New Additions!

Since we're in the middle of destroying our apartment (otherwise known as rearranging with Megs - don't worry, there will be a before and after post coming soon), here's a little post I had been saving up for a snowy day. And oh wait! It's snowing!


Anyone who knows me knows that the way to my heart is through gifts. I realize this makes me sound shallow and materialistic, but unfortunately, it's true. But not just any gifts. It could be a horribly tacky trinket from the dollar store, and if it has a special meaning behind it, I will most likely keep it for the rest of my life. Expense is no factor whatsoever, as long as the intention behind it is meaningful.


This Christmas was an especially wonderful one, as far as the feeding of my love-language went. I wanted to share with you a few of the beautiful things I was blessed to receive, because as far as I'm concerned, they're too beautiful not to share with you.


First up is this woven basket from my mother-in-law. Having heard me raving about how much I loved the southern baskets featured in magazines from the markets in Charleston, South Carolina, she made a point to pick one up for me while on a road trip quite some time ago. I'm already envisioning the items that will be displayed in it. What a great, great thing - functional and pretty.

Next is this exquisite, one-of-a-kind bracelet. Once again, my sweet mother-in-law caught on that I fell in love with this artist's jewelry while we were working at a wine festival. I pretty much haven't taken it off since receiving it, and I'm pretty sure it will become a fixture on my wrist. Sorry other bracelets, this one is just so pretty!

 Last but not least is this piece of artwork from my parents and grandparents, which has quite a story. My grandfather (fondly known as Pop-pop) attended the Parson's School of Design in New York City when he was a young man. He and my grandma were newlyweds, living on in a tiny apartment in the city while he went through school. (Sound familiar? Scott and I are newlyweds, living in the city while he is in school...) This mixed media piece was something my Pop-pop completed in 1952 - almost 60 years ago. My mom and dad had it matted and framed for Scott and I for Christmas, and it's something we'll treasure forever.

Please forgive a bit of glare and reflection in the glass, and the obvious fact
that this photo overlaps my formatting a bit. I wanted it to be big
enough to see!

I hope I haven't come across as braggy or snooty - please know that I just wanted to share these beautiful things with you. Do you have any little items or pieces of art that have a special story? I'd love to hear about them!

Christmas 2010 Highlights

Now that Scott and I are finally back home for a while, we're getting the photos unloaded from our cameras and I'm reminiscing through the memories of another great Christmas. Here are our highlights from Christmas Day this year. Hope yours was just as wonderful!

Well, this was actually Christmas Eve, but too fun of a picture
to not post. This is my mom and I, about 2 seconds before I managed to fall
off the toboggan. Classic.

Santa brought Scott and my dad pencil torches in their stockings.
Our lives will never be the same.

The world's most beautiful Christmas morning. ...but I might be a little biased.

My sister-in-law bought my brother "grow-in-water" boxers.
It took a bit longer for them to inflate than we thought.
Go ahead, let your imagination run wild. 

They will probably kill me for this, but I love it anyway. My brother and sister-in-law.
Love them.

The kids' teamed up and bought my dad (or should I say my mom)
wireless headphones so he could watch his loud (obnoxious) news shows
without anyone else hearing a sound. With the exception of his hoots and hollers.

Props to Scott's best friend for a hysterical wrapping job. And an AWESOME
Christmas present - tickets to an Anberlin concert later on this month.

This probably has a lot more meaning to members of my family, but my brother
got my Grammie a banana-keeper....for bananas on the go. Hilarious. 

This is the same man that raced us on sleds the day before.
Love my Pop-pop.

Mom and Dad got my brother a gift card for Christmas. But instead of
just putting it in a card or a gift bag, they decided to make it interesting.
By wrapping it in saran wrap, tying a string to it, and burying it
deep in a jar of peanut butter. Which was wrapped like a normal present.
Have I mentioned that I love my family??

It may not look like much, but this is a recipe that has been passed down
for several generations in my family, and has been the source of many
Christmas meal feuds over who gets the last serving. My friends...be introduced
to Spaetzle - a homemade German dumpling/noodle. And sorry, you won't
be getting the recipe from me anytime soon. Or ever. But you are welcome
to someday come share a holiday meal with me and maybe I will share with you.
But only if you bring me a good present. And some chocolate.

I love this picture of my mom. Pretty, but you can just see that mischief
lying under the surface. 

Hilarious game of Blink with some family friends. 

And we'll finish off with this. The photo that will cause me to be excommunicated
from our family. But it's worth it, because it's amazing. Remember mom - you gave birth
to me - you have to love me!