Sunday, December 29, 2013

The nutcracker

Early in the holiday season Justin mentioned he bought tickets to go see the Nutcracker in DC. I was so excited :) he does such a good having the ideas to go see things like this! The plan was to drive up Saturday morning and see the show Saturday night. We got a surprise because I found out I really didn't have to be at work Friday and Justin went in for an hour and got all his work done. So we dropped off our munchin with her favorite auntie Laurie and we were off to DC. We were happy to find out that Tim and Sara were around and we planned on staying with them. We got there in the evening and sat around catching up till early in the morning and watching Anthony Bordain parts unknown. We got up in the  morning and Tim and Sara took us to this small amazing restaurant called Foode for brunch. Tim and Sara both had the chicken and waffles and I hate to say it but I kicked Beasley's ass...Justin had a chicken and feta omlet and I had the chicken biscuit...the chicken was so awesome - seasoned just right. If you ever go up to Feedricksburg go there!! Just go early because they only have a limited amount of food and they will run out. Afterward we walked around downtown Fredricksburg. It is such a cool little town.
This was literally a store dedicated to cats...Steve would have been in heaven :) 
Their cats laid in the window all day :)
I thought this sign was too funny not to document.
We went by a cupcake shop and of course had to go in and sample the local fare :)
They put the icing on fresh so you could get any combination of icing and cake. Then they had a sprinkle bar...yum
Sara and Tim both got a big cupcake and got a sugar rush from all the icing! 
Their Christmas tree was so cute they had tea cups as ornaments... We thought it would be a bad idea with Petrie.

Then it was time to head back change and go to DC. Once we got there the recommended dinner restaurant had a 2.5 hour wait...needless to say we didn't have that kind of time. So I broke my cardinal rule and we ended up at Mozarts German restaurant. And I'm glad I did it was yummy! 
Justin got a liter of dark beer and ate curry wurst. I got the largest schnitzel I ever saw and a mixed salad plate...never seen those in the states..it was yummy!!!
Then we had to run to the theater because the show actually started at 7 and we thought all along it was 7:30!!! Eek!
The theater was beautiful.
The show itself was amazing. It was so much fun. After an uneventful drive back we enjoyed a night with Tim and Sara playing a board game. Before we left they made us a yummy breakfast. It was a great Christmas present because not only did we see the Nutcracker but we also got to spend the weekend with friends we don't normally get to see :) 
Happy holidays!










Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas :)

As much as I like cowabunga I love coming home and sleeping in my own bed after a week in hotel beds!!! I slept like a baby Saturday night. After an eventful day at work Monday Justin and I were off to Hickory. We got a late start but I wanted to wake up at home on Christmas...(remember that in Germany Christmas is celebrated on the 24th). After sleeping in  Mom and I went to the barn to ride where Dana graciously let me ride Dayton (I rode him for a whole summer before I started vet school and he is one of my favorites!!) Mom rode Ace who looks great, I also hopped on her and she feels so fantastic. I realized a few things that afternoon....I miss riding with Mom, I miss riding with people in general, and I miss getting to actually ride not just plod along....I'm very very very excited to move home for that reason!!!
While I was at the barn Justin took Dad to go unload the car of stuff from the house to the new house. I was not able to see the house this time...but maybe it's better that way...as soon as we got back to Raleigh all Justin could say is can we move in noooow???
The evening rolled around and we put up the luminaries which are a tradition in our neighborhood. Not only are they lovely but they also bring the whole neighborhood out of their homes. While we put them up our neighbors came over and we invited them in and had a lovely evening with wine cheese and homemade German Christmas cookies!! 

As soon as everyone had their fill they left and we got the fondue ready. It is tradition in our family to eat fondue then go open a few presents and them go eat some more. This year there weren't that many presents and we stuffed ourselves so much at the first round that there wasn't multiple rounds. Dad got us despicable me 2...and since he wanted to see it that night it really was a present for everyone :)
We only made it half way through before I stared falling asleep.
The next morning was an early one to make it to Thomasville for Christmas morning! We had our coffee and Terri had an amazing quiche ready when we got there...one of the Goochs tradition I can count on :) 
Its fun to open presents with such a big family in a big circle...I only ever got that when my cousins came for the holidays or when we went to Germany. 
Then everyone sat down to an amazing meal, my parents even came up and it was vey special. D'Neil always picks up a smoked pork shoulder and it is always AWESOME!! After we ate very one sat around talking for a long time. While we were talking all the dogs found good laps to snuggle on.


Then everyone dispersed and I was exhausted I thought I was getting sick so I grabbed my best snuggle buddy (Roxy) and crashed in the guest room for 2 hours!!


Then it was back to Raleigh. I hope every one enjoyed their time with their family even if you are having to celebrate Christmas late because you had to work. Love you all- merry Christmas!!!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Christmas is around the corner

Being on cowabunga I have been surrounded by snow! Which always gets everyone in the Christmas spirit!


This photo is in northern PA on a deer farm. It was very exciting...this guy has about 150 animals and sold them to game preserves. He breeds them to have large racks. 


This is from one animal the lower is the 2 year old rack the top is his 3 year old rack!!! Wow!


It was very cool but my favorite part wa Pancake who was bottle fed and therefore very friendly!


So seeing the deer and the snow has really made me wish I was home more before Christmas. This year Justin and I both have to work Monday. I in fact have a research project where I will be tied up all day Monday. So my parents were going to come up but our older cat Toby isn't doing great so Justin and I decided we are going to head to Hickory Christmas Eve. For those of you that don't know my family has always celebrated on Christmas because that is the German tradition. We will then head to Thomasville to spend Christmas day with Justin's family. 

Christmas is my favorite holiday so I'm sad I feel like I will only have a few days to get into the Christmas spirit. Ho ho ho everyone! Merry Christmas!!



Sunday, December 15, 2013

Cowabunga

Yup you read that right...cowabunga! For those that don't know what it is the vet school has an annual trip where we rent a 50 passenger bus and go tour different beef and dairy operations. We also have non-bovine stops...this year that includes a white tailed deer farm and Hershey PA!!! Woot!! We left early this morning and will be back the Saturday before Christmas. I was lucky enough to be asked to go as faculty this year. I went twice in vet school - I was not able to go my their year because my Oma passed away and we went to Germany for the funeral, and during my fourth year I couldn't go because of rotations. I'm excited for a fun week!

Our first stop is the beautiful Shenandoah valley! So beautiful!


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year. Martin the resident that I share on call with graciously offered to cover the holidays since he doesn't have family here. Justin and I were able to leave Wednesday and spend the night in Thomasville. He wanted to bring only german good to thanksgiving as our contribution so we made knoedel, spaetzle, and venison goulash (a type of stew). We were able to space those over the weekend and Monday and freeze them so it was easy to prepare. He then also made his famous cheesecake and I tried a new German apple cake recipe that came out great! Thursday we headed to his Aunt Leigh-Ann's house and had a wonderful meal. Everyone brings something and the end result is a feast of food. I always have a hard time trying everything before I get too full! I am thankful I have a big family to do thanksgiving dinner with now- it was something I missed as a kid. That night it was off to hickory to spread the thanksgiving joy to mom who spent her thanksgiving with her pony :)

I am thankful for all the wonderful people in my life!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

It's been a while


So I have really slacked on posting but something big enough to blog about has happened!!! Justin and I bought a house!!  We are now homeowners in Hickory! It's official we will be moving to Hickory at the completion of my internship year.

The house was the first after a long search of houses that we both stepped into and said wow we love this! Our wonderful realtor found it and we weren't in love online but man did we love it in person.  We looked at a good mix of older farm houses with land and nice houses in subdivisions. This was the best of both worlds. It sits on 3 acres and is back in a serene neighborhood but the house is only 7 years old!!! We know it seems crazy to close so soon but it was a perfect home and we didn't want it to get away. This way we can also move slowly which is very nice! 

The paint is perfect (except for the Carolina blue bathroom) and we loved the curtains so much that we asked to keep them. The views are amazing Roxy loves being a farm dog and I live the stars and the peace. 
I will work on posting the rest of our fun filled thanksgiving but ere are a few sneak peaks of the house :)

The sun shining next to our beautiful new home.

View off the back porch...hello mountains how I have missed you.

Yup we have a pool :) 

Thanks everyone that has supported everyone through this decision. We couldn't make it through without the love and support from both of our families!!

The only problem now is I love it so much I don't want to leave! But I'm excited to head back to Raleigh to see our friends- moving will come soon enough.