The JOY of Memories

In January...I started knitting a sweater (it's not finished, but I'm 3/4 of the way there).
In February...we took a little trip to Lynchburg and Charlottesville.
In March...I read my favorite author, Anne Lamott's, latest book entitled Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith.
In April...Lee sent me my very own Reggie Bush jersey.
In May...I spent a fun weekend in Arlington with Erin.
In June...I visited family for ten awesome days in WV.
In July...Arinn and the girls came home.
In August...Gini visited me for a whole week.
In September...LEE CAME HOME!!!
In October...We spent a romantic four days in AZ.
In November...We celebrated with family and friends at Erin & Brian's wedding.
In December...I reveled in all that is Christmas.

Here's to 2008 and another year of JOYful memory-making! Happy New Year!

Le Pens

I've spent the last few minutes updating my 5-year journal with all the events of our Christmas holiday. These are my favorite pens for journaling...slim, fine-tipped, and colorful. Lucky for me, Santa stuffed a few new colors in my stocking, and they fit nicely inside my pen case.

Today's Joy...

We're home.

Good Doctor?

This commercial has made me laugh numerous times over the past few days. I hope it makes you giggle too. Don't forget to turn off my blog music and turn up your computer volume before pressing play.

My Guy

So many times during these past few days I've stopped and said a quick prayer of thanks that he's here with me. I can't imagine doing all that is Christmas at our house without him. It is pure JOY spending my days (and nights!) with him.

The Day After

So much JOY filled this house today that my words couldn't do it justice. I'll let these smiles speak for themselves.

Our Christmas

Christmas Eve Joy

...a morning hike for me & Lee...an afternoon pedicure...preparing dinner with my sister-in-law...gingerbread lattes from Starbucks...Christmas carols and candles...Bailey's on ice...a nerf gun battle...the annual scavenger hunt...diamonds for my right hand...

Dinner for Two

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the past few days, Lee and I haven't spent much time alone together. Tonight, after dropping the dogs at the kennel, we stopped for dinner at Panera Bread. We enJOYed a yummy meal at a little table for two in a quiet corner of the restaurant.

A Phone Call & Yoga Pants

Lee and I picked Gini up at the airport late Thursday night. We spent a fun 24 hours together, and then she left yesterday to spend some time with our parents. She just called to say she was missing Jake & Penny. I guess it's okay that she misses the dogs more than me ;-)

Anyway, I can't wait to spend some time with you next week, Gini. Oh! And thanks for the yoga pants. I'm wearing them right now and enJOYing their comfiness.

Birthday Cake

When Lee and I lived in FL, we visited a local Mexican restaurant quite frequently. Our most favorite part of the meal was dessert...Mexican Wedding Cake. I've searched for a recipe, but haven't ever been successful at finding one, nor have I found another restaurant that serves it. A few months ago, though, I had something similar at my sister-in-law Erin's bridal shower. The waiter told me it was called Tres Leches (three milks).

Erin found a bakery that makes the cake and surprised me with one today. Thanks, E!

Birthday Joy

I celebrated my 31st year with cards, phone calls, blog wishes, and roses. The party continues tomorrow...

Christmas Cards

JOY arrived in our mailbox from West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts, California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Japan.

Useful Things

I spent the majority of the day finishing up a couple of homemade Christmas presents. The kitchen table was quite a mess as I cut, glued, and stamped. Two things brought me JOY while I was busy creating...my pink and brown camouflage craft caddy & a new Christmas cd. The caddy holds all my most useful tools and supplies. It's looking empty in the picture since my stuff is strewn across the table. I love all the pouches, drawers, and elastic pockets where I can stash anything and everything I might need for a project. And! It has a magnetic pedestal that I can attach to the base so that it will spin. Such convenience! I played the Jars of Clay "Christmas Songs" cd over and over and over again while I worked. It is the most unique collection of Christmas music I've ever heard. It took a little getting used to, but I highly recommend it.

Random Joy

Sometimes I find JOY at the most random times and places during my day.

On the bookshelf in our bedroom, I noticed my collection of Beatrix Potter books from when I was little. These tiny books hold an amazing amount of childhood memories. The two at the bottom of the picture were my favorites. Can you tell that The Tale of Peter Rabbit was well-loved? It's worn edges are the result of some grasshopper's nibblings when I accidentally left it on the back porch one summer afternoon. The Tale of Two Bad Mice was probably my most favorite. I took the time to reread it, and I still love the story of the mice wrecking the dolls' house just as much! One of the most special things I found were the little notes my mom wrote in some of the books. She put my name in most of them, followed by the date they became mine (mostly in the late 70's), and sometimes she wrote the place...Winchester, VA...Starkville, MS...Williamsburg, VA...Bethesda, MD. I got most of them in December, either for my birthday or Christmas, I suppose. The numbers on the spines of the books tell me that my collection is not complete. Perhaps I'll treat myself to a new one for my birthday, and I won't forget to write my name, the date, and the place inside the front cover.

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

The Joy of Friends

Friends...that word has come to mean so much more over the past three years. They've gone over and above, stood in as family anytime I've needed them to and understood exactly what this life is REALLY like when other people just can't. We've weathered all the goodbyes together, kept each other entertained and uplifted during the long deployment months, and rejoiced with each other every time our guys have returned home safely. Last night they joined me for dinner to celebrate my birthday. Good food and great friends....lucky me!!

Something Yummy

Raspberry preserves between two layers of sponge cake iced with white and dark chocolate swirls...more pics of the birthday dinner tomorrow...

