And There Was Christmas

It came and went pretty quickly. We missed the big ole blizzard that shut down NYC, but did get a light dusting down in south Georgia, which has maybe happened twice in 30 years. I took a lot more pictures of the snow, but forgot to upload them today. Will try and post later. There was family, there was food, there was Clay's (special whiskey) Christmas Punch and there were pretty intense games of Monolopy - one that will even go down in history.

(Please imagine the following paragraph read by the guy who narrates the timeless holiday film, A Christmas Story.)

It was nearly 1am. Clay's special Christmas punch was melting in everyone's glasses. My brother was dominating the game as usual, had picked off Geoff and I in rapid succession and owned nearly every property on the board. He was about to beat poor cousin Clarke, who owned one measley monopoly, nearly all of which were morgaged to keep him in the game while he languished in jail. The Free Parking pot had grown considerably. No one had landed on it for nearly the whole game. We realized there was a fortune in there. Clarke's final chance to roll doubles and get out jail came. He shook the dice, gave it a special magic "Hail Mary" blow and....BOOOOOOM! DOUBLE FIVES! As soon as those dice hit the board, I screamed, forgetting it was 1am and my aunt and uncle were sleeping in the next room. Clay's face sank. Clarke appeared to be in shock. Double fives! Liberation from jail, a trip to Free Parking to collect All.That.Money and the game took a turn. Despite all of Clay's scrambling and wheeling and deeling that occured afterwards to emerge the victor (and it was impressive), Clarke won that night. And underdogs the world over rejoiced. He stood a little taller the next day. No longer could we be held down by they tyranny of Clay having a monopoly on winning Monopoly. There was equality. There was hope. There was Double Fives!

There wasn't much that could top that epic game.

There was, however, a family jam session.


I forgot to bring our stockings so Mom stitched Geoff's name on the back of the one I had when I was a kid. So we shared. And even though it's crocheted, and therefore stretches to become the world's largest stocking, it didn't fit everything. And it kind of looks like it has a tumor in this picture.


The blizzard did affect us getting home though. Even though the blizzard was over, our travel day was over 24 hours instead of a 2.5 hour plane ride. It was Planes, Planes and Automobiles. After attempting to leave Savannah at 12noon, we eventually got out of Atlanta at 8pm on a flight to DC, rented a car, drove a few hours, got a hotel room near the Delaware border and drove the rest of the way the next morning. Turned the rental car in at Laguardia, where (thankfully!) our luggage was waiting patiently and hailed a cab home. Have never been happier to be home in my life.

Some scenes from our epic journey...

The Savannah Airport - where it all began


The Delaware Memorial Bridge



Some Drive-by scenes of Brooklyn from the BQE





Very very glad to be home. Very.

Many more thoughts and exciting things coming up in the New Year to share. Stay tuned!

Ho Ho Ho

The latest addition to this year's Christmas Extravaganza. I have to say, I am reeeeeeeeally into Santa-in-a-Hot-Air-Balloon. Kind of a lot. Am I wrong that he classes it up a bit?


I mean, as much as this crazy display can be classed up?


I will say, the landlord sure is bringing it this year. There are more lights and garlands than last year and way more Santas-in-snow-globes than ever before. Last year they were in the place of honor, before they were usurped by Hot Air Balloon Santa. This year you can sorta see them tucked in the back corners near the door. I bet they feel totally jealous of Hot Air Balloon Santa. There could actually be a lot of politics and rivalries with all these decorations, now that I think of it. I bet all those Santas and Christmas Carousel Creatures TOTALLY hate the new kid who usurps the place of honor every year. It probably gets ugly. Or at least awkward.

Regardless, any way you slice it, it's....

Oh Christmas....Shrubbery

Last year you may remember my attempt at a Christmas tree was a wreath. Now granted, a wreath that got a much better photo shoot than I managed this year. And complete with a very excellent decorating idea that I did (in fact) see in Real Simple this year. I think they are stalking my blog for ideas.


