The Little Things

I love my fiancé. Most days that we spend together are pretty laid back. We jokingly refer to ourselves as old people because a lot of our time is spent taking walks, playing cards, feeding the ducks and turtles, or watching food network. In fact, during a game of dominos, an eight year old in Tristan's courtyard approached us and called us lame.... Definitely old people. We don't go out a ton and we try not to spend money on things we know we could cook for ourselves. I love that about us.

Today was different though. Today we went on a day date. We went to the farmers market, like we do most Saturdays. T bought me a bag of kettle corn. SO GOOD. We bought vegetables and I looked jealously at other people's puppies, like usual. After that Tristan arranged for us to see a movie(still a little like old people since it was at 10:30am), and then we ate lunch at a place I've wanted to try for a while. We had lunch at The Ravenous Pig. It was really good and I'd like to go back and try more of their menu. It seems like they try to use local ingredients, which I love. I had the flatbread with smoked mushrooms, quince, braised chicken, ricotta, and arugula.

Tristan had the shrimp and grits.


We picked up some cheesecake (I got dutch apple streusel and Tristan got pumpkin pecan pie) and headed back to his apartment this afternoon.

It was a fun day. But it wasn't the eating out or the movie that maybe me love it the most. What made me the happiest was having someone that cares enough to plan days like today. It's fun to try something new and I really did love his thoughtfulness today. It's also exciting to I know that we can be just as happy together when don't do those things.

It's the little things that I love about our life. The laughter, the walks we take, old people activities like cards and dominos, and just the feeling of being loved. Although, I guess that last one isn't a little thing. Feeling loved is pretty important and with Tristan, I know that I am. I am grateful to God for the second chance he has given my heart and I look forward to days like today and every other day that I spend with the one I love. I am truly a lucky girl...


-Laura Leigh

Today started pretty early. Most Saturdays T and I go to the local farmer's market to pick up vegetables and other local produce for the week. Sometimes the food is more expensive than the grocery store, sometimes not. This morning we also stopped at Whole Foods to pick up a few things.

I'd say we did pretty good and I'm excited to eat all of these vegetables.

It's really important to me that we buy food that is grown responsibly, and organically when we can find it. I used to wonder why people bought organic food. It's more expensive, and everyone wants to save money, right? So I researched and learned more about organics, about factory farms, and just how much much cheap food is actually costing.

One of the benefits of organic food is the lack of pesticides and chemicals used to produce it. We ingest so many chemicals and not just from food. We take pain killers(chemicals), we breathe in air pollution, consume artificial sweetener(another man-made chemical) and of course all of the pesticides used on our food make their way into our bodies.

Another reason, one that is so awful to me, is the fact that buying cheap and factory raised meat is supporting an unethical and inhumane industry. Animals in these factory farms do not have a life. I do not see a problem with eating meat. I do see a problem with overconsumption in this country and the demand for cheaper and cheaper beef, chicken and pork.

It comes at a price.

The demand for meat is going up. As it does, these factory farms will become more and more common. I hope that we can learn more about this and become responsible consumers. We need to learn that we can consume less. In fact, we would feel so much better if did! Many of us consume almost twice the daily calories that we need. And red meat consumption is way higher than what is actually healthy or necessary.

Food Inc. is an amazing documentary that gives insight as to what we are eating and where it comes from.

This is not a life.

We need to be responsible for these animals and for our planet. Do it for the abused animals, do it for local farmers losing their livelihood to huge factory farms and big business, do it for your health and the health of your family.

I know that Tristan will roll his eyes when he sees that I turned a post about our trip to the farmer's market into a passionate post about the meat industry, but I just can't help it. And I know he cares too. God created a beautiful world for us to live in, we have a responsibility to protect, and respect, it and the animals we share it with. I hope that we can all seek to understand that better.

I'll step down off of my soap box now... Until next time....

-Laura Leigh

Well it is official, I have 184 days until my life is officially over...

And this is the place it will happen at,

Just kidding of course, we found out that Frost is available the weekend in May we wanted. So it really is official, mark it off on your calendars, May 12th of 2012.