A Grand Canyon of Distraction

A few weeks ago, Ben and I decided to take our eight-month old, Brahm, on a little weekend excursion to the Grand Canyon. Summers are a little *warm* in the desert, and the only possible way to survive them is to either (1) stay inside or (2) leave. Since we'd been doing our fair share of the former, we opted for the latter.

You may or may not know that the elevation of the Grand Canyon averages about 8000ft (or 2500m for my metric friends), so the 30 degree drop in temperature was FABULOUS.

We drive there. We park our car, grab Brahm and our cameras and walk to the rim. Now, I've been to the Grand Canyon once before with my family when I was about, oh, fifteen? Even so, nothing quite prepares you for the magnitude of it. Just when you think you've found the bottom, you realize it cuts even farther, and you may - if you find just the right vantage point - spot a sliver of the Colorado River below. The canyon is grand in every sense of the word and inspires a few moments of silent awe.

Or at least it should.

But, no. I took one look at it and started telling Ben how I wanted to arrange a family photo. Ben just kinda looked at me. He did not understand my photographical impatience - it wasn't like the Grand Canyon was going anywhere. He wanted a few moments to just...look.

Oh, that.

You mean, just sit an ENJOY looking at something without immediately reaching for my phone so that I can text a photo to someone.

I've apparently formed a pretty bad habit. There are so many things I've allowed to "demand" my attention, and sometimes those things prevent me from appreciating the here and now. I was so concerned about recording the experience that I forgot to just experience.

Especially now with a boy of almost nine-months, I find my attention diverted more than ever.
I mean, the kid's mouth is like a black hole - anything within a five foot radius seems to find its way into it. So, yeah. CONSTANT VIGILANCE. But he is allowed to take my attention. Social media is not.

In a way, it's similar to writing. I always love reaching the point in a draft where I can edit away the clutter - the distractions - where the words no longer get in the way and the story can finally shine through. But I know to look for it in my drafts; I don't always know to look for it in my life.

It was an "Ah ha!" moment for me. (I seem to be having those a lot, lately.) There are so, so many things vying for our attention in this technologically connected world. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blogger, Goodreads, Pinterest, blahblahblahblahblah... While I love the connectedness (shoot, most of my writer-friends I've met through the world wide web!), it also comes with its downsides, and for me, it's failing to shut off that connectedness when I should. Be here. Live now. Nothing reminds me more of this than seeing the rate our little boy is growing and changing. He's crawling everywhere, and I feel like we brought him home from the hospital yesterday.

I think it will always present a challenge for me. I'm not sure what the solution is or if there really is one. Like everything in life, it is a balance and balance seems to require an exhaustive amount of attention, care, and reevaluation.

Do any of you deal with this?

We did manage to get some photos, though :D I mean - it was Brahm's first "vacation"! It's the only proof he'll ever have that he was there.

Oh, and for those of you wondering, here's where Gaia #3 is at...  I have been BUSY BUSY working on it. It's almost beta-ready (thanks again, guys!! Could NOT do this without you!!), then I'm giving it to my BRILLIANT editor in October (Laura, you're amazing) so that it can be out by Thanksgiving! I'll keep you posted, though.

Now, for the photos...

Dairy Queen in Williams, AZ, right off Historic Route 66. Also, I must note
that Brahm did not much care for ice cream. It was too cold on his little teeth :D

I Feel Like Gollum...

...like I've been in this dark and desolate cave, without hope of emerging, and have been petting my baby and calling him "Precious."

Okay, so maybe I'm being slightly melodramatic.

But, really. I'm not sure where the past few weeks have gone. They've all sort of blurred together in a giant mass of chaos, where Sleep and Order have been completely overthrown by a cute little tyrant called Baby.

How DOES he get away with such madness?? Oh, wait. I know. Like this:

How does one build up proper defenses to such a creature? Well, one doesn't. Somehow, through the sleepless nights and MOUNTAINS of diapers and laundry (SERIOUSLY?!), that beautiful little tyrant steals your heart away. His gummy smiles turn you into a puddle of goo, and the way he stares at you - a beautiful combination of discovery and comfort - you forget what you were doing. You forget that you were in the middle of The Great War Against Dust Bunnies and that you were losing - dreadfully - because you can't help but stare back into those eager eyes while making funny faces at each other.

But initially, it just feels like chaos.

