Write a Good One

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Soup

When my mom invites you over for her delicious homemade chicken noodle and dumpling soup, you don't say no.  (Added bonus: It was the perfect lunch for this bitterly cold day - a high of -10 today!)

Randomosity From the Week

My drive home from work on Thursday was a very pretty one in the rear view mirrors.  While the snow often causes inconveniences and the temperatures are unbearable at times, there sure are gorgeous sights during the winter season.  (Okay, we're not "technically" in the winter season yet but Mother Nature doesn't listen to the calendar here in North Dakota!)

Last night I read about "Frito Feet" (oh, the random tidbits you stumble upon while skimming Pinterest).  After reading the article I had to say, "Huh, interesting; yeah, Crickett's paws do have a chip-like smell."  Crickett spends a good portion of her nights on my pillow with her paws in my face so while I've always noticed a smell, I never really pinpointed it to a food product until now and I find it interesting that it's a common thing among dogs.  Who knew bacteria could be so interesting?  You're off to go smell your dogs paws now, aren't you? ;)

Five Years Old

Our beautiful girl turned five today!  Happy Birthday, little Miss Crickett!

2013 Ornament

On Saturday, Mitch and I bought our 2013 Hallmark Christmas ornament.

North Pole Tree Trimmers

This jolly little tree trimmer

is testing every light

to make sure every Christmas tree

will sparkle big and bright.

And right before he gives each bulb

that "Elf-Inspected" mark,

he adds a bit of extra Christmas magic

to its spark!

Tuesday Thrifting and Treats

On Tuesday, my sister and I visited our favorite thrift store's Christmas store.  It is a cozy, cute little place with so many wonderful things; it would have been easy to spend more than my hour-long lunch there.  It would have been easy to buy a cartload of stuff, too, but I restrained myself (mostly because I got overwhelmed) and came home with only this tin:

I'm regretting not buying more knick-knacks so I may venture back there again soon.  I only work two blocks away so it's a little too accessible!

After work that day, I made the first (of what will be MANY) batches of my Christmas pretzel treats.  These are the only things I make for the holiday but they are definitely all that needs to be made; Mitch and I have been eating them like crazy!  They are a little too delicious, the perfect combination of salty and sweet, crunchy and smooth.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Christmas decorations came out the Saturday following Thanksgiving!  It was a wonderful afternoon and evening for me!  I have a few more things to do (the big finale is decorating the tree!) and then you can bet I'll be bombarding this blog with photos of my work.

November Tidbits: Books and Cameras

I mentioned in my last post that I was reading Chris Bohjalian's novel Before You Know Kindness.  Well, I made it to page 82 before I had to call it quits.  The book was slow-moving, repetitive, and I really didn't like any of the characters.  I am always hesitant about giving up on a book but I've come to the conclusion - and was backed by my cousin who voiced the same opinion - that life is too short to read books that do nothing for you.  So, I moved on to bigger and better things!

Nearly six years and thousands of pictures later, my husband mentioned upgrading our point-and-shoot camera.  Being the photography enthusiast I am, I wasn't going to argue with something new and better than what I currently had so the week before Thanksgiving we purchased a new camera.  I kinda sorta miss my old camera, the way I could just whip it out and know exactly how to get to the setting(s) I wanted, but I know once I actually start warming up to the new camera, the same feelings will unfold.  Time to capture more memories!