Happy Halloween!

Self-taken blackberry pic

Blind walking sticks = great party props

Christine you are Michelle Obama

Unsuccessful mouse face...but love these mice :-)

Less Is More

            During my junior year of college I was lucky enough to spend a semester living in Barcelona.  I attempted to speak Spanish Catalan, learned that I loved olives, and soaked up all that was new and different about the five different countries I was able to visit.  One of the things that I learned during my travels, besides the fact that wine that costs 85 euro-cents will give you a massive hangover, was that the majority of the world lives on a heck of a lot less than we greedy Americans do.  I know, I know, this is old news.  But being on the budget of a grad school grandma has given me a new appreciation for the whole “less is more” approach taken by so many other countries.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m living in a cardboard box or anything but I have tempered my ebay addiction and am beginning to learn the value of buying the Publix brand (gasp!).  In what ways do you try to live the “less is more” approach?  Have any money saving tips for a 24 year old with a penchant for online shopping?

What I would give to have this view again!  Minus the screaming daycare children and the pet shop on the ground floor.

Halloween at the Hotel

            Are you sick of me talking about my obsession with Fall yet?  Well too bad.  I’ve got one more post and then I promise I will talk about something other than leaves and acorns and temperatures in the 60’s.  Maybe.

            This weekend, Halloween came early to the ladies of the Hotel.  We figured in order to really get into the spirit of the season, some pumpkins had to be carved and some cider had to be downed.  To contribute to the pumpkin-themed spread, I strapped on my apron and attempted, once again, to get domestic.  And I have to admit, my rendition of Paula Deen’s apple cake was quite a hit.  Okay, so I had to fish egg shells out of the bowl not one but three times but we can just keep that between us.

Hey Mom!  Look what I made!

Keeley's Pumpkin Tarts

Grown-up cider was necessary after a very long week

            After stuffing ourselves silly with every pumpkin-flavored delicacy imaginable, we headed out to the front porch for some carving.  I now realize the pressure my Dad was under all for all of those years as we stood anxiously around the table, eyes glued to his masterpiece, waiting for him to carve the most perfect pumpkin.  Y’all, pumpkin carving is not easy as you can see from my bat pumpkin.  Kinda looks like a 4 year old made it but maybe an A+ for effort?

Riley pup wanted in on the action

Regardless of the end product, the pumpkin party was a huge success and a great way to spend an October evening!

DYS-FAHHHH-JAHHHH

            That, my friends, means difficulty swallowing in the language of speech pathology.  And it is what my roommates and I will be up all night studying.  Swallowing.  It's just as interesting as it sounds.  Isn't Sunday supposed to be a day of rest?  And did I mention that it is thundering and lightening outside?  And I have clean, straight-from-the-dryer sheets on my bed?  Staying motivated and resisting the urge to snuggle under my covers and watch a movie is going to be quite the challenge.  Wish us luck!

Marie...loving life.

Keeley was not amused with my mid-study blogging...

 

Obsessed

            Oh, this Fall weather is good.  Like really good.  Like champagne-drunk, A+ on a paper, big hunk o’ chocolate cake kind of good.  I’m seriously having a love affair with October.  And I’ll admit that come December you can bet I will be having a love affair with Christmas but until then picture me as a leaf pile jumping, nubby sweater wearing, hot cider sipping, Fall-aholic.  And I’m loving every second of it.