His days are your nights; he poops his body weight multiple times a day. You're peed on, pooped on, puked on, and then he pees on the PJs you JUST washed because he peed on them 3 hours ago... When "they" say a newborn can eat every two hours, that doesn't mean in between feedings. No, it means everything happens WITHIN a two hour period. IE you feed him for 30-40 minutes, change his diaper, play with him, put him down for a 1 hour nap, and then he's hungry again.

But it was more than that. Nothing in the world could have prepared me to be so entrusted with another human life. The first week of his life, that responsibility hit me...hard. I felt completely overwhelmed (and undeserving), which, of course, displayed itself every day via an outpouring of tears... (thank you, Hormones...poor Ben...)

And then...the chaos changes.

It's a strange thing to have your life work in one fashion for so long (30 years!) and then to have it all flipped upside down and turned inside out. I've realized a lot about myself, and the biggest realization has been just how selfish I am. I've always been very protective *UNDERSTATEMENT* with my time, and now time isn't mine to protect.

But, interestingly enough, I don't mind.

It took me a good three weeks, but the chaos finally transformed into some form of predictability. And now that the dust is settling (on all the black furniture - WAR!), I'm starting to feel myself again - a different me, but me, no less. I'm recovering fast and getting some sleep, albeit incrementally (BTW sleep training is HARD, but it does wonders! I'm so thankful for the advice and encouragement from friends that were successful with it. And I'm thankful for my noise-cancelling headphones :D).

Just last week, Baby Kloss and I had our first "outing" together: Target. Of course he slept the entire time, but I count it as success and a mark that some form of normalcy shall be restored. Also, I've commenced working on book #3; my inspiration has RETURNED! And oh, it's a glorious thing...it was gone almost the entirety of pregnancy. My only problem now is that I can't type fast enough during those 30-45 minute segments of time I'm granted.

I'll never understand how such a tiny person can run away with your heart. He is absolutely perfect and healthy and beautiful, and it's astounding how much he grows and changes EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. He's almost a month old and already a pound heavier (he's got a ways to go to catch up to Daddy), and each day he's more alert, making more noises *MELTS*, and smiling more. (I've already doubled the photo count on my phone.) One of my new favorite things is to watch him with Ben. They already have a bond that's unique to them, and Ben always seems to be able to get him to relax in a way that I can't. Samson is also adjusting. The first time he heard Baby Kloss cry, Samson barked at him, and now he's bringing Baby Kloss his toys, expecting him to throw them.

And now it's time for me to go... gotta wake Baby Kloss so that we can go to Target and get sprinkles to make Christmas cookies :D

Ben, Babies, and Justin Bieber

Just a little something funny to end the week...

Amidst my ramblings and updates, I've been asked, "Just how IS Ben handling everything?"
(Everything = dental school + being D2 Class Prez + taking care of a sick and pregnant wife for almost 9 months + insert malady here)

Well, rather than TELL you that he's nothing shy of amazing (anyone find a halo for him yet?? I'm still looking for one that's big enough...), I thought I'd just show you. Or, more accurately, let him show you himself.

He's been keeping sane in "other" ways....

(ahem)

A parody of Justine Bieber's "Boyfriend," as told by his D2 class.

Watch & ENJOY!!  =)

(He's Dr. KlossyFloss...)

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!!

...I'll be writing... :D

En Route to Mordor...by car.

Okay, okay, so we're not REALLY going to Mordor. No doubt there are similarities:  hot fumes, rocky terrain, and a giant, yellow eyeball sun looming in the sky, watching your every  move. And to get there you have to pass obstacles like giant mammoths, lakes of salt, Ents, a canyon of kings, the treacherous white mountains, and a valley of death**. But at least Phoenix doesn't have any Orcs. :)

No, I'm looking forward to it. But I'm REALLY excited about the drive. We're taking the "scenic" route, depicted by that pretty purplish line below (click on the photo to enlarge...). This route is also adding 4 hours to our overall drive time, but we'll be breaking it up. We're spending one night near Mt. Whitney (west of Death Valley), and the second in Las Vegas, with lots of scenic detours in between!

There's some gorgeous countryside along the way and I'll be sure and take loads of photos. :D Assuming the weather holds...it's been a late winter for the Sierra's!

I hope to return to the blogosphere in the next few weeks. In the meantime, hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend!

**A key to aforementioned locations (links are above):

mammoths = Mammoth Lakes

lakes of salt = Mono Lake

Ents = Bristlecone Pine Forest

canyon of kings = Kings Canyon National Park

white mountains = White Mountains!

valley of death = Death Valley

UPDATE: The Big Move

*cues 2001 Space Odyssey theme (also known as Sprach Zarathustra, op. 30 by Richard Strauss)*


First of all, if you haven't clicked on the above link, you should do so. Now.

