See - You Totally Want It!

A couple of you have asked for more information on Veronica, the plush throw I got for Christmas. One of you even threatened to come steal Veronica. Here is a link to the information at Restoration Hardware.com so you can have your very own throw. They are conveniently on sale right now and come in a variety of colors. I'm sure they'd love you to own them and name them something like Leslie or Sheila. Enjoy!

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/category/category_4gifts.jsp;jsessionid=PYAKSCQP41OCBLAWCUASAOVMCYKACH20?navAction=jump&navCount=0&categoryId=cat1562029

Oh, The Plushness!

Each year we exchange Christmas gifts with the family of one of the Hubby's six siblings. This year we received from the generous and always creative Richardson family (who never read this blog).

I am feeling a lot of love towards them right now because the past five nights I have fallen asleep on my couch at a way too early hour wrapped up in a plush throw and my feet surrounded by plush foot comforters from Restoration Hardware. I think by definition "plush" in this instance means so soft, snuggly and warm it becomes instantly addictive and you won't ever want to let go of it. The blanket is like a humongous stuffed animal for an adult.

To demonstrate my point, let me show you another picture - of my older brother Chris at my house on Christmas day having some alone time with my plush throw which he immediately named "Veronica" and decided would be his constant companion for the rest of his living days. (I don't think he reads this blog either, but maybe his wife will let him know I've blabbed on the blog about his new obsession.)

Or maybe I'll get him his own plush throw for his birthday in 15 days. Thanks Richardsons!

Stop It! Stop It Right Now I Say!

Do you ever look at your kids lying in their beds asleep at night and think, "Man, he used to be so tiny. I could fit him in the crook of my arm like a little ball. How did he get so big so fast?"

Yeah, I've been having that thought a lot lately. My kids are growing up quickly, no matter how many times I tell them to "Stop growing RIGHT NOW!"

Then this happened on Saturday, and it nearly sent me into a coma.

The RedDog pulled out his first tooth with nary a tear or fear in sight. That. Is. My. Baby. (all cute and freckly and without one of his baby teeth.)

He promptly collected the $2 (first tooth privilege) deposited by a certain fairy from under his pillow yesterday morning and went right to work wiggling the tooth next door.

Could somebody please stop this train? I want to get off now.

New York, New York, What A Wonderful Town!

You've asked, so here it is . . . documented proof of our surprise trip to New York City with our kids before Christmas. We had a really wonderful two days in the city. Our kids thought it was a grand adventure and despite 16 degree weather on the first day and a whole, whole lotta walking, there was minimal whining and almost no fighting whatsoever (it totally helped to have our friends the Mecks along with their three kids!) I've included a brief explanation below each of the pictures. We did more than I've shown, but our hands were so freakin' cold, the pictures are fewer than I'd hoped. Great memories were made and we are so glad to have done this with our kids. Here's hoping your Christmas was great!

Here's our little clan enjoying a peek out at the Statue of Liberty - it's that tiny speck in the upper right hand corner. This was the very coldest moment (about 13 degrees with wind on top of that) on our trip and we are all trying very hard not to cry in this picture. There is a kid underneath the red hat and blue scarf named Big C who decided along with the rest of us that we didn't need to take the boat out to actually see the Statue since that just sounded cold.

Me and my boy outside the New York Stock Exchange . . . c'mon economy, you can do it!

Did you know that George Washington was inaugurated first President of the United States in New York City? Neither did I . . . until this trip. RedDog is hiding in the gray coat and black hat.

When the economy takes a turn for the better, you'll have my kids to thank. They all gave the Wall Street bull's nose a super good rubbing to help our country's financial crisis.

Rockafeller Center Christmas Tree - still cold Big C. The 9 foot Swavroski Crystal star on top was amazing - 250,000 individual crystals!

Amazing Christmas windows at Saks Fifth Avenue

Finally, the boy takes off his cold weather gear to show that he's a loyal Yankee's fan (and also a die hard pizza fan)!

Nothing cures a day of cold, long walking like a New York slice. YUM!

Big C took this shot from the top of the Empire State Building.

The Hubby and Big C went all the way up to the top! I stayed at the bottom with the chickens - which saved us $50!

Dragging Hannie B around the rink at Central Park!

Even the Hubby did a figure 8 or too! But where's the RedDog, you ask? He spent most of his time on the sidelines since he found ice skating to be a disturbing rendition of "Lord of the Dance" with his legs flailing independent of his body.

Much more to the Red Dog's liking - the stuffed animals at FAO Schwartz!

Meanwhile, Big C and I enjoyed the hat selection in the grand toystore!

On This Day . . .

Child of the Night
by Holly Woolley

Child

Of the night and hushed

Majesties of light.

Cool evening breeze

And single cry,

A mother's tender arms

And eyes . . .

Unspoken grace adorns

Crude stable hay and

Humble cloth.

