35 Years and Counting

My parents celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary yesterday, which is AMAZING! Really, there's not too many things you can say when you look at a marriage that is successful these days...and it's not just that my parents are still together after all this time, but they still love and even more importantly LIKE each other. : )

I'm so in awe of my parents...they show each other love and have never sacrificed their relationship with one another for something of this world. In the tough times, they have trogged along and made each other their priority. I'm not going to lie, as wonderful as they are, it's intimidating to be around at times. I wonder if I'll ever be as forgiving and as loving as the two of them are. I certainly have started paying attention to them over the last couple of years in the ways they relate to one another in hopes that someday I'll show as much love and grace to my future husband.

Not many love stories begin in high school between a football player and a songleader that end in an everlasting love. In fact, as a former high school leader at church, I often teased girls who said they were "in love". Teenagers don't know what love is, I'd rationalize to myself (probably a defense mechanism for this old gal who hasn't figured it out, yet). I do know one thing, though, that my parents wonderful marriage - that began as kids - was founded on their love for the Lord and has remained that way through the trials and tribulations (3 kids!) of life.

Thanks Mom and Dad for being such a perfect example of marriage and for showing us kids God's love through your lives. I love you!

Santa was VERY good to me!

I am such a happy girl because Santa knows how to read my mind...or my blog! You may remember me talking about my goal of learning to shoot great pictures and how I've finally signed up for classes beginning next week. I have an old film rebel, and NOW have an EOS Rebel XSi!!! I fear I've already become obnoxious, but I don't care! I'm really excited and soon hope to be posting great new pics on this old blog! Hope Santa was really good to all of you, too!

Merry Christmas!!!

The Christmas eat-a-thon began weeks ago with the occasional cookie delivery at work, then the bigger baskets of treats, then the company party, friends get-togethers, etc. And it isn't ending any time soon! Last night, I invited a slew of friends to the Christmas Eve Eve service at my church, then invited them over for an open house/dinner. It was SO FUN! I spent a lot of time decorating the house to be pretty and special and I cooked (and by cooked, I mean ordered from Honeybaked Ham) some delicious Swedish meatballs and had an array of goodies, and many of my friends brought yummy things as well. The party ended up being fun, too, because the TCU bowl game was on and they won at the last second by 1 point -- GO HORNED FROGS!!!

As I was sitting there, drinking good wine and enjoying the company of my friends and family, I took a moment to realize how very thankful I am for the blessings in my life. At church last night, there was a brief message about the prodigal son, the older brother, and the father. There was emphasis placed on the older brother who had done everything right and was ticked off that he never had a party thrown for him, and I realized that I'm too often like him. I don't want to focus on the fact that I've "done everything right" and still don't I have X, Y, or Z! I want to focus more on the things I DO have and celebrate the wonderful life I've been given and be thankful to the Lord for all the blessings in my life!

So, if you're reading this post, it's likely because you're a friend of part of my family, so let me take a moment to say THANK YOU for the role you've played in my life! Merry Christmas to you and yours and I pray that the Lord blesses you richly in 2009!!!

Little Tree by e.e. cummings

little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower

who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly

i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don't be afraid

look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,t
he balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,

put up your little arms
and i'll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won't a single place dark or unhappy

then when you're quite dressed
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they'll stare!
oh but you'll be very proud

and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we'll dance and sing
"Noel Noel"

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens...

This year, I did custom Christmas cards, based on the theme of "my favorite things", but as soon as I clicked ORDER, I started thinking of other fun things...be not alarmed if you have not received a card yet, the order came wrong TWICE, so alas, while I was totally on the ball, my cards will be arriving a bit tardy.

Additions to My Favorite Things list:

• George Clooney
• Girls Just Want to Have Fun (the 80s movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker)
• Poneytails
• Having friends over for dinner parties
• Apples to Apples, the game
• My house
• Trashy romance novels
• Facebook!
• Creme brulee
• http://www.someecards.com/
• Amstel Light (thanks, Ang!)
• Temecula
• 80s music (how on EARTH could I have forgotten this?!?!)
• Christmas trees that don't dry out (unfortunately, this is not the case at my house this year)
• YouTube - please see below:

Please watch for updates and additions throughout the week! : )

Company Christmas Party

Well, another great company Christmas party has passed and I have funny stories to share. First of all, even in a "down economy", my friends are WLC know how to party like rock stars. Ha! We arrived in Newport to get on the boat and naturally the first thing that happens is we are handed a glass of champagne while stepping on...actually it was more like this: man in uniform asks me "would you care for a glass of champagne" to which my response is something like "DUH!" HA! I actually didn't say that, but I was certainly thinking it! ; )

The downstairs part of the boat was set up with yummy food and some gambling tables...I didn't spend much time there because...there was a dance floor. A couple of glasses of Veuve Clicquot and a dance floor, equal Dancing Machine JJ! But I digress...

