Well....it's officially the last day of this decade! As 2009 draws quickly to an end, most of us have spent some time reflecting on where we are, where we want to be, and where we are going.
The holidays and my extended vacation at home have been wonderful, busy, nostalgic, and peaceful.
I'm not going to spend time listing out all the things I'd like to accomplish in 2010. And I'm not even going to go into some sort of recap of the ups and downs of this decade.
I, for one, am saying good riddance to 2009 and am welcoming 2010 with open arms! I hope each of you have a safe and happy new year!
Blogging has been light lately, but judging by how busy my family and friends are lately, I doubt anyone has even noticed!
Last week, I told you about the holiday stress of packing up, shopping, and planning that I had. This week, I'm trying not to be totally let down that I will likely be snowed in tomorrow, the day I'm supposed to be driving home to start my fabulous 2 week holiday vacation. I don't "do" snow and cold very well. At all. And I don't like anything that keeps me a minute longer from my beloved vacations home.
To be honest with you, I would have hit the road today without thinking twice if it weren't for one thing.....tonight is the last night I'm supposed to hang out with my DC BFF, Shira, who is leaving for a year.
There are VERY few people that I would risk getting stranded in the biggest winter storm our area has seen in recent years and delay my trip to SC by at least a day just to see her one last time. But she's kind of like the Meredith to my Christina and the Lucy to my Ethel. So it's probably the most fitting thing in the world that we would have our last hurrah by trying to survive a winter storm together. Come to think of it, I'm really not THAT surprised that this is happening.
So here begins another adventure...
Which will likely begin along with a million other people at the grocery store. Since I thought I would be leaving, I haven't been to the store in a loooong time. I was trying to get rid of everything I already had. We even cleaned out our fridge last night and it's basically empty. I hope there is some milk, bread, and eggs left. I guess people love to eat french toast when it snows? I've always wondered about that.
Last weekend, some of Shira's friends threw a surprise going away brunch for her. We got her there by telling her we were going to bake cookies. We weren't planning to actually bake cookies, but once we knew how excited she was about said cookies, we had to do it anyway!
So it's that time of year....where I have multiple lists started to try and declutter my mind. I tell myself that I WILL get it all done. I'll find the perfect, most thoughtful gift for all 23 people on my Christmas gift list. I'll have everything organized for the 3 different places that I go over a 24 hour span of time during Christmas Eve/Day so I won't forget my grandmother's gift like I did last year. I'll have the above mentioned 22 perfect gifts wrapped all pretty with some sort of cutesy embellishment on the bow...you know, go the extra mile.
{Photo from MarthaStewart.com}
I'll bake some awesome Paula Deen recipe for the office, and two other holiday parties so they don't miss out on some sort of delicious southern holiday treat. I'll have some thoughtful and merry blog posts ready to go. I'll have neatly ironed clothes and outfits picked out for every day I'm gone. I'll make the perfect playlist for my long drive home. I'll have snacks and drinks packed to limit the stops.
I'll have the oil changed, car washed, bags packed, house clean, and plans made for the time I'll be home this year. Lunches with old friends, family dinners, a few good movies...everything evenly planned out. Maybe I'll have time to make this adorable wreath that I LOVE.
{Photo from Better Homes and Garden}
I'll do all of this while trying to spend every free second I have left with a dear friend before she leaves for a whole year.
Yeah, right. It never, ever happens. I usually end up leaving the few gifts I did buy in the bags they came in from the store- I can wrap when I get to my mom's. I'll have to finish shopping when I get there. I decide to wait and get the oil changed at home- it's cheaper anyway. And who needs a clean car? It's just going to look like a bug graveyard by the time I get to SC anyway.
I throw whatever clean clothes I have in a suitcase- everyone I stay with will have an iron. Or the more likely outcome....Ashley will dress me in her clothes anyway so just make sure you have the basics. There's no way I can fit my size 6 foot in her size 9 shoes, so shoes are essential.
I usually end up scrambling around, leaving the hair straighter at my dad's when I need it at my mom's. And I never end up having enough time for everyone. Any chance this year will be different?
I have the best of intentions to make the most of my time at home. This year WILL be a little different though. I have two whole weeks to see everyone. So this is the point you tell me to calm down and prioritize. And this is the point that I see this video on one of my regular blog reads, A Thorne Among Roses, and nothing I said above even matters anymore.
And now is when I rip up the list, donate some money instead of buying gifts, laugh off the awkwardness that an office holiday party brings this afternoon, and have a blast at Shira's going away party tonight.
"Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow."
~Thornton Wilder
I've bragged about my sister "the teacher" on multiple occasions. She's incredibly passionate and truly loves her job. I love hearing her stories about her adventures as a kindergarten teacher. The latest was when she decided to play some soothing music called "Sounds of the Sea" during nap time. Upon waking the kids up, the following happened:
Student: "Ms. Anderson, my pants feel funny!" Mrs. A: "That's because your pants are all wet. Student: " I was dreaming that I was swimming!" Mrs. A: "You had an accident while you were sleeping." Student: "Awww man, I hate it when that happens."
Needless to say, my sister isn't using the soothing sea music anymore!
Since this is the season for giving, and she's the best sister and kindergarten teacher in the world, I'm passing along her Donors Choose request. We all know that funds are being cut left and right in this economy, even for resources at schools.
Let's help fulfill her request and we can all contribute to "helping young things grow!" Just click on this link and donate what you can. How can you say no to these sweet little faces???
I teach kindergarten at a high poverty, urban school in South Carolina. Our school is operating on an extended day (7:15- 4:45) schedule in order to meet the needs of our community. One of the benefits of having an extended day for kindergarten students is that we have more time for exploration and project based learning. The fulfillment of this grant would help transform our room into a working post office in which students write letters, read addresses, and sort mail.
