Cambridge

Friday night we went to see Chris's band play at the Cantab in Cambridge (they were excellent), on the way we passed so many gorgeously lit up trees in icy blue lights.

O Tannenbaum

The family Christmas tree.  We ran out of lights this year, for the first time ever!

The suspects

 Suspect #1: Henry

Suspect #2: Max
Who was it?

The Crime

I have been dog sitting for the past few weeks and this was what I came home to one evening.  The suspects will we posted next.

Let it snow!

I woke up to a fine layer of snow this morning.  Good thing I remembered to pack my bogs! I think this is all the snow I'm going to see in AVL.

Decorations

I finally got around to setting up some decorations.  I decided to hang birthday & holiday cards up on the Christmas lights.  Only 26 hours until I am back home, hopefully sitting by the woodstove & gigantic Christmas tree.

Night 8

Took this on the last night of Chanukah (which was Saturday), I love the glow of the candles and the bokeh from our Xmas tree lights - all sorts of festive-ness!

Looking Glass

Last weekend, I went hiking in Pisgah National Forest on this trail that ends at an amazing opening on a rock face.  It was pretty steep and scary.  I am looking forward to the spring & summer when things are in bloom it will be even more beautiful.

Reindeer Run

Last weekend, I laced up my racing shoes and ran a 5k with my new running buddy.  We got into the holiday spirit with reindeer antlers, bows and bells.  While we weren't the fastest reindeer, we were the most decorated and noisiest.  The race was only about 100 people.  Definitely a change from running in Boston.  But it was 65 degrees out, so I can't complain too much. 

Bon Anniversaire!

why yes, I did do this on my desk during lunch; amazing, isn't it?

Happy Birthday, dear friend. I hope it's an amazing one. I wish I was there to celebrate with you.

Yeehaw!

The rodeo happened.  I missed the bullriding, but managed to catch "Family Day" with bucking broncos, calf wrangling, cowboys, cowgirls, the NRA tent.  I was tempted to purchase some boots... It was one of the top 10 craziest things I have ever attended.  I watched in fear as men & teenagers were thrown from the horses. I hope everyone gets to attend a rodeo at least once in life, just for the craziness.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Guess what we just did?

An Artsy Afternoon

While on the Southcoast this weekend for Thanksgiving part deux, we went to an art fair in New Bedford. It was in this old factory which has all been turned into workspaces for artists of all sorts: paintings, soaps, textiles, stained glass, jewelry..everything really. I sort of felt like I was walking through etsy, but you could chat with all the artists and see/walk around their workspaces, which made it much more fun.

Reunions

Went to breakfast today with Max, Andrew & Hannah, Amira & Nate, and Rachel. We ate at 3 Cafe which recently moved into the shops, it was so delicious but the portions were enormous and I am so stuffed now!

Max and I took this pic for you before heading out, we also started talking about some dates for a girls weekend down south with you :-)

Meeting Neil Gaiman

Last night Greg and I went to a book launch in Lexington for Lunatic Heroes by Anthony Martignetti (which is a collection of memoirs, my favorite reading of his was based around the weird things he was made to eat as a child). The main draw of this event (for us) was that the author's good friend Neil Gaiman, whose books I absolutely adore was also going to be there and reading from his upcoming book The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which I am incredibly excited for now. Afterwards he was signing books so we got to meet him and he even took a picture with me. I was (am) a little starstruck and really excited about the whole thing.

And then there was half-time...

Half time show at the roller derby was a group of hoopers with light up hoops.  It was strange yet mesmerizing.  They had some impressive skills and reminded me of the time a friend tried to teach me her mad skills with a hoola hoop last summer.  Just a regular Saturday night.

Roller Derby

Last night was the last Roller Derby bout of the season.  The Blue Ridge Rollergirls (in black) vs. Tallahassee Rollergirls and then vs. Richland County Regulators (in yellow).  Blue Ridge swept both bouts.   We spent most of the time trying to figure out the rules and why the players were put in the penalty box with our seat neighbors.  It was really intense, the falls looked like they hurt, a lot.  Maybe I'll try out for next season...jk. 