During dinner, which was delish, there were light Christmas-y jazz songs playing, which quickly transitioned into some R&B. No one really payed attention until I realized that the DJ was playing "Sexual Healing"...my table (filled with the bad kids), naturally thought this was hilarious and that someone must have requested it, which led to us getting up and requesting random shout outs to other coworkers like "She's Like the Wind" and "November Rain." Then, as the dancing got started, we gave a shoutout to a coworker who HATES the song "September" and that made us all jump up onto the dance floor. I honestly didn't sit down once for the next three hours...I even danced with my assistant to some random ritmo latino song that she loved. ; ) My boss said to me on Monday that she was worried about me driving home. I guess when you dance all night, people assume you are tanked...but I, as a trained professional in the art of drinking, know when to cut it off and drink diet cokes for the rest of the night!

I took my camera with every intention of taking fun photos with coworkers, but alas, I did not. I did find the creepiest Santa statue EVER downstairs by the buffet and had one of the boat workers snap my photo with him, which cracks me up just to look at!

The other funny thing about the night was that I was sitting with my General Counsel and Director of HR, so you'd think that I'd be at the stuffy table, but noooooooo! When I got home and looked through my camera, I found roughly 10 pics of my butt. Yes, my HR director, one of the most inappropriate people on staff, stole my camera and took some lovely and LARGE photos. Gotta love it!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...at my house!

I've been busy around here at the 761 sq. ft. chateau decorating for the holidays! I've found some fun new goodies at Target and Michaels! While I should say that I spent this afternoon watching White Christmas or some other holiday movie while I decorated and wrapped presents, the truth is I watched Sex and the City. Ha!

On Christmas Eve Eve, I'd begun a tradition of going to church, then gathering with friends. This year, I'm holding an open house after the 5pm service, so if you're in the area, stop on by! I'm making (ordering from Honeybaked Ham) Swedish Meatballs and serving yummy toddies, or "toots" as my Aunt Candy calls them. : )

Don't worry, the Merry Christmas isn't permanent...it's a vinyl transfer from Target. Too cute, huh?!

My shiny and sparkly tree. It might be overkill, but I love sparkles!

Operation Teddy Bear

I know I complain about my job as much as the next guy, but I really DO get to do a lot of fun things, too! Every year, WLC sponsors Operation Teddy Bear, which is put on by the Volunteer Center of Long Beach. Low income 1st grade classrooms are selected throughout the South Bay for this special treat, where volunteers go and read to them, then give them backpacks full of educational toys and books. This morning I read to students in Carson and instead of sitting in the teacher chair, I got down on the floor and read a SpongeBob story. The kids did a lot of ooh-ing and ah-ing and I just loved the opportunity to do something difference and bring a smile to their faces.

I did it!

I posted here a few months ago that I really wanted to take a photography class at some point and I gave myself a year to actually stop stalling and do something about it! Well, I did it! I found a class at the Irvine Fine Arts Center that begins on January 5 and runs through March. I'm pretty excited and proud of myself for actually following through on something. Hopefully by next year, I'll be able to use one of my own pretty pictures for my Christmas card!!!

Australia review

Clare and I saw Australia on Saturday night and I have to say...it was AMAZING! I was kinda dragging my feet to see it, and really only went because I felt like I was being sucked into my couch on Saturday afternoon. I was SO pleasantly surprised by this film.

It was cinematically gorgeous. There were sweeping views, wide shots of the outback, really authentic sets, and great historical relevence. The story was incredible, too.

I was expecting some sappy love story, but really, that was a minor part of the film. There is a great "coyboy" story about cattle and land wars, an awesome story about a child and his relationships with the adults around him, and let's not forget the huge World War II thread. The movie lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, but I was pulled into it the entire time...and I don't even particularly LIKE Nicole Kidman. Ha! I highly recommend this movie for women AND men. Go see it!

Say it with me now, AWESOME!

The Fire

I was stuck on the 91 on Saturday trying to get home for SIX hours. The fire was terrible and tragic...and made me want to pull out my hair because I literally couldn't get home. My parent's home is fine - just smells like a camp fire - and Grandma was temporarily evacuated, but she's home now. I don't know anyone who lost a home, but I have heard of friends of friends situations who have. So sad. Here's a pic from my car when I was at the 91/71 interchange for two hours without moving. They sent all traffic up the 71, and then there was a terrible accident there. Idiots...

Christmas tunes

We had a little friends Thanksgiving dinner at Clare and Matt's house that Jennifer actually planned, but because of the ashes and fires, had to be moved from her house. It was delicious and fun to be surrounded by a large group of friends. I made some soup, which was a disaster...tasted like hot apple sauce and not the squash/apple soup concoction that I copied off of someone else's blog! Ha!

While we were all hanging out (me with gorgeous little Jackson on my lap), Jennifer asked us all what our favorite Christmas songs were. I couldn't think of a favorite carol, but there are two songs that I LOVE to hear at Christmas time and keep in the rotation on my iPod. Enjoy!

Christmas Song, by Dave Matthews

Point of Grace, When Love Came Down (don't mind the cheesy video)

The holidays will be here soon...

...which means it's totally FINE to bring out the Christmas movies! Here's a clip from a newer favorite. Enjoy!

Call me crazy...

