I’ve been at home since mid-December and won’t be back in D.C. for another 2 weeks! While I miss D.C. and my friends like crazy, I am really enjoying being able to just kick back and relax for a month on my final winter break. When else in life am I going to be able to do that? Until I become a multimillionaire, probably not for awhile. Here are some of my favorite things about my winter break:
5. Reading (For FUN!)
After months of reading textbooks, I fell desperately behind on my list of books to read but now I have time so I’ve been LOVING curling up on my couch with a book and the world’s softest blanket! I re-read The Help and Pride & Prejudice and currently am reading Gabby: A Story of Courage & Hope. 
4. Baking
When I was little, I loved helping my mother out in the kitchen and I still love to bake but with my student schedule, it’s often not feasible. However, this winter break I got to bake peanut butter blossoms, cherry sugar blossoms and regular sugar cookies for my cousins as a Christmas gift! You can see the post here. Yesterday, I baked 2 cheesecakes, one for my family & one for my grandpa, who’s been sick since Thanksgiving & probably has the biggest sweet tooth in the family next to mine!
3. Food Network
My father & I are absolutely obsessed with Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and when we all go out to such a locale, my father & I will talk about the meal as if we were Guy Fieri, mostly for our own entertainment and to get an eye-roll from my mother. I absolutely love that show because, though I usually eat healthfully, I am a burger & fries kinda gal. Chicken tenders? I’m so there! The only problem with this show is that the meals look so delectable that I start getting a teensy bit hungry but know I can’t raid the fridge. Seriously, that’s my only complaint about this show. My other favorite Food Network shows are Cupcake Wars, Barefoot Contessa, Giada and any show with Paula Deen.
2. Pajamas
While I love getting dressed up for work, classes, etc. I do value my “pajama time” and getting to lounge in my pjs, an oversized tee and slippers (I absolutely hate going barefoot unless I’m at the beach!). Currently, my favorite pajamas are Vineyard Vines with Westies frollicking in the leaves but I just spied 
these lovely pjs and might have to get them! For those who don’t know, I am a die hard Yankees fan and sleeping in pinstripes would surely equal sweet dreams of more World Series rings to come.
And my number one favorite thing about winter break is…*drum roll please*
1. Spending Time with My Family & Friends (Of course!)
When I’m away at school, I call my parents every night: some might say this is a bit much but my family’s tight knit and they like to hear about my day and I enjoy hearing about theirs. However, nothing beats talking to them in person! Similarly, I still keep in touch with my high school friends through texting and Facebook but now I get to see them in person. Usually, we’ll go to our favorite restaurants that’d we go to “back in the day,” sit and chat about life, school and everything.
What’re your favorite things about winter break? Or just in general!
