Monthly Chronicle

This has been a great month to start off the new year.  I hope January is a reflection of all the months ahead. 

 +  Hiked at Erwin Park.
+  Discovered Top Golf with friends.
+  I got my haircut again.  This is a record.
+  I sat for 3 hours at the Department of Public Safety just to change my address.
+  The exterior of our house got a face lift.
+  I made and went to an appointment with the specialist.
+  I attended a Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis concert and had the best time.  I may have been the youngest person there.
+  My sister and her husband's adoption went through and they got a baby boy!
+  My mama had a birthday.
+  I returned to yoga this month after a long hiatus.
+  I took the challenge and sorted through closets, cupboards, and the garage and took it all to new homes. 
+  I got the garden boxes in.  More to come.
+  With that came the compost bin.
+  Had a movie night with my favorite girls.  We had pizza and watched Lady & The Tramp.
+  I went to the dentist. No cavities.  
+  I caught up with my good friend Lauren over the phone.  
+  Went on a day trip into Oklahoma and discovered McGee Creek State Park. 
+  I settled on ACTION as my word of the year and this month has been full of it. 
+  We had a major influx of rain.  We had flooding, but with that came the rise of the water table, which is always a good thing.
+  I started playing Words with Friends with my mom and I love that technology can bring us together.
+  I started using a honey scrub on my winter skin and it makes it so soft.
+  I went to see The Iron Lady and Albert Knobbs in the theater.  Loved both of them.
+  We made loads of hearty soups, stews, and breads while we nested with some free time. 
+  The '71 Chevy we recently bought broke down on the highway, in rush hour.  I am now the owner of a classic car that doesn't work.  

I'm looking forward to a great February.  

How was your January?  I'd love to hear about it. 

Collections: Flower Frogs

Since meeting cc my collections have grown.  I was never really a collector of anything except for Teddy Bears when I was growing up.  At one point I realized I had too many things, and I had to put my foot down and stop creating new collections just because I found something neat at the antique store.  Some things are left to be admired through the window.  If not, you run into an unnecessary clutter problem.  

While I want a collection to be beautiful, I really would like it to serve a purpose.  I finally had to go through each one and downsize, and now what is left must be carefully curated.  The crazy thing is that I've found by announcing your collections you open the door to unwanted items.  One of the best rewards is the hunt.  Finding the perfect piece to accent what you already own.  So I try not to tell anyone what I collect.  

One collection I couldn't give up are my flower frogs, especially the metal variety.  Frogs came around in 1914.  They are intended to take the guess work out of floral arranging.  Frogs made it easy for any woman to create a beautiful arrangement.  Made out of glass, ceramic, or metal, they were made to sit in shallow water, which could turn any bowl into a vase.  A pretty creative idea.  

While I don't use them for flowers they still have a very practical purpose.  The glass frogs can be used to hold pencils, makeup brushes, or knitting needles.  I also keep a bowl full of them in my guest bath.  They reflect the light in a dark space. 

The metal frogs are a little more versatile.  I use them to hold recipe cards in the kitchen, family photos I like to change out, or notes I need for a post I'm researching.  Really they can serve so many purposes.

This is the newest frog in my collection.  It was a Christmas gift and it's funny how it ended up with me.  I spotted it in a favorite store of mine a while ago.  The price was a bit more than I was willing to pay so I just waited, knowing if it was meant to be, it would be.  When my mom came to visit in December we were out shopping and I showed it to her.  I think it looks like hair pins.  Of course she collaborated with cc and it ended up in my stocking.  It was meant to be.  

What I love most about all these frogs is their durability.  They are not only beautiful, they are functional and will be for a long time because they are not made out of plastic.  


What is your favorite collection?

Flora Friday

Have a lovely weekend.

Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake & Homemade Ice Cream

While Aunt Linnie's chocolate drop cookies are my favorite treat, I'll try anything chocolate related.  With Valentine's Day being right around the corner I expected to find chocolate goodness in the February issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine, and it does not disappoint.  It's full of recipes for the chocoholic, but the gooey chocolate pudding cakes caught my eye.  They looked so delicious I couldn't wait.  I made them last weekend.

To top it off, I decided to make homemade vanilla ice cream.  I wanted something creamy for all that chocolate.  My parents have been making ice cream the past few weekends so my mind was already set to make it.  Thanks to Cuisinart I can have ice cream in 30 minutes!

