Christmas weekend ...

Bill was up and out early for all the after Christmas sales this morning ... wrap, ribbon, and who would have thought 1/2 price Christmas pattern Bounty paper towels? So that left Ellie and I to have a girls' morning! Since we didn't make cookies before Christmas, we thought it's never to late to make a batch of cut-out sugar cookies!

Christmas Morning ....

Christmas Eve

Ellie, Bill and I celebrated with lasagna and shrimp cocktail in Virginia on a quiet Christmas Eve. We listened to lots of Christmas songs and Ellie watched Shrek after dinner while Mommy and Daddy enjoyed a holiday cocktail!

Saratoga Christmas Celebration

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...

We arrived home from our time in Saratoga to celebrate the holidays to find this is what our house and driveway looked like! Apparently, we'll have a White Christmas too!

Ready to get on the road ...

Ellie set up her friend to choose who makes the trip to Saratoga with her.
from left to right: Cookie the Giraffe, Elmo, Ed (from Ed), Dorie (from Nemo)
She continues to tell the funny story of getting Ed, from Ed. Bill says, "You mean Mommy's Ed? and Ellie adds, "yeah, from your old work, right?" She remembers everything!


Enjoying a candy cane ... her absolute favorite these days!

Candy canes abound!

Ellie has been counting down the days each morning and evening as to how many days left until we make the pilgrimage to Saratoga to celebrate Christmas with our families, and visit with friends! We're eagerly awaiting morning as we start out early to begin the drive!

Cinnamon Hazelnut Biscotti

1 cup toasted hazelnuts
4 cups flout
2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
5 eggs
1 stick butter (melt, then cool)
2 cups sugar

Whisk eggs and sugar until frothy. Stir in butter (melted, then cooled). Sift dry ingredients. Add to egg mixture. Shape into 2 logs (knead on floured surface if dough is sticky). Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool. Cut into thick slices. Bake at 250 degrees until dry.

My Favorite Things

This bright, pink faux-croc bag is only part of the 'happiness' package .. this lip gloss and mascara are my very favorites .. from Bare Escentials


Found this wonderful blend (46% Zinfandel 26% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Syrah 10% Petite Sirah 2% Charbono 1% Grenache)at our local C'ville wine bar Siips! At $15 a glass it was a bit pricey, but when you only go on a date twice a year -- it was well worth it!

Another great novel. Don't let the title or cover fool you .. story of travel, relationships and food! I've already passed my copy onto someone .. too good to keep to myself.

The Fray is my new favorite band .. they do much of the music featured on Brothers & Sisters. Which, of course, is one of my favorite shows!

Anyone who knows me knows Ray Bourque is my favorite .. next trip to Boston I'm eating at his restaurant for sure! I may not be able to see him play hockey anymore, but for him to pour a glass of wine at the bar, that would be enough!

Amazing eye cream .. like a primer for under your eyes .. amazing texture!

Someday THIS is the haircut for me .. I just LOVE it!! Not sure how it would look on me, or if my hair is the right texture .. but it is BOLD!

A mug of hot apple cider each evening keeps me from snacking! I just love to hold onto a mug of something hot to keep my hands warm!

Another great novel. Julia Glass is a tremendous author .. this is a complex story with many characters, and interestingly enough isn't that how life really is?

My long-time favorite wine -- big, bold red zin! The Monster! from Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles, California .. the region where Sideways was filmed!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells ....

Just a little Jingle all the way

All Aboard !!

We took the 45 minute roundtrip train ride from Dillwyn to Alpha today with Santa. Although we expected a full train, as we were told it was sold out, the weather apparently kept some folks away. All the more time we had to visit with Santa. Ellie told Santa she wanted a bike (two wheel with training wheels, when he asked two or three wheels) and that she had been very good this year.

Who said it doesn't SNOW in Virginia ??

Santa Train

Tonight is like the night before Christmas in our house .... tomorrow we board the Santa Train! We are travelling to Dillwyn, VA for a 45 minute train ride with Santa .. hopefully they'll be hot cocoa just like on the Polar Express!!

December is the month of miracles ...

"December's gifts -- custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration -- come to us wrapped up, not in tissue and ribbons, but in cherished memories. This is the month of miracles. The oil that burns for eight days, the royal son born in the stable, the inexplicable return of Light on the longest, darkest night of the year. Where there is Love, there are always miracles. And where there are miracles, there is great joy. Gratefully we weave the golden thread of the JOY -- into the tapestry of contentment. Days we once called common, we now call holy."

-Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Several people I'm praying for right now could use a couple miracles.

A Ballston Spa State Farm friend's husband goes for a follow-up appointment today after his latest scan after treating testicular cancer.

A co-worker here in Charlottesville was hospitalized in the last few days with what appears to be a blood disorder and she's having a bone marrow scan done this week.