Frozen

Frozen, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

Man have I been a BAD blogger ... I guess I should be thankful that it means I have been living life offline, but I miss blogging.  I think a lot of my problem is that I'm not getting out and taking photos either ... must do better.  Must.

Hot chocolate at Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate at Hot Chocolate, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

FINALLY! I frequently dine at Mindy's Hot Chocolate in Bucktown, and for some crazy reason I have never had the hot chocolate! What the heck is wrong with me? Anyway ... today I finally had some of their hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows and have to say it completely lives up to the hype. I got the dark - 72% rich dark french chocolate - and also got a taste of the candy cane, both were perfect! Simply perfect! I even picked up some of their mix and marshmallows for home!

50mm 1.4 dream

look away, a photo by YF [ yffoto ] on Flickr.

Testing my new lens today after work and I am really loving it. I was never a fan of the 'nifty fifty' but the 1.4 is so fast and just soaks in light ... it's dreamy!

39 CT

Took in a Chris Trapper show at Schubas with my friend Robin.  We thought it would be a little swing back to the old days, but ... not so much.  Chris was fabulous!  I LOVE his voice and he's got funny stories between songs.  But, the funny thing about the show - there were seats!  Robin and I were like .. um, interesting.  A few years back, the room would be standing room only and you'd have to get there early to get up close.  Even Chris was talking about how respectful of a crowd we were - kind of like playing in church.  We sat quietly while he sang and then clapped when it was over.  Such an odd experience.  But I still loved it, just because I love his music that much!

46

Hit the chocolate bar at the Pen again with some girlfriends.  Love, love, love it!  Was sad that they did not have the crepe station this time, but what we did have was lovely.  My friend spotted a bottle of Creme Yvette at the bar and asked if I'd ever had it.  I had not so gave it a try.  The bartender said it is mostly a mixer - very fragrant - but I would totally sip it by itself.  Mmmm.  And then we talked the sommelier into giving us a flight of port and tawny - delightful!

53

Worked from home today since the painters were in the house.  I sat on my bed in the middle of the bedroom with all the other furniture pushed up against it like a fort the whole day - working on my laptop.  Phoebe was so cute and would not leave my side the whole time.  Awww. 

63-67

I am so, so behind posting my 365. Please forgive me. I will admit I've lost my enthusiasm for the photo challenge, but I'm trying to not give up.

10 on 10 { nov 2012 }

Ahhhh finally the tenth lands on a weekend!  So happy to be able to photograph something other than work!  Sadly, the day was filled with repair men, errands and furniture moving to prepare for painters tomorrow.  I am so happy to finally be getting a fresh coat of paint, but I have waaaaay too much furniture to move around!  Maybe it's time to donate some stuff!!  A huge thanks to my awesome friends, the Robinson's, for lending me some muscle!  I could not have done it without you!  Hoping the painters can finish in a day so I can get everything put back together!  Happy Saturday peeps! 

tea ... always tea

phoebe hiding under the furniture

the awesome Robinson's

all of my belongings piled in the middle of my living room

I saved one tiny spot in front of the TV so I had somewhere to sit

spotted on my neighbor's door - cute

just some ivy - don't you jut love ivy?

Two trips to Lowe's and one to Home Depot to fix the flush handle on my toilet - ridiculous! Do not buy a tank that has the handle on a 45 degree angle.  Just don't!

hate that it is completely dark by 5 pm  * frown *

Lucy looking at me like ... what the heck are you doing to our home?  Huh?

all photos processed with VSCO LR4 presets

pumpkin fest

Attended the Highwood Pumpkin Fest in Highwood, IL last weekend with the Levens.  And let me just say there were a LOT of pumpkins!  Somewhere between 28,000 and 30,000, I hear.  Apparently they were trying to win HGTV's Pumpkin Wars and break several records.  They were competing against New Hampshire and I believe Highwood won!  The show is set to air on Halloween.  The amount of pumpkins was overwhelming.  AND they lit them one at at time - each had one or two tea lites inside.  Insane! 

 

 

 

97 eastern meds

I have found great success with acupuncture and have now added in some herbal therapies. I'm not gonna lie, they taste awful, but they work! They don't have scary side affects like Western meds, and are not habit forming. Whatever your ailments, give it a try!!

... via iPhone ...