Well, John and I had another wonderful Christmas with his folks – but I have to say, I was missin’ mine. It’s been four long years since we’ve spent Christmas with them – and there’s just something great about a snowy, cold, Colorado Christmas, the typical pâté and caviar pie, and my dad’s Prime Rib and his cheesy Christmas vest.

Still, we were so fortunate to be with John’s family – and I enjoyed every minute of it…I cooked the Main Event(s) of Prime Rib and Goose and both turned out well (in the case of the Prime Rib – a little too well-done for my taste – but it turns out that most people at the table preferred it that way.) Another of life’s Happy Accidents, I guess.

Here are some pictures from our gathering…hope y’all had a wonderful, meaningful Christmas.

XOXO -

Hol

 And once we were home again … the goose went into a pot!

This is always a really busy time of year.  Armour was born on the 23^rd (not the worst of the Birthday Lottery – but almost.  I think the worst birthdays are the ones that fall either from 26-30 December or 2 -5 January.  Those poor folks have to squeeze in a celebration right after huge holidays and not on a holiday.  Bummer.

Anyway, Arms turned 34 yesterday…which just means that he’s one year away from being at the age when he really needs to know what he’s doing (I mean, wasn’t JFK a Senator at 35?) and about 6 years away from my age, which officially means “Welcome to the last half of your life”. 

So – enjoy this next year, Bro.  Love and Respect from Tampa.

And then, of course, there’s Christmas. One of my favorite times of the year. I’m thankful for a husband who understands and respects the “reason for the Season” and who wants to go to church to give thanks “for all we’ve been given, and the life we’re livin’.”

We’re headed to Mom & Dad Silkman’s for dinner and it will be a great one. I volunteered to cook the main event…which will be a 4-rib Prime Rib and a Roast Goose with lots of sides, and there’d better be – since we expect a fairly big crowd.

I’ve been working this list for a couple weeks, now…and now it’s execution time.

John’s mom is an artist when it comes to desserts – and his dad is actually the Christmas decorations Guru (don’t worry, I’ll take lots of pictures and probably post on Boxing Day) – so I don’t have to decorate (I’m Grinchy that way) and get to do what I like – which is cook but not bake.

Mostly, though? I’m thankful for life, limb, and being in my own country for Christmas.

Love y’all.

I might be the world’s worst housekeeper – but I love to be outside.  I’ve talked about what I’ll do after we retire with John – and I always drift to outdoor pursuits – like working in a nursery (the plant kind) or having one of those great stables that takes in broken horses and broken kids – and watches one heal the other – but for now, all I have is my itty-bitty backyard.

Here’s a few snaps from today – a quiet, productive day, since John is in Missouri duck hunting, and I can vacuum and toss at will.  :)

Hoping to get some finches (it’s the time of year for them in Florida):

The Meyer lemon tree – only four more left!  (I picked another today to use on my “shrimp scampi for one”…)

And my favorite – the Baby Tears I planted in my “num-num” stone.

Good Luck, CSM Kimmich – we’ll miss you.

Farewell to a great mentor

Remember when I said that blogs are a great way to stay accountable ?

Huh.

John (my darling) says to me the other day that “…probably the only way we’re going to stay thin, Hol, is if we sign up for another marathon.”

It’s true, actually.  This time last year (about to run the Disney marathon) I was sixteen pounds lighter.  It’s a little amazing how you can wear an extra sixteen pounds and beyond maybe your belt feeling a little too tight, you don’t really notice.  

I remember when I lost 10 pounds a couple years ago in Germany (I was working with a personal trainer named Mitzi who was incredible) and she handed me a 10-lb barbell and told me “walk around with that a little while.”  It took a minute for the light bulb to go off in my head, but once it did, I thought – “MAN!  I want to get rid of this thing!” 

So, yeah, now I’m thinking about nearly two barbells and it makes me mad.

Anyway, we’re starting Monday with our Hal Higdon marathon prep routine for novices again.  The Hatfield/McCoy marathon (God help us) is in mid-June in (yep, you guessed it) West Virginia. 

I’ll be posting stats.  Hopefully those will be labeled as “inches and pounds lost”!

We’ll be Bringing Our Courage – just like these good ol’ folks did…

(…this here’s a picture of the Hatfield clan.)*

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*courtesy Wikipedia

John’s going duckhunting tomorrow, and I leave for Qatar later today, so this will stand in for the Sunday Funnies.

Great picture, huh? Spectre looks like a great duck dog…

…and then you see this. On many levels this is funny to me…not the least of which is that my husband is surfing on his computer while he’s lying in bed…but check out that dog.

Let this be a lesson to all of you who can’t resist bringing that sweet little puppy up on the bed.

Because this is what it’ll look like 6 years later.

We painted the house! It’s called “Deep Mink” – I love it!

Here’s the Before Shot -

…and here’s the After Portrait.

Might be time to get rid of the pumpkin now.