a rather silly NYE.

a rather silly NYE.

Let me introduce you to some of my favorite people in existence.
When we get together there is continual laughter, ridiculous dance moves and endless shenanigans. 

Oh and love.  Lots of love.

Meet: Chelsea (left).  Roommate and friend since 2008.

Meet: Binz (clearly not her real name.).  Roommate and friend since freshman year of college in 2006.

Meet: Chrispy.  Practically a roommate and friend since 2008.

Meet: Jamie. Roommate and friend since 2002.  She's cute.

And although two of our roomies are missing, there is so much love here. :)

Fun was surely had...

...had by all. :)

Something about these pictures being blurry and out of focus makes me love them all the more. 
All photos are courtesy of Mr. Blossom, who sadly didn't take any of himself.

merry christmas from michigan!

merry christmas from michigan!

Today is the day we trade in sunny ATL for the chilly midwest.
Hello, 12hr. road trip to Michigan!
I can hardly wait to be surrounded by family and friends :)

Here's to a merry and bright Christmas!
See you in 2012!

small snaps. & a fun recipe.

small snaps. & a fun recipe.

Life last weekend? Christmas-y, sweet and so, so enjoyable. 
Take a look-sy....

My Meme's homemade Christmas ornaments. 

Recipe below.

Beer cheese soup and homemade pretzels.

So much Christmas cheer.

Homemade pumpkin pie. DUH.

Interested in making your own cinnamon apple  Christmas ornaments? DO IT.  Just be warned that your house will smell like Big Red followed by cinnamon rolls for several days.  Yes, days.  Read on.

Meme's Cinnamon Apple Ornaments

-a ton of cinnamon (we're talking 3cups-ish)

-a spot of applesauce (yep I said a "spot")

Preheat oven to 250.  

Mix a bit of applesauce with the cinnamon until your dough begins to resemble cookie dough.  DO NOT ADD too much applesauce or your ornaments will be two sticky to roll out/cut out.  Trust me, I experienced this.  Once it resembles cookie dough consistency roll out the dough to be about 1/4 of an inch thick.  Do not make your cut outs too thick or they will bubble while baking.  

Before placing the cut-outs on a greased cookie sheet, be sure to use a pencil to make a hole in the ornaments before baking.

Bake the cut-outs for 6 hours at 250.

Let cool and tie with pretty string. 

Enjoy your new cinnamon factory (er...home?). 

Here's to another lovely weekend! Happy Friday!

"corn stalk you". letters from dad.

"corn stalk you". letters from dad.

Our tree is here! Stay tuned for Christmas cheer.

First things first: I don't post on school nights, so I hope you're amazed, baffled and beside yourself with glee.  And because of the first statement, this will be short.  (Teachers ALWAYS have homework.)

I am simply dropping in to share the following text that I received from my dad last night:

"Dear Bloggerpersona,
Need web address for your lame blog so I can corn stalk you. 
Love, Daddy"

This is why he's awesome.  We are exactly alike.  Although, I wish I had thought of "corn stalk you" first.  Props to Dad for a sweet new saying.  Dad: 1, Ash: 0.

P.S. It's almost Friday.  Hang in there. :)

Disclaimer: My dad doesn't actually think I or this blog is "lame".  He has much love for both, I'm sure.

thankful heart.

thankful heart.

This Thanksgiving, my heart is bursting full of thankfulness for:
+family laughs
+wood burning fireplaces
+fresh baked apple pies
+crisp Michigan air
+warm scarves and mittens
+roommate reunions
+pumpkin recipes
+pups who specialize in snuggling
+lazy coffee mornings
+a brand, spankin' new camera
and.... 

+family togetherness
(This means I can take endless photos of Uncle Joey and our ridiculously cute nieces.  Could they be any cuter?)

Here's to a wonderful and ever-so-thankful Thanksgiving to you and your family!

today is so great.

today is so great.

A beautiful Georgia day.

Why? I'm officially "on break", "off of work" and doing "whatevs I feel like" for the next nine days.  I'm so ecstatic, it's unreal.  In fact, I just painted my nails without one guilty "you should be grading papers now or doing something else that needs to be done" thought.  Glorious.

And it get's better, I fly to Michigan in several hours.  

Soon I'll be cuddling with my parents' pups, frolicking with my bestest girl friends and visiting family upon family.  I can hardly wait.

Here's to having somewhere lovely to visit and many more loved ones.

I am thankful.