White Christmas

In the 25 wonderful Christmases I have celebrated up until this year there has always been one tiny missing piece: snow. For my father, raised outside Chicago, and my husband, raised outside Boston, white Christmases were somewhat old-hat. But for Mom, Carrie, Jeff, and I, all raised either outside Los Angeles and/or Seattle, snow has eluded us each December 25th. Until this year.

This year an unprecedented snow storm blew through the Pacific Northwest and dumped a respectable eight or so inches on us. Huge, fluffy flakes were even falling on Christmas morning and unlike the little flurries that leave a barely-there dusting of white on the ground, this "blizzard" (gotta work with what you can get in Western Washington) left more than enough snow for Santa, his sleigh, and those reindeer. It was my perfect holiday, with all six of us safe and snug at my parents' cozy house.




Of course there were snowball fights,

against cowardly boys who turned our efforts at a snowman + woman into barricades.

And the making of snow angels.

And the building of a most excellent snowman named Johnny Disco, who, sadly, never got the girlfriend we promised him; we decided we were too hungry for lunch to bother building her. Enduring the holidays alone ultimately proved too much for him and he collapsed, in despair, shortly after Christmas. A poignant reminder to be grateful for the loved ones surrounding us this holiday season, and always.

Inside, we played games,

trimmed the tree,

and prepared a delicious Christmas feast, Thanksgiving-
style (since we didn't get to spend that holiday all together this year), of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, cheesy rolls, salad, and my mom's yummy Chocolate Christmas Cake.

Tony, under the tutelage of my dad, cooked and carved his first turkey. Preparation for our own hosting of a holiday perhaps...

In the spirit of all things snowy, cozy, and Christmas:
Happy Holidays, from my family to yours.

Home for the Holidays

Oh there's no place like home for the holidays,
'Cause no matter how far away you roam,
If you want to be happy in a million ways
For the holidays, you can't beat Home, Sweet Home.

In just 48 hours Tony and I are heading back to Seattle to spend the holidays with family...I can't wait! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

We hate the holidays.


And now we hate Lindsey.

One small step for man...

For those of you who have not been privy to my sewing exploits - it has not been going well.

First, I somehow managed to sew the sleeves of my shirt together. The shirt I was wearing. Yeah.

Then, though I maintain that this was not my fault, I sewed a piece of fabric to the skirt that I was, again, wearing.

All this in my effort to sew a simple, paisley pillow.

Well at long last --

Look at what I have created! I, I, I have made pillow!!

I shall be resting on the laurels of this one for quite a while.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For our first Thanksgiving as man and wife, Tony and I headed up to Chicago to spend a few days with the Illinois branch of the Parsons family.

Recognize the china, Dad?

It was my Grandma Dolores' set - mother to my dad, Uncle John, and Uncle Rick.

My Uncle John and Aunt Wendy have generously hosted Tony and I many a time - including several of the past Easters - but this was our first Thanksgiving with them. As they have previously proven to be such excellent hosts, this trip we brought them my brother Jeff; much like how the Pilgrims brought the Indians syphilis.

On our first night there, Uncle John shared the scared "Parsons Pumpkin Pie" recipe with us and we made two of the most mouth-wateringly delicious pies you've ever eaten.

Jeff carefully guards the family secret.

These geese cracked me up, especially with Tony standing behind me squawking in his goose-voice, "Why?? Why am I not going under?!?!"

Jeff and I up to no good, as usual.

Aunt Wendy engaged in the Thanksgiving pet-picturing-taking ritual, and Hobbs posing obligingly.

Uncle John carving the scrumptious Hickory Smoked Turkey.

I hope everyone enjoyed the blessings of family, food, and fun this Thanksgiving as much as I did.

Well hello there, Tall, Dark, and Handsome

Don't you wish your husband was

HOT like mine...

Halloweening

Tony and I had never carved a pumpkin together as neither of us is a fan of Halloween. In fact, we hate this most stupid of holidays. We have a strict policy against dressing-up or going out on October 31st, preferring to stay inside together - not handing out candy - and just watch a scary movie. This year we screened "The Strangers" and, what with Milo's having learned to knock on our bedroom door, I've been having nightmares ever since.

This year though we tentatively explored Halloweening by attending a fun costume party (the week before Halloween, we stuck to the no-celebrating October 31st rule) at the Whitmire's and by carving two pumpkins.

A before shot.

I got to pawn-off all the icky gut-scooping on Tony as he does not believe he ever carved a pumpkin as a child and I wanted him to get the full experience. Plus it's gross and it should be a boy job.

My contribution: tracing on the design.

Surgeon-like precision.

Little glowing eyes. As is typical, Milo observes from as close as he can get while Sadie watches from afar.

The Challenge.

Scary-face success!

So spooooooky... The one on the left is a cat, in case you can't tell.

As festive as we get.

Well now that all that nonsense is over we can move on to the great holidays: Thanksgiving, my birthday, and Christmas! Fall is my very favorite time of year, all cozy and warm inside while it's blustery and cold outside. This year we're so excited to be heading up to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt and uncle and we're keeping our fingers crossed that the stars align and we're able to spend a week in Seattle for Christmas. Stay tuned...