the Starliner Diner.

This place is a recommendation from one of my new favorite books, Breakfast with Nick. Nick writes a really successful blog of the same title all about his favorite meal, breakfast. My goal is to try all of the featured breakfast spots from the book this year and have the staff sign their restaurant’s page.

Cuban-American food. Creative, delicious menu. Quirky décor. Lovely staff. What’s not to adore?

Here’s what we ate. Yeah.

Breakfast burrito.

Cuban breakfast casserole.

 

If you’re ever in Columbus, you need to eat here.

love, elizabeth

Twelve Things of Christmas

Christmas week was wonderful but I have so many pictures, I thought I’d share twelve as a representation of the whole.

1. Madigan loved Dad. She spent lots of the week in his lap…

2. Jeni’s, the best ice cream parlor in Columbus (maybe the best ice cream ever). My favorite holiday flavors? Smoked Tea & Plum Pudding and Cumin & Honey Butterscotch Cake. Yes, yes, and yes.

3. Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek. Sooo pretty to drive through…

4. An afternoon at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. What could be better?

5. Starbucks with Mom, Dad, and Kyle. Another bonus of being married to a barista.

6. Starliner Diner for a traditional Cuban breakfast.

7. Rummikub after dinner. Mom killed us.

8. Vegetable Medley Soup. Absolutely delicious and so easy! Recipe to follow.

9. The Poinsettia Tree at the Franklin Park Conservatory on Christmas Eve.

10. Perfect fortune cookie for our Christmas Eve dinner at Hong Kong Buffet.

11. Candlelight service at church.

12. Dad read one of our favorite Christmas stories aloud, Papa Panov’s Special Christmas by Tolstoy.

What kinds of things did you do this Christmas?

love, elizabeth