It's been a while, but look what decided to pay us a visit today! Despite the sun's best efforts, the temp didn't get out of the single digits today. Makes it a little difficult to get outside to enjoy all the freshly fallen snow. Loving Mother Nature's sense of humor right now.

This lovely combo will soon become a delicious sheet of peppermint bark. That is, if I can stop eating all the chocolate chips...

Playing a little Andrew Belle tonight..."It wants what it wants, the heart does."

Straying from my usual photo style today to capture my daughter's front row, "goose-a-layin", at her Winter Magic Program. Happy Winter Everyone!

Just a practice run for the big night...

"Oh my my, Oh my stars. Everything you see is ours...Or it could be if you would try; I wish you would, I wish you might. If everything you've said to me has been true, then all my stars are leading me to you." - Andrew Belle

Christmas Eve Vibes

"I have often walked down this street before; But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before. All at once am I several stories high, knowing I'm on the street where you live. And oh, the towering feeling, just to know somehow you are near. The overpowering feeling, that any second you may suddenly appear."

Just me, the tree and a cup of tea.

"And winters come and my love, the winters go, and time stacks up in piles like winter snow." - Ingrid Michaelson

"They say that things just cannot grow beneath the winter snow, or so I have been told...The storm is coming soon, it rolls in from the sea. My love a beacon in the night. My words will be your light to carry you to me." - Winter Song

I guess we can never really know success without first knowing failure. I spent a big chunk of my week working on design concepts that got immediately rejected by the client. Not the best way to start my weekend. At least the snow looks pretty and I don't have to drive in it, so that's a plus.

"The true adventurer goes forth aimless and uncalculating to meet and greet unknown fate." - O Henry

"This is my winter song, December never felt so wrong, 'Cause you're not where you belong...Is love alive?"

Can you really ever get sick of double dark chocolate chip cupcakes? Didn't think so.

Spreading some holiday cheer.

Haven't seen much of the sun lately, so this sunset was a pleasant surprise.

When your mind is somewhere else completely.

Nothing eases the pain of facing another birthday like sitting in the warm glow of the Christmas lights, watching John Cusack movies, all by myself, the night before the big day. I laughed and I cried...it was good for the soul.

On a much happier note, after my pity party last night, I made myself a Boston Cream Pie today and invited my neighbors over this evening to help me devour it. Honestly, this was the best birthday I've had in ages. I feel so lucky to have been able to share my day with their family.

Time to decorate the trees again. Had to round up all my little helpers, but we managed to get all three trees decorated this weekend. Now it's time to sit back and enjoy the lights.

Started to pour just as I was about to walk out of the house. Had to make a detour to the treadmill in the basement. Bummer!

All dressed up with nowhere to go.

Shot while we were trying to set up for our Christmas card photo shoot. I promise the end result was well-worth the effort.

“I'm not anything like I used to be, although it's true, I was never attention’s sweet center, I still remember that girl: She’s imperfect, but she tries, She is good, but she lies, She is hard on herself, She is broken and won’t ask for help. She is messy, but she’s kind, She is lonely most of the time, She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie.” -Sara Bareilles

New shovel ready for Sunday's snow.