Simple Joys of the Week, December 27th Edition

Oh, this week! It's been SO amazing! 

Although I promise you that this blog won't just become a Sayde lovefest (very tempting, but I promise it won't be!), I have to admit that this week has simply been ALL about her. I have very few pics of my other Simple Joys of the Week, because my ENTIRE camera roll (since Sunday) is full of Sayde pics. 

This morning I said to Ben, "Wow, SJOTW is going to be really boring today, because Sayde was my favorite 'touch,' 'smell,' 'hear,' and 'see.'" Everything but 'taste'--and honestly, if I could just eat her up (in a non-creepy way), I totally would ;)

So, that being said (that Sayde has been EVERYTHING to me this week), here are some of my non-Sayde-related SJOTW... 

[I'm switching up the format this week, since I have SO many things to be thankful for!]

HEAR: Laughter of family and friends, the roar of the fire while cuddling on the couch, Christmas music, Christmas music, and more Christmas music, ocean waves crashing on the shore, and complete winter silence. Ahhhhhh. 

SEE: Fabulously creative and wonderful gifts (including my new Cape Cod Bracelet from my hubby!), quiet trails in the woods, family who we haven't seen in a while, Christmas Google Hangouts with my family, Tranquil Space teacher Melissa, her husband, Mark, and their dog, Bija, who were in town and came over to catch up!

TASTE: Christmas cookies (my mom sent a package from home!), Christmas dinner, gluten-free flourless chocolate cake, Christmas morning pancakes + eggs, and Clementines. YUM. 

SMELL: The above delicacies baking in the oven, the beach in the wintertime (Sayde ran into the water like a crazy woman and was then frozen for the rest of our walk!), sweaty holiday yoga classes, and hot cider + cinnamon sticks. 

TOUCH: Walks outside in the cold winter air (+ snow!), new scarves, gloves, and warm socks, heat of the fire, winter snuggles (with you know who--I couldn't resist!), naps on the couch, wrapping paper, ribbons, and gift cards. I simply love this time of year. 

I hope that your Christmas week was equally full of simple pleasures, and that you're able to find the time to reflect on them and bask in the sense of gratitude that this time of year brings... 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

PS. The blog will be slightly scaled back over the next couple of days, so that I can do some much-needed blog planning for 2014 and take a little time off for the holidays ;) I'll still be posting, but some of my regularly-scheduled posts (i.e. The Roundup) won't be back until 2014. Catch ya next week!