Second. WE'RE MOVING IN A MONTH! *looks at calendar* *sweats*

Some of you might recall us saying we weren't leaving for the dry, cactus-strewn lands of Arizona until August. (I'm fully aware of the insanity of moving to a desert in August, thank you.)

Well.

I got an awesome job. And it starts June 20th.

Aside of the time crunch, we believe it has worked out for the best. This way, Ben and I aren't embarking on "new roles" at the same time. Ben graduates end of May with a Magna Cum Laude in Biological Sciences (SO proud of him!...can't believe how fast it's gone by), we pack up our POD, and drive to our apartment first week in June. He starts Dental School end of August.

We'll be living in Glendale, AZ - 15 minutes northwest of Phoenix - and already have our new address, so if you'd like it, let us know! We'll also have a guest bedroom/bath and LOVE visitors. Seriously. The refrigerator will be stocked and even if you only want to sleep there, we're fine with that, too! Did I mention how much we love visitors? We also understand if you'd like to restrict your visitation rights to the winter months. Neither of us blames you.

Until then, let the chaos begin! And please forgive us for any delay in responses. I assure you, it's only temporary.

*Did you know that Strauss's Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30, written in 1896, was inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical treatise of the same name? 

The Kitchen. An Incredible Dining Experience

If you're from the Sacramento area, you may have heard of The Kitchen. If you're not, you probably haven't. So let me tell you what it is not. It is not a restaurant. It is not a hurry-up-and-eat-so-I-can-seat-the-next-growling-stomach. It is not like anything you've ever done before. No, what The Kitchen is is an experience. And two of our favorite people in the entire world (Troy and April Franklin) took us there for a mystery date.

We stepped foot into a beautiful dining room, tables littered about with white linens, a U-shaped bench  around the cooking area (also where we sat), candles, a wall of wines, a full service kitchen in back (they encourage you to walk through it too!). Once all ~50 people arrived, they locked us inside, pulled the draperies closed, and the entertainment began.

Me and Ben

Me and April with Troy in the background

Ben and Troy

The menu is fixed, organized into Acts like this:

ACT I was an overview of our evening, with introductions, and information about food. The food began with ACT II. Thai Style Bisque and Quail Confit with Black Rice, Coconut Milk, Fresh Turmeric, Fuji Apple and Chives. Sound good?

It was heaven.

ACT III came along. A Warm Salad of Sanger Lamb Sausage, Good Egg, Artichoke, Blood Orange, Frisee, and Brioche.

They prepared every dish before us.

Voila!

That, also, was heaven. Did I mention you can order more servings? Of anything? Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Then came INTERMISSION. A beautiful spread of Sushi and Sashimi awaited us. There was even real wasabi. 

Oysters!

By the way, this real wasabi was over $100/lb!

ACT IV. Maine Lobster Carbonara with Lardo, Tarragon and Duck Broth. Okay, just so you know, Carbonara is one of my favorite things. If you've ever had it, you know it's usually paired with a pork product. Needless to say, I was overwhelmingly curious to know what it would taste like with lobster. The answer? AMAZING! Also, in case you're wondering, Lardo is pork fat. Croutons of fried pork fat.

I didn't think anything could trump bacon.

Live lobster!

Masters at work...

Remembering the flavor makes me salivate.

ACT V (no, we're not done!). Brown Butter Poached Beef Tenderloin with Potato-Gruyere 'Puffs', Porcini Mushrooms and Cabernet Reduction. You could opt to add Fois Gras, which April and Troy did. It tasted like butter.

ACT VI was a nice 'pause' for our stomachs: a white-gloved tea service and fresh brewed coffee.

Until ACT VII came along with Bittersweet Chocolate Tart, Sweet Lime Custard, Candied Pecan 'Dos Leches' Ice Cream and Strawberry Cream.

Then midnight chimed, and we turned into pumpkins. Well, not really. But we certainly felt round!

What an incredible dinner. After such an experience with so many incredible flavors, Ben and I decided we are forever ruined. Thanks April and Troy for an amazing night!

Happy Valentine's Day!

It is the one day during the year that we must go beyond ourselves, showing love and kindness toward others. Every other day, we're allowed to be selfish, antipathetic misanthropes.


