Snow.

If you live in Kansas, Snow is the topic of the day. Last night, around halfway through an episode of White Collar on Netflix, it began to snow, big heavy flakes. It had been raining ALL DAY and frankly I was more worried about ice than excited about snow.

It’s hard to believe that Saturday we were taking an afternoon walk in the sun with light hoodies:

And now I’m bundled up wondering just how much we will get when all is said and done.

What really gets me is that yesterday everyone was panicking about blizzard conditions, school snow days, cancelled events, and such, and as you can see above… it’s really not a lot. From what I hear, people here in town love to make a big deal out of things, and this is par for the course. My friend who works at Wal-Mart tells me that every time snow is in the forecast, the masses come out to stockpile their pantries, shopping like it’s the end of the world. Like snow is going to bury their entire house and they won’t be able to come out until April. I’m not even a Kansan, I’m a Californian, and I am acknowledging while pretty, it’s nothing to really get worked up about. Unless it snows for days and days on end like it did this spring–that was a real blizzard condition.

All that said, I’m glad my sister, who flies in Saturday, will get to have a white Christmas–possibly for the first time since we moved to California from Colorado? Correct me if I’m wrong, Steph! I can’t wait for her to come!!

Also, the first half of our Christmas cards just went out (I brought them to work for the mailman to pick up). I hope when they arrive at their destinations, they aren’t soggy!

A Christmas Party and a Confession

Here is my confession. I did not take any photographs of the I Heard A Lion Christmas party hosted at my house on Saturday. This is really inexcusable considering that I now have a phone that makes it really really easy to take, edit and e-mail some decent quality photos.

I will have you know that the party was great. Considering that half of the attendees were battling an illness of some kind, it was low-key and merry. We began with snacks (everyone brought something and we ended up with a great spread: little smokies, veggie tray, cookies, home-made chocolate bark, crackers and dip, pull-bread) and then did a small gift exchange. I love giving gifts (yes, I love getting gifts) but what I really love is seeing what other people get each other! As a kid, I loved to get LOTS AND LOTS of presents on Christmas day, but over the years I have found that giving one gift forces the giver to put more thought into finding the perfect item, making it more special. Ah, what growing up does to us. Loved to spend time with our little “family,” old members and new alike.

For my contribution to the evening, I made two delicious snacks, both snagged from a blog authored by one of my mom’s friends: Elderberry Street, which I totally stumbled upon via Pinterest one day. The world really is small!! Anyway, I made Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls (which, if I make again, I know what I want to change) and the Fiesta Christmas Tree (personal favorite–so easy and so good! And totally mild even though salsa is an ingredient).

The evening wrapped up with a laid-back board game (my favorite, Loaded Questions). I did the majority of the dishes and was in bed by 11:00… which is the perfect party for someone with a killer head cold!

Here’s hoping that the rest of the party attendees caught neither the cold or flu! So glad everyone could make it.

iPhone

Dear whoever looked at a ton of my posts and gave me 40+ views yesterday:
You rock!

Okay, on to business. For Christmas, Doug and I are buying everyone either fair trade or handmade goods, and by doing so supporting a skilled individual with a face and a name rather than a big corporation! Except…. well, for ourselves… we decided to make the upgrade and get iPhones. And Apple really doesn’t have a great labor track record. To assuage my guilt I’m using the phone for positive things like connecting with people I love, using the free2work app, and using Lose It! to keep my holiday indulgence in check.

Oh, and taking lots of cute pictures of my dog.

     
I had a most excellent time with my parents last weekend and that will be blogged about in due course. This week I’m preparing for the IHAL Christmas party this Saturday, including making a few things to eat (it will be potluck style so not all the pressure is on me) and making some decorations. I haven’t decided on what to make. Sweet, salty, savory? Got any suggestions?