Saskatch

xo xo xo

Wishing you lots of chocolate, wine, snuggling, and Sex and the City on this heartsy V-DAY. Will you be mine? L*O*V*E, saskatch

So it begins...

It's unmistakable: Long summer days have morphed into evenings punctuated with a golden autumn light; European, map-toting tourists have been replaced with eager, backpack clad college students; and then there's that hint of wood smoke and the distinct smell of sharpened pencils in the air. It's FALL! I ask you: What's better than spiced cider on the stove and holiday excitement hanging in the atmosphere? I want to run out and buy gourds and Indian corn and fake cobwebs. Don't even get me started on planning for Halloween costumes (do you recall my panic last year?).

Take a hike!

 Where was I? Oh yes... Oregon's Columbia Gorge. As we left our friends at the cozy farmhouse, chunky white snowflakes began to fall. For me, this usually means a snow angel or two followed by hot toddies and a fireplace. Instead, my boyfriend and I decided to hike to secret hot springs. When I asked why the warm pools are a secret, he said, "Well... getting there is pretty treacherous." Pretty treacherous? As in, it might kill you just a little? 

Auld lang syne

Dear old acquaintances (I swear I have not forgotten you), 

Despite appearances, I'm still kickin' here in Santa Barbara—refreshed after spending the holidays in a faraway land called Portland, Oregon. While they do have computers and internet in Portland, the pull of snowball fights and life threatening hikes (more on this later) was simply too much to resist. I admit it, I made snow angels and roasted chestnuts on an open fire instead of tending to my saskatchian duties. But that was last year...HAPPY 2010! I have a good feeling about this nice round number of a year—even if I rang it in while sawing logs in a bubbly-induced slumber. (Don't worry... when I stirred at 2:30 am, I was sure to call my boyfriend—three times on his host's farmhouse LANDLINE—to send a post new year's smooch through the phone waves) 

What to be or, uh, not to be?

Have you decided what you're going to be for Halloween? It's a mere two days away and—confession!—I have NO inspiration whatsoever. I've recently found myself scowling at friends as they excitedly brainstorm about how to make their costume—the one they already have!—even more spectacular. I know what you're thinking: Why so competitive, Saskatch?