Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas...

Actually, it all started 4 nights before Christmas when over the river and through the woods to Carrie and Todd's house we went,

The Dad knows the way

To guide the van-sleigh

Through the icy I-15 road.

It was fabulous...a Christmas smorgasbord of delights...and a final decadent party to say good-bye to a home we have known and loved for so many years. A final toast to a home that has held and fed and entertained the masses with grace and beauty through so many events...and here's a toast to the new home that will always be our favorite place to be if Carrie and Todd are there.

 

There is no hostess in the world like this festive lady! And I truly can say that I don't know another soul in this world that can wear a poinsettia headband and look this pretty! I would look like an enormous potted plant...she looks like a Vogue model!

There were meatballs made out of bison (surprisingly delicious...and very healthy!), potato casserole made out of nothing healthy, spinach dip, red cabbage, delicious veggies and yummy fruit salad...it was delicious.

And as always, the house was decorated with lovely flowers, white lights, candles, and Christmas splendor!

And then the party continued on Christmas Eve...I felt selfish. I didn't have to choose which fabulous people to spend the night with...they all came to me. Chris' family and my family...all in one place. I didn't even have to leave my home! It was a fun night.

Of course, we started with the food. Now this was a little break from tradition...since we had eaten our Swedish Jul Bord a few nights early, we decided to venture out and try something new. We had a great big turkey bird...but don't despair...there was lots of spinach dip!

I adore this woman's passion for spinach dip. She loves it with an intensity and depth that speaks to my soul. It was bountiful and delicious!

My beautiful niece who is not only gorgeous, but so much fun! I love to imagine how high school and college would have been with her looks AND fabulous personality!

After dinner, we gathered for the traditional acting out of the nativity. CayLynne came prepared with an amazing container of nativity costumes to fit every size and personality. I was playing the piano so my back was to the "stage"...it got really raucous when the wise men and sheperds showed up. Here Mary and Joseph are waiting serenely with their horse "Little Ed" hanging over the manger.

The party really got moving when those angels appeared. And you have NEVER heard the chorus of "Angels We Have Heard On High" sung with more gusto. It was loud and very glorious.

The wise men were very buff and good-looking. They brought a very modern edge to the nativity with the tinsel and "bling" of the Fancy Nancy crown. I adore my nieces and nephews who are fabulous participants in whatever is going on. Wise men in a nativity with a bunch of little kids?? No problem...pass the tinsel.

Members of the star studded cast. They were amazing!

I read a few stories from the Carr family binder. We finished with an amazing entry by Juli, who passed away last August from an 8 year battle with cancer. The first Christmas after she was diagnosed, she wrote an entry for our family binder about her experiences and blessings. It is a powerful testimony to those of us still facing trials and adversity. I was so grateful for this amazing gift!

Then Chip shared a little story about the Swedish tradition of the Jul Tomten...and while he was talking, the kids started staring out the window into the cold, snowy night to see if they could spot a lantern coming toward the house. And lo and behold, look who showed up at our house...

Jul Tomten!!!

So I married into a family that is completely unphased by the request that their college freshman son come to the family Christmas party and dress up like a Swedish troll and deliver presents. And as if that weren't a big enough request, my sister-in-law calls back later that afternoon to say she has found and purchased a bathrobe that she will make some quick alterations to so it can be a jul tomten coat. AND he had a fabulous long beard AND a hat AND he knew how to say "Merry Christmas" in Swedish! I truly could not adore my in-laws more.

He brought all the kids new pajamas and the adults received candy and necklace pendants. The kids were enthralled...and Jul Tomten did a fabulous job. It was hands down my favorite event from this Christmas. Thank you Stephen!!

Presents in pillowcases...and then he mysteriously disappeared again into the cold, snowy night.

Then...twas the night before Christmas,

When all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring,

Not even a mouse.

(P.S. Just a small note to the  mouse that left feces in my garage...if you EVER step one little paw onto this property again, I WILL let Squeakers, the neighbors ferocious cat, hunt you down until you wish you were never born. Let that be a warning to you...foul little rodent.)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds (or on the floor...curled in a ball)

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a good looking man wearing a Santa cap.

This was SO my lucky night.

