12.31.2011

auld lang syne


We had lots to be grateful for in 2011...now it's time to close out the year and start a new one with great friends in Chicago (I even stayed awake past midnight this year!)

Wishing you a hap-hap-happy 2012!




12.30.2011

catching up


I've been quite bad at taking photos during our trip to Illinois, but we were really busy visiting friends and family, so here's a little taste of our adventures.


Christmas Eve we celebrated, as per usual, with the Anderson side of the family at the legion in Elburn. We spent the day grazing appetizers before the evening meal, and opening the make-gifts. One of my most favorite holiday traditions comes from Derek's family- the make gift drawing. You guessed it- home made gifts. The tradition of making ones gift very last minute also seems to come along every year. This year we made camp stools, and thanks to Amber, we finished them with tooled leather seats. I found the idea here if you want to make one yourself. This year I received, from Aunt Deb, a gorgeous, intricately knit market sac. 


We spent a day at my parent's house, where we were surprised by a visit from my aunt and two cousins, and later in the day, my godparents. It's hard to believe my little cousins are grown up! It was so much fun to spend the afternoon with them. 


Okay, random collage of a few holiday highlights...my aunt from California sent flowers for my mom and my cookie baking day-so sweet. My mom researched and tried out some vegan recipes including veggie panini with home made bread and chocolate chip cookies. My brother-in-law invented a new way to eat, well actually drink, the lutefisk- blended with some half and half and lingon berries (bleck), and managed to drink the entire concoction...yes a big and horrifying holiday dare that had us all laughing and gagging. A few of the lovely ladies from Sigma Pi Delta pledge class 2000 gathered for a happy dinner reunion, celebrating big moves, babies, and engagement. I hung the cuckoo clock gift we brought back for my family. Used our gift cards for a few essentials. Not pictured, we saw the silent film The Artist in Chicago and shared a fantastic dinner at Karyn's vegan with good friends. We spent an evening laughing with old friends and eating home cooked Indian food. One of my favorite days was a train trip to Oak Park, a walk, a visit to a vintage camera shop (yea! photo booth), a vegan dinner at Munch (yum! chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream), and the evening topped with coffee in big mugs, sitting in big chairs at Grahm's in Geneva with fabulous VQs. (Thanks Kevin for the food pictures below).


We had so much fun visiting new places and favorite spots, and mostly sharing these experiences with good friends. With little down-time, we took advantage of every second we could spend with our adorable little niece.



12.25.2011

from us to you


We enjoy a slow Christmas morning, stuffed stockings, coffee and treats gathered close between the tree and the fire.


After most of the packages have been torn open, my family joins us for the day's big feast.



12.18.2011

christening


One of the best parts of being home for the holidays this year: meeting our new (first) niece, Rika. This morning we woke to a white frosted glaze over the ground and every branch. The family headed across the field to the little country church for Rika's christening, and Derek and I are honored to be one set of her godparents. She was really beautiful in the embroidered dress her grandma made her.


As the morning's excitement settled into the afternoon, we had a chance to pull on our boots, grab a saw, make our way to the back of the pasture, and cut down the perfect Christmas tree. 

.......................................................
We're kicking off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols.                                     -Clark W. Griswold


So we cut it down, drug it back, and stood it up- little full, lotta sap.


12.17.2011

christmas bird count


This morning we crawled out early to participate in the annual Christmas bird count in DeKalb county. We met up with our friend Pete and headed out into the new snow to stare up into the trees and see how many species we could accumulate throughout the day. After being away a few winters, it was really exciting to see groups of vibrant red cardinals with a white backdrop.  


We had lunch at a classic Main Street diner, big mugs of diner coffee, refills, and Midwestern hospitality. We counted thirty bird species for the day- not bad for winter in Illinois.

Derek and Pete and cold feet.



12.16.2011

illinois


I arrived at ORD, a dark, rainy afternoon, and rode home with my mom in 2 hours of stop and go rush hour traffic. Bienvenue...

The first few days I spent visiting my parents, making some cookies, and went for a flat, windy run.


Today we are headed toward the farm. Derek left me at a path entrance on the border of Aurora and Batavia so I could walk to Geneva, get a haircut, and buy some groceries until he finished with work. So that's what I did, walked the bike trails past Christmas tree farms, beneath gargling sandhill cranes, along the river and into town.



12.13.2011

homeward bound


It's been a quick two weeks, despite rain and battling various illnesses. But tomorrow, I'm headed to Illinois. This will be my first trip back in a year and a half...and I'm looking forward to seeing family and friends. Everything is in order and packed, and I even had a chance tonight to finally put together a holiday wreath from the branches I've been hoarding for the past two weeks. 


I guess it's time to start Christmas-ing. Happy holidays to our fine friends here in France, and everyone back home- see you soon! 

12.11.2011

32


Happy 32nd Birthday to m wonderful husband. This is the first birthday since he was a teenager that we haven't spent at least part of the day together...makes me feel a little old. It's a bright sunny day, and although I didn't make it up into the Jura for a birthday hike in his honor, I had a great walk and a run to enjoy the sunny afternoon.


Chicken says Happy Birthday too.


From across the Atlantic, sending love and hugs and a brilliant blue December sky.




12.09.2011

company


So far so good, hanging out here in France, thanks to some great friends for dinners, runs, and occasional rides so I don't get soaked in the constant rain, and to my furry space-heater keeping the bed warm.