Well, not really. ;)

Here's me sending some e-hearts, particularly to my amazing family and friends. My life is so much richer having known all of you incredible, talented people. I wish the miles didn't keep us apart.

And here's to you Ben; my best friend, the love of my life. God spoiled me rotten by letting me spend my life on Earth with you.

Hope your day is filled with hearts, kisses, and too much chocolate!

Tolls, Tampa, and Tiny Terrifying Terrier's

 tra

My somewhat delayed blog entry for good reason.

The last 'leg' of our Floridian Adventure was spent visiting the fabulous Aunt Fave (who also goes by Aunt Tanya to the curious reader) and Uncle Rocky. While there, I didn't really feel like blogging in the event that it impeded our time to visit since we don't see them nearly as much as I should like. Living on a coast opposite that of most of your family ensures that.

Which leads me to decree #2 of our trip: always, always, ALWAYS have cash, particularly in the form of quarters and dollars. As soon as we left the airport in our rental car, we drove ourselves onto a toll road. Change only. Honestly, in this day and age who in their right mind doesn't accept a debit card?! Toll booth's, that's who. Well. After holding up the line for 5 minutes as the nice lady explained how to handle our IOU in very heavy Spanish-accented English, we proceeded forward, exited the next exit, found a gas station, and withdrew a 20 dollar bill. Thus relieved from future trauma, back in the car we went, onto the ramp to get back on the freeway. And lo! Another toll booth. This one had a charge of 50 cents and the words: EXACT CHANGE ONLY. No other options. We sped through the fast pass lane. I fully expect to receive the inflated charge in the mail.

Now Uncle Rocky and Aunt Fave live in a beautiful section just south of Tampa. Ben had never been to the Gulf (Ben had never been to Florida period till this past week). The water was calm, beautiful, and blue as we crossed bridges connecting the islands along the coastline. Without further issue (or tolls), we arrived at their beautiful home! The beach was just across the street. We visited, ate too much, were spoiled, rode bikes, drove around the area, visited some more, played with their adorable yorkies, Bo and Rett (if a dog's bark ever really sounded like 'ARF!' it's Rett)--had a wonderful relaxing time visiting with two incredible people I'm fortunate enough to call family! It was a perfect way to end the vacation, and we can't wait to go back! (Next week??? :D )

Another notable: our flight home.

We always dread flights. Ben, because he literally doesn't fit in the seat. Me, because Ben's so uncomfortable. And, if you've flown recently, they charge extra for the exit row now. About $60/ticket. That being said, we ran across a delightfully happy Scottish woman behind the counter who "told the man in charge we were newly weds" and snatched exit row seats for us. Then on our connecting flight, our plane was changed and our row had miraculously become an exit row! Such fortune! I shall remember it always...blogs are good for that sort of thing.

And now we have returned, back to reality. That means unpacking, laundry, grocery shopping, etc. First order of business: a nap!

Day 4: Animal Kingdom

Well fellow bloggers, I dropped the ball last night. Too tired to fight my phone and 'write' you all. It is significantly more challenging blogging on ones phone. And I, as many of you know, have little patience.
Ben and I spent our last day in Disney's Animal Kingdom and it was a last day well spent. Probably the busiest of our days--it was a Saturday after all. The park is beautiful: lush greens and vegetation growing throughout, 'treks' through habitats of Asia and Africa. Lots and lots of animals! Our favorite was the Safari through Africa. You board these big safari landcruisers and are driven alon dirt roads, through streams, past waterfalls all through the 'natural' habitation of creatures like giraffes, hippos, cheetas, even termite mounds!
Eventually I dragged Ben on the other landmark attraction: Expedition Everest. It's a fast, fun, forward, backwards, rollercoaster through Mt. Everest.
The Tree of Life is another landmark--animals and insects carved along the trunk and branches. The photo above fails to do its mere size justice.
For dinner we wound our way to the Animal Kingdom Lodge : Boma's. African buffet. It was a beautiful atmosphere with excellent food... Only problem is, since it was a buffet, I don't really remember what we ate!
And now we await our transportation to our rental car. I was thinking last night how I wish we could've purchased more Harry Potter paraphernalia...regretting the crowds in those cramped stores and the dim lighting making it difficult to see what all they had. I'm not much of a 'disney junkie' but Harry Potter has made me experience the illogical fandom. But then Ben discovered universalorlando.com/merchandise :) where you and I can, as Ben so eloquently put it, have all that junk delivered straight to our home.
Thank you Disney and Universal for a busy and fun week...and when we return some day, I'll remember to wear a scopolamine patch :)

