Blogging Hiatus...and a Merry Christmas!

Oh my goodness gracious - has it really been a month since I've blogged? Oopsies. Sorry about that. I know, I know...nobody wants to hear excuses, but believe me when I tell you that we've had a lot going on in the last 5 weeks. Really and truly. But I'll get to that in a later post.

But right now, let's talk about Feliz Navidad, Joyeus Noel, Mele Kalikimaka, Fröhliche Weihnachten, Glædelig Jul...MERRY CHRISTMAS! Christmas is just days from now. Okay...actually just two. Yikes! What I'm hoping is that later, I can come back here, and update this post with...you guessed it...actual pictures. I have pictures of our sweet little place, decorated with lights and a cute little Hermie (from Rudolph) Christmas Village, a count-down-to-Christmas counter, and of course, our tree. So cross your fingers...we're hoping I'll get those pictures up sometime before Christmas Day.

But I want to talk about Christmas because well...it's my favorite holiday. I'm sure that some of you share that feeling, and some don't. And I'm sure some of our reasons for why it's our favorite are the same. But can I share them with you anyway?

1. I love Christmas because it brings with it a sense of nostalgia. Christmas has it's own scent, and everything about it is lovely - the lights, the snow, the trees, the food. It's all just so very nostalgic.

2. I love Christmas because it's a time for family and friends. This is the time of year when (most of the time) we get to spend time with loved ones from near and far. It's a special time to connect and share.

3. I love Christmas because it's a time to give. Not that giving isn't good all year round but it's universally a time to give. And I love that. It's a time that many people put "self" aside and think about others. I think as a whole, we need to do that more often.

4. The #1 reason I love Christmas is because it's the season that we come together to celebrate the birth of our sweet Savior Jesus Christ. To acknowledge that He came to earth as a tiny baby. To recognize that He was selfless and gave Himself for us. It's quite a humbling thought, isn't it? It's a time for us to be thankful and realize, that we are truly loved. Not just by friends and family, but by Jesus. Will you join me in loving this season? The season of our Savior's birth?

I pray that you all are incredibly blessed this Christmas season. That you have the opportunity to notice the nostalgia in the air, that you have the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, that you have an opportunity to give, and that most of all, you take the time to remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas, everybody!

Randomography: Take 1

Updated: After reading what Jess had to say, I realized she has a good point. What is randomography? Well, essentially it's Random Photography. It can be any random pictures you like, and somehow - they still tell a story. And sometimes, it's more fun just to let the pictures tell the story, rather than words. Hopefully that helps you makes sense of the somewhat random pairing of photos below. Thus ends my sad attempt at defining this made up word. Thankyouverymuch.
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Before I start, I need to declare that this is not my original idea. I have borrowed it from HERE. I saw it as a great idea, and I'm going to try it out for myself. So...without further ado...

I woke up this morning to find this out of my window.

and this...

and this.

Pretty, no?

I have turned 26. It has come and gone. But not without some great pics (and hopefully more to come!)

Below are just of the few of the people who are my constants, and who made my day, my day.






(Where's my husband you say? He's behind the camera in this one!)

I Digress

Do you ever find yourself going through a dry spell? Where you just can’t find anything to write about? I do. And the thing that really bugs me is when I have an urge to blog, but have nothing of consequence to say. It’s a little funny here in this blogging world (well at least for me): I feel as if I constantly need to come up with creative, enticing, entertaining and witty posts. But if I’m here to show who I really am…sometimes, I’m just not creative. I’m not entertaining, or witty. Sometimes, I’m just me plus no extras. And I would like to think that it’s okay. But it’s just harder to write when I feel like I have nothing to say. I have half started recipes, with no pictures. I have pictures, with no recipes. I have random pictures of random people, things and places, but not much of a story to tell. Maybe it’s hard for me because I want something to say. I think what I need to realize is: who cares? I don’t have to say anything earth shattering or share pictures that will “change your life.” I can, but I don’t have to. It feels good just saying that. Maybe I’ll just stick with randomness. And, if THIS is any indication, randomness doesn’t seem like such a bad thing after all. His words and pictures can be random…but somehow they always tell a story. Thanks for listening as I work my way through this…oh, and look at that – I can already feel the dryness lifting…

It’s the Great Pumpkin…

Today I’m not here to poll you on whether or not you agree with Halloween. I’m not here to ask who thinks it's right or wrong to let children go trick-or-treating. There are more important things to discuss! Today, I’m here to talk about a little something called tradition.

