Well Hello 2011

January is always a good time to take a moment and think about what you want out of the year.

Of course, I have my normal weight-loss and financial related resolutions. Will there EVER be a year when I don't have to resolve to lose weight? Maybe one day...

But that's not what this post is about. I wanted to share some of my more "fun" goals for the year. Will I beat myself up if I don't achieve them? No. Because they're not that serious. But they are a fun starting point for the year.

1. I decided to make this a goal after seeing Black Swan. Was it because I loved the movie so much? Not really (it was good but not life altering). Was it because I loved the movie-going experience so much? Again, not really (the theater was packed, and I went by myