Lovely Illuminations

Every December, Brian and I spend an evening exploring the gardens at Botanica's Illuminations. Before dinner at Sabor and meeting up with NiTony last night, we took our annual winter evening stroll. Magical, as always:

Music for the dogs

Today at work, I bought this silly CD at a book sale in which press materials are sold and the proceeds go to charity. Brian looked at me like I had lost my mind when I brought it home and showed it to him.

But when I popped the CD in our stereo and fired it up, Dakota and Lilly went crazy and wagged and paced and sniffed to the tune of "Squeaky Deaky."




Lilly especially loved the song. She raised her ears and cocked her head to the side to listen.








And then (I wish I were making this up) after listening to the song for a few minutes, she took off and ran downstairs, returning quickly with her favorite toy, a green Kong which just so happens to make a squeaky sound. We now call it Squeaky Deaky.





Dakota was more a fan of the song "Adventure Dog." He barked when the song started and ran to the door thinking someone was there. Very cute.

Meet the choir

If you're a friend of mine, I've probably passed up a Wednesday night social event with you because of choir practice. Today I offer proof that my involvement in such group truly exists.

Dan, our director, is honestly overqualified to be working with a volunteer choir of our size. But he is talented and amazing and helps us sound pretty darn good.

Our choir is preparing for our Christmas Cantata, which we will sing during the 8:15 and 11 a.m. services on Sunday, Dec. 16th at Aldersgate. Please come and hear us! Brian, a tenor, will be singing a solo, "Joseph's Song."

Card me

Tonight I hosted my fifth annual Christmas card dinner party at my home. I wrote a column that appeared in today's paper chronicling my holiday tradition.

As predicted, I didn't really get that much done. But I've addressed a few dozen envelopes and played with some new stamps I bought at Target this weekend.



Joining me, clockwise from left: Mom, Roxy, my mother-in-law Janice, Brian's Grandma and Crystal.









Selections from the menu: St. Francis chardonnay, cranberry goat cheese, chicken stroganoff, spiced apple cider and cookies, cookies, cookies.

Decking the halls

Meet Lilly, the wet-nosed reindog.

After some serious Christmas shopping, Brian and I are pulling out the decorations and trimming the tree.

Good thing we have lots of help:
















We gave the pups a new green, red and white rope tug toy to play with as we work. So far, it's only served as a momentary distraction.

Bride & groom got back

My friend Nicole sent me a link to this YouTube video today. I love it. I have to agree, Nicole, I wish I would've thought of this!

DIY wine bag

At Quilt Till you Wilt on Friday night, I made my first non-quilt sewing project: a wine bag! It was fairly easy (although I had plenty of help) and a lot of fun.

One of the best parts is that it's reversible: