Important questions to ask before hosting Thanksgiving....
1. do I have enough clean dishes? (and can I do this right, so I don't have to wash dishes 5 times BEFORE dinner)

2. Do I remember where I put the gravy boat?
3. What else do I need from the grocery store?
4. Will everything fit? (Notice the empty roaster and crock-pot for planning purposes

6. Do we have enough beer?

This list is a lot like Baloski's Christmas list. If you've never read the book, I highly recommend it.

Ok - I haven't posted all week, so here are some updates:


Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas on those city sidewalks. Lights and snowflakes are ready for the holiday shoppers - will they be disappointed?


Yesterday I woke up again to snow and this time it stuck all day! This is the only time I went outside all day until night...yah - I know I'm lazy. Notice the footprints halfway up the steps. That's what happens when your house looks just like the next.

Finally, I did a bit of holiday decorating myself. Not quite ready for the lights and glitter (ok, I'm always ready for glitter), but a little bit of nature to greet the friends and family coming over this week. Get ready - adventures in Turkey cooking coming up!

Finishing projects - this is a denim quilt that has been sitting in my closet waiting for a backing. So this weekend I pulled out some cozy flannel that my mom-in-law gave me and put the thing together. Great heavy snazzy blanket for the chill that has blown in.

Chocolate chip cookie dough...is there anything better?

11.15.08

This show was fantastic! Scenes, Songs, DRESSES!!! I loved Elphelba's black dress and the monkies and pretty much everything about the show. Now I have the sound track playing continuously on my I-Pod and I would go back again and again. I found the below pictures, just to get a glimpse at those sets and costumes again.

The citizen's costumes were pretty great too!

I love snow so much - I'm posting twice today! And introducing you to my newest blog. My aunt started a place for her, her sister (my mom) and two nieces to share our collective interests. We like crafts, snow, gardens, sewing...its a fun place to go! www.sewsewwhat.blogspot.com

Today for Veteran's Day, my post is dedicated to my favorite Veteran, my DAD. I think the one thing I have learned the most from him growing up was to try the best I could at everything I did. Every ski race, he was there. The years I fell 11 times and ejected out of both my skis every single run, he was there. Usually there was a discussion about how I did - he likes to coach. But eventually, he would finish with just one last piece of advice: "Well Ree, as long as you tried your best." Thanks Dad.

Mirror image. I don't know if its because the molecules are slowing down in the river or because everything north is starting to freeze, but this is the calmest I have ever seen the Mississippi. It is getting chilly - I think I may need to break out the long underwear soon.

The kiddos were in town to visit this weekend! I feel like our niece and nephew grow so much between visits. Short trip this time, but still good to see you!

11.08.08

Fun times with co-workers at Boss's party. Hiku, high-fives, hippsters.

Its hard to see, but this tree has bright red berries on it. For the third time this year. I'm not sure, but it seems a bit wrong to put the trees through a fake-out like this. Are they supposed to bear fruit tri-anually?

The leaves are gone and the sky is darkened on my way home, so why is it 70 degrees out. I feel a change though - just about 1/2 hour ago the wind shifted and it got chilly...hope it will stay that way. I keep wearing scarves even though they are unnecessary. Lots of activity lately - meetings, gatherings, parties every night...just another sign of the season.

Notice that I have a stripe on my photo? My camera is breaking, but I'm getting a new one tomorrow! Thanks for finding a good one Brandon!

I have no photo tonight. I don't need one. I will always remember this night as a day in history. I know that sounds trite and sort of mainstream, but it is true. I have voted in 6 major elections (president, governor, senator) since turning 18. I've picked the loser every single time. Until now. And I am actually proud of the fact that I was able to pick the loser 6 times, proud of the fact that I care and I vote. (I should have known I was getting into a strange world when Jesse won the first election). I have no photo, because there is no way to describe in a picture what just happened. Congratulations USA - we have a new president!

Our costumes...Brandon was our friend Tom, dressed as a bunny and I was a tooth fairy.