Holiday Time

I am new to the regular hours type of job. Generally I have been working in industries that amp up this time of year. The prospect of finally getting to enjoy the season with my family is so beyond wonderful, I am having difficulty grasping it fully.

None the less, I am getting a bit giddy for the upcoming holiday time and our trip to Ohio. I love visiting out there and Tiff's family is always so wonderful to be with.

Checking it Twice...

While I have not been shopping this weekend out of principle, I have been considering my holiday shopping. My list seems longer than ever, the people I want to get something for. I am excited, but a little daunted by the sheer numbers of people to buy for. Beyond that though, there are quite a few people that I could shoot in the dark and try and get something they would like, but wish truly they would write a list out. It is so much more gratifying to get something that someone wants. To me that doesn't seem like a cheat so much as a chance for people to grow together the list of things they might not ordinarily buy themselves. Also, if they are at all like me, there are a few things that they just seem never to get around to get.

Perhaps Christmas lists are a bit silly, but they do help.

Turkey Free Tradition

It was a wonderful return to a tradition I started in Chicago. I biked to the Turkey Trot today to run before a fabulous feast. It was a treat to bike there and participate. I run all the time, but it was fun to be lined up on a "fun" run today. I also loved that my entry went right to United Way. My last race was in New York and a completely different atmosphere. One thing was the same though. There were a lot of people excited to be there. This time though, I was trying to stay off of the dog tails in front of me and not get run over my hyper, turkey clad runners. There was a simple pleasure to get to the race by bike and participate, do some good, and earn an extra slice of pie. As an added bonus, I get to wear the most atrocious shirt I own!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Sour Cream Apple Tradition

A long time ago, in a tiny studio apartment in Chicago I stumbled upon a recipe for a Sour Cream Apple Pie. At that point my friends were still compiling a Thanksgiving feast almost pot luck style, but with a tad more organization. Having never enjoyed pumpkin or pecan pies, I decided to give this a crack. So as to not tempt disaster, I made one a few weeks in advance to see if it was any good. I am of the school that anything baked is best right out of the oven. This pie was horrible right out of the oven.

Thoroughly bummed that I would then need to eat the rest of this pie myself (studio and little money for food), I tucked it in the fridge to endure it the next day. Having a left over burger from work or pie to chose from, I opted to try the pie again. Turns out it was best chilled overnight and for the record, that was not in the recipe. It was good. I made it for my friends and it was a hit. I made it each year we got together as my regular offering.

I have made it now for my family, my in-laws, and several friends. I may be the pie's greatest fan, but it always is well received. Having made it several years, it has become pretty easy too. What I love most about making it is the connection to all those Thanksgivings and so many great times with family and friends. Tonight I made it again, this time for my wife and my parents.

From that tiny studio to now, I am very grateful for all those loved ones I have made this silly pie for.

Christmas in June

For no particular reason, Tiff and I decided tonight to have Christmas in June night. We are making a very holiday-like dinner and have found a Christmas music station on Apple TV. I pulled out the Santa towels that evaded being boxed and stored. It's goofy and fun! There's no tree or gifts, just wonderful smells of cinnamon, clove, and ginger! We're about to watch a holiday like movie and just settle in.

It's not that this particular bizarre evening is that important as it is know and appreciating that I have someone in my life that is was wonderfully quirky as I am. That is a blessing and one I am continually grateful for.

Good Day

It's one of those rare and fun Sundays I don't have to work. I was able to do my long run (18mi) and not wonder how tired I would be by the end of my shift tonight. I got to have coffee with some good friends a little bit ago and now am home about to embark on our first good sized kitchen renovation. My folks are coming over later to help and have dinner with us. It's also Easter sunday and for me that has been a day I celebrate my friends more than anything else formally. We have all been scattered across the country these days, but every Easter we find a way to be a part of each other's lives. All in all, it's just a good day.

Happy Picture Friday

We Always...

It's interesting when visiting Tiff's family. You get to see the traditions they enjoy and what becomes important. I love it. When you are welcomed in for the holidays and get to enjoy a new perspective on things you may not already consider. It's truly a treat. I miss my family, for certain, but am truly grateful to be so welcomed here in Ohio.

Ohio!

It was the get around and visit friends day. Tiff is new to the fly home for Christmas routine and it feels very familiar to me. After a few years it felt good to finally just relax. Today, though, was not that day. We hightailed it all over, enjoying lunch with our friend Amanda in Niles. Then we booked it up to Cleveland and had dinner with Brian and Olivia and their two boys. It felt good getting about and I loved seeing all the new sights.