Lucky for me, he didn't smoke a pipe (it makes me cough SO bad) and he didn't have a round little belly that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly...although those kinds of bellies are darling as well.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying a finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod he said,

"Hey, do we have anymore of that delicious Christmas trifle?"

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

It was a glorious Christmas.

Filled with homemade splendors...

And wonderful packages from abroad (thank you Mo and Papa!)

Sweet gifts...

And scary gifts...

This is where we honor the sausage roll, scrambled cheesy eggs and cranberry juice. I look forward to you all  year!

Happy  Holidays to one and all! Hope it was magical and filled with joy!

A Small Note to all the Young Ladies of the World

Dear Young Ladies of the World,

There has been much talk of late regarding this:

And this:

So this evening I'd like to throw a little reality check  into the discussion.

Eleven years ago, I fell in love with this incredible guy. I could go on and on about all the reasons I fell in love with him (and I even have proof...a list I made of 54 spectacular things I liked about him that include happy eyes and the fact that he made a great BLT sandwich) but we will stick to a language we can all understand. Among some of the reasons that I think this man is amazing is that:

a) he does not show up every day with a terrible, pasty make-up job

b) he is not freezing cold

c) he knows how to carry on a conversation

d) he doesn't want to eat me or drain my bodily fluids

e) he doesn't get all hairy and wolf like when he gets mad

f) he doesn't clench his jaw muscles continually

g) he doesn't have a mullet

h) he is real.

Hmmm...reality. Let me tell you what REALLY makes me fall in love with this delicious husband of mine every day:

a) This morning I woke up to a sink and a kitchen that looked like this:

There is nothing more wonderful to me than a man who sees something that needs to be done, that KNOWS how happy it will make his wife, and does it. It sparkled, the dishes in the dishwasher were clean...it made me smile all day.

b) Last night my husband made 2 dozen of these:

My daughter was having her birthday party and wanted cupcakes. And so my husband who understands his little girl made cupcakes with her. I love watching this man with his children. He understands perfectly when it is time to stop and play with them, when they need extra tickles or a story or even when one of his children just needs him to sit on the floor next to them until they fall asleep.

c) And he also put together 16 of these:

Please try and marry a man who knows how to whip up some icing and put together "gingerbread castles" for little children to decorate at a party. Are you amazed? I'm not even done.

d) On Monday, we had a party scheduled for 16 princesses and knights. The party was supposed to have been the previous Saturday but the princess who was hosting the whole affair threw up, we figured it was better to reschedule. That afternoon I started not feeling well...and by 2:50 p.m. I was lying in bed wondering if I was going to die. I had to go pick up the boys from school...I grabbed a green plastic Barnes and Noble bag and headed out to the car. Deep breathing, deep breathing. I got to the school, pulled up in carpool line and called my husband sobbing. What were we going to do? The kids are coming, I'm going to throw up, help! Then I called my sister-in-law and she got the same sob story. I finally got the boys and started driving home. We only had to stop 2 times on the side of the road with the hazard lights blinking so I could throw up in my green plastic bag. It wasn't pretty. But seconds after I got home, my husband and sister-in-law showed up. They sent me to the bathroom to go "do my thing" and my darling husband ran a princess party. They danced, they played, they decorated gingerbread houses, they ate cupcakes, and had a wonderful time. He didn't ask me to cancel the party, he didn't argue about coming home, he didn't give me a sob story about not knowing how to run a princess party, he did it. And he did a fabulous job!

When I met my husband, I knew there was something very special about him. I fell in love with him because he was physically, spiritually and emotionally strong and at the same time, gentle and patient and loving. I wasn't smart enough to know all the things I needed or would want in a husband. (I do have to admit I thought he had beautiful eyes and a great bum.) But the Lord knew...and he is a gift. There isn't anything he won't do or try. There is no chore or job that he won't pitch in or help with. He loves his family. He is a devoted and kind husband and father. And I adore him...crazy about him.

I went and saw New Moon with my husband...and I held his hand and we laughed at the fact that Edward always talks in that breathy voice and that Jacob can't seem to keep his clothes on and everyone has terrible make-up jobs and Bella still can't give me one lousy reason to like her. And I walked out still thinking I was the luckiest woman in the world to be married to this man.

