New Year's Celebration in the 70s

76 degrees to be exact!

Bryan and I are signing in from sunny South Florida. We've been taking wonderful walks by the water, eating grouper sandwiches and getting into a little mischief with his Uncle Tony's toys. Yep, that's a my-size motorcycle! 

Bryan and Tony working on the little scooter engine while convincing me to take a ride at an empty nearby school parking lot.

I have to say, it was easier and more fun that I thought. But now I'm a little biased...unless, that is, that you can ride all motorcycles using just one hand (up means go, down mean slow and push the bike break to stop--I got this!).

the mister taking off!

Even though it was fun to go fast for a little while, I still think I prefer our walks by the bay the best!

This afternoon we're off to Orlando to spend midnight bowling with Bryan's extended fam. And tomorrow, we kick the new year off to a good start with an engagement photo shoot on the beach in Clearwater! 

What a year this has been! I think a photo timeline may be in order when we get back to the home front.  

Ready to enter 2011: thinking big and expecting the best!

for your entertainment:

our first noel

 

 handmade ornaments we made for our first christmas (in honor of the tin can candle holders we had at the wedding and our new business!)

 

our little loft christmas

 take special note: the stockings are my first real live sewing project! (thanks to a certain Miss Mamie and her crafty skills)

 

 we spent a white christmas with my parents! 

the ground was beautiful and our hearts were full.

 

 you always need a little something red, i say!

 

 a new look for the grape vines

 

 this white christmas even led us to watching "White Christmas." i know this probably isn't too much of a surprise to those of you who know just how cheesy (read, wonderful) we can be:)

 

 

 

 bryan opening a new thermos!

apparently his car is so manly, it doesn't come with accessories like cup holders. now he can take his coffee to go:)

 my new touch of red!

Every new year certainly brings with it new ways to celebrate Christmas and time together. And we're grateful for all the people who care about us so much! We'll extend the season a little longer as we head out to Florida tomorrow to see Bryan's family (read, I hope to be eating pancit soon!).

Happy Christmas season (however long you can make it last), and a joy-filled new year.

Love, the Sintoses.

great and eighty

 

 Saturday was full of smiles. 

We got to see out-of-town family we love, chow down on Varsity chili burgers and celebrate Uncle Jerry's 80th birthday!

 

 southern centerpieces

 

 dearest charlotte, i could love on you all day long.

 

 good ol' uncle jerry

 

 

 what a crew

 

 and of course there was singing

 beautiful singing

Happy 80th!

sweetness

 

 We've been having a wonderful fall here in the Sintos family. Grateful is one word that seems to really fit our first half year of marriage. In our little loft, we've enjoyed fresh home-cooked meals, turned the bedroom into a practice room during the day and started a business. We've even been granted things like a free bookshelf we found in the "this doesn't fit in the trash room" spot!

Turns out, starting out small gives you a really big perspective in order to relish simple joys.

As we've become more seasonal shoppers (because it's not only cheaper, it tastes better!), we have really been enjoying the great flavors fall provides.

 

 This morning's smile is brought to you by a simple bag of apples and fresh cranberries juiced to go with our morning breakfast. 

 A perk for sure, we're hoping to make the most out of this seasonal purchase by making some cranapple bread or muffins from what I call the leftover "mulch" that comes out of the back of the juicer:)

And lest this turn into a food blog (which wouldn't be terrible with as much as we talk about it), I definitely feel a sweet potato post in the near future after a recent harvest from my parents' garden. All that salty sweat from this summer is turning into sweet rewards!

p.s. we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of kyle and vanessa's little sweet potato any minute now! can't wait to be an aunt & uncle!