What to get her for Christmas? (or any day)

Christmas is a time for thinking and doing for others. A time to appreciate family. A time to sip hot cocoa and sing carols. Or, it’s time for a big boost to the economy and a chance to splurge. Maybe it’s all of the above.

If you’re wondering what to get that person in your life, well, I have answers for you. Really, if that person is anything like me, here’s a list of many, many things, any of which, that person would love. Aka, the list of things I won’t let myself buy:

For Style:
Melie Bianco Alyssa

See more after the jump —

Hiking Again! Sugarloaf Mountain

The forest for the trees…

I’m really getting into this hiking thing. Maybe it’s the changing of the seasons, maybe it’s the great chats my friends and I have, or maybe it’s the countless calories burned. Really, it’s just plain fun.

This time we hiked a mountain a little closer to DC — Sugarloaf Mountain. I’m so grateful for a recent trip to REI to buy real hiking shoes, because this was no pebble or dirt path. This was full-on rocky terrain.

We hiked the blue trail, about 5 miles or so. Thankfully we made a loop. Lucky for me, my friend has a sense of direction, because over half-way through we almost turned back.
Here are some pictures from our hike. Enjoy! (I’ll return to a few cooking posts in the future – I promise!)

Living in DC

Living in DC, you ride the metro. It’s just that simple. Here’s a little take on the metro, by the awesome Remy!

Who also did the Arlington Rap:

Hiking through Shenandoah

Novice, beginner, and sore are excellent words to describe my hiking. With the temperature in the 70′s, it was the perfect chance to get outside and see the countryside. So, a few friends of mine and I packed our backpacks and hit the trail.

Here are some pictures from the hike through Shenandoah:

The hike begins




Beautiful sky, blue as blue can be





The rock that looks like a face



No fairies in sight





My favorite of the pictures



Very brave souls, enjoying lunch on the edge



One of the many waterfalls




View from the top

Oh Cananda…

Some of the family took a little trip to visit our neighbors of the North. Eh? Yea. The Canadians.

And I can honestly say, they are the nicest people!

Here are some photos from our little trip.

Canadian Donut – puts the “O” in ‘Oh Cananda

The first lighthouse we see on the ferry to Prince Edward Island

The Green Gables of Anne


The White Sands, aka Dalvay by the Sea

A great place to play cards

What the French Canadians use on their fries – are they still “french fries”?


My favorite of the lighthouses