5 things from 10 days

I'm a very bad blogger. It's been 10 days - 10 days filled with lots and lots of excitement! And, I haven't written about the wonderfulness even once.

So, here's a list of 5 things from the past ten days. They are each worthy of their own post, but I'm condensing them for your reading pleasure.

And, can I just say before I start. . . I am so fortunate. I am grateful for a husband who puts up with me and does everything he can to make my life happier and better. I am beyond grateful for friends - who I really think of as part of my family - for their support and understanding and encouragement. I am grateful for my family who sang "Happy Birthday" bright and early into my voice mail and who drove across the state just for dinner and who regularly go out of their way to support me.

1. Tree hunt (November 29)
We braved the wind and rain (no snow!) to get our Christmas tree. It came home and went right in the stand where it stood with only one ornament on it (a little hat made of yarn from Natalie) until Thursday when Brad stayed up late to get the lights on. It didn't have any ornaments until Friday night, though. My parents helped us put the lights on.







2. 30 (December 3)
I'm not really quite sure how, but I don't have many pictures from my birthday. Brad surprised me with a fabulous gift that he insisted I open before I brushed my teeth or even combed my hair. I had a day filled with well-wishes from all of my favorite people. Brad and I had a special dinner (grilled steak and risotto) followed by some Founder's Favorite from Cold Stone.

3. Bake-a-palooza 2009 (December 5 - 6)

Momma Sue joined us this year. AJ and Miri joined us, too, but they weren't allowed to help with the baking. We, as always, tackled way too many recipes. And, once again, I didn't take nearly enough pictures.








4. Interest-free financing = New camera (December 7)
I'm not sure I want to say anything else about that. It was an irresponsible financial decision, but I sure am excited about it.

5. Welcome, Dottie (December 8)
Mike and Angie welcomed Baby 2 - Dorothy Jean - at 6:59 a.m. on December 8. She was 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 20 inches long and perfect in every single way. Perfect.






And, today I will cuddle on the couch (and get my house cleaned up) while it snows and snows and snows and snows outside my windows. (If I had a snow mobile I'd drive it over to Starbucks to get an egg nog latte to drink while I snuggle on the couch.) I think we've gotten more than 10 inches since last night with more expected today. There's no way the Fusion is making it out of the driveway.

December Daily 2009

I think I've already pretty much established that I'm a total copy-cat and really have no actual creative bones in my body.

So, it should come as no surprise that I "copied" my December Daily.

It certainly was not as easy as Ali said it would be, though. I started with a Prima Canvas Album and covered it with fabric using Wonder Under. Then, I added new grommets. It took several hours, my iron is covered with sticky goo, and I almost lost a finger pounding the grommets, but the finished product looks pretty cool.

The other problem - one that I didn't anticipate - is that the pages hang out the sides of the album. The page protectors and canvas pages are about 1 1/2" longer than the actual album because of the addition of the rings. If I had to do it again. . . I would trim the pages so they wouldn't hang out. But, for now I'm just working to "embrace the imperfection."

I am, however, really proud of the sewing parts. I've never had much luck sewing on transparencies or page protectors or really anything thick or slippery or plastic. This time, though, I bought a heavy-duty needle and heavy thread and found success.

So. . . here it is. I'm excited to start filling it up.

Thanksgiving 2009

2005 was our first 20-Something Thanksgiving.

We bought it back in 2007.

And, we did it again this year. Except, it isn't 20-Something Thanksgiving anymore because I'm the only one who is still in her twenties, and I'm barely in my twenties.

Anyway. . .

We shared Thanksgiving with Angie, Mike, and Luke and Angie, Jeff, and Cooper.

Angie made a perfect turkey.


Brad got a deer.


Luke got plenty of play time.


All of the food was great. My contributions included: stuffing, corn (frozen), rolls (Crescent rolls), pumpkin pie, and pumpkin cheesecake.




I have no idea why I didn't take pictures of the dessert. It was pretty amazing. When I opened one of the pies, Cooper actually said, "Ta da!" My pie impressed even the two-year-old.

Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite holiday--the best food and the least amount of pressure. But, I especially like being able to celebrate with people who are such an important part of my life.

Philly

I was in Philadelphia last week for:
NWP Annual Meeting
NCTE Convention
Lots of Eating
Meeting Beth

I managed to fit in a little sight-seeing on Wednesday including the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. I realize both of these are somber, important, historic sights, but I found each totally hilarious. It was a tiny, Asian woman posing in front of the Liberty Bell for a photo - making a peace sign and grinning maniacally - that got the giggling started.




At Independence Hall it was the tour guide - a ringer for Yogi Bear - that made me lose it. Apparently, Independence Hall is a "no gum" zone. The tour guide screamed at not one, but two tour-ees for illegal chewing. I've really never seen anything like it.







Wednesday was also the day I met my very favorite place in Philadelphia - Reading Terminal Market. It's filled with food and more food and even more food after that. I ate lunch there three times in the five days I was in Philly: sloppy joe with mashed potatoes (and a piece of pumpkin cheesecake), slice of pizza (and an ice cream cone), and roast beef sandwich (and freshly baked cookies).






Thursday I walked and walked and walked and walked in the area of the art museum. I saw Lemon Hill Mansion (beautiful!) and the "rocky steps." I'm not quite sure what I was thinking, but I didn't put things together to realize I was going to see the steps prominently featured in the motion picture Rocky. I thought I was just going to see some steps made of stone. Imagine my disappointment (and embarrassment).

There was lots and lots of learning involved in this trip, too. Highlights include: a panel about content area thinking (Thursday), Billy Collins (brilliant!), my own session about content area thinking, Kelly Gallagher (NCTE on Saturday), and a session about reader's notebooks (Saturday, NCTE).


And, then there was Sunday. I met the fabulous Beth on Sunday. She helped me eat my way through the city, gossiped about scrapbooking, swapped teaching stories, and endulged my inner-tourist with a double-decker bus ride.







When/if I'm back in Philly I want to be sure to check out:
Betsy Ross House
White Dog Cafe
Butcher and Singer
Eastern State Penitentiary
Mansions in Fairmount Park
Ride the Ducks

And, last but not least, I feel compelled to leave you with a list of all the places I ate. Unfortunately, links will have to do, as I didn't bust out my camera at most of them.
Dutch Eating Place (Lunch at Reading Market)
Termini Brothers Bakery (Dessert at Reading Market)
Bassetts Ice Cream (Dessert at Reading Market)
Supper (Brunch)
Friday Saturday Sunday (Dinner)
Pietro's (Dinner)
Davio's (Dinner)
Vietnam (Dinner)
Farmicia (Dinner)
Whipped (Cupcakes)
Betty's Tasty Buttons (Cupcakes)