The holidays are officially here! This time of year is rough no matter what your stance on the holidays are. Lots of overstimulation, lots of spending, and lots of complex memories over the years. So if you’re looking for something new to do or one last event to wrap up your 2025 look no further! I had a good mix of focusing on my hobbies, outings, and ways to spend warm and cozy nights in!

Eagles Game

It was finally my turn to get to see the Eagles at the Lincoln Financial Field! My sister is a seasons ticket holder so she will send us the Eagles home schedule when it’s released in May to pick what games we want to attend! I had chosen the Lions game since I’ve already been to an iconic Eagles v. the nasty disgusting putrid Cowboys game. Plus I know the Lions came super close to the super bowl last year so I know they would put up an interesting game. There is also no better way to spend football than in the chilly November weather. I’ve picked games in the past where it’s still early in the season and Philly still has the lingering summer heat and cloudless days. Of course, my sisters seats are in the direct sunlight! So because of that I always got super overstimulated from the heat, the rowdiness, and the fear of sunburn. I’ve had my fair share of weird tan lines form watching the Eagles play in 90 degree weather, you only really need to experience it once to learn your lesson. It was a wonderful change of pace and I got to experience a little snow flurry doing the game which was really beautiful.

Cabin with Friends

My family and I have become very fond of the Poconos, I usually visit at least once a month with my parents to get some much needed TLC. But this month I was lucky enough to get the chance to drive up with my friends! While up there we did a lot, we stopped at the East Penn Diner, supported local business, and got to cook delicious cozy meals together. Saturday we started slow with a wonderful breakfast created by my friends and I, we served pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon bun spread, potatoes, bacon, and sweet touch of fruit. After spending some crafting time in front of a fresh warm fire, we decided to travel to different local shops to get some of the Poconos to take home with us. We traveled through the mountains by stopping at Hawley’s Antiques, a yarn shop called Yarn over the Falls at the Hawley Silk Mill, and the Known Grove Bookstore. Out of each place we visited I really loved the bookstore, it had a great mix of classics, modern day icons, and tucked away niches. At the end of the day my friend put together a delicious fall meal of grilled cheese with apple slices, apple pepper jam, and bacon paired with homemade butternut squash soup. We then spent our Sunday in no rush, which felt incredible. My friend and I hiked at Small Falls where we were able to enjoy the, well, small falls they had and take a deep breath in nature. The hike was a perfect intermediate level and was a very clean well kept area. We then spent the rest of the day watching footballs games (Packers v Bear then of course the Eagles) with little appetizers to keep us fed for the rest of the day. If you are aware of the Eagles tragedy on November 23rd, you would know it was only appropriate for my friends and I to have a very silent drive home back to the city of Brotherly Love.

Dancing

When I was younger I attempted to join my local dance studio but found that the space and the people weren’t very welcoming and just an uncomfortable environment all together. But after I graduated college, there was more time to actually explore the person I’ve become post college! So one of the hobbies I revisited was dancing! Since then I’ve been part of a studio that does different group performances throughout the year and have enjoyed it so much. The space is extremely inviting and personable, the people are open and welcoming, and I really feel like I’m part of my community. The dance teacher, the prolific Dr. Timaree Schmidt, did an amazing job curating a space that feels non-judgemental, a way to build your confidence, and have fun while doing it. She also teaches a lot of other classes which also helped me find my interest in pilates.

Books I’ve Read

So I’m back in my period romance era and just started a book called Seduced by a Scot by Julia London. I know I know so scandalous, but the cover art is a man who looks like Jamie Fraser and if you watched Outlander you would understand. This was actually the book I found at the Known Grove bookstore, it was a quick find in their endless romance section and I was happy to see a good mix between modern day love stories and the classics. I really love these types of books because it still has that fantasy element but less fantastical. Not a whole lot of world-building politics, or dragons, or magic, but just a risque relationship during a period of yearning and devotion. It goes back to the pinnacle of romance!

Shows I’ve Watched

Alright if you’ve been around the blog for awhile you might already know what I’m about to put here. I absolutely love reality tv, I always remember memories of coming home after school and my mom explaining the confusing and twisted plots to shows like General Hospital and Real Housewives. I was always appalled and intrigued. Obviously some are scripted soap operas versus scripted (who actually knows these people are crazy enough) day-to-day life of rich famous people. But nonetheless, I was just fascinated by that world. I’ve picked up a lot of reality tv here and there but I think I found my own Real Housewives in the The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Season 2 finished off on a heart stopping cliffhanger. So of course it was only reasonable to have all of season 3 revolve around this confusing and complex plot point which involved heated arguments between the woman, relationships being brought into question, and wondering what the actual truth to all of this rumor was.

Movies I’ve Watched

Happiest Season was a queer holiday movie I watched to have a cozy Saturday morning in. It was a super cute kind of corny but the corny that is actually entertaining type of movie, which features Kirsten Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, and Aubrey Plaza. The movie follows these three through the trials and tribulations of queerness during the holidays. As well as the complexities of family relationships and what it means to be yourself around them. Davis and Stewart’s characters are an established couple having spent a couple holidays together and having moved in with one another at the start of the movie. Davis character exclaims in Christmas excitement that Stewart should go home with her to celebrate the holidays and finally meet her family. I really loved this movie! Holiday movies can be so aggressive sometimes whether in tragedy or happiness, but this was a nice middle ground to just have fun and remain on the edge of your seat. It also bring about an important topic about the complexities of the holiday season. I’ll definitely be adding this to my go-to holiday movie list!

Thank you so much for reading! Have a wonderful day!