On the 16th Day of Christmas

On the 16th Day of Christmas, my true love and I are giddy about our:

10 Anderson San Francisco Traditions!

We are heading to Northern California on Sunday for an Anderson Christmas Vacation and we cannot wait for our annual San Francisco trip.

I love San Fran! It is a gorgeous city with so much amazing history.

Our traditions include:

1. The Japanese Tea Gardens
2. Ghirardelli Square
3. Paddle Boats in S.F. Park
4. Scoma's (delicious!!)
5. Union Square
6. Bike Rides in the park
7. Farmers Market Place
8. Food Tours
9. The Cliffhouse
10. The Botanical Gardens
    

I cannot wait! And this year, we are trying something new...a Segway tour!

I'm doing my happy dance right now...

On the 15th Day of Christmas

On the 15th Day of Christmas, my true love listened to me for:

11 hours a day! (this is an estimation...maybe)

If you don't know this...I'm a talker.

If one song describes me, my dad would say, hands-down, Toby Keith's "I Wanna Talk About Me". I can't help it. With a psychologist as a mom, you learn to vocalize your feelings and thoughts. Plus, I think I was a talkative person in my past life.

When Mike and I first started dating, Mike realized, "Wow, this girl talks alot", but since he is more of a listener...it is a match made in heaven. Now, if I'm not home to greet him and talk about my day, he gets lonely with all the quiet time.

I trained him well... Muhahaha!

Just to prove my point...this picture was taken by Mike while I was talking...

I'm a talker...and I use my hands while I speak. It's best just to embrace it. ;)

On the 14th Day of Christmas

On the 14th day of Christmas, my family blessed me with

12 Anderson Animals (9 horses, 2 dog and a kitty in a pear tree...)

I'm so sad I don't have any pictures of our animals...Bummer! But you get the idea with the picture below.

I'm so grateful for the plethora of animals we had while I was growing up. Taking care of our animals taught me so much responsibility and I really cherish the life-lessons I learned while taking care of another life.

Plus...our wrinkly dogs were so much fun to cuddle!

On the 13th Day of Christmas

I am so behind this week in my blogging. There have been a smorgasbord of holiday activities, parties and gift prepping that has totally drained my time.

But, with that said...on to my Christmas Countdown.

On the 13th day of Christmas, my true love and I counted the:

13 Appliances we LOVE!

This one is a little silly, but as newlyweds, you really appreciate appliances that make your life easier. When Mike and I were first married, we were professional dishwashers and we had to lug our clothes to a laundromat every week. Not fun.

Once we moved into our little house, our first purchase was a stack-able washer and dryer along with a dishwasher. I cannot praise these machines enough! I really took these things for granted when I was living at home. But now, I count these blessings twice! Especially since I have a husband that is 6'3 and has 20 pairs of jeans.

So, the appliances that have made my life easier are...

1. Washer
2. Dryer
3. Dishwasher
4. Portable air conditioner (a necessity in the summer in LA)
5. My Cuisinart food processor
6. Cuisinart blender
7. Gas stove (it heats so quickly)
   
8. Our awesome heater (yes, we use the heater occasionally)
9. Large fridge with a huge bottom freezer
   
10. Scentsy Wickless Candle (a house necessity)
    
11. Super Sharp Martha Stewart Knife Collection
    
12. BBQ
13. Griddle

Yay for little life helpers!

Birthday Breakdown

It was my 27th Birthday on Saturday and it was an amazing birthday weekend! Mike really out-did himself this year.

We started my Birthday Weekend on Friday night by going to this awesome restaurant in San Pedro called Think Prime. Amazing steak and seafood!

My favorite part about the restaurant though was their live jazz band. They played songs from Frank Sinatra to Louis Armstrong. Just a great environment. We sat in a secluded booth, listening to great music and enjoying wonderful flavors.

When we got home, I opened my birthday present which might sound odd to some people, but it is exactly what I wanted. Vintage Donkey Kong Nintendo games!

These games take me back to my childhood and I felt like a kid again while playing with Mike. (I'm still pretty good too...)

On Saturday night, we went to dinner with our good friends, Melissa and Jeremy, but first...Melissa took a few Christmas pictures of Mike and I around Los Angeles.

The pictures are still being edited, but I snuck this one from Melissa to show on my blog as a little preview.

