I know that it's not polite to invite yourself over for supper. But when you've been invited over already, I figure it's not too presumptuous to suggest a potluck. So I did. It spun into a happy mish-mash of dishes (all a bit carb heavy), shared amongst friends.


And then - the Christmas tree burning. I don't think it's a popular activity, but it should be. The smell of those pine needles crackling in the fire is just out of this world.

It makes a wee bit of a mess and the flames occasionally got a bit out of control, but still highly recommended.

inspired by over-priced anthropologie winter garland, i set out to make my own pom pom garland. easy as pie and gosh darn cute! i couldn't stop swooning over it!

we turned up sufjan steven's christmas album, threw on some lights, bells, and random popcorn kernels and we had ourselves a christmas tree!

we sure love this fat little tree.

*pom pom garland tutorial here.

i started my student teaching practicum block last week. while it has been neat to see my grade six students doing activities that i actually planned, it's also been the cause of great stress and tears. it's so darn hard starting new things and feeling like you have no idea what you're doing.

whenever i've felt like giving up this past week, mike has been right there with heaps of encouragement + hugs. i've started to feel like i'm a leech, sucking all the good stuff out of this relationship and not contributing much in return.  so last night, i bought the mister a christmas tree. well, it's a start...


and yes! i dyed my hair!