Goodbye 2008

Where was I this last day of 2008?  At work.  I had a nice quiet day in the office.  Speaking of the office, here's mine.  Here's where I spend countless hours away from home.  Yup, that's Edward and Bella on my door, Twilight gifts from Louis and Betty (thanks again!).  I realized that I need pictures on my wall, although I have a nice big window view I face a blank wall. I need a mousepad, I've been meaning to make one myself. I need to purge and file a lot of my paper work, I mean a lot!  I need to clean my writing board, too many notes on it.  I need to change my screen saver, that one is a picture of the books from Shakespeare & Company.  I can go on and on.  I should really tend to these needs in 2009.  I should say they're not really "needs", I've lived with and without them for so long and there are definitely more important things to tend to...  

New Year's Eve was spent with just the two of us at The Earle.  We were sorry to miss out on three party invites (thank you Ate Jenn, Wendy, and Randy!) and instead opted to stay in.  We had a great date and returned home in time to ring in the New Year!  Big day tomorrow... I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to this year and begin a new just yet.

I wish you...

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

I wish you a delightful and merry new year's eve. I wish you peace and harmony. I wish you love.

A Sweet Thing

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving

for my friends, the old and the new.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

madeleines

pignolis

biscottis

chocolates 

Our kitchen produced mounds of cookies this holiday season, and today we delivered the last of them to our friends and neighbors.  We enjoyed making the rounds, stopping by to chat and catch-up with friends before the year comes to a close.  Friendship is a sweet thing.

Behold

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

View of the mountains in Utah from the car window.

As this day comes to an end, I wish you peace.

Twilight Christmas Morning

We returned home Christmas morning to open our presents.  To my surprise Twilight found its way under our tree... 

Thanks Len & Vince for helping your addicted sis'!

Thanks Belle et Nico for the Twilight version in French!

We lounged, watched A Christmas Story, and lounged some more... It's been a wonderful yuletide season.

That's what Christmas is all about...

"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them!  And they were sore afraid... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."

"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men."

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. " - Linus Van Pelt

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve with Mom, Dad, Ate Jenn, Kuya Scott, Jack, & Sophie. We had a delicious dinner and lovely evening, thanks to Mom & Dad. It was a joy watching the little ones open their presents under the tree. We brought with us these two treats... Hope your family time was blessed too.

A Beautiful Sight

And there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch by night.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

Luke 2:8-9

Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas Eve.

A Thank You Note

It’s a strange thing, this on-line journal of mine. I thought about posting for the few days that I was away but quickly realized that there was no need. This blog was meant for my family and friends back home and I was returning to them. What a wonderful thing be able to connect in person again.

Thank you Kuya for the most memorable winter holiday I’ve had thus far. Thank you to my family who always provide joy, laughter, and lots of love. Thank you to you and Jon and new- found friends (Lisa, Jaime, Spencer, Holly, Deb, Keeley, and Joan). Thank you for the warm hospitality, delicious foods, and divine Christmas treats! I will definitely return and with Patrick next time.

P.S. 

Your home is absolutely gorgeous!  Every room, every nook, every decor looks as if it belongs in the pages of Home In Style magazine.

I hope to post more pictures from the hundreds I’ve taken. For now, I hope you all enjoy the ones captured here.

Returning from 2000 miles away…

Playtime In The Snow

Winter Wonder Ranch

Stealing a little time to myself to capture the magic of the day...