Best Halloween Memories

Last week someone stole my laptop charger from a classroom, and since it was Fall Break over the weekend and most of my friends went home, I've been without my computer for almost a week now, hence going AWOL. A friend has been kind enough to lend me hers when I need it, and I ordered a new one from Amazon, so that should be here sometime this week, but that's why I've been so bad about posting lately. I guess Blogtober is kinda failing...
Anyway, we're going to jump right back into it, and today's post is going to be about a favorite Halloween memory. As I mentioned earlier, last weekend some friends and I traveled three hours East to Fargo, where we got in the true spirit of Fall by carving pumpkins, making cookies and boiling in the hottub at midnight. This is one of my favorite memories, because while it wasn't Halloween yet, I felt at home and it was a wonderful feeling to be able to experience traditional fall pastimes with some of the best people I know. 

You know you're preppy when there are three pairs of Sperrys by the front door. 

Preparing for an afternoon of shopping.

"Being happy never goes out of style."

The boys were content in their pullovers with ice cream and people watching. 

Picking out the perfect pumpkins.

Cleaning them out...

...and the final product!

Even my pumpkin had to be classy. 

Getting to work on the pumpkins...

and making homemade cookie dough. 

I hadn't rolled out cookie dough in God knows how long.

Cutting out all sorts of shapes and sizes. 

It's all about getting those details just right. 

We made a MESS. 

But decided to roast the pumpkin seeds to munch on.

First batch going into the oven.

Working on punching out the second batch. 

Meanwhile, the artists are hard at work. 

Outlining the patterns...

And concentrating on the carving. 

Working to create a masterpiece. 

The house all set up.

And the last of the gooey mess. 

Flour was everywhere, fingers, hands and noses.

We made enough cookies to feed an army.

I took my job very seriously.

Others weren't so serious...

Getting a good workout.

And cranking out another couple dozen.

And then the best part...frosting!

I was trying to make purple.

Katie decided to take a go...

And we had even more. 

Decorating time!

One "whaley" cute pumpkin for me...

...and another dreamy pumpkin for you.

What is one of your favorite Halloween memories? Do you have any special family traditions?

My Favorite Instagram Post

After an absolutely wonderful weekend in Fargo, complete with an abundance of homemade food, pumpkin carving, binge watching Law and Order and sleeping in til noon, we have returned home and are now finishing up some last minute homework assignments in preparation for a busy week ahead. Fall break begins on Wednesday after classes, so it shouldn't be too stressful. I personally only had one midterm, and I had it last week, so I don't have too many things to worry about, but most of my friends are being bogged down with studying, so there's that.
Today's prompt is a Favorite Instagram Post. I love Instagram and I believe that each of my posts should represent something deeper than an overly edited duck-face selfie. I like to have fun with my posts, but keep it classy. There's a difference between instagramming and tastefully instagramming. One of my most favorites is one that I actually posted yesterday, and it looks like a photo from a Vineyard Vines catalogue, which isn't the only reason I love it, but it helps. 

One of my best friends here in North Dakota is Rachel, who is donning the pink plaid. When we go to Fargo for these weekends, we stay at her house. Her parents have basically adopted me and their home has quickly become another home to me. She has a younger sister, Grace, who is fifteen, and a younger brother, Joshua, who is twelve and a seventh grade stud. Joshua made an appearance in our "family" photos because I just couldn't get over his baby Sperrys and priceless smile. 

Katherine is in the white sweater, and is Rachel's roommate this year. We have a love-hate relationship and we bicker like an old married couple, but I think way down deep we love each other. 

The fine man in the Party Shep Shirt is my friend Diego, commonly referred to as "Diablito," which means "little devil." He hadn't planned on coming to Fargo this weekend, but he decided last minute that there really wasn't anything better to do at school, so he did. We didn't really have a plan, but it ended up being perfect and it was nice to be able to chill for a bit (and I'm pretty sure we all gained at least ten pounds). 

Do you have a favorite Instagram post? You are welcome to follow me if you'd like, and I'll follow back! Have a great evening and a wonderful week. 

A Letter To Myself in 10 Years

Dear Greta, 
Well, how is life treating you? I have always had great expectations from you and my only hope is that you can live up to these, because we both know they are very important. 
My wish for you is that you have found your place in this world; that you have found a job you love and created the life you always dreamed of having. I hope you have found a husband who is as preppy as you are, and who adores you and accepts you for you and who encourages you to be a better version of yourself each and every day. I hope that you have fulfilled your life-long goal of being a mother to however many children that God has decided or will decide to bless you with. I hope that you have found your dream house and that you are surrounded by family and friends who love and support you in all you do. 
As far as college, you have been graduated for six years now, and I expect you to be living in accordance with what you strived to teach yourself and learn during your four years in university. You are fluent in Spanish, like you always dreamed, and you have a strong career and potential to accomplish wondrous things. Just because school is over doesn't mean that your education is over. It doesn't mean that you have to throw away everything you engrained in your mind, soul and heart. My guess is that your bank account is reminded every day of your college days, but try not to forget everything that you experienced, the good, the bad and the ugly. 
Stay true to yourself, stay strong in your faith and close to those who are most important to you. Remember that life is a beautiful thing and you have a purpose on this earth. Also remember that life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain. Stay classy. 

The Best Vacation

I didn't get around to writing this post yesterday because I was waiting on some pictures and it was a busy Friday, but I called my dad last night and asked if he still had them in his files and he did! I just got these in my inbox and it absolutely made my day. If you hadn't guessed by now, today's Blogtober prompt is Best/Worst Vacation. I honestly haven't had too many bad travel experiences, besides getting stuck in an airport overnight and spending a night in a Day's Inn (literally sleep in your car...it'll be better than that ridiculous excuse for a hotel) so I thought I would just write about this one. 
When I was eight years old, my parents took my sister Emma and I to Spain for ten days. We have relatives who live in southern Spain, and I have always felt a deep connection to my roots which is part of the reason I've decided to major in the language. But that's a different story. I wasn't quite sure how much I'd be able to write concerning this trip because I don't remember which buildings these are or where we stayed, but I love looking through the pictures and I hope you will too. It has remained my favorite trip I've ever taken, and while I don't remember every detail, the night life, the croissants and hot chocolate and trying my first octopus at a Tapas Bar stand out for me. I've wanted to return to Spain ever since I left, and being a woman now, and actually having the opportunity to go again is so exciting for me. Again, I apologize for not being able to give much more information, but I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do, and happy flipping Friday. 

My dad bought my sister and I matching sweaters in...Germany, I believe? Don't quote me on that. It was my favorite sweater of my childhood. 

The architecture of Spain is phenomenal and you can feel the history seeping out from the walls. 

This may have been a museum...we went to quite a few of those. 

I absolutely loved those pigeons. 

Throwback to overalls and turtlenecks. 

Our hotel was so cool...I remember how decadent it was. 

Hello, friend. 

My beautiful mother and sister meditating meditating in one of the many cathedrals. 

The bull fight in Toledo. 

Spanish food is the best food. 

I cannot wait to return. What was your best travel story?