Moving is such hard work!  We are up to our eyeballs in moving boxes and cleaning as we get ready for tomorrow's move. 

I was hoping to get up a few posts that have been running around in my head for weeks but am admitting that it is all I can do to make sure I know where the essentials are packed to get to work on Thursday morning.  We are without internet until Saturday so the etsy shop is in vacation mode until then as I would hate to delay an order or response to a custom request. 

I hope to back to regular posting in February once the dust settles! 

Music makes a big difference in those workouts where I am either a little less than motivated or am being particularly challenged... basically anytime I have to work out in a gym, on any cardio machine, or for those really long runs.  What is it about a gyms that make you want to head right back out the door?  The music they play and the background sound of all the cardio machines whirring is enough to make me cut any workout short just to get out of there.  So I rely heavily on my favorite running playlist that I crafted during marathon training to help me block all of that out and get into a zone.

These songs helped me keep moving during long training runs and now they are helping me keep going at my seriously slow preggo pace.  They are not the most current nor songs I might listen to at any other time other than working out.  Sometimes the words are ridiculous (honestly most of the time I don't listen to the words). 

But the beat works for running.  Some songs are perfect for when you need that extra push for a sprint session, others for when you need to cruise for distance.  Some give this happy upbeat feeling and others give an "I am going to kick ass" focus. 

• Holiday - Green Day
• Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
• Burnout - Green Day
• Mr. Brightside - The Killers
• Forever - Chris Brown
• Skater boy - Avril Lavigne
• Everything to Everyone - Everclear
• I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
• Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
• Kick Some Ass - Stroke 9
• Happy Boys and Girls - Aqua
• Get The Party Started - Pink
• When I Grow Up - Garbage

Happy running!  Now go kick some ass.

In other news, if you haven't looked in the SOPA and PIPA bills that are in Congress definitely check them out. 

There's a baby on the way in our family! 

I am just over 15 weeks and feeling great.  We are extremely excited and enjoying every minute of this adventure.  Nursery plans are underway, babymoon is booked, and names are being discussed.   And we have joined team green - we are waiting until birth to find out the gender.

Maybe you noticed the lack of posting this fall?  During the first trimester I never was sick but omg was I tired.  I was falling asleep by 8pm and the last thing I could even think about doing was staring at a computer after being at work all day.  And then when I have been on the computer I have been researching baby stuff.  So there will most definitely be posts about nursery decor and such in the near future and lots of pins on pinterest about baby stuff.

1.  Even though it really stinks that there are so few hours of daylight this time of year - I love when I see a beautiful sunrise out the window while getting ready for work.  Pretty colors in the sky stop me in my tracks to find a camera every time.

2.  Tea.  English Breakfast to be exact.  I normally am not a fan of tea.  But lately it is part of my morning routine. 

3.  Grilled cheese sandwiches with apple.  Melty cheddar with thin slices of a nice tart apple between toasty layers are just amazing.  I would suggest using a mandoline for slicing the apples as the thinner they are the easier it is to make.

4.  Sweet and salty trail mix from Trader Joes.  So good. So addictive.

5.  Cardigans - lately the green dot one from target.  Not the highest quality for sure but cute.

6.  Fresh episodes of 30 Rock.  Love that show.

7.  Aveeno Positively Radiant tinted moisturizer.  I just started using it earlier this month and am already a big fan. 

8.  Cooking with the crock pot.  This slow cooker cassoulet was so good.  Perfect for a winter Sunday (or on a holiday Monday).

9.  Everyday boots.  This pair is so comfortable!  I want to get a few more winter dresses to wear with them.

10.  Reading Bossypants.  I am finally reading it and chuckling during my entire train ride to work. 

Isn't this watercolor of sprouts so fresh and pretty?  I love simple designs and am excited to hang this one up in my new home.  The Joy of Color on etsy has lots of fresh original watercolor paintings and prints.