The recipe for the chocolate cakes suggests using little pots, but I used a quart pan and bumped the baking time.  It worked just as well and the pudding part of the cake was almost like ice cream topping.  The presentation wasn't as pretty, but I didn't make it to impress anyone.

Naturally, there are no pictures because it was consumed almost immediately.  I wanted the chocolate lava to still be hot when I took my first bite.  Holy cow!  It's the best dessert I've had in a long time.  The creaminess of the pudding comes from the 1/4 cup of Nutella!  It was quick, easy, and I will be making this again very soon.  Prep and baking time is about an hour.

What is your favorite chocolate treat?  Any special recipes for Valentine's Day? 

++photos taken with my iPhone using the Instagram application++

Winter Body Scrub

I've been reading about Amy's adventures in Alaska and just seeing her images on the screen makes me cold.  I'm not sure I could handle temps that dip well below zero.  I'm thankful we haven't really dipped below forty.  As much as I love the winter, I don't love what the cold, dry air does to my skin.  I feel like an alligator most of the season.  Despite the warmer weather, it is still dry enough to feel baked.

A couple of weeks ago I compounded a natural body scrub to help my skin feel less like a reptile and more like a human. I've used it almost daily and I wanted to share the results with you.

The ingredients are basic and easy to mix together.  I used a mason jar that I placed on a shelf in the shower. 

Winter Body Scrub

 1 teaspoon honey

1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup raw or granulated sugar

2 teaspoons lemon zest

While I was concerned about the olive oil being too greasy and the sugar being too sticky, I couldn't have been more wrong.  I used granulated sugar because that is what I had on hand.  It exfoliates very well and then it quickly dissolves in the hot water.  The scrub is fairly solid so I apply it directly on to my skin and rub in circles.  The olive oil does make me feel a little greasy while in the shower.  The water beads up on my skin and the floor feels slick, but when I get out and towel off my skin just feels creamy, and stays that way all day.  In fact, it feels better than body moisturizer, which I haven't been applying since I started using the scrub. 

My only complaint would be the oil is a little too much for my chest, back and shoulders.  I noticed that I started to breakout out in those areas, so I cut back to only using the scrub on my arms and legs and that has helped alot.  Just a note, I have not used it on my feet, because it does become very oily and I don't want to slip in the shower. 

My favorite element of this scrub is the fresh lemon scent.  On a morning when I don't want to crawl out of bed, the citrus is refreshing and energizing.  I'm sure you could experiment with essential oils, but I had lemons on hand I needed to use up. 

This has already become a winter staple for my skin.  Try it and let me know how it works for you in the comments below. 

Home Tour: Exterior Makeover

September 2011

The dead of winter is not typically the time of year one considers working on curb appeal.  Especially considering this time last year we were in the midst of a winter wonderland.

Winter 2011

This is not the case now, and we are taking full advantage of it before the rush of spring hits.  We have a long way to go before the outside looks the way we want it.  It is a former model home for our neighborhood so the landscaping is full of well groomed pom-pom bushes.  Eventually I'd like to return the yard to more of a nativescape that is a little more drought tolerant, and a little less antiseptic looking.   

January 2012

The biggest change to date has been painting the exterior, which was just finished not too long ago.  We continued with the gray theme and painted it Benjamin Moore's Platinum Gray with Benji's black and white trim.  It seems to have really brought the house into the modern age.  While I still don't love the elevation, it looks so much better with a fresh color. 

We also took out the pom-pom bushes that were hiding the columns on the front porch.  They were full of wasp nests and hid our view of the park across the street.  Ok, I say we, but really I found cc out there one morning with an old axe hacking away at the stumps.  She was so tired of looking at them she didn't want to wait for the saw.  We also added a few planted pots on the porch, which only have pansies in them now, but they add a little winter color. 

We haven't made alot of change on the side yard or the fenced in yard.  We decided to wait until next year and live with the house a summer before making any decisions.  Now matter when we'll add more changes, it's feeling more like home.   

BYG: Composting

left | Backyard Composting           right | Worms Eat My Garbage

I had a very productive weekend.  The weather hit 70 on Sunday so I took advantage of it and got a few things set up in the yard.  The worst part about moving is having to start all over again, but I have a much better yard this time, and I'm really looking forward to it. 

I finally have enough space for a large compost bin.  My previous yard was too small and we got a notice every time we moved something outside of the fenced yard.  Composting is fairly easy and really important for any gardener.  It is basically fertilizer that is nutrient rich, chemical free, and made with your food and yard waste.   