A King is born

In a quiet manger

Without pretense

Or display . . .

No jeweled crown

Nor fame is found

Except,

In lighted sky

And whisper

Of a father's tender

Murmur of His name,

"Jesus"

The morning breaks

In quiet sigh and fame:

A dark and sleeping

World awakes

To never be

The same.

May the miracle of a tiny baby's birth and life bring joy and blessings to you on this day. Merry Christmas from the Dragonfly!

See Ya!

We're off to whisk our kids on a surprise trip to this place before Christmas. I'll skate a figure 8 for you in Central Park. Hope the next few days are joyous and productive for all you !

If A Tree Could Talk . . .

Mine would say, "Hey there! How ya doing? I'm great, I'm fake and I'm totally prelit. I have saved the Dragonfly's marriage by ending the argument of whether or not the back of a tree should be lit. I am totally and completely adored by my family."

At one point in my life, I thought an artificial tree was a sacrilege. I had to have that real pine scent in my home. I had to have the experience of freezing my tookus off while picking the perfect tree in the blasted cold. Then, back in the late 90's we had two live trees die, two years in a row, BEFORE CHRISTMAS DAY! That was all it took for me. I cleaned up brown pine needles for weeks. Add in the whole lighting of the tree issue, which put a strain on the Hubby and I each year as we barked orders at each other to start off this joyous season, and our decision to go artificial still seems like a blessing nine years later.

I'm not going to lie - I am jealous of people like mamela on the mountain who can actually go out on the mountain she lives on a pick a great tree to bring home. That is definitely the way to do a live tree! There is just something about a live tree that is special.

But, I do love my fake tree, and today I thought I'd give you a little tour of it. I should start by saying I don't think pictures do justice to Christmas trees. I've been looking at a lot of trees on blogs and it's just not the same as seeing it in person.

Our tree is a hodge podge of blue, brown and gold. It's got a little bit of everything on it - from dried hydrangeas and grapevine balls, to birds and glittery Christmas words. It's even got a great thrift store Santa on top.

Here's a gold angel I found for a quarter at a thrift store. She's heralding some exciting news and I love her flowing dress and upright wings.

Here's a good chunk of tree miscellany - cinnamon sticks, a bird's nest, a great bird from Target, a bejeweled snowflake, a glittery Christmas tree. Can you see that the look I'm going for is humble and natural mixed with treasured and special?

And here is my very favorite part of our tree - because it is both humble and natural and treasured and special. For our family, this is what Christmas is all about:

What makes your tree special to you?

For Tobi . . .

Last year during the holidays I wrote a post about my favorite holiday cookie. I've already made four batches of "the ginger snaps" this month and they are gone. I think I'll make a few more before we turn the page from 2008 to 2009.

And now, as a small birthday gift to a spicy and snazzy friend/relative, I give the recipe for a spicy and snazzy cookie. Make some of these bad boys - and then thank me later.

Sister Benson's Ginger Cookies

1 1/2 C shortening
2 C sugar
1/2 C molasses
2 eggs
4 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves

Cream shortening and sugar. Add molasses and eggs. Sift flour and dry ingredients, then combine with wet ingredients. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, roll in sugar and press lightly with bottom of drinking glass. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet. Yields about 5-6 dozen.

Repurposed . . .

Remember the gratitude tree from Thanksgiving? Now it is nestled in a different corner and covered in glittering snowflakes - which happens to be the only snow we're getting right now, much to the chagrin of my children. Also in this little nook of our family room is a framed old German print of St. Niklaus receiving presents from a Christmas angel and a small creche and nativity that was my Grandma Sara's.

I think I can continue to repurpose this tree branch in the new year - think Valentine's tree and Easter tree . . . until then, it is making me feel merry and bright with it's Christmas glow. Have a happy day!

One Week. . .

I decided to take a week off of blogging. One entire week. No sitting down to the computer to pen thoughts or edit pictures or read comments. I realized that it was time to put my family and our holidays first. Time to get some shopping and shipping, some baking and taking, some laughing and tickling done and not see my life in "blogworthy" moments, but to just experience it in all its true joy and glory.

And today, well today is all about this fine boy here. Today he is eleven. And so to him I give these words as a gift:

Sweet Chris with your inventive mind, goofy sense of humor and sensitive spirit, for eleven straight years you have held my heart with such strength that I have wondered how it could be possible from such tiny hands. And all of the sudden when I looked, they weren't tiny any more. Those little hands I used to hold and kiss are big and calloused. They work and play hard. They make music and write stories. You are growing and changing and becoming such a fantastic young man right before my eyes. I love you and hope the very best this world has to offer you. You will always be my first baby, who fit on my lap and looked up at me with sparkly eyes and a wide grin. You will always, always hold my heart. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Home For The Holidays

Over the next few days I'm going to give you a tour of what our home is like for the holidays. The traditions, the decor, the joy and the chaos.

