its that time of year...

Its that time of year when people pull out their hats and scarves and wool coats.

Its that time of year when I officially can't wear flip flops anymore because my feet will freeze.

Its the time of year when its so cold that it makes your eyes water and then your eyelashes freeze shut, a truly absurd feeling.

Its that time of year when my hair freezes because its usually still wet when I go outside.

Its that time of year when it gets dark outside at 4:30pm here in Chicago.

Its that time of year when the only things left on most of the trees are little red berries.

Its that time of year when my glasses fog up when I step inside.

Its that time of year when almost every warm drink has peppermint in it.

Its that time of year with magical evenings of snow flurries.

Its that time of the year when Christmas lights and decorations are strewn across the city trees and lamp posts.

Its that time of year that big, fake, evergreens are placed in front of huge windows and decorated beautifully.

Its that time of year when 93.9 has Christmas music playing non-stop.

Its that time of year that I pull my boots out.

Its that time of year when people seem to become warm inside, I think I've been getting a lot more hugs lately. :)

Its that time of year that I especially think of my family and fun traditions (Chris, mom, It snowed here for the first time a few days ago and I so badly wanted to eat dinner by candle light! :)

Its that time of year when Ange and I do our 1000 + piece Christmas puzzle. (I guess its been a few years...)

Its that time of year that my mom makes her amazing cereal/M&M mix, russian tea cakes and chocolate covered pretzels.

Its that time of year that I remember all the festivities in Lisbon and realize that they're still going on without me and I'm missing them...

Its the time of year when everyone gives each other ferrer rocher chocolates, bolo rei, and those amazing chocolates in the shapes of sea creatures, I'm somewhat sad that I can't remember what they are called.

Its that time of year when I eat way too much chocolate and five bolo reis sit on top of our fridge untouched because no one likes them.

Its that time of year that the castanha venders are lining the streets.

Its that time of year when Lisbon's Christmas light displays beautifully illumine the city.

Its that time of year when the malls are PACKED and not quite worth going to unless its before noon.

Its that time of year when the biggest Christmas Tree I have ever seen is put up in Belem.

Its that time of the year when I miss Portugal the most.

Its that time of year when I would willingly eat an entire bolo rei (fruit cake) if it meant I could be back there again.

Maybe next year. For now, I get to enjoy the winter beauty of Chicago: carraige rides, snow, leafless trees, and my amazing and beautiful friends.