Christmas Letters

It does not seem possible that we are moving so close to Christmas and the end of the year.

Since I started this blog I've created little "Year in Review" postcards to show highlights. It's a fun project and helps me remember good times. This blog has been a memory tool that I've used for that. Here is last year's postcard:

And the one from the year before....

It's like a 21st Century version of "The Christmas Letter". Which...I did in the past as well. --Mine wasn't a "letter" per se. It was a newsletter with a magazine type layout.  --I was on a work sabbatical when I worked on those.

These annual missives are happy highlights (at least the letters I enjoy are). I like this little tradition I started for myself.  Tonight looking at my past cards, each picture really reminded me of happy moments. Moments that don't float up in memory on their own. 

Tonight as I start to evaluate what types of highlights would be representative of 2016 I looked back at the blog for memory triggers. I realize that the 2016 posts have been much less frequent and often really short notes to sort of say "hello".

But, just reading a few of my posts reminded me of some fun moments that I did not capture in words or photographs....but they were meaningful just the same.

It's Beginning to Look Something Like Christmas

At our house, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...Montgomery style. I got into the spirit right after I wrote the last post. We did not bring a Christmas tree with us when we moved but  I decided that I needed to take advantage of the holiday mood while the mood was fresh. I did not want to wait for a tree. I had mentioned that I wasn't even sure I wanted to get a tree.

I decorated our plant stand as a stand-in for a Christmas tree. Eclectic, I know. 

Take a peek at the lovely colorful ornaments. Love them!

A Little Christmas Yoga Joy

My last yoga class in November was the night before Thanksgiving. It was awesome. One of my favorite teachers led the class, and the class was full. To avoid the potential of kicking our fellow yogis, there were no Flipping of Dogs or Rockstar poses. It was a really cool experience the night before our holiday. 

On Thanksgiving, Jordan and I drove down to spend the weekend with our daughter. I didn't go back to work until Tuesday. 

Now, as I post this, we have so little time before Christmas and I'm trying to decide how much effort to put into the Christmas Spirit. I love Christmas, truly I do. But, somehow I have not done one thing to make our home look "merry and bright". Oh, I take that back...I have framed a really cool picture of Santa.

Last year was our first Christmas in our new apartment, and we didn't stay in town for the holiday. Instead, we went to our daughter's place for her first Christmas in Wilmington. Because we were going to be out of town, I didn't decorate our house. I waited until we got to Danielle's to take in the cozy decor of the holiday.

Here it is the 5th and there are only 20 days left until the big day.

To get in the spirit (in more ways than one), I went to yoga last night. It was a "special" session not at my regular studio. You may have guessed from the top photo that we did yoga to the music of The Nutcracker.

I did not know what to expect. Our teacher was fun, wearing her pointe ballet shoes. She did a few downward dogs with them while on pointe which was pretty impressive. Our class began and ended with Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite. It was a whimsical practice. I hadn't really spent time with just the music before. Flowing to the music I remembered why I love it. I actually love it more (now) without the visual of a ballet. Last night the music filled me and I didn't want to see someone else's interpretation.

It was a good practice, a full 90 minutes with a sweet Shavasana at the end. I'm proud of myself for actually going. It was not convenient...it didn't start until 7:00 which meant not getting home until after 9:00. I'd worked all day...was tired, etc. I could have easily decided not to go. But, I had signed up and I was curious.

I haven't had a week-long break from yoga since February or March, and last night marked a week and a day. I wondered what it would be like to get back on my mat. I wondered if I had lost any poses.  It was a pleasant surprise that I moved into the poses easily and was able to go deeper than before my break. I wonder if that is a mental breakthrough or a physical one. I was happy with my practice. I was happy with the Christmas music. Now I'm seriously thinking about a tree. Or maybe a wreath.

Have Yourself a Merry Little....

This is the week for celebrations! I'm getting excited about our Christmas Day plans.  We will be traveling to Wilmington to have Christmas with our daughter and her husband.  Can. Not. Wait. 

Last year was special as we were able to spend time with my husband's family in the picturesque Charlottesville. Lisa's house is the epitome of Christmas cheer. In addition to the lovely decor, there are sweets and treats galore. If she wanted to, Lisa could run a truly lovely Bed and Breakfast. Danielle was on the phone talking about our Christmases in Charlottesville. A Christmas memory that we make every year we are there is yummy White Russians or Kahlua and cream. I love, love, love them. And I have no will power when where Kahlua is concerned. D. and I were laughing that I usually have a few drinks and they taste just like dessert...and embarrassingly, I often end up a little tipsy. It happens so fast, I never expect it! I'm such a lightweight. 

This year we will be at D.'s house. She's talked about cookies and eggnog and I am so excited. 

I'm going to try to savor the last few days we have left of festive lights and good cheer. In case I don't sign on to say "Hello" between now and then...

I hope you have a  Merry Christmas!

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit

I've enjoyed lots of blogs sharing favorite yuletide movies and to get into the holiday mood I found myself actually watching a few. Thankfully, the movies I've watched haven't been too sugary sweet.

The first movie I fell into watching was "Dear Santa" (LifeTime). I was drawn in because I was trying to tell if the lead actress was from TV's "Person of Interest". Turns out, yes, she is the same actress. But on "Person of Interest" she's kind of scary/crazy. Though, I think they changed her character as being "for good".  Still...she's kind of dark in that role.

