Around Here

I took this photo back in November, when I thought 50* was cold. 

1. I started classes again. I'm taking a Magazine Overview class this semester. Magazine is not something I'm interested in pursuing, however it should prove interesting. My favorite part about going back was that I ran into my favorite professor from last semester. We rode the T out of the city together and he kept me laughing; apparently he's into Downton Abbey and threatens his students with Fs if they give away what happens.

2. I'm applying for a promotion at work. A management position that will bring more responsibility but also a raise. More dollars is great for us at this point and I'm usually up for a challenge. I have a fairly strong feeling I'll get it. Either way I win, actually. If I get promoted, great. If not, I still get to keep the job I love and be a minion with no added pressure.

3. Its currently 9 degrees outside. Yes, 9.

4. With the sewing machine James got me for Christmas I've been quilting. I'm slowly piecing the top together and I think I'll finish it off with some grey and striped binding. Its colorful, earthy, and I'm excited to ship it off to its new home.

5. In March I'll travel out to see the Powell family in California. I can hardly wait to spend time with all of the them and get to know Niahmaya in person. We've spent more time together via Skype than anything else. I'm excited to see her laugh, play with her, and have great conversations with Laurel. I miss them all a lot.

6. I finished Harry Potter book seven last night on the bus home. I began the series my last day of classes in December. A perfect Christmas adventure.

7. I have a 7-10 research paper due next week on the magazine of my choice. Have I ever told you all how much I love National Geographic? I've browsed through their website this morning, the photography is inspiring. www.nationalgeographic.com

Lion Cookies

Tonight I made lentil soup with vegetables from scratch out of The Joy of Cooking. For a cold January night, with hot rolls, it was delicious. 

Just a few weeks back my gram sent me a whole box full of wonderful baking supplies for Christmas. In it she included tiny little cookie cutters and a tiny pan. I've wanted to try this recipe for a while, it turned out pretty tasty. 

Look! Tiny lion cookies! 

Soaking Up Vacation

This last month was filled with time for James and I to relax. We're both working pretty regular schedules, but with the holidays, and me on break from school, we have a lot more free time. Lately you can find us curled up next to each other with a big blanket on the couch, each absorbed in a book.

Today for example. The stack of books above are my holiday reading project. The bookmark is where I am currently, do you think I can finish before next week? Between important calls, editing another article, and figuring out school finances today, I read.

This series has proven a great Christmas read.  They're full of adventure and good always triumphs over evil. This is the first time I've read them straight through, and I must say, they are crafted together like a piece of art. I started a sewing project last week and continued to work on it today. It is amazing how much I get done with a sewing machine that doesn't jam or break every 10 minutes. For Christmas some of our friends here in Waltham gave us The Joy of Cooking and I spent a good while perusing through it this morning.

Did you know you can actually make your own bagels?

I also found some yummy scones, a cornish game hen recipe I want to try, and a couple pages that demystified the funky looking fruits at our local produce market.

Ring in the New Year

We spent New Year's Eve in Boston with our friends, Chris and Mikaela. We started at Downtown Crossing and roamed around the city from there. The Boston Common was full of twinkle lights and fireworks as we strolled down to Copley Square. The city of Boston puts on a huge event, called First Night and there were a bunch of events, live bands, ice sculptures to see around the city. We had dinner on Newberry Street, ducked into the Old South Church for an orchestra, and even walked up to the Old North Church before James and I had to head home.

There were people everywhere in the streets. Families and men shooting off fireworks, crowds filling the common to gaze up at the explosions in the sky, people filling the free public trains. Everyone laughing, singing, happy, and celebrating together.

James and I rang in the New Year with a kiss while waiting for our train in North Station. We had planned to see fireworks over the harbor at midnight, but the last train left for home at 12:10.

No matter, we could have been anywhere, as long as I'm with my favorite guy I'm the happiest lady alive.

A Little Snow

We got some good snow last night. I picked James up from work and as we were craving good mexican food we stopped by our favorite hole-in-the-wall place on the way home. Our friends James and Bri had the same idea. So we laughed together and ate spicy enchiladas as it dumped snow outside.

Last night James and I cozied up on the couch with hot chocolate and blankets. We read for a while and watched the snow fall out our front window. There was probably 6 inches on the ground and we discovered our new favorite thing. See, we live on a hill and our road starts to incline right in front of our house. Last night we watched as over and over again little cars tried to get up the hill in the snow, only to come slipping and sliding right back down.

The snow reminds me of home. The quiet as it falls and settles all around the neighborhood, the sounds of plows scraping on the road, the thick thuds on the roof as the wind blows it out of the trees, and the crunching of it under my boots.

