Holiday Part Two: Doing Stuff

These are the faces of two people who are very happy to be home and seeing each other again. It's incredible what a different closeness makes.

Once Sam made his way home, we kicked off break by decorating a baby sized tree and jamming. Then we went on a little movie date to see Lincoln - which was amazing. I'd like to point out that Sam is going through an adorable tie phase since being home, and I adore it. Now I'm not dressed up alone.

 For his Christmas present, Sam and I went on a day trip to South Philly to see Good Old War in concert again.This band's music is practically the soundtrack to our relationship, so it's beautiful to see it live. We went to the kitschy goofiness that is Johny Rockets for burgers & malts, before venturing through bookstores and record stores in the cold. We had fun, as always in Philly.

 On Saturday, we accompanied Sam's family to Washington D.C. to see the national Christmas tree. It was freezing cold and windy, but we made it and took some cheesy pictures that turned out pretty cute. Plus, we ate at one of the most delicious Italian restaurants I've been to in a long time. 

Sunday was spent doing five hours of baking with my best friend, while our boyfriends watched football and ate pizza on the couch. Plus we exchanged gifts with our favorite couple. As far as Christmas excitement goes, we spent Christmas Eve at Sam's grandmother's house (I regret not taking pictures because we looked pretty cute (Sam's still in the tie phase)). Christmas day was spent with our individual families till Sam came over for Christmas dinner. We're both not big on the fan fare of Christmas, so we are looking forward to spending non-holiday related time together. 

Hope you had a happy holiday, because we did. 

Now we're off to West Virginia for the weekend!

Smiles, Morgen.

Holidays Part One: Making Stuff

I kind of dropped the ball on blogging during the holiday anticipation time, sorry! But I promise I was making lots of fun things to show. I had to speed crochet a pile of presents for a few friends, which can be a little time consuming. Also, being back home with the family, friends and boyfriend is a little distracting, but I'm not complaining. 

 Christmas Cookies: From-Scratch Sugar Cookies, Brownie Peppermint Sandwiches, Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies, Cake Batter Confetti Cookies.

 Wine Cork Christmas Trees (Made with my cat's company).

Festive Christmas string light manicure.

Crocheted wrist-warmers with little bows

Punk Rock Flea Market

I had heard some talk about the Punk Rock Flea Market, which is a twice a year occurrence here in the city of Philadelphia. They fill a big warehouse near Chinatown with vendors - records, vintage clothes retailers, jewelry, crafts, knick knacks, even a section with roller derby. You have to pay an admission free but as soon as you walk in, there are hundreds of people and you can barely move. It was great!

I ended up with this sweet orange patterned button up from The Captain's Vintage. I'm looking forward to wearing it on Thursday when I see my dad. I also picked up a couple of pins to add to my jean jacket - specifically the one with the dancing Philly pretzel and the lobster. Before we went back to the subway, my friend Ben and I split this amazing pulled pork sandwich with pickled jalepenos and red cabbage slaw on a challah roll. It was a lovely afternoon for such a rainy city Sunday! (2 days till I go home!) Smiles, Morgen

Kicking off December

I dragged another victim along to my favorite area, just south of South Street. After meeting a cool chick with a Women's Studies degree working in a feminist-run sex education center, my roommate and I explored Bainbridge Street. We stumbled upon Anastasia's Antiques, where we were inspired by a beautiful collection of costume jewelry as well as the orchestra piece playing in the background. I forgot to figure out the name of this used book store but I was over the moon with 1) the sheer number and variety of books and 2) the great space, with exposed brick and handwritten signs. Our adventure ended with a stop for a killer panini and cup of joe at Anthony's Italian Coffee House in Italian Market.

Saturday and Sunday weren't quite as interesting, I enjoyed a day of coffee, newspaper reading and crocheting (finished my first ever hat, all in one day!) Following this day of peace, a new friend and I went to the museum and took advantage of the pay-what-you-want days that happen the first Sunday of every month at the art museum. I realized how much I've missed art in my life.

 

My Monday night blew away the entire weekend! I put on my 80's inspired outfit and finally got to use my birthday present from almost six months ago - I saw the musical gods and 80's royalty that is Daryll Hall & John Oates. My dad came with me, and I'm glad he did. We had a great time, I sang and danced while he sorta smiled.

 I am so grateful for how much closer him and I've gotten since I left for school.

Do yourself a favor and listen to "You Make My Dreams,"

 that's what I'm doing to get through the last 9 days till I get to go home for the holidays.