Even if you don't have a yard, composting on a smaller level will feed your indoor plants and windowsill herb gardens.  It keeps waste out of the landfill and is a good 4(for) green acres practice.     

My bin is still a work in progress.  I kept my pumpkins from Halloween because I knew I would be starting my bin soon.  I've started with a mix of green and brown material.  I need to work on breaking it up a little more to get the process moving quicker, but eventually it will look like this:

{source}

Starting to compost is easy.  There are tons of resources out there, but two of my favorites are pictured above.  While teaching environmental science I ran across these two books and they are truly helpful for the novice composter.  Oh, and I have actually kept a worm compost bin in the house.  It keeps the smell down.

Do you compost already?

Winter Fire*Side Reflection

We are in the midst of winter, although it doesn't feel like it here in Texas.  We have been on the verge of spring for most of the month.  I find the winter cycles strange.  As a kid, I could guarantee snow every winter, but these days, one just doesn't know what to expect.  On the upside, it has allowed for more time outside. 

My walks have been meditative lately.  The only consistent sign that winter is here.  I posted a question over on the by the season page and it feels like the right question to be asking myself.  After the holiday hangover and the leap into the new year, it's time to cleanse my thoughts for a little mental clarity. 

If you don't have all the things you want, are you grateful for all the things you don't have that you didn't want?

This answer comes with an astounding yes. I've been writing five lines of gratitude a day since January one, and I can say, with conviction, that the process has helped me accept the thanksgiving in the small things.  Imagine having a bad day and then trying to find five good things about it.  It shifts perspective. 

I am very blessed to have the things I want, and when I don't, I try to find the means to get them.  For example, I wish I had more time with my family in Nebraska, so I'm carving out dates in my calendar to travel home.

All that being said, there is a list of things I'm very thankful for not having, like an unhealthy body.  I'm thankful I don't have a family that has shunned me or I'm thankful that I don't have icy roads, even if I want the snow, but the truth is I'd rather be coming up with the list of all I do have because the alternatives could be so much worse.  We are all blessed in our own way, we just recognize it differently. 

BYG: Seed Catalogs

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It's hard to believe that I actually had a garden of any sort in the last year.  Between the insanely hot summer, and the move, my garden felt like more of a flop than a success.  My good soil is still packed up in trash bins with holes, waiting to make the debut in garden boxes at the new house.  While the workload is too overwhelming to think about on this chilly winter day, it is actually time to start thinking about what I want to plant this year. 

I just ordered a seed catalog, and I feel a little guilty about it, but I know I can cut and paste the pages or recycle it.  I just want something tangible that I can pour over for days while I make up my mind.  You can now do most of your seed purchasing on-line.

With all the genetically modified seeds floating around these days, I'm getting a little picky about my choices this year and I'm willing to pay a little more money for seed God didn't intend for us to tweek.  The catalog I ordered is from Seed Savers Exchange.  There are many great safe* seed companies out there with organic seeds, but this small company holds a special place in my heart.  They specialize in heirloom seeds.  Maybe it's just me, but when I bite in a tomato these days, I don't usually know I'm eating one.  What I mean is, they have been modified to pack well and travel long distances and the flavor has been taken right out.  If I'm eating a tomato, I want to taste it. 

Heirloom seeds have been saved from plants over the generations.  They have NOT been modified.  They are a big part of our heritage and I want to help preserve that movement by supporting this company that is working to make that happen. 

The January/February issue of Urban Farm has a great list of seed catalog companies and you can find more information in this post.

What are you planting this year? 


*A pledge that has been signed by some seed companies that states they will not knowingly sell genetically modified seeds.  Go here to see a list of companies that have signed the pledge. 

January Challenge Resources

The hardest part, after finding the motivation to clear the clutter, is to find a place for all the clutter that isn't the trash can.  Here a few links to either give away or sell your unwanted items.  Sometimes it takes a little work to find a good home for your items but chances are someone needs what you have to offer.  The time it takes to do this serves as a good reminder when at the checkout counter.  If the item doesn't fit your basic needs, there is no reason to bring it home. 

MOST ANY ITEM
Freecycle
Goodwill
Salvation Army
Craig's List
Ebay
Amazon
The Green Sheet

BOOKS  |  MOVIES  | CD's  |  MAGAZINES
Half Price Books

CLOTHING & SHOE SPECIFIC
Nike Shoe Recycling - they use any athletic shoe for playground surfaces
Plato's Closet
Buffalo Exchange

MISCELLANEOUS & LOCAL
Swap Shops
Charity Choices
Resale Shopping
Homeless Shelters - linens
Animal Shelters - toys, bedding, unopened food

COMMUNITY GROUPS
These groups can always use extra supplies, especially because most of them have a tight   budget.  Don't just drop off the items, call and ask for the art or program director. 

