'Tis the Season!

... well, almost.

Although I am a strong believer in waiting to celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving (since it's a very sweet holiday that shouldn't go unnoticed), I started making my Christmas cards today in an effort to get a head start before we take a holiday in Aruba this week.

I've always enjoyed making cards, and despite my sad iPhone camera photos, I think they turned out well.

What do you think?

Would you buy any of these?

- Be honest -

They're all hand crafted and for family and friends this season, but I had such fun listening to the Florence and the Machines Pandora station and crafting away that I might just keep making them!

 (Ignoring the fact that this post was Christmas related...) 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving y'all!

-N

Our Friday Night

Sometimes Dave and I play games, other times we watch Netflix, we may even go out on a date, but last night, we did...

Calculus.

I. kid. you. not. 

See, I have photographic evidence!

Let me start by saying that I asked for this.

 For those of you who don't know, my husband is a SUPER math nerd (the cute kind, obviously), and he is getting his PhD in Industrial Engineering. I've always enjoyed math, and been pretty good at it, but I surely cannot keep up with him and all of this theory based work. So, in an effort to better myself & connect more with him and his love for math, I asked him to teach me calculus. 

Last night we started with the basics (some of which I remembered from high school, go me!) and in the weeks to come he will be teaching me a few nights a week.

Sounds thrilling, right?

haha

I guess you can say we're both pretty nerdy, and I'm perfectly okay with that ツ 

All that to say, if you're looking for a way to connect more with your spouse or even just a good friend, try doing something with them that you wouldn't usually do. Teach each other something, share a favorite hobby, do something different. 

Chances are you'll learn something new and grow closer together in the process. 

Your resident Mrs. Nerd,

-N

A new twist on an old Jack o' Lantern

Pumpkin Carving is something that has been a pretty serious business throughout my life. 

Growing up, my mom and I took pride in carving intricate designs into our pumpkins and every year I try to do something that was important to me that year.

A couple of years ago when a favorite story of mine, Where the Wild Things Are, became a movie, I carved this:

 And this year I felt inspired to carve a bridge in honor of being a new resident in Pittsburgh - the city of bridges!

 The process is pretty simple. I start with a photo I like, sketch it out on the gourd, and get carving!

Some of the tools you see are part of a very inexpensive pumpkin carving set from my local grocery store. Over the years they have held up very well and proven to be the best tools I have for carving.

 This is my favorite shot of the pumpkin

 At this angle, my husband says it looks like a tiara (I can't say I disagree) but I am fairly pleased with how it turned out.

This is a Halloween tradition I truly cherish.

 What do you do each year for Halloween?

Please share some thoughts below & to everyone around the East Coast whose festivities were postponed due to Sandy, safely enjoy your Halloween fun this weekend!

-N