Thursday, December 30, 2010

New Years change of plans

Well, thanks to the storm that just rolled over Utah and Colorado the ear doctor and I will probably be spending New Years in Orem.

I'm pretty bummed because some friends of ours are planning on having an awesome fancy party to ring in the new year and we'll probably miss out. I even have a brand spankin new Kate Spade dress to wear to the fete, but now I'll probably be wearing my jammie-jams playing Donky Kong to welcome 2011.

Anyone have any fun ideas of how we should celebrate the holiday here in the valley?

Sunday, December 26, 2010

ERROR

GAH!

I totally just posted on my sister's blog instead of mine! And now I can get back into her account to take it down and put it here!?!?!?

I guess that's what happens when you share a laptop for Christmas....

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Small world

Last night I was invited to a ornament gift exchange hosted by a girl I hardly know.

As soon as I got there I was really excited because there were a whole bunch of women that I'd never met and seemed really awesome. Over cookies and wassail we chatted and got to know each other.

We talked about our families and our jobs. We talked about their kids and my dog. We talked about the neighborhood and the schools. We talked and talked and talked.

I can't remember how it came up, but at one point in the conversation, one of the girls said, "oh, I know Replikate..." (except she used her full real name which I'm not sure she'd want me to share and link to her blog) or something. My jaw hit the floor and I excitedly interrupted and said, "I know her too, she's awesome! We just went to the best show together!" and then a bunch of other people said, "oh, Replikate, she's the best." One said, "we went to church together when she lived in Boston." At which point a general consensus was made when someone said, "Basically, Replikate knows everyone."

So thanks, pal, for being so awesome and helping me feel super cool for knowing you!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmasy Date Night

Last night I took the ear doctor on a date. A real, honest-to-goodness date where I even opened his car door for him. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant where I told him the sky was the limit and he could order anything he wanted.

He got the carnitas and I got flautas (I was really craving some fried crunch with guacamole on top). Then we drove down town to the Denver Botanic gardens. Every year they cover the entire garden in a million twinkle lights and you can walk through and enjoy the festivities.

Unfortunately, it's been almost 70 degrees here in Denver so the ice sculptures were just little pathetic melted lumps, but overall it was pretty stunning. We kissed under the mistletoe and held hands while we talked about our future.


We even bought these cool little 3D glasses that turned every light into a perfect little snowflake.




I love any activity that combines sentimental moments and ridiculous eye-gear...

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 12

“He whose birth the Christian world celebrates is indeed the Son of God, the Redeemer, the Promised Messiah. No message is more significant than the one He brought. No event is of greater importance than His atoning sacrifice and subsequent resurrection. And no mortal tongue can express sufficient thanks for all that Jesus has done for us” --Ezra Taft Benson


“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:4–5).





1.Thank journal $24 2. Gratitude necklace $24 3.Things I’m thankful for notecard $4 4.Be glad for this moment ceramic $22 5.Be thankful wall decal $10

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Day 11



“We need not wait for Christmas, we need not postpone till Thanksgiving Day our response to the Savior’s tender admonition: ‘Go, and do thou likewise’” --Thomas S. Monson


“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. … But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, … and took care of him. … Which now of these … was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” Luke 10:30–31, 33–34, 36


1.Everyone serves a porpoise print $18 2.Fleur de Lys serving platter $38 3.Wood and bone salad servers $19 4.Serve while you preserve print $12 5.Stainless pitcher $40

Friday, December 10, 2010

Day 10

It's no secret that I love Christmas music. In fact, the other day I was walking my dog at 6:30 in the morning belting out tunes for the world to hear. I just love the way they make me feel and especially what they make me think of.

“Thoughts of Jesus … [should] be far more frequent and much more constant in all times and seasons of our lives. How often do we think of the Savior? How deeply and how gratefully and how adoringly do we reflect on his life? How central to our lives do we know him to be?” --Howard W. Hunter


Here are a few of my favorite Christmas albums:




1.Christmas Divas $10 2.H is for holiday $10 3.Time-life music: Treasury of Christmas $15/double CD set 4.Diana Krall Christmas Songs $10 5.Alabama Christmas $7

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Day 9

I remember a time just before I met the ear doctor and I felt so alone. Sure, I had some friends, but for some reason this overpowering feeling of loneliness fell on me and I felt a bit hopeless. I think being lonesome is the worst feeling in the world. It's just horrible. Whenever someone tells me they feel lonely my heart just breaks...it's such a tough thing to go through...especially at Christmas.


