Oh Christmas Tree

I love that over the years our Christmas tree has come to reflect all the we have done, not what we have. For all that we have can disappear at anytime.
Our tree is a reflection of the places we have been...
SanFrancisco


New York


Madison, WI


Holland, MI


Pittsburg



The people we love...





And our hope and dreams...






Happy New Year. May 2013 bring you all that you need. Much Love

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5 miles in 24 degrees

It snowed again last night, but that didn't keep me from running today thanks to my new Yaktrax Pro gear.


They helped keep me steady in the snow and on the ice.
Bring on more snow!


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Let it Snow

We didn't have a White Christmas, but it has been a winter wonderland since the day after.












Jer and I have been hiking out in the snow this week. So beautiful.

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Cheers - Gin Mule style

Forgot to mention that Jer gave me copper cups to make Gin-Gin Mules! Love them! Jer is putting up hooks in the kitchen for them now.


Thank you honey!

Gin-Gin Mule
Ingredients
serves 1, active time 2 minutes, total time 2 minutes

10 mint leaves
1/2 ounce simple syrup (or to taste)
1/2 ounce lime juice
ice
1 1/2 ounces gin
2 ounces chilled ginger beer
garnish: lime wedge and mint sprig

Procedures
In a cocktail shaker, lightly muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and lime juice.

Add gin and fill with ice; shake gently until chilled (you don't want to smash the mint to smithereens), about 10 seconds. Strain into a highball glass or copper mug filled with ice, add ginger beer and stir. Garnish with lime wedge or mint sprig, or both.

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Happy Holidays - Christmas Day

Willow, one of our cats, has the whole Christmas thing down. From the moment we woke up she was running around all excited and had her eye on the stockings. They go first.








Then we get to open our presents.





It took about four hours to open them all. We had no where to go so we took our time.
We had some lunch, played some games, watched some movies. In general had one of the most relaxing Christmases ever.


The cats tired themselves out.
Cole slept by the fire.


Willow knapped on her favorite blanket.


Merry Christmas!

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Happy Holiday - Christmas Eve

Can't believe that Christmas is over. I haven't blogged for awhile, not sure I can fit everything into one post. So there may be another holiday blog.

Mom is in town!



Mom and Jack are engaged :) It has been a very merry Christmas for mom.


Christmas eve, Jer made his bomba (sorry you missed it Joe)


And poured lots of beer.


Suzie, Brenden, Liam, Linda, Mom and Jack all joined us.


That evening we settled in and watched "It's a Wonderful Life". We watch it every year.
Stocking were then hung by the chimney with care. And we went to sleep with visions of morning coffee dancing in our heads.

To be continued.

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Early Christmas Present

Jeremy gave me one of my presents last night, mini copper mug ornaments. They are the perfect size for Bumble to hold.
He looks like he is ready for new years eve.



Merry Christmas

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Vertical Epic Ale

We found out this morning that the 4-4-04 beer we drank last night was worth $400. Ooops!
Good thing we didn't know that last night. It was a great beer. Trying to find the other beers, but the 12-12-12 is already going for $30. And it is only two weeks old.
Stone brewery brewed a special batch of beer for the past 12 years.


If you find any of these while you are out you should pick them up. Well, as long as the are not selling for $400.

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It's the end of the world as we know it

... and I feel fine, drinking a eight year old beer.
Jeremy and I have had this beer in our frig for eight years. Tonight we opened it and drank it!



Kitty helped






























Tomorrow we look for the other beers. The 5.5.05 thru the 12.12.12.


The beer had aged out well. It has more of a brandy and butterscotch taste with a ABV of 8.5%. Yep, we are toasted. Good thing we are home. A great way to celebrate the end of the world.
Cheers!

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Decorated the office for the holidays

Everyone in my group at work decorated their cubes. The theme was 12 days of Christmas. I had partridge in a pear tree, so I turned it into the Partridge Family Pear Tree.









We had an open house last week for the entire office.
I served sparkling pear cider.






Merry Christmas!
Come on get happy :)

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Weather Prediction

It looks like Goose Island Brewery is predicting a mild winter. I think they may be on to something. Today is Dec 16, 60 degrees, and we have had the windows to the house open all day. Feels a bit like a repeat of last year.
Either way, we have beer!
Merry Christmas, everyone!

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Oh Christmas Tree

The tree is up! Yesterday we had a great time getting out the decorations and reminiscing as we hung the ornaments.

Jeremy topping the tree with the star.



The tree and ornaments.


When we travel we try to pick up a Christmas tree ornament as our souvenir. Our tree has become our 3D scrapbook for all of our adventures. This year we have two from our Madison, WI trip.

Decorated the mantle too!



Merry Christmas!

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