Pay it Forward...

Have you ever seen the film Pay it Forward?  It tells the story of a young boy who, for a school project, must "think of something to change the world and put it into action."  He decides to start doing start doing good deeds for others and instead of asking for payback, he asks that whoever was touched by his good deed pass good deeds on to three others.  It creates an amazing selfless web of change that has the potential to really impact the world.



credit {here}



Now, I haven't seen that film in years, but recently I was reminded of it while looking at the comments on my blog.  My friend Ashlee, who I absolutely adore, wrote some of the best (very possibly pie-worthy) wishes as a comment.  Though I loved all of her wishes, the ones that struck me the most were:

1.) I've been thinking about my family a lot lately and hope that my dad knows what an incredible son he was to his mother and how special he is to everyone that has the pleasure of meeting him.

2.) I wish that my mom would realize that she truly is one of the most selfless people I know and that she is loved beyond words.

These wishes were so heartfelt and selfless.  In a sense, Ashlee "Wished it Forward."  Now, I challenge you to do the same!

Today I'm collecting wishes that you have for others.  Here are mine:
1. I wish that Ashlee will have a safe, smoothe flight when she comes home for a visit in a couple weeks.
2. I wish that my sister Cailen will have an AMAZING 25th birthday.
3. I wish that everyone can enjoy spending time with family and friends this holiday season.

Send me your wish and I might just send you a pie : )

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (my weekend in numbers)…

This weekend was my cousin Erin’s wedding.  She is by far one of my favorite people in the world…she’s sweet, kind, hilarious and to top it off, she’s absolutely adorable.  I secretly felt that no guy in the world would ever be good enough for her…then she met Brian.   As she fell in love with him, I think our whole family did too.  Erin & Brian are one of those couples that are just perfect together; just seeing them with one another makes you smile.  Their wedding was amazing and I am so ridiculously happy that our family tree now has a Reilly branch : )


the happy couple



5…the approximate amount of times that I cried (good tears)…at the rehearsal when Erin and her dad practiced walking down the aisle…seeing Brian’s reaction when he saw Erin for the first time on their wedding day… seeing Erin’s dress and how stunning she looked as her Dad passed her off to Brian…watching their first dance to “Come What May”…seeing the joy on everyone’s face at the brunch on Sunday morning.

4...the number of drinks I had…champagne, ginger ale & vodka and two dirty Shirley Temples…yum!

3…the approximate number of hours that I danced at the wedding : ) Ohhh it was so, so fun!!!

2…the number of people with the name Erin Reilly at the wedding (Brian’s little sis is an Erin too!)

1…new couple beginning their happily ever after

Today I’m collecting wishes about weddings and happily ever afters.

Send me your wish and I might just send you a pie : )

Laughter...

Laughter is probably one of my favorite sounds and laughing is definitely one of my favorite things to do.  There's nothing quite like a baby's giggle or the silent laughter that brings tears (the good kind :) to your eyes. 

Last night, I was watching two little boys that I've known since they were born.  Though they are eight and six now, I can still remember their baby laughs and their toddler giggles.  It was time for bed and the boys cuddled in together to read a book.  This alone was picture perfect--two energetic boys finally settling for the night.  As I watched them read, I couldn't help but smile.  Little did I know, it was going to get much, much better.  The boys had picked out a book called "I Stink," a sweet tale written from the perspective of a garbage truck.  As they read, doing their best impression of a garbage truck's voice, they started laughing... and laughing... and laughing...by this point, I was laughing too.  Their fit of laughter lasted for a solid two minutes before they could pull it together and continue reading.  Now, I don't know if it was the book or a case of the sleepy hahas but the boys continued to giggle as they finished up their nighttime readings.  After I tucked them in and kissed them goodnight, I headed downstairs, still smiling.

the boys

Today I'm collecting wishes about laughter.

Send me your wish and I might just send you a pie : )

Wish-Collector...

picture credit {here}

So I have this thing with the time 11:11.  I personally think it's the best time of day.  Not because it's just before lunch in the late morning or the perfect time to go to bed or because it's a palindrome just like my name (though I do think that's pretty cool : ).  I'm mildly obsessed with 11:11 because it's a time of wishes.  That's right, you don't have to wait for birthday candles, a shooting star or a lost eyelash.  Twice a day you have a built in wish-making time.  So take advantage of it.  Next time you see 11:11, close your eyes and make a wish!


Today I'm collecting wishes about time.  Mine is that it won't go too fast.  I have such an exciting year coming up...finding my dream job......attending three weddings...my sister Cailen is getting married in November of 2011...she likes 11/11 too : )...my cousin is having twins...basically, I want to be able to savor every second of it so I'm wishing that it doesn't fly by!

Send me your wish and I might just send you a pie : )

Pie-Maker...

picture credit {here}

I love making pies.  There's just something about the entire process that works for me.  Collecting the fruit (I <3 apple picking), experimenting with spices & fillings, making the crumb topping, putting it all together, filling the house with that homemade smell and finally (drum roll) sharing it with people I love.

Today I'm collecting wishes and words about home, family & fall.
Send me your wish and I might just send you a pie : )