The weather outside is frightful...

Well, I guess the end of fall is officially here, and winter is slowly creeping in. Today it didn't feel so much like creeping, more of a bursting in. Although the temperature isn't all that bad (low 40's), it is one of the bone-cold days...the wind and air seem to break through any barrier and find their way directly to your bones...the only real remedy is a hot shower followed by a hot fire and some warm cider. Too bad I don't have a fireplace.

I go back and forth on how I'm feeling about winter this year. Last year winter and I, well, not best friends. I was pretty miserable and disliking every cold day, boycotting the mountain, hating shoveling my car out. I moved here from Florida...give me a little break. And to top it off, I spent the first 22 of my 25 years in warm, sunny climates so despite being in my 3rd year of Vermont winters, there is something in me that will forever seek warmth and sun. This year, although I dread those days where it's so cold you can barely walk, the wind biting at the few centimeters of bare skin, I am looking forward to other things...I've decided I have to if I'm going to survive it. Things like long Saturday brunches with friends and too much coffee. Red wine in the basement at 1/2. Snowboarding and Shed Mountain Ale. Weekend trips to fight off the stagnation of small town winters. Lots of cooking with friends. Snowy days filled with good books and classic movies. Another one of those massive storms like Valentines Day last year would be pretty great too...there's nothing like the empty sound after a major snowstorm.

Case of the Mondays

I've been really into the blog lately, and am loving it.

At the current moment, I'm sitting at my desk, looking out the window at what is one of the most beautiful days all year, yesterday being it's toughest competition. Days like this make me have a serious case of the Mondays. When it's raining and ugly out, I don't mind being stuck at a desk, starring at a computer screen all day. When there's a soft breeze, that crisp fall air, mid 70's and not a cloud in the sky, my desk is the last place I want to be. Sitting outside on Church w/a cup of tea and a good book. Taking a little drive, maybe doing a short hike. That is what I want to be doing right now.

At any rate. This past weekend was one of the more fun weekends of Fall so far. It began with one of my favorite things - Round Tha Hood, the south-end block party that is in it's 2nd year. The themes this year were Fireside at Emi and Kev's, Fraternity Party at Jessica's, Jazz Lounge at Sheehan's, Shotsville at Soe and Colin's and the British Pub at my place.

Fraternity Party!

House Hopping Ladies

Kev enjoying the wood bench at the Jazz Lounge

Scenes leading up to my finger being engulfed in a blue flame

It was a very successful event despite the torrential downpour and various other antics including, but not limited to a wood bench photo scene, Zima's and wine coolers, Colin poking people in the eye, Christina sliding down stairs and handles of Scotch.

Saturday was pretty much a wash due to Fridays antics, although I did manage to witness a french fry eating contest between Bannister and Isaac. My money was on Bannister and she came through in the end consuming just over 28 ounces of McD's fries (GROSS).

Isaac looked like he was experiencing serious vertigo at ounce 26 so called it quits.

After surviving witnessing that event, I met up w/Becky and we enjoyed a very delicious dinner at Tiny Thai. Apparently the host really liked us as he ended up seating us before people that had been waiting for 20 minutes. Good laughs and great convo, as always.

Sunday was one of those days that can't be beat. I woke up early, cleaned the house, walked to New Moon for coffee and a muffin and reading my NY Times, strolling and shopping on Church, riding a horse, baking and cooking then a little soiree at the Square for Mr. Wasuck's 31st. Good times rehashing the Round Tha Hood and listening to Bannisters words of alcohol wisdom - "Every season is drinking season".


Epic weekend complete. I'm in pretty much an amazing mood and feeling really great, really happy. I love fall.

Fall = Food, fun, films, flings, festivities

It's almost as if the earth's axis makes a full 90 degree change with the onset of Fall. I can feel it in the air, I can taste it in the food, I can sense it in the company of others. For me, Fall becomes a time of bundling up on the couch with a good book or movie. A time when my cooking goes into high gear and I even engage in some baking. A time when the bars get replaced with a close group of friends in a cozy living room with plenty of wine and spirits. A time when the chill in the air brings people together. A time when I relish retreating to the dark cave of movie theaters and enjoying an escape from reality, if only for an hour or two.

This past weekend a group of close friends celebrated the big 3-0 for Elisa. It was pretty much a perfect Saturday gathering...wine, a cozy home, lots of good food, hanging out on the couches, mingling.

I loved spending the whole day shopping for food then baking and cooking. The gloomy outside made me so pleased to be indoors, enjoying wafts of warm air from the oven filled with the smell of spices. Fall ignites the senses within me...colors liven up, smells deepen, tastes soften, touches warm the soul. It's really a great time of year.