This Week

:: Dining at an Italian restaurant then watching National Treasure II with my brother-in-law (one who is in from out-of-town) and another family we’re close with. The movie was entertaining, but you really have to suspend your beliefs to overcome the movie’s implausibility. :: Wrapping presents in gorgeous, luminescent paper I found with three designs at Home Goods. The gifts sparkled under the tree.
:: Christmas Eve spent with my mother-in-law’s side of the family at her house. We gorged on salmon, brie and Aunt Susan’s peanut brittle. The most hilarious moment came after the extended family left when all of us donned hats from my mother-in-law’s collection.
:: When we got home, even though it was late, the boys made slice-and-bake cookies for Santa, put out carrots and lettuce for the reindeer, and wrote gratitude notes to Santa. They got up to bed just before Santa Tracker announced he would be flying over our city. I know that they are too old to believe in Santa, but I’m glad they’re still playing along.
:: Christmas morning spent at home with just the four of us. The boy’s opened their stockings from Santa, and presents from us. We set up the new Wii and I had some time to download some iTunes into Will’s new iPod Nano.
:: Christmas brunch at my parents with my brother, sister-in-law, and their two kids. We started off with my mom’s stocking collections for everyone, and my parents spoiled them the grandkids rotten.
:: Christmas dinner was spent at my brother-in-laws with my husband’s family again. More presents and more joy. I still have to find homes for all this new stuff.
:: My favorite material gift was a modest diamond band from my husband. For most of our married life he claims he couldn’t understand why giving me gifts on the holidays is important, but this year, after working with a counselor, sponsor and working a 12 step program, he made up for it. I love, love, love it. But mostly I love the person he’s become; it’s the best gift I could ever hope for.
:: Other favorite gifts included cash from my mother-in-law (I bought green slacks at Talbots, a red wool scarf and a Lucky Brand knit hat), a hand knit angora scarf (also from my mother-in-law), lots of lotions and soaps, a compact car maintenance kit (it includes a tire gage, I have the tendency to hit curbs – gah), Nigella Lawson’s Nigella Express, and a new Starbucks travel mug (my husband “steals” them and leaves them at work).
:: Post holiday dinner out Wednesday with a group of high school buddies from my husband’s small, boy’s Catholic school. I’ve known them for over 20 years and look forward to celebrating milestones and holidays with them when everyone comes to town.
:: Dinner at a Lebanese restaurant (they prepare the most amazing garlic chicken dish served over garlic mashed potatoes) with Debbie before going to see the film Juno. The reviewers are right, it’s a gem of a film.
:: The boys had friends over Friday and kept themselves entertained ALL DAY. Last night they had “Cousin Fest” at my brother-in-law’s and I got an evening home ALONE. Bliss.
:: Thank goodness for the New Year next week, we’ve overindulged in Christmas cookies and treats, fattening meals, and too many nights out. After some pretty rough years, this was one of our best holiday seasons ever.
:: Listening to Creative Mom Podcasts, learning that it is best to shoot Christmas lights at dusk, getting inspired to journal in 2008, and feeling motivated after pouring through the Best of Zen Habits 2007.
:: Friday’s Oprah show spotlighted depression, and I know it must have brought hope to people who saw that you can come out on the other side. For many years I have suffered from days when I thought I would never be okay, but with a lot of help I feel happy and grateful. I am praying for all the people who have had a tough holiday season.
:: The “Oh No” moment of the week happened this morning when we discovered that our eight month old cats somehow got the baby powder out. They’ve rolled in it and there is a white film all over the house.
:: Quote of the Week: Reese, donning his elf hat instead of his Santa hat at bed time said,"I better wear the elf one in case Santa comes and wants to take me along!"

Thursday 13 - Our Annual Christmas Card

click on image to enlarge

.

I keep our annual holiday cards in a special Christmas

album that is covered in red taffeta with our family name

embroidered on the cover.

.

The photos here are in order from our first Christmas in 1994.

In December we put the album out in the living room and

awe over how quickly the time goes. I haven't had a family photo

I've liked since 2001, but it's definately one of my resolutions for 2008.

Christmas 2007

Join in the Thursday 13 Fun!

