Two weeks into a (great) new year

Today is the Eve of the first day of the semester. It dawned beautifully crisp and clear, with a brilliant sunrise. I was greeted by the sun when I went in the kitchen to make my sweetheart some homemade savory scones and a Mediterranean omelet. While I was standing outside to take this picture, breathing the fresh air, I was thinking about what I love about winter. Unlike the rest of the year when the earth is buzzing with the sounds of life, winter brings us a calm, impenetrable stillness. Quiet. Sounds seem clearer and intensified. The sound of a branch cracking as a squirrel runs across it into the next tree. The tender footsteps of a deer in the woods. It is the time of year that reminds us how fragile life is, that we are mere visitors on this planet we call home. Our lives are transient; mother earth is everlasting. Our attempts to alter the earth, while seemingly successful in their destruction, are temporary. While we like to think that we can utterly destroy this earth, the truth is that we can only destroy it for ourselves. We have the power to destroy our species and many others; but once we are gone, the earth will remain. New plant and animal species will replace us. Only our garbage heaps will serve as reminders that we were ever here. This sounds a bit depressing, but it isn't. Have you ever had a feeling that your life was so incredibly small and insignificant, yet essential as a part of everything else? We can be disheartened by our powerlessness in the face of nature, or we can be incredibly grateful to be a part of it. Winter reminds me that life is beautiful and fleeting - enjoy every moment. It is all the more beautiful for its brevity.

Okay, so what does this "new age" ramble have to do with the new year? While some people view the new year as an arbitrary date on the calendar, an excuse to get drunk and stay up until midnight, I view it as an opportunity to take time to review. To think about the past year and look forward to the new one. I always make resolutions, and have a decent track-record for sticking to them. Is there anything significant about January 1st? Maybe not literally. But why pass up an opportunity for self-reflection? To think about who we are and who we would like to be? And what we need to do to get there? I think any opportunity to grow as a person is a good one. And my reflections leave me feeling that this year will be a good one. For everyone. Last year was hard for me and so many I know. This year is one for new beginnings, new chapters, and re-birth. I can feel it.
I hope this year brings new life into yours, and that you take the time to enjoy every minute of our beautiful, brief lives.

The 16 days of Christmas

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I am not depressed because Christmas is over. I am a holiday nut, and seeing it all over so soon, with nothing but months of bitter-cold to look forward to has never been exciting for me. But this year is different. This year we began celebrating with Christmas music in September, decorating in November. The actual celebrations with family began on December 23 and ended on January 7. Now that's what I call a long holiday! We were at first disappointed to move celebrations from the traditional dates, which was necessary because many family members were traveling over the holiday. But having more than two weeks of celebrations was amazing - let's do that every year! Here is a recap of our 16 days of Christmas.

The festivities began on Christmas Eve Eve. My mom and sister and I went grocery shopping for our big feast. We then spent 5 hours in the kitchen at our house together cooking and baking. We had a great time! It's much more fun to cook with loved ones than alone. We feasted on lentil "meatloaf", mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, almond green beans, homemade rolls, and homemade pumpkin pie. Oh, and gingerbread cookies (from scratch).
The next morning, they all came back over to our house for Christmas presents. I made pumpkin muffins (but forgot to add the pumpkin!), savory scones, tea, and coffee. J.J. was excited to get his present from grandma - a giant bone.


Jonathan and I celebrated Christmas Eve along together for the first time in our relationship. We usually spend it at his mom's with all of his siblings. It was very quiet, relaxing, and romantic. We watched the original Grinch and the Muppet Christmas Carol. Christmas day we awoke early to open stockings and presents. Jonathan received a big batch of homemade Chex mix, a book light, and headphones.
I got all my heart desired - a yoga mat and yoga book (The Heart of Yoga - fantastic book). After presents, we headed to his Dad's house. After taking his parents to the airport, we spent the week house and dog sitting. We had a Lord of the Rings marathon on the big screen, played lots of Wii (we rock at the Wii Fit games!), and did NOTHING school related. It was great!

I will write more about the New Year in a coming post, but we spent New Year's Eve at his Dad's as well. Our niece was there, and we had a lot of fun playing Wii together and watching the ball drop.


On New Year's Day, we drove to the airport to pick up Jonathan's brother, Ricky. We had such a great time on the drive down south! His extended family Christmas was on the 1st. The annual talent show was a hoot - Ricky and Lydia performed, and Jonathan performed "Yoda" by Weird Al.


The next morning (Jan. 2), the siblings all awoke in the traditional way, with a bell. The rest of the morning was spent opening presents, eating breakfast, and the "kids" playing guitar and piano together.
We also went to Branson for the afternoon. We had a great time and left for home the next morning.


We had three whole days home before it was off to another Christmas. We first surprised Ricky by showing up for his flight at the airport with a bag of fresh homemade scones.

After seeing him off, we had the final Christmas celebration with Jonathan's Dad's side of the family that evening. All of the kids were there, which is always the great thing about Christmas. More good food, more playing Wii with kids, and more family time.


What a holiday! In addition to all of these family gatherings, we have had some lovely smaller celebrations with friends. I'm sure this will sound cliche, but the joy we experienced this holiday was not at all about the presents (except for giving them, which I love); it was about spending quality time with people we love. I can't remember ever feeling so rich in friends and family. It could have only been better if my uncle were still with us, and if I could have seen my cousin and niece. But that leaves something to wish for next year!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, filled with cheer and the joy of loved ones around you.