Three Steeples

I took this photo on December 27, in North Adams. We were stopped at a red light on Eagle Street, and the clouds were rising behind the steeples. 

Jack Russell Terriers

When I was home for the holidays, I went to the grocery store with my mom. We parked next to these completely adorable Jack Russell Terriers. They didn't bark at all; they just looked at us with curious eyes. They're so sweet! 

Peanut Butter Cookies

I made these delicious peanut butter cookies on Saturday. I used my family's favorite recipe, which we found a long time ago (I think I was in middle school) in the Alpha-Bakery Children's Cookbook. They're soooo good! 

Peppermint Bark

I made peppermint bark for The Schwarz's family. 

While melting the white chocolate, I had a few problems. Apparently, I'm not the only one! Since it isn't actually chocolate, it melts very differently than milk chocolate.  

I don't really like chocolate so I didn't taste it, but it looks really pretty. (The Schwarz says it tastes good too.)

Tangiers Has New Business Cards

My mom owns an adorable little shop called Tangiers, in downtown North Adams. She sells everything from jewelry to handmade soaps! Right now, there's an after-Christmas sale going on, which means there are some amazing bargains. Tangiers is on Main Street, across from the Holiday Inn. 

I recently redesigned the business cards. They were printed by Image Software Services, and I think they look really great. If you're looking for a printer, Image is wonderful because they can print as many or as few as you'd like. You'll get a great deal and fast, friendly service!

Jesus Plastering

I was saving this one for Christmas, and then I totally forgot about it! Oops. Better late than never, right? 

I don't know really what to make of this. Jesus Plastering Corporation. What does it mean? Do they only plaster Jesuses? Is Jesus the name of the owner and they just forgot an apostrophe? And why do you suppose they're missing a big chunk of their van? Was there a plastering accident, or just a regular old accident? 

If you're anything like me, you're wondering what "blue board and plastering" means. Luckily, Bob Vila explains it here. 

Nutcracker

This seems appropriate for a Christmas Eve post, no? The Nutcracker is a classic Christmas fairy tale; even if you're not a fan of ballet, the music is beautiful (and instantly recognizable). 

Holiday Forest

Since we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas, we have a holiday forest instead of a standard Christmas tree. It gives us the opportunity to use twinkle lights and pretty ornaments. My mom made the forest by gathering  a few branches from the woods and securing them in a planter filled with plaster. She hides the plaster with some white fluff that looks like snow. Then we decorate like crazy. 

Second Night

It's the second night of Hanukkah, and I'm so happy to be celebrating with my family. We didn't exchange any gifts tonight, and there was nothing sad about it. For me, the excitement was simply in lighting the candles and saying the prayer. 

Paper Snowflakes

When I was home for Thanksgiving my brother and I made a bunch of paper snowflakes. They look so much better now that there's snow on the ground. 

Glass Horse

I'm home for the holidays, and it's a winter wonderland out there! This glass horse reminded me of an ice sculpture. It's on the window in my parents' dining room. 

Dusting Of Snow

I took this picture five years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark. We visited just before Christmas, and there were decorations everywhere. This little dusting of snow made it feel like a fairy tale.

Holiday Cup

This is a funny place to find a coffee cup, don't you think? At least it's spreading holiday cheer. 

New Red Shoes

Yesterday was our company holiday party. I didn't want to buy a new outfit, but I felt like something was missing. I found these festive ballet flats on sale at the Gap, and I couldn't resist! They're really fun because the sparkle like the ruby slippers. 

Man Scouts

Last month we saw these man scouts getting a tour of Boston Common. The tour guides are always dressed in colonial garb, but we don't often see the tourists wearing costumes.  