Christmas Meme

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I LOVE wrapping paper and ribbons, but when you’re in a rush, or have an unusual shaped gift, you can’t beat a good bag. Plus, bags can be used over and over which has to be more environmentally friendly.
2. Real tree or artificial?
Real, because the Men’s Club my husband is in sells them, but I secretly yearn for a hassle-free fake tree.
3. When do you put up the tree?
After Will’s birthday (December 7th). We feel it’s important to celebrate just him.
4. When do you take the tree down?
I’m ready to take it down now, but we’ll wait until New Year’s. The cats are loving it too much.
5. Hot chocolate or apple cider?Hot chocolate after our annual drive to see the Christmas lights.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A Child’s Garden of Verses at a time when I truly believed in Santa and fairies, and a musical jewelry box with a ballerina who twirled when you opened the box.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. We have creshes from France, Mexico, and a Play Mobile one.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Parents and in-laws because it feels like they have everything they need. This year I found them art pieces at the Chicago Art Institute, tea and honey from Teavana, and battery powered automatic can openers (a surprise huge hit).
9. Easiest person to buy for?
The boys. They’re at the age when they’re getting into technology and we got Will his first Nano and Reese got the Wii.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Pink wide-whale cords when my husband and I first started dating. No single piece of clothing has ever looked so bad on me.
11. Mail or email Christmas card?
We mail them, but this year we received a couple of cute email greetings. We also received a few cd greetings through the mail that are incredibly creative.
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year, but I completely forget what I buy. Next year, I’m going to keep the gift closet organized with a checklist.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I can’t bring myself to. I end up passing stuff on to the “Helpie Selfie” box in the teacher’s lounge at work or giving it to someone who might be able to use it.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Buche de Noel, clementines eaten with graham crackers and chocolate, chocolate coins, and so much more.
16. Clear lights or colored?
White, but next year I want to go back to color.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Sarah McLaughlin’s Wintersong
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Fortunalely we live in the same city as both sides of the family.
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
I know, Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner (Donder?) and Blitzen, and I recall the most famous reindeer of all...Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
20. Angel or star on top of the tree?
Angel, but my husband broke off her wings years ago.
21. Do you like egg nog?
No
22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Christmas Eve we open one set of stockings at my in-laws, we open our stockings and gifts at home Christmas morning, travel to my parents for Christmas brunch and presents, then have Christmas dinner, and open more gifts, at my brother-in-laws for Christmas dinner.
23. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Realizing you’re not done shopping, even when you think you are
24. What do you leave for Santa?
Cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots and lettuce for the reindeer.
25. Favorite ornament?
Too many to name, but I’m especially fond of ones from my childhood because they bring a rush of memories, and the ones my boys made when they were little.

Weekend Snapshot

Oh Tannenbaum

This Week

I over did it this week with work and holiday parties and I’m over stimulated and exhausted. A good exhausted, but I feel like I’m half asleep.


