Christmas and end of year reflections

Today is the last day of 2011. It's been an interesting year for both R and I, especially with some places R has traveled for work. We're both looking forward to our travels and journey through 2012. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or is enjoying celebrating Kwanzaa (whatever holiday you may celebrate). We've had an interesting couple of weeks here in MD. I worked 8 days in a row to be able to to take off for Christmas weekend, and had a wonderful weekend celebrating with R. We were invited to a family friend's house for Christmas Eve dinner which was fantastic to see friends we haven't seen in a few months! Christmas morning we woke up and Skyped opening presents with R's family. I called my parents later that day as well. We had a very relaxing day (much needed after the craziness of both our recent schedules).

On Tuesday, I learned that another of my much loved great uncles had suddenly passed away the day after Christmas. My uncle Bob was the one brother of my grandfather's that my Dad always said reminded him the most of my grandfather, in both looks and mannerisms (both my grandfathers passed away when my parents were children, so it was to my great uncles that I looked to for that grandfatherly relationship). He was very straightforward and it never seemed to bother him whether you agreed with him or not, he just enjoyed the conversations. He was also very well known for his stories and I have so many precious memories of visiting with him and my aunt Barbara. One of my favorites goes with this set of pictures from R and my wedding:

Instead of having a bouquet toss, I chose to have an anniversary dance and give the flowers to the couple who had been married the longest. Little did I know when I decided to do that, but that Bob and Barbara would tie (their wedding dates were only separated by a couple months) with R's great aunt and uncle Janet and Gary. The four are in the top picture talking with each other.

Uncle Bob, (or my favorite, how your grandkids refer to you-GrandBob) you and your wonderful spirit and stories will be deeply missed. My prayers go out to our whole family who have lost 2 wonderful men this year, but most especially to my aunts and cousins who are immediately affected. Looking forward to seeing you all next weekend in CS to celebrate a great man.

Comfort Food: Mac and Cheese

I saw this recipe this morning on one of my favorite bloggers to read and decided to share with you all! R and I made some homemade mac and cheese from a recipe in Food and Wine Magazine the other day, and it was pretty good, but we ended up adding more ingredients to make it as creamy as the recipe made it sound like it was supposed to be. This recipe, however,  sounds delicious and fairly easy to make as well. (Another plus-for those of you with small children, it's been toddler approved by the blogger's daughter). Enjoy!

Macaroni and Cheese
(Source: Wegmans)

Ingredients:
- 1 lb. elbow pasta
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- 5 tbsp. butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 lb. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

Directions:
1. Start heating water for pasta. Mix bread crumbs and parmigiano-reggiano cheese together in a small bowl and set aside.

2. Heat butter in large sauce pan over medium heat until melted. Add flour; stir until smooth. Cook 3-4 minutes until light golden brown.

3. Add milk to butter mixture, one cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth; bring to boil. Cook 10 minutes on medium, whisking continuously.

4. Add cheddar cheese; stir until melted completely. Season with salt and nutmeg; set aside. Stir in cooked pasta. 

5. Spray bottom and sides of baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; add pasta/cheese mixture. Top with bread crumb mixture.

6. Bake on center rack 15-20 minutes, or until topping is golden brown and bubbling around edges.

Dream Home 2012

It's almost that time of year again! (No, I'm actually not talking about Christmas, but rather the contest for the HGTV Dream Home- this year located outside Salt Lake City, Utah). Ski vacation home anyone? One of my friends who reads this blog knows I'm referring to an oft-mentioned conversation we have. Enjoy! : )

 I love looking through the photos and ideas the team decides to place in the home each year and occasionally use some ideas in my own home design and layouts. Check out a few pictures below and then check out the full website for more details.

I love the great room and how it doesn't seem to be too fussy or "museum-like." The colors of the fabric are also a nice mix with the stone.

I love the clean lines of blue and white. I also like the touch of having the water spouts over the stove so you don't have to lug a heavy pot of water from the sink to the stove for boiling. (It doesn't hurt that our kitchen appliances and tableware that are red would look so pretty and patriotic in this space).

My dream laundry room! The energy-efficient washer and dryer are hiding behind cabinet doors to the right, and there's plenty of space for other cleaning items and a sink.

 Above is the master bedroom and it looks like such a nice, cozy retreat. I like the touch of the similar wall sconces and chandelier.

The last picture is one of my favorites of the whole house. I love the idea of outdoor living rooms and this one looks especially comfortable and a nice place to entertain friends and family. 

Enjoy looking through the rest of the pictures on the website! 

Thoughts for others

This time of year might make one think of charity and giving more so than during the rest of the year. Perhaps because of the meaning behind the season or the joy of giving over receiving?

As the S.A. mentions in their ads, need knows no season, although I always try to place a little change anytime I see one of these stands in front of a store. No matter the various level of finances that occur, I always try to give a little wherever I can, if that means at church, through my sorority, the USO, through the Texas A&M Foundation and Association, or various other organizations and charities. What's one way you like to help others either during the holidays or regularly?

Christmastime is here!

Source

My favorite season is now upon us!! I love Christmas, the Advent season and all it represents. I'm not quite sure when it became my favorite season, I just know that I love this time of year with family gatherings, friends, giving presents, caroling and singing all the songs that go with the various holidays. Christmas was the favorite holiday of my paternal grandmother and I think I may have picked up on that. I remember being in choir during elementary school and we sang a song called "Light the Candles All Around the World." It's a nice message of peace during this time of year, so here's an example of the song from a random elementary school (I love Youtube for this reason!). My favorite tradition as a child was being able to set up my grandmother's nativity set on the fireplace mantel. I've previously written about that nativity set that is now set up every year in our home (pictured below). What's a favorite Christmas tradition that you have or remember?

Honeymoon in Hawaii

* Realized this was still a draft, and that I need to get back to updating my little blog- randomness alert*

Hah, so I discovered the other day I never actually posted about the honeymoon R and I had delayed due to his job. He surprised me with a completely planned truip to Hawaii! Of course, it didn't really hurt he had lived there as a kiddo. ; ) So off we went to Oahu for 4 days and Kaua'i for another 4.



Roy's of Honolulu



Sorry for the blurryness of the above photo, we asked out waiter to take it for us and the lighting wasn't the greatest for photos ; )

 Drive around Oahu coastline

Cave

Pretty sure I could go back and look at this shoreline view any day.