Finer Things

I vowed not to do it. I even vocalized it out loud, I am not watching that movie I said. The movie in question? Christmas Shoes. Yet, there I was, the only one still up watching that movie. And of course sobbing. Mostly, I was sobbing because that movie was real for many this year. Three sets of kids I know of have a mom that died before Christmas this year. One a little girl Miranda's age. I can't even imagine the grief that a child must go through. It seems bad enough to lose parents as adults. I shouldn't have watched it.....

Then, yesterday, as I was listening to satellite radio, and thank god for that because radio here is bad, really really bad, I heard a song I hadn't heard in ages. I heard Steve Winwood's "Finer Things" and this line caught my attention:
For time is a river rolling into nowhere
We must live while we can
And well drink our cup of laughter

So true. Time marches on, regardless of what happens, and we have little control really over what happens. Being OCD, I love control, but what control really do I have over things? So, listening to that sond I realized my quest to live each day to the fullest is a good one. We should all take that advice. Live while we can. Be good to our bodies, be healthy, and make the most of the life we have been given. Be thankful everyday. I know I am. Life is good.

Snow Days

It's that time of year. Snow is everywhere, temps have dropped, and Spring is just a faraway date on the calender. Last year, instead of hibernating, and getting seasonal depression like I usually do, I embraced the snow. Funny, I never thought I would like it as much as I did. Sure, I ski, but I am a fair weather skiier. It has to be sunny and near 30 for me to have a good time on the slopes. Last year, I embraced it all from below zero to sunny 30 degree days, and you know what? I loved it!

My plan is the same this year. To sled, snow shoe, ski, shovel the driveway, walk, and maybe even a winter hike. Last year, I tried my hand at snow shoeing and really enjoyed it. So far, I have gone sledding with the girls ( I actually get in the sled and slide), shoveled, and of course walked. The winter hike idea really appeals to me. I am and ADK girl. Love my Adirondacks. If I can find a nice day hike not far from here, I will add that to the winter activities I enjoy.

So, let it snow! This girl is looking forward to fun in the snow and sun.

Holiday Funnies

My kids crack me up. Anna is usually the comedian, but Ava took the mic this holiday and did a little stand up herself. At dinner on Saturday, my sister in law was in from North Carolina. Ava was trying to have a conversation and said " Daisy pees in the snow." We all roared. Then, on Christmas day, after devoring a bowl of Bryers vanilla ice cream, she looks up and says "I'm still waiting for my coffee." Again......very funny kid. Finally, this AM, she came up to me and said " I need my sockie mom, my sockie." After searching the house for her socks, she lead me by the hand to the mantle and pointed to her STOCKING. I had a good laugh.

Loved my holiday. It was perfect adn I am the proud owner of a counter top roasting oven, just like my Grandma Ina had. It's a beauty. I can roast meat in that and free up the oven to cook up 3 racks of food when throwing down a holiday dinner. Then, my glorius roasting pan becomes a chafing pan, and you place the insert in and can keep warm 3 side dishes. Sweet.

Today, as we enjoy new toys, we are also going to head out and visit the sledding hill. Sun is shining, snow looks good, and we need to run off all those sweets we ate! Enjoy the day, and happy Christmas vacation!

Santa Babies

Magic of Christmas

I just read Traci's very sweet blog about Christmas, and it's very much the same here. T'was the day before Christmas when all throught the house, we have presents to wrap and cannoli to fill ( and eat!) The stockings are waiting to be hung by the chimmney with care, for fear baby Ava will pull them down on her head. The girls are counting the hours till bed, and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again ( wait, that is a different song.....)

I just discovered that the old light displays from Trinkaus Manor are on display in Rome, so we are going out tonight to see them. That used to be a Christmas Eve tradition, until the Trinkaus burned down. I guess I always thought the lights were lost too, and it made me so sad. The OD just ran a story about them in Rome, so away we will go. My dad used to take us, and then later in life, Brian and I used to go every Christmas Eve, and then go out to dinner. I am going to take photos to share with my dad. He will get a kick out of seeing them again, and the fact that my girls will enjoy something his little girls used to enjoy. That is, after all, what Christmas is about. Tradition,and time with the family making magic Christmas memories to savor and remember someday, when the girls are grown, and my house isn't quite so busy.

Merry Christmas. May yours be as magical as mine.

Current Events

I can't stand that I don't have time to blog. Well, in current events, the kitchen project is humming along. The "major" stuff was done by the contractor, and Brian and I are finishing the rest. Because we have kids and life is crazy, I am hoping this will be done by Spring. What has been done is awesome. I love it, and it is just the "Country Living" vision I had in mind. Loving the 29 bottle wine chiller ( but why 29, 30 is a much more rounded number?)
Christmas? Not really ready for it, which is making me crazy because I like to be resdy for things. I still need to shop this week, which is not like me at all. Hopefully, I will get everything all ready. I only had time to put about half my usual decorations up. Kind of sad, but you reach a point where you can only do so much and accept the fact that life will go on, and may perhaps return someday, right?
I am still hoping for my pre-Christmas snow day that we usually have and I get caught up. It almost happend this AM, but all we got was a delay. Miranda came downstairs with a look of hope, as did I, and I said "delay". She said " OHHHHHHHH". My thoughts exactly. I too, still look forward to my snow days. Just a big kid, I am.