A Very Merry.
I am one of those people that loves that Christmas is coming...and is just as happy to see it go. I have been known to take down all my decorations, including my tree, the night of Christmas. Yes, I am a little nutty. Certifiably so.
We had a very nice Christmas. Low key. Simple.
Christmas Eve dinner was with Chris' parents at their house. Feasted on turkey soup and the most fabulous crusty bread I have had in a long time. Opened presents and came home late.
This morning was awesome. I will never tire of hearing Simon's little voice shout presents as he tries to wiggle out of my arms. The Dora house was a total hit. After our immediate family morning we drove down south to visit and have dinner with Chris' grandparents. So nice and calm and just lovely. We all took little naps and chatted and ate and just enjoyed the presence of others.
And, I wanted to share a few things that have been making me merry lately:
• Stick pins with small pearls on the end.
• A lovely, refreshing drink concoction which includes equal parts cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, and mineral water with a slice of lime (courtesy of Body & Soul). Chris and I think it would be pretty tasty with a bit of vodka too.
• Homemade salsa from an old co-worker/friend back in the day:
14 oz jar diced tomatoes
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 jar diced jalapenos
1 bunch cilantro
juice from 1 lime
salt to taste
mix it all up in a food processor and you are good to go - tends to be even better after all the flavors have blended together.• Red wine.
• TIVO - new to us as of today. My gift to Chris. He is giddy with excitement.
• Trying to stay on top of this whole simplicity thing - I find myself being very conscious of it as I go about my day. Asking myself, "do I really need this?" Trying to clean things as I go and not put them off until later. On Christmas Eve I took an entire car load of stuff to Goodwill. And there is still more. So many things we have are just excess. Feels good to be refocusing and being aware.
• This collage I bought from Navylane Studio. It is beautiful on the screen and amazing in person. Planning to get a frame for it tomorrow.
• Ribbons, ribbons, and more ribbons. I got some samples of these last week and can't wait to add them to my classes.
• Having Chris work at home. At first this was quite an adjustment. I had gotten used to it being just me when I work during the day (and Simon is at school). Now that he is grooving on his campaign stuff, and I am back in the groove on my scrapping stuff things seem to be cruising along. I like having him here. I like having him happy even more.
It has been quite a year for us. Looking forward to reflecting a bit more on this as 2005 comes to a close this week. If you have not seen a copy of the January 2006 CK (February is hitting the stands now) my column is about scrapbooking your intentions for the new year. Might get you in the mood to reflect and look ahead as well.
Oh yea, and if you are wondering about my Christmas Art Journal...I got behind after my trip to Indiana and then needed to focus on other things. Still hoping to go back in and create some pages based on the awesome prompts I have saved.
It's awesome you had a great Christmas, Ali. You have inspired me to reflect on the year and really think AM I DOING WHAT I WANT WITH MY LIFE? Thanks for being an inspiration in '05 - hope to read more in '06. : )
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Merry Christmas to you and yours. Live simply. Live fully. You are going to love your TiVo. It changes your relationship with your tv. Enjoy!
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Glad you had a wonderful Christmas and also glad to see that you are not the only one still up after midnight on Christmas. I already took the trees down! I LOVE for Christmas to come but also love to get everything put back in its place.
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Ha! I'm not the only one up late blogging. :) Sounds like a GREAT Christmas, Ali. Looking forward to your reflections on 2005 and the year to come. And yay for TIVO! :)
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The collage is beautiful. Isn't that one of the things art is all about? Sharing beauty and meaning with others? Not to mention, of course, the expression of who you are.
Earlier in the fall, I was discussing where we wanted to be headed with some of my fellow crone friends. The words intent and intend came up as the discussion became deeply philosophical (said with a chuckle). I like that. What are my intentions? If my newly found good health holds up, I can hope for maybe another 30 years of intentions. When I was 20, the time to my 80s seemed like an eternity. Nowadays, it seems like it is coming at me with lightning speed. To intend - to direct the mind on - is now framed in an entirely different context.
Some where in my late 20s or early 30s, I got completely off-track. Took a good while to get back on my purposed path but that is part of life - Learning, tossing out what doesn't work (even if one is a slow learner at times) and going forward.
Rejoice in knowing that your art and your thoughts inspire a lot of people. Can't ask for much more than that, the wise woman says .
Bec
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and a merry christmas to you! =)It is so funny that you too take down the tree asap. I am itching to get it down. put it all away... just as fast as I put it all up. Love this time of year, but also like the simplicity of January.