Let me explain why I love this picture so much. When Mike and I were dating, he would hold my hand every time we prayed. It quickly became a tradition for us and we have always held hands for every prayer since that first prayer together. It is the most basic form of affection, but it always reminds me how much Mike loves me, how much I adore him and that we are each other's for eternity.

After our fun photo shoot, we headed to Noe Restaurant with Melissa and her husband Jeremy. It was such a great restaurant and it was the perfect birthday!

I feel so blessed and I'm excited for what this next year will bring.

Thank you all for your calls, emails and Facebook Posts! I felt so loved.

On the 12th Day of Christmas

On the 12th Day of Christmas, I counted my:

14 amazing, life-changing friends! (not all pictured below)

I've been truly blessed with some amazing friends. From my childhood friends to my high school friends to my college friends; these individuals have definitely changed me for the better.

I wasn't able to picture all the friends I hold dear to me heart, but just know I love you all.

And, as a special shout-out, it is my very best friend's birthday today! Happy Birthday Holly! Love you.

On the 11th Day of Christmas

On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love and I appreciated our:

15 minute commute to work. (Well, my 15 minute commute to work)

Mike's commute to work is about 30 seconds since the computer store is down the street from us, (one of the reasons Mike wanted to rent the house) and my commute is pretty simple as well. Not as simple as Mike's, but honestly...who's commute is better than Mike's?

In L.A., having a simple commute is a huge blessing.

When I worked for NBC Universal, I had a 2 hour commute into work. And let me remind you...that 2 hours was just one way. I would spend 4 hours in the car every single day.

So, this Blog Post is a tribute to our amazing commutes to work!

On the 10th Day of Christmas

I'm a little behind due to my Birthday Weekend, but...I'm getting back on track with my Christmas countdown.

On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love and I fantasized about the:

16 places we want visit.

I love to travel! I think traveling is so good for the soul. There is something magical about traveling the world and seeing Heavenly Father's creations first-hand.

Every time Mike and I travel, we reconnect with each other and our fun sides! One day we will have the time (and the funding) to see the all the places on our Vacation List.

On the 9th Day of Christmas

On the 9th Day of Christmas, my true love and I enjoyed...

17 AMAZING Holiday candles from Bath & Body Works

I feel like Bath & Body Works should pay me for how much I gush about their holiday candles! I am slightly obsessed, but with good reasoning. Their scents are so warm and inviting and perfect for the holidays.

My fav's:
Twisted Peppermint
Snow Apple Mint (burning as I post)
Spice
Frosted Cupcake - the absolute best scent ever!

If you haven't tried any of these candles, go out right now and get one. You won't regret it!

My Favorite Brother...

Since I'm finally caught up in my "25 days of Christmas" countdown, I thought I would take a break and pay tribute to my favorite brother on his birthday!
(Pretend this is published on the 8th)

I love Adam's sense of humor, his life advice and his infectious laugh! He constantly amazes me with his talent and knowledge and I am truly proud to be his sister.

Even though he lives far, far away in Boston, I love that we can pick up the phone and feel as though no time has passed.

I love you Adam and Happy Birthday!!

On the 8th Day of Christmas

On the 8th day of Christmas, my true love comes home at:

18:00 (6:00pm)!

I know this one is lame, but in the 24 hour clock, the 18th hour of the day is my favorite. Mike comes home from work and we sit down and talk about our days before we do anything else.

Mike is just a happy, positive person and his personality is contagious!

Plus he is a great listener! I just love him.

On the 7th Day of Christmas

On the 7th day of Christmas, my true love puts up with my:

19 comments a day about getting a dog.

We rent a 2-bedroom house which is perfect for our needs, but our landlord won't allow any pets. I am just dying for a little bulldog! I don't know why, but I think they are the cutest thing ever!

I mean, come on...who can say no to that face?

Thankfully I have a patient hubby who just nods his head and keeps telling me, "one day Baby Girl".

I even have a name picked out...Toby the Bulldog!

Sigh...one day.

On the 6th Day of Christmas

On the 6th day of Christmas, my true love bought me:

$20 worth of Elephant Poo Poo Paper Ornaments!

These Christmas ornaments are my favorite elements on my tree. I think it is hilarious to have Christmas ornaments made from 100% recycled paper made completely from elephant poop.

I think everyone needs to go to their website to appreciate the essence of the Poo Poo Paper company! They also sell stationary for those acquaintances that deserve a poopy letter from you.

