[Letters]

Dear Dad- You are the sauce to my spaghetti, the milk to my cereal, the sweater to my cold winter's day. Dear Avengers Poster- I'm 90% sure you're the coolest thing I've made with markers. A lift the flap, interactive, color-coded, themed, check-off list. AWE to the SOME! Dear Roommate- Thanks for tucking my blanket around my feet when I whimpered to you this morning that they were cold. I don't know what I'd do without you. Dear Day of No Classes- Thanks to you I got to spend 6 hours working on my project looking at this illustrator. 

"The freedom of being able to create without judgment... It never really connected until I watched a child paint – when they're just totally free. And in that you see their inhibitions are gone. It goes directly to the visceral nature of creating. It went directly to the soul of why we create." - Bryan Collier

[Letters]

Dear Dad- Reading this book makes me so jealous that you are experiencing heaven right now. I can't wait to be up there singing with you someday. Dear Presents- I had the most fun making you this weekend and I'm excited to give you away. Good thing you fit "under" my tree. Dear Love of Reading- I think I am slowly, but surely, meeting you once again. This would be the first time since middle school. Dear Avengers Movies- I am crazy pumped to watch (hopefully) all of you my Sophomore year. I even made a poster to check of the movies as I go. 

P.S. I think I have rediscovered my passion for blogging. My mind has started to think in blog-speak throughout my day again. I am happy about this. 

[Over the Weekend]

I am thankful...

For photo shoots that end up like this...

and this...

but still end up capturing this...

and this. 

For successful shopping trips and being dubbed an "A+ bridesmaid"

for Sue's homemade bread smothered with raspberry jam

for renewed inspiration.

Highlights: crafting for hours every night, seeing Marylin again, laughing with Jamie, eating caramel Ghirardelli chocolates, making this delicious treat, telephone Pictionary with the fam, late night talks with Rachel, lifting weights with Emily, acting like a child with 4-year-old Johanna, Buss family charades with Mar, summer staff reunion, learning the beauty of the word “yada" and coming home to watch Captain America. 

[Thoughts]

If I had a facebook my status would say something like: "Best night in a long time!" 

I had a freaking excellent day. I think its because I ignored homework and duties and sleep and allowed myself to be super social and just relax and have fun. I watched "Avatar: The Last Airbender" season 1. Had dinner twice, once with Michelle and once with alla my girls. Hung out with JJ, Eli, Kittens, and Beard. Talked until it was way too late. Greeted my friends who went to the Twilight movie. Got free popcorn. Danced to country music with just christmas lights on because I have no roommate tonight. 

It's nights like this that make me feel alive. 

[Thoughts]

It is snowing here in Eau Claire today and honestly nothing could make me happier. I love the promise and hope snow holds. It is new and it is fresh. It covers everything. 

I sat in the stairwell today just staring at the snow, admiring the white flakes and the way they fell. The wind kept blowing the snow up, it was literally "falling up" rather than down. But I realized, as I watched it, that it was okay that the snow wasn't reaching the ground, that it wasn't falling as it seemed it should be. It is enough that it is snow. 

"Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me."