Hiking is such a fantastic break from the day to day.  With the very mild temps that we are having this January I had to schedule a hiking date for our little family.  This hiking trail ended up being a little more of a walk than what I would consider a hike and a little less than spectacular (highway noise can be a bummer on a hike!) but it was still such a great break and we enjoyed ourselves just the same.  Just good old quality time. 

With the sun setting so early there is some really beautiful light in the afternoons.  During the week it can be hard to enjoy as many of us are busy plugging away at computers in the afternoon hours but it is lovely to stop for a few minutes to take notice of it on the weekends.  This weekend was packed with work for the shop (packing up etsy orders and creating iPhone cases) and packing (we are moving!) so I appreciated the quiet moments among the trees with my husband and pups.

This week I am looking forward to...

• A first meeting of a brand new book club (it has been so long since I have been in a book club!)
• Researching art fair application options
• Starting to select photos for the 2011 album and for our weekend getaway albums
• Packing (can't wait to move!)

Hears to having an awesome week!

Chicago can be so pretty in every season.  There is always something stopping me in my tracks to pull out the camera (or wish I had it with me).  I admit, vibrant, leaf filled, blossoming trees of spring are my favorite (followed closely but summer) but then the bare trees can really hold their own and set such a pretty scene.  And can I just say - there is green grass in December in Chicago!  Seriously! 

The weather has been pretty much perfect for strolling this December.  One can enjoy the holiday festivities without being freezing.  It is all light winter jackets and sans-snow boots.  Love it.

Happy Wednesday!

Genevieve Cowl Knitting Pattern (perhaps to make the gift yourself or as part of a gift for one who loves knitting projects) - AtellierTPK on etsy

Snow Cowl 12 - madebyscarlet on etsy

Soft Crochet Slippers - FiveSisters on etsy

Modern Mustard Hand Printed Tea Towel - ShopAmySullivan on etsy

Crocheted Granny Circle Christmas Decorations - peaqo on etsy

candle. peony geranium & neroli - paulova on etsy

Fabric Seahorse Family - Kirsty Elson Designs on etsy

Quintette Necklace - ViolasBoutique on etsy

String Cuff Bracelet - Thief & Bandit on etsy

I didn't capture any photos during Thanksgiving (the camera never made it out of the bag) but took a few snapshots with my phone during the drives.  We had a rental car instead of our Jeep and the dogs (creatures of habit) were not sure what to think about the back seat.  Besides family time and traveling, this weekend I finished a 2012 calendar that includes some of my favorites shots of Chicago, Paris, and New York.

A few goals for this week**...

• This week I need to decide on whether to do an advent calendar and what to do about holiday cards.  I have long been resisting the photo card but I kind of want to do one this year (three years of holiday card posts!). 
• I really need to have a solid week of working out... boy have I been lax on that front! My goal is 5 workouts this week.
• Finishing a couple handmade pay it forward gifts is high on my priority lists. Once they are delivered I will share what I made - it has been way to long since I posted up about a craft project!
• And crafting up a post or two to share the handmade gift ideas that I am tossing around for the people on my list in case they are helpful for any of you.
• Lastly, not to order delivery for dinner.  My interest in cooking has been pretty low lately but I filled our menu plan for the week with easy, no fuss type of dinners to keep us from eating Thai food or pizza yet again.

Hope you have a lovely week as we finish off November and head into December!

** I really enjoy posts that share bits from the weekend with goals for the week (like the ones that Mary writes) - so I am going to borrow the idea and try it out. 

To celebrate the kicking off of the holiday season there is sale going on in the In This Instance etsy shop.  From now through Cyber Monday receive 25% off when you use the code FPOE2011.  Maybe postcard sets for stocking stuffers or a print for treating yourself.   This can be used towards custom print requests too, as long as they are purchased by midnight on Monday - want a different size or a photo you have seen on the blog or on my flickr page?  Just send me an email.  Enjoy!