holiday homesickness

I woke up today with the feeling of anxiety/sadness/dread or maybe it's just homesickness. In my chest, in my head, in my feet, everywhere. It might be due to the fact that I am spending the Christmas holiday not in Utah and without my family for the first time ever. Which I never thought was that big of a deal but here I am three days before Christmas and I can't even say the word mom, grandma or sister without choking back a few tears (interesting...all female members of the family)...oh my god, I miss them so much. I have an 11 year old sister that pretends that she still believes in Santa!! I need to be around that magic.

Also (on a scale of 1-10) Sean has a 1 in holiday spirit, he does however have about a 10+ in end-of-semester-spirit, mostly because it's finally over but also he loooves school. Sean and midieval history k-i-s-s-i-n-g. He would kiss it if he could. Wait, he has. I saw him kiss one of his books once. If he only had the same enjoyment of Christmas time as history time...Louie also feels no excitement. He's made a few choice decisions, such as eating my favorite ornament off the tree, and the message has been made clear on his feelings toward this time of year.

But on the bright side! I am looking forward to this next week of relaxing, maybe a hike or two and catching up with friends that are in town.

Happy holidays and blog you in the new year!

weekly synopsis: episode 4

1. I've been trying to read every evening before bed which essentially has moved my bedtime to 8:30pm....

2. This is what our morning walk looked like on Tuesday. Magical. I love how quiet it is after it snows.

3. A picture from our annual christmas dinner. I made Louie put on the sweater for the event but he's gained a little weight recently and it was cutting off his circulation so he couldn't wear it for long.

4. I wore high socks the other day and it reminded me of high school. This look would normally have been paired with pig tails. No wonder I was so popular...

5. Christmas tree! Oh my gosh, my heart! I love my tree, so much!

6. Speaking of tree, I finally tagged all my ornaments. I've been collecting them over the years from vacations and I always forget where each one was from. 

7. What a crew.

8. I love this weather.

9. Not at all from this week but I want everyone to see this fun picture.

Happy week!

giving thanks and taking stock

Thanksgiving was once again spent here in Colorado with my future in-laws. I took the liberty of making a pumpkin pie from scratch that was horrendous on the outside but so delicious on the inside and homemade rolls. I miss turkey leftovers already. It snowed aaaallll weekend, a thanksgiving wish come true~spending time with Sean and his family also a wish come true.

Now taking stock of the things I am thankful for:

Making: I am so so thankful for my hands. I have learned to make so many different things this year. Especially thankful for my teachers and those who inspire me to continue to make things.
Cooking: I am thankful for the meals that I try hard to make that turn out edible.
Drinking: I am ever so thankful for water. 
Reading: I am thankful that I was able to take a anthropology class this semester. (I am thankful to be a homo sapiens sapiens)
Looking: I am thankful for all the nature I have seen, from the amazing hikes to my neighborhood.
Playing: I am thankful for my ever so playful puppy.
Waiting: I am thankful for next July (wedding time!!)
Loving: I am so extremely thankful for Sean.
Wearing: I am thankful for the clothes that I have made. 
Thinking: I am thankful for morning meditations.
Feeling: I am thankful for all my friends and family who bring so much happiness to my life.

the best turkey I have ever had!

Our annual trip every thanksgiving up to RMNP in powdery magic.

This is exactly how I felt after all the celebrations: happily exhausted and comfortable. Hope you had a wonderful holiday~