Hey there. Life lately has been a bit hectic, more so than usual. I guess that’s expected for being in the midst of the holidays. I’m not going to lie, I’m not really feeling like my usual jolly self this year. Call me Scrooge I guess, but I just feel so pressed for time. Does anyone else feel like the holidays really snuck up on us this year? How is it already December 19th!? My weekends have been chock full of activities between two high school reunions over Thanksgiving weekend, NYC the first weekend of December, and family Christmas stuff last weekend. All fun, don’t get me wrong, but these things haven’t left me with much free time to just relax and enjoy the season. I’ve barely had the chance to sit and enjoy the comfort of sitting in front of my tree, I haven’t watched a single Christmas movie or special yet, and there hasn’t been any tree lighting viewing or gingerbread house making. Wah wuh.

I have been wearing my fa-la-la-la-la pajama pants to bed every night, does that count?

Christmas Dinner - Roommate Secret Santa^^ Sometimes I really miss Wally World!

Anyways, I’m hoping to snap out of this bah humbug funk over the weekend. All I have on my schedule is one of my favorite traditions, Shannon‘s annual Christmas party for my group of home friends. Maybe that will make me feel a bit more merry? I also am taking a week off from work between Christmas and New Year’s, and I’m hoping this little “staycation” will allow me to catch up and feel refreshed as we head into 2014.

That being said, because my blogging has been a bit inconsistent lately, I want to catch up and share some of the things I have been up to. Here’s a little recap of the last few weeks… some Christmas stuff, some not. Enjoy!

Life Lately

— Umm, is anyone still recapping Thanksgiving? No? Shoot.

Thanksgiving 2013

Food I brought:

Thanksgiving 2013 - 2Pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies
Cranberry apple bread
Squash tartlets with kale pesto
Veggie platter in the shape of the turkey.

Food I ate:

Thanksgiving 2013 - 3

— Ten year high school reunion. With the exception of a few people, I pretty much only talked to the friends I still see all the time.

High School Reunion

— Sometimes I get WAY too excited by the free samples at Whole Foods.

Whole Foods Samples

— New York City. Favorites. Love.

NYC 2013: Besties

— Wellness challenge at work… Cassie’s creative calendar! Not to be confused with Jingle Well Time, although some overlap.

Work Wellness Challenge

— Christmas tree night.

Christmas Tree 2013

— Paint Bar with mom.

Paint Bar

— My latest favorite snack. Thank you Trader Joe’s.

Pumpkin Cranberry Pita Crisps

— Roommate Christmas night.

Roommate Christmas Night

— Dad’s side of the family, Christmas celebration.

Christmas 2013 - Dad's side

— Tuesday night snow storm this week. Boston shuts down, but the Oak Square Y stays open for the die hards.

Winter Storm

Anyone else having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year?

P.S. I’m looking for a few guest bloggers to contribute to F&F during my staycation. Any takers?