New Years Already?

Wow. New Years Eve really snuck up on me this year. It's funny, living away from home, friends and family, time seems to stand still for me. This year has gone by terribly fast in some ways and painfully slow in others. I can't say I'm sad to see 2010 stay or go. Or the new year to begin tomorrow. I'm trying not to set resolutions for myself or get caught up in sadness over what might have been. I'm just trying to put one foot in front of the other one till it is time for the previous one to lead again. So to all my family, friends or random folks who may have stumbled upon this blog, Happy New Year to you and yours. May hope guide your way home.

Blessings, nm

Christmas 2010

Well Christmas 2010 has come and gone. We spent it quietly at home, snacking on treats, watching movies, talking on the phone to loved ones and taking turns playing with Hazel and her new toys. Overall, a lovely day.

It was very strange to be away from the comforts of "home" this year and we all found it amazing how the weather very much contributes to the feeling for Christmas for us. I'm not sure we ever realized that before. Christmas just doesn't really feel like Christmas when it's 60 degrees outside. Not for me at least. We made it through it though and here we are, on the other side, happy.

Hazel made out like a bandit but there was never any doubt she would. Some many wonderful gifts for her came from our family all over the US. I receive some lovely things too. A wonderful cookbook from my Dad, some fancy chocolate and macaroons but my favorite was my new bird earrings from John. They haven't left my ears since right after I took that photo above. I doubt they will be any time soon either.

More gifts should be arriving today. Amazing. This year I didn't really get as much done as I wanted and I still have gifts to send out (isn't that terrible! If we are someone waiting for something from me, sorry. I ran out of time and steam this year). I'll be getting to those this week. Maybe since it's after the holiday the mail will actually work like it's suppose too.

Ok, I'm off to start my day,

More soon, nm

Hypothetical Christmas

Ok, I lied. One more post today. Hazel gave me an extra bit of time to do whatever I wanted this morning and so I chose my ever eternal most favorite way to waste time. Polyvore. Check it out if you haven't. It's amazing.

Anyways, Hypothetical Christmas (click the pic to see it bigger because I'm rubbish at figuring out anything to do with computer lay out) is what I'm calling my wish list this year. I don't actually think I'm going to get any of this stuff but it's all stuff that makes my little heart go all gooey inside. Most everything is from my favorite shops (Anthropologie, Fossil, Toast, Urban Outfitters). The most surprising thing I want this year is a record player. I have no idea where this little nugget of happiness has come from but I really want one. Maybe it's that I remember listening to records with my parents when I was younger. I loved looking through the covers and picking out something special for the family to rock out to. It's not a practical gift but it just might be at the top of my list this year.

What things are at the top of your list, hypothetical or not, this year? I'd love to know.

Ok, really this time. More soon, nm

Candy

Christmas Candy was made in mass quantity at our house yesterday. My lovely friend Heather came over and we rolled stuff in chocolate till we couldn't stand the sight of it anymore. We made five different kinds of yummy treats. Corn Flake Candy, Oreo Truffles, Peanut Butter Balls, Tootsie Roll Fudge and Martha Washington's. OMG. I think I'm addicted to candy making. This might replace the cookie making I like to do each year because I found this to be easier and more fun in the long run. We made a big mess, had all the candy made, put everything in tins and were cleaned up by six pm. I was very proud of us for our first candy making try. Everything turned out SO yummy too. I'd be happy to share recipes with anyone who wants them. Now if I can just keep myself and Hazel from eating all of it before the actual day of Christmas, we'll be set.

This week I have to finish up last minute gifts, grocery shop and clean the house. Oh and wrap presents. I keep saying I'm going to do it every night but then I put it off. I'm better under pressure anyways.

Alright. That's all from me today. I'm off to drink coffee and plot my course for today.

More soon, nm

Our Weekend

Another weekend, come and gone. We started it off with a trip over The Bay to Union City (about a 45 minute drive from us). We had been planning for two weeks to have a little "Midwest Reunion". We couldn't believe how excited we were for Wal-mart. Right inside the door it didn't fail to deliver that old familiar chaotic feeling but we somehow managed to wander the isles finding joy in the way we felt like we were home. Who would have ever thought I'd be saying that about Wal-mart. We also ate lunch at Fudruckers. It's a very yummy burger place that I remember eating at when I was young with my parents. I got John and Hazel hooked before we left KC and of course there isn't one around here. It was really lovely to be able to taste a piece of home as well.

From there I found Hazel's biggest Christmas present (which was such a wonderful relief to have that off my shoulders), followed by a tiny bit of thrifting. I scored with a sweater, another gift for a friend and some sake bowls I'm using for candles.

Sunday we spent with my dad and friend shopping around town looking for deals. I ended up scoring fourteen new books for Hazel. Everything from Mother Goose to Little House on the Prairie. I believe in being prepared for whatever kind of story Hazel wants to read.

Today I'm working on cleaning, grocery list making and Christmas present crafting. I hope I haven't been to ambitious this year in what I've decided to make vs buy. I always like to do a little of both. I think I can work it out if I can keep myself focused (I just giggled to myself. That's not a good sign).

More soon, n