Today, I thought I'd start with the front door! Nothing says "Welcome to my home for the holidays" like a great wreath on the door. For years we had a house whose front door was in direct sun most of the day. I purchased a live wreath once, but it fried pretty quickly so I moved to an artificial wreath which frankly, wasn't that great.

Now, with our front door shaded on the porch, I make my trek to Costco each year and buy a $15.99 live wreath. It's such a great deal and usually lasts through January. I sit in the Costco picking through all the wreaths, inhaling the delicious pine scent until the perfect wreath catches my eye.

Once I get home with my purchase (and $100 worth of other supersized finds) the first thing I always do is cut off the awful plastic holly berries that are on the wreath. I find them to be a little offensive. If I want live holly, I can just cross the street and snip some from my neighbor's gorgeous holly bush. (with permission, of course) Then I add whatever strikes my fancy in a given year to make the wreath special. This year I added some rusty ornaments that I didn't put on my tree and great burlap ribbon leftover from a project two years ago.

If you came to my house, this is what would greet you. What do you put on your front door for Christmas?

That's Gonna Leave A Mark . . .

Just in time for the holidays, Hannie B. has lovingly given her brother something "shiner" and bright.

I told him not to mess with her . . . the girl's got some serious strength and gumption. The story at school is that he got it while playing football. While this is partially true, the best part of the story has been left out - the one doing the hitting was his little sis. And now I've got it recorded forever.

Love ya, Big C!

You'd Better Watch Your Back Rudolph . . .

Two posts ago I jokingly asked the question, "Do people eat reindeer?" because the RedDog had disguised himself as one.

Today in my online news browsing, I find this:

"It's a good time of year to get attention for the plight of the poor reindeer, which is not treated with reverence by today's herders, according to animal rights activists. A group in England is taking this holiday season to call attention to the way these animals are treated by protesting IKEA's sales of reindeer salami."

Some random thoughts are floating through my head right now: I love IKEA. RedDog loves salami. I wonder if he'd eat reindeer salami. Are reindeer in danger of extinction? I should put my dad on this . . . he's all about the whales and polar bears, why not add reindeer.

It is now no wonder to you all why my holiday decorating has come to a complete standstill.

A Christmas Visitor . . .

(I imagine that the Elf looks something like this.)

In our house during the month of December, the left shoes of children are placed by the front door each night. If you've been a good boy or girl during the day, the next morning you might find a little something in your shoe from the Elf.

When I say little, I mean little. Like a quarter. Or a stick of gum. Or a sticker. Or the crowd favorite - a little box of cereal like they have for continental breakfasts at hotels.

Some mornings one child may have an empty shoe. Some mornings all three children have empty shoes. Some mornings the shoes are empty because the Elf was really tired the night before and just forgot.

This tradition is a carry over from The Hubby's childhood. In my childhood, which was spent in Germany, our shoes went out on St. Nikolaus Day (Dec. 6th) and we always got some goodies mixed with switches - because no child is good ALL the time. I figure this tradition is a good combination of our two childhoods and a great gauge for the kids to see how their behavior is shaping up for Santa to come! It also takes the place of an advent calendar, which I haven't ever done.

Unfortunately, my kids are now spreading the news of the Elf around their school. I think this means there are kids putting their left shoes out in houses where I'm hoping parents are getting in the know quickly!

What are some of your Christmas traditions?

If I Had Room For Any More Food . . .

I'd eat this baby! Because he is so sweet and delicious and his eyes are as big as saucers. And because have you ever tasted a baby's belly? To die for! This is my newest nephew "M" and I relished every second of my four days with him and his family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Relaxing. Eating. Ignoring the responsibilities of my real life. Eating some more. It was just what I needed.

Then I came home and felt a small sense of panic as I realized that I had no turkey to leftover with. In swooped the Queen Vee and Kernal Ken to my house last night with a gigantic ol' pot of this:

All I had to do was make the corn bread and chow down! And somehow my sis-in-law Audrey figured she needed a fourth Thanksgiving, so it was a total bonus because I got to spend time with many of my favorite people and eat food I didn't have to cook. Okay, really they were just sick of turkey and needed to get rid of it somehow, but I am still really, really grateful and also warm from the soup. Huge thanks familia!

The last thing I'd eat if I had ANY more room for food would be this kid right here. I mean this reindeer. Do people eat reindeer (tastes like chicken)? As soon as I started busting out the Christmas decor, my little RedDeer was at my side, antlers on, helping out. He's a champ at putting the big grins on my face. This is how he ate his lunch before school today. I love a kid who's got the holiday spirit.

Now I'm full from all this pretend eating. Hope your holiday prep is in full swing and going well. I'm up to date on the decorating, but way behind on the gift purchasing. Gotta go do that right now!