Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone is having a festive yet relaxing holiday weekend.  Since getting back from the race, the past couple of weeks have been filled with shopping, holiday parties, and workouts. Aside from family celebrations I've spent the last couple of days at home catching up on rest and preparing for my out of town guests next week.  I did manage to pick up a few new ornaments for my tree this year including one that has my nephew's art stamped on it.  Enjoy the rest of your Christmas as I plan on going for a run with my husband before we get ready for the next party. :-)  - P

Merry Christmas!

Thanks to mom and Auntie Jo for making some of my favorites! Grandma's Potato Salad and her famous Potica (nut roll). Yummy. I hope everyone enjoyed the food, family, friends, and fun of Christmas. -A

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope you have a beautiful day spent with family and friends. - P

Dashing Through the Snow...on a Bicycle?

I drove by this about three times before I actually stopped to take a picture of it. Love it! It is one of the Christmas decorations outside of a local pub. Now I am wondering if it is there all year and I just noticed it now that it has lights on it :) -A

...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

I was just going through my rather small Christmas decoration collection and am very pleased with my discovery. I almost forgot all about these. My sister and I made them, probably when I was about 4 or 5 years old for my grandma. She would hang them on her fireplace mantel every Christmas. They are the twelve days of Christmas made from the plastic melty things. I haven't seen them around since they 80's - do they still exist, I loved that craft? Unfortunately grandma passed a couple years ago, but I am grateful my mom found them when going through her stuff before they sold the house. This is a great time to take a moment and remember those we've lost and the happy memories we've created along the way. Happy Holidays! -A

First Day of Advent

Today marks the first day of Advent. We started our day by opening the first window of the calendar I picked up at Trader Joe's. The best part is that we can begin each day with a yummy piece of chocolate. Happy first day of December! - P

What would it be like to visit Paris at Christmas?

As much as I love Paris in the spring (I have been lucky enough to experience it twice), I think it would be absolutely wonderful to visit during Christmas. I envision walking the streets with a light dusting of snow, admiring the holiday décor and lovely shop windows. After a bit of shopping I would stop in a bakery for a chocolate croissant and then off to a café to relax, drinking café au lait. I have to say one of my most special nights I spent in Paris was a rainy night at St. Sulpice church. Having said all that, I have planned Paris at home every weekend during the month of December for my husband. Shhh, don’t tell. I bought 4 books, giving him one each Saturday and depending on the topic of the book I plan to add a gift along with it. I also hope our lunch or dinner will reflect a French theme. I will post each weekend as I go along. Does anyone plan silly things like this? Has anyone ever spent their Christmas in Paris? - P

Here are a few of my past photos of Paris in the spring.

Early Christmas gifts

As I was trying to get an early start on my husbands Christmas gifts I stumbled upon Orla Kiely's book on Amazon. I love Orla Kiely's designs. I received the early present to myself yesterday. Does anyone else tend to buy gifts for themselves as they are shopping for family and friends? I also had to pleasure of shopping at Orla Kiely's store in Hong Kong before it was closed down. - P