So This Is Christmas

Rather than use this, The Christmas Wrap-Up (get it? WRAP. Heh.) Post to recount this past weekend’s cookie-laden festivities, which weren’t entirely too fascinating, unless of course you are as easily amused as I, or unless you count my grandmother publicly announcing that my grandfather was “a horny bastard back in the day” (THAT was indeed at least one, mostly mortifying, definition of “exciting.”), I decided it might be more! fun and more! visually pleasing to let you take a peek at Christmas, kerri anne-style, via some of my favorite pictures from the day in question. So, voilà!

The entire set is here. But these are the ones that make me smile cheesy smiles, the ones that make my heart happiest. I didn’t snap a picture of my grandmother telling the “horny stories” about my grandfather, but let me tell you, that was happy-heart-making material if ever I have seen it.

Between endless amounts of family, and endless amounts of Russian Teacakes, between thoughtful, unexpected gifts, a truly “white Christmas,” and candid shots with the baby Jesus (see: Chris humoring me because I put the figurine on his chest and excitedly! exclaimed: “I can title it ‘The Reason For The Season’”), overall, if there were such a thing as a “Weekend Rating System,” I’d give it a: “Stellar. Second only to sledding all day and not getting a drop of snow down your pants.”

I hope that this Christmas you (laughed and ate too many teacakes and) kept the snow out of your pants, too. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Unless you did indeed go sledding. In which case, I feel compelled to ask: saucer or toboggan?

(Oh, and the winners! of the non-movie-watching guessing contest, are here.)

Weekend Update, Leprechaun Edition

I haven’t run a 5k since 2005, when my sister and I signed up to “trot” a Race for the Cure in Portland and then on race day, about twenty minutes before we were set to briskly walk with the rest of the meanders, she asked if we could run. We have different memories of this day, but I remember knowing we would run even though we had said we were going to walk. I also remember that while she → Read more...

Things I’m Contemplating As I Enter This, My Superhero(ine) Phase

This post inspired by my friend and Patron Saint of Divorce Redemption.

We’ve all heard about the five (or seven) stages of grief, the designated personal places you must traipse within and for yourself to be able to stand tall on the other side of whatever loss you are suffering. Stages you need to fight your way through surviving, and really processing, to be able to find yourself again.

In my head I liken the five stages of divorce to a wily → Read more...

Do A Big Sister A Favor?

Today is babycarrot sister’s 26th! Day of Cake. Being that my sister happens to be (awesome, yes! and) one of my favorite people on the planet, I think instead of being here, you should go here, and read all about what made her day great. (Seeing as how we’re all very visual learners around these parts, I will tell you that there are most definitely pictures. Of cake, even!)

You could even wish her a happy! birthday. You know, if you → Read more...

My Heart Is A Nautical-Themed Pashmina Afghan

We interrupt copious amounts of Asia recapping this broadcast for a maritime digression of sorts.

You see, I’ve been a lover of the ocean, and of all things aquatic and nautical-inspired, ever since I can remember.

My love for sea-faring-everything might very well have been fostered during the myriad spring breaks spent exploring quaint coastal communities in and around Port Ludlow, Washington. Some of my fondest childhood memories spring forth from days spent poking my curious face into every trinket shop in → Read more...