Blah-ditty-blah

so christmas. . . where did i leave off?

let's start with home. . . dan and i weren't there long, but i got a shot that i want to share. . . . this is something that we've had in the family for a really long time. . . and we don't see it as unusual. however, when any guests come in, they usually stare a bit, then, if they are really inquisitive.. .. they might ask us what is it about, otherwise i suppose they form their own opinions. . .

this is 'santa fred'

my uncle charlie made him while he was in college as a joke. although it looks like a stone man from easter island or something. . . he's just chicken coop wire and paper mache and some sort of stone finish. at the base, which you can't see in this picture is a small dip where someone can place candles and burn them in honor of the 'fredutian temple'. . . . for the holidays my mom 'dresses' him up as santa, as you can see. other than serving as an interesting conversation piece. . . he makes a great cat perch for my cat dante.

one of the other major parts of christmas at home was learning to make my grandmother's lasagna. mom mentioned making it, and dan and i said we wanted to learn. since then i made it this past week, and brought it into work to share with the shop crew. . . it went over very well.

while at home we also spent time with the champney's. . . i hadn't seen matt in possibly ten year, or megan. . . they both have very cute kids. . . . and we caught up with my aunt kathy for a bit as well.

then off ot long island to visit sara and russell. other than doing some great shopping, which i will elaborate on shortly. the weather was beautiful and sara wanted to take us to this amazing park that was funded by a single family in memory of their son, who was a great lover of outdoorsy things.

here are a couple shots from that. . .




and here are mom and sara posing as bookends


the park was really well thought out. . . it seemed like things had existed there for eons. . . but it had all been made to look as such.

ok. . . now for the shopping. . . .

here are a few things that i acquired as gifts and really loved. . . .

first off, a bag to satisfy my inner bag junkie. . .. yet another mock of a currier bag, only smaller, yet a slightly better shape than my beloved bailey works bag.

then. . . some shoeshere are my old sneakers next to my newer, really comfy, chiropractor admired hiking sneakers, which i think will be becoming my 'wear every day shoes'

then. . . my styling sneakers. . . . (dubbed ugly by some. . . but i will call then my swon sneakers. .. since the tow shape is like many of her shoes) i feel like i stretched out slightly beyond my own style. . . ok, no stretching as far as color is concerned. . . but they aren't vans or doc martins. . therefore, i consider it a stretch.

so, other than a number of books, pasta pots, and a number of other great and useful gifts. . . i think that sorta concludes the christmas stuff. . .

stay warm if you are being pummeled by noreasters. . . and i'll be in touch!