Hm.


Anyhooooo, this year, we're making a bit more progress toward an actual tree. We've graduated to a small bush. A few days before Thanksgiving, Mom mentioned that she could cut me a Christmas tree from their land in Maine and bring it down to hand off at Thanksgiving. I insisted that I would need something small, something that could maybe sit at the end of our entertainment center, as opposed to a real tree on the floor. Well, Mom heard me loud and clear and just in time to pack up the car, she pulled me a "tree" out of a rock in Maine, stuck it in a pot, and lo, I have officially moved up in the world. From wreath to... shrubbery.


I love it so much.

Forgive the fuzzy iPhone photos. I love how random it is. How it swoops weirdly to the side. I'm calling it avantgarde. It's very "artsy". Very non-conformist. Very "doing its own thing". I honestly could not love it more. It's the perfect amount of "tree" for us to manage with our crazy lifestyle. And those shell ornaments sure were just plucked from the beach on a walk with my mom over Thanksgiving and just tied right on with red string. It couldn't look more busted, particularly in these horrible, horrible photos.

I mean it's nothing fancy and legit like this.


But that's even a hair overdone/Martha Stewart-ish for my taste. Though certainly, closer to my actual taste. I mean, honestly my shrubbery looks like something a third grader brings home from school. But when those little white lights come on, all is right with my world.

I think it's heaven. Even if the photos are atrocious.

... And All I Got Was This One Picture

We are back in the Big Apple. And somehow Christmas came and went without me taking a single picture. This is basically all I got.

Well, ok....and the obligatory shot of Hayley with the football.


And ok, maybe one of Toby too. Giving you a mournful over-the-shoulder look.


It was great to see family though. And if you are desperate for pictures you can check out the ones from last year. 'Cause things were pretty much the same this year.

Christmas was lovely. It rained cats and dogs early Christmas morning, and I love waking up to the rain. Just love it. We had breakfast, which is always amazing. My Aunt Jean always makes a breakfast casserole and this year she tried Paula Dean's recipe. Y-U-M. Eggs and cheese and hashbrowns all in one dish? Sign me up. Jean only used half the cheese that Paula called for and it was still dang good.

When I was younger I always used to marvel at how slowly my Dad opened his gifts. We usually pass out gifts so that everyone has a few to open and then we pause to give people a chance to open them. And now, in my own advancing years, I realized I am taking just as long as he does. I really enjoy watching other people open their gifts. And before you think I'm so selfless and saint-like and giving, let me clarify that I particularly like watching them open gifts that I have given them. If you've ever heard the theory that people have different love languages, I think I've learned that gift giving is one of mine. This year I gave my uncles and my dad some framed photos of the old cars at the farm that we took last year. I thought they turned out great. So much so that I might make some for us to hang in our house. And I was so excited for them to open them. I think they liked them. Which made me happy.

Christmas dinner was lovely and there was much political discussion as always. In general the food down there is just what you'd expect. Excellent. Southern. Full of cheese. It's a good thing we only go there once a year. But we balanced it out with walks out at the farm. So I managed not to gain any weight for the few days we were there. Yay me.

The day after Christmas we hosted a little gathering of family friends, just like we did last year. It was great fun. Somehow, my uncles swindled me into singing a few Christmas tunes IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. Which was more than slightly mortifying. I haven't sung solo in front of people in about 5 years. And boy oh boy, can you tell. But luckily I was in a room of people who love me, so the level of judgement was minimal. And after that, I quickly retreated to the couch with my glass of wine and promptly won over my friends Mac & Katherine's two boys (Ben age 7, Sam age 4) with the Lightsaber application on my iPhone. Their dad had just gotten an iPod touch and they were loving it, so I showed them how they could wave my phone around and make it sound like a Lightsaber. And when we found out you could customize your Lightsaber (choose your color and put your picture in there to create your own character) I think I won them over for good. Shortly after this revelation, Sam looked at me real deeply, like he was really contemplating Important Things and asked, "Where do you live?". He was clearly hoping I'd say "Right around the corner" instead of "New York City", in hopes that there would be many more hours of Lightsaber practice in his future.

