life in logan

I can't believe we've been here in Logan for over 6 months and I still haven't gotten around to posting about it.  Maybe it's because it still feels like we just barely got here, andddd we're already on our way out? It's been nearly impossible to really get settled knowing we'd only be here a short time...but with that said, we really have enjoyed it! Logan's a funny little place...small, pretty, and definitely has a unique culture about it. Although I've kept myself pretty busy working from home, Ryan's rigorous school schedule has left me with LOTS of time on my hands to get creative with. 

Here are some random little updates about my life in Logan...

-Sweatpants and slippers have become absolute staples in my wardrobe. (When sweatpants and t-shirts significantly outnumber the amount of REAL clothes in your laundry each week, you know you live a great life)

-This is the view from my kitchen window. Not even kidding. Probably what I'll miss most about this place..

-I found my long-lost love of reading! What better way to spend a long, cold winter than snuggled up with a good book? The dream. 

-Ryan and I have had lots of bonding time. We've gone through phases of Scramble, Bananagrams, Jim Gaffigan, and The Hunger Games.  (We read The Hunger Games at the same time, and every time we'd talk about it Ryan would insist, "this isn't book club!," but I totally ate it up)

-Trips to Costco and Target have become a TREAT! I'm like a kid in a candy store every time we make the trip down. I will never take them for granted ever again... 

-I've picked up all sorts of new hobbies! Reading (as mentioned), crafting, QUILTING (who am I?) My latest project has been this BYU t-shirt quilt. Not bad for a beginner!

-I started giving plasma. There's a donation center right around the corner from us, so why not? Even better than the little extra "fun money" I earn each week is all the PAMPERING!  Ryan's absolutely terrified of needles, so even the thought of me getting stuck makes him crumble.  Every time I go he pretty much begs me at the door to stay. "You don't have to do this! You don't have to go!" Ha! I'll take the extra TLC :)

-I'm obsessed with Aggie Ice Cream.  I know that makes me a traitor and there are very few things that will ever trump my loyalty to BYU, but it is to die for.  The BYU Creamery is hard to beat, but as much as I hate to admit it, the Aggie's win on this one. 

-I've learned to love winter. MAYBE it has something to do with the fact that I'm not walking to and from campus everyday (which I definitely haven't missed...), and I'm not forced to be outside in the cold at all with an exception of getting the mail and the 2 seconds it takes to get in and out of the car. Or, maybe it's because we lucked out with the most mild winter in the history of Logan winters.  We'd been warned right and left about the brutal winter that awaited us, but it has been a breeze. I remember feeling freezing cold exactly ONCE this winter...ironically after seeing "Frozen." (And after seeing the movie, winter seemed magical and enchanting...it just added to the experience!) Either way, I'm not complaining! 

I'll be honest, I'm a total extrovert and this "laid back lifestyle" isn't exactly my thing.  Anyone who knows me well knows this is quite the change of pace for me and that I can hardly function without being busy! (Hence the desperate search for new hobbies...) Needless to say, it has been an adjustment, but I figured I'd embrace it for this short period of time we're here--there's not a chance I'll ever have so much downtime ever again in my life! Overall, I think it's been a good thing and we've made some pretty good memories out of our little adventure here. We might even be a little sad to leave. Here's to living up our last little bit before real life sets in! (Updates to follow...)

five things i love about fall

1. My birthday

As soon as my birthday comes around, it's time for fall! With September 21st being the first day of fall, my birthday has always been a great way to ring in the new season. I've always loved my birthday. Thanks to the best friends and family, it's always the happiest day of the year.  This year was no exception :)

Self-timer fail. Sorry Stace, had to :)

2. Football games

Don't be fooled, everyone knows I'm not much of a sports fan myself...but there's just something about football season! Chilly nights, school spirit, hot chocolate, the fight song and of course a little high school dance team nostalgia-- some of my all time favorite memories.

HHS Dance Half-Time Show

^For  your viewing pleasure^

3. Pumpkin

"Everything pumpkin" has been my motto this fall.  The other day I went to the store to pick up one thing, and ended up spending $37.63--all on pumpkin treat ingredients.  Whoops :)  So far, I've made pumpkin chocolate chip bread, pumpkin snickerdoodles, pumpkin donut holes, a pumpkin spice bundt cake (well, 3 if I'm being honest...), and pumpkin chocolate chip waffles!  Always something to look forward to this time of year.

4. Fall colors

Gotta love fall colors!  Mustard yellow, sage green, burnt orange, plaid flannels--nothin' better.  Although it's always depressing for me to put away the sandals, there's something about getting warm and cozy in a sweatshirt that makes it a decent trade. But of course, the best fall colors are those changing leaves! It's hard to beat the Alpine Loop, but Logan is sure holding its own :)

5.  Corn mazes, hayrides and pumpkin patches

This girl loves to be festive. No matter the occasion, it is absolutely necessary to go all-out.  You better believe I'm dragging Ryan to every "fall festivity" in town.  Time to whip out the fall crafts and halloween decorations and enjoy the season! If cold weather is coming, might as well embrace it with apple cider, yummy soup, and of course all things pumpkin :) 

Happy fall!