happy thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence. ~William Jennings Bryan

happy thanksgiving everybody. we all have so much to be thankful for.
 
i had a quiet thanksgiving this year but it was nice. here are some pictures to share my story of today.

i woke up at 5 this morning to brine our turkey breast and couldn't go back to sleep. after lying in bed for a few hours i got up and ready to do some christmas shopping at old navy. it was chilly this morning. when i walked out of the house, the grass was all frosty.  

when i got back home from shopping, i watched some t.v. while wrapping of the gifts i got and sipped on my pumkin spice latte.  

 i was hoping that the turkey would be ready by the time d got home but it wasn't. it took about another hour and 30 minutes for it to finally finish. however, it turned great when it was finally done. brining it made it nice and juicy! we'll be brining our turkeys from now on.

 even the dogs got a little taste of it. we're thankful for them so it was only right that we shared =)

cheesecakes

it's weird that i used to hate all things cheese. i remember when i was younger, i would tell people that i was allergic to it because i hated it so much. but now, i love all things with cheese. philly cheesesteaks. cheese pizzas. chili cheese fries. cheese with beef jerky. and of course, cheesecakes. and i absolutely looooooooove cheesecakes.

strawberry mini cheesecake cupcakes

yesterday i made some for the very first time. my cousins were visiting from the bay area so i thought it was the perfect time to test it out since i would have people to help me finish it. but an emergency came up and they had to head back home right after our dinner at the boiling crab so they didn't get to try my cheesecake =( but d sure loves them. he actually woke up before me this morning and when i walked out to him in the living room watching football, he said "i ate five cheesecakes already." that funny guy.

cooling down

christmas cards

since i got the day off of work in celebration of veterans day, i decided to do some crafts! with my new christmas tree stamp that i got yesterday, i made these cards. love the little gems on top of the tree.

next project-- this weekend i want to work on making a banner with a quote or my name to hang up in my office at work.

oh.....

i really really want these pants.....

 super cute from anthropology. i love that store.

recycling christmas cards

what do you guys do with all of the christmas cards that you receive from others each year? do you save them all? maybe throw them away? for the longest time, i found myself saving every single card or note i receive from people. then every few years i would go through my box of "all things to save" and find myself throwing away those very same cards that i decided to keep when i received them years earlier. this year, when i was going through that box of mine, i found some cards and thought, "man these are cute. why not cut part of it out and make "new" christmas cards". and that's exactly what i did! i got out my exacto knife and paper cutter and started cutting away. hopefully i didn't hurt any friends feelings who gave me cards in the past... i love getting cards and really do appreciate it!     

when the weather gets cooler

fall is definitely here. i know it when it starts to get rough waking up for work in the morning because its much darker outside and the colder weather keeps me snuggled in the blanket. i know it when there starts to be condensation build up on my car windows in the morning. i also know it when i just want to snuggle on the sofa with hot chocolate,my dogs and d, and the tv on a rainy weekend morning. i love fall because it's not too cold yet nor is it too hot. i love seeing the color changes in the trees and the holiday decor items that are put out in the stores. but i have to say, one of the most comforting thing about fall is bringing out the wonderfully smelling candles out once again. for me, it's the best change. i hardly ever light up candles in the warmer months because of the heat. but once fall rolls around, candles are lit at least a two or three times a week. and i love it. the flickering light, the smell , and the warmth it gives when you're around it. it makes me feel good. i love it.