oh wow september!  this month sure kept me on my toes from beginning to end.  not in a bad way, just a lot of changes going on, and some of them a litttttle hard.  because hello, change is hard.  the first half of the month, i was basically running around like a chicken with my head cut off with culinary school projects and toastmasters stuff, and i also found out that my beloved boss colista would be leaving our company by the end of the month.  she had an amazing opportunity come up, and i’m so happy for her, but the selfish part of me wanted her to be my boss forever and ever. :)  i owe so much to her and love her dearly.  it was definitely a bittersweet month because of that.  and then there’s a lot going on in my personal life, but in a really positive way.  with that aspect of my life, i’m feeling great and i’m just loving this season of life!  things are looking promising. :)  here’s a bit of september for you:

{stripes and scarves and sweaters}

{lauren and i watched a lot of aggie football together this month.  this was the start of the season!  so fun.}

{a couple great throwbacks… on the left, that’s my mom, my aunt and me.  those outfits!!!!  that’s some 90s style right there!!!  on the right, at disney world with my cousin arend.}

{i’ve been on a quest for the perfect short ribs recipe and i finally found it!  these red wine braised short ribs are delish, served alongside garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and green bean red pepper stir-fry.  and a swallow of cabernet because i started this weekend with a to-do list a mile long and knocked soooo much off of it that weekend!  it was a very productive couple days.}

{random selfies}

{on the left… because in texas, we wear white whenever we want.  #evenafterlaborday. and on the right… i don’t know if it’s an illusion or a coincidence or what, but it sure does feel like the more i buy from anthropologie, the thicker the catalogs get.} ;)

{love that little curly-haired canine on the left!  and on the right, that little guy was in front of me at target!}

{gahhhh.  i love florals.}

{a couple more in this shirt because it’s a fun one!}

{check out the aggie turnout for the auburn game watch party at the eberhard.  the crowd was roaring and we came out with a good solid win.}

{my game day buddy!}

{on the left… the gas station across the street always has a nice collection of local brews and i love it.  and on the right… a work snack!  beautiful dragonfruit.}

{the goat cheese + avo sandwich from east hampton sandwich co.}

{had to get a picture with our favorite teddy bear dog in front of mike’s new shiner sign, his namesake!}

{when he looks at me like this… it pretty much slays me.}

{mom, dad, and mimi had come in town one afternoon to help hang pictures at mike’s place, and we all went to the standard pour before they headed home.}

{we sat on the patio!}

{we shared a bunch of different stuff.  stuffed meatball sliders with dijon pepper jack cheese, onion, swiss, cheddar, and pickles; deviled eggs with sweet mini peppers and bloomed mustard seeds; beef empanadas with cheddar, garlic, scallions, and saffron aioli.}

{fried brussels sprouts with thai chili vinaigrette [SO good]; the stuffed meatball sliders; mac and cheese}

{and for dessert, we got TWO of these because we thought they would be much smaller!  really good though – donut holes with chocolate mousse, whipped cream, and caramelized bananas.}

{the margaret hunt hill bridge!}

{dallassssss}

{the republican and the democrat tacos from torchy’s.  why can’t we all just be friends and get along?}

{this was after the longest day ever during the craziest, most hectic week ever!  i was the maître d’ for my dining room service class and although i was exhausted, everything went smoothly overall so i couldn’t complain.  later on in the week, i was the toastmaster for the club contest on thursday after a whole day of golfing at our company golf tournament.  so at this point right in between it all, i was just to keep my head above water.  bathing in the roses that i had bought for my centerpieces just seemed like a good idea.}

{this day didn’t suck.}

{yeahhhh, i’m thinking that it’s about time for me to go find an aggie wreath!!  these are on my neighbors’ doors!}

{good times and good people!  this was at colista’s and kristina’s going away lunch [kristina is another coworker who is leaving].  we’re sure going to miss these two!}

{we’re going to miss you soooo much, colista!  [already do.]  thank you for everything!}

{the margaret mcdermott bridge.  it’s almost finished!}

{aaaaaand a couple more because i think it’s pretty cool.}

 

{please give me allllllllll the asian food.  on the left, the spicy tuna bowl at RA sushi, and on the right, mazemen at ramen hakata.  so good!}

{trouble is his middle name.}

{a day in the life of jessica… scenes from a product cutting.}

{i tried a new braid!}

{i hate to end this post with a mad face, but…} ;)

i can’t believe we’re in the last quarter of 2016!  this year has been full of all kinds of adventures.  let’s finish it out with a bang!  xoxo