Time Keeps on Slippin'

slippin', slippin... and I haven't posted in a while. I started a post earlier this week wishing you all a Merry Belated Christmas, but then the phone rang and it was a BFF so we had to talk til all hours, and I never got back to that blog post...


And so here we are. Snow-covered on New Year's Eve 2009. Preparing for 2010. Well, not really, but I like seeing this first decade of the new century so obviously stated. How will you pronounce the new year? Is it "Two Thousand Ten" or is it "Twenty Ten"? I haven't decided yet. I do know that I'll still be writing 2009 on my checks in April, though. It takes me awhile to get used to change.


This has been quite a decade. Ten years ago today, I was triple checking my inventory of food and cash for the inevitable crash that was going to occur as the clock ticked into the YEAR 2000. Obviously THAT didn't happen.


Keith and I were still in pre-children bliss, but eagerly anticipating the birth of our first child after having just told everyone that we were "expecting" that Christmas. We were both working, fixing up our first home, and we were so happy (well, except for my concern about the whole YEAR 2000 thing)


Now, a decade later, and still so happy, we have 2 awesome children, we are in house #2, we've purchased 2 new (and one used) cars, I've had 2 different hairstyles and I'm 2 pant sizes fluffier. I've said goodbye to one grandparent, one dear friend, and a brother-in-law (although he's still on this side of eternity...) And I won't even delve into all of the changes we've indured as a country!


Things sure do keep changing. And I already told you above how I do with change. Not that I don't like change, it just takes some getting used to. And that's why I haven't taken the time to blog over the past few weeks. I've wanted to, needed to, savor the moments I have with my family because in another ten years things will inevitably look so very different from now.


Here is our NOW:

May your New Year be full of fun, laughter,

and may you find warmth in the comfort of dear family and friends.

Have a blessed, Happy New Year! Cheers to the Now, and to our Future!

***Updated on 1/2/2010 to add more of our NOW that I somehow didn't get pictures of on Christmas!

These two nephews of mine need their own post, I think. I'll get to that sometime soon....

About Last Night

Last night was the beginning of the end for me --- weight-wise, that is. At least for the next few weeks. Because last night was the annual cookie bake with my sisters-in-law. Thankfully, we only made three kinds.

There were spritz cookies in several different shapes, in both red and green (and some accidentally both red AND green...)


And these....

Which became these....

And then there are these... a personal favorite

No, not the carmel apple martini - I have NO idea how that even got there....

I mean these...

Almond Crescents...ahh...

Aside from the dozen I ate last night, today I've eaten, umm.. well, let's just say I'm covered in powdered sugar right now, and so is my keyboard...

And the worst isn't over. Tomorrow is my own annual cookie baking day. When I make the rest of my favorites. I have to. It's tradition. And I'm big on tradition. I'll be making 2 different kinds of biscotti, and cracker candy and truffles and raspberry swirls and ... and my poor little wii mii. She is going to be in some bad shape - literally.

Here is one cookie I won't be making tomorrow, but I just had to share it because it is so stinkin' cute and creative and crazy time-consuming. Saw it on www.notmartha.org. There are some very cute ideas on that site. However, I do think she must be related to THE Martha. I'm mean just look at these things!

Gingerbread houses that hang over your coffee mug! I know, I know. I rolled my eyes, too. and even had a milisecond thought of thinking I should try to make some. Thankfully it was a fleeting thought.

Anyway, I'm hoping that my home looks like this winter wonderland tomorrow. "They say" we are going to get 10-12 inches of snow tomorrow! Sounds like a perfect baking (eating) kind of day.

Santaday

Okay, so I could have done better with the outfits for their pictures with Santa. But, really we were just at a pancake breakfast to support the Ruritans in our community, and boy scouts, and I really wasn't thinking about sitting on Santa's lap. But he was there, so we had to get a picture with him, and tell him what we want for Christmas. And by we, I mean Noah and Emily. I spared the poor man my current poundage. He would have immediately put my name on the naughty list. Plus, my wish list is even longer than Noah and Emmy's this year. I might have had kids throwing candy canes at me 'cause I was hogging up all of the jolly guy's time.

My wish list includes things like a tumbling composter, canning supplies and a generator. Don't ask. It also includes things like magazine subscriptions to Eating Well and Clean Eating, the book Mastering Your Metabolism ( by Jillian - the OTHER trainer...) and gift cards to Anthro and Loft (for when I actually lose all the weight I gained on the um...cruise? ....

Noah has a very modest list this year, and his most desired thing is a Marshmellow Shooter. Emmy? She's asking for the moon - and a puppy, and a DS, and an IPHONE!! among many other things.... What's on your list this year?

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Despite how often it happens, it continues to rattle me that people can be listening to or reading the exact same thing and come away with something so completely different. Whether it be listening to a TV news reporter, politician or comedian, it is amazing to me how differently people hear what is said. I do not know when this extreme divide occured in our country, but it scares me.

So, I've decided I'll just be listening to Christmas music for a while. Pretty straight forward I think. Simple message. Important message. Timely. And fills me with hope and peace. Because despite all the opinions and interpretations out there, God is in control. Praise Him for the life of that Baby born in Bethlehem.

Last night, we enjoyed a special concert at Barnes and Noble, featuring our very own Noah. Okay, well, he wasn't FEATURED, but he was part of the chorus. Keith continues to be amazed by our son's lack of fear when in front of large groups of people, or even just performing in front of us. Keith has said so many times, "I never would have been able to do that at his age!"

And in 4th grade, I may have very well thrown up and/or passed out in such a situation as this.

But not this handsome feller. Nope. How nice for us. And how nice to hear him singing.

Do you have a favorite Christmas song that you like to listen to or sing? I have too many favorites to say, but I do enjoy singing Bruce Springsteen's version of "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" just to drive my kids crazy :) And I think O Holy Night is one of the most beautiful. But there are sooo many good ones out there! Thankfully - since that's all I'm going to be listening to for a while!