Sweet Anniversary Message

Fifteen years ago today my loving and faithful Herb and I got married.

 We were unable to celebrate together but these words greeted me (via email) upon my awakening:

 

"Happy 15th Anniversary, Tammie!  According to traditions, the 15th wedding anniversary is Crystal.  I must admit I just looked that up.  You got wool.  But as far as I know, there are 364 days left...

No one could have made my life better than you.  no one.  You are my special gift.  any gift I can ever afford will pale in comparison to the warm hue that is your gift.

funny you are pale in skin and emit such a richness that make me look pale.

when you read this, know that I am kissing you in my mind.  know that if I were to be taken from existence and could have the ability, my last conscious focused thought will/would be of your face and name, Tammie."

 

 

Isn't he sweet?  I am a blessed woman.

I love you, Herb!

Upholding Family Tradition

In accordance with family tradition little packages holding new ornaments were presented this evening.

I try to gift them with ornaments that represent the year in some way.

In September Christian went on a road trip to California with Keegan.

I am hoping that it was special memorable trip, one that provided opportunity for brother and sister  to catch up with each other and to further bond.

I made Christian an ornament that represented that road trip as a way to honor that adventure.

I covered a glass ball ornament with map pieces and circled important locations related to the road trip.  I still want to add a tag of some sort or secure a picture of that trip and dangle it from the top but, overall, I am pleased with it.

For Maceo's and Bishop's ornaments I used sharpie to write on a glass ball ornament things that they have done or accomplished during the year 2012.  Maceo's had written upon it "Happy 13th Birthday", was promoted in to Concert Choir, was Homer in Charlotte's Web, saw first professional game Panthers vs. Chiefs, as well as other things.  Bishop's ornament included moved from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, went hunting with Kevin, won regular season of the CWFL (our family fantasy football league).  Each ornament was adorned with some little momento from the year; Maceo's adornment is a tag from his birthday party and Bishop's is a turkey feather from the turkey he helped to kill and dress (we ate that turkey at Thanksgiving dinner at Jennifer's house, YUM!)

I am so pleased with all of the ornaments and like the idea of making me a set that goes back through the years.

And I am also particularly pleased with a set of ornaments that I made for each one of us representing a grand adventure we had together.  To glass football ornaments I attached a copy of each individuals ticket to the Panthers vs. Chiefs games.

I know that these ornaments will only become more treasured as the years pass.  They will evoke memories of moments shared.

Our First Snow

Bishop has anxiously been awaiting our first snowfall.  He was rewarded this morning, he awakened to a fine layer of snow on the ground.

He and I celebrated by bundling up and walking down the block to a bakery.

It was a very cold, blustery walk but I am sure that that only made the hot chocolate, hot soup and french bread more enjoyable.

We lingered over our meal and drinks and played Pentago.

Delightful!

Holiday Open House 2012 Edition

The decorations are more simple this year

(most being left in their boxes).

The white Christmas tree returns to its place atop the tv armoire, this year decorated with nativities. 

Vintage nativities are to be found on the mantel...

and elsewhere in the living room.

Shiny baubles always make themselves at home in the dining room.

This shiny thing is one of my all-time favorite decorations - Bishop made it several years ago and it is now the first Christmas decoration to make its appearance.  I love it!

And we made a cozy spot in the dining room to read a Christmas book.

Some little Christmas houses bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the bathroom.

My kitschy elves and Santas typically take over my kitchen, invading every counter and shelf.  This year I opted to tuck a few here and there and to decorate a small tree with them.

And last, but most certainly not least, is the ceramic Christmas tree that my sister made for me.  It always gets tucked into this corner in the kitchen.  It makes me smile!

It all makes me smile!

It's Beginning to Feel a Bit Like Christmas - FINALLY

The reality of Christmas being only a little over a week away is difficult for me to wrap my head around.  I have been exceptionally distracted with illness and some household tasks, have failed to do any significant Christmas shopping and the temperature has consistently been in the 60's and 70's.  But after decorating our home, baking cookies, setting up the the hot chocolate bar, visiting with family and, just this evening, doing a weeks worth of advent it is, finally, beginning to feel a bit like Christmas.

Today, Roxie's family and myself went to the symphony for their family Christmas special and then we went to my house for hot chocolate and cookies.

Here is this years hot chocolate bar...

My favorite details were the chocolate-dipped marshmallows and the chocolate spoons - both fabulous stirring sticks for the hot chocolate.

We also munched on yummy, yummy cookies that everybody brought to share.  (Trinity even baked her own cookies - in and out of the oven all by herself!)

Everyone enjoyed their special treats...

Jenn's hot chocolate - a chocolate covered marshmallow snowman in a hot tub. Fun!

and everyone enjoyed each others company.

A sweet treat, a warm beverage and, most importantly, precious time spent with family - yeah, it's finally beginning to feel a bit like Christmas!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

We pray that our eyes will be open to the needs around us and that we will respond generously, as St. Nicholas did.
May we be the light and love of God in this world.

A Truly Grand Adventure

This weekend the boys and I had a truly grand adventure.  We have lived in Missouri for nine years and, with the exception of Maceo, had never made it to Kansas City, until now...

we went to Kansas City for some football and a little barbecue.

Hi, May I Help You?

Saturday evening we tried some world famous Kansas City BBQ.  We went to Gates BBQ where the service was friendly and the food was fantastic.  Christian and I had pork that was truly tender and tasty.  Maceo and Bishop shared a slab of ribs that looked dynamite.

Sunday we went to Arrowhead Stadium to watch our first professional sports game - Carolina Panthers vs. Kansas City Chiefs. 

Once inside the stadium we found our seats and...

had the opportunity to watch warmups from the front row!

Cam Newton!

Steve Smith!

For the fifteenth consecutive time the Panthers lost the coin toss so the Chiefs got the first possession.  They scored on this possession, right in the end zone that we were seated by.

The Panthers responded with a touchdown of their own!

Then, after allowing the Chiefs to score a field goal, the Panthers scored a second touchdown.  We got to see an amazing catch in the end zone by Steve Smith!

The score at this point was a very exciting 14-10 but it didn't stay that way for long.  We got to see Cam Newton run the ball for several first downs and complete the drive with a touchdown pass to Murphy.  We got to see Brady Quinn have a great game connecting with Hillis, Moeaki, and Baldwin.  And we got to see Ryan Succop make a couple of field goals.  And, in the end, we got to see the Kansas City Chiefs win with a final score of 27-21.

Considering the fact that the Carolina Panthers are Maceo's favorite team we would have loved to have seen them win; nevertheless, we had a great time

and a truly grand adventure!!!