New England is officially a winter wonderland.

Our First Christmas

 James peeking out the window at the snow. 

Christmas breakfast. 

 Sleepy face. 

Our Christmas was pretty magical. James was so excited he woke up at 5am to wrap one last present and then woke me up around 7 to make sure I knew it was snowing outside. His first white Christmas. We snuggled in bed and watched it snow outside through our window. Cinnamon rolls, coffee, and mimosas for breakfast, we opened presents together from friends and family. We saved every present you sent us until Christmas morning, it was perfect.

There was so much anticipation leading up to Christmas this year. Maybe it was the over 25 cards we received, or the packages that kept arriving from my gram, but it all felt brand new. We also taught Sunday school this month and have taught on the Christmas story and advent, leading up to Christmas.

We spent the afternoon at James and Bri's house and they made us a scrumptious dinner; pumpkin pie and Cream Cheese Braid for dessert. Beth Hernandez introduced me to this delicious bread and in following her tradition I baked some for our neighbors as well. As James and I got ready for bed, we called my grandparents house, right in the middle of fireworks. My family has a Christmas fireworks tradition (because its illegal in our county over 4th of July due to fire hazard). My dad and uncles light all kinds of loud and colorful fireworks off the back deck into the snow. As we were talking to each family member we could hear them whizz off and explode in the air, our family laughing and yelling in celebration. I love this tradition.

The snow has melted, however we're expecting some more tonight and tomorrow. Back to work tomorrow and school will start soon. Where has the year gone? This Christmas we spent time together, creating our own family memories. However, we missed you all a whole lot.

Sick Day

James and I took the day off today. He called in to work early this morning and we didn't get out of bed  until almost ten. It was a much needed day of rest, as both of us have battled sore throats and sniffly noses the past few days. James has had a cough for almost three weeks now. Today I loaded him up on decongestant and nyquil, I think he sounds better.

We read and slept all day while it rained outside. Lunch was macaroni and cheese, dinner was a new winter squash pasta dish and tuna melts. I talked to a few friends on the phone and other than that it has been relatively quiet around here.

About six I went outside for the first time, and there was a pile of packages on our front doorstep! Gram sent ornaments for our tree and this evening we had a second tree decorating, complete with hot chocolate and christmas music.

We're re-reading Harry Potter over Christmas. I haven't read the books since they came out and I figured winter break was a perfect time to enjoy them again. Christmas happens every year at Hogwarts, the school Harry Potter attends, and it's usually wonderful.

I'm hoping to wake up feeling better tomorrow. It was lovely to have my husband home with me on a gray, sleepy day. These are the things we've dreamed of, lazy days at home together.

Morning Routine

Some days my alarm goes off first.

It's so hard to get yourself out of bed when the temperature is 28* outside. The house isn't that cold, but something about the dark and the winter--I could stay in bed all day. I quickly shower and get ready; on the days I work, I rarely put any effort into how I look. Just going to get covered in coffee anyway.

I have a twenty minute walk to the train, if I'm lucky the sun is already rising when I walk out the door. The leaves are crispy with frost and any little puddle on the road is frozen over. The bank is my halfway point, their sign shows me the temperature (this morning it was 31*) and tells me how much time I have before the train comes. At this point I either relax, or start jogging.

My favorite train conductor operates the back half of the 7:10 train. One day I forgot my cash for the ride home and he was angry, accused me of cheating the system, and told me that I better bring both fares next time. I think he had a bad day, because the next time I saw him he refused to take the three dollars I owed, smiled, and joked around with me.

Now when I see him he smiles at me and calls me the trouble maker.

This morning was no different. I adore my train ride to Belmont in the morning. The train is warm, and when I exit the smell of pine and Christmas from the city's tree farm envelopes me. Work is one block away. Upon entering I order my cup of coffee and relax for just a few moments before my shift begins.

Which is what I'm doing right now. Me, you, the New York Times, and my doubletallsoy latte.

A Picture of Community

This, for me, is a picture of community. These are the children of our church in San Antonio, they represent three different families that give their hearts, homes, and time generously to everyone around them. These kids are a joy to spend time with and celebrate. They do life together, they live richly.

This Morning

It's foggy and cool this morning and all I want to do is stay snuggled on the couch reading today.

I have to leave for work in fifteen minutes and will go straight to class after that. I'll arrive back home at 10:30 tonight and promptly fall asleep. Until then I'm going to do my best to enjoy the day, look at the positive things, and give thanks for work, for education, for friends.

Wednesday is a new day.
Christmas break is on its way!

So far I have planned to re-read the entire Harry Potter series and bake a lot.