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This is the view across the street from my hotel! Yay Canada!

Merry Meri is still in Ottawa and didn't get her shizz together in time for today's post. Please come back tomorrow for more of the blog musings you love!

Have a sweet weekend!

Fall in LOVE with your hot coco with this SIMPLE Cool Whip Creation.

A few weeks back I shared some links to sporty recipes and the post was a hit! Who knew my readers were fellow foodies!? I love it. In the spirit of my cold weather weekend (a little trip to Ottawa for work eh?) I thought I'd share some sweet treats of the winter variety. These recipes are all easy ways to stay warm and cozy (and look like a seasonal-treat goddess at your next get together!) Let me know if you try any out! Happy Weekend Merry Readers:)

Almost too cute to eat!

No baking required! Awesome, easy and adorable - winner!

Healthy, beyond simple prep and oh so pretty on a silver platter.

Yes please.

Frosty never looked so good.

Wait, how old?

Recently, someone asked how old I am and I hesitated before answering. Now, I did not hesitate because I was embarrassed or considering not telling the truth... I hesitated because I actually, momentarily, did not know the right answer! Numbers popped into my head and I had to organize my brain, finally selecting the right one. What the whhhhha!? Has this ever happened to you? Do you find yourself suddenly feeling surprised by your age?

It's funny how time passes and we grow older, somehow seemingly, faster than we can keep track of. You always hear people exclaiming "it's already her first birthday!?" or "I can't believe it's our 10th reunion!"... where does the time go? But there's something refreshing about feeling younger than you are. I like that when someone asks how old my "little" sister is, I quickly think "18!" before remembering that I'm off by a few years! Feeling younger or envisioning the people we love as younger than reality means that life is good and we're not sitting around counting the minutes and years as they pass. So here's to growing older in reality, but staying however young we choose to be.

Image via Pinterest

Hump Day Distractions

I want to go to there.

Another week, another hump day. Ain't it always like that!? 

* New York's most "interesting" Frito Pies - as disgustingly AWESOME as you imagined.

* Obviously when I own a home, there will be a room of THIS. Obviously.

* She is quick and curious and playful and strong. Just when I thought Kate couldn't get any more fabulous...

* Holly Golightly had one, but this DIY is not for the faint of heart.

* I actually made something I found on Pinterest! Dr. H tested and approved!! Served with a side of orzo and sauteed asparagus. (note: I added spinach to the recipe bc I'm fancy like that)

* It would have been reallllly cool to stumble upon this.

Image via Pinterest

Just a little comfort (object)

World, meet Rolly. Rolly is one of a well known one-hundred and one dalmatians, and he has been my "lovey" for almost as long as I can remember. That's right, I (still) have a lovey and I'm not afraid to admit it. A holdout from the childhood era of comfort objects, Rolly has been to sleepovers, summer camp, college and on countless vacations, even surviving one terrifying "leave behind" in Hong Kong. Rolly has been cuddled blind (repeated attempts to sharpie-repair his pupils have been unsuccessful) and snuggled flat (he used to have a pudgy belly). Even Dr. H loves and respects the power of Rolly.

While it may seem juvenile, I don't see how a favorite stuffed animal or blanket is any different than a beloved hooded sweatshirt or a delicious home-cooked family recipe. Material things are capable of bringing us comfort no matter how old we are because they evoke a feeling inside us. Though there obviously comes an age when always toting around your comfort object "just in case" is no longer appropriate, I think that if you want to grab a stuffed animal when you get home because it's been a brutal day, why the heck not!? Do you still have a comfort object in your life? Are you willing to admit it!?

A girl power moment

Have you ever heard a news broadcaster ask a male politician if he’s had cosmetic surgery? When was the last time a powerful male executive was asked how he balances work and fatherhood? If a young male public figure gains some weight, it must be because he’s pregnant! How come the media dialogue is so different when it comes to high profile women vs. men?

The issues of women’s rights and gender norms are important to me and I’ve had “feminist tendencies” for as long as I can remember. I dream of a time when the opportunities, success and equality of my gender are no longer topics of concern.

For me, a key problem with the women’s “equality dialog,” is that many want recognition for their woman-hood. They want an extra round of applause (an entire gendered history month!) to celebrate overcoming the obstacle of being born female. I think this is the wrong approach. While women should network to encourage, foster and support the success of other women (because significant gender-related obstacles do exist) what our end-goal should be is to be treated like “one of the boys”. For me, a successful women’s movement would be one where being a woman who accomplished something is impressive for the accomplishment itself, not because a woman managed to succeed where no woman has before.

How do we get the media to be less gendered? Do you have habits which you could change for the benefit of greater equality? If this topic interests you at all, this is worth watching and this is worth reading.

Image Via Pinterest

Mini-Adventure Anyone?

Via Pinterest

I find that a weekend getaway is the perfect activity for shaking off the winter blues. All of the darkness and cold of the season give me a serious case of the "ho hums" and it can be hard to coordinate week-long vacations! A weekend trip is just long enough to feel like a vacation, but short enough to squeeze into a day or two. Here's some mini-adventure inspiration for your pre-weekend eyes... 

Tarrytown, NY (the wood-sy farm inn)

http://www.oncewed.com/32294/wedding-blog/real-weddings/elegant-new-york-farm-wedding-ii/

This is a beautiful summer spot, but on Saturday Dr. H and I will explore its winter appeal. Tarrytown is an adorable New Englandy town located right on the Hudson River. It's also apparently home to Blue Hill at Stone Barns, an operational farm and restaurant widely known for its 5-12 course "Farmer's Feasts"! Dr. H has to wear a jacket and tie and there are farm tours available! This spot is an escape from the norm, just a quick train ride from the city.

Stowe, VT (the snowy, cozy ski spot)

Via Pinterest

Snowboard, fireplace, woodsy decor filled dive bar. Done! Stowe is the quintessential east coast mountain town. It's perfect for a road trip and condo share with friends (bonus points if you score a place with a hot tub!) I think that if it's going to be cold and snowy, we might as well enjoy the beauty of wide open spaces and snow covered mountains. Another great option if you're in NYC (which means VT is a bit of a hike) is Hunter Mountain. Just a couple of hours north, it's another cozy town and beautiful mountain.

Coney Island, NY (the quirky, vintage getaway)

Via Pinterest

All you need is an afternoon and a metrocard. Coney Island is an amazing escape to a land of nostalgia and amusement. Though typically thought of as a more summer-time destination, the Coney Island Aquarium and Original Nathan's Hot Dog shop are open and the boardwalk is beautiful on a still, sunny, winter's day. Though you'll have to come back in the summer for the rides, just looking at the Wonder Wheel is enough to take your mind far away from home!