My Crafty Husband

Every once in a while, Lee offers to help with a craft project. I've been working on some CD's, as gifts for friends, and am in the midst of coloring the cover art. Lee took over last night and filled in the red berries and midnight blue letters. Thanks, Lovey!

So Sleepy

It's time for bed at our house, but here's a list of the JOYS from our day:

oatmeal squares with blueberries, bananas, and tupelo honey...rubber stamps and colored pencils...squeaky toys...a steaming mug of tea...iTunes...a long lunch together...kettle corn...new pj's...chicken enchiladas...flip-flops in December

Arlington Wreath Project

Located in one of the poorest areas of Maine, the Worcester Wreath Company donates their time and talents to create and ship over 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cementary each Christmas. Maine school children combine a field trip to our nation's capital with a visit to the cemetary to help lay the wreaths. To watch, click the pause symbol on my blog music and then the play symbol on the video. Thanks, Arinn, for sharing this feel good story with me.

A JOY Quote

"While most of the brain stops growing at certain stages of development, the brain's 'joy center', located in the right orbital prefrontal cortex, is the only section of the brain that never loses its capacity to grow! It is the one section of the brain that retains the ability to grow for our entire lives, which means that 'joy strength' can always continue to develop!"

~from The Life Model

Birthday Presents!!

So, it's only December 11th. I've still got over a week to go, but I got my first birthday present today. My best buddy, Arinn, gave me this bag. How cute is it?!?! Tucked inside was a Triple Fudge Brownie Mix. A new purse AND chocolate...two of my most favorite things. Thanks for the birthday JOY, Arinn!

Together in the Kitchen

Those of you that know me well know that I'm not a huge fan of soup. I'm more inclined to eat it, though, if it is homemade and has texture (I need something to chew!). Last night I made a pot of homemade tomato soup. It was delicious! My super cute hubby made some yummy grilled cheese sandwiches. We enJOYed our meal with a bottle of red wine and candlelight.

The JOY of Grocery Shopping

Lee and I have lived near some excellent gourmet grocery stores, places where it's actually pleasant to do the weekly shopping. List in hand, you go in knowing you'll find everything you need and then a few fun impulse buys as well. I can find almost everything I need here in town, but I wouldn't necessarily say I look forward to shopping at our stores. Last night we met some friends for dinner about 45 minutes south of here. The restaurant was so yummy, AND it was right next door to Harris Teeter. So, at 9pm on a Saturday night, Lee and I blissfully filled a basket with all sorts of fun stuff...orange spice tea, rosemary and lavender honey, Ghiradelli dark chocolate and toffee bars, a six-pack of Winter Hook, fresh squeezed orange juice, and a variety of Naked fruit smoothies.

The Beanbag

We spend a lot of time snuggling with the dogs on the floor, but our floor is hard!! After an extensive internet search, Lee purchased an Auburn beanbag. War Eagle! It doesn't actually match our decor, but it makes up for it with the comfort it provides. I'm not sure who is enJOYing it more, us or the dogs.

The JOY of Being Jobless

Lee found out late last week that he had to go on a "business trip" this week. Both of us were pretty bummed about it. Being apart, even for a few days, really stinks! The more we talked about it, though, we began to realize that we could make it work for us. It's times like these that I'm so thankful that I don't work outside our home. He left on Tuesday afternoon, and I joined him the next day after dropping the doggies off at the slammer. On Wednesday we had a lunch date, toured a museum, took a nap, visited with Ditty and had a scrumptious dinner. We spoiled ourselves on Thursday by sleeping in until 10:30am!!! Then we had a late breakfast, did a little Christmas shopping, and made a stop at Krispy Kreme before I headed home. It was a truly enJOYable 24 hours away.

Doughnut JOY

Family

Lee and I had the JOY of taking Ditty out to dinner last night...grilled shrimp, a filet with melted Brie, and grilled Halibut...two glasses of white and one red...chocolate peppermint cake with coffee...husband, wife, and grandmother.

A Mug of JOY

After dinner last night, I had such a treat! I was chilly, and I wanted chocolate. Inside the cabinet where we keep the chocolate stash, I noticed the Ghiradelli hot chocolate mix perched on the top shelf. Yes, that's just what I needed...a warm mug to hold and the dark chocolate liquid to satisfy my craving. While the microwave turned my cold milk steamy, I remembered a trip to Gini's friend Elli's house two years ago. She added Bailey's to her hot chocolate. It was the perfect addition. Thanks Elli!!

Sunsets

Driving home this evening, I was given the JOY of a gorgeous autumn sunset. It was one of those where the clouds are just right to reflect the magnificent rays of the setting sun. First it was a creamy orange and blue, and as the minutes ticked by, it just became more brilliant. The clouds resembled the folds of a rumpled comforter. The blue folds turned to purple, and the orange ones deepened to a fiery red.

The JOY of Lottery Tickets

Every now and then Lee brings me a scratch-off lottery ticket. He got home late from work on Friday night, and guess what he brought me. Lucky us...it was a winner!

Playtime JOY

These two make me laugh each and every day. In the midst of their wrestling matches, Jake tries to outsmart Penny by "escaping" underneath her. As you can see he just ends up carrying her around draped across his back.

More Mail!

My day is always a little bit brighter when I find one of these in my mailbox. Printed on recycled paper, the Paper Source catalog is not only a JOY to look at, but also to touch. I love the heavy paper and muted colors. I also very much enJOY the product descriptions, page titles, and fun quotes sprinkled throughout. This little catalog is filled with all sorts of things that bring me JOY...colorful pens, beautiful papers, journals of all shapes & sizes. I asked Santa for a Paper Source gift card. I've been a good girl this year, and I can't wait to spend it!