Smiles, Morgen.

Tis the season, I suppose

Once December 1st hits this weekend, my head will be in the clouds, brainstorming all the fun things I'm going to make as gifts this year since my goal is to make as many gifts as possible. There's just something extra special about putting the extra love and time into presents for everyone! (Plus I'll have all day, almost everyday to fill with DIY fun once I get back from school.) I had to hop on the Pinterest bandwagon and have since found some fun things that I'll share since my days aren't worth talking about when they're spent prepping for finals.

(These are too damn cute. I love tea cups)

(These would look cute on a mantle)

(Definitely plan on doing some hand embroidering again)

(This is cute and simple; I may make one for myself and a friend)

In addition to all these, me and my best friend will be doing plenty of baking and hope to make up some cute little Christmas cookie trays for the families that are close to our hearts. I also want to learn how to crochet beanies for some of my male buds. Hope everyone else is equally excited to get in a holiday spirit (regardless of which holiday you celebrate, and how little you may connect it to religion). 

Smiles, Morgen

Thanksgiving Bake

As soon as classes finished up on Monday, I practically sprinted off campus to get to the train station. My beautiful best friend's face was there to welcome me back home & we caught up all afternoon - plus we baked Pinterest-style oreo brownies. I ended my first day home with a trip to a diner with an old friend who seemed better than ever as far as mental states go, which made me so happy.

I got up early and went to my high school for the all of the next morning. The vibe was different, but mostly the same. There were so many faces I wanted to see, but only so much time to see them. This ended up being my motto of sorts for all of breaks - I wanted to reconnect with lots of people but there are only so many days in a week. That good old Catholic guilt washed over me about not being able to see everyone. Spending time with my very close friends and my family were high priorities for the break, but I also wanted to work and bake and relax. Maybe winter break will give me enough time to get everything done and see everyone.

I made these two-ingredient pumpkin cookies, to which I added a from-scratch Nutella frosting with chopped hazelnuts. I brought them to Sam's house for the first of our two Thanksgiving dinners and I think they were a decent success. We started off the day of eating by participating in the Turkey Trot, a 5K race that runs through downtown York. 

Probably a good call on our part.

We also ventured out to the outlets at midnight, mostly to observe the crazy people rather than search for deals ourselves. We went with Erin and Ian - our favorite couple and the only people willing to do this sort of thing with us. Being the boring people we are, Erin and I were tired by about 1:30 and everyone went home, though the boys insisted on stopping for fast food.The next day was beautiful, and unseasonably warm, so we went for an afternoon walk and playground date in the park across the street which holds mixed memories for him and I.

I caught up with my work family at work on Friday and at our holiday party, which was fun because the whole dynamic feels a little different now that I've been at school. Not in a bad way, but not completely in a good way, just a new way. Sam and I also went with Sam's parents, his brother and brother's girlfriend, to get a Christmas tree. As soon as they started pulling out the decorations, I started to re-fall in love with the Christmas season. This much happiness is going to make it hard to be at school for three more weeks. Smiles, Morgen.

(look how cute our new favorite ornament is!)

Italian Goodies & Little Brother Time

I've just finished up all of my assignments that are due before Thanksgiving break, and have even gotten a head start on things due by the end of the semester. The next five days will be full of anticipation because I'm ready to be home with my dogs and family, plus I haven't seen Sam in more than a month! I had the lovely opportunity to have my little brother come spend the day with me again, while my parents were elsewhere in the city.

We explored Italian Market, which is in the southern part of Philly. Our family is mostly German by blood relation, but a significant portion of our family is Italian through marriage, so I like to think of us as socialized Italians. So many funny things happened to us that were soooo Italian; we stopped to help an old lady with her garden, dealt with a blunt but dear cashier woman, and had a man in the pastry shop tell us the best place to get cheese and to "tell them Dave sent you and they'll take care of you." It's charming areas like this that force me to fall in love with the city all over again.  

If you're in the area, I recommend you stop by Isgro's on 10th and Christian and buy any pastry (I love the chocolate chip canolis, but that's just me). Also, Sarcone's Deli on 9th and Fitzwater makes some great sandwiches (I did the Sinatra - proscuitto, spinach, fresh mozz), with the hard ass but affectionate Philly attitude and a real homey feeling. After you've filled up, take a walk through the Italian Market area with all the chocolate, cheese, and produce shops. Just please don't go to Pat's or Geno's. There's a perfect South Philly Saturday for you!