Is is December 10th already?! When is all the caroling, shopping, stocking stuffing, posing with Santa, baking, card making, ice skating, present wrapping, present delivering, and just plain merriment making going to happen? Fifteen days, people. Get jingling.

And there's so much more! Come over!!

For Jenny...

I'm feeling the need to write out some deep thoughts, as I am known to do every now and again. But first, decos pix for Jenny.

Cuteness

It's always so nice to see old friends doing well. And in this case, old friends with new houses and growing families. We were so happy to meet lil Fiona, Ebe, Baby Justice, and to see friends we haven't yet seen as a Mr. and Mrs. (haha)! Thank you, Jay and Erica, for having us out to your new home. We had a great time!

Best Husband Award

I can not begin to explain the magnitude of my bliss when I came home to a 'winter menu' (as the chef liked to call it), all plated and piping hot. That's not even the end. A glass of my favorite champagne. And no dish duty for me. Compliments to the Chef. And the Husband. And he was doing all of this while the Steelers were playing. Thank God for DVR.

It's in the Air...

As if the Four Seasons is Santa Barbara isn't beautiful enough... try it at the holidays. Imagine my winter-season-loving surprise when we pulled up seaside for a lunch with the gals to behold this wonderland of deeelight!

Gotta Love Her...

How cute is this virtual scrapbook made by our dear friend Ali?! She's always surprising me with new craftiness.. Although it should not surprise me any more. She is so talented, thoughtful and oh so crafty!
Not only that, she cruised by this weekend with a 'little something' for us... a MILLION Sprinkles cupcakes, all the drinks you could ever desire to make it an official 'party', and even treats for Tilly's stocking. So delicious. We love you, Ali & Joe!

Feelin' the Loove.

There's nuthin' that warms the heart like comin' home to a care package on your stoop! Especially when it's from La Queen of Packin' a Carefully-Thought-Homemade-Full-of-Everything-You-Love-Currently-and-From-the-Day-You-Were-Born Care Package, my mom! We received our Thanksgiving parcel last evening when I was just walking in the door with ten bags of groceries for our meal Thursday, and Jordan was just getting home from work. We were both tired, hungry, and perhaps needin' a little mama lovin'! This may have just been the Mother Load (quite literally, as Jordan said) of all! We feasted on Thanksgiving-themed-colored Mama Benz famous (or infamous, for it's 10-pounds a'packin' on your body after you eat it cuz it's so addicting qualities) Snack Mix, and deeelish cookies all evening. We went to bed with bellies full of love.

Ah, Hermosa Beach..

Every year around this time, I start to crave some seasons. Or some 'weather'... I feel so lucky to still have family in Portland to get my dose of winter around Christmas time. Last night was the first night it felt cold getting into bed- the sheets were cold and I could actually feel the temperature dropping. We're even supposed to get rain this week!
I still remember the first time I experienced rain here. I was downtown and literally heard moms talking about going to get their kids at school?!?! The folks at the library were talking about closing, and everyone at the laundromat was rushing to get their clothes and head home. Where it was safe. From... RAIN?! ! I was flabbergasted! But the funny thing was, when the rain did come, our entire 'Main Street' was flooded and water was literally rushing off our roof. It really was insanity. No one could drive, cars were crashing left and right, and don't even think about going outside! This little city is not made for rain. But the most amazing part of this whole 'weather' experience was the fact that a few hours later, the sun broke through the clouds, and we were back to sunny California before you knew it!
I decided rain wasn't so bad if it wasn't day-in-day-out of getting drenched, showing up everywhere soaking wet, grey skies looming for weeks, the way I was used to rain.
The other great thing about living at the beach in the wintertime: we still see the most beautiful sunsets. This was last night's.

Date Nite

Jordan worked on this character! (Woot woot). We saw Role Models. Very cute and funny too, once we got past all the tweens camping out (!!) waiting for Twilite. Ummmm...?

But We Are Not Skipping Over Thankgiving!

In fact, I'm working on the DeVries Family Thankgiving '08 Menu today....

'Tis the Season!

I know I am indecisive, and I also love Valentine's Day, my birthday and the summer... but really? Reallly?! Every year in October, I start feeling that feeling.... the 'holidays' are right around the corner and my heart is a'buzzzzzz. Hands-down, the fall/winter season is my favorite. There are just so many wonderful things to savor at this time of year. And there is an energy and spirit in the air. I know the holidays are a hard time for so many people, and I also know that some people are just bah humbug. But I find it just so much fun! If you resist the craziness of over-consumerism and stay out of the road raged freeway lanes, there seems to be a peace about this time of year. It really is a juxtaposition. However, this year (even more than last), we are planning to make our gifts, as a family. (Tilly even has her own white cheffy hat). That time spent together, coupled with the fond thoughts of all our fabulous friends and family, makes for such a uncomparable time of year. And not to mention shopping a little, jingle bells, hanging up mistle toe, enjoying holiday window displays, holiday music on itunes, Martha Stewart Baking and Holiday issues, pomegranate season, hanging up twinkling lights (and some pretty awesome vintage Santa lights this year), mulled wine, finding the perfect tree and the perfect spot in your home for it to live for the season, egg nog in coffee (or in anything), cinnamon potpurri simmering on the stove, local tree-lighting festivius and open houses, parties, seasonal microbrews or seasonal versions of any food and drink, really (i.e. gingerbread lattes)... Ah... I could go on.