This was Ben's Lightsaber picture. He put the hood of his sweatshirt up and got all serious about it. He was "Young Master".



Sam was Luke Skywalker. Naturally. But my the application only let me save one custom picture at a time, so I don't have a shot of him. Which is really too bad.

Our last day there we spent some time at the farm and then visited a bit with Mac & Katherine, who do a weekly podcast called Catholic in a Small Town. They are super fun and really funny, so I bet it's great. We'll be listening in. And then we headed home for Aunt Paula's ribs for dinner. She made them one other year and they cook all day long and are pretty dang amazing. In fact, once they were served, the dinner table got pretty quiet. Because we were all enjoying them so much. In fact, Geoff then dubbed them Paula's Shut You Up Ribs. Cause that's what they do.

So we had a great time. Yay for family and fun and holidays and a little time away from work. Yay indeed.

It's that Time Again

Well, I'm not sure how I managed it, but I somehow managed to wrangle Christmas with my side of the family again this year. So we are headed to Georgia for a few brief days. Slightly warmer temperatures, the farm, the dogs, some family, and not having to be in the office.....

Yes please.

Looks like I will be in a blog-free zone until we get back, but I'm sure there will be many stories (and photos) to share upon our return.

Happy Holidays to all!

Caroling, Caroling Now We Go

This past Sunday was a monsoon. We'd shot the Christmas party the night before and were up late. So we slept in. We made breakfast pretty late. And by late I mean, it was almost lunchtime. And stayed in our PJs while it rained and poured outside. I love being inside when its rainy outside. Rainy Sundays are maybe my favorites. So it was only the great great love that I have for my best friend that could possibly drag me from my happy cocoon and out into the rain. And to the Upper West Side. Which is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo nowhere near my house. But Alison was hosting a caroling party. And I was not about to miss it.

Having failed epically at capturing the amazing spread we had at Amanda's shower, I was determined to not have the guilt and disappointment of a repeat failure this time. In fact, as soon as we arrived, after quick hugs all around, I barely spoke to anyone and just busted out my camera. Which basically forced everyone else to stop enjoying the spread so as to not ruin my shot. Slightly rude? Perhaps. Priorities askew? Almost always.

These puppies were pretty amazing...




Now this is my kind of party....this is about all I need.


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I love olives.


And really, what holiday party is complete without...


And it was homemade too. Beat that!

There were many fun peoples. As per usual at Alison's parties.


Alison & Sarah party it up (i hate using "party" as a verb. it's just wrong.)


Classic Jon & Alison


And her wee tree was so lovely. *sigh*


Homestrung popcorn and cranberries. Of course.


After much socializing we moved into the musical portion of the evening. This was a caroling party after all. Sadly all of our piano players were MIA, I suppose on account of the monsoon.

Wussies.

So we decided to soldier on anyway. A capella. And attempting 4 part harmony. Now, there were three people in the room who have been on Broadway. And then there were the rest of us. Sadly, Broadway could not save us. I mean, I was a trained musician in my day, but it's been a while. The ole pipes just aren't what they used to be. Some over-ambitious person suggested we start with It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Well, that was a ROUSING success.

This picture was snapped about 4 notes in. Please notice how a majority of us are doubled over in laughter.


Sarah tries to keep it together. James doesn't even bother. Which I love.


We fared a bit better with Silent Night and Joy to the World.


But there were still plenty of moments of laughter and vocal disaster.


Despite the wonky harmonies and me questioning the long term use of my college degree, we had an awesome time. It was good that we were in the safety of Alison's living room, as we would have potentially had tomatoes chucked at us, or at minimum, doors slammed in our faces had we been attempting to go door to door. At least during It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.

