Wednesday, December 30, 2009

year in review*


Love nephew#3 sanfrancisco kayak laughter providence ichat sun art NYC tea sailing confusion kansascity architecture beach rain bigsur music camping exploration berkeley 2009 blessed airports JUMP beauty capecod challenge BFF boston home wander redstripe german faith ponder sisters snow wine newport rockclimb change brownUniversity family smile wisdom brooklyn library music phenomenology sunshine chicago tears LIFE

[ It was kind of a mess. Cheers to '10. ]

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A Sweet Song


A Fine Frenzy - You Picked Me

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Love Bug


1.
Love Bug
82 up17 down love it hate it
A disgusting creature that burrows into someone's brain when
they least expect it and then lays eggs which then travel through
your blood stream and into your heart, thus contaminating you
with the vile feeling that people call love.
I think he's got the love bug..I guess we must tear off his head.

Thank you, UrbanDictionary 
for that lovely description.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Oh, Christmas Tree



There I am, trespassing to pose with the giant christmas tree.

Friday, December 25, 2009

*
Hyvää 
joulua!
Mutlu
Noeller!
Весела Коледа!
FelizNavidad!
Joyeux Noël!
СРождеством!
Frohe Weihnachten!
Merry Christmas
*

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Since when is Brown Not a Christmas Color?

I just had quite a time wrapping up Christmas presents.  This year I opted for a neutral, sort of vintage packaging theme.  I bought brown paper, so yes, that is intentional and not a last-minute grab at grocery bags for wrapping paper.  I wanted the brown.  I love the simplicity.  It reminds me of a present from back in the day (whatever day) where the glittery, shiny, loud paper was not an option.  Sort of an early 1940s feel to it, which I (inaccurately?) associate with simple, pure times.  
 I may be the only one excited about it.  The poor people receiving the gifts may be less than enthused.  I got some ribbons to jazz it up a bit & my favorite part is the bells attached or tucked inside.  Especially for the ones that will be received in the mail rather than in person. How exciting to have a package that jingles its way across the land+sea into your hands!

 

















Let's start with photo #1.  They didn't get to take pictures with the other presents because they have been en route across the world.  That white one is hopefully getting close to Bremen, Germany, and the little brown guy safely arrived in San Francisco 2 days ago.  So simple.  So cute.  Unfortunately, due to my blogger audience, the contents inside them are super top secret until all presents have been received and opened by all.

The next pictures are obviously my sweet little brownies aforementioned.  That big one being attacked by bows is for my mom.  Hence, the "Mum" written on the card. Yeah, its a mixer.  She asked for it, but it's definitely more of a practical gift than any mind-blowing extraordinary present.  It was probably my favorite to wrap because of its size and shape.  I also like the attack of the bows.



That little rectangular guy on top of it is for my little nephew.  It's a brain quest.  I am the aunt that refused to walk down the ever-exciting (and crowded), favorite among the kids Star Wars aisle.  I just cannot get myself excited about Star Wars, so I could not get excited about giving such a gift.  With a brain quest he can learn lots of fun math facts!  Plus, I didn't completely banish the Star Wars idea.  I grabbed a coloring book full of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi (which is super fun to say), R2-D2, lightsabers, and Darth.  So, you see, I am not actually the worst aunt/gift-giver.

His sister got a Tinkerbell doll, of which I think both Giver and Receiver will be happy about.  Tink is such a sweet little character.  It is a win-win situation.  And if Kellen asks why Grace got a good gift and he didn't, I can always use the youngest of the three to make him feel better.  That is because I don't even have a present for the 3rd little tike.  So if anyone got the shaft, it's little Karson.  I mean what do you get the 10 month old who has everything?  That's on my list for tomorrow.  For tonight, I am off to place these presents under the tree and tuck in for the night.





















Merry Almost Christmas Eve!!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Hey, Santa

This morning on the radio they were asking listeners to call in and share what they would ask Santa for if he could bring them anything for Christmas.  One lady wished for a new back, one lady wanted Taylor Swift tickets, and one guy wished for a new WIFE.  How sad is that?  Even worse, they have only been married 3 months.  Best of luck to that poor guy (and to his gal too).

If I could ask Santa for one thing, it would be to spend New Year's Eve + Day in Germany with my sweetheart.  Oh, what a pleasant thought.
What is your wish??



Come on Santa, please exist. . .

Sunday, December 20, 2009

What I Did Today

This afternoon I attempted to make
homemade blackberry jam.  
I say attempted because I am still waiting to see if it sets properly.


I cannot believe how much sugar the recipe calls for.  *Yikes*


And now I sit and wait, fingers crossed and breath held.
I hope it is deliciosa.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

just for fun

Would You Rather...

be mechanically induced to scream at the top of your lungs for an hour
-or-
have your eyes glued shut for a day?

While naked, fall flat on your back on 30 set mouse traps
-or-
have a potted plant dropped on your head from 5 feet above?

Bite the curb and get kicked in the back of the head
-or-
get a paper cut on your eyeball?

have an elephant as a close, personal friend,
-or-
be born with a refrigerator on your back?

[Borrowed from Zobmondo]

Happy Friday!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009


Thanks to my favorite 5 year old
for picking me up from the airport
& insisting on carrying my suitcase.
Sweet little pea.

Monday, December 14, 2009

I like Christmas trees.
Menorahs are pretty too. 



If Seth Cohen can celebrate Chrismakuh, by george, so can I. 

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

snow!!

I just love the first snowfall of the year.  The anticipation of work/school closing, the hyped newcasters preparing us for the worst, and the need to bundle up in scarves and mittens are a few reasons why I prefer seasons rather than static weather conditions.

And guess what else?  I have a special visitor coming in two days!! 
I hope it continues snowing and snowing and snowing
so we can be like these people in the picture.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

A Dream To Be Realized

Built-in Bookcases!!
They are just so charming. . .









          

P.S. Am I old-fashioned for thinking the TV above the mantel sort of kills the charm?  Maybe its just me.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

"Mmmm."

One of the best aspects of the holiday season is the warm scents that make you close your eyes, crack a smile, raise your shoulders a bit, and say "Mmmm."  The sweet smells of cinnamon sticks, baked apple pies, homemade hot chocolate, peppermint candles, some gingerbread, perhaps--these are what make the cold winter months so cozy and exciting...or at least tolerable.  That, and the return of those winter fragrances that have been so sadly ignored during the summer months.  It's Burberry Brit time!

I am a lover of most things Burberry: The nova check handbags, classic trenches, the English nostalgia of the name, their captivating ad campaigns (nice work, Christopher Bailey), and the timelessness of their products.  I have even developed a slight girl crush on Emma Watson, without ever reading or watching any of the Harry Potter series.  Most importantly, I just love my Burberry Brit.  I always get compliments when I wear it, and as I sit at my boring little desk, evilly glaring out the window at the gray sky that matches the gray trees, the lifeless grass, and the ugly little squirrel, I catch a whiff of that "green-oriental blend of lush fruits, sweet nutty essences, and soothing amber, vanilla, and Tonka bean."  (That lovely description was borrowed from Sephora.  I couldn't have said it better myself. :)  When I catch that whiff, it puts a slight smile on my face, raises my shoulders a bit, and makes me go, "Mmmm."  Happy Winter.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009


Sometimes life isn't what you expect.  
Sometimes it's better.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Favorite Lately.

Mini Babybels.  They are yummy & adorable.

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