:: The start of winter break!
:: Bunco and “a rob your neighbor” ornament exchange.
:: Celebrating Will’s, my father-in-law’s, and my nephew’s birthdays at my brother-in-law’s house.
:: The melt-in-your-mouth pheasant at cousin Holly’s Christmas party.
:: After Holly’s, and despite six inches of snow and nearly getting snowed in at Holly’s, we headed to our friend’s annual holiday bash to laugh with friends. My favorite line of the night was when I told my friend Jim, a neat and tidy businessman who’s idea of being crazy is not closing all the blinds in their house on schedule when his wife is out, that our kids were both at sleepovers. His quick reply was, “You could be home, dusting. Naked.”
:: The boys sledding and having snowball fights with their cousins.
:: My school’s staff holiday party and getting a basket of goodies from my Secret Snowflake (yes, because I teach in a public school, and we practice what we preach about inclusion, Secret Santa is OUT and Secret Snowflake is IN.)
:: My friends Girl’s Night Out Christmas party with pomegranate martinis and catching up on all the latest gossip.
:: Finally mailing my Christmas cards. I usually have a summer vacation picture of the boys, and an annual ritual for me has always been to put on some holiday music Thanksgiving weekend and get them written. Unfortunately, this year I couldn’t find a photo with both of them I liked, and I procrastinated on taking a substitute. Sunday I took a photo of them, a diversion they were not happy to accommodate, and had to go to two stores to get the photos printed because their machines crashed. Lesson learned.
:: A pajama party with my class on Wednesday because they’re so wonder-full. I have two boys whose families can’t afford pj’s and I was able to find Under Armor style shirts and pajama bottoms for them at Wally- World. Their smiles were so big I cried. My class always gives way more to me than I can ever give to them.
:: My mom taking my two boys for a day and a half since their school let out earlier than mine. When I came home the kitchen sparkled and there was bread baking in the oven. It doesn’t get any better.
:: Christmas cards from friends from high school and college friends that I haven’t seen in years, but whose story we share, and a package (I’m waiting to open) from my best friend, and former bridesmaid, from grad school. She now lives two thousand miles away, but not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.
:: Yankee Mistletoe and Christmas Eve scented candles (they mix perfectly when burned at the same time)
:: Aveda had lotion (a gift from a Secret Santa party last week). For the firt time in my life I have dry skin.
:: Listening to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Meet Me in St. Louis, James Taylor's Christmas, Ertha Kitt's Santa Baby, and Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You.
:: Reading blogs in stolen moments including this, this and reading the end of one of this woman's journies into creating a better place in one corner of the world, while I wonder where life will take her next.
:: Crumbling into bed last night with a new book, The Photograph, by Penelope Lively.

WFMW - 10 Ways to Reuse Wrapping Paper

I remember it taking my mom forever to unwrap gifts so she, in her words, “ruin the pretty paper.” I don’t want to hurt the environment, but I can’t store the stuff either. Here are ten projects that can help us reduce our eco footprint.

:: Use pieces of old wrapping paper as cummerbunds around the gifts
:: Use pieces of old wrapping paper to make a collage for new wrapping or create works of art. Be sure to check out http://www.blogger.com/www.kinderart.com/seasons/wrappingpapercollage.shtml.
:: Cut into squares and make orgami
:: Put it through a paper shredder for stuffing other gift bags and gifts going in the mail
:: Use it to protect your Christmas decorations before storing them for the next holiday season
:: Cut it into snowflakes. Anthropologie’s windows this season were filled with stringed snowflakes cut from what looked to be recycled magazines. You could also add the snowflakes to blank card for thank you notes and more.
:: Decoupage it onto cardboard or wooden shapes to make decorations or ornaments for next year.
:: Use it to make clothes for paper dolls. I have my students make Pilgrim paper dolls every Thanksgiving, and although they’ve rarely even heard of paper dolls, they love them and create amazing stories.
:: Iron it on a low setting and use it for backgrounds in scrapbooking.
:: Use it as a mat for picture frames.

Weekend Snapshot

This Week

A plaque from my Secret Santa
Rabbi, hello. Anyone there?
One of our cats looking like she just

devoured Reese's dinosaur.

:: Will and Reese performing in their school’s Christmas celebration.
:: Reese’s solo at the Christmas celebration and him getting roars of applause.
:: Snow turning our own world into a white wonderland.
:: A Secret Santa reveal party with laughter and cocktails.
:: Getting this plaque as one of my Secret Santa gifts, even though my Secret Santa didn’t know I had just read this book written by the plaque’s creator. Quite serendipitous.
:: A fleecy new robe. My old, old, old one was too big, and this one, though it makes me look enormous, is cozy and comfy. We also dressed the beds with new fleece blankets and the boy’s are digging their nightly fireworks of winter static sparks.
:: Our afterschool babysitter making sure all the boys have their homework done, and have studied for their weekly spelling lists, before I got home.
:: A Hanukkah gingerbread house from Luca
:: Our friend’s annual Christmas party. For the past ten years I’ve given her an ornament, and we had fun finding them on their tree.
:: Christmas music by Sarah McLaughlin and Karen Carpenter.
:: Decorating the Christmas tree.
:: Because of staff meetings yesterday I got to GO OUT to lunch with four of my favorite coworkers! I normally don’t get to eat until 12:40, and then I’m cramming down a Lean Cuisine, or something from the school cafeteria served on Styrofoam with a spork, in between making photocopies and phone calls. Going out to lunch feels so glamorous, even at the corner Mexican restaurant.
:: My husband’s skillet breakfast of eggs, hash browns and sausage, served with a warm cup of coffee in a snowman mug, and a morning of reading blogs like this, this and and these photos.

