a bathroom remodel and a move

After a long, drawn out month of tedious home repairs, underscored by a painstaking bathroom remodel, cleaning up to my eyeballs, playing general contractor, and countless trips to the city dump, we finally moved (upstairs). We don't own a home yet, but boy it sure feels like we do. Here is a small part of what we have to show for it:

The stress of picking out the tile and paint was overwhelming and I hadn't a clue how it would all look in the end. Thankfully it turned out pretty nifty.

We are now settled in a mere ten feet above our previous humble abode. It was a grueling move, considering the absurdly short distance. But that was the problem. When you really move, you pack everything up into neatly organized boxes, which then sit in your new place for some time while you carefully ponder where you want to permanently keep things. Instead, this was a marathon of lugging each and every household item we own up the stairs and hastily finding a new home for them. Packing and unpacking all at the same time. It was exhausting. And, what's more, is that it is going to take me another month at least to get the upstairs all tidied-up and make it feel like home, but we'll get it there eventually.

The renting part went unexpectedly smooth (thank heavens) and we never really hear a peep from the lovely new couple living in the basement. All in all, we're just happy to be done. Here's to hoping we don't move again for a long, long time.

happy valentine's day to my main squeeze

to my valentine:

thank you for loving me unconditionally, even when I leave cupboards wide open and blankets unfolded
thank you for your insatiable drive and for going after what you want with everything you have
thank you for listening to my long-winded stories and pipe dreams
thank you for buying me roses, just to make me feel loved
thank you for always being level-headed and infinitely patient
thank you for doing all the little things; especially when I don't notice
thank you for letting me be my complete self, and making me want to be my best self

you are my favorite person
you are the best part of my life
you give me purpose

I love you babe
xo xo

a change in the weather at a cozy cabin

This little trip was low-key and lovely. We spent all weekend cooped up with Parker + Alex in their cozy cabin, watching it snow. Really, really snow. Great big puffy flakes. It felt perfect because I was so fed up with the week that I had had, that all I want to do was sit there, endlessly chatting, watching the snow pile up. With a cup of cocoa in hand and a fire roaring constantly, I quickly settled in and forgot all about it.

The joy of getting away, even if just for the weekend, is that you get to break out of your regular old routine. No rules necessary. You can stay in your jammies all day, and watch not one, but two movies with dear friends by your side. No endless to-do-list of the things that were left by the wayside during the work week. They'll just have to wait.

Highlights:
+ meatloaf + mashed potatoes = delectable comfort food. thank you diner.
+ hushed side conversations between wife + wife = sincere heart-to-hearts; silly, emotionally-charged conversations to which our husbands would roll their eyes. Swapping stories of how clumsy our husbands have made us and reminiscing about the past. Laughing until my sides hurt. I felt fifteen again.
+ the two-and-a-half hours it took to get our car out of the snow and onto the highway { a mere 100 yards distance }. Dig, dig, dig. Push, push, push. Gun it. Lunge three feet and repeat. Thank heavens for a 2x4 and Parker using his much superior, snow-ready Subaru to lay tracks down up ahead of us. A day to remember and a stuck-in-the-snow experience we will surely laugh about for years to come.

the most wonderful time of the year

Christmas came suddenly this year. Doesn't it always? I somehow ended up among the rowdy crowds doing last minute shopping and scores of presents were wrapped just in the nick of time. The bone-dry weather must be partly to blame for Christmas sneaking up. Come and gone in the blink of an eye, but they sure were happy holidays.

On Christmas eve eve, we met at Zupas for dinner - even Kay and Kevin were up from Arizona to spend a few days with us. We devoured hearty soups and tasty salads, then bundled up and headed downtown to see the dazzling lights at temple square. Such a lovely sight. Horse-drawn carriages trotting about in the wintry night, the hustle and bustle of countless people dressed up like Eskimos, twinkling lights strewn through high tree tops, crowds eagerly gathered around the nativity scene. A picture-perfect Christmas scene.

Then Christmas eve came and we began a new tradition - a festive evening of delectable appetizers. Each of us whipped up something different; thoughtfully scouted out (thank you Pinterest) and meticulously prepared. The spread was remarkable - gooey cheese fondue, mock PF Chang's lettuce wraps, out-of-this world tostada bites, and scrumptious pizza rolls. Quite the smorgasbord if you ask me.

Christmas day was spent lazily, in pajama pants and cozy socks. It was carefree and delightful. Even when the rolls for our Christmas morning sticky buns didn't rise according to plan, Tyler cleverly gave them a little push. Soon enough the smell of cinnamon and sugar was wafting through the air. With full bellies and warm hearts, we piled into the family room. Excitedly, we all dug into our stockings and took turns unwrapping the most lovely gifts. Santa was very generous and everyone was pleased, but the best gift of all was to be surrounded by loved ones. The feeling of contentment and happiness was overwhelming.

I sometimes think people expect too much of Christmas. All too often we let ourselves build up high hopes of some grand occasion, complete with elaborate expectations of what the day will hold, only to be let down (not surprisingly) when it finally arrives. As for me, I have decided I like to take my Christmas as it comes, drifting along into the holidays and appreciating all that Christmas really has in store; the thoughtfulness behind the gifts I am given, adorning our pint-sized tree with beloved Hallmark ornaments received in years passed, the hind-sight hilarity of miss-measured waffle batter, the endless sky-high pile of dishes, taking part in much-loved traditions, slyly listening to old familiar Christmas songs as early as September, presents wrapped carefully in extravagant colors under the tree, hanging stockings with care, watching and re-watching Christmas Vacation (repeating every line word-for-word), the utter chaos and endless racket. It may not always seem perfect, but in the end it's perfect because its real.

This holiday I was grateful to have so much and spend time with the ones I love. I can say, without hesitation, that it was a very merry Christmas indeed.

Hope your holidays were merry and bright.