There's a added thrill in just visiting and not writing the dance card.

DEN to CLE

"Ah."

The simple relief of sitting at the gate at DIA, ready to board our flight. There is such a routine to get just to this point. Getting the dogs to my folks, packing, and repacking (packing once again). The profuse gratitude to Scott for wheeling us here. Then the circus of TSA security. I enjoyed the full body x-ray only to be pulled aside, have my fingers swabbed and tested, patted down and asked, "do you have a gun on you?" No lie.

Yes air travel is luxurious and fancy.

Tiff and I are off to Ohio for Christmas. I am excited to see her family and will miss mine. It's still the greatest gift every year to spend it with family. As I get older I appreciate ll the work that goes into gathering around the Christmas tree on December 25th. Hell, even the cost of the tree has meaning now.

However, my time is up and we boarding momentarily. As is tradition from Denver International Airport, I bid you, my 4 readers, adieu.

Fa La La La La

The final packages are being wrapped and arrangements for multiple family Christmas stops are being worked out. I love this time of year, but always feel there's a simplicity that annually escapes me. I yearn for the ease of just enjoying my families without all the hulabalou. It is that energy though that makes it fun too. I look forward to seeing loved ones more than any gift. That is what I look forward to personally.

Happy Picture Friday

I Had Christmas Down in Africa

There is a great magic in the air this time of year. It has been documented by many, far more qualified than I, but it feels so good when the stress is not there. You get to just enjoy the Christmas lights and a good holiday song (currently The Twelve Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser). As with all life, when I keep it simple for me I enjoy it more.

Nutcracker

Just saw The Nutcracker for the first time with my wife and two close friends. I feel as though I have finally partaken in a festive holiday classic. It was great and a little reassuring that even as an adult you have things that make you go, "wow" at Christmas time! That's it for tonight.

Christmas Ambling

It was good to get out a do some Christmas shopping today. I enjoyed it but mostly I was master of my own destiny today. I had no one with me and no necessity to purchase today. I am enjoying that middle ground of being excited to shop for my family but interested in moderation and keeping everything reasonable. It felt good to be out and just take my time. That seems to have been in shortage out there lately, the ease I enjoyed. Why does the holiday season seem to force such a frenzy? Buy now and save or miss out! To hell with that. I say stroll. Find the farthest parking space and take numerous coffee breaks.

Happy Picture Friday

HappyPicture Friday

Shenanigan Afoot

Happy St Patrick's Day! Truly one of my favorite holidays, regardless of the fact i don't drink. It's just one of those days that inspire people to be happy. For many, that will come after much whiskey and some freakishly tinted beer. To some, it's dying and ordinarily greenish river mutant turtle green.To others still, it seems just a good day to celebrate the spirit of being Irish. Regardless of how you enjoy today, I do hope that you find a little added merriment in your world this Thursday. Happy St. Pat's Day to each and everyone of you and to my beloved Irish snakes, blessed be!

Seems a good day to celebrate lucky number 7!

Candy Cane Hangover

The day after. It always has a strange introspection for me. After hearing my first Christmas song of the season in early October, it's odd that the day itself is now completed. It went well and as per usual there were the surprises, twists and turns, the loved ones not close enough, and the gift that made you sure the tag could not have had your name on it. It was grand though. What's strange is the new outlook that, with the exception of New Years, there is not another holiday insight that wields nearly the same punch. If anything we begin the 3 month stretch of talking about the weather. For a change, I will get a chance to focus on some daily maintenance. That sounds fantastic to me, I don't know about you.

Here's hoping that the big day yesterday found you well and there were moments you can still think about that make you smile. Happy Boxing Day to all and to all a good day, eh?

Holiday Spirit

I pose this question to the tree of you, my avid readers: How does one find holiday spirit when it does not readily arrive with the decorations? I know a few folks that are having a tough time this year getting into the whole holly-jolly and I totally get it. At the same time, for most of my adult life I have faced the economic fears that many are suffering through now. One year, my big gift was boughs of reeds wrapped and offered for luck. Talk about strapped. Hell, I thought that might not even happen as the police were explaining to me the finer points about laws preventing people from removing things like reeds from National Parks. He actually had to think about it when I offered to take them back. .
I don't know how to impart that the holiday spirit need not come in a present or a fortune under the tree. It just has to do with finding some extra love and good will. At least that's what it seems like to me. What I have enjoyed most this year is watching how some have started being just a little nicer out there. That warms me up some. Christmas is about that to me. After this, we just get snow and fierce weather without twinkly lights.