five things, december 28 edition

1. I think it's been great. Christmas was wonderful and everyone was properly spoiled. Present opening went in two rounds, one with my mom on Christmas Eve and the rest with my dad on Christmas morning after my mom hit the road for home. I ended up with many things I'd mentioned here (cough cough) and many other wonderful goodies as well. Callum's Christmas dream came true with a phone. AACK. We finally pulled the trigger. I think he thought it wasn't going to happen. After we'd opened all the gifts, Neel called Cal's phone which we'd tucked into the bottom of his stocking. Happiness abounds. And even with that, we all agree that Neel hit the motherlode of gifts. A leafblower, a composter... When I ordered the composter, I had it delivered to a friend's house since the box was so big. Our friend Evans said to me, "Who the hell wants a composter for Christmas?" Hello? Have you met my husband?

2. I think one of my favorite parts of Christmas was a new tradition we started. After we opened presents, we bundled up (popping our Bloody Marys into Tervis Tumblers) and headed to the beach for a walk. I can't think of a better way to welcome Christmas day than a walk along the Atlantic. It was cold, but not terribly so. I hope we're onto the start of something good.

3. I think makeup shopping with my mom was great fun. I totally caved and got the Smashbox eyebrow pencil and face primer and love both (duh) (thanks for all the suggestions). But my mom's been using Dr. Hauschka cleanser and moisturizer. Have any of you guys tried this stuff? I am totally sold. I'm due up to replenish both cleanser and daytime moisturizer, and I nearly jumped the gun and went for Mario Badescu (which I also like a lot). It's Dr. Hauschka from here on out for me.

4. I think cooking with my dad is always great fun. Dinner this year was a crown roast of pork. We really quite outdid ourselves, if I do say so.

5. I think it didn't all get done this year, and that's okay. We spent a chunk of Christmas Eve at the Emergency Vet with Violet (because nothing says Merry Christmas like the ER, right?), and I never got gifts done for our neighbors (dough still chilling in the fridge). I didn't get all the cards out, and the house is still a wreck. But we spent a lot of amazing family time together. We cooked good food and ate good food. We watched some football and some movies and caught up on Top Chef. It's a season of excess, and I'm trying to pare down on the excess of guilt. Let's focus on an excess of love instead. How about that? Love you guys. Happy weekend.

five things, december 21 edition

1. I think that I have never been more relieved than I was to hear that Violet has a disk problem yesterday. Not that disk problems are great, but still. Her leg was getting worse, not better and we were so very worried about her. It's not at all fair to say that this silly pup is our favorite; all our pups are silly after all. Violet has a special sparkle to her. She follows me everywhere (she sleeps on my discarded jammies when I shower every morning.) and is the canine light of my life. She's special. Everyone at the vet absolutely adored her, and we don't blame them one bit. So. Violet's back is sick (and, according to the X-Ray, she swallowed a rock). Sick enough that she needs to be on "aggressive rest" for several weeks. No stairs. Of course our house is nothing but. No play, no walkies. Fortunately, she's very good at resting. And fortunately Santa Paws brings them a new bed every year. Oh my word, that dear girl. She means the world to us. Send her some healing thoughts, please, if you have a few to spare.

2. I think I don't want this blog to get political, but with the gun stuff, I just can't anymore. Seriously. And you guys would laugh (no segue, but bear with me) if you could see the funny mix that is my twitter feed. Design people, bloggers, (OMG @CuteEmergency!!!!!), political folk, and sports writers. There's an awesome article in The New Yorker about gun control. And I also much appreciated this article in the Washington Post about mass shootings in the U.S. In the last week, since the shooting at Sandy Hook, four of our area school had incidents where students had brought or found guns at school, and our governor is advocating for teachers to be armed. I have friends who are avid hunters, and I care passionately for their right to continue in a sport that they love. However, you will never, ever, not in a gazillion years convince me that certain guns, high-capacity magazines or MORE guns are the answer. Rick Reilly, a sports columnist for ESPN wrote a haunting article that has stuck with me ever since I read it. He quoted a hunter who said this after the shooting, "Put the picture of [murdered first grader] Emilie Parker next to my semiauto shotgun and pick one," he writes. "Put [murdered 6-year old] Benjamin Wheeler's hopes and dreams against me not having to move my forearm six inches and pick one." Seems like a no brainer to me.

3. I think shopping is hope for the future.

4. I think I love little more than having my mom call out different ingredients to chess pie to me (and the history behind the name) as Callum plays on his iPad and Neel checks email. Christmas music plays in the background and we'll eat dinner in front of the fire. It was pretty perfect here last night. My mom and I are doing some last-minute shopping today, and my dad comes tomorrow. That simple fact fills me with much joy. All of us together. For various reasons this hasn't happened for awhile, but all of us sharing some space together for a part of Christmas-time means the world to me. It's just about the best present I could get.

5. I think I'll pop in on Monday with my weekend recap (CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!!), and maybe something pithy on Christmas Day. Other than that, I'm signing off until next Friday. Love you guys. Wishing for all of the best Christmas wishes to rain down upon you!