This project will allow students to use skills such as writing, reading, sorting, and measuring in authentic ways. Students will be able to role play using the resources provided through your generous donations. The students will retain information at a greater rate as a result of having the meaningful hands-on experience of role playing.
Your generous donation will open the door to a world of new experiences for my students. You will help students as they explore the world around them and the limitless possibilities of their imagination. Who knows, you could help a student discover a passion for a future career in which they will take the early skills gained from your donation to ensure you always have a speedy delivery!
(If you're new to these parts, you can read the inspiration behind the title Front Porch Friday in this post from last year.)
Whew. I swear I'm still recovering from the 1,108 miles of driving last week! (Which took a total of about 21 hours) Thankfully, the car waited to have a dead battery while I was home so I didn't have to freak out on the side of I-85.
Anyway...I was back up and running in plenty of time to drive from SC to Asheville, NC to be in my college roomie's wedding. Here are a few snapshots from a fun weekend and beautiful wedding.
The bride's adorable nephew had some serious dance moves....
I am thankful for my wonderful family and all of the support that they give me. I am thankful that my mom never says "I told you so," even when she really did tell me so. I am thankful for my stepdad for completing his endless honey-do list that makes my mom happy. I am thankful that I got to experience my parents wonderful gift of music through the Concert of Hope this year. I'm thankful for our family vacation at Edisto!
I am thankful for my mom and grandmother for the love of southern food and cooking that they have passed on to me. I am thankful that they answer my questions when I call them numerous times when I'm trying one of their recipes. I am thankful for the success of my first ever cake client last week (German Chocolate cake AND a Pound cake!)
I am thankful for the way my sister always understands me and always makes me laugh. I am thankful that she can tell by the tone of my voice if something is wrong. I am thankful for her husband who makes her happy. I am thankful that he hooked my new ipod up to my car tonight and saved me from buying yet another accessory!
I am thankful for my dad, who worries about me way more than he should. I am thankful that he checks up on me and reminds me to check the oil in my car. I am thankful for his gentle and kind spirit and the incredibly high example he set for any guy that may come into my life. I am thankful for my stepmother who is always so very thoughtful and truly embraces the spirit of each and every holiday. I am thankful for cousins, grandparents, and step siblings!
I am thankful for my best friend, Elizabeth, who I have known since I was 10. I am thankful that we still talk every week and for the honesty that we share with each other.
I am thankful for my college friends and the memories that we share.
I am thankful for Shira and that she is pursuing a dream by spending next year in South Africa.
I am thankful for my roomates that we can share the good days and the bad and usually solve everything by watching old episodes of Sex in the City.
I am thankful for these two that remind me how to be a kid.
I am thankful for my job and the opportunity to participate in health reform on behalf of children. I am thankful that I got to experience President Obama's Inauguration! I am thankful that I got to hear First Lady Michelle Obama speak at an event this fall!
I am thankful for all the comforts of home- the friendly faces, the slower pace, the southern hospitality, the homemade meals, and endless amounts of sweet tea. I am thankful for the Braves and that Clemson won the ACC Atlantic Division championship!
I am thankful for my faith and the foundation and appreciation of Church that my family always provided. I am thankful for the wisdom to let go when I needed to let go. And I am thankful for the peace that followed.
I am thankful for quiet reflections and memories that the holiday season brings.
I am thankful for this blog and each person that reads it! What are you thankful for?
I made two of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes for our Practice Thanksgiving dinner last weekend. So I thought I would share the love and post the recipe for anyone that may be interested. These aren't secret family recipes, I'm sure they probably came out of Southern Living over the years.
For as long as I can remember, this Sweet Potato Casserole has been a staple on my family's Thanksgiving menu. I saw the exact recipe on Southern Gent's blog so it's definitely no secret! It's creamy, it's crunchy, and it's sweet. It's DELICIOUS. It's by far my favorite Thanksgiving dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole:
3 cups sweet potatoes (mashed)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/3 stick butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk
Mix all ingredients together and put in a casserole dish.
Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/3 stick butter or margarine
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans)
Mix these ingredients together and put on top. Bake at 325 for 35 minutes.
This Cranberry Relish side is relatively new to my family's menu. My mom started making it a few years ago, and now she can't make enough. It's great on Thanksgiving Day, but even better spread on a sandwich made with mayo and leftover turkey.
Fresh Cranberry Relish: 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup orange marmalade 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 12 oz. package fresh cranberries, finely chopped 2 cups fresh raspberries or 1 package of frozen, drained (I use the frozen ones) 2 medium tart apples, diced (not too fine - I use granny smith apples)
Combine sugar, marmalade and lemon juice. Add cranberries and apples. Fold in raspberries very gently and chill overnight.
YUM!!! Can't wait for my second helping of these two on Thursday!
For our Practice Thanksgiving celebration, my roomate and I tried to come up with cute but inexpensive centerpieces. We searched the shelves at TJ Maxx and found matching glass hurricanes for around $7 each. And simple brown pillar candles for $5 each. We also picked up a bundle of wheat to sit between the candles.
We already talked about finding acorns around our house and using them as decoration. Our hunt for acorns deserves a whole other post, but we found the mother load at park down the street. I don't even want to know what people driving by were thinking as two grown women scurried around on the ground picking up acorns. (It reminded me of this acorn post I read on a new favorite blog- Southern in the City.)
It turned out so natural and pretty!
We had a lot of acorns left over, so we put them in a few other places to complete our acorn decoration theme.
Little votive holders on the mantle...
Slightly larger glasses on the coffee table....
And an even larger one on our makeshift bar...
It was definitely all worth pretending to be a squirrel for a little while!
