The Annual Holiday Letter

Every year for probably the last 10-12 years, I've written an annual holiday letter. I usually start this process around Thanksgiving and write about 3 to 4 drafts before actually publishing it and writing it. One year I contemplated not writing it and was told by many friends that they actually look forward to it. "DON'T stop!!" they said. So I didn't.

This year, I just banged out the letter on the computer, no drafts, no editing, no gimmick. Just, here's to 2011, I'M GETTING MARRIED, and oh yeah, you all have a Happy 2011 too. For once I actually know what the future will bring!!

I started writing the letter since I have friends all over the county...I started writing it way before Facebook, or Twittering, or Blogging. I always find getting "snail" mail to be like opening a present. (see the postcard post) It's a nice gesture to get mail, a card, or a note just because.

So, for you nay sayers that always complain about the holiday letter that so and so sent, just remember they thought of sending it to you to say Hello, and keep you in the loop of their lives. Drop them a card too with a little note. I'm sure they would appreciate the gesture.

Now, I have to go, to re-look at my 2010 letter one last time...Happy Holidays!

Winter!

My 36" prelit "FROSTY" the snowman

Well, winter came quickly upon us, and my fellow blogger from the deChicken family suggested I write a blog about this guy. I don't know about you, but he makes me smile when I just walk by him. Of course he is turned around and plugged in at night so all the neighborhood kids can see his cute fuzzy smile. If my FH gets home before me, then he plugs little ole Frosty in so I can drive up to him at night.

So far this winter we haven't seen any snow. I'm looking forward to the first snowfall...we got our Snowblower delivered. Now if only we can figure out how to use it! I can't wait until we can make our first snowman in our front yard!

Hopefully next year, I can get an electrician to put some outlets on the outside of the house and Frosty can be enjoyed appropriately by all!

Happy Holidays!

Hello Home!

The day(s) finally came! Our first house, my first house. Well, we own a small percentage of it, but we get to live in it, put holes in the wall, anything we want! I have a driveway!!! Whoo Hoo!! Through this whole experience, I didn't really sleep, I got a cold once, and managed to fight off 2 others. All in a span of say 21 days. But worth the time and stress to have something we can call HOME!

We got the keys on 11/8, and moved on 11/20. I met my FH 2 years ago that Saturday, and 6 months from 11/21 we will be married. MARRIED!!! No more calling him FH!!
Anyway, I digress. I have to go back to unpacking the several boxes that moved here, purge some more stuff from these boxes, and get my life back in order. Somewhere I have to find the birthday card I purchased for my friends birthday (which is today and it still has to get mailed) AND my mother's birthday which is on Friday. Wish me luck!

Milestones...

I've been thinking about this word a lot. It's a word that can only be defined by you. Here's a few milestones I've lived to tell about:

1. turning 16...back then anyone  could get a driver's license at that age. Now, I think it's 18?
2. graduating High School. Needless to say, I would never want to go back in time to relive that!!
3. 12 more quarters of college, equals a bazillion more tests before I graduate...and then poof, I graduated college
4. TURNING 21 - I thought that day would never ever come!!
5. Getting your first job out of college - for me it was in SF - the best place to be in your 20's!
6. "How old will I be in the year 2000?"
7. Then came the hard ones to achieve....

A. Get Married

B. Buy a House

These are the questions my accountant would ask me every year...."did you get married yet? buy a house? nothing's changed...ok, I don't need an appointment to see you. Just drop your papers off". HA, now I need to call and make an appointment!!

Well, Milestone Monday is almost here - my FH and I will be home owners on Monday. I've saved 8 years of bonuses, squirrel'd away money here and there, and managed to find my Best Friend/Future Husband AND my dream home. We laugh that we should "Get Married and Buy a House, but not in that order..."

So, we all count our own milestones in our own ways, I'm just happy to put another marker in my memory on Monday. Hello house! (and goodbye savings account!).

Pumpkin Carving

My 7 year old nephews pumpkin of choice. We did most of the carving!

It's that time of year that I look forward to. Ever since my nephews could even have any concept of Halloween, we've been carving pumpkins together. I guess I've been going on 5 years now. There's something about the ritual. My four year old nephew woke up last Sunday morning and the first thing he said to his mom: "Today is the day Auntie comes over to carve pumpkins!". How cute is that?

My 4 Year old nephews pumpkin of choice!

3 years ago, I had a carve your pumpkin party - prizes, tealights, winners. It was a tradition I was looking forward to having every year thereafter. And then life got in the way. My boyfriend, now fiance (aka FH) moved from NYC to be with me. And now, we are buying a house and moving in a few weeks. All good things. But that doesn't stop me from carving up some pumpkins this year with our without a party!

Here's what I accomplished last night - what you can't see is his "blingy" eye patch - I bought the black rhinestones at Pier One - super cool and different!

I added the "ARGH"!

I've never been a big Halloween person, but I love carving up some pumpkins! I'm hoping next year to have the long awaited pumpkin carving party...prizes and all. I seriously start thinking about it 6 months before hand. I like to see everyone's creativity!! So, everyone get ready for bringing out the best design next year. Enjoy the Holiday!!

My Fall Day...

Today consists of nothing much but running around. I'm currently trapped by love ...My 2 year old part Maine Coon cat is a luv bug and purr machine. She is happily laying in my lap purring away.

Today I..

1. Kissed my Sweetie Goodbye - he is going to his HS reunion
2. Donated a bunch of stuff
3. Looked for a Vanity at Lowe's (one that doesn't cost $700 for just the wood, and no sink!), and bought more packing supplies
4. Donated Canned Food and bought some more food..
5. Unloaded the dishwasher
6. Threw out the recycling
7. Got my hair cut and colored
8. Researched our honeymoon - Cinque Terre (please email me ideas if you have been here!!)

Still yet to do today..

1. Purge unnecessary paperwork
2. Pick up my sister at the airport
3. Recycle the unnecessary paperwork
4. eat dinner
5. Squeeze in a movie (Letters to Juliet...Better to watch while FH is gone)
6. Work

Whew - and it's only 4:00!!

The BEST part of my day today was discovering this!!

FH to me: "Super Heroes AND JOKES?!"

So far, a very good day!!

PS - Joke of the popsicle...What happens when you go inside with a snowsuit on?

Apples Apples and more Apples!

I went apple picking with my sister and two nephews over the long weekend. It was a beautiful fall day - perfect sunny skies, and the boys were so cute in wanting to pick the right apple!

I think I've had more apple foods this weekend then I do over an entire month, and it was all delicious!!

1. Fresh Pressed Apple Cider - seriously! (I'm throwing in some dark rum tonight!)
2. Carmel Apple - with nuts.
3. Regular freshly picked Jonogold apple - Mmmm, Mmmm
4. Cider Apple Donuts - OMG - warm and delicious
5. and the best of the weekend, homemade apple crisp.

Made by yours truly!

Hot out of the oven

Almost gone!

I am normally not so ambitious, and my brother in law makes a mean apple pie, but I thought I would try it myself - I got the recipe from allrecipes.com..

Here's the link. Enjoy!! (I would take out about 1/4 cup brown sugar, otherwise amazing).

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/apple-crisp-ii/Detail.aspx

I don't think my FH and I are going to eat dinner tonight, but at least we will get our 5 servings of fruits today!