Come out, come out wherever you are

Here's the thing. Whenever I look at my blog's hit meter I'm a little shocked by how fast it is climbing up. I thought that my mom, mother-in-law, aunt and sister were the only people who read this little thing.

Today Girl asked people to de-lurk just for a day and I'm going to make the plea as well.

I'd love to meet all you people who check in with me and get some entertainment of my exploits!





If you're feeling brave, leave a comment and say hi!

Remember

This morning I realized that I can't remember where I used to do my homework in high school. My bedroom? The kitchen table? The office? I can't be sure. I can't put my finger on it and that makes me sad.

....Maybe I didn't do my homework?..... Highly unlikely.

How on earth could I forget something that I did almost every day for 4 years? It terrifies me that if I can forget something so habitual, routine and omnipresent how on earth will I remember the simple moments I'm living right now?

I'm in the "honeymoon" period of my marriage. The time I am supposed to be the happiest of my life. The time when life should be one big rosy dream.

And, not to be too over dramatic, but it really, truly is for me.

And I don't ever want to forget the small things that happen everyday between my new wonderful husband and myself.

And I'm not really sure how to keep the memory.

And that is frustrating.

I don't want to forget the pride I felt last night as he informed me that he has been accepted to present his research at the American Academy of Audiology in April. I don't want to lose the excitement I felt to make him dinner (Migas...Mexican scrambled eggs....So good). I don't want to dismiss the support I felt as he helped me wash and put away all the dishes. I don't want to bid farewell to the love I felt as we knelt together by the side of our bed and offered up a prayer of gratitude. I don't want to overlook his kindness as he tucked me into bed.

My excuse

So yesterday I got to play a little hooky from work and go skiing. It was SOOOOO great. The day was sunny, bright with 4.5" of newly fallen snow. The lift lines were short and the runs were long. It was just beautiful.

The ear doctor was euphoric.

I love the tassel on my beanie. So cute. When I ski it flutters about in the wind. v. cool.

Of course we had to stop for lunch.

Chili in bread bowls.

Yummmm.

PS, the short hair holds up MUCH better under a day of being smashed by a beanie and goggles.

More of amateur hour

As usual, I've put together my attempt at cool invitations for the church youth group I'm in charge of. This time I used this poster for inspiration:

Lately I've really been liking the gray/yellow combination, so here is my re-interpertation (knock-off) of it:

At first I really hated the little specs around everything that I can't figure out how to get rid of (because I don't have great editing software), but then I think it kind of turned out gritty...which is cool too.

So what do you think? Should I add/take anything away?

Love this site

I love Etsy. Unfortch, I think the concept has grown a little bit too much and is out of control. There is just too much stuff clogging up the system and I don't have the hours it requires to sift through it all.

Enter this awesome new blog.

Etsy-love.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for attempting to sort through everything and find the hidden diamonds!

Major props!

Our quest for Juno

Last Wednesday night we thought we'd try to go see Juno. We figured there would be no need to arrive early since the movie had been out for weeks and it was a random Wednesday night. As we approached the ticket office I had a wary sense of impending doom. The place was crawling with tweens decked out for a night away from parents (read miniskirts and Abercrombie galore).

We got up to the window and the annoyed teenager taking tickets informed us that there were only 15 tickets left and we'd be watching the movie from the front row. No thanks.

Friday night we again attempted to catch the movie. We arrived 15 mins early and were surprised to see the show totally SOLD OUT! I don't think I've seen a movie sell out in Colorado ever (besides opening night). Ridiculous. We weren't too bummed to come home and play our Wii.

Saturday was an epic day of shopping. The ear doctor wanted my help spending his Christmas money and dragged me all over town from game store to game store looking for guitar hero III. (no luck)

We finally bought tickets for the 3:05 showing. We had a whole hour before the show, and the Nordstrom men's half-yearly was on so we decided to spend our down time looking for new work clothes for the ear doctor.

We showed back up at the theater right at 3 and made our way to the theater. I was getting really excited about FINALLY being able to see the show. We rounded the dark corner and saw that the place was P-A-C-K-E-D to the brim! We wouldn't even have been able to sit together!

Defeated again, we left and switched our tickets to the 5:30 showing. After puttering around for a while we returned to the theater 45 minutes early, sat on the gross carpet and waited for our turn to go in, got perfect seats and laughed incessantly at the movie.

