I'll be home for Christmas...

I'm so happy to be back in Athens with the fam. Dad picked me up at the airport last night and mom had some barbecue and homemade chocolate chip cookies waiting. James and I watched "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and waited on Sarah and Tom to arrive.
Today we are running some errands and then going to Atlanta to have dinner and watch the Atlanta Thrashers.

The orange in the bottom of the stocking...

My Uncle Bob blogged about Christmas presents the other day and it got me thinking...When I was little Christmas was all about the presents. Don't get me wrong, I would love Santa to bring me a few things, but now Christmas is more about celebrating with family and friends, remembering all the happy memories from the year, and enjoying time together. One of my friends gave me some fresh fruit as a gift this year and it reminded me of the oranges I used to find in the bottom of my stocking. What a wonderful life...

My idea of paradise...

"My idea of paradise is a perfect automobile going thirty miles an hour on a smooth road to a twelfth-century cathedral" -Henry James

Tonight my idea of paradise is looking at my decorated tree, writing cards to my dear friends and family, and preparing to go home for Christmas! With each passing year I appreciate more the time I spend with my family, and Christmas is the highlight of the year. I can't wait to run around with our dog Kerry and spend time with my parents, sister, and brothers Tom and R., who just returned from China.

Dad got us tickets to a hockey game in Atlanta on Saturday and Sunday my parents are hosting a cocktail party for the neighbors - should be a blast.

I just finished making peppermint bark for my officemates and friends - see easy recipe below.

1 pound white chocolate
1 cup crushed candy canes
peppermint extract
cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper

melt chocolate in double boiler
add crushed candy canes and two drops of peppermint extract
mix well
spread on wax/parchment paper and refrigerate for 45 minutes

Back in Business

I am back, friends, after a long, unfortunate break. I've sorted out my computer issues and I'm ready to go. Merry Christmas!!! I was in NYC last weekend for some family stuff and Sarah sent me a text picture of the tree in Rockefeller Center, which I saved as my wallpaper on my phone. It's excellent.

I hope you are all well. Look for many, many posts in the new year.