Day 2: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you were thinking "But I thought you were in Disneyworld", you're right. HP world is at Universal's Island of Adventure. We hired a driver to take us to the park, unbeknownst to our faithful Disney Devotees. Of course, I give myself away returning to Disney with a striped red and yellow scarf around my neck.
And once we reached Universal, we spent almost the entire day in the Harry Potter section of the park. We, as well as everyone else, ran straight to the back where this wonderful world was, thinking to beat the crowds. But the 'crowds' had the same idea. I really think most of the park's guests were meandering through Hogsmeade all day. But still, according to the nice Irish Hogs Head bartender, this was the most quiet week he'd seen since the parks opening in June!
When we entered Hogsmeade and wer e greeted by the Hogwarts Express, I was in awe, looking everywhere but where I was walking, and consequently running into people. The attention to detail was incredible-snow on the roofs (which only made the 46 degrees in Florida that much colder!) leaning chimneys, doorways, and walls, all the stores--we stood for a bit just taking photos. There were owls in the owlery, up in the rafters, accented with poop stains. Ollivanders, Zonko's, Honeydukes, Dervish and Bangles... Photos below. I bought a scarf at Filche's Emporium of Confiscated Goods. Gryffindor, of course. Lots of Slytherins walking around though. I was on my guard.
There were a few shops that were 'closed', and when I asked an employee when one in particular would open, she said : "They aren't open to muggles". She was wearing green. I should've known better.
We ate at the Three Broomsticks. Three times. I must say the butterbeer was incredible! It tasted like shortbread cookies with butterscotch foam... And that foam was thick! They actually make the foam separately, top off your drink with it. Hogs head brew was great too-- and we got the commemorative mugs (see photo below). Oh and Hogs Head does in fact have a hog's head...that moves.
Then, of course, there's the Forbidden Journey at Hogwarts. It's a ride/interactive movie/ flip you through the air in a cage through the castle as you journey through the adventure that is Harry Potter. From Quidditch, to dragons, to dementers trying to suck your life: it was all there! It was amazing in that the ride was so personalized...you're only aware of the people in your 'cage'. However, Ben and I still walked off nauseous from the 'twirling in the air before a moving screen' flying effects. When/if we have kids: Dramamine. The line itself was amazing. You wait in the many twisting turning corridors of Hogwarts, passing through a hall of moving/ talking portraits (just like the movie). You pass through the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom where Harry, Ron, and Hermione stand on a balcony above, warning you of your current danger--and, of course, accidentally making it snow in the room. There's Herbology, Dumbledore's office (he's in it too), the sorting hat, the daily prophet with moving photographs. Needless to say, if forced to wait, you're highly entertained.
The Flight of the Hippogriff was cute and fun, traveling past Hagrids hut. And the Dueling Dragons was a high-speed rollercoaster--guests enter through the Triwizard Champions tent.
And playing constantly all throughout the park were those familiar musical themes we love and recognize.
Overall, my thought on this incredible new attraction? WICKED!!!!
FYI many more photos of the details in this world were taken- hope to post somewhere soon.

A Day in EPCOT

It is now 10:36 pm, and I'm not exactly sure how much longer my brain will cooperate with me in order to properly relay the details of the day! As you can imagine, it has been a busy one, and if anything can adjust you to time change, it's waking up much too early and spending all days in your feet!

Ben and I left our lovely resort, Port Orleans, caught the bus, and were on our way to a very empty park. I live off season. You don't even need fast passes.
But that was when we made mistake #1 of our trip: Mission to Mars first. Of course I ignored the first warning : "If you're prone to motion sickness, feel free to exit." When the warning kept repeating I still ignored it, but began to worry. And then when the ride started, I immediately wanted off. I've since adopted strict adherence to a new, personal rule: no more rides that spin you in circles, fast or slow. It took the rest of the morning for the affects to wear off for both of us.
We did a few other rides, but spent the bulk of our day meandering through the World Showcase. It's incredible really...all the attention to detail, workers native to the country they represent (Disney hires them for one year as an 'ambassador'). Needless to say, I loved hearing the French and Italian accents.
Ben and I had lunch in Paris at a Patisserie, ham and cheese croissants with chocolate mousse for dessert and met a young Frenchman named Alexandre. I just wanted him to keep talking.
We happened to stumble across something called "Strongbow Cider", while in England. Cider with a kick. And I will be on the hunt for more, once we return home. So good!
For dinner we luckily made reservations back in September to Le Cellier in Canada. The restaurant is in an old wine cellar--beautiful! We had fabulous cheddar soup (got the recipe!), then an entree of filet mignon with a white truffle sauce and mushroom risotto, and then for dessert I had a maple creme brûlée and Ben had the chocolate whiskey cake.
We finished the evening with Illuminations, returned 'home', and are thoroughly wiped. It's only day one. More coffee.
And tomorrow....Hogwarts!
Photos: EPCOT, Ben in Paris (see the Eiffel?), me in Paris, Morocco, and Italy.