Long Night Moon

On Friday night The Schwarz and I were walking to the Pink Comma Gallery to see JHill's designs on display, and I couldn't believe how huge the moon looked. It turns out that December 12th was the last full moon before the winter solstice, making it a long night moon. However, as Maryland Weather explains, it was also extra special:

"But this full moon is even more notable for the fact that it will be the closest Earth's only natural satellite has come to its mother planet in 15 years, and the nearest until 2016. If there were an easy way to compare it side-by-side with a more average full moon, it would even appear visibly nearer - and larger. Maybe you'll notice anyway. It's said to be as much as 14 percent wider and 30 percent brighter than your run-of-the-mill full moon." Click here for the full article.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture on Friday. I took this one from the car on Saturday night, because I was still blown away by the immense size and incredible brightness. In the midst of all the traffic and lights it doesn't seem as impressive, but it really was amazing! 

Before & After

Before

After

I know these pictures aren't great, but I wanted to post them anyway. Today we rearranged the living room. I really wanted to use that horizontal book case behind our desk, so we had to find something new to put the TV on*. I like how it turned out, and we're much happier with our office area. We feel like we have so much room now that we're more organized.

*I put the TV stand together by myself!

Reflection

This is what I look like when I check my iPhone on the train. I was just wondering, so I snapped a photo. So sneaky.

Shredded Sign

Like so many signs posted on telephone poles, this one has been forgotten. Since people rarely go around to take them down, passersby are often left wondering whether or not dogs were found or sofas were sold. 

Necklaces

I love necklaces. Each one is beautiful on its own, but I also like the way they look together, so I like to display my jewelry (rather than keep it in a box) so that I can enjoy it all at once. 

My aunt, lisatheisa, gave me the heart necklace you see here. It was designed by Jane Diaz. My aunt found it at a beautiful store called Fragments (I've only visited online). 

Recycled Flowers

I saw these recycled flower ornaments in mer mag, and I was inspired to make some for our apartment. It was fun to get out the glue and do a little craft project, and I absolutely love the way they came out! 

I made six flowers. They're so pretty and they're made out of catalogs that would have been trashed. Some are small, some have tons of petals, some are short, and they're all unique. I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet, but I even like them just sitting on the floor waiting for their own space!

Cold Sunrise

It was 13 degrees when I left to catch the train this morning. My cozy sweater and the magnificent sunrise helped take the bite out of frosty air. Every morning I'm stunned by Mother Nature's fabulous color show, and I'm happy that I leave for work before the real hustle and bustle begins so that I can enjoy it in peace.  

Essays

These days it seems like all I ever think about are business school application essays! 

Stand With A Dog

On a bathroom door, you will often find a picture of a man or a woman - these don't tell us to do anything, but they still gives us information. But don't you think this is a funny sign? What does it say? Stand with a dog! 

Midnight Affair

I was flipping through Harper's Bazaar the other day, and I came across a guide to "Holiday Makeup At Every Age." It featured a navy nail polish in the section dedicated to 20-somethings; I liked the color so much that I went out in search of something similar.

As you can see here, I'm super trendy this season (this may be a first!). I'm wearing Revlon's midnight affair and I'm totally loving it. Honestly, I can't stop looking at my nails. 

Telephone Pole

My mom and dad spotted this telephone pole in Cold Spring, NY on Saturday. 

This pole has been home to fliers, advertisements, and messages for years. The papers have come down, but the nails and staples have been forgotten. They've been left in place to rust.

Feels Like May

This morning the weather man said it would feel like May today, so I thought a spring-y photo would be appropriate. It's December 1st and almost 50 degrees right now - holy moly! 

Once A Year

Lara, Lisa, Barbara, Janet, & Efren

David & Peter

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving because of my family. I was fortunate enough to spend time with my mom's side (the top picture is of my mom, Barbara, and her siblings) and my dad's side (the bottom picture is of my dad, Peter, with his brother). 

Smiles, laughter, and general merriment were plentiful, because we were all so happy to see each other and catch up. It's the only time that all of the siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpas, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren get together. Once a year really isn't enough, but it's way better than never! 

