Traditions

Every year, for the past 7 years, my mom has visited me over the Thanksgiving holiday. We do a lot of shopping and eating and walking while she is here. We go to the Christmas Tree Shop and I stock up on mulling spices for the coming winter season while she buys surprises for her secret santa. We have a sandwich at Oxford Spa and a dinner at West Side Lounge. We see a movie and hit up no fewer than 3 malls. We have eaten turkey dinners at various restaurants around Cambridge and have even cooked for ourselves a few times.

And every year, a few hours after my mom has left, I find a present hidden somewhere, usually under my pillow or under the blankets of my unmade bed. It is always wrapped in Christmas print paper or in colored tissue paper carefully placed in holiday gift bag. One year I found flannel pajamas, another year Betty Crocker's Cookie Book, and this year I was oh so excited to open the bag to find an Aunt Sadie's Candle that smelled of balsam. (My mom knows I have been in love with these seasonal treats since I received one as a gift last summer that smelled of coconut.) Along with the surprise, my mom always includes an advent calendar. This is a tradition that goes back to when I was little and couldn't wait to open the door to find the mini treasure it hid each day of December.

So, to mark the beginning of the season, tomorrow my house will be filled with the scent of balsam and I will be opening the first door of December.

Autumn, the year's last, lovliest smile.

-William Cullen Bryant

Just. Add. Paper.

I heart calendars. Especially ones that include images or words fitting for each particular month. I also heart Etsy and love this printable calendar I found today in Little Brown Pen's Shop. It is only $5 and you can print as many as you like. The gift possibilities are endless!

Four Months Ago & Today

I can only go on Polyvore.com once a season because I get obsessed with making the perfect outfit for the day and can waste hours and hours. This morning I was brought back to the summer days of wearing lightweight dresses and bare legs. Today I searched for boots and scarves because it is 28 degrees outside. I noticed that the outfits I create are very much color coordinated. I recently read that dressing too "matchy-matchy" ages a person. I am trying to break out of this habit for the sake of looking young, but I can't help it, I like my clothes to match and change is hard.

Perfect Timing

One of my favorite bloggers, Marta of marta writes posted about lovely letterpress holiday cards today. They can be found over at Linda & Harriett. Wouldn't it be cute to send these out introducing friends and family to my new blog?

Sunday Soup

Every Sunday in the fall and winter my mom makes soup for dinner and then brings it for lunch the rest of the week. My Aunt Sybil also makes soup once a week and puts it in individual servings to take for her lunch. She usually makes muffins too. Today seemed like a good day for soup, so I called my mom for the recipe of one she made when I was home last year. Unfortunately, I didn't get to making the banana muffins I was craving.

Sunday's Vegetable Beef Soup
4 ½ cups water
1 package of McCormick Au Jus
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup frozen mixed vegetables

(carrots, peas, corn, green beans)

Bring the above ingredients to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Then add:
1 can diced tomatoes
¾ cup Ditalini pasta
¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Continue to simmer until pasta is done.
Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese (this makes the soup!) and serve with a side salad, muffin, or my favorite, crusty bread (for dipping).

Comfy Cozy

I wish I had this to wear right now.

When I was home last weekend, I put on an old grey hooded sweatshirt of my mom's and it made me think about how I don't have any good sweatshirts any more. In college, sweatshirts were my go to when I wanted to feel comfy cozy. I think I may need to add this J. Crew one to my wardrobe. The fleece lining is tempting me. It makes it all the more perfect for a day like today.

'Tis the Season for Red Cups

They are back and filled with treats that are better than ever. Usually at this time of year my red cups are filled with Peppermint Hot Chocolate. I think that era may have ended because tonight I tried Starbucks's new Espresso Truffle. It is like a deluxe version of my regular mocha latte. Perhaps I am in love because I forgot to say, "non-fat, no whip" like I usually do.

"We’ve combined Starbucks espresso with our premium European-style cocoa blend used in our Signature Hot Chocolate and steamed milk, and topped it with whipped cream and a touch of chocolate powder. This sophisticated beverage delivers rich chocolate flavor with a velvety mouth feel balanced with a smooth coffee flavor."

I will miss the white cups for the next few months. I always find it comforting when they return. It confirms that the holiday craziness is over and the routine of everyday life is back. I already miss The Way I See It quotes. I will just have to read the one that I keep in my kitchen to keep me inspired while the red cups are here.

November

November convinces the yellow leaves to stick around.
She keeps a gratitude journal.

November likes to linger on the last chapter.

She is self reflective.

November has a campaign scrapbook.

She creates real connections.

November’s voice can be heard by all people.

She gives with all her heart.

November turns departure into arrival.

She listens. And reaches out.

November inherited the first recipe for pumpkin pie.

She is a historical fact.

November can hear winter’s voice.

She moves with simple grace.

November always remembers to say thank you.

Her wisdom is her intuition.

November loves to celebrate human qualities.
She dances holding hands.
(Mostly from the KOCO She Calendar 2006)

Arrival

I stumbled upon the world of bloggers a few months ago and since my discovery I have been a silent reader and collector of many blogs. I so look forward to reading them each day. My favorites always seem to inspire me and I keep finding more and more to follow. Lately the world feels cold, damp, dark and nearly barren. So I figured, 'tis a good season to begin my blog. What better to do during a time like this than to write, collect, photograph, share, and hopefully even inspire.