Merriment for Me!

A couple of very intuitive ladies knew exactly what I'd want for my present: to go shopping in Anthropologie...and actually buy something! I often walk through the store just touching everything, but I'd never even tried anything on. And I'd never actually contemplated buying something. Who pays $98 for a tank top? Not a mother of three small kids. BUT, there is a time for everything. ;) And, it was time, my friends. It was time.

I prowled slowly, carefully, gleefully. I actually took garments off the racks! With an arm load of beauty, I entered the dressing room for the first time. Oh what a beautiful place! No, seriously, if you're ever in the mall and stressed out, just find an Anthropologie, grab a shirt, and head for the fitting room. Serenity. I tried everything on. And everything, oooh...like butta'! Like smooth, creamy butter! Good clothes--you know: really, really good clothes just feel and fit so well. It could drive a woman insane.

Naturally I wanted everything I tried on. But after a while I had to bring my head down out of the clouds and be somewhat reasonable. Only somewhat, though. So, I painfully and reluctantly ruled out this and that and decided on my favorites. I liken it to having to pick a favorite child. Who could do that? Well, despite the pain of choosing ;) I had a wonderful time shopping, and I am ecstatic about what I got!!

So, Stac, Vall: thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! And here's the loot:


I got this top in a solid, deep purple. Gorgeous! The picture doesn't do it justice; you can't see the best details, but it's wonderful. :)


I got this jersey wrap in a dark grey, and it feels sooooo good! I wish I could wear it everyday.

Also, I finally got myself a french butter dish. This baby allows you to keep your butter soft, at room temp without it getting spoiled. How cool is that?!

Falling Apart...Or Bursting At the Seams?

Not exactly sure whether I should be completely honest and say, "I'm so stinking exhausted and frustrated and angry that I just want to spit and crawl into a hole!" Or perhaps I should be a little more grateful and say, "We're just blessed with such full lives!"

Well, the first statement would suit this morning's mood much more accurately. Actually, the mood of the whole week! December is always a busy month; the mess grows and the to do list only gets longer. There are so many things I want to do so that we all enjoy this season in every possible way. And this is not me saying I know I need to cut out the unnecessary things. The kids and I got a cold this week, so it's just been a crazy week, and I'm feeling it down to the bone.

But.....We have this to look forward to:

Four days, three nights, right after Christmas!! I planned our vaca last January--after a December just like this one. December is wonderful, we love traditions and cookies and decorations and advent and presents and the whole Hoop La! But, we will welcome a break and four whole days to be alone!! I can hardly imagine what it will be like to have uninterrupted conversation with B.daddy for that long.

The Family That Eats Together Stays Together!

Our little family has been busy, busy, busy as usual. Yet, I feel like I have nothing remarkable to report as of this very moment. We're all just working hard and keepin' the love alive. And when we're not doing that we're EATING!! Tis the season, right?

Thanksgiving was a success. Amanda made half the food, and everything was so stinking delicious! Plus, it was a surprisingly relaxing day for all of us. Thankful indeed!

Here Gizmo is helping me brush the turkey with oil. He had some very interesting remarks about our edible dinner guest. At first he was commenting on how cute the "little guy" was; then he was distraught by the fact that the "little guy's" head had to be cut off in order for us to eat him; and not two seconds later he was excitedly proclaiming the fact that he was going to "EAT HIM!! Yum, yum, yum!"

Showing off the goods:

And despite her princess nature, Li'l Bit insisted she eat the "chicken leg." (By the end of the day I found it was impossible to say turkey--I kept calling it chicken too.) She gnawed on this thing a few times, but hardly put a dent in it.

The rest ended up in Sunday night's Turkey Salad, which I must say: Turkey Salad is SO the way to go with leftovers! I was eating it out of the container as if it were chocolate ice cream. (No, I'm not pregnant. I'm just a closet food fiend.)