So Young Ladies of the World...enjoy the lmovie love story. But don't believe a word of it. Real love stories don't happen like that...they are so, so, so much better. Good looking is truly skin deep and pretty words are just that...pretty words. What a man does, how he treats others, how he treats you...those are the things that count. Real love stories are deeper and last longer and are more beautiful...you're just going to have to trust an old lady on this one.

Ewww...

Here is the funny thing about life...9 years ago I put my career on hold because I had this darling little baby that was followed by 2 other little darlings and I think somewhere in my mind I just thought it would all be on hold until someday I went back to work. I don't know what I thought I'd be doing...hanging out at home, changing diapers, feeding small people, doing dishes?? OK, so I do lots and lots of those things but please appreciate what I will be doing in my 3rd grade child's classroom next week...really, check it out. And if you think you have the stomach for it, PLEASE let me know. I'm having serious doubts about my ability to do this...


Cow Eyeball Dissection


And you know what is even stranger? I just ordered 3 cow eyeballs that said they will be delivered in a pail in 5-10 business days. Isn't the internet amazing? Just googled "cow eyeball" and ordered myself 3 gorgeous eyeballs. (I'm really trying not to be utterly disgusted by the fact that every time I googled it, I got some link about whether or not McDonalds really uses cow eyeballs in their hamburgers. Like I needed another reason to shun the golden arches...Cow eyeball hamburger patties)


So step right up...have a child or two and get yourself a whole lot more than you bargained for! What an adventure. Really. I had no idea how gross it would be or how much fun...on so many levels.


Oh, and if you need some eyeballs or a lamb brain hop right on over to Cow eyeballs for sale.

Just a strange P.S. to this random post...I was reading the customer reviews on this cow eyeball product and found a customer had the following to say regarding this product...

EYEBALL

Date: February 18, 2009

Pros: Effective, Engaging, Grade Level Appropriate

This item is perfect for just about any age! Came with step by step directions that helped us understand and observe each part of the eye. Our 4 year old liked to play with the extra tissue, and the older girls enjoyed learning more about how their own eye works by having a "super sized" eyeball to investigate. Of course all our friends like to hear about what we do in science at our house. I liked it so much I donated some to our local school. I will be ordering more of these type items! 

 

Um, could someone explain what mother is letting her 4-year old play with the extra eyeball tissue...whatever happened to Fisher Price toys??? Gross.

Joy

 

From the day she entered my world....

she has made me happy. Truly, deeply, insanely happy.

 

 She is my friend. I love being with her.

 

She is so girlie. She loves fancy and pink and dress-ups. She plans excellent tea parties.

 

HB loves adventure. She loves to giggle and play and dance.

 

 She is beautiful inside and outside. She has her father's happy, happy eyes. 

 

 But don't be fooled...she is also incredibly sassy, fiesty, independent, and fiercely determined.

 

I'm so grateful to be a part of her life. 

 

 I love being her mother.

 

Happy, happy birthday my sweet daughter.

 

All of you are perfectly perfect.

Like I said...joy. Pure joy.

Fall in the Valley

Oh, I'm a fall junkie. There isn't one single thing that I don't love about this time of year. I love looking up at the mountains in September and seeing that first glimpse of color. And every day it creeps further and further down until it spreads itself out over the valley and turns our world into a fantastic, breathtaking world of color. And they are all my very favorite colors in the whole world (as my new red living room will attest). Reds, oranges, yellows, greens, browns...and they aren't shy colors. They are big and bold and beautiful. It feels my heart with such wonder and joy that I feel like I could burst into a fall firework show every time I walk outside.

Fall confetti lining the gutters with such gleeful festivity!

More fall confetti...

Outside my very own front door...

In the leafy treetops...

My front lawn...there will be no raking in this yard.

They are so elegant and stately. Love these colors!

Another strange fall occurrence...the appearance of a mermaid in our bathtub. She is in there frequently just floating serenely in the water. Truly, she would just lie there for hours if I let her.

And then I walked in the family room the other day and found Santa Claus and his reindeer flying through...HB and her best friend were watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and just had to try it out. JR is Santa and HB volunteered to be the reindeer in front!

Friends...in any season!

So if you are in the area, stop by. I'll be sitting on my front porch with a cup of orange hot chocolate admiring the leaves and mermaids and other miracles of fall!