     Schools: art teachers
                     after school programs
     Churches: Sunday Schools
                        Vacation Bible Schools
                        Pre-school programs
     Other Not-for-Profit Groups:  YMCA
                                                       YWCA
                                                       Boys & Girls Clubs
                                                       City Parks & Recs departments

Where else do you take your unwanted items? 


***NOTE - some things like cell phones, batteries, old paint, etc.  can't be reused.  Either recycle them or educate yourself on how to properly dispose of them with the least amount of damage possible. ***

By The Season: Dal Soup Recipe



The Farm to Table Cookbook

    The Art of Eating Locally

        by: Ivy Manning

I am so happy to share this recipe with you as part of by the season. First of all, I love this cookbook.  Its has the easiest and delicious seasonal recipes.  I chose this recipe especially because of the ingredients.  Recently I've learned that I really need to make sure my diet has plenty of anti-inflammatory foods and with turmeric and cinnamon in this one, I've got a good balance.  While this soup doesn't look appealing, hence the lack of photo of the finished product, it is hearty and satisfying.  Let me know what you think.

Dal Soup with Winter Vegetables

1 1/2 cups red lentils
6 cups water
1 bay leaf
one 2-inch cinnamon stick
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 cups 1-inch cauliflower florets
2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup roughly chopped cabbage
2 medium (2 cups) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 tablespoons peeled, minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 small (2 teaspoons) Serrano chile, finely chopped

1.  Rinse the lentils in a fine mesh sieve.  In a soup pot, bring the lentils, water, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, salt, and turmeric to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the lentils have turned a muted amber color and the mixture has become a thick porridge consistency, about 25 minutes.

2.  Add the cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

3.  Meanwhile, place a sauté pan over high heat; add the oil and mustard seeds.  Cover and cook until the seeds pop, about 30 seconds.  Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, onion, and chile.  Saute until the onion begins to brown, about 6 minutes.  Stir the mixture into the soup pot, season with salt and pepper and serve in bowls.

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winter

Her Birthday

Meet my mother. Today is a special day because it's her birthday.  She is off this weekend celebrating, and I'm wishing I could have made her breakfast so I could tell her all the things I love about her.  I'm thankful for her everyday, but birthday's are time to be reminded of that.  

She truly is the best mom.  I have so many good memories that could fill a thousand boxes.  Here a few of my favorites. 

• She had the loudest voice at my track meets.  She always pushed me to my potential.  She saw in me what I could not. 
• At a grade school function she asked me to get coffee for her.  When I returned she was talking, and minding the manners she taught me, I didn't interrupt. Sadly she waived her arms and the coffee landed in her lap.  It was so hot it melted her pantyhose to her skin.  I thought I had killed my mother.  I have never felt so bad about something. 
• Jazzercise, aerobics, and running.  She did it all.  I remember being on the side of the ride, cheering her on in road races.  She rocked the 80's aerobic world with her workout gear.  The tights, leotards, and LEG WARMERS!  I always thought she looked so pretty in her workout gear.  
• Her taste in clothing didn't stop at workout gear.  She had the best high heels.  She would knock an out outfit out the park with her heels.  What I wouldn't give to have a few of them now. 
• She was a member of the community playhouse, and I couldn't have been more proud.  She could play any part.  When she was cast in a play I would practice her lines with her while she was in the bathtub.  This is one of my best mom and me times.  
• She always gave me the best birthday parties.  They were never over the top, but they were always special and that's what made them so much fun.  
• One of her many talents is cake decorating.  When we were young, she did this as a side business.  Every weekend she was baking and decorating 2, 3 or more tiered cakes.  We loved when we got the extra frosting and cake trimmings.  It was a real treat. 
• The summer she taught my brother and I to water ski.  She treaded water for hours while she would work with us in the water.  She would tell us how to position our legs, and how to balance ourselves.  We would sit in her lap and then the boat would take off.  We didn't make it far but she would swim over to us, the boat would turn, and we'd start all over again.  

Of course there have been many more happy times, and when I get to see her these days I try to savor everything about the moment.  Even if I can't be with her on her birthday, it's always fun to take a road trip down memory lane. 

Happy Birthday to my biggest fan from your biggest fan.  I love you. 

