weekend recap.

We had a lovely first Christmas as husband and wife. Wish I could say that I slept all night, complete with dancing sugarplums. But nay, I was woken at 4:30 by a little lady wanting Auntie to take her downstairs to "watch something". Lucky for her I have a very soft spot for my nieces and was more than happy willing to take her down for some early morning movie watching. We cuddled in the back room, trying to both stay warm and keep the sound low enough not to wake the rest of the family (besides "brudder", who followed us down at 5). Finally, at 6:30 I let them wake up the rest and we enjoyed a Christmas morning of coffee drinking and present opening.

Then, big D, little D, and I got ready and made the drive to my sister's. Got to give and receive and watch our nieces open their gifts. There is something magical about Christmas through the eyes of a child. Hearing a teeny tiny voice screaming, "RIP IT!!!!!!" is simply one of the most joyful sounds I have ever heard. Joy to the world indeed.

For the rest of the weekend Danny was sick so we laid low. Watched countless movies, finished the re-watch of Lost season 5, did laundry, made pancakes in our pjs, and snuggled with Denver in our bed (and yes, I am ashamed to say this happened. "this" being breaking the "no-dog-in-the-bed rule).

To keep myself from going stir-crazy I read through 3 entire cookbooks. And I mean every. single. word. Am feeling passionate about cumin and egg whites and fresh parsley and heavy cream and mushroom caps and penne and red potatoes and hummus and minced garlic and bell peppers. And kneading and mixing and whisking and stirring and melting and slicing and mincing and chopping. Maybe one day I'll be a chef. Or maybe just a mom. I'd be happy with that.

And now it's Monday and Christmas left as quickly as it came. I am left feeling blessed. By each other, by family (even at 4 am), by friends, by our pup, by all the lovely things we were gifted with, and by the jobs we each returned to today. But mostly by our Savior's birth and all that follows.

This week...a little appetizer idea for that New Year's party, new pics of our growing pup, Danny's decision on to-cut or not-to-cut, and maybe a recipe or two.

Be blessed!