social letter writing

Sometimes, I do manage to get out of the house on cold days. Cold nights even.

Monday night was very cold, but it didn't stop Jaime and I from going to a letter-writing social activity club (PAL-SAC)! I used to write a lot of letters to my friends, but it has been hard to find the time to do it these days. When Jaime mentioned this event, I knew I wanted to go!

It was held at the adorable Naco Gallery Cafe, and they still had their Christmas decorations up (which I loved, because I am a little sad the the holidays are over). I managed to write one letter to my good friend in Norway, and then Jaime and I just chatted the night away.

The next one is on January 24th, and you can pay-what-you-can for really adorable stationary. Writing on good stationary is half the fun of writing letters!

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Some of you asked how to make Chai tea from scratch, and Melinda posted a good recipe here!

It is so good!

a cozy drink

We woke up to a winter wonderland. Snow finally came to Toronto and it was beautiful outside. I had every intention on going out to enjoy it, but laziness came over me.

Instead, we stayed in our pyjamas, I made us a huge pot of chai, and kept warm inside.
Maybe I will venture outside tomorrow.

(lovely wooden spoons are from herriott grace)

that was yesterday, this is today

I am really excited for this year for a lot of reasons, but particularly for photography. The year has just started and I feel extremely fortunate (and so excited!) to have some really interesting projects on the horizon!

I am not sure if it is like this all over Canada, but I feel like the weather in Ontario is ever changing. I could walk outside in the morning and it is bright, calm and warm, and come back in the evening cold and drenched from horizontal rain (my least favourite kind of rain). I am going to be depending on the weather more and more, and this is what I use to anticipate it a bit better. The Farmer’s Almanac! It predicts the weather by chunks of 4 to 5 days through the entire year based on where you are located.

I don’t use it too often because I am aware that it is not 100% accurate, but this is what we used to determine the date for our wedding (because I really wanted an outdoor wedding) and for some other important events, and it hasn’t failed me yet! I will be sure to check the almanac with the outdoor weddings I have this year, just for my own interest.

I know it can be risky to plan an outdoor wedding in Ontario, I suggest any future brides to give this a try (or anyone planning anything outdoors!).

Thank you everyone for your sweet words and kind e-mails for New Years. 2011 is starting off really sweet because of you!

What I Learned

Some things I realized this year:

1. I realized not to over think things, and to just do it. Do what you love or what you think you love, and show it to everyone. Only good things will come of it. I promise you.

2. I like to plan for things because that is how goals are made. But now, I also look forward to the possibility that something better could change my plan along the way.

3. If holding a camera specifically taught me anything this year, Henri Cartier-Bresson said it best.

“You just have to live and life will give you pictures.”

4. I learned this year that I really love sparkles and confetti. (and even better, sparkly confetti!)

I have been at this blog for almost 2 years, and I cannot thank you enough for welcoming me into this beautiful, warm and inspiring community of friends. Your support and constant encouraging words have been invaluable to me. Thank you for letting me share a little bit of my world with you.

2010 was full of surprises for me, and I cannot wait for what is in store in 2011!

(The pictures of me are taken by Jinny!)

Happy! New! Year! Friends!