Regardless, a good time was had by all. I vote that it become an annual tradition. Who's in?

In All It's Glory

Well, I have to admit....I was almost disappointed. I mean, i don't know what I expected them to do....buy all new Christmas decorations? But the set up is very similar to last year.

Ferris Wheel full of Christmas creatures? Check.


Carousel of various animals hanging on to reindeer for dear life? Check.


Mr. Penguin seems to be closest to possible death. But then, good ole Prancer really is rearing up on his hind legs, isn't he? Show off.


So I felt a little..."been there, done that" about the Christmas decorations. But when I looked a little closer, I realized there were some subtle changes.

First of all, the Carousel and the Ferris Wheel were on opposite sides last year.

So.

That's huge.


And this guy, hanging in the corner by the door. He's new.


And I feel that while this Santa could potentially be viewed as A) waving at you, or B) inviting you to dance, he could also serve the additional purpose of giving you a strict talking to about the "positively no ball playing" sign. Please, that's SO why they put him there. For his multitasking skills. I mean, what kid is gonna play ball before Christmas with Santa staring him down like that?

There's also a huge inflatable Santa-in-a-Snow-Globe sitting in the same spot where Tom the Pilgrim Turkey sat. Overlooking the fish pond. Lovely. And every time I walk out the front door and see the snow in my peripheral vision, I think for a minute it's snowing in real life. Even though it is not. (I probably shouldn't admit that out loud, should I?)

And I have to say, though I'm kind of surprised at myself...it actually seems...kinda pretty this year....


With the Christmas tree twinkling from the lobby? And all the people who live on either side of this display seem to have their coordinating lights in their windows. It's all twinkly. Even if those white globe lights around the railing were also used during Halloween. And even if there is still a "Beware, Ghost Crossing" sign in the ground under the Christmas Carousel.

It's still sort of lovely...

At night anyway.

It begins

Get ready. Prepare yourselves. The holiday extravanza is about to be out in full force.

Consider yourselves warned.

The Extent of Christmas

I've never had a Christmas tree all my very own. I mean, we had them as kids. And I think we got them when I was in college or just out of college and living with girlfriends in various houses and apartments. And there's one in Georgia where my family does Christmas. Clearly, since I wrote about it falling down last year. (See Ali, you are not alone.) But I haven't ever had one any of my 8 years in New York. Geoff and I have never had one together either. Not that we've had more than one married Christmas together. But still. I always feel a little sad that we don't really decorate for Christmas. But December is usually crazed enough anyway. It's all I can do to buy Christmas presents for both families and my office co-workers in time. I've possibly never done Christmas cards. I just don't know if I'm ever going to have it together enough to get holiday cards out on time. You know....the ones with pictures and a "newsletter" that you're supposed to send to everyone you know? I'm gonna go on record and say that will likely never happen. Possibly ever. At least not until I have less of a crazy job. So when you don't receive a Holiday card from us, it's not for lack of love and well wishes. It's for lack of my act being together.

But I would kinda like to have a Christmas tree. But, on the other hand....we're not actually home for Christmas ever. We're always with family in another state. And all my Christmas decorations are in a box on a top shelf in the front hall closet that we may just never actually be able to get to again. And December is so busy I don't know when we'd find time to do it anyway. But I picture a tree all twinkly with white lights and I sigh a little bit on the inside.

Well, on Sunday Geoff and I were at the grocery store and he insisted we buy me a wreath. And a poinsettia. I allowed myself to be talked into it. It was kind of a big step. A live wreath. (Which I'm now regretting a little on account of the crazy shedding). It's not shaped particularly well. And we couldn't hang it on the door because our door is metal and there's no place to hang it. So it's hanging kind of strangely in the living room next to the TV. Where we can see it and enjoy it more anyway.