Recycled Office Space

I am always on the lookout for a good use of something old turned new.  This architect bought a discarded refrigerator container and turned it into a backyard office.  What he has done with it is incredible.  If I had a track of land and means to move the thing, I would seriously consider this project. 

Have a great weekend.

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I'll be busy clearing shelves this weekend.

Erwin Park

After three hours at the drivers license office I needed to quickly return to my happy place.  Erwin Park is located in city limits, but you wouldn't know it when you're in the woods.  Walking down this trail is like hitting the reset button.  Slowly, after hunting for the light,

and searching for berries,

and smelling the decay of leaves...

one can feel right again.

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Are you taking the January challenge?

Top Golf, Not Top Golfer

Welcome back, Monday.  My, how the first week of the year flew by.  I had a great weekend.  Spent some time with two sets of friends on Saturday and remembered how important it is to have good people surrounding you.  After devouring baked pecan waffles with bananas at one of my favorite places, we headed to Top Golf.  I was excited to try something new.  This place is reminiscent of the scene in There's Something About Mary. I have always wanted to try this, and I will definitely be returning.  The moon was rising when we started so I took a quick shot with my iPhone.

My golf swing didn't improve, but I was thankful for the laughs.  I have a tendency to get caught up in the mundane routine that I forget to just sit back and enjoy the day, especially with friends.

To sweeten the weekend, I found a lovely piece of property down the road from my house that is for sale.  I think I should consider buying it.  Who wouldn't want their own private ski lake and landing strip? 

Have a great week. 

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Don't forget about the January challenge.  I've started clearing my shelves.  I'll be sharing some resources with you soon on what to do with it all.

12 in 2012

This year I'm hoping to be in a state of flux.  Not necessarily the indifferent, anxiety provoking flux, but rather the continuous change or movement associated my word of the year kind.  Without going into detail, this is a list of my heavy hitters for 2012. 

  1|  Attend brand camp with Hey, Sweet Pea
  2|  Squam in the Fall
  3|  Take a homesteading class
  4|  Take a trip to Lincoln for a non-agenda weekend with my sister 
  5|  Return to yoga
  6|  Write 5 lines of gratitude daily
  7|  Get my garden going at the new house
  8|  Make a date with the specialist I've been putting off
  9|  Run the Tour de Fleurs 10K in the Fall
10|  Go on vacation
11|  Work on my personal style
12|  Do one thing this year that scares me

See how I did

2012 Word of The Year

Simon Christen | Eloquent Pixels

When I started this blog, my goal was to hold myself accountable to the life I wanted to lead.  It was to be a record of that journey as well as a platform to share what's important to me with others.  To say it out loud; so to speak.  Last month I started pondering if a shift in my writing had taken place.  I typically sit down in December and go over the last year.  Not so much to see if I failed at my resolutions, but rather to tally up what I did and did not do.  My writing seemed to go through cycles.  Part me, part what I thought you wanted to hear.  Truthfully, I spent too much time worrying about what others were doing and occasionally got caught up in "I must follow." 

This time of year there is so much pressure to write something profound versus prosaic.  Words that lead you to believe that the author has some how got it all figured out.  Worksheets, grandiose goals, and mantras have polluted the blogosphere and I somehow feel like I have to keep up. 

Frankly, I don't have it all figured out.  Not sure if I ever will, but I do know that I want this blog to continue being the space that holds me liable for my best life.  I want it to inspire, be adventurous, and knowledgeable.

All that being said, I do have a word for 2012 because, despite what the bandwagon does or doesn't do, I believe that having one word that you can say and post on sticky notes around your house can remind you of all the poetic things you want to do this year.  It should be based on where you are in your life, which is determined after en evaluation of your needs, your wants, and what is actually doable.  Throw in a little of something that scares you and you're bound to be successful. 

My word for 2012 is ACTION.  After my yearly assessment I realized that I'm a great dreamer and an even better planner, but that's about as far as it goes.  When it comes to actually making something happen, I often times fall short, especially in regard to my dreams.  This is a year for movement.  To not only put on paper what I want out of this year, but to actually start putting my feet to the pavement and making it happen. 

Here's to seeing ACTION this year. 

Cheers!

January 4(for) Green Acres Challenge

These monthly challenges are your opportunity to cultivate your own acres. They are designed to challenge your creativity, test your will power, and pull your awareness to the footstep you are leaving behind.

By participating in these challenges and sharing them with others you are spreading the message. Over time, those around us will be making better choices as well. The goal is not to change how you live your life, but rather think about the implications of those choices and tweek them for the best outcome.

