Secret Santa

Yesterday I got to participate in a Secret Santa gift exchange, and let me tell you, those things are a blast. Even if they're sort of silly, I think it's still a fun way to get a group of people in the festive spirit. I'm also a big fan of the White Elephant game, where you can give away crazy things and see who ends up with it. But, for Secret Santa I gave away a blanket, a mug, and a candle as a gift, and I received the items in the photo above. As you can see, I went ahead and devoured all of the chocolate & colored in my stocking. Such a cute gift. Is Secret Santa something you've participated in?

p.s. If any of you are in college & going through finals, best of luck to you. I pulled an all nighter last night... and those Hershey kisses are about the only thing got me through. That, and Christmas music.

COUNTDOWN: 17 DAYS of BLOGGING!

Homesick

Right now I'm at college, so home is a three hour drive from here. I came to school around the second week of August, and haven't been home since. I think it's the longest I've been away, and I'm really starting to miss it. This semester has been super busy, so there just hasn't been a good time to head home. I'm also car-less, so going home just for a night is pretty impractical. I just miss sleeping in my own bed, and having my mom in the next room over. I miss driving down the same familiar roads. I miss my backyard. One thing I miss the most about home is always having my dog, Hershey(seen above), right there. This is definitely the longest since I've seen her. She's getting really old, so I'm always a little scared something might happen while I'm gone. I think I'll get to go home in about 3 weeks though, and I cannot wait. I know there are a ton of people who are in the same boat I am, so I shouldn't be complaining. I just miss it. I also apologize for the very whiny post today... it won't happen again for a bit, I promise.

I'm curious, how have you dealt with being homesick?

Photo Friday

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you've all had a lovely week, but geeze... I'm so happy it's the weekend. It's been a week full of lots of screaming children and therefore a whole lot of naps, and honestly it's been a bit of a blur. I have taken pictures, and I'm still keeping up with my project (here), so there are a few little bits and pieces I can remember. Thank goodness for Instagram.

A little collage from a Braves game that was so hot, but so fun. Check out more pictures here!

I found these awesome plastic bubbles at the Dollar Store and went a little crazy.

Hershey looking very profound & patriotic for the Fourth of July.

The lighthouse was looking very patriotic, too.

You've gotta love a pool day... until the children take over. That's the cue to get the heck out of there.

Took a pit stop at the neighborhood dock on one of my bike rides just in time for the sunset. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that place.

Puppies really do make the best pillows.

The Crepe Myrtles are in full bloom and it makes me so, so happy. Flowers everywhere.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend. Any plans?

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(...apparently GFC didn't disappear into oblivion like I thought. What's up with that?)

Photo Friday

This week has been kind of exhausting & I'm so so happy it's finally Friday. I'm working at a summer camp, and at the beginning it wasn't so bad but it just got worse and worse. Gah. I have some plans for the weekend which I'm excited about, and then next week is 4th of July! I can't wait. I hope you all have had a lovely week! Here's what I've been up to lately (according to Instagram).

I will be making this again for the 4th, you can bet on it. (I posted about it here!)

Spent one morning at work swinging and singing Taylor Swift songs. Cannot complain.

"Went running and didn't die. #success"

Smilin.

Went 5 miles on this puppy! Which kinda killed my butt. Bike seats are the worst.

I stopped to take this on my ride. I forgot how much I missed the back roads by my house.

Hershey turned 13 on Tuesday. I love that sweet puppy.

On Wednesday we went on a field trip during work. Also, cannot complain.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Don't forget to follow:

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Pinterest

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Photo Friday

Now that I have this wonderful iPhone device in my life (I promise I'll stop talking about it soon... maaaybe), I have been taking pictures and playing with Instagram like it is my duty in life. So, I thought it was fitting that today's Photo Friday showcased my new Instagram pictures.

It had been maybe 5 days since I'd seen Amanda, so naturally we had to document the moment we were together once again.

On Sunday I spent a few hours at the beach and although it was a bit overcast, I had a lovely time. Thanks to the tourist who were obnoxiously feeding the seagulls, I snapped this photo. (I also just realized the bird landing in the righthand corner.)

Hershey is the cutest. My little blogging buddy.

I stole this from Amanda. She snuck this one while I was taking pictures for yesterday's post. I now document everything, even sunscreen.

Golden moment of the week: my mom freaking out about missing her train + a napkin bib + driving with no hands + complaining about her Jersey Mike's sub. "This isn't extra oil and vinegar, idiot." Oh, how I love her.

Well, that about sums up my week. Just add in countless hours on my laptop and voila! I do hope you all have a lovely weekend. Don't forget to hug your daddio's this Sunday!

Also, I've just now realized that Google Friend Connect will be vanishing in a short while, so be sure to follow me on Bloglovin' if you'd like to be notified when I post!

Other places to follow:

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My Favorites

Every month here on Je M'appelle Molly there will be a new, special theme which will go up every Thursday! If you have not guessed already, this month's theme is my favorite things. I thought this might give a little look into my life and some of the random things I love.

Favorite TV Show: The Office
It took me a very long time to hop on The Office train, and after watching season after season on Netflix, now I'm hooked. I'm terribly sad that it will be ending next week. [Honorable mentions: How I Met Your Mother & Parenthood]

How hilarious is this picture by the way? found here

Favorite Ice Cream: Coffee with Heath and Dark Chocolate
I've only ever had this amazing combination once, and it was in a coffee/book shop in downtown Annapolis. I think it was Hershey's brand ice cream, but ever since then I've never been able to find it.

image via pinterest

Favorite Animal: Puppies
This probably seems a bit typical and boring, but my favorite animal is a dog. More often than not I refer to them as a puppy, no matter the age or size. My puppy Hershey is a chocolate lab, and I absolutely adore her. Whenever I have a home of my own I'd like to have a Lab, and a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Now that I'm blogging, I cannot wait for Christmas. I finally have a place to share my obsession, and perhaps that will keep me from bothering my friends with my excitement all the time. It just makes me so happy, and reminds me each year of what really matters.

via Instagram, photo credit to Amanda

Favorite City: Paris
The truth is is that I've actually never been there, but strangely enough I've deemed it my favorite city. I know when I finally get to visit one day I'll be in love, because frankly I already am.

image via Pinterest

So there you go! A few of my favorite things. Come back next Thursday for more. Let me know what some of your favorites are!