Holiday Parade

Happy Holidays from the South, where Christmas shopping begins in October.  Also, please note the shorts and lack of coats happening right now as it was 60 degrees out today.  This morning I went to see the local holiday parade complete with LaZoom bus tours (which I really want to try because it is supposed to be hilarious).  Note Buddy, the elf, in this picture.  The Flying Nun is on the top of the purple bus.  This weekend was epic & its only Saturday, get ready.

Impromptu Studio

Last weekend I got my artsy on.  It's not totally finished but here is the dandelion blowing in the wind.  My studio is my patio - which I also need to set up.  Next weekend.  Happy Friday everyone!

What a hoot

I found this little guy by chance when looking on CB2 and couldn't resist ordering him immediately. Haven't named him (yet), but he looks quite at home nestled next to this plant. So adorable.

Cheers

We found a random flea market while driving through Lynn today, and there I found these cool German beer steins...I don't really have a use for them but I really loved them and couldn't not bring them home. 

Kenilworth Pumpkins

I took this last week on Halloween.  A local neighborhood hosts a pumpkin carving festival every year, this was the last year they were doing it.  There were hundreds of intricately carved pumpkins.  This set of 8 made a tree with roots, was in someone backyard.  They were incredible.  I'm glad I got to go.

Snow!

We got maybe an inch of snow last night, it's all already melting away with the icy cold rain that's falling hard and fast right now. 

Healthy Living

We had a health fair today in our office. Our HR director flew in along with a team of people to do different biometric screenings (note the band-aid from the blood they took; all of my results are right where they should be, yay!). We also got some swag from our different benefit providers, like a salad shaker, keychain flashlight, jar grip, and a pen.

I voted :-)

Civic Duty

Election day is just around the corner and rather than face long lines on election day, I figured I would vote early at my local library.  Living in a swing state has been pretty interesting this election cycle.  The attack ads in NC are much more negative than I've ever seen.  And I've received a lot of unsolicited advice.  Tuesday should prove interesting...

Happy Halloween!

Only one trick-or-treater, I guess I will just need to eat that bag of Twix by myself.  This is the pumpkin I carved last weekend.  One local neighborhood goes all out for Halloween with hundreds of pumpkins and all ages in costumes running amock.  I knew I could get a Hocus Pocus reference in there somewhere.  This was the last year they are doing it, I'm glad I got to check it out.  There were some really incredible pumpkins.  Happy Halloween everyone!

Weathering the Storm

My office is closed today, so I am doing some work from home (in my pajamas, life couldn't be better). The wind is loud and howling outside, and so far we haven't lost power (knock on wood). The peak of the storm is supposed to hit late morning/early afternoon with 50+ mph winds

Smashing Pumpkins

Last night we saw the Smashing Pumpkins at Agganis Arena, it was an awesome show (despite the annoying girl on the other side of Greg). They had this cool sphere that they projected images on which was a really fun addition to the music.

The Great Pumpkin

Spent the morning doing some errands (like buying too much Halloween candy) and then visiting the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin in front is the one I picked out, it's like 22 pounds, which is kind of ridiculous but also completely awesome. 

TGIF

Local Microbrews are big here in Western NC, Highland Brewing being one of them.  Housed in an former railway station, this place is only open 4-8pm and has some excellent brews on tap.  They also just opened a Moonshine distillery...

Two years

I came home last night to a gorgeous bouquet of roses. Our trip west was really our anniversary celebration, but we did dinner out last night at one of our favorite places for some celebrating on the day of. It's hard to believe it has already been two years since the wedding.