We brought it home and then I realized I needed to decorate it somehow. I dug through my ribbon/wrapping paper/random gifts box to see what was in there. Came up with this orange ribbon that had a little wire to it, so it was bendable. I fashioned a fairly wonky-looking bow. Which was on the small side since I didn't have a ton of it. So I had these three Christmas ornaments I got a Pier One last year for 99 cents each. I'd used them as favors for a birthday party. I just placed them at the base of the wreath. Then it still looked pretty bare, so tried some other ornaments that were not all packed away in the highest farthest box. They were too big and/or too much. So then I dug around in my jewelry drawer for a bit and came up with three pairs of earrings that all had a bit of sparkle to them and that I don't wear very often. They turned into mini ornaments.


I have to say (true confession), I was a little bit on the "impressed with myself" side that I though of that. They don't sparkle or stand out quite as much as I'd like, but not too shabby for a makeshift wreath decoration idea. And great since you don't have to buy anything but the wreath. Which I like because, as we know, I don't like to spend more than $40 on anything. So as long as you're ok with wonky bows and slightly under performing sparkly earrings, it makes for a lovely decoration. Considering my act's lack of togetherness, I'm totally ok with it. And, yes you guessed it, I think Real Simple should be told about my earrings idea. I mean, I'm not saying I should have a regular column in that magazine, but maybe they could do an annual special feature on me and my clever ideas. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. (Except maybe they would use only my ideas and and not my actual product 'cause here's what, Real Simple could make it look prettier than my ragamuffin-i-did-it-myself version)

So this is an ok substitution for a tree for me for now. Even thought a wreath looks fairly bizarre hanging on a living room wall. Maybe there will be a tree in my future someday. Hopefully soon. Since putting up the wreath I had to do some minor rearranging of furniture. And here's hoping that this time next year there's a tree where that wreath is....

Thanksgiving The Second

This year, Thanksgiving at the Cape seemed all about the beach. Or at least that's where I took all my pictures. We got in late on Thursday night and spent Friday doing the Thanksgiving II thing. A lovely meal as usual. Mom makes a mean Thanksgiving dinner. And somehow, I managed not to go back for seconds and only had a small piece of pie. Yay me. Although, I was feeling slightly less "yay me" on Saturday, or The Day of College Football, as I seemed to be eating constantly from 3pm onward. The wine, crab dip, cheese & crackers, Mom's shrimp tortilla soup, and Tex Mex really did me in. Yowza.

Fortunately though we all went for a big walk Saturday and Sunday at the beach. It was SUPER windy. Can't believe I almost didn't bring a jacket.


Despite it being surprisingly cold and regardless of the gale force winds, the water & the sky were doing cool things, I thought...


I took a bunch of pictures. As per usual.




The Lighthouse


I'm probably watching Clay do something ridiculous here...


Clay uses the post as a vault


Kristyn (who you may remember from the Nantucket Red Extravaganza) joined us for the second half of the weekend.


I just really liked this picture. Something about the way we're all spaced out in a line.


We brought Hayley of course, who is one of the most high energy dogs on the planet and she did ALL kinds of running and fetching. This is Hayley at the house, waiting for SOMEONE, ANYONE ("preferably Clay, please Clay, look at me Clay)" to play with her:


Here is a happier, less anxious Hayley in a sequence I like to call A Man and His Dog, or Hayley's Version of Heaven:









The beach is really pretty and totally different in the winter. And in addition to the beach, there was a Special Project that Geoff and Clay worked on. A video project that Geoff helped Clay on for work. Which ended up being pretty funny.

And there was MUCH speculation on the breaking Tiger Woods scandal. Dad and Clay called it from the beginning.

And there was Bananagrams, which Mom was so glad for, since Dad doesn't LOVE playing, she was glad to have some people who do. Although he did sit down and play with us all this time. And even tried to make up a new version of the game. You never can tell what kind of curve ball that guy's gonna throw you.

So it was lovely. Big surprise there.