Anywho, her character was not dark in this movie. You could guess that because it was on the Lifetime channel AND the movie is "Dear Santa". But what I did love was that the character was kind of shallow. Not in a "bad" way but in a kind endearingly unaware way, à la "Clueless". 

There is something to be said about focusing on what color scarf you are going to buy without considering if you can afford it. For me, this is a guilty fantasy moment. The movie begins with Crystal (the lead) window shopping. She is looking at a ridiculously expensive party dress  and her biggest worry is if they have it in her size. 

Later, while her new dress is hanging in her closet, Crystal plays a voicemail from her mother that she half listens to. Mom is saying "blah blah...cut off...no more money...blah blah." I loved Crystal's non-reaction. She calls her best friend and says something like, "It looks like I need to get a job. I really have to focus on that." Then she says, with so much more enthusiasm, "Ooh, you know what else I need? I need a latte," and she tells her friend to meet her at their fav. coffee shop. 

See how great that is? No actual worry...just a passing thought that is equal in value to the thought of having a latte with a friend.

The movie is a fun Christmas story complete with a Christmas miracle or two. So, if you want a 90 minute pick me up...I recommend this one.

Oh, and I threw in my photo of Radio City Music Hall for extra Christmas cheer!

Christmas Vacation

I just officially got back from my "Christmas Vacation". This year we went to the Charlottesville, VA area to celebrate with J's brother and his wife and J's sister. And, this year we were joined by Brother-in-Law's daughter! I haven't actually seen her since she was finishing college. It was a real treat to get to see her.

We were also joined by Brother's son that now lives in Japan with his wife and daughter. Oh my gosh their daughter is too cute for words. It was the first time I got to see her in real life. I saw her a couple of years ago on skype when they were at Brother's house and we lived in Seattle. Of course, she has grown so much since then.  She is smarter than smart. And completely bilingual (English and Japanese). Seeing a young one play on Christmas was a treat.

Wishes for a Magical CHRISTMAS!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

I took this photo last Christmas Day. I intended to share it then...but somehow didn't. I hope you are getting into the Joy of the Season.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cheer



The week before Christmas and I'm almost ready. I have picked out all of the gifts that I'm giving (except for the Hubster). I've ordered some gifts that are supposed to be here on Tuesday.  These are for Daughter and Son In Law. They are leaving to visit his family before the weekend...so my gifts for them will get here just in time! I'm excited about these gifts.  I hope they love them. I had a fun time choosing them.

 





I've also been enjoying some hot tea in the cups that were gifts from the Dtr & Son 'N Law.  I was craving a lemony tea similar to Russian Tea.  I've been drinking a lot of bottled citrus green tea lately and decided to have it hot. It was super fast and easy.

When I was growing up, my mother used to have different ideas for homemade gifts for Christmas presents.  One year it was Russian Tea Mix. I remember making the mix and packaging. We also kept a mix in our kitchen and often enjoyed a cup on cold afternoons. The warm green tea that I had this weekend reminded me of the warm and comforting citrus taste. 

Danielle, of the blog, Runs With Spatulas, posted a Russian Tea recipe.  I'm so delighted that it looks quite like the recipe Mom and I used when we made our powdered tea mixes.

I remember once trying to make the mix and improvising with non-sugar substitutes. All I can tell you was it did not work. The substitutes simply did not produce the same volume of the mix.  I have wanted to find this recipe so that I can give Russian Tea gift jars. Since I just found the recipe, and I work all of next week, I think this may be a gift project for next year.

If you are not on Pinterest you totally should be. It's very fun.  It's like a virtual scrapbook of ideas.  I'd be delighted if you followed me.  And, of course, I want to see your boards and follow you as well.

Quick Poll:  Which is better:  Pumpkin Pie or Sweet Potato Pie?  For me, the answer is hands down Sweet Potato Pie.  It's sweeter and creamier.

A restaurant owner in a nearby city was featured in the local Indy Week paper. The name of her restaurant?  Sweet Potatoes.  I must go try this.  The article is here: A new book by N.C. chef Stephanie Tyson: Tyson shares about 100 recipes of the Winston-Salem restaurant's famous dishes in Well, Shut My Mouth! The Sweet Potatoes Restaurant Cookbook.

Ms. Tyson also shared a recipe from her new cookbook.

This weekend I saw the article, The Rise and Fall of Recipe Cards, A Brief History in the Slate Ezine website. The article has a fairly interesting point of view and is somewhat interesting. I realized that it has been forever since I've seen a real handwritten recipe card. The thought of a physical recipe card made me nostalgic. So, in honor of the not yet lost art of the Recipe Card, I put Stephanie Tyson's recipe on a Recipe Card for you.

Enjoy your week!

Kimberly's Note: Anytime I have made anything with sweet potatoes, I've used the potatoes I buy in a can from the grocery store.  It cuts out the majority of the time and I think it's just easier.

Thanksgiving Feast and Fotos

See what I did there in the title? A little alliteration. This year the Thanksgiving festivities were at my daughter's house. She had the turkey and the ham with all the fixins'! And it was way yummy.

In my last post, I shared some of my blessings that I'm thankful for. In this post, I'll share some photos to go along with them. Oh, and I totally forgot to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING on my last post! I hope all had a great time with family and loved ones. And, as Ellen DeGeneres tweeted the other day, hopefully, a few of those people overlap.

And, last but not least (or maybe least):  Check out those slippers!

The bottom of each shoe says something different.  One says "Very" and the other one says "Merry".

I think someone is getting into the Holiday Spirit!