All in all, it was a pretty great movie. But worth 4 attempts to see it? Hard to say.

Dear Ear Doctor,

Thank you so much for stopping by the grocery store on your way home last night to pick up the feta. As you know, I hate going to the grocery store and it means a lot that you're willing to go there for me. Also, the flowers you brought home for me are beautiful!

Sorry for being mean to you about the movie last night. You were right. I want to see Juno very badly, so having to see it from the front row would have been very annoying. It's better to save the free passes your parents got us for Christmas for a time we can actually enjoy the movie without craning our necks.

Lastly, thanks for taking the Christmas tree to the recycling center this morning. I know it was probably a pain to lug that dried out old thing down the three flights of stairs and into the bed of your truck at 6:45 in the morning.

Can't wait to see you tonight!

Love,

Wifey

My mag

I am a faithful subscriber to Bon Appetit magazine. I love this indulgence. I know a lot of people love Domino, Real Simple and MS living/wedding, but for me, nothing tops the monthly BA.

However, when I got my 2008 issues I was a little startled. They've pretty much totally revamped the magazine! You can tell from the front covers. Observe:

Old Cover (well, really this is the cover of the cookbook...I couldn't find an old cover online. the font was the same):

New Cover:

Why would you choose that new font? I don't like it at all! Maybe they should have stolen the rad Blueprint font since they aren't going to be using it anymore (sad....)

The insides are different too. My favorite section, Fast Easy Fresh, used to be at the back in a very easy to locate spot. Now it's just mixed in with the rest of the articles. Boo.

On the other hand, I've really found the articles more interesting in the last issues. Also, they've added a cool section that teaches cooking techniques.

Humpgh.....Perhaps I can learn to live with the changes....

Remembering Christmas

There is something really cool about spending Christmas in a totally new place. Everything is different, each experience is unique, and new is exciting.

On Christmas Eve the ear doctor, my father-in-law and I all went to down town San Jose to see the lights. We walked down the street toward the center of town with eager anticipation. I love to see a community come together to celebrate. I love snowmen and Christmas trees and presents.

As we rounded the corner I was thrilled to see the whole center square lit up with hundreds of Christmas trees. Different organizations from all over the city had decorated a tree for the festival. I loved seeing Girl Scout troop #317 decorate their tree with Popsicle sticks. And the boys and girls club felt candy canes and big bright colored lights really warmed my insides.

After taking in the tree-lined, Christmas-lit square we went into the big fancy hotel down town. They had a huge, life sized gingerbread house that filled the entire foyer with the warm, cozy, familiar cinnamon and clove scent. They had an electric train display which reminded me of my dad and our really cool electric train that circled my childhood Christmas tree.

We next walked over to the ice skating rink and I was astounded to see people ice skating under the protective cover of palm trees. I laughed out loud when I noticed the huddled group of Californians waiting for the snow machine to blow soap suds out on them.

As the evening was drawing to a close we decided to turn back and walk to our car. We paused for a moment outside a beautiful old Catholic cathedral. Inspired, the ear doctor suggest that we go in and see if there was any scheduled choral presentation for the evening.

As we walked in I was overwhelmed by how beautiful the building was. The cathedral had the typical floor layout of a large T. In the center of the space there was a large, shiny, round wooden altar. Instead of the typical straight rows of pews facing a stand, gleaming wooden chairs surrounded the altar in large, looping graceful circles. We noticed that a group of people were setting up sound equipment, so we decided to sit and wait for the presentation.

I sat in quiet wonder.

I looked around at the other people in the room. A complete mix of ethnic backgrounds were represented. I heard at least 4 different languages whispered between loved ones. All were seated, waiting quietly, taking a moment to recognize the real meaning for Christmas.

In that moment I forgot the trees, lights, bows, boxes, ice, snow and candy. I was totally overwhelmed with gratitude for the great intangible gifts I've been so blessed with in my life. I was blown away by the silent faith in the room. And I was once again reminded of the amazing capability that we humans have to believe, have faith and trust.

I truly felt the meaning of goodwill toward all men.

Yeah, um, sorry

I've been pretty bad blogger over the holiday season.




My wonderful in-laws got the ear doctor and I a wii.




Enough said.

Our House....Christmas Style

So, I've finally got our photos together. The first one is an aerial view taken by me standing on top of the island in the middle of our kitchen.

