On the 1st day of Christmas there was the happiest of office parties. I work in the most wonderful place. There are obviously days where I hate it, but for the most part all of us are just constantly laughing and eating Einstein bagels that the boss brings in. I'm a lucky girl.

On the 2nd day of Christmas there was nothing....I definitely overestimated my holiday spirit this year. I just didn't particularly feel like celebrating that day. I think I went to bed at 8:00 pm.

On the 3rd day of Christmas we shopped till we dropped. Literally. Thankfully we were able to finish all of our Christmas shopping on this one day. I never, never, never want to see a department store for at least 3 months. The lines! The amount of idling cars in the parking lot! Oh! The horrors of holiday shopping!

Now that I can't stop complaining....

On the 4th day of Christmas I made snowflakes with a dear little friend of mine. and we danced to Christmas music, or she did and I hopped a few times and got tired. Children just make the holidays the best! don't they?

On the 5th day of Christmas there was gift wrapping, which is my favorite part. This year, we decided to go green and reuse grocery bags. Whole foods and Trader Joe's does this awesome thing during the holidays and their paper bags have a "TO: and FROM:" for that sole purpose!

On the 6th day of Christmas I made Sean wake up early and take me on a hot chocolate date. I love this guy. As you can tell per picture above he is SO EXCITED to accompany me!

The crazy holiday season is once again in full swing! Last year I documented 12 days of Christmas activities, and I can't wait to start them again!. I've already accomplished a few things that were on that list due to uncontainable excitement, like putting up the Christmas tree 2 weeks before thanksgiving (ya I'm one of those people) and decorating, but looking at the tree for a whole evening is an activity too right?

Anyway, here's a "caramel chai milk" recipe that I recently tried. I altered it slightly, using more ginger and milk (no black tea, for it gives me a strange after taste) It is a great drink to make if your heater is subpar and your house is a constant 59 degrees or for a Christmas drink! Enjoy!

I am thankful.

(in no particular order) for:

sean,

my family,

puppies,

my body,

the old trees in my neighborhood,

blankets,

paper,

pictures,

public transportation,

my dearest friends,

and

hugs.

Thanksgiving, this year, was celebrated in the colorful state of Colorado. Not only did we eat to our heart/stomach's content but were also able to go up into the Rockies to rid of the post Thanksgiving consequences. Which actually this year I wasn't quite a glutton per usual. Anyway, the Rockies! Those mountains have a special place in my heart. We went on our first date there and have since made so many beautiful memories. Ahh! It was so good to be "home"! I bought a few ornaments, went on a few walks with Sean's mom, cuddled with the dog, went to breakfast with some friends, watched movies....It was the most relaxing weekend I've had in a long time! and I'm thankful!

Today has been a very successful sunday. I have finally conquered the cinnamon roll.

Why is that bread is scary/annoying to make. I mean these guys had a total of 3 hours of rising time and 20 minutes of hand kneading...in the end, it was worth it. Because I had two and I could probably eat two more. And the best part is, all of those in the ziplocs are for future consumption! Heyo~!

The other two pictures are just some other accomplishments that i've finally crossed off my fall to do list....Repotting my dead succulents (still looking dead) and crocheting. Go ME!

Now that i've officially and respectfully said farewell to dearest October, I welcome November with open arms!

I have to share these pictures from the hike I went on yesterday.
This weekend has been beautiful.

 (Lake Blanche)

The best part about this hike was that it wasn't even cold. Just look at that shining sun! I'm so ready for snowshoeing season!

I can't believe that I used to hate the outdoors. Taking more than ten steps away from cell phone service  and having to wear sneakers used to freak me out. NOW look at me! I'm miles and miles away from civilization, wearing the bulkiest hiking boots and i'm "effing" stoked.

My favorite month is over...

Goodbye fall leaves,

Goodbye perfect hiking month,

Goodbye pumpkins,

Goodbye farmer's market,

Goodbye beautiful October, until next time.

(a photograph of myself kissing my october family goodbye)

the archery range

We took a short fall break and drove to Colorado last weekend.
I weirdly don't even mind the 7 hour drive anymore. It gives us occasion to catch up on all the things we don't really talk about on a day to day basis.

I finally started my halloween reads tonight, which is a little late seeming that Halloween is next thursday...October is flying by! But better late then never! Sean and I took turns reading aloud some of Poe's works and it was awesome! I haven't had anyone read me a story in a really long time. It was extremely entertaining!

If you'd like:

Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Dracula by Bram Stoker (my all time favorite)
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley