If you look at that last row of photos, that's pretty much how I'm typing this blog post right now. Violet is draped across my lap, her head resting on my right arm. She's complaining that she can't get comfortable because I keep moving my arm (I'm typing), but still, she won't get up. We're a little worried about Violet because she's still favoring her back leg. It had seemed to have gotten better but she's back to not wanting to come up the stairs. Looks like it's time for a trip to the vet. Shhhhhh......

That's the only dim spot on an othewise lovely weekend. Well that, and the fact that I had to go to the grocery store. But the reason I had to go to the grocery store over the weekend instead of my usual Friday trip was a good one.

My friend Jackie had a lovely luncheon on Friday with a wonderful mix of women and artists. Jackie feels like she was put on this earth to feed people, and I think she was put here to take care of people. She tends us all so well. She had an amazing spread of food (all her favorite party food, she said!), and of course amazing bread. And mead! Mead! It was pretty spectacular. Especially in the middle of the afternoon. I had a lovely glow all afternoon.

We ate at home Friday night, which we don't usually do, but it was totally worth it because our friends Seamane and Rob had sent us an amazing Blue Velvet Cake from Carousel Cakes for Christmas! What a treat! Check them out...even Oprah approves! Of course we could have kept it frozen for up to 3-4 months, but of course we didn't! And I really think the best part was the dry ice that Callum got to play with.

So a bit of catch up on Saturday and Sunday. I felt like I was still recovering from all those headaches, so I mostly tried to take it easy. Neel and Callum went to Skyfall (loved it) and I got some Christmas stuff crossed off my list (loved it). Neel seemed to have forgotten the moratorium on buying oneself presents just before Christmas and he bought himself a bench for the garden. It's perfect. And it's okay because that's not what I'm getting him. Whew! I hope Santa knows.

Neel and I took a long walk Sunday morning along some of my favorite water stops, and then (sigh) I went to the grocery store while he got the lights up on the tree outside. And Callum studied. Exams start this week, and we're all feeling the pain. All of us. Not really. Callum is just working hard to prepare. Exams officially start on Thursday and he'll take one a day until the following Tuesday. But then? It's Christmas break! Then the real fun can begin.

So here we sit. I have one more fiddly project and a few little ones and then the work part of the holidays is taken care of. After that it's mostly fun stuff. I'm feeling a bit less overwhelmed, and a bit, just a bit like I've been touched by some holiday spirit. The merest of glancing blows. Like I'm trailing in its stardust. And how are you, my lovelies? Are all your plans coming along?

I'm late this morning, and quite frankly, the weekend was a bit of a blur. And not in a good way. I've missed my hike three weeks in a row now, and I'm not liking that one bit. This week, however, my friend Tracy's need was more critical. She's just bought a new house (love), and I met her there to scope out the place and figure out where the heck to put all her stuff. It might be one of my all time favorite things to do. I get why all of you guys become interior designers! I really do! We figured out where to put the sofa in the living room and where to put the bed in her son's room, and I promised her that it wasn't really as small as she feared that it was. I'm in love with it and can't wait to see all her stuff moved in. Perhaps my camera and I will go and visit. What do you think?

We got our tree Friday night, which has to be my all-time favorite holiday tradition. (Sadly, a headache came along with me. It left for a little while on Saturday but was back Sunday morning, and that is why we're all moving so slowly around here.) Callum picked last year's tree and he wanted to match his great success (I insisted that it was our best tree ever, and they insisted that I say that every year. I get made fun of a lot around here.), but I think this year's pick was a joint effort. We've been to the same spot for years now and each years have the nicest guys helping us out. This year was no exception. For dinner we needed burgers and fries, so we hit a local joint. Unfortunately, the only spot for us was in the bar, complete with loud music and smoke. Took a night in the dryer and all day outside to get the smell out of our coats. Didn't really help my head either. I came home and promptly fell asleep. Goodnight Friday.

Good morning Saturday and hello dreaded Advent Calendar. I kid! I kid! We LOVE the advent calendar. Callum LOVES the advent calendar. It's...great. Warm lazy day. We righted the house (and Neel righted the yard) after our week away, and we got the tree pulled inside. Everyone is still completely wiped out, so we seem to be doing things in stages. We got the tree in the house and the star on top, but that was about it. After that dinner and a movie. We beer-steamed our mussels and they were fab, and Elf. Well, what's not to love about Elf? I've told you before that I'm always behind on everything, and it was the same with Elf, but once we saw it, it became one of our favorite Christmas movies. As we all sat in the dark (Lucy-the-beagle tucked on my lap like a baby) laughing our dang fool heads off, well, I was filled with contentment. It was nice.

I was meant to spend Sunday at MOCA, helping out with Photos with Frosty, but another headache meant I was stuck at home again. Neel even had to drive me to the grocery store! Still, I followed my mom's motto of never hurry; never rest and we got the tree decorated and finally, finally some art (that's been waiting for, literally ages) hung on our dining room wall. Finally. Quite possibly the best part of decorating the tree was giving each of the girls her own jingle bell. They didn't last twenty minutes last year, but all three girls are jingling all the way this year! And poor Thea. She's so low to the ground that her bell drags along as she walks! Headache = dismal, so I gave in after lunch and fell asleep on the sofa. Nurse Lucy curled up against my belly and Nurse Violet fell asleep on my hip. I was bookended by puppies (who are technically not allowed on the sofa, but who's counting?). After awhile Neel joined me (he's a weekend napper, plus he's getting over a cold.), and we must have dozed there for hours. My sweet boy worked on his homework (I could hear the tap, tap of his fingers on the keyboard of the computer.) and he regularly got up to check on me or bring me water. Good kid.

And you know, despite the pain and general fog, I can't complain. This was a good weekend. We rested and ate good food (if you haven't tried Andrew Zimmern's One Pot Sticky Wings, you really should.). Our tree is up, and our pups are so happy we're home. I have lots on my to-do list this week, but it's fun stuff (mostly), so that's good. It's all good. And you know what? Today would have been my granddad's 103rd birthday. Crazytown! I am so lucky that I've known such amazing men in my life, Neel and my dad, and certainly my granddad. In raising Callum, I have a lot to live up to. He's in some pretty special company. It's all good.

weekend-gram recap, december 10 edition

weekend-gram recap, december 3 edition