Oh and what a great collage. Totally reminds me of the work my mom does. =) Great sutff, and as always inspiring. So good to know others are getting into the simple life stuff too. Good stuff. Take care! =)
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wow that collage is too good to be true, just breathtaking! Good to hear that chris is doing well with his campaign! Love this blurry picture of simon. It looks like he is full of wonder and excitement to see what he gets!
Have fun today!
corinnexxx
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Gotta love Tivo and Dora. Tivo has actually simplified my life. I am no longer a slave to TV, I watch it when I'm good and ready. Glad you had a good Christmas... Love the photos of Simon.
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If my teething 9 month old had let me sleep at all last night, our tree would be down already this morning. lol So I can relate. As it is I have to take a deep breath and put it on tomorrows to do list instead.
And I hear you on the simplicity thing. My mil is ready to commit me (she's packrat x 10) and is wanting to stand guard by my dumpster I've become so overly eager. lol
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love the new banner and sidebar quote...thanks for the reminder for simplicity...good thoughts for me to carry into the new year...lovin' Simon's feety jammas...got some for my 7 yo dd for Christmas because she's been missing them. peace to you and yours!
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TiVo will simplify your life. Imagine- no commercials. Imagine- watch what you want, when you want. I've always watched a ton of television, and TiVo hasn't increased that one bit, actually decreased. Gads, I sound like a commercial.
I'm a piler- piles here, piles there. Then I go through and de-pile. I love bins and boxes to contain my piles. Very occasionally, I'll purge and take a couple of carloads to Goodwill. I need to stop things before they come in the door.
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I just ADORE your new quote! (And enjoy that Tivo...it's the love affair of a lifetime.) :)
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balance = nice.
have a VERY lovely holiday!
;-)
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What a great example you are for me...a reminder to live in the moment and keep it simple. I need that. Glad you had a peaceful Christmas!
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Wanted to say thanks, Ali, for sharing so much of your life and time with us. I love to read your blog and often send snippets to friends and family--scrappers and non-scrappers alike. LOVE your new column in CK. Your outlook on life and scrapping is so realistic and refreshing.
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Merry Christmas dear Ali!!!
Haven't read your blog in forever. You always make me smile. TIVO is a huge deal in our house!!!! You are going to love it!
Oh, speaking of drink recipes...here is Oprah pomegranate martini's. YUM!!
1 C Pomegranate juice
2 oz. Absolute Citron Vodka
1 oz. Cointreau
Shake and serve! The pomegranate juice is sooooooo good for you too!! :)
I am just like you with the Christmas decorations. They come down tomorrow and life will get back to normal. Love the photo of Simon. We only took video this year. When the kids wake you up at, oh say....7 am, it's still dark outside for cryin' out loud!!!! Not the best lighting. :)
Anyway, I hope our paths cross again soon Ali. Miss you!!!
Dana
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Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas....I'm so glad. Loved your post and that drink sounds yummy. I agree that a splash of Vodka would make it perfect!!
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Glad to hear your Christmas was so low key..I long for that! The new drink sounds good, and I totally feel you on the simplicity and cleaning...I currently have 6 hugs garbage bags and 2 boxes ready for the Goodwill...and I'm not even close to being finished!! But it feels good to get rid of the excess!
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Glad to hear you enjoyed your Christmas. I too love for Christmas to come, but am ready for things to be back in places. The Christmas decor came down today.
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my 3 boys LOVE the dora house
so glad they made it yellow:)
gi joe attacks it from time to time
but what are ya gonna do
so enjoyed whatching your blog this season
kellicrowe
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Happy New Year!!
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Wishing you and your family a very happy new year !!
Thanks Ali for continuing to inspire, motivate & encourage me to grow in all aspects of my life. You never cease to amaze me and I look forward to meeting you in 2006 :)
{hugs}
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Got the February Issue of CK. Your article is most enjoyable. Your smile is overwelming! The picture of you and Becky on page 142 rocks. I love your hat. Looks kind of Momish.
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so cute!!!
i have you on my blog list, my blog is http://www.kristenfischer.com/myblog.htm if you want to add back.
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glad to hear you had a good Christmas Ali. Love reading your blog - reminds me of what is truly important: simplicity and family.
Funny thing: reading about your getting behind on your Christmas journal made me laugh - nice to hear that even "the great ones" get behind!
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