Works for Me Wednesday - Holiday Style

The holly daze are here and with little brain space left over,
and a clothing budget I want to strech,
here are five holiday outfits that can go from work to party.
All of them works for me beyond the holiday season.

I splurged on this new skirt from Anthropologie because I can wear it almost anywhere.

With ballet flats it looks just as sweet and great for a lunch out with the girls. I bought this pencil, calf length skirt at least five years ago and wear it all winter long.

With the red trim it's just enough color to wear to a holiday fête.

This red knit skirt goes with me from work, to sports games, to dinner parties. I'm wearing it tonight to the Secret Santa reveal party.
I fell in love with this Talbots sweater with faux pearl cuffs. It's perfect for New Year's, the pearls remind me of champagne bubbles.
I posted a few weeks ago about my passion for wearing scarves. This red one can be worn as a bow in the front or back. " Merci bow-coup."

For more holiday fashion ideas check out:

:: Real Simple's holiday fashion and Stacy London talking about accessorizing on the Today Show
:: A Washington Post article on holiday party dressing
:: In Style's take on 2007 holiday trends

Check out other Works for Me Wednesday ideas here

The View

The view from my classroom window about two weeks ago -

fall was gone in the blink of an eye.

Sunday Scribblings - Competition

Remember comedian Tim Allen’s show Home Improvement? On it, Allen’s character, Tim Taylor, was a family man who hosted a television show called Tool Time. On this fictional show within a show, Allen’s character was always trying to add more power to anything with an engine, including a hilarious episode where he super charges the dishwasher. Its clear Allen’s character feels he is in serious competition with other men to show his manliness by making everything bigger, better and faster – arrr, arrr, arrr. Funny when it’s on television, but not so much in real life.

The Christmas cards have already started coming in and I can’t help but feel a little less than with cards that tout a trip to Russia, a family trip to Maui, updates on their summer home and more (this one’s for real, and yes, they’re happy). Why is it so easy to compare up and not look to compete to have more? Eventually I am happy for my frieds, but I momentarily become little and want to scream like Veruca Salt, “I want a chocolate river, Daddy!”

With the holiday season in full gear there are boundless opportunities to compare whose tree, decorations*, party, home, children, … are better. I don’t like to recognize the competitive side of my personality, but she rears her ugly head when I pretend that part of me doesn’t exist. Thankfully, with the help of therapy and friends, I’m learning to appreciate the GOOD things I do have, and I’m learning to value myself by my own yardstick, not my perception of everyone else’s expectations of me. Starting this blog last month has also given me a place to focus on the amazing moments in my life. I feel it. I know that I won’t have the best Christmas card, that spot has been taken up in my head by two creative friends, and my food will never compare to a girlfriend I went to grad school with who I swear has eight arms in the kitchen. My house is decorated just enough for me. My Martha aspirations will have to sit on the back burner for another year.

Along with putting this embarrassing commentary out there, I want to add that my noncompetitive goal is to spend the holiday season celebrating one of the hardest, yet most blessed, years of our life. I know 2008 is going to be amazing.


*I’m hoping this guy doesn’t have any neighbors who feel a need for some friendly neighborhood competition, or else there won't be any peace on earth.

This Week

:: My first born turned eleven

:: Will's soccer team played in the city finals. Although they lost, it was an awesome game, and Will got tons of praise from his team, and the opponents, on his goalie skills.

:: Reese played Rudolph in a community theater workshop play

:: My friend Melanie welcomed a baby boy on Wednesday afternoon. Welcome to the world, Cameron. I can't wait to meet you this weekend!

:: I bought this gorgeous skirt for the holdiays at Anthropology

:: Receiving my first of three Secret Santa gifts

:: Holiday party invites and Christmas cards in the mail

:: My first blog giveaway

:: Overheard in my classroom: "I better quit being so nice to all the girls or they're all going to be in love with me by college."

:: Surprising coworkers with gifts of fresh holly

:: Fergie's Clumsy

:: Finally putting up Chrismas decoations

:: Shopping and lunch at a Southwestern restaurant with DW to celebrate her birthday -- and bananna burritos and champagne for dessert!

