estonian mittens

today is freezing. below freezing actually.  it's about 26 degrees with crazy horizontal winds and constant flurries.  now, i love the cold. i love the snow [really really love it].  but the wind?  i could do without that.

so this morning i was in search of a warm scarf and gloves to trek across campus to class...and then a huge smile spread across my face.  i saw my hand-made mittens that i got on my trip to estonia this summer!

aren't they beeeautiful??  red and white. snowflakes and polar bears. made of warm wool.  the perfect winter gloves.

so now i'm all set...because the cold, snowy winds ain't got nothing on my estonian mittens :)

be musical

[see larger image on flickr]

"music expresses that which cannot be put into words
and which cannot remain silent"
- victor hugo

although i love listening to all kinds of music, there's something magical about playing instrumental music. to watch your fingers dance over shiny, ivory keys creating a wordless poem that speaks to your mind, your heart, and your soul. it paints emotion and memories on a canvas of silence connecting all of those who are listening.

i played the piano over thanksgiving after not playing for awhile, and, although my fingers didn't quite "dance" [it was more like a clumsy stumble at times], it still evokes the same sense of serenity and happiness every time i sit down to play.  so it's something i've promised myself that i'll continue to do...to be musical :)

some of my favorites:
cinematic orchestra - arrival of the birds [listen]
alan silvestri - amas veritas [listen]
craig armstrong - glasgow love theme [listen]

birthday promises

[see larger image on flickr]

my wonderful mom just let me know that she got my birthday present yesterday...

...tickets to see promises, promises on broadway!! [kristin chenoweth and sean hayes live. should be ammmazing.]

i'm soooo excited to see the show, the tree, the shoppers bustling about...and the city dressed in its christmas best :)

because there's really nothing quite like new york at christmas...

[listen]

festive fall trip

a few weeks ago i went on a nice, relaxing trip to upstate new york. it was full of fun fall activities...

playing keno and gossiping with locals at the three bear inn.
visiting the ithaca farmer's market.
admiring artisan jewelry & pottery...and the beautiful lake-front view.
tasting delicious wine and nibbling on cookies.
laughing at stories from "the limerick king."
picking apples and sipping cider.

it was a trip with my family and dear friend.
it was a weekend filled with some of the best ingredients of life:
...wine, cookies, laughter, & love :)

[see flickr here and here for photos from hollenbeck's cider mill]