And don't worry, they smell surprisingly clean.
www.poopoopaper.com

On the 5th day of Christmas

On the 5th day of Christmas, my family blessed me with:

21 Top-Secret Family Recipes!

I'm so grateful to have great cooks in my family lineage.

From my dad's Divine Peppermint Chocolate dessert to my grandma's amazing dinner rolls, our family has some great recipes (and thankfully, awesome taste buds!)

Some of my family favorites:

My Mom's Zesty Parmesan Chicken, Maple Chicken, Squash and Zucchini Casserole, Dinner Rolls and her amazing Salads.

My Dad's Tri-Tip, Chocolate Peppermint Dessert and all his great sauces.

My Grandma Anderson's dinner rolls and My Grandpa Anderson's baked beans.

There is nothing better than sitting around the dinner table with people you love and great food.

Also, a fun fact, my Grandma Anderson is the one that taught me the "magical bean" song over Thanksgiving dinner when I was 8. Love it!

On the 4th Day of Christmas

On the 4th Day of Christmas, my true love lets me:

Play my favorite 22 Christmas songs all the time!

The poor guy is probably sick of my Christmas songs, but they get me in the holiday mood and I always feel like dancing when I hear my songs.

Jessica's Christmas Music List:
1. Baby It's Cold Outside
2. Marshmallow World

3. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas
4. Sleigh Ride
5. Let it Snow
6. The Carols of the Bells
7. Joy to the World
8. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
9. The Christmas Song
10. I'll Be Home for Christmas
11. Merry Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
12. Winter Wonderland
13. Santa Baby
14. All I Want for Christmas is You
15. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
16. Happy Christmas (The War is Over)
17. White Christmas
18. Jingle Bell Rock
19. We Need a Little Christmas
20. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
21. Where Are You Christmas
22. Mr. Grinch

On the 3rd Day of Christmas...

On the 3rd day of Christmas, my true love bought me:

23 fuzzy socks for my freezing feet.

Mike thinks my feet are unusually cold. The weird thing is, my feet only get cold at night.

I have cold feet. I can't help it, I get it from my mom.

I also saw a solution thanks to my mom...just place my freezing feet on Mike's warm thighs. This warms my feet right up!

This isn't something that brings joy to Mike though, so he bought me 23 pairs of socks to save his poor thighs.

See...with a little motivation, I get awesome fuzzy socks from my true love!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas...

On the second day of Christmas, my true love watches with me:

24 entertaining shows! (Well, half of them at least)

I love cuddling with Mike on the couch on a Saturday night watching our favorite shows. TiVo is the best invention ever!

And for those shows that Mike won't watch with me, I usually pull out my crafts and enjoy some "me" time.

Either way...these little things bring my life joy.

25 Days of Christmas - Slightly Delayed

For the month of December, I thought it would be fun to list of few of my favorite things each day as a countdown to Christmas!

There are so many things to be grateful for in life and I want to highlight the people, places and things that bring me joy.

Some things are sentimental and others are quirky, but they all have special meaning to me.

So, in the spirit of '12 Days of Christmas'...

The first day of Christmas, my Heavenly Father blessed me with:

25 Amazing Quotable Movies

My family loves quoting movie lines!
I admit, it is an odd tradition we have and when you marry into our family, you have to bulk up on our movie classics or else you will never understand any of our jokes.

I know this is a weird "blessing" to be counting, but I love laughing with my family and our favorite movie lines always bring back great memories.

(From the top to bottom; left to right: Joe vs. the Volcano, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, The Proposal, The Rundown, Young Frankenstein, Dave, Mickey Blue Eyes, Bandits, Showtime, Speed, My Best Friend's Wedding, How to lose a Guy in 10 days, Miss Congeniality, Notting Hill, Sabrina, You've Got Mail, Elf, Emperor's New Groove, Hitch, Ice Age, America's Sweetheart, Runaway Bride, The Burbs, Better off Dead, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels)

So much to be Grateful For...

I don't have too much to report, but here is a little Thanksgiving update from the Pless Household:

We had 3 Thanksgiving Dinners with friends. (whew!)


I missed these 2 like crazy

And I had the perfect day with 1 cutie

My heart was full this year as I counted my blessing and even though it has been a stressful year, I'm so thankful for my family and all the love they give me.

Love you all!