The thing that helped me most was relying on my faith and religion. It's maybe a little cliche, but it's true.



“Despite all we can do, we cannot have a fullness of joy in this world or through our own efforts. Only in Christ can our joy be full. This is why the angel proclaimed: ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day … a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10–11). We are able to have a fullness of joy only when spirit and body are inseparably connected in the glorious resurrection to celestial glory. That joy, of course, comes only through the mercy of the Holy Messiah” --Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov.
1991, 74


Reminders to seek more Joy in my life:




1.Plush Joy pears $38/3 2.Comfort and Joy cards $16/8 3.Joy to the world gift tags $4.25/6 4.Joy to the World wall decal $9.95 5.Find Joy in the unexpected bracelet $55 (benefits juvenile diabetes foundation!)

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Getting technical

Just so you know, the technical name for this kitchen instrument is a WHISK:


And this?

Is a BOING-ER.

Day 8

Have I ever written about my next door neighbor? She's awesome. Her name is Eloise and she's a widow. She and her husband bought their house 45 years ago and she's been living there ever since. She is so active and healthy...just the kind of elderly lady I want to be.

The first night we spent in our new house we ordered take out. When the food arrived we realized they hadn't included any kind of silverware. We were both starving, so the ear doctor ran over to Eloise's house and borrowed 2 forks. Months later, after we'd finally moved in and had enough of our own I baked a loaf of banana bread and went over to return the forks. She was so warm and welcoming that I was overwhelmed with gratitude to have such a nice person for a neighbor.

All last winter Eloise always got out to shovel the snow off her driveway before anyone else on the block! One morning I beat her to it and decided that since I was at it I'd do her little strip of concrete as well as mine.

And all summer when our front lawn dried up and died she didn't complain at all, even though her grass was the thickest, bushiest and greenest on the block.

This year I'm going to make her some cookies and take them over to thank her for being such a great neighbor!


“Each of us has his own way of remembering. At Christmas time I take delight in visiting the widows and widowers from the ward where I served as bishop. There were 87 then—just nine today. On such visits, I never know what to expect; but this I do know: visits like these provide for me the Christmas spirit, which is, in reality, the Spirit of Christ” --Thomas S. Monson



Or I could always just buy some treats and put them on a paper plate like I made them myself...



1.Cheryl and Co cookies $30 2.Whoopie pies $15/doz 3.Vosges Caramel toffee marshmallows $27/9 4.Paulette macarons $19/12 5.Danish butter cookies…get them anywhere…I LOVE these…

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Day 7

I remember when my mom first taught me to knit. It wasn't pretty. The first idem I attempted to create was a scarf. Instead of a long pretty rectangle of even perfect stitches it was more triangular and riddled with holes. Everytime I attempted to wear the dumb thing the loose loops of thread got caught and made even bigger holes. I eventually had to retire the sad little accessory and made another one.

With time I got much better and started doing fancy patterns like cablekit and adding flowers and stuff. I'm so grateful to my mom for teaching me how to do it because everytime I make something I think of her. It's pretty amazing to take a random ball of yarn and turn it into something you can actaully wear. How that single thread gets woven together and knotted up and eventually becomes a large piece of material that is so much stronger and more useful that what it used to be.



“To remain true and faithful through this mortal vale of tears, we must love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. … We must gather strength from each other. We must also ‘succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees’” --James E. Faust


“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. … Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” Matt. 25: 35–36, 40


To serve as a reminder of the power we have when each individual is cared for in a woven collective:


1.Woven ring $35 2.Mint chain circle scarf $50 3.Chalkboard pendant necklace $22 4.Farmer’s basket $80 5.Farrah indoor/outdoor rug $59-149

Monday, December 06, 2010

Day 6

I once had a roommate who made a little note and taped it above her light switch. The note said the following:


"Expect less"


The first time I saw it I thought it was kind of funny. But the more I saw it the more it bothered me. I never told her to take it down or made any kind of comment to her about it, but I was very tempted to.


It just seemed like such a pessimistic way to live life. Like she was constantly lowering her hopes so that she wouldn't be disappointed and simultaneously began viewing everyone and everything around her in such a negative light. All I wanted to do was rip that little note down and replace it with something happy and positive.


...although, come to think of it when she had that note on her light switch I had "STOP SHOPPING" scrawled across my full length mirror in dry erase marker, so maybe I'm not one to talk?...



“Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings;having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other” --Marvin J. Ashton


Lovely reminders:




1.Just let it go print $12 2.Pardigm shift print $20 3.Filled with Joy print $15 4.Force for good wooden sign $20 5.Be happy dish towel $16

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Day 5

Recently the ear doctor and I met a family that owns a local restaurant. The restaurant is pretty good and it is run by pretty much everyone in the family: grandma, grandpa, cousins, siblings...everyone.


Every year they host a huge Thanksgiving event where they provide 250 free meals to the needy in the community.


We weren't going to be in town this year to help, so we ran by Costco a few days before and picked up some things that they needed to get everyone covered.


I was just blown away by one family's ability to make such and impact on the community and reach out to those who don't have as much this season! I'll be looking for small ways I can help those who are cold, hungry and alone this holiday season. Surely with as many blessings as I have in my life I can afford to share!


"And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish” (Mosiah 4:16).




1. Microloans to entrepreneurs in poor countries 2. Small business loans to entrepreneurs in your community 3.Organize charitable donations 4. Donate time to local charity 5.Pick up an extra toy at Target and drop it in the Toys for Tots bin

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Day 4

Today the ear doctor and I have been invited to 3 Christmas parties.

3!


The first is a church breakfast from 9-11:30, the second a cookie exchange from 1-3 and the last an awesome party at a friend's house. We've been so busy that we haven't even had a chance to put up any of our Christmas decorations yet!

The other day I went to my friend Amy's house to get my hair cut and as I turned into her neighborhood almost all the houses on her street already had their lights up! I love christmas lights on houses and every year we take a night to drive around town and just look at all the twinklers that everyone's put it. I love Christmas!


“I testify that Christ is the light to all mankind. He has pointed, marked out, and lighted the way. … But even to those who reject Him, He is ‘the light which shineth in the darkness’ (John 1:5)” --Ezra Taft Benson




1.Verdigris pendant $95 2.Yuletide Angel $17 3.Glow in the dark spray paint $50 4.Hoot hoot switchplate $18 5.Credit card light bulb $5

Friday, December 03, 2010

Day 3

Tonight the ear doctor and I are meeting some friends downtown to see the annual Christmas light parade in Denver. I love this parade.



Last time we went we saw two creepy women get in a fist fight over who got to stand closest to the corner. It was crazy. All this goodwill and peace-on-earth wishes floating around and then these two nut jobs totally loosing it over a parade-viewing spot.



Insanity.



“Have a joyous time in celebrating Christmas—for despite discouragement and disheartening conditions throughout the world, it is the happiest season of the whole year. But let us ever keep in mind that people are blessed whose daily conduct most nearly comports with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, at whose birth was proclaimed: Peace on earth. Good will toward men” --David O. McKay








1.Peace on earth necklace $14 2.Peace paz print $35 3.Letterpressed peace cards $18/6 4.Classic Christmas: True stories of Holiday Cheer and Goodwill $13 5.Peace dove $26

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Day 2

I'm really excited this year to spend the holiday with my adorable niece and nephew. Charlotte is almost 4 and Greg is a year and a half. Perfect ages to experience the magic of Christmas. Already my sister has posted about their awesome tree day experience and how the kids are learning the words to Christmas carols.


I want to make sure that we really record as much as we can about their childhood so we don't forget these precious moments.


“Precious little is written concerning the childhood of Jesus. One might suppose that His birth was so revolutionary in its magnitude as to dominate accounts of His boyhood. We marvel at the mature wisdom of the boy who, leaving Joseph and Mary, was found in the temple, ‘sitting in the midst of the doctors,’ teaching them the gospel. When Mary and Joseph expressed their concern about His absence, He asked of them the penetrating question: ‘Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?’ “The sacred record declares of Him: ‘Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man’” --Thomas S. Monson



I love Design mom's idea to have a Christmas notebook to write down all the memories of Christmas each year. I'd pick one of these:


1.Canvas leather book $38-65 2.Brown leather journal $57 3.Honey leather journal $46 4.Red nosed reindeer journal $10 5.Modern handmade blank book $20

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Day 1

What I love most about the combination of the blogosphere and Christmas is the gift guides. I cannot get enough of them!


And not only because it's fun to see all the pretty sparkly things I could buy.



Mainly I like it because it reminds me that everyone out there is looking to make someone else feel special. To make someone else light up Christmas morning. To show someone else how much they are loved.


“Christmas means ‘giving,’ and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind. … “Christmas means ‘compassion and love’ and, most of all ‘forgiveness’ … How poor indeed would be our lives without the influence of His teachings and His matchless example. --Gordon B. Hinckley





Print from persimmon and pink