There are forty-five minutes left of 12/21/12.  I may be going out on a limb but it looks like the Mayans were wrong suckas.  I hope I don't eat my words.  Last night, just before picking up Jerry from the train, I decided to call my mom just in case.  I told her a quick thank you and I love you, just to cover my bases.  Jer, Ella, Viv and I huddled in to watch the snow fall outside of our favorite noodle place.  I figured if this was the eve of the last day on Earth, hell if I'm cooking.  So we ate ramen.  This morning, I have to admit, I paused to make sure the sun did not turn black like sackcloth.  It did indeed rise and I did indeed need to go to work.  The girls found their way into our beds and we lingered.  Although it may not have been the end of the world for most, the news that cousin Allyn's flight would be delayed until Sunday night was the end of the world for our four year old (she'd say, four and eleven-twelfths...not that she's counting).  We now sadly add three more days to our count-down until their arrival.  Here's to a new era, unchartered Mayan territory.  Whee!

I live for trips.  I recently confessed to friends that I love the smell of O'Hare because it means that adventure is afoot.  Jer and I have taken some pretty exciting vacations together.  We honeymooned in the Greek Islands and lunched in Marmara, Turkey.  We've supped under the stars in a large courtyard in a Provencal winery.  We've nearly drowned in the Mediterranean.  We've gotten lost, really lost in the Mexican countryside before swimming in cenotes.  We got a nasty case of road rash after flipping off our scooter on an island off of Thailand, at night.  I distinctly remember the locals rushing to our aid as we allowed unknown salves and ointments to be slapped on our skin.  We thrive on adventure, on getting lost, on befriending questionable locals and eating off of food trucks that would make Anthony Bourdain lose his lunch.  We generally like to take a slight detour from the beaten path.  Some people bring home t-shirts, others souvenir shot glasses; Jer and I like to come home with a story. 
This September we will be celebrating our ten year anniversary.  Jerry and I have tossed around the idea of going to Portugal.  I think I may have even written about it hopes that if it was typed then it must become a reality (I think that's what forced me to run my first marathon).  But plans for a master bathroom may be usurping plans for international travel.  So as we mull over ideas for plumbing and fixtures I keep searching for the perfect mini-vacation spot for our anniversary.  And I think I found it.  Drum roll please......Glacier National Park!  There is wildlife (fulfilling an element of danger), there is opportunity for fly fishing and rock climbing (we love trying new things), and plenty of diner dining with a promising pool of local characters.  I'm envisioning a lot of banana cream pie and Brokeback Mountain look-alikes.  Who doesn't love Jake Gyllenhaal in flannel?  Not sure if Jer shares my enthusiasm for that last bit...he is a Baker's Square fan though. 
Anyway, I look forward to our next adventure since it's been a while.  I'm also looking forward to the natural beauty just a short plane ride away.     

Fa la la la la



Come December 1st the mad dash begins to check off all things HOLIDAY.  With egg nog in the fridge and Santa's visit behind us, cookies have been baked and shared, ornaments made and the holiday cards mailed, we decided to do something new this year.  Caroling.  Surprisingly it wasn't a hard sell for our neighborhood buddies.  Come to find out, some of these guys have show choir on their resume.  We left the music selection in the capable hands of a real life madrigal singer while Jerry and I contributed our home for a practice space and mulled wine station.  Our neighbors graciously opened their doors and smiled as the littles tried to bum rush their porches.  Not sure if the kids were clear that unlike Halloween the homeowners do not pass out candy this go-around.  After several rounds of Jingle Bells we landed at the Enlows and were treated to hot cocoa and desserts.  There is already talk about next year.  Maybe we'll throw a little Run DMC "Christmas in Hollis" in the mix.            

Santa trying to read the kids "naughty" or "nice"  auras.   Is it me or does Viv look nervous?

Cookie Decorating with Mimi

Space suit at Home Depot