decoration

val

holly

decoration

children and their parents often disagree as to how much is too much when it comes to cookie decoration.

decoration

...and she lost her first molar today...

decoration

the movement in this picture definitely reflects the windy night.

decoration

i didn't win any prizes at today's holiday party raffle even though my name had been entered twice.

decoration

our new (led) lights have a bit of a retro feel that I like.

decoration

i discovered the sons of norway website today.

decoration

ho ho om.

decoration

the darkest week of the year.  also, it turns out, one of my favorites.

red

val

holly

red

you can rake all you want. the leaves will just laugh at you. and continue falling.

red

yep.  definitely scarf season.

red

some roses are {still} red.

red

this morning on the train, a woman had a seizure.  someone pressed the button and alerted the conductor.  someone else called 911 and told them what was going on and what station we were nearing.

red

she calls these my "mom clogs". sigh. it's difficult to be the parent of a (nearly) teen.

red

she's made two dioramas this week; it's a good thing i like shoes.

red

the kids picked our a lovely imperfect tree yesterday - seems to fit just fine.

red

(i used a fitted sheet for a tree skirt.  shhhhh....)

high

val

holly

high

enjoying each last sliver of sunlight as the days get shorter & shorter...

high

we picked out our tree at the tree lot; and while we ran across the street to get cash, the tree farmer fresh cut the trunk, wrapped it, and tied it to the top of my car.  made my day.

high

fortunately, I no longer need to tell my children not to play on the stairs.

high

clear skies mean lower temperatures; blago is going to the pokey for 14 years; it's citrus season!; and i read all of Crain's 40 Under 40 today.

high

the leaves all came down during the wind last week, but the persimmons managed to hang on & now they look like tree ornaments.

high

the paper source has bacon-flavored candy canes.

high

one thing about Northern California is that we do have some very tall trees.

high

after a busy weekend, i have to play catch-up this evening.

nightfall

800 children. with fire. and music. and cookies.  and not too many tears.

nightfall

"sit.  feast on your life." ::derek wolcott

nightfall

"...the wind it was a howlin'...."

nightfall

holly was right - putting cardamom pods in earl grey tea is delicious.

nightfall

another muffled walk in the evening fog.

nightfall

cancelled hair appointment; impromptu play date; dinner at phil's.

nightfall

the fog settled in early tonight, making it feel even cozier inside.

nightfall

i am more than ready to put 2011 to bed.

plaid

nope. there is no shortage of plaid in my life.

plaid

the indiana dunes will always be a very special place to me.

plaid

the male:female plaid ratio is pretty clear, but this pink fleece-lined hunter's cap certainly stood out.

plaid

"take the skinheads bowling; take them bowling."  ::camper van beethoven

plaid

there was a time when my husband wore a kilt nearly every day of the week.

plaid

the going rate for socks on the L is $1/pair.

plaid

The General Assembly on the UC Davis quad, moments before Chancellor Katehi addressed the crowd.

plaid

"you always walk to the corner, val."  hooking our elbows, he led me across the street saying, "c'mon, we're jaywalking."

violet

val

holly

violet

a long (and long overdue) walk with a favorite friend was a lovely pause in an otherwise hectic week. note to self: make this happen more often.

violet

today was the first day the wind was blindingly cold when i emerged from the subway.