Monday, December 22, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Home For The Holidays
Well, after a quick 7 hour drive, we are Home For The Holidays! (It was quick to me - I slept some...poor Scott, it's really not fair.)
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Pulling up to Mom and Dad's house. Even Teddy was excited - he popped his little head up to watch out the window as we came down the street. And when we let him out of the car he ran straight to the front door and started pawing to get in! He loves his Grandma and Grandpa.
2. It feels like Christmas! The Christmas tree, the nativity set, the greeting cards displayed from friends and family, special holiday decorations I've seen my whole life, being with family... I got a rush of Christmas cheer as soon as we arrived and have been buzzing with it all day.
3. Yummy treats. Remember the other day I said I was trying to "be good?" Yeah, that's so out the window.
4. Laughing. We always laugh a lot when we get together. Both of my parents have very fun senses of humor, and combined with Scott and his hilarity, it makes for lots of giggling. I love it.
5. The guest room. We call this room "the cave." It is in the middle of the house and has no windows. You can go into this room at any time of the day and fall dead asleep. We always leave here well rested!
And I'm headed to the cave right now... good night!
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Pulling up to Mom and Dad's house. Even Teddy was excited - he popped his little head up to watch out the window as we came down the street. And when we let him out of the car he ran straight to the front door and started pawing to get in! He loves his Grandma and Grandpa.
2. It feels like Christmas! The Christmas tree, the nativity set, the greeting cards displayed from friends and family, special holiday decorations I've seen my whole life, being with family... I got a rush of Christmas cheer as soon as we arrived and have been buzzing with it all day.
3. Yummy treats. Remember the other day I said I was trying to "be good?" Yeah, that's so out the window.
4. Laughing. We always laugh a lot when we get together. Both of my parents have very fun senses of humor, and combined with Scott and his hilarity, it makes for lots of giggling. I love it.
5. The guest room. We call this room "the cave." It is in the middle of the house and has no windows. You can go into this room at any time of the day and fall dead asleep. We always leave here well rested!
And I'm headed to the cave right now... good night!
Preparations
Today was spent in preparations. Preparing others for their holiday by making them gorgeous, and preparing myself for our trip! I had hair appointments all day and then spent the evening packing.
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. My awesome friends who come and let me do their hair. I have the best "clients." They're all my girlfriends, and we always have a great time chatting while we beautify!
2. How sweet my little fur-ball smells after being groomed. Teddy got gorgeous today, too. I gave him a little makeover - we clipped his nails, brushed his fur and trimmed up some of his stray ends. He looks fabulous! And he smells so good. He really never gets stinky (thank goodness) and I always think he smells sweet, but his mango-scented grooming spray smells especially yummy!
3. My packing checklist. Last year we went home in November for Thanksgiving, in December for Christmas, and in January, unfortunately, for a funeral. Each time I forgot something. Grrrr. So I sat down and wrote out a packing checklist of everything that I need. I keep a copy of it in my suitcase and it makes getting ready so much easier. Now the hardest part of packing is trying to figure out which clothes to take. Or maybe just which clothes to leave home, since I always take entirely too much. One of the benefits of driving - I fill that car right up!
4. Self-Rising Crust Pizza. Cheaper than delivery and faster too, since it only takes about 20 minutes to bake. Doesn't taste quite as good, but it'll do when you've had a busy day and you need pizza for dinner.
5. We're going home for Christmas tomorrow! Yay!!!!
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. My awesome friends who come and let me do their hair. I have the best "clients." They're all my girlfriends, and we always have a great time chatting while we beautify!
2. How sweet my little fur-ball smells after being groomed. Teddy got gorgeous today, too. I gave him a little makeover - we clipped his nails, brushed his fur and trimmed up some of his stray ends. He looks fabulous! And he smells so good. He really never gets stinky (thank goodness) and I always think he smells sweet, but his mango-scented grooming spray smells especially yummy!
3. My packing checklist. Last year we went home in November for Thanksgiving, in December for Christmas, and in January, unfortunately, for a funeral. Each time I forgot something. Grrrr. So I sat down and wrote out a packing checklist of everything that I need. I keep a copy of it in my suitcase and it makes getting ready so much easier. Now the hardest part of packing is trying to figure out which clothes to take. Or maybe just which clothes to leave home, since I always take entirely too much. One of the benefits of driving - I fill that car right up!
4. Self-Rising Crust Pizza. Cheaper than delivery and faster too, since it only takes about 20 minutes to bake. Doesn't taste quite as good, but it'll do when you've had a busy day and you need pizza for dinner.
