This All Started with the Front Door.

I looked at my front door today, and you know what I saw?  I saw the Thanksgiving wreath still on the door!  I honestly couldn't believe that I had forgotten to change to my winter wreath.  I'm not one to decorate for each season, but that was a true oversight on my part.  So, I quickly changed the wreath, only to find, I couldn't close my door.  What?  The door closed a minute ago!!  It took me a while to figure out that I had hung the wreath hanger upside down.  That's why the door wouldn't close.  Problem solved.
I checked the weather forecast.  What do you mean, it's going to snow?  I'm not through with my shopping!!!  So, I had better get going, but, wait!
I need to go to the grocery store first!  What's wrong with my freezer door?  It doesn't close tightly enough.  Dang it!  It needs to be cleaned out before I go to the grocery store.  Well, if I don't go to the grocery store today, I'll have to go in the predicted snow.  No, that's not going to work.  I better go to the store today, but before I go, I have to clean out the freezer and the refrigerator.  Okay, but Pixie has not had any attention all day, and she looks like she needs some attention.  Okay, then clean out the refrigerator and the freezer and play with Pixie.  I'm not going to go until after supper.  Wait!  I can't go after supper because I have the laundry to do.  Okay, the kids will be coming home, when?

Right now, Charlie Brown is on.  I caught a glimpse of him as I raced downstairs with the laundry.  The tree is lit.  I don't even remember lighting the tree tonight.  It's starting to get dark outside.  I haven't even turned the lights on in the house.  This isn't right.

I stop and sit on the couch looking outside.  There's only a little bit of snow on the ground this year.  The neighbors across the street have a beautiful setting of lights on their front porch.   The neighbor next door just drove in from work.  Pixie just came in for an ear rub.  She deserves a wonderful ear rub, so I rub her ears. I leave the lights out and pour myself a small glass of wine.  I'd like to call some of my family, but not right now.  I'll call them later.  Right now, I'm caught in a moment.  I want this moment. 

In the background I hear Charlie Brown talking about the real meaning of Christmas.  Looks like I've missed it again this year.  Enough is enough.  It's not too late.  I'm lucky.  I'll be able to hug and kiss my children when we get together for Christmas.  We'll be able to weave our way through our silly traditions and laugh.  We'll be able to play games together.  We'll be able to talk about our year and delight in the fact that we are together again. 

Yes, this is what I want.  Okay, tomorrow I'll clean out the refrigerator and freezer.  If I don't get to the store, it will wait until the kids get home.  There's time.  Now, I want to enjoy this moment to the fullest.  I want meditate on what Christmas is really all about.  I want to embrace this moment and this day.  I'm ready.  I'm ready.

I Heart Macro - Xmas is coming!

I Heart Macro!

Xmas is coming

and

Pixie is ready!

She's Ready!

I Heart Macro!

It's Almost Here!

Are you ready?
It's Almost here!
How are you celebrating?

Christmas in New Zealand and Christmas in Minnesota

Have you ever wondered what differences there are in the celebrations for Christmas in different cultures, particularly, between Minnesota and New Zealand?

Well, this month, Deb Batten (Firebird Flamework) and I have decided that our challenge for artistic growth will be to document the differences in our cultures as we celebrate the holidays.

We are going to use our photographic skills to present to you a photo journal
of our lives as we celebrate Christmas.

Our reveal will be on December 27, 2010. We think that this might be enough time to recover from the festivities. I'm already tired!

In case you've never wondered about our cultural differences, I'm sure that now, you will be waiting to see what we show. So, stay tuned and see you on December 27th!

Oh, you can check out Deb's blog for her side of the story. (Notice I put the link to her blog at the end of my blog?) ;)

I Know I forgot something....

But What is It?
Ho! Ho! Ho!

Hoffman Family Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas!
This year I decided that things needed to change.
I always want to keep up with
family and friends,
but writing Christmas cards
just got to be too much and too expensive.

This year,
this will be the
Hoffman Family Christmas Letter!

No, this isn't Spike. ------------->
I had to put Spike to sleep at the end of August.
That nearly broke my heart.
He was a good dog,
but he had lived way past his life expectancy.
His last week of life was not a happy one for him. We both knew it was time. Jenny was able to come home to be with us during Spike's final hours. I still miss him a lot, but I have a new love in my life.
Her name is Pixie Marie, and she's a wonderful, loving greyhound!
She's a retired racer, and that girl loves to run!
I am so blessed to have been given the gift of this beautiful dog!
She's filled a spot in my heart that needed to be filled!
I am most grateful for that.
If we are "friends" on Facebook, you can see all the photos I have of her there. Most of the photos of Pixie are of her laying down.
She truly is a 45 mph couch potato!













Life continues to be good for us. Nick gave me a wonderful birthday present this year! Jenny and I were gifted by Nick with tickets to a Joshua Raiden concert in the Twin Cities. This is Jenny with Josh Raiden.--------->
We had such a good time that night! I only wish Nick had been able to be there, too!

Speaking of Jenny, she has a new job! She's working for an insurance company in the Twin Cities as a phone center specialist.
Yipee!
She's doing well, and keeping busy! I can't keep up with either Jenny or Nick!
They will both be home for Christmas!
I can hardly wait!


















Nick turned 30 this year!
That is so hard to believe.
I still remember that little boy who only wanted a
big gun for his birthday!
Nick still lives in Chicago and loves it there.
He's moved into a new apartment. While being sick with the Swine Flu, the ceiling in his bathroom collapsed.
That's a very long story, and I won't go into it. He's in a much better apartment now not far from where his old apartment was located.

That was just a brief summary of the year.
Of course many other things happened.
I attended the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee again.
That was so much fun!
I hope to go again in 2010.
Both of the kids were able to be home for my birthday this year.
We had fun.





















This --------------------->
was part of my birthday celebration.
I had a Margarita at the restaurant.
















I was also wearing my
new shoes! ------------------>




Overall, it was a good year!
So, to all of our family and friends,
We wish you peace, love and joy!
Merry Christmas
and a
Happy New Year!
Mallory, Jenny, Nick, and Pixie Marie

Xmas Lights in the Neighborhood

It's a Beautiful Season in the neighborhood!

I don't know how you feel, but

I feel it's just too early for Christmas. Spike is ready, or, at least, he thinks he is. He's already been looking for Santa, and, more importantly to him, reindeer tracks! I guess it's time to start the shopping. I like Oprah's idea, though, rather than shop, make Christmas more meaningful. I like that idea. We'll see what I can come up with to capture the real meaning of Christmas. Any ideas? I love suggestions! What do you do to make Christmas more meaningful to you and your family?