The D... Cruise!

I can't believe that I have not written a blog post since December. Obviously blogging was not one of my resolutions. I still hope to recap some of the "goings on" over the past 3 weeks, but in the meantime I just need to mention that we are going on our first cruise and my hubby is not all that enthusiastic about it. Truth be told, this tragedy off the coast of Italy won't help. Lefty's best friend from college started this whole "show" by surprising his wife with the trip. She immediately directed him to invite some other friends along to make it really fun. And he did!  As it turns out, there are now 6 couples jumping on board, all friends from college. Although Lefty is not overly enthusiastic about the cruise ship experience, Dean reminded him that he will be experiencing it with "the dream team"... Lefty's hilarious college buddies and their wives, who are all, flat out fun. I, personally, can't wait. There are bound to be some great stories coming out of this trip. Look for pictures and updates in early February. 
In the next couple of days I will post some fun pictures of our time in Napa.  One of my favorite places to spend a long weekend. We had perfect weather and some of the best food and wine pairings imaginable.  Now I am trying to lose a couple of the pounds I gained so that I can fit in my spanx for the cruise.  Ha Ha!

Tine's Half Birthday

Today is C's half birthday and since she is here in Dallas, Z and I put together a little surprise for her this morning.  Who celebrates half birthdays you ask?  Well, Christine did one year back in middle school.  The whole idea came as a result of her feeling like she missed out by having a summer birthday when everyone seemed to be on vacation.  That year we had a big birthday party for her on December 22nd.  She loved it.  So this is what we did this morning before she woke up...

The sign says, Happy 25 1/2 Birthday!

Birthday crown..Thanks to Z.

And to top it off, a treat.

Monkey Bread!

Entertaining made easy.

Last Friday night we hosted a Christmas party for Lefty's management team and their spouses.  A good time was had by all and I must say that entertaining can be fun and easy.  It has always been fun for us, but not always easy.  Lots of decorating and then lots of baking and cooking.  The last 2 years we have turned the whole thing over to Lefty's assistant M, and boy does she know who to work with.  I wish I had taken pictures of the the food, but I was too busy eating it to even think about that at the time, but here are some pictures of the flowers that arrived for the party.

Occupy Sonoma

Lefty had a great line this morning.  Let me back up.  After Cookie and Pepper danced a jig to earn a treat, scratched the door to be let out, scratched it again to be let in, carried some leaves along in with them to be strewed about the house, whined to be fed and given fresh water, THEY PROCEEDED TO GO RIGHT BACK TO BED!  Lefty looked at them and shook his head and under his breath said: "It's like these dogs are occupying Sonoma!"  It cracked me up.  After a morning siesta, it looks like they will now get on to their daily tasks.

The Purpose of Christmas

Rick Warren wrote a book titled "The Purpose of Christmas".  I am taking a little time every morning to read a chapter and try to slow down this busy season and soak in what it really is all about.  From time to time I am going to share a bit of what Warren says.

"We can know a bit about God by simply observing his creation.  For instance, by looking at creation we know that our creator loves variety. Think of the limitless array of plants, animals, rock formations, snowflakes, and people. No two human beings are exactly alike, not even twins. God doesn't make clones or copies. Every one of us is original. After you were born, God broke the mold.
God must enjoy watching us enjoy what he has created.  Otherwise why would he have given us so many ways to enjoy it?  He gave us taste buds, then filled the world with incredible flavors like chocolate and cinnamon.  He gave us eyes to perceive color and filled the world with a rainbow of shades.  He gave us sensitive ears and then filled the world with rhythms and music.  Your capacity for enjoyment is evidence of God's love for you."

God's love for us is unconditional, constant, and unchanging.  Nothing we do will change it because it is based on his character, not our conduct.

A Great Thanksgiving and now it's on to Christmas

It's always special to be able to gather your family together for the holidays.  This year my parents drove in from Minnesota.  They are in their 80's, and had a great drive to and from and while they were here, they loved spending time with all 4 of their grandchildren.  It doesn't happen all that often anymore. 
We had a relatively low key holiday with lots of eating, laughing, and just catching up.  We will get to enjoy all four of our kids for Christmas as well. 
One of these years there will be an engagement or two or three, and that may alter how we spend the holidays. Who knows?  But in the meantime, we will cherish the time we get to spend any holiday together.

And now I am off to crack open the Christmas bins and DECORATE!

Thankful for so much

This is the time of year to focus in on what we are thankful for, and I feel extraordinarily blessed.
I am thankful for the freedom to worship  God openly and freely.
I am thankful for a really wonderful, loving, smart, and funny hubby.
I am thankful for 4 exceptional children. ( who will all be with us for Thanksgiving)
I am thankful for our parents and extended families.
I am thankful for life long and new found friends.
I am thankful for our two little wienie dogs.
I am thankful for our home....and lots of other things.

I am so thankful to live in the USA!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I will be busy in the kitchen soon and wanted to publish this post before Thursday.