Untraditional

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Though our car is packed with gifts, food and warm clothes for a holiday trip as in any other year, this year we head north instead of south. For the first time in my entire life, I won’t be in Cincinnati for Christmas. Instead, we’ll be visiting my sister in Lake Country before moving on to the cabin in the Northwoods for a few days to ring in the New Year.

Though I’m sad that some traditions will have to be put on hold this year, I am happy that I’ll still be spending the holidays with family, and I wish the same for you as we say goodbye to 2013.

Thanks for following this year's adventures, I'll look forward to seeing you here next year!

Snow Castles

One recent snowy Sunday, while out running a few last holiday errands, we randomly decided to check out the beach in all of its iced-over glory. The wind was nearly unbearable, and the sounds out over the water were unbelievable, but I’m glad that we made the stop because it reminded me how spectacular Lake Michigan is in every season of the year. Sometimes, I can’t believe I live a few blocks from this.

Holiday Home

A vintage blackboard scored at the Randolph St. Market & the sweetest little pink bottlebrush trees

We spent the last few days wrapping things up before we leave town to celebrate Christmas. Though I still have a few days of work before the holiday break can officially begin, it’s sure feeling a lot like Christmas around the condo. 

Seriously addicting peppermint truffles from Trader Joe's

This year's holiday card, featuring a picture that Mike took during last year's winter visit to Lake Superior

Fresh evergreen boughs strung up on the mirror

Homemade cherry granola packaged in gingham jars and tied with raffia bows for gifting

Mini bows in this year's bold gift wrap color scheme

Extra chocolatey cookies waiting to be tucked into tins

Trail Blazer VI

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I’ve been trying to beat New Year’s Day to the punch and pick up my workout schedule before the gym gets insane and the treadmill becomes impossible to use. The hardest part of winter workouts is mobilizing to go outside in freezing temperatures (either to the gym or to the trail), but once I get going, I find that these songs can put these harsh Midwestern winters behind me and transport my mind to a sunnier place. 

1. Low: Just Like Christmas
2. Bob Marley: Coming in From the Cold
3. Costa Neto: Boas Festas Mocambique
4. Peter Tosh & Mick Jagger: You Gotta Walk & Don’t Look Back
5. Wailing Souls: Things & Time
6. Ramon Veloz: Paz En La Tierra
7. Collie Buddz: Playback
8. Culture: Two Sevens Clash
9. Matishyahu: King Without a Crown
10. Mishka: Above the Bones

Playing it by Hair

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I enter this weekend with no concrete plans, and a strong desire to do a bunch of Christmas-y things. I’ll see where the holiday spirit leads me, and I’ll look forward to seeing you back here next week!

May your weekend be filled with gift wrap, freshly baked cookies, carols, sappy movies, faux fur blankets, mugs brimming with hot chocolate, knee socks and card writing....