taking stock :: this wintertime

Making :: cinnamon sugared pecans. 4 lbs to be exact, to munch on and give away. My only Christmas baking this year.
Cooking :: french dip sandwiches on the list for this week. mmm.
Drinking :: hot chocolate. like its our job.
Reading :: bread & wine: a love letter to life around the table.
Wanting :: to finish folding some laundry that I've been putting off.
Looking :: at our beautiful sparkly Christmas tree. The more lights the better!
Playing :: a new Pandora station that I have aptly named "peaceful christmas." all about the strings & acoustic, baby.
Wishing :: that I could go outside and build a snowman.
Enjoying :: oh, the snow. it is sparkly, and fresh, and clean. 
Waiting :: excitedly for a few days off around Christmas to spend with our families.  
Liking :: our "nests" that we've been making in front of the Christmas tree and watching Christmas movies!
Wondering :: about our new neighbors that just moved in this weekend. They look like they're our age! #yes
Loving :: the yankee candle I purchased this year. it's got cedar in it which I'm loving.
Hoping :: that Jared's work load can calm down this week. so he can rest over Christmas.
Marveling :: at the concept of advent. something I really want to pay more attention to and sit in!
Needing :: to finish our wrapping. and a few more teeny tiny shopping trips.
Wearing :: lots of cozy sweaters, and my rainboots since it's been SO sloppy out!
Following :: a few new blogs and instagram feeds. but mostly enjoying keeping up with the old ones. :)
Knowing :: the true meaning of Christmas and how we want to incorporate it into our celebrating. O Come, O come Emmanuel.... 
Thinking :: about making it out to the Holidazzle parade in Minneapolis for it's last run this weekend.
Feeling :: not very great right now. getting over a naaasty stomach bug. case in point why I'm home blogging on a Monday. :/
Bookmarking :: everything from new cars(!!) to hotels and vneyards. We are taking some fun vacations in 2014!
Opening :: a can of chicken noodle soup. I'm more interested in the broth right now.
Giggling :: at some funny youtube videos that Jared has been sending me. He's got a way of finding the best ones!
Planning :: out this week. Seems like there is a good amount to do, and things we would like to do, but wanting to be organized and efficient without bringing any stress in. 

It's so beautiful here, I love this season the most. We've been getting fresh snow every day or so it seems like, so the trees are staying nice and dusted around our house. In what has still been a very busy and hectic season for Jared and work, with a postseason football team, and some very tough masters classes at the same time, we are so looking forward to a little time of rest after this week. Fingers crossed. :)

I'm trying to get back on the mend after a day that had me at my worst yesterday, it's been a long time since I've been sick sick and I don't remember it ever being that miserable - and with heading into a week that holds still quite a bit to do before the holidays, I'm trying to stay calm and not let the devil interfere with the Holiness of this time of year. He sure likes to find ways to do things like that. :)

A passage that has held particular significance to me these past few weeks is Mary's song, found in Luke 1:45-48... and is reminding me of how I want the depths of my being to glorify the Lord this Christmas...
" Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! And Mary said, 'my soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant, from now on all generations will call me blessed!'"

Happy Advent, friends!