Bits of a Blizzard

Originally we were supposed to get hit with about 2 feet or snow, but alas we were spared that and ended up with a foot more or less. The winds though were intense, howling and shaking the house as they whipped the snow around. I have not always loved the snow or the bitter northeast winters, but as I get older I have come to appreciate the quietness and stillness that accompanies snow. With this storm I could not help but notice the shapes and simplicity the snow left behind. 

Home for the Holidays: The Tree

It is one of my favorite sights, seeing a lit Christmas tree sparkling from a window, whether it's my families or a neighbors. The sight is comforting and charming. Now that ours is dressed up with its lights and handmade ornaments I can enjoy it both from inside and outside, especially now with the blanket of snow that fell last night.

Home for the Holidays: Crazy Light Displays

Every year my best friend, her sister and I load up the car with cookies, sometimes hot chocolate, and a present or two and head out to find crazy light displays. This year we found three great displays. First, I had seen a house across the street from my local grocery store and low and behold it was a decked out trailer! Next was a house that synchronizes its lights to a Christmas radio station. Lastly, was a house that goes all out for every holiday and really does itself for Christmas.

Home for the Holidays: Candles In the Windows

Seeing all the decorations go up for the holidays is always one of my favorite times of the year. I appreciate the extravagant lighting displays where every inch of the house and lawn twinkles in color, but also love the simplicity of putting candles in one's windows. It's a classic touch to any home and makes everything look comfy and cozy on these evenings when darkness settles in so early. Happy Weekend All!

Home for the Holidays: Baking Spritz Cookies

I have decided to start a little series of posts about being home for the holidays. Today I start with a family tradition, making Swedish Spritz cookies. I grew up with a Swedish grandfather and a family that was proud to keep our Swedish traditions alive. The making of spritz cookies is something my great grandmother made every Christmas and it is with pleasure that I continue the tradition. These cookies are simple, buttery and go so quickly, I usually have to make another batch right before the big day. With so many cookies being made during the holidays, does your family have a traditional go-to-cookie?

 

Guest Blogger: C'est Christine sends a Postcard from Prague

Hello, please welcome my first guest blogger! Christine is a writer, traveler and francophile who shares on her blog, her love of travel, France and great insights into why we should never just settle down when there is so much to see out there in the world. Check her out on C'est Christine, and follow her as she starts her newest venture heading to the great outback of Australia, but first, she shares her visit to Prague, a place I've never been, but would love to go. Thank you Christine

My first visit to Prague came on a whirlwind backpacking trip around Europe the summer after I graduated from college. Wedged between Berlin and Vienna, I only had a couple of days to explore the capital of the Czech Republic. Even though the first day was spoiled by rain and a pickpocket paranoia, Prague immediately had my heart when I spotted the mini Eiffel Tower-like structure high on a hill overlooking the city. Although that was only thing to satisfy my Francophilia, Prague still won my heart with its very historic city center--it was one of the only European capitals to escape WWII with very minimal damage.

The Eiffel Tower lookalike. Even though it's quite a hike, you can't get a better view of the city.

A view of the sprawling rose garden and city of Prague from the delightful Eiffel Tower lookalike.

An amazing graffiti wall that's tucked away from the city center.

While I've since spotted them in other cities, this was the first time I saw locks on a bridge to symbolize a commitment to a relationship--and it locked up my heart, right then and there.

How would you like to have this hanging outside your bedroom window? It's by provocative Czech artist David Cerny, whose controversial art is found throughout the city.

The Jewish quarter in Prague is extremely informative and interesting. I was speechless in this cemetery-- since the city refused them any more space, Czech Jews had to continue to bury on top of each other.

Virtual Visits, Hot or Cold

Virtual Visits

Hot or Cold

When it gets cold up here in the North, people are always thinking about warmer getaways so this week I've been flip-floping(haha puns) between wanting to be some place warm versus just enjoying the cold.

+ Talk about a skating rink for your finger

+ Seaglass to always remind you of the beach

+ Warms you up on a day sledding

+ Cools you down from a day in the sun

+ In winter it's all about the wool

+ In summer it's all about the woven



Happy weekend whether you are dreaming of a getaway to a warmer place or cozying up to winter.

Fiji or Niagara

Some of us are winter people, some are summer, for me right as the winter starts with the temperatures plummeting and the days getting shorter, I wish for the summer months to come back. But it's when the holiday lights are up, the mornings are crisp and quiet, and the snow arrives that I relish in winter's arrival. Today I am thinking about two trips, one to Fiji where the sun was shining, the water was warm and the greens were lush and to Niagara Falls in winter, where the sun was shining, the water was frigid, and the greens were covered in snow.

Footprints, Coral Coast Fiji

Although I would love to be sinking my bare feet into the warm sand, with today's morning temperature in the teens it seems more likely my booted feet will be covered in snow soon. So on this cold Monday morning, I think about the warmer places.

Chelsea, NYC

No Virtual Visits this Friday, too busy a week. Instead, a few of my favorite images from a stroll in Chelsea during my trip to NYC last week. Have a happy weekend everyone!

The High Line, NYC

In the Meatpacking district is the city's High Line Park, the historic site of an elevated train that is now an elevated public park. The rail lines hide amongst the wild grass and flowers keeping a hint of history alive alongside the parks modern design.