Category Archives: holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

I don’t know what it is about Christmas lights everywhere that makes me feel giddy. I almost don’t mind that it gets dark as early as it does just because I love to look at the houses that are decorated – the crazier – the better. There are a few houses nearby where the folks have gone all out, and I think we’ll have to go drive by so I can take pictures of the awesomeness. In the meantime, we decorated our own place, however I soon realized that I need a taller step ladder. Our vaulted ceilings are out of my reach and the entry way as well and I had such plans for them!  Perhaps next year.

 

 

Now, it’s time to go enjoy some gaming with the hubby. I finished my bunting earlier, a tree skirt earlier in the week, and now it’s time to take a break. A word to the wise – I don’t necessarily recommend felt for sewing when you have to go through several layers of it. I don’t really mind how wonky it looks, but I’ll probably stick with cotton next time. :p

*God Jul = Merry Christmas in Swedish*

October… where did you go?

It was a very busy October, and I almost can’t believe it’s November already. The month went by in the blink of an eye, so what better way to sum it up than a few pictures, which there also aren’t many – it seems like I’ve been too busy or have lacked the movtivation to document our lives lately. Ah well, as the colder weather sets in I always feel a tad more gloomy. I’ve been making some plans to start school in the Spring – mad dash to register now, and I’m going to look into some ways to better my photography. Practice, being first and foremost, but also honing my skills with what I have since I can’t afford any new equipment. Now, if only I had some willing subjects… :p

       

Happy Holidays!

Talk about an exhausting couple of days. I’m officially wiped out. We spent Christmas Eve with Josh’s dad and that part of the family. It was a south of the border theme with some non-traditional fare and present opening (of course). All in all, a very nice evening. Christmas morning Josh and I got up and did our stockings and gave the kitties their presents and opened presents from my family – and then I made gingerbread pancakes with lemon sauce. We had a few hours to relax before it was time for Josh’s mom and that side of the family to arrive – 15 people in total and when you have that many people you can pretty much bet on a little chaos in a house of that size. Still, we managed to fit everyone in the basement in front of the fire to open presents. We took about 168 photos over two days, so I’m obviously not going to post them all, but here is a link to a seperate site… mostly family opening gifts. I have to work on Sunday evening, but I do believe Josh and I are going to watch some of our new movies tonight and tomorrow and just crash on the beanbag chair in front of another fire. I also plan on playing with my new toys – Josh gave me legos! A huge box of them! Yay! So, while I do that Josh will probably play some Fable II (my gift) and we’re going to check out Mario Galaxy for the Wii (from my mom). I also have a new 500GB harddrive to fill! 🙂

Here’s the link: http://madamesecretary.googlepages.com/christmas2008

The company Christmas party was on Saturday night so we dressed up, which was fun and a rarity. :p The party was at a local golf club and overall it was very nice, the food wasn’t bad, the dessert was super yummy! The company really put a lot of money into it actually… free bar and everything, plus gift cards ($100!) and fleece logo jackets for everyone – guests included. We decided it was time to leave as soon as the DJ played the Chicken Dance, which had been preceded by an interesting selection of songs, most of which was pre-90s.

Now… as for the gingerbread castle… it turns out it was a tad bit too ambitious for a first time experiment when you are pressed for time. Things started going wrong when it became apparent that the little hand mixer was not going to cut it. I have now decided to save for a nice big cuisinart that will mix anything. Try mixing 9 cups of flour and molasses and etc. and you’ll know what I mean. To make matters worse it turns out my large cookie sheet (which fits in most regular ovens) does not fit in our 70’s Brady Bunch style oven. After two hours in the kitchen and one disaster after another I managed to bake the dragon and the knight and the lady, but then called it quits. We have yet to decorate them, but I think a bit more planning next time would be better and a much smaller project to start out with.