Growing up, my sister and I got to dress up on Halloween, and go trick-or-treating with Dad. It was tradition. It was also customary for my mom to make our costumes. We went as clowns, ballerinas, ghosts, princesses. We trick-or-treated in the rain, in the snow, in good weather. It was all the same to us – we loved it. We got to be children, and play dress up, and spend quality time with Daddy, and to top it all off…we got candy. I’m all for tradition :)

Another tradition? We would watch this…

Yes we would. I don’t care if you hate Halloween. I don’t care if you love it. Do yourself and me a huge favor – and watch it. Please? Thanks. And while you’re at it, please warm some cider, pop some popcorn, and eat some Halloween candy. And since you're already in the kitchen, could you warm some cider and pop some popcorn for me? And share some of your candy with me? Thanks.

Oh! And have a Happy Halloween!

I Get by With a Little Help From My Friends

What would you think if I sang out of tune

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song

And I'll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away

(Does it worry you to be alone?)

How do I feel by the end of the day,

(Are you sad because you're on your own?)

No, I get by with a little help from my friends

Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends.

To you...you know who you are.

The Coen Brothers Were Here

The Coen Brothers. You know...the brothers that grew up in St. Louis Park Minnesota, who wrote and directed Fargo, The Big Lebowski, Oh Brother Where Art Thou? (just to name a few), and most recently - No Country For old Men. Yep - those brothers.

They were here. Right where we live. Filming. Not just in our neighborhood, but on the property where we live.And I missed most of it! McDreamy went out this morning and saw ALL the trailers and tents up and people buzzing around. All the cast and crew had gathered together to enjoy breakfast together.

Sadly, Nick didn't grab the camera (and there were intimidating security guards) and couldn't get any pictures. So right when I got home from work, I grabbed the camera, and we ran out and took a few last parting shots as the trailers were pulling out.

I guess they have been here for 3 days, filming A Serious Man.

Is it okay that I thought there was a feeling of eeriness in the air? And the only reason I say that is...well, it's the Coen Brothers. They make scary, disturbing, unsettling movies. And they were here. And the eeriness? Well I suppose it's just because I'm one big giant scaredy cat. Nonetheless, despite the eeriness, they were here. Filming right where we live. I like that.

Fall Has Fallen...and Food Friday

For the past two weeks, the trees have gradually been losing their boring green color. Replacing it are vibrant oranges, reds, yellows, pinks. There is a crispness in the air. It smells like fall, and looks like fall. Every morning for the past week, upon arriving at work, I said to myself "I need to bring my camera and take pictures." Not that there aren't pretty trees in the city...it's just that of course, there are a lot fewer of them. I work out in the suburbs, and the neighborhood I work in is a cornucopia of Fall's prettiest gems. I finally remembered to grab my camera on my way out the door this morning. These pictures are not perfect, photography wise. I didn't use any special features, or attempt to do anything with them. Really, all I wanted was to capture God's incredible creation, and share it with you.









See? Now do you understand why it's so easy to love fall? God's fingerprints are all over it. He has created the trees to change from green into all of these incredibly gorgeous, breathtaking, each unique and different colors. I am in awe. Will you join me?
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I've had this recipe sitting ready and waiting on my computer for quite some time now. But I had the pictures on my old point and shoot. I just pulled the pictures off, and remembered this recipe. So here it is. My Club Sandwich. Yum.

Downtown

I got home from work today, and Nick says, "Let's go for a walk." I say, "Okay." It's been a long day, and I am very much in need of some time spent with my husband and best friend. We have a beautiful city, and nothing thrilled me more in that moment than thinking of walking in the brisk autumn air, with my husbands hand in mine. So we grabbed our camera, and walked out the door.