Trail running

I've really gotten into trail running here.  The trails are less than 20 minutes from work, so I find myself heading to the trails with co-workers post work, as long as the weather stays nice.  The past few days have been amazing here, cloudless skies and warm days.  It's almost 80 here today, yet the stores insist on starting the Christmas sales!

Burning Mal

While out west for the weekend, I (of course) could not resist going to the Yankee Candle flagship in Deerfield. I picked up this candle that I was burning last night. The scent is Harvest (perfect for fall), but what I really love is the adorable label.

Home again

This weekend in Noho/Amherst was absolutely amazing and so gorgeous. I loved hearing the crunch of leaves under my feet (pictured here are my new fleece-lined toms, I'm basically obsessed with them), and the air just smelled like fall (it never smells like that in Boston). We stopped by Atkins on the way out; I now have cider donuts on my counter and cider in my fridge, what could be better?

Sunday Morning Yoga

I finally found a yoga class that I like and works with my schedule.  You will find me at Skillful Flow on Sunday mornings.  Followed by some delicious brunch (yay bacon!).  Next week I'll have to try the cafe across the street from the studio.

Cupcakes

Sticking with the fall theme: pumpkin topped cupcakes.  They were delicious

Spooky snack

As you know, I'm a sucker for anything Halloween themed; I couldn't resist these when I saw them at Target. They taste like normal oreos but have orange colored filling and fun designs.

Happy Mountain Day!

Every fall, Mount Holyoke College picks a perfect fall day to cancel classes/assignments/exams to enjoy the great outdoors by climbing mountains and eating ice cream.  In honor of this years Mountain Day, here is a photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC, as seen from work (this is what I see everyday, it is glorious).

Thirsty Moose

Downtown Portsmouth, NH.  After making our way through North End traffic and up to NH, we found ourselves at the post-rehearsal party.  They have an excellent beer selection and some serious comfort mac n'cheese. 

It's a wrap!

This past weekend I flew up to NH for a wedding for which I was knitting a shrug/wrap.  It was a somewhat rainy Sunday, but it cleared up to be a traditional New England fall day (expect lots of NH photos this week).  I wish this wasn't so blurry, alas what can I do.  The beautiful bride modeling the big shrug.  Congratulations to Cheryl & David!

Tiny desserts

Bridge to South Boston

This morning was gorgeous, cool and perfectly fall. Soon after I snapped this pic on my way to a meeting in South Boston, it began to rain. I enjoyed the sun while it lasted though. 

Sunday Knitting

It's fall outside, time to curl up with some knitting and tea.  I'm currently working on a shrug for a friends wedding.  Once, it's done I will post a photo. 

Bogged down

Work has been extraordinarily busy with prep for a big national event next week; I'm so happy that it's the weekend (and Columbus Day weekend at that, I can definitely use an extra day of rest.) Today we went on a tour of a few cranberry bogs in Carver, Ma. Although the tour wasn't exceptional, it was still fun, and the weather was gorgeous (though now it's completely grey and threatening rain out, such an odd day).

Church of Boston

Last night we went to a James Iha (an original member of the Smashing Pumpkins) show at a club called Church (a few blocks from Fenway). It was a really fun show, his solo stuff is really good. There were two people in the crowd who were so overjoyed at his presence and kept talking to/shouting at/praising him during the set (I guess they were worshipping at Church, hehehe), it was odd but hilarious.

MilkDrive

Last Friday, I went to a concert at Pisgah Brewing to see a grass-jazz band.  It was a fun mix of bluegrass and jazz, complete with upright bass.  They were pretty good.  Since I wasn't able to take photos here is their website: http://milkdrive.com/.

If they come near you, go check them out.

Blue Suede Shoes

It's October and I'm in shorts and ballet flats.  How weird.

Pool Side

NC is significantly warmer than NE.  Today, I spent a few hours outside reading before taking a dip in the pool.  It's open until mid-October.

The B(e)are Necessities

After many requests for an inside look at the apartment.  As you can see my decorations are limited.  I'm taking suggestions.