...but I love to read the weird news of the day. Below you'll find today's favorite:

Man's coffin kills wife on way to cemetery
A traffic accident hurls coffin against the back of woman's neck

SAO PAULO, Brazil - Police say a woman has died on the way to a cemetery when a traffic accident hurled her husband's coffin against the back of her neck.

Police said 67-year-old Marciana Silva Barcelos was in the front passenger seat of the hearse when the accident occurred Monday in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Barcelos died instantly.

Her 76-year-old husband, Josi Silveira Coimbra, died Sunday of a heart attack while dancing at a party.

The driver of the hearse and Barcelos' son suffered minor injuries.

Centrevol Show

My cousin Pete's (Sara-Britt's husband) band had their CD launch party and show on Friday night in Long Beach. Missie, Emily Shuler, and I met up at SB's apartment for a little pre-party action, then we all went to the show together. Pete is really talented and you can tell the guy just LOVES making music. I was really proud of their performance and the turnout. We had a lot of fun! Check out http://www.centrevol.com/ for more info on the band and get their CD, Beggars and Thieves!

Missie and I goofing off with Bryan

Shuler, Missie, Bryan, and I

Pete rockin out

Bryson Turned Three

Carlee's son Bryson turned three this weekend and we had a bbq/pool thing at Uncle Craig and Julie's house. He was adorable with his new toys, but had some fussy times, too. I felt the same way on my birthday, kid!

Bryson with Brian on his new bike!

With Katlyn, Sara-Britt, Katie, and Miss (cousin lovin!)

Carlee Kajsa

My wonderful cousin Carlee turned 30 on Monday! We celebrated this weekend with a murder mystery cruise in the Long Beach Harbor, Bryan flew in two of her best friends, he bought her the dining room table she's wanted for years, and then we all got together for our traditional Hibachi dinner last night!

Carlee posted on her blog and included some hilarious pics from our childhood...so I'll post some from this weekend; the adult versions of ourselves. : ) Carlee is more than a cousin to me, she's like a fabulous younger sister, and most definitely a dear friend! Carlee and I were raised across the street together, went to church and school together, and even danced together. We had ups and downs like siblings often do, but at the end of the day, she's someone I admire so much. She's an incredible wife and mother (with another on the way), and on top of that, she gives so much of her time to good causes, her friends, and constant learning. When they say that we eventually become our mothers, I can honestly say that she's already becoming Auntie Candy (my fav aunt), in that she is always doing something fun with Bryson and lately she's the queen of the crafts (which totally cracks me up!). Carlee has an infectious laugh and can be silly with the best of us, but she also craves knowledge, which makes me admire her even more.

Me and Carlee before the dinner cruise

On the dinner cruise, we all had to use aliases. I was Jewish Matchmaker and Carlee was Chinese Acrobat. At one point, she had to stand up and people thought her baby bump was fake!

Happy birthday, once again Carlee. I love you!

I'm also including this pic of Sara-Britt and Pete. When we picked him up, she just noticed his new mustache. We were teasing him quite a bit, so his alias became Stache! He took the murder mystery VERY seriously and ended up winning the whole thing!

Funny Birthday Card

I got this today from an old roommate. It made me laugh, so I had to share it!!! Ecards are becoming more and more clever!!!

http://www.bluemountain.com/view.pd?i=198363545&m=4017&rr=y&source=bma999

Tuscan Pork

I saw a recipe in my Traditional Home magazine on Saturday morning, which made me think "I'VE GOT TO MAKE THIS." It just so happened that I had friends scheduled to come to dinner on Sunday evening, and when I looked at the ingredients and instructions, I realized it was totally in my wheelhouse to make! While my photo doesn't compare to the deliciousness of the photo in the magazine, or the deliciousness of the taste, I wanted to share my latest culinary achievement!

Ingredients:
1 pound pork tenderloin
2 teaspoons each snipped fresh sage and rosemary
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon fennel pollen or fennel seeds, crushed
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 crusty baguette loaf

Instructions:
Trim fat from pork. In bowl combine sage, rosemary, salt, pepper, garlic, and fennel pollen; set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add tenderloin to skillet. Cook 8 to 10 minutes or until evenly browned, turning often. Remove pork from skillet' cool slightly. Rub entire surface with herb mixture; set aside.

Have baguette horizontally. Remove bread from inside of crusts, forming a thin shell. Brush inside of shell with remaining olive oil. Place pork on baguette bottom; cover with top. Trim ends of loaf. Tie at 1- to 2-inch intervals with kitchen string. Place on baking sheet; bake, uncovered, in 375 degree over 30 to 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meet registers 155 to 160 degrees. Let stand 10 minutes. Slice; serve.

Now, in all fairness:
I screwed a couple of things up. I didn't crush the fennel seeds, but I don't think any of us noticed. AND, I forgot the garlic, so at the last minute, I dusted the pork with garlic salt. I actually thought it gave a nice light flavor! I also had a thicker tenderloin, so I probably baked mine for 40 minutes when all said and done. Still, it was incredible! I served it with a baked sweet potato, some rice pilaf, and light green salad. It was a feast fit for a QUEEN! And the guys loved it, too!