Holiday Recap 2011

"I see a cowboy"

Piperade!
Jeff and I had a lovely holiday season with lots of family visits, food, and relaxation. The weather in CA was amazing, and we really enjoyed spending quality time with our extended families. We kicked off the weekend before Christmas at my Dad and Erika's house. A few weeks earlier they had gone to Bodega Bay and caught several crab for our Christmas dinner. Erika served that with a Basque dish called Piperade. Everything was delicious and topped off with my dad's angel food cake and steamed pumpkin pudding! The foodie in Jeff and I is always satisfied at my dad's house. We ended the night with gift opening and numerous laughs. We only wish we could have gone up to Portland to see all the Baxters!

No tears for Kendall this time!
On Christmas Eve we got to spend time with the Gukan/Demers/Baxter clan. It was such a joyous time with everyone and the sweet babies! The house felt so full of of love at my Aunt's house and I loved the reoccurring theme of regifting and homemade gifts. It really helps focus the true meaning of Christmas. I think the most special moment for Jeff and I is when Grandma G opened the wedding album we made her. The look on her face was priceless!!

The classy traveling shirt 2011

Christmas Day we spent with the Masters and Bowmans. The Masters always set up a gift exchange between all of Ron and Jeanne's children and grandchildren. This year I had Uncle Casey and Jeff had Carrie. Chris was buying for me and Jeff bought for Carrie. I knew Chris would be up to something buying for me! The Masters have a Christmas tradition known as the "traveling shirt". On Christmas 1980, Ron was given a shirt from his mother, Velma, that wasn't his taste. He regifted the shirt the next year and as an ongoing tradition it is regifted to someone in the family every year. Being my first Christmas "officially" as a Masters Chris gifted it to me. The other rule is if you get it and it fits, you have to wear it to dinner. It's always fun to see who gets the shirt so I will have to think of a fun way to regift it in 2012!! Overall this holiday season was filled with abundance and love. Jeff and I are very fortunate!!

Hunger Games

Slovly

I love teaching for a lot of different reasons, that I am sure I will post at least sometime on this blog. One reason I love it (and can endure the long work weeks!) is that I get some excellent break times. It seems that every time I get a break, I get to enjoy a favorite pastime of mine, reading.

This Christmas I asked for the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I really didn't know anything about it, but had noticed different people from my life were reading it and decided to give it a try. It was completely different than anything I had read before, but I fell in love with it. As I was reading it I kept thinking what a great movie it would make. Apparently so did Hollywood, because it is coming out March 23, 2012! Also as I was reading I felt strong admiration for the main character Katniss. Her tough spirit, edge, and determination were likable. Anyway, I really liked how the artist above portrayed some of the main characters. I am looking forward to reading the next two in the series.

Bucket List, Sorta.

Hello? Anyone out there?

Jeff and I (okay, mostly I) a happy to have a place to journal our happenings. Recently a co-worker of mine was inspired to write a list of 30 things to do before turning 30. Kind of like a bucket list, but for more immediate purposes. I loved the idea, and on my own list I put start and maintain a blog. I've started a few here and there that I never really keep up. The purpose of this is blog is to journal, reflect, inspire, and grow. Sounds good, right?