Radio Flyer

This made my entire Christmas.

My nephew has the best giggle and now, the coolest wagon on the block.

Love him to pieces.

Winter Olympics 09

I love my gloves. And him. And all of this snow.

We took the tractor and plowed a sledding lane down the back field.

The tractor got stuck and I went down about 3 times before my tush was a solid sheet of ice BUT we had a blast.

Pretty sure I won the competition. It must have been the neon orange lobster claw gloves.

"The landscape demands our attention. It silences us."

Last night on one of our many weekly rides, I sat in the passenger seat of the truck with my head tilted as far as it could go back. I stared up into the sky of the Shenandoah Valley. The stars were burning bright.

Oh, that sky. If you live in an area where you can see that stars in the sky and nothing else when you lift your head, count yourself lucky. I do.

If you live in a city, jump in the car and find a back road- now.

Tonight, after a troubling day, I lifted my head in the night sky as Andrew drove down to the front field to hay the horses. The stars were shining bright again for the second night in a row.

I am in awe of those twinkling lights.

Then I came home to read this on my friend Michael's blog. I can call him a friend because I heard him read one of his stories on a local NPR station and I stalked him down to tell him how much I enjoyed it AND he emailed me back.

That constitutes friendship, right?

Anyways, this sums up the feeling that I have had, watching those stars. He is a very talented writer and I am so glad that I stalked him down and started to follow his blog, One Lucky Man.

Read "Where there are miracles" here, grab some sky and stare.

FOUND:

The creepiest Santa around.

We found him while unpacking christmas decorations.

Of course I wanted him to be on main stage display in our room.

And then I made Olivia have a christmas photo shoot.

man down.



She doesn't look like she enjoys this. But I think she secretly gets into the Christmas spirit.

And now creepy santa will send you off to sleep! Good night!

One Person. Every Day.

This is Amy. Best friend. Creater of First Wednesdays. Amazing person.

She started a new project called "One Person. Every Day."

She chronicles how someone or something makes her happy each day.

I especially loved her post for December 11, 2009.

She is an incredibly talented writer and I am so lucky to have her in my life.

looove.

Raise your hand if you live with your boyfriends parents

I do! I do!

Oh, it's not that bad. Not bad at all actually. It's funny. I clamored my way out of living with at home--the thought was unthinkable post college. But now, after living in the real world, coming home to someone else making dinner and not stroking that rent check each month is pretty darn nice......

for now.

We have big plans that will hopefully become clearer in the coming weeks.

So for now, I will continue to indulge in watching shows like Cops, CSI, and any other murder mystery known to man on t.v. each night with the family.

oh Christmas Tree.....

Last year Andrew took me to cut down my first EVER real Christmas Tree (plastics ruled the roost in the McQueen household growing up...hey, they make pine scent to mist over them). We went back to the same farm again this year to pick out our beauty!

Here she is!

I supervised this operation...


I think I was a really good supervisor.




And then in usual fashion I grabbed the saw and made it appear that I did all of the work.


Then we literally forced this nice tree woman to take a picture. I was going to let her off of the hook when she told me she didn't like to take pictures....

But Andrew stepped into the situation, "Get over here and take a picture. She will get upset if you don't"

Just a normal day of harassing christmas tree farmers.

We won.

quality of life report

I realized this morning that I made such a big to-do about moving and I haven't even followed up on how my "new life" is.

I feel like I have been on sensory overload. All the newness!!! It feels like a rush and I am finally coming back down.

First thing first: I am reunited with Olivia. (and I think she has dropped a few lbs. living here in the country)

Second thing second: everything seems to be falling into place. Job situation is panning out nicely, living situation is in the works. (I'm just reciting the serenity prayer once, maybe twice daily)

This quote is also helping:

“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” - Lao Tzu

It's change. And I have, oh say, a little issue with control.
But..(WARNING: GUSHINESS TO FOLLOW)

I am so happy to have my best friend beside me.

( Crabtree Falls, Oct. 09)

Looks like my good luck charms really worked. ;)

"this is my winter song to you"

I fell in love with the song "Winter Song" by Sara Bareilles/Ingrid Michaelson after I purchased the album "The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs".

The CD has some great holiday songs with amazing singers. I highly recommend it if you are looking for Christmas music that sounds refreshed and new.

"Winter Song" has been playing on my laptop nonstop.

Happy Sunday! I'm off to make some biscuits and gravy and enjoy this snowy day!

love.

oh yes it's friday

(Irish, Cool Breeze Stables)