Hibernation

Cozy Cold

A few weeks into January, a few weeks into -20, I stopped fighting the cold. I gave in, and tucked in. Candles are lit and books are read in our little hobbit-hole apartment. Cayenne and garlic billow about our galley kitchen as winter dinner creations are invented. And the heat is always on.

Deciding to do as the North Dakotans do has been liberating. Giving in to the indoors doesn't take long to enjoy. A bath each night to ward off the commute cold and four blankets piled high above our Christmas quilt have become routine. And while I dream about beers drank on summer patios and a return of my sandal tan-lines, I am doing my best to enjoy my final months of winter.

A Hibernation Documentation

Books Read & Re-read:

Gone With The Wind*
Drop Dead Healthy
City of Dark Magic
Cowboys Are My Weakness
Oris A.P.E
A few chapters of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets**
Greek Myths 
Wild

*ceased reading in New Orleans, in order to give Rhett and Scarlett a chance at a different ending
**read by Preston, listened to by Kailynn

Culinary Creations

Hot & Sour Chicken Stir-Fry
Pasta Carbonara, a la Cayenne
Vegetarian Bacon BLT's
Sweet Potato Fries
Grilled PB&J's
Cayenne Fried Chicken & Waffles*

*Chef Preston's masterpiece

Candle Scents

Bahamian Breeze
Ocean Mist
Tangerine Cloud
Spas of Thailand

Movie Dates

American Hustle
Labor Day
Frozen Sing-A-Long
Rushmore

Ground Hog's Day

With the promise of spring, coming one of these far off-days, Preston and I have began to venture out of the den. We have blissfuly dined on Fargo's finest sushi, bopped along to Wisconsin Blue-Grass and even attended a free drinks happy hour. Reaffirming our in it to win it mantra we sketched a plan to tryout every downtown restaurant and bar. As soon as it thaws a bit. 

my bags are packed, I'm ready to go

The Dream

In my head packing is a very glamourous thing. My collection of dream cardigans are perfectly folded and placed on top of my origami-esque dark denim blue jeans. I breeze through my deep closet and easily select my favorite timeless blouse hanging on a dark mahogany wooden hanger. The event is concluded with the pianissimo rumble of a unstrained and fully operational zipper.

Outside of my head, packing is primarily sorting through a kindergartener-sized mound of wrinkled clothes. Channeling Zeus atop Mt. Olympus my mom intervenes from the couch on behalf of every garment I plan to ditch.  Thanks to her charity and my weak will, I am now travelling with ...FOUR FULL SUITCASES!!!! OIY! (however one is a carry-on, so it's just 3 1/2, right?) But at least the clothes are light. My other essential items are not so feathery.

My Quirk

I don't care for shoes, or jewels. I am not overall invested in stuff.  I do enjoy candles and have a pretty rocking lava lamp. And I love my photo albums. But those can remain on display in my hibernating southern California bedroom. My books, however, must come! As well as three different kinds of magnets.

Legoland Memento Magnets!!

Hebrew Alphabet Magnets!!

Target $1 Impulse Buy Magnet!!

After a very selective draft I whittled the competition down to twenty or thirty must-haves (probably closer to thirty). While choosing my "Fantasy Literature Team" it dawned on me that there must be something personally linked and essential to the books we love best.  As if just by looking at the books any one person would fill a suitcase with, I could know more about them than a facebook feed or instagram post could reveal.

In a similiar vein, idealbookshelf.com creates custom pieces of art featuring your favorite stories. You can even take a peek at a few famous face's "shelves". While I did enjoy internet snooping through James Franco's favorite titles, I  would prefer organizing bookshelves around the world, that's a job  right?

these bad boys will also be fleeing the state with me

The first real conversation my best friend Melanie and I  had revolved around our mutual love for M*A*S*H* and Scarlett O'Hara. The sacredness of Tara and Hawkeye's wily misdemeanours belonged to an essentialness of both of us. The stories we love are templates for the  living we do, the battles we wage and the friends we love.

But alas, there is a more important subject matter when considering packing...

The Question

Q:What is the perfect packing outfit when one is moving from California to North Dakota?

A: A refined ensemble that reflects your deep appreciation for your home, a reminder of another faovrite location and the an exciting accent piece in spirit of your new home. 


When undertaking a merciless task such as pack style is essential.

Voila! 

California Tank, Stanley, Idaho Yoga Pants & the world's most beautiful Uggs