December 23rd, 2024
Time: Afternoon
Weaher: Post-rain sogginess, thick cloud cover
Moon: Last quarter in Libra
Music: Some vintage music mix on Youtube
Mood: Pleased!
Gratitude: Rain, laughter, warm food, family and friends
You'll never guess who slept for 10 hours straight. 
I had a hard time settling down after my Christmas party (too much excitement!), so yesterday was spent in a festive, blearily-eyed haze. I shouldn't be surprised by something such an essential fact of life at this point, but it never ceases to amaze me what a full night's sleep can do! Wait, no, you know what? Finding magic in the mundane is what makes life special. It strips away the humdum and I'm grateful for it!
Anyway, party report! In a few words: high-spirits, festive, FUN! All the effort paid off, yay!! Everyone had a great time as well––phew. I wrote something similar in last year's diary entry about my Halloween party, but even though I love hosting, sometimes I can find it stressful as I worry about everyone having a good time and ensuring no one feels awkward. Personalities can clash, especially if you have a mix of strong ones and more lowkey types. I try to ensure everyone feels included, but there's only so much you can do as well. Thankfully there was once again a good mix of people, and my guests left happy!!
In total there was six people, including me. A few friends couldn't make it due to traveling or family emergencies (extra tough this time of year) but it was still a nice group! Everyone got along and there was a tonnnn of conversation––there was no lulls, the energy sustained all night! .webp)
For dinner I served a french toast casserole, a vegetable frittata, and bacon. Making breakfast for dinner totally came in clutch. The dishes were easy to make, required little time or tears, and was all delicious! This was my first time making a frittata and WOW it's going on my meal rotation. You can prep it in advanced and then warm up pieces whenever you want. Great thing to have on hand! The french toast casserole turned out delicious as well. Super rich, it's not something that you can eat all the time, but ohhhh it's a wonderful once a year treat! * __ * For a cocktail I mixed up a pomegranate G&T, though I swapped out the tonic for ginger ale. A G&G then, lmao? I took some pictures buuuut... I'll go back and add them later; to be honest I don't really feel like fiddling with them at the moment LOL 
I did another dessert bar. While I loved the one from last year's Halloween, I think I preferred this round! You can't resist freshly baked cookies and homemade TOFFEE!! Though, the toffee was a battle. The night before the party I attempted to make a batch only for it to blow up in my face. The butter and sugar not only separated, but they got a DIVORCE and had UGLY courtroom proceedings. 
Ugh, talk about an expensive waste of ingredients! ; __ ; We won the war, though. Morning of the party my mom and I tried again, and this batch was perfect! The problem with the previous one was that I had the heat too low. Because it had taken too long to cook, the ingredients couldn't stick together. Needless to say, a new note was added to the recipe. I've made toffee multiple times at this point, you're always a student. And honestly? That's the case with candy making in general. Toffee especially can be super finicky: you can do everything right, and sometimes it still won't work, and for reasons out of your control. Too much humidity in the air, the ingredient temperatures aren't right, blah blah blah, it goes on. The end result is sooo worth it though, there's nothing like homemade toffee.
Even though I had a day to rest in-between this entry and the party, I still feel pretty dead LOL. My family and I are going out to dinner together later, but it'll be pretty relaxed. Here's to more of these shindigs in the coming months, however! I want 2025 to be full of joy and laughter and happy company!
It's hard to believe that we're two days away from Christmas Day. I blinked and the month of December is gone. Time, didn't I tell you to slow down?! Seriously though, it's a good reminder of the importance of filling your days up with different activities, doing your best to make each day count. I still have some wrapping left to do which I'll tackle in a little bit. Gift giving is sooo much fun; I love the planning and scheming and anticipation, I love looking inside a person and seeing them for who they are lmao! 
I plan to do a 2024 reflection between now and New Years, buuuuut... I'm happy for a fresh start. 2024 had its ups and downs, including a pretty sizable slump. Sure, you can have a New Year(tm) whenever you want, it doesn't have to be January 1st, spring is a better symbolic start, blah blah blah, but there's something about the collective energy of everyone starting off on a new calendar year.
Sorry for the sudden end, but I think we're at the end. Sending you lots of love, everyone! Merry Festivus, Christmas, and all other hobbies, and please take care!!