Merry Christmas!...and a joyous New Year!

Ben and I spent a marvelous Christmas Day at my parents. And those parents, the wonderful people they are, waited until we arrived before everyone opened gifts. Mom was Santa's skinny, dark-haired twin, handing out gifts to their proper (and eager) recipient. Samson attempted to play with Gigi, their dog, who did nothing but bite and swat at him (he has the bloodied battle wounds to prove it. I've come to the belief that Samson is a masochist). Gigi, however, stood undeterred, on the hunt for Dad's chocolates--compliments of Annie. Which,

thanks to Annie's foresight, wasn't actually placed under the tree. Gigi has a rather unfortunate habit of opening wrapped boxes of See's chocolates, eating the lot of them, forcing my mom to spend an exorbitant amount of money at the Vet.

Left: Samson & Gigi (see

how she shuns him?)

Right: Me & Annie

Gigi likes to hide under the gold couch.

And Samson waits. And waits....

We ate a delicious meal of honey-baked ham, scalloped potatoes, bluegrass salad, and hot rolls (thanks Mom!), and afterwards Annie helped me serve my Italian dessert (see, I told you I'm obsessed with all things Italian): Stracciatella Semifreddo, recipe given to me by the infamous Uncle A.

It's home-made custard, whipping cream, and nutella folded together and frozen on top of a graham cracker crust. YUM!

Afterwards, We all took up varying locations upon the floor and napped.

Mom and I played a round of Scrabble, to which I was the willing victim, and we all finished the night with Sherlock Holmes. It really is a "good-clean-fun" movie for any of you that haven't seen it. Ben and I particularly enjoy the soundtrack.

Next year this time we'll be living in Arizona. After 14 years of living in California, this is my last Christmas here. I wonder if we'll decorate a cactus next year. My fingers are hurting just thinking about it.

2010 has been a year of anticipation and hope: applying to Dental school's, Ben wrapping up his last few classes to graduate, flying to DS interviews, waiting...waiting, and me handing out my unfinished manuscript to an incredibly insightful beta-group.

I might say that 2011 is a brand new chapter, although it feels greater than that to me. More like we're opening an entirely new story. The story of personal milestones: Ben's graduating, we're moving to another state (a much, much hotter one), Ben's starting Dental School, I'll be starting a new job (hopefully), and I'll be submitting my manuscript (aka throwing out my heart and soul to be trampled on by professional critics). Needless to say, I feel blessed to have these sorts of challenges and opportunities--and all the support of great family and friends. There's a lot to be thankful for. And, like everything that happens along this journey we call life, I'm excited to have Ben right there beside me, holding my hand, every step of the way!

Stockings, Christmas Trees, and Decapitated Snowmen

It is that time of year. Our banks accounts dwindle, the air is filled with pine, Christmas lights replace trim (singlehandedly causing an energy crisis), and if you're like me in the valley of Northern California, you wish some miracle would happen and it would snow. But we make the most of it.

To me, making the most of it usually requires music and cookies. So this week, the amazing and brilliant Annie (my sister) came over.

We decked the halls--well, we decked

my kitchen counter--with cookies, icing, sprinkles. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

<---that's Annie's meticulous hand.

Samson the Faithful

waited by our feet,

hoping desperately to catch a

rogue sprinkle.

Annie had to keep rinsing excess

frosting from her hands...

Gingerbread lost limb, star lost point, snowman lost head--all in a duel between the territorial cookie sheet and the spatula.

Very few cookies perished.

Ben came home from a long a

grueling final to indulge in the festivities.

He also started taking photo's.

Even the amazing Uncle A,

all the way in Atlanta, was able to join us!

Skype is THE fastest way

to travel.

(Ciao il mio preferisco Zio A!)

An afternoon well spent.

We enjoyed the fruits of our labor.

With a side of egg nog, of course. :)