5. We're going home for Christmas tomorrow! Yay!!!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
A Simple Christmas
We did all our Christmas shopping today. Yes, I said all. In one day. And it was fun, relaxed and successful!We decided to have a very simple Christmas this year. I didn't decorate the house. I didn't bake. Our families decided to skip the sibling gifts this year, so our shopping list was a lot shorter. We aren't getting a ton for each other.
Before you start to feel sorry for us, let me explain...
We are going home to Maryland this year (yay!!!), so we didn't feel the need to decorate. We figured we'd just go enjoy my mom's tree and everything, since: 1. All our decorations are in a storage unit on the other end of town and 2. this isn't our house and I just wasn't feeling the same motivation to deck the halls as I normally do.
I didn't bake because: 1. I am trying to be good. 2. Scott is trying to be good. 3. we'll have plenty of yummy treats in Maryland to ruin all our plans of trying to be good!
We're keeping the gifts smaller this year because: 1. I didn't want anything. (Remember, that's why I'm blogging about all my favorite things this month) 2. Scott never wants anything. Seriously. This man could live in a cabin in Alaska with nothing more than the shirt on his back and a pocketknife and be happy. (In fact, he has informed me more than once that were we not married, that is what he would be doing.)
I know every year won't be this simple. I don't want every year to be this simple. Especially when we have children, I want to do all the decorations, baking, trimmings, traditions and stuff.
But for this year, a simple Christmas just felt right to us.
It has been so blessedly peaceful.
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Chivalry. I'm lucky to have husband who drops me off at the door before parking the car so that I don't get my hair wet in the drizzling rain. Because, you know, I might melt! He also always gets the door for me and is just generally a gentleman.
2. The mall at Christmastime. I just love the hustle and bustle. It reminds me of the song, "Silver Bells."
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of streetlights, even stoplights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
Strings of streetlights, even stoplights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle you'll hear
Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day
I could appreciate it even more this year because we were not hustling and bustling. We walked around leisurely, listening to the Christmas music, admiring the decorations and watching all the families and people buying gifts for their loved ones.
3. When things ring up at the register even cheaper than you thought they would be. Today our purchases rang up $7 less than what the tags said. When Scott asked the cashier about it she said that everything was an extra 20% off or something. Score!
4. "Merry Christmas!" I love to hear people wish each other a Merry Christmas. I'm not offended if someone says "Happy Holidays", but it warms my heart to hear people acknowledge the true meaning of the season, even if they're doing so subconsciously, and even if it's while we're all out participating in the commercial aspect of it all.
5. A simple Christmas. Not only are we not stressed out and rushed this year, but I feel like we have been able to spend more time thinking of our Savior and the wonderful gift of His birth... which is why we give gifts at this time of year in the first place- to remember His gifts to us.
Here's hoping that your Christmas - whether lavish or simple - is just what you need this year, and that you are able to feel our Savior's love during this season.Merry Christmas!
The Comforts of Home
As much as I love traveling, especially to visit family, nothing beats the comforts of home. Being gone for several days helps me appreciate even more those little everyday things that I normally sometimes take for granted.
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Our memory foam mattress topper. If you don't have one of these, and you're not one of those lucky people who have a memory foam mattress, go get one. It makes your bed ten million times more comfortable. They're inexpensive (we got ours at Walmart) and really improve your sleep. We LOVE ours. So does Teddy. He literally cannot wait for bed every night. When he's ready, he will catch our eye, trot toward the bedroom and then look back to make sure we are following so we can lift him up onto the bed. Then he'll bark if we don't join him. He likes the pack to stay together. Comfortably.
2. Crushed ice. Trivial, I know. I just really like my ice in tiny little crunchy slivers. I'm so glad the ice-maker here pulverizes it for me!
3. Pomegranate & Mango Body Wash. This comes in a big bottle, so I never take it with me when I travel. But it smells soooo yummy. And a lot of times I can pick it up for $1 or even free with a coupon when it's on sale. That makes it even more comforting!
4. Our ottoman. I'm a sloucher. I have to put my feet up and just burrow in when I'm watching TV or on my laptop. We have an ottoman that goes with our couches and so I'm used to being halfway horizontal whenever I'm "sitting". It always surprises me how many people don't have ottomans. They most likely all have better posture than me, but I'm more comfortable!
5. The sound of the rain on the roof. What's more comforting that being all warm and dry and cozy inside with a cute man and a sweet dog while listening to the rain fall on the roof? Safety. Comfort. Peace. Ahhhhh.
