holiday love.

I shouldn't have been putting up twinkle lights. 

I should've been studying for an horrific kinesiology final. 

Yet there I was- meticulously inserting holly berries into any location that I thought would be cute, and putting twinkle lights everywhere I could think of.

Even from outside our tiny apartment looks so friendly.

Oh friends. There is nothing in the world like putting up Christmas decor to ella fitzgerald while you sip raspberry hot chocolate (with extra creamy whipped cream and carmel drizzled over it). 

Sidenote- I'm not planning on weighing myself tonight.

 I was able to wait till after Thanksgiving to listen to Christmas music. 

It's sort of a miracle.

Anyway, like I said. I should've been studying more than I have tonight. 

Somehow it didn't happen. 

 I suppose I got distracted.

(Goodness, he's handsome.)

 Happy beginning of the holidays, friends.

I know it's silly, but...

I'm really proud that after five days of moderate sunshine (though chilly temperature), our little snow man has endured. Even if it does look like he's doing the limbo. You know, all the other ones were gone after the first day. Not that I was keeping track.

...wow. I really should be working on homework or something instead of comparing neighboring snowmen.


Have a lovely thursday.

...we woke up to snow.

...and so we built a snow man. You guys- it was epic. Taller than gid (he's marking where the hat sat on the snowman). I ran inside to grab the camera, and when I came out, there was a sad pile of snow with a guilty looking husband standing over it. It's all for the best. We were a little worried it could've smashed some unmonitored toddler.

I can see it now on the front page of the newspaper:

"WANDERING CHILD KILLED BY GINORMOUS SNOWMAN-- 

BUILDERS IN PRISON FOR LIFE"

Anyway, we rebuilt a more reasonable sized snowman. He's wearing a hat and an apron- a subtle message than men shouldn't feel like helping with household chores is inappropriate.

Building him reminded me of old calvin and hobbes cartoons- anyone else read those non-stop growing up?

1st box: calvin (to suzie)- what's wrong with your snowman?

suzie- it's a snow woman.

2nd box: calvin's mom- I don't care- 

we're not having an anatomically correct snowman in the front yard.

(Calvin's dad-"He know's I hate this")

calvin's dad: eggplant casserole tonight?

calvin's mom: why, yes!

If you haven't read calvin and hobbes, you need to.

I think he's very friendly, wouldn't you agree?

... and I have a cute husband.

Notice the little villagers at my feet? They were inspired by this cartoon:

When we were done we came into our warm home and made hot cocoa and cinnamon rolls while we listened to some jazz music with a subtle christmas hint...

life is good.

Have a happy saturday, friends.

Happy Halloween

I happened to have a ton of homework due the day after halloween, so we didn't get around to carving pumpkins. (Don't worry- we're going to do it later this week. Better late than never, eh?) Anyway, long story short- I spent halloween studying for kinesiology while in a ladybug costume. We had an amazing amount of trick or treaters; I had to break out the christmas candy. And gid- gideon broke out his costume. (His costume being a shirt that is really just a shirt that says "costume" on it)

Even with all the studying and trick or treat answering, 

we managed to take a few pictures to remember this halloween with.

Won't be long till thanksgiving. And then Christmas.

(sigh) Oh, Christmas! 

It's coming, friends; I know it is. 

I'm trying really hard to not be one of those obnoxious people 

who listen to christmas music months before december, but the charlie brown christmas soundtrack has been calling my name with its jazzy melodious tune, and I've only so much strength.

Happy Day, friends.

ps- my neice was the perfect little owl. 

And yes, that is a mouse she's holding.

This weekend in 5 Photos:

My mom visited this weekend. She's undoubtably the loveliest lady I know. 

(Closely followed by my sister, then my aunt patti, and then audrey hepburn...) 

She was only here for less than 48 hours, but we managed to get quite a-lot done.

Anyone recognize this from pinterest?

 click for recipe. so tasty. 

(the first picture is sprinkled with oreos, the second with graham crackers)

We had a picnic.

and admired the beautiful fall colors.

And then, just like a sweet summer breeze visiting the fall season for a moment, she had to go. 

I only cried a little. And then a little more. 

Thank goodness Christmas is coming soon.

I adore her so much.

Have a happy day, friends.