JANUARY CHALLENGE: CLEAR A SHELF

Often times we get caught up in all the stuff. The kind of stuff that we want, the stuff we don't want, and all the stuff in between. Before you know it, your home and your life is full of stuff. There was a time I had a strong conviction to live with only what I could put in my car. That is how I moved to Texas. There was freedom in that kind of living, although a therapist would probably say it had more to do with fear of grounding than being able to pick up at a moment's notice. Today I can no longer carry my home in my car, and that comes with a lot of guilt. One does not need this stuff, but where do you draw the line between living life and living sustainably?

I've referred to this book before but it's a truly interesting concept. In Radical Simplicity by Dan Price he demonstrates how to live with just his basic needs. Anything that does not fit into the basics isn't in his possession.

food | water | shelter | fuel | clothing

A bit radical, I admit, but it's a start, and something to think about for this month's challenge. What are your basic needs? Define them before moving on. They can include categories such as crafts, technology, books (knowledge), etc. What do you need to live your life every day?

Since January is the dead of winter, and believe or not, is the season for cleansing and rebirth, this challenge is designed to focus on just that; cleansing. This month I encourage you to purge your mental and physical belongings that are only weighing you down. Clean out the pantry, your closet, your makeup bag, the attic or storage closet but don't throw anything away. Ask yourself this question when going through your things? Does this item meet my basic needs? If it doesn't fit, it doesn't stay.

The Rules:
1. If you have the time, sort through everything I listed above and then some. The goal is to at least clear a shelf.

2. Don't throw anything away! This is a 4(for) green acres challenge after all. Utilize Craig's list or ebay to sell items, figure out what you can recycle, or give items to local charities and other organizations. The trash can is the absolute last resort.

While I most likely will never live as radical as Dan Price, I believe in his point that life shouldn't be all about the stuff. Living a 4(for) green acres life is being to look around at the beauty and not about material possession. That's what makes this month's challenge so interesting. But I must warn you; Opportunities manifest themselves when you clear the clutter. You are making way for change.

 "when you're willing to give something up the rewards are always way more interesting than what you had." ~Dan Price

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Excited about the challenge and want to spread the message? Grab a 4(for) green acres project badge for your blog by using this code to let others know you're growing your own greener acres. I've added the badge to the sidebar as well.

<center><a href=" http://www.indigo26.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1224.photobucket.com/albums/ee362/abullock26/4GA125x125BADGE.jpg"/></a></center> 

DECEMBER CHALLENGE: RETHINK THE WRAP

Monthly Chronicle

As I sat to collect all that has happened this month I am amazed at how much I squeezed into the month.  Life is full and nothing short of wonderful, despite the losses.  
  
+ Chopped off the rest of my hair at Osgood O'Neil.  That makes over 14 inches I've cut off this year.


+  Attended the Handmade Holiday event at West Elm and found a lovely little gift from Red or Gray Art for my sister.


+  First time to check out the Dallas Flea.  I'm so inspired by indie artists.


+  My nephew had his first birthday.  Such a handsome little man. 


+  I purchased my first Christmas tree and decorated for the holidays.


+  Participated in the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree and I had so much fun shopping for my angels.


+  My mom came for a visit with her friend and it was fun to have a house full of guests.


+  During the visit we did a lot of shopping, but we also attended Kodachrome Christmas.

+  On a sad note; a personal tragedy with Ollie.  


+  Started updated the shop office.  Fresh paint, new furniture and flooring.  


+  Started the 12 days of Christmas tradition with cc and she loved it! 


+  We took a day trip over to Denton to visit a lady we actually met at the Dallas Flea. We purchased a piece of her repurposed furniture for my office.


+  The exterior of the house if getting a makeover. We are updating the color with a fresh coat of paint.  


+  We had mini carolers at our house.  5-6 children with their mothers stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas.  


+  We kept our annual tradition of decorating sugar cookies.  


+  Attended a beautiful Christmas Eve service and realized I had maybe found balance in my life after all. 


+  I had lunch with an old friend that was long over due.  It was good to visit with her.


+  I had a blast with the December challenge.  Making gift wrapping a creative experience elevated the experience and I actually enjoyed the process.


+  Decided to take a chance on putting myself out "here" more and started the challenges, this chronicle page, and my seasonal recording page.  


+  We ended the month by running our second business through New Year's and went to sleep on the 31st very happy.  


I'm looking forward to a very adventurous 2012.  

++++++++++++

November Chronicle