Inspiration...

Call me unoriginal, but this time of year is definitely my favorite. The chilly breezes, golden and red leaves and the buzz of the coming holidays always make me feel nostalgic and inspired. So inspired, in fact, that I have  made a decision... I think I'm going to try to make most of my Christmas gifts this year. I've found so many inspirations and ideas from so many resources this year, and I think it would definitely make the first Christmas in our new home a memorable (even more so than it would already be) one! Perhaps part of this inspiration stems from the cooking craze that I've been under lately. Since we moved into the new house, I haven't been able to cook enough. If I'm not cooking, I'm thinking about recipes or looking for them!! Cooking has a calming, centering effect in me, and I love the feeling I get from making something delicious that brightens someones day. This year, I'll be hosting Thanksgiving at our new home for my mom, brother, grandmother, grandfather and (hopefully) my dad. Thanksgiving has always been a really special time in our family, a time that has the same family love and involvement that Christmas has, but with a toned-down sense of stress, drama and expectation. This is why Thanksgiving has always rivaled Christmas as my favorite holiday. Spending time in a warm, cozy house with people that I love dearly, laughing, cooking, sharing memories and stories from the year, drinking wine and watching holiday movies has been my picture of perfection ever since I can remember. I have definitely inherited the cooking gene from both sides of my family and I am really, really looking forward to taking this important step (hosting a major holiday) in J and I's new life together. Thinking of the things that I'd like to do in preparation for the coming holidays has me feeling crafty, creative, imaginative and sentimental, which is making me antsy to get started on my holiday crafts and baking! I certainly don't want this gorgeous time of the year to be over, but can't it just be the holidays already?? :) I'm so anxious to get started on the "fun stuff" projects for Thanksgiving and Christmas that I'm basically ready to start writing and addressing my Christmas cards!! Is that pathetic, or what?? Haha :)