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:: Cuddling with our cats to keep warm and help shield me from the shock of a $3,000 car repair bill for my husband's Explorer. Merry Christmas, hunny.

Eleven

Dear Beautiful Boy,
Happy eleventh birthday! I’m delighted, but truth be told I hoped you wouldn’t grow up. Not the, you’re 27 and living in the basement, but that I would be your mom, and you would be a kid, and we’d live happily ever after. However, I’m learning to deal with reality, and as each day passes I get excited about your universe. You’ve grown into someone I didn’t expect, and I’m grateful for that. I’m proud of your individuality, and that you are confident in making your own choices. You’ve picked up interests I had hoped to discourage you from, like hunting, but you don’t allow your friends to tell you what to do, and you don’t let your mom either.

Your passion for the History and Discovery channels cracks us up. Every night at dinner you share some nugget of information, and at the Chicago Art Institute you impressed the docent away with how much you know about arms and armor. Your vocabulary is incredible.

I am blown away by how smart you are, and that you’re doing so well in school academically, socially, and that you have a diverse set of interests from sports to choir. You have a beautiful voice, and I loved watching you participate in a community theater musical this summer. When you sing in the school choir I hear the voice of an angel.

This summer you went away to camp for the first time, and it looked like you weren't coming home. You wouldn't pack up until the last boy had left. Between the freedom, and the archery and shooting, games, canoeing and other stuff, you found your own heaven on earth. It's going to be heartbreaking, but this summer I will let you go for as long as you want.

Congratulations on winning the championship with your hockey team, and winning district finals in soccer, but I’m glad you were just as happy when your baseball team lost nearly all their games. You celebrate the game more than the wins. This summer you overcame fears from last summer's waterskiing and tubing, and you became fearless on the lake. Your snow skiing and snowboarding skills come as naturally to you as breathing. I imagine that, although you think you want to go to college at Vanderbilt like your dad, or Notre Dame like your Uncle Dan, I think you’re going to end up in the mountains where I’ve seen your spirit explode.

Sports are your first love, but you leave a lot of room for other passions. Its fun watching you develop your own taste in music, and I’m getting used to Green Day posters and the Foo Fighters blasting from the stereo.

I’m also glad you are becoming a reader. I had my doubts, wrenched over your love of video games, and worried that you would only read for school assignments, but you’ve started asking for books, and your buddy Michael has got you hooked on the boy’s Dear America series. You recently devoured Old Yeller, a book I thought would be too emotionally wrought for you, but you fell in love with the story and talked at dinner about how books like that stick with you forever.

It's also awesome watching how you relate to animals, and your new cat Shadow would follow you to the ends of the earth. Lelaini is getting used to sharing your attention with the cats, but she knows she rules the outdoor universe, and weekends at the farm, with you.

Have an awesome day celebrating today playing Laser Tag with your friends. I’ll be the one crying tears of joy in the light of 12 candles (one to grow on).

God’s blessings, and all my love,
Mom

Mosaic created with Flickr Toys

Thursday 13 - Christmas Treats

The tree and decorations aren’t up, and I haven’t written a single Christmas card, but I am already gorging on holiday treats. Today it was Charlotte's orange cookie crisps with chocolate. I couldn't - stop - eating - them.

This is a list of my Top 13 Christmas Holiday

Can’t Miss Favorites.

::Gingerbread Men – I have a story about how to break your Kitchen Aid mixer by trying to put too much dough in at one time.

::Clementine’s – they’re my darlings, and the only healthy item on my list

::Hot chocolate – add Bailey and you have a whole meal

::My mom’s Shortbread Cookies and Rum Balls - Careful how many of those you eat. Whoops, too late!

::Candy Canes and my friend Dawn’s Candy Cane Crisp Cookies – Dawn loves to bake and cook and impress her friends. The link recipe isn’t hers, but it’s close enough

::Rice Krispies & Marshmallows Christmas Wreaths – These were one of the first things I ever learned to make.

::Aunt Susan’s Peanut Brittle – she will not share her recipe

::Bûche de Noël – Easier to make than it looks, and it makes me feel ooh la las

::Red Velvet Cake with Snow White Icing – I could eat this in a box, with a fox, anytime of year

::Italian Panettone – I have never made this because our local bakery does such a good job, and they wrap it in such pretty, pretty paper

::Kim’s Sugared and Spiced Nuts – Kim’s perennial favorite to bring to Christmas cookie exchanges packaged in Mason jars with a Christmas ribbon around the rim.

::Champagne – The bubbles make me feel skinny

::Christmas Spiced Tea

Cookbooks on my wish list include:
The Art of Simple Food,

by Alice Waters
Nigella Express: 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast

by Nigella Lawson

Works for Me Wednesday - Sereni-TEA

Although I don’t have afternoon tea like my parents, I did inherit their love for a proper cup of tea to warm me in the cold weather months.

Want a simple way to brew yourself a cup of tea? Teavana’s Perfect Tea Maker allows me to brew a cup of tea just right for me. After you boil the water, seep loose leaf tea in the tea maker for a few minutes, and then drain the tea into your favorite mug. Brilliant! With Teavana’s wide array of teas all my family has to do is rinse out the Tea Maker and add another tea.

My fall favorite is Teavana's Plum Harvest, and over the holidays we enjoy drinking Christmas Spiced Tea.

My first Giveaway:

I will select one random reader of this post to win

their own Teavana Perfect Tea Maker.

Just leave a comment below.

The winner will be chosen Sunday!

Pink Link - Brad Pitt's 9th Ward Project is Pretty in Pink

From People Magazine: Brad Pitt unveiled his ambitious new residential vision for the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged Ninth Ward of New Orleans on Monday's Today show. With a goal to have the project completed by the end of next summer, he calls it "Make It Right."

For more information click to People online

Sunday Scribblings - Walk

I HEART my iPod. Its user friendly, does what I tell it to, it’s way cute and portable, its commercial free, has tunes to cheer me up, goes for eight hours, you can shuffle your tunes with just one button, it has more than once it has blocked out the noise of my children, connets me about through the iTunes Store, AND my i Pod motivates me to get up and get moving.

My iMix for walking was inspired by my sister-in-laws’ passion for playlists on her iPod. I have a short attention span for exercising, and she encouraged me to make playlists for different occasions. Most fitness gurus suggest a playlist with a consistent beat, but this one keeps me guessing and giggling.

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves
Walk this Way – Aerosmith
Walk this Way – Run DMC & Aerosmith
Walk On – U2
Walk On – Kelly Clarkson
Walk Away – Pink
Don’t Walk Away – Bad English
I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
Walk like an Egyptian – The Bangles
These Boots Were Made for Walking – Nancy Sinatra
Walking on the Moon – The Police
Wakin’ on the Sun – Smashmouth
Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
Walking After Midnight – Patsy Cline
Walking on Broken Glass – Annie Lenox
Walk on By – Aretha Franklin
The Long & Winding Road – The Beatles and ...
Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd

I also found a couple of good sites for walking playlists. Try: Walky Talk and Quick and Simple. And if I ever become a runner (one of my 2008 goals) I want to try the Nike iPod Sports Kit.

Let me know -

What are the tunes that get you going?

Sunday Scribblings was set up to provide inspiration and motivation for anyone who enjoys writing and would like a weekly challenge. Join in!

Click here for photos of our Thanksgiving Weekend Walk

This Week

:: My 13th Wedding anniversary, celebrated with dinner and my parents taking the kids for an overnight

:: Going back to school to get my National Board Teaching Certificate

:: A new camera (the anniversary gift I really, really wanted). I love my Canon Rebel, but it’s cumbersome to lug around sometimes. (I'm still in shock I've become such a Canon devotee. I still have the Nikon F4 I got for my undergrad college graduation, but the Canon Rebel was cheaper than the Nikon SLR's, and I've loved what I can do with it.)

:: J.J. announcing she’s expecting

:: Bodyworlds Thanksgiving Sunday

:: Turkey soup with barley

:: My monthly Bunco girl’s night out

:: Reading The Borrowers to my class. It is an indescrible feeling exposing children to stories you know will open their eyes to life in a new way.

