Front row seat

Cozy and warm, dressed like a bum, sipping beer by candlelight with Don in our front row seats for the NYE fireworks, exactly where I want to be tonight.

A beautiful hand!

Finally!  A hand that I can be proud of since Don has been kicking my ass all afternoon.

Christmas 2010: My favorite things

These are a few of my favorite things about Christmas this year.  It was a truly magical one.

• Eggnog lattes!
• 2,300 lights!  That is how many were on the tree this year and it was glorious!
• Lots of time in the kitchen to create fabulous holiday meals and treats.
• Celebrating with friends!
• Eggnog Pie!
• Being spoiled with gifts of things that I'd never buy for myself but absolutely adore including one of a kind handmade jewelry, a cashmere sweater and a Pashmina.
• Waving, yelling "Hi John!" and making faces at my nephew and sister-in-law every time they spun around the carousel at Westlake Center.
• Being able to give my Mom a relaxing holiday where she didn't have to cook, clean or be the hostess.
• Teaching my nephew to say, "I am not your father" with his new Darth Vader helmet on and then encouraging him to repeat it to everyone in the room.  He is like a human puppet, it is awesome!
• Laughing to the point of tears with my Mom (thanks to the "human puppet" antics of my nephew) and then being told by my nephew, "You girls need to stop it NOW!" which just caused an eruption of more laugher and tears.
• The look on Don's face when he opened his gift.
• Discovering a bunch of new Christmas music which I adore.
• The best turkey we have ever made.
• Christmas shopping at 6:00 a.m. on Christmas Eve and have the parking lots, stores and roads all to myself.

Hope you had a merry and memorable one!  Happy New Year!

The Before Picture

Wanted to grab a shot of the living room before the craziness begins.  Santa was good to us this year.  Merry Christmas!  

Happy Birthday Don!

Umbrella Guy, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

It has been another amazing year filled with lots of laughter and fun and you still remind me to act like a child and be silly from time to time.

Thank you for all you bring into my life. On your birthday I wish you love, laughter, happiness and cheer not only for today but throughout the coming year.

Happy Birthday Katharine!

High Tea at The Empress, originally uploaded by JewellsinSEA.

I’m wishing you another year

Of laughter, joy and fun,

Surprises, love and happiness,

And when your birthday’s done,

I hope you feel deep in your heart,

As your birthdays come and go,

How very much you mean to me,

More than you can know.

Quizzical Wednesday: What part of Christmas?

You Are Hanging Christmas Lights

You are a hardworking and happy person during the holidays. It's important to you to make Christmas as big and bold as possible for your family. The holidays may not seem like much of a vacation for you, but that's totally fine. As long as you can bring some cheer to those around you, all the work is worth it.

What Part of Christmas Are You?

Blogthings: Cheaper Than a Therapist