delight in life

paper circle party

I've mentioned before that all my favorite tv shows are on the same night so I often find myself in front of the tv for several hours at a time Thursday nights, and I like to have something to do with my hands so I don't feel quite so much like a waste of space. A few weeks ago I pulled out an enormous stack of patterned paper and a one-inch hole punch and went to town. I punched and punched and punched and punched for several hours, and then I sewed them all together. 

It ended up being 27 feet long. 27 FEET. Of one-inch circles. Dude, that's a lot of circles. (sidenote: I accidentally called my boss "dude" the other day. Um, whoops.) Anyway, it took me a while to find somewhere to hang a 27-foot garland, but I think it looks quite happy in my bedroom.

baltimore!

Chris and I spent the weekend in Maryland visiting a friend of ours who moved there last year. We had such a great time touring Baltimore and hanging out with Lauren. I forgot my camera AND my Flip so the only photos I have are the ones Lauren posted on Facebook already and a few I took with my phone.


We woke up Saturday morning and Lauren made us pumpkin pancakes which were so so good, then we bundled up and headed out into the snow to see the harbor. We stopped to warm up with some hot chocolate and then ventured back into the cold. We went to a toy store and tried on funny hats and to an amazing "eclectic home goods" store where I was somehow able to restrain myself to purchasing a single Christmas ornament but would rather have just bought the whole store.

Sunday morning we peaced out and flew home over the wrinkly Appalachian mountains. Thank you Lauren for a wonderful weekend! We can't wait to come back.

thanksgiving wrap up

What a lovely weekend. The only thing that could have made it better is if my sister Cara were there and if Chris were there. And if I had room for more pie in my suitcase.

climb up high

 

I go through phases with this book. I picked it up again recently and have been completing activities here and there. I took advantage of the presence of my film major cousin Justin and my experienced roof climbing sister Abby to get this task done. It was fun. I did it twice because I so enjoyed the first time. Also because it was over in about three seconds.

 

starbucks is the official sponsor of my holiday season

 
I love love love the holidays. This past weekend was an excellent kick-off. I flew in Wednesday night, filled myself to bursting with pie and stuffing on Thursday, and spent the rest of the weekend lounging around with my family. And on Sunday I hit up Gap for their buy-one-get-one-free sweater sale. Super awesome.

This weekend Chris and I are going to Baltimore to see a friend and I am looking forward to the freezing cold on the assumption that it will feel like Christmas. We'll see how I feel about that on Saturday when I can't feel my nose, though.

We may be going to Chicago in a few weekends as well, which will be really, really  cold  Christmasy. And of course I am flying home for Christmas itself. Busy busy month ahead!

I won't be making a December book like I did last year, mainly because I apparently don't take pictures anymore. (Something I hope to change sooner rather than later with a new pocket-sized camera on the to-buy list...) But I will find some way to document all my December adventures nonetheless.

I can't believe 2009 is almost over. Here's to a great finish! 

tuseday wednesday and thursday thankful

Well so I got sidetracked and my one-a-day plan got wrecked. BUT NO MATTER. We'll just throw extra gratitude on today, which I guess is the point anyway.

 
 Today I am grateful for the miracle of human flight, that has me rocketing through the air to Atlanta, getting there in 100 minutes and 250 dollars. Kind of amazing.

I am grateful for my family, all of whom are funny and smart and full of love, and for all of the other many many things with which I have been blessed. I am a lucky girl.

Happy Thanksgiving!

thankful monday

I am thankful that about four years ago, we had our first date on a pretty town square filled with Christmas lights, and in six months minus a day, we will be married.  
 

thankful sunday

  
I'm sitting in the Portland airport now, waiting for my flight in a comfortable chair with a nice view and free wifi. I am thankful for good airports.

I spent a lovely 12 hours with my sister yesterday walking around where she's been living for three months. It's pretty and quiet and filled with good people and one ornery emu. She is doing something big and good and brave, and she's sacrificing Thanksgiving and Christmas with her family to do it, so I am so thankful I was able to see her, even for only a day.

1461 days

Today marks 1,461 days since the night Chris and I watched the Beauty and the Beast Special Edition DVD in my dorm room. (He's always been a good sport.) 

It's been a fun four years.

In six months and approximately two weeks, we will have a new anniversary to commemorate each year. Which is a-ok with me because I can never remember when this one is. True story: two years ago I bought him a gift and tried to give it to him on October 10.

ANYWAY. Point being: love you Chris. Can't wait to see where we are in 4 years.

fall colors

Fun fact: my wall isn't green. The two walls in this photo are the exact same color in real life. I bought some felt today to make this little garland. It's a little shorter than I wanted, but I got tired of cutting out circles!

I am currently perusing Martha's handmade holiday issue from last year, trying to figure out how I can decorate my apartment for not very much money. I think these will be involved. Probably some more felt. And a yarn wreath or two. Does anyone have any other ideas for some fun holiday decorations?