:: Reese’s dance classes and Will’s ice hockey games (winning 10-1 and 5-2)

:: Planning Will's laser tag birthday party for his 11th birthday next week

:: The first Christmas cards and party invites arriving in the mail

Thursday 13 - Thirteen Year Wedding Anniversary

... His morning routine of brining me coffee and getting the boys ready
... His love of Life is Good clothing
... He makes the best barbecue in the world, especially ribs slow cooked at our farm in the summer for friends and family, and that he cooks dinner most nights and cleans it up
... The way he talks to our dog and lets our new cats sleep on his pillow
... His hazel eyes
... That despite having a dad who wasn't involved in the details of his life, he coaches our kids sports teams, teaches them to hunt and fish, and works daily with them on homework.
... The way I fit perfectly next to him when we spoon in bed.
... He pays the bills, a chore I hate.
... He doesn't care what I look like.
... He's supporting my decision to go back to school, even though he knows he'll be left with a lot more responsibility.
... He knows things like the names of animals, trees and plants. He has eagle eyes, and he can spot a deer or hawk anywhere.
... His back massages
... Because he loves me unconditionally

And these didn't hurt either ....

Wedding Pic Here

Thursday Thirteen

WFMW Decoupaged Christmas Frames

Are beautiful holiday cards going unused at your house? Yep, ours too, so the boys and I decided to use them to decoupage wooden photo frames for them to give as gifts and to put up family holiday photos. You decoupage fanatics are thinking nothing new, but we have never done decoupage before, but we learned quickly. The biggest mistake we made was not painting the first frame before we added images, and we also learned that the frames look much nicer when you use images within the same color scheme. All you need to create the frames is a wooden frame, scissors, glue, old holiday cards and some Modgepodge to coat the images when you're finished.
We have planned on a big collage using the photos we’ve collected over the years, and we’re also turning some of the cards into an interlocking building game, a project idea from an old Martha Stewart Living. Martha also had a great idea to cover wooden blocks with six different cards to make a picture puzzle set, and a friend of mine is cutting her cards using a circle cutter and turning them into a paper wreath.

Do you have any other good ideas about how to recycle old Christmas cards?

Homemade with Love

***My last week's WFMW entry***

Anniversary

A Bakers Dozen --

Thirteen Years Ago Today

Misspent Youth?

The truth is that despite three years of high school Latin
The only thing I remember is how to recite Mica, Mica, Parva Stella.
The truth is that despite PBS being one of the only channels we could watch,
I can still remember, in detail, every Brady Bunch episode ever created.
The truth is that despite learning to value all people, and all religions,
Growing up in a Unitarian church,
I ended up marrying a conservative Catholic with Republican leanings.
The truth is that despite all the home economics classes, and taking a basic sewing class three times,
I’d still rather get Chinese take-out or buy a pillow at Pottery Barn.
The truth is that after years of ballet and dance classes
I can no longer touch my toes.
The truth is that swinging makes me feel sick,
And that my roller skating talents have taken me nowhere.
The truth is that all the nights Madelyn and I spent dreaming of what our lives would be like
When I married Leif Garret, and she married Shawn Cassidy, didn’t work out.
The truth is that learning how to dissect a frog
Has never come in handy.
The truth is that my youth is gone,
But if I had to do it again,
I wouldn’t change a thing.

This Week

--Thanksgiving celebrated warmly with both sides of the family, and I didn't have to do any of the cooking
--Family visiting from New York, Chicago, Boston and Louisville
--Thanksgiving celebrated warmly with both sides of the family, and I didn't have to do any of the cooking
--Family visiting from New York, Chicago, Boston and Louisville
--Getting an update on my niece teaching English for a second year in Japan
--A new hat!
--Fall colors - in a blink they will be gone
-- Drinks out with girlfriends last night, and smiling until my face hurt
--My sister-in-law's sweet potato casserole with sugared walnuts
--The way my brother-in-law makes my boys feel like they're the most important people in the world
--Seeing Enchanted on opening day. I was worried I would be disappointed, but the movie exceeded my expectations. Entertainment Weekly gives it a B+, but for me this movie deserves it's own Oscar category.
--My husband's aunt's hummus on crackers, turkey soup and homemade pumpkin pie after a long walk at our farm.
--Warm woolen mittens
--Joining Simple Abundance online. I don't know what to expect, but it looks like it will help keep me on a path of gratitude.
--Being able to watch full episodes of Pushing Daisies online
--My husband's barbecued steak and "secret seasonings" - never the same twice
--Finally finding a Wii after weeks of trying
--Reading Midnight on the Moon with Reese and listening to updated on Old Yeller with Will
--Pumpkin muffins and coffee at Starbucks with KG