Our tree:

A close up of our tree showing some special ornaments:

From the upper left-hand corner around clockwise:

1) My mom gave use these ornaments. The bride had blond hair and I colored it red with a sharpie. Cool.

2) This is the really cute one that the ear doctor got me this year. It's the back of a bride and groom sitting in a car. Our names and the year are marked on the spare tire.

3) This is a tube of play-dough in the shape of a candy cane. Not an ornament. The ear doctor added this one to the tree without me knowing.

4) This is the cute reindeer our friends got us last year.

5) This is a race car with snoopy in it. Again, not an ornament, just something random added to our tree by one, ear doctor.


Looking the other direction, into the kitchen you can see my snowflake cutting handiwork:




Last but not least, on our kitchen table is a beautiful poinsettia that the Ear Doctor got me:

Thanks a ton!

Yesterday I got Olivia's mixed Christmas CD. Side note: I love getting stuff in the mail from strangers.

On one of the disks she sent me her mix from 2002. On it she put a really great song that I've never heard before. I love it. A lot. It just seems to really capture a lot of the angst that some people experience in their family's over the holidays.

I've listened to it on repeat about 20 times at work today.

Here are the lyrics

The Christians and the Pagans by Dar Williams

Amber called her uncle, said "We're up here for the holiday. Jane and I were having Solstice, now we need a place to stay."

And her Christ-loving uncle watched his wife hang Mary on a tree. He watched his son hang candy canes all made with red dye number three. He told his niece, "It's Christmas eve, I know our life is not your style."

She said, "Christmas is like Solstice, and we miss you and it's been awhile."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table. Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able. And just before the meal was served, hands were held and prayers were said. Sending hope for peace on earth to all their gods and goddesses.

The food was great, the tree plugged in, the meal had gone without a hitch. 'Till Timmy turned to Amber and said, "Is it true that you're a witch?"

His mom jumped up and said, "The pies are burning," and she hit the kitchen.

And it was Jane who spoke. She said, "It's true, your cousin's not a Christian. But we love trees, we love the snow, the friends we have, the world we share. And you find magic from your God, and we find magic everywhere."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table. Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able. And where does magic come from? I think magic's in the learning. Cause now when Christians sit with Pagans only pumpkin pies are burning.

When Amber tried to do the dishes, her aunt said, "Really, no, don't bother."

Amber's uncle saw how Amber looked liked Tim and like her father. He thought about his brother, how they hadn't spoken in a year. He thought he'd call him up and say, "It's Christmas and your daughter's here"

He thought of fathers, sons and brothers, saw his own son tug his sleeve saying"Can I be a Pagan?" Dad said, "We'll discuss it when they leave."

So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table. Finding faith and common ground the best that they were able. Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old, and making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold.

That just seems right, don't you think?

If I was independantly wealthy

If I didn't have to go to work today, I would pass the time by making this entire outfit, as seen on last week's episode of Pushing Daisies:




In case you missed this awesome moment of stunning TV fashion design, it was a cream and light green wool, high waisted, sleeveless dress. It had a 1 inch red strip down the front and across the bottom, making it feel like an apron sewn into the dress. Add a white thin turtleneck and tights underneath, bright red gloves and a huge chunky scarf and you are in Katie clothes HEAVEN.

I love this munchkin

My niece's first snow!

Religious Art

For some reason, I'm not a huge fan of most religious art. I think it often feels a bit overdone or contrived. We have a few pictures in our house that are really very nice, but I'm pretty picky when it comes to that kind of thing.

However.

I would hang this photo up anywhere.

My little sister's, best friend's husband Matt took it and I think it is really quite stunning. It is a picture of the big LDS (Mormon) temple in the center of Salt Lake City. The image is quite beautiful and very symbolic.

Well done, Matty.

Looking for well wishing

Right now one of my very best friends is in surgery.

Under the knife....is there a scarier phrase in the English language? I can't think of one.

Anyway, if you don't mind, send her a little positive thought if you get a chance.

Steppin out with my baby

Yesterday worked d.r.a.g.g.e.d on at a snails pace. Every three minutes I found my eyes drifting to the lower right hand corner of my monitor, willing time to speed up. Unfortunately, it's been my experience that the more you want this to happen the more the opposite effect occurs. Yesterday was no exception.

Finally, the ticking digital display counted off the appropriate moment and I threw my belongings in my bag and took off.