Besties

Man, we love these two. Celebrated Nate and Nicki's homecoming from Hawaii with some good food, catching up and hanging with Mr. Bill Murray and Matilda Heart. Got to hear about their trip and re-install our weekly/bi-weekly seshes. We are so lucky to have such great and caring friends and enjoy every moment we get to spend with them. We even got to bust out the blow torch they gifted to us for our wedding shower and torched the heck outa some punkin creme brulee. What an excellent evening. We love N n' N! (And Murray too!)

Just a few more Dawg fotos

Just chowin down, snoozin in her bed, waiting for Jordan to come home, and hiding in the laundry pile. Too cute. Okay, I'm done.

A Spoiled Dawg's Life..

So, in our attempts to 'socialize' our mostly-human beloved K9, we have decided to commit to taking the little munchkin to the dog park, hopefully every weekend. Matilda Heart (McCloud) DeVries (AKA; Tilly, TT, TTbebe, Bonkers, Goofball, Mama and most recently- MouseKillah) has been a part of our lives about 10 months, and we have noted the spoiling that has occurred. It started slowly, but this dawg is treated like royalty around here these days!
And, as a direct result, she is acting like it! Tilly is a real sweet gal, don't get me wrong... but since I work with kids, I can equate this love-smothering to the parent that isn't willing to leave their child alone, even tho the child needs it and wants it. This includes speaking for their child, completing tasks for the child, allowing the child to literally and figuratively glue themselves to their leg. It may be wrong to relate a dog to a child, but in this family, it's kinda true.
I understand these actions of parents come from the best intentions, just as this has happened with us. Anyway, long story short, I have 'raised' this 'child'... and it is not good. She is scared of Doggie friends and is always looking to us to protect her. Don't get me wrong, she is the most definitely the valiant protector of our home, but is a little anti-social on the trails and at the park. We are determined to change this for the good of our little pet. Then we can plan doggie play dates without worrying about our prized mutt getting into any territorial debates with the other dogs. (Just kidding). We just want a happy dog with a healthy puppy life!

My Other Main Man..

What a jolly guy! I will never forget his smiles on my wedding day. So big, constant, and genuine. I love this man. I will always be his (Cracklin') Rosie!

Mr. & Mrs.

Wow.. it's been a little break for us in the blog land. What a spectacular time we have had the fast few months! We still feel that we have not gotten the chance to just sit back and digest all that has happened in our lives. What a whirlwind of festivities! There is no way to put into words the enormity of the events--our wedding, of course-- but also all the other days leading up to, as well as following-- that made such an impact in our lives! We are still on Cloud 9.
Everything went perfectly- traveling, the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, after-wedding brunch, honeymoon, EVERYTHING. I think I'm still soaking it all in. We feel like we are still overwhelmed with all the support, love, and just plain fun we had and shared.
All of our silly little decisions we went back and forth and round and round about seem to all answered themselves perfectly in the end. It's funny to me now to think back to when we had no idea where, how, when (etc...) we wanted our monumental wedding weekend to happen. We didn't know if we wanted a tiny thing or a big affair... but looking back, as well as forward to the rest of our lives together.. everything unfolded amazingly. Of course there were some loved ones that were unable to come and dearly missed. But other than that, every single thing seemed to fall into place to add up to the most memorable and special week/month/year/day we have ever had!
Although we both felt like we were pretty 'prepared' for the trip and the wedding, I really don't think there is anything in the world-- no stories of other people's experiences, no wedding magazine or blog reading, nothing-- that could have prepared us for the way it would all feel in our hearts. It was like a roller coaster, or something BIG and a little overwhelming in the best possible way, of emotions. All positive. More than ever thought possible to feel at one time. (If that makes sense?) I guess more like our hearts exploding with the love felt from our family and friends, even people we just met that week, Maybe not exploding- maybe overflowing.... well, like I said, words could not describe. At least not at this point. Maybe with time I'll be able to put my finger on those adjectives and nouns and verbs that explain what we have just experienced in the past few months of our lives. But for now; Grateful. Blessed. Lucky. Happiness. Amazement.

Wedding Fever!

We could not be more excited for our good, good friends and their recent engagement! We can not wait for the upcoming year and to share every little joy and delight that comes with a year of wedding planning.. And we'll be ready to start in one month! (But we're already secretly celebrating and are so so so so happy for these two!) We'll have to practice being the most amazing support system for them that they have (always) been to us!





Congrats, J & B! We love you two.