Post Thanksgiving Workout

A bundled up walk at our farm on Friday afternoon full with playing may apple soccer, collecting berries and leaves, finding turkey feathers and even a cow skull or two. Our dog Leilani chased the hills, and Will and Reese kept warm by the love of family. The sun set behind the hills turned the trees and people into living silhouettes, and the last of the leaves falling from the trees felt like colorful confetti from Mother Nature. At home we retreated to the warmth of the fire, hot chocolate for the boys, homemade turkey soup, and the last vestages of the pumpkin pie.

Pay it Forward

Through Sunday Scribblings I've discovered so many awesome blogs and creative spirits. Today I linked to Tanya who is participating in a Pay it Forward game (I have no idea how many links back this goes. Beware, once you start clicking it's hard to stop.), and I'm eager to jump on the bandwagon.

Here are the rules:

1. You leave a comment here on my blog and request to join the Pay It Forward exchange.

2.The first three comments who agree to join will receive a handmade gift from moi (a surprise of course).

3.You return the Pay It Forward by making the same promise on your blog. How fun is that!!!

Wii Wii Wii All the Way Home

Dear Nintendo Company,

After weeks of calling around to stores, my hubby got up at 4 this morning and bought a Wii for my kids for Christmas. Whew. He said he stood in line with over 20 people, all with post Thanksgiving tryptophan hang-overs. Some people who've been even more frustrated than us trying to find one to buy, and with a supply of 20 gaming systems people were going home empty handed.

So what I want to know is, what's up with you creating such a high demand and such a limited supply? This is supposed to be the season of fa la la.

Your new inquiring customer,
Tickled Pink

The Pilgrims Came

Mama Deux and Papa with Will and Reese

and my brother's adorable, yummy, precious kids.

My neice did all the decorations for dinner including

personalized placemats.

Mine said, "Ant Nicole" - I'm saving it forever.

-

-

I forgot to charge the battery on my camera

and have only a couple of photos from

our two holiday celebrations. Gah.

-

-

The Pilgrims Came

The Pilgrims came across the sea,
And never thought of you and me;
And yet it's very strange the way
We think of them Thanksgiving day.
We tell their story, old and true

Of how they sailed across the blue,
And found a new land to be free
And built their homes quite near the sea.
Every child knows well the tale
Of how they bravely turned the sail
And journeyed many a day and night,
To worship God as they thought right.

- Author Unknown

Works for Me Wednesday - Wearning a Scarf

I must have inherited my love of scarves from my French father (my mother is British). Pictured above is a of a photo of them, and my mother looking effortless elegant, despite having a newborn (me!).
As a working wife and mother of two busy boys my outfits need to be faire simple (“keep it simple”). Wearing a scarf is effortless, a last minute addition. One of my favorite ways to wear a scarf is to string it through my pants loops and tie it in a square knot or bow. Each of my scarves tells a story, and this William Morris scarf is from one of my close friends (and former bridesmaid oh so long ago), who bought it a the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
I also like to tie one on a purse, especially during the holidays, to add color to an outfit.

To store my silk scarves I bought this inexpensive holder from Organized Living and keep it in my closet.
This basic fold, from an old copy of How to Wear Your Hermès (French pronunciation [ɛʀ.mɛs]Scarf is essential.

And for some lovely, simple directions on how to wear a scarf, be sure to check out Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don't Get Fat, at this Borders Books Club video (play #9). There you’ll learn my favorite way to wear any scarf during the winter.

To get more fabulous Works for Me Wednesday ideas click here

Capturing Fall III

Photos From a Walk this Week

It's a horse, of course!

Will and Reese
Tickled Pink (and green, yellow, red, orange ....)

Up and up - unitl they all fall down So many colors