Happy Travels

Thanksgiving is practically synonymous with travel, and travelling is exhausting (evidence above). It seems like most Americans travel some distance to celebrate the holiday. (If not, they're usually stuck with the enormous task of preparing the feast!) Why do we do it? To be with family, of course. I spent 7.5 hours on the road on Tuesday, and today I'll be in car for another 4. It's worth it though, don't you think?

Be safe and have a very happy Thanksgiving! 

Smat Ka

Click to enlarge.

I took this photo from a cab in Boston on Sunday afternoon as we were headed home from our vacation. I noticed this Smart car (the small red one) because they were popular in London when we were studying abroad in 2003 (it took a long time for them to catch on over here!). I was absolutely delighted to see the license plate, which reads "SMAT KA." It was a wonderful way to be welcomed back to Boston! 

Yellow

I love this little rocking chair. I saw it on The Vineyard at the end of the summer. 

There's something so adorable about the little yellow chair, the old fashioned screen door, and the deep blue shelf against a white wall. I can imagine somebody walking up to the porch and thinking "I'm home," after a long trip or a winter off-island. I also imagine this chair being used for many generations. 

Camouflage

I'm surprised I even saw this little guy. He just blends in so perfectly with the sand. 

I like that the eyes are all googly and crazy. 

So Alike

If I didn't know any better, I might say that this was a photo of The Schwarz. But since I took the picture, I know that it's actually his uncle. In this instance, like so many others, the family resemblance is uncanny. The Schwarz was standing just the same way, not 15 minutes earlier. 

There are likenesses in the way they speak and gesture, and in facial expressions. You'd notice similarities in their sense of humor as well. It's not limited to just The Schwarz and his uncle, either. He and his brothers each notably resemble each other, their parents, and grandparents. 

Found Shell

We went back to the beach again today. We found this beautiful shell. It used to be somebody's home, but now it's cracked and washed up on the beach. 

After taking this photo, I threw the shell back into the ocean. 

Ouch!

I have been coming to Florida every year for the past five years. Every year I forget one thing: the bugs. And every year, I have pretty bad allergic reactions. 

I woke up in the wee hours this morning because I had so many painful, itchy no-see-um bites (I'll spare you and keep those photos to myself - yuck). I actually ended up icing my legs around 3:00 AM! I've also been using Caldyphen, and the Benadryl we found this morning is even more helpful. Can somebody tell me why the bugs like my ankles so much? I have bites all over my body, but they really seem to be drawn to my ankles and the tops of my feet. 

No-see-ums are my enemy and I must block them out of my mind because they're so unpleasant. I don't think moving to Florida will ever be an option for me. Luckily, I love New England, so I don't think it'll be an issue.

The Beach

So far, the weather has been beautiful. Chilly, but beautiful. I love walking down to the beach in the morning and hearing the waves. It's so strange to be able to wade into the water in Novemeber. That's not something I would try in Boston, but it's different down here. 

Golf

We went golfing today. Yes, I went golfing; I don't even know how to play. I guess it would be more accurate to say that I hit a few balls in the practice area and then played the greens while The Schwarz played a full game. I had a lot of fun! I drove the cart like a real pro and got par on almost every hole (remember, I was only putting).

We didn't have to worry too much about wayward golf balls hitting us because the course was pretty empty. It was just perfect. 

Sunrise To Sunset

Click images to enlarge.

Yesterday we saw the sunrise because we had a 7:00 AM flight out of Logan. I love flying, so I didn't mind getting up early. Airplanes are really amazing, don't you think? We're just up there, thousands of feet in the air, flying along at top speed. Incredible. I find it exhilarating to be above the clouds. 

I enjoy browsing through the Sky Mall catalog while flying. I always wonder how many people are busy shopping while in the air. I prefer to gaze out the window, read, listen to music, or even nap. But shop? I don't think so. Plus, the catalog is full of the most ridiculous items. It's sort of like a portfolio of products that should have "as seen on TV" stamped on them; they're things that nobody really needs. 

When we arrived in Florida we spent a relaxing afternoon with The Schwarz's grandparents. And we were lucky enough to see a beautiful sunset (it was a full-circle kind of day).