As my family and I sit around the living room relaxing, watching movies, and waiting for a couple of pies to finish baking, I wanted to wish all my friends, followers and loved ones a very Merry Christmas! My kids are enjoying their new gadgets, my dogs are exhausted from playing with their new toys and I'm loving my new iPad 2! My kids are teaching me how to download free games and apps. I keep hearing about Face Time on this device, so this should be interesting. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and my husband made an AMAZING standing rib roast. Here he is below is in his element:
I'm thankful he is a great chef in the kitchen, or we would all starve. Okay, I'm kidding - I can cook some, but my skills are no match for his culinary expertise. I made my signature green bean casserole and candied yams which turned out better than I hoped. Just when we think we cannot fit another morsel of food or cookie in us, we are anxiously awaiting the timer to go off on the oven so we feed on some pie. After all this eating, I'm off to the game room with my son to do some cardio on his new Just Dance 3 and Michael Jackson's Experience games on the Wii - Lord knows I'll need it.
I also wanted to use this time to reflect on memories of those who are not able to join us here on Earth for this special holiday but we know they are with us in spirit. My heart goes out to those serving in the military, here and overseas, and their families.
I hope everyone enjoys their time with loved ones today. I'm finishing up a couple of chapters to post later this week. Take care!
I have to take a moment to share something that has really intrigued me. The other day, a dear friend and co-worker gave me a special Christmas gift that I have fallen in love with - a Spoke-n For bracelet. Have you heard of this? My friend purchased it in a jewelry store in Asheville (for those of you familiar with Asheville, you know it is known for its eclectic arts and culture). The bracelets are designed by an artist named, Sergio Ruano who grew up in Los Angeles but currently lives in the Virgin Islands. They are made from Wheelsmith-brand, stainless steel bicycle spokes and turned into beautiful works of art with beads. I love mine and I feel like I'm wearing a very cool piece of jewelry having been recycled from a bicycle spoke. They can be purchased at various retailers or ordered on-line and they make great, unusual gifts!
Check out the website: http://www.spoke-nfor.com/
We're getting down to the last few days of Christmas shopping and I have yet to wrap my gifts. I'm also trying to carve out time to clean my house (this is the one part I hate about living in a huge house - CLEANING IT!) and get it ready for my mother's visit tomorrow. I'm thankful my husband loves to vacuum with our central vac system - just walk around the house with the tube and plug it into vacuum hole in each room's wall. I've been forbidden from vacuuming since nine years ago when I sucked up my son's bib and broke an expensive vacuum cleaner. Hmmm, that wasn't such a terrible loss for me, actually.
I'm so excited about having Friday through Tuesday off to spend with my family. Planning to bake cookies with Mom and the kids on Friday night, which will be loads of fun.