Love,
Sarah
December 11th, 2024
Time: Afternoon Slump
Weather: Cold with wispy clouds
Moon: Waxing Gibbous in Aries
Music: Ambient Lofi
Mood: A bit irritable but getting over it
Gratitude: Warm clothes, cross stitch, gift giving, ibuprofen
Lately,the weather has been cold and clear and bright in that way that only happens in winter. That said, I'm hoping for some rain soon! Since it doesn't snow here, this is the closest thing that we have to a white Christmas without having to seek it out ourselves. According to the weather report however, my wish may be granted soon! Like tomorrow soon, yay! 
Currently, I'm reconciling with myself over the reality that I may not finish my Marcille cosplay in time for my targeted con in January. Getting sick derailed my progress, and I didn't accomplish as much as I hoped to during my family's visit. Even though my winter break in-between the semesters begins in a few days, I'm worried that won't be enough time. And let me be so real––I'm wayyyy the past the point where I wanna con crunch!! This stuff is supposed to be fun and crunching is not fun in the slightest!! I have Matured(tm) and Evolved(tm) since being a 20-year-old trying to do the most in the least amount of time!! 
And stressing and staying up way too late in an attempt to finish something is the opposite of that. When this had happened in the past, it often took away the actual enjoyment of wearing the costume. When you're trying to cram a massive project at the end, mistakes are made and corners are cut. You end up fixated on these aspects which decreases your confidence... it's no bueno. All of my favorite costumes were not only unrushed but also finished in-time for me to do a practice run of it before the event. Of course regardless if you crunched the costume or not, you often want to make tweaks before you wear it next (or at least me!), but the overall experience is typically so much smoother if you don't. All this to say is if Marcille isn't finished then it's fine. It's fine! Nobody's grading me! There will always be another con, and besides, there are other costumes to wear and rewear! Marcille will have her day another time!!
Last weekend I went shopping in a small town that really dresses up their main street up for the holidays. While people were out and about, it wasn't slammed pack. Instead, there were enough to create an excited, chipper energy in the air! It was fun popping out from the chilly air into the warm little shops and see their own unique decorations. On one block there was a small music quartet made up of a trombone, trumpet, harmonica, and another instrument I can't recall now––maybe the piano or drums (totally different options lmao). Either way, there rendition of Feliz Navidad was super cheery! 
What else is happening... next week, I am hosting a Christmas party, ahhhh!! I'm so excited!! My theme for it is "Christmas morning pregame", so the plan is to do breakfast for dinner, themed drinks, and give my friends their presents. I know that ""valuable time"" prepping for this could be used as Marcille, but I'd rather celebrate the season with loved ones, you know? ; __ ; Squeezing everything in this time of year can be such a cruel mistress. Either way, I'll be sure to share pictures when the time comes!
There are some other things I want to share (how the pre-finals week petting zoo at work further spurred my desire to have a pet rabbit someday, baking cookies for the first time with my nephew), but work has taken the steam out of me. Let's talk again soon––take care everyone, and happy holidays!!
Love,
Sarah
December 2nd, 2024
Time: Noon o'clock
Weather: Cool and bright
Moon: New moon in Sagittarius/waxing crescent in Capricorn
Music: Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Mood: Chipper!
Gratitude: Family, loved ones, tasty sandwiches, meditation affirmations
Hey friends! I wanted to write a quick diary entry, which, let's be real, is mostly an excuse for me to show off my new winter layout LOL. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I'm super in the spirit this year, so I wanted to make things festive––at least for the month of December! Come January all the decorations will be removed for something more Wintery Blue(tm). People's seasonal setups for the different holidays are always adorable, so here's just that!
My brother, SIL, and nephew flew in on Thanksgiving day and have been spending time with us. Their presence has been like a warm embrace within the household. It's too cute watching my nephew running around the place, wide-eyed and fascinated with EVERYTHING. Yesterday we played this game where we lined up his plushies (and mine lmao) on my desk chair, which he would then spin around. Each time they peek-a-booed he would giggle, his cheeks scrunching up. On Thanksgiving, we ran around "fighting" each other with foam swords. After dinner another night, he cheered "Yay, Mama!" as well as whoever and whatever else he could think of all the way home. Sooooo sweeeeet!! I might write a longer roundup after they leave, or just keep it to myself. I want to journal more about daily activities for the sake of preserving the memory, but that's neither here nor there at the moment.
Last night I came up with the idea of doing a different Christmas-y activity per day. Big and small things are both allowed. I'll come back with a list later!
Andddd apologies again for yet another abrupt ending, but that's all for now. Take care everyone, wishing you all joy wherever you are!! 