After arriving home I critically examined my wardrobe to select the right outfit for the evenings festivities. My favorite black dress seemed to call to me, as it always does. However, the frequency of wears is starting to show and I want it to last me until my dying day. My cute red skirt with floral cutouts seemed promising, but seemed a bit obvious. A little "look, it's my Christmas celebration outfit"-esque. I finally chose to wear the skirt I bought years ago for Genius's wedding. Beautiful, green, lace and pearls. How could I go wrong.

I impatiently waited for the ear doctor to get home from work.

When he did he swept me right off my feet and down to Denver to fulfill a childhood wish and dream.

As the lights dimmed the orchestra music swelled. The oh, so familiar notes enveloped me. I was transported one of the million afternoons spent watching my favorite Christmas movie with my little sister at my side. For a moment I missed her with all my heart.

Throughout the show I sat on the edge of my seat, eyes the size of two shiny silver dollars. I hummed along with the songs that I know by heart. I became the 7 year old version of myself wishing I could tap dance and wear a huge red satin dress lined with white rabbit fur. I looked over at my wonderful husband and realized that he is one of the blessings that I can count if I'm ever having trouble falling asleep (you know, instead of sheep)

As the show ended the performers bowed and snow began to fall onto the audience from the top of the theater. I almost cried with pure, unadulterated, childlike happiness.

So, if you have a chance to go see White Christmas on stage, I highly recommend you do it.

Great Christmas Gift #12

Confession time: I love wearing layers. I don't really trust the temperature anywhere I go. The ear doctor can attest. If I'm too hot I feel sick and get really grouchy. If I'm too cold I stop talking and shiver all day.

Solution? Having lots and lots of layering tees. Up to this point in my life I've always had about 20 different white/black/solid colored tank tops that I wear under...well...pretty much everything. Lately, the tank top hasn't really been cutting it. The straps sometimes slip down and get really annoying.

And, while these aren't the most "exciting" gifts in the world, you can never have too many basics, right?

I ordered a basic cap sleeve shirt in black from Shade Clothing to wear with my Halloween costume this year and fell head-over-heals in love with their products. Seriously, the best basics on the planet earth.

I'm sure anyone would be excited to own this cute turtleneck with buttons on up the side in black (size Large for me...they tend to run kind of tight). Bonus, this is on sale right now!

Also, to add to my single black capped sleeved shirt, I'd love to get a white, light gray and celery colored basic capped sleeved shirt, all size Large.

I cannot say how much I love these basics! Thanks, Shade Clothing for making basics that are PERFECT!

Culinary Skillz

Monday I was laid up sick all day. I had a cold that was incapacitating. As a result, I didn't get a chance to go to the grocery store for our week of meals. Since all we had in the house to eat for dinner was a stale piece of left over gingerbread (still delicious, BTW) and one egg, I decided to order pizza.

It was delicious. I love me some cheap peperoni and mushroom pizza.

Last night I worked late, so our after our trip to the grocery store I decided that all I had the energy to make was spaghetti and meatballs. The ear doctor has been craving spaghetti and meatballs for the last 2 weeks.

I was even so tired that we used store bought tomato sauce (Prego, if anyone is interested).

Sitting down to this less than fancy dinner I looked over at the ear doctor to see him grinning from ear to ear. He could not have been happier with the 15 minute meal.

After taking a stroll down the college-meals memory lane he looked over at me and said, "Katie, thanks so much for the fine Italian food we've had 2 nights in a row!"


I guess I don't have to aim that high to meet his culinary expectations.


Although, in my defense I did make the meatballs from scratch using my mom's famous meatloaf recipe.

Great Christmas Gift #11

About 3 months ago I caught a special on the making of the Stormy Kromer cap and I've wanted one ever since. You can buy them at Cabela's, making them very manly and hard core for sure.

I think they are really functional and, dare I say it, really cute. (my brother-in-law is now rolling his eyes)

Anyway, I think it's cool. This hat is the kind of thing that, had a popular girl at my high school had shown up wearing one of these hats, they would have been ALL the rage. Just like carrying around Nalgene bottles of water.

Stormy Kromer Original Cap in Charcoal

PS You can also get them on sale over at the Restoration Hardware site, but I'd prefer to buy from the source. Their company's story is pretty awesome...very American Dream. Thanks Nicole!