| Post Thanksgiving Blues (&Vegan Recipe Roundup) |

It's three days after, and the Thanksgiving blues have kicked in. The leftovers have dwindled down, and only one slice of pumpkin pie remains. My mind keeps returning to the blissful meals of Thanksgivings past, and mourning the lack of casseroles, stuffings, and pies in my fridge. 360 days remain until the next feast, and so I shall wait. As I reminisce I thought I would share this year's successful recipes with you. This was my first vegan Thanksgiving, but these dairy and egg free recipes filled all of the Thanksgiving food sized holes in my heart perfectly. Hopefully you can enjoy these recipes too, whether you make them  anytime soon or wait until next year's holiday

Vegan Green Bean Casserole

Vegan Stuffing

Vegan Caesar Salad

Vegan Gravy

Vegan Apple Crisp

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

Happy holidays, and happy eating.

| Christkindl Market |

A couple of days ago I took a day trip up to Chicago, and got to experience Christkindl Market for the first time. Unfortunately it was so cold that I  neglected capturing any photos of the German market in order to keep my frost bitten hands stuffed inside my pockets, but it was a wonderful time. The market is filled with handmade clocks, ornaments, foods, scarves and many other  trinkets; each intricately and delightfully crafted. None of the sellers were pushy, and the whole atmosphere was warm and festive. The crowd was filled with the smell of warm beers and ciders, the German language intertwining softly with words of other dialects, and pigeons flitting in between the bustling groups. Overall it gave the irreplaceably pleasant feeling of one being inside Hogsmeade* right before Christmas. I would advise anyone in the Chicago area looking for some festivity to visit it this Holiday season.

*In case any Muggles were confused, Hogsmeade is a town from Harry Potter.

| Fall Photos |

The past few weeks/months I've been wrapped up in school work, and Speech Team, among other things, which unfortunately leaves less time for slowing down and spending time with family and friends. It has made me appreciate the little moments of importance that I stumble upon when pockets of time arise. This weekend I found myself in such a pocket, and was able to spend some much needed time with my best friend. Simply taking time to enjoy the season your in, with people you love, can be wonderful, even if its as little as making a leaf crown and taking some photos. ( Leaf crown inspired by Kirsten Rickert )