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Our memory foam mattress topper. If you don't have one of these, and you're not one of those lucky people who have a memory foam mattress, go get one. It makes your bed ten million times more comfortable. They're inexpensive (we got ours at Walmart) and really improve your sleep. We LOVE ours. So does Teddy. He literally cannot wait for bed every night. When he's ready, he will catch our eye, trot toward the bedroom and then look back to make sure we are following so we can lift him up onto the bed. Then he'll bark if we don't join him. He likes the pack to stay together. Comfortably.
2. Crushed ice. Trivial, I know. I just really like my ice in tiny little crunchy slivers. I'm so glad the ice-maker here pulverizes it for me!
3. Pomegranate & Mango Body Wash. This comes in a big bottle, so I never take it with me when I travel. But it smells soooo yummy. And a lot of times I can pick it up for $1 or even free with a coupon when it's on sale. That makes it even more comforting!
4. Our ottoman. I'm a sloucher. I have to put my feet up and just burrow in when I'm watching TV or on my laptop. We have an ottoman that goes with our couches and so I'm used to being halfway horizontal whenever I'm "sitting". It always surprises me how many people don't have ottomans. They most likely all have better posture than me, but I'm more comfortable!
5. The sound of the rain on the roof. What's more comforting that being all warm and dry and cozy inside with a cute man and a sweet dog while listening to the rain fall on the roof? Safety. Comfort. Peace. Ahhhhh.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Scott. I missed him.
2. Teddy. I missed him.
3. Scott. I really, really missed him!!!!
4. Teddy. I really, really missed him!!!!
5. Sleeping in my own bed.
It's SO good to be home...
1. Scott. I missed him.
2. Teddy. I missed him.
3. Scott. I really, really missed him!!!!
4. Teddy. I really, really missed him!!!!
5. Sleeping in my own bed.
It's SO good to be home...
Messiness
Tonight I illustrated the fact that I know very little about children. I decided I wanted to dip pretzels with Tyler and Ashley, so I melted the chocolate and peanut butter chips, and propped them up on some kitchen chairs to help me at the counter.
I showed them how and fully expected that they would do it just like I showed them - dip your pretzel, swirl it around and put it on the plate.
Then I quickly realized that this was going to be nothing more than a fondue dipping party...
...that got messier...
...and messier.
But the kids had fun...
...and definitely needed a bath by the time we were done!
The results are delicious!
Poor baby Claire didn't get to have any fun...
Give her a couple of years, though. I'll get her into all sorts of trouble!
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Adventures in Pretzel Dipping!
2. Good Customer Service. Josephine and I went furniture shopping today. The man at the outlet we went to was warm, pleasant, helpful, not pushy and gave her a great deal on her new bedroom furniture. Love it!
3. A new TV show. Ben and Josephine have been watching Leverage and introduced me to it tonight. I am a sucker for a good TV show, and this one just might make it onto my favorites list on my sidebar.
4. Chocolate Overload. As if gorging ourselves on chocolate-peanut butter pretzels wasn't enough, Ben made brownies tonight, too. We ate them warm with a big glass of milk. Heaven.
5. Missing Scott. I have to say, as much fun as I am having, I'm ready to go home tomorrow. I miss my cute husband. We have been talking on the phone several times a day though, and it reminds me of before we were married and I was in OH and he was in MD and we talked for hours and hours. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I am FOND of that man!!
I showed them how and fully expected that they would do it just like I showed them - dip your pretzel, swirl it around and put it on the plate.
Then I quickly realized that this was going to be nothing more than a fondue dipping party...
...that got messier...
...and messier.
But the kids had fun...
...and definitely needed a bath by the time we were done!
The results are delicious!
Poor baby Claire didn't get to have any fun...
Give her a couple of years, though. I'll get her into all sorts of trouble!
Today's Favorite Things are...
1. Adventures in Pretzel Dipping!
2. Good Customer Service. Josephine and I went furniture shopping today. The man at the outlet we went to was warm, pleasant, helpful, not pushy and gave her a great deal on her new bedroom furniture. Love it!
3. A new TV show. Ben and Josephine have been watching Leverage and introduced me to it tonight. I am a sucker for a good TV show, and this one just might make it onto my favorites list on my sidebar.
4. Chocolate Overload. As if gorging ourselves on chocolate-peanut butter pretzels wasn't enough, Ben made brownies tonight, too. We ate them warm with a big glass of milk. Heaven.
5. Missing Scott. I have to say, as much fun as I am having, I'm ready to go home tomorrow. I miss my cute husband. We have been talking on the phone several times a day though, and it reminds me of before we were married and I was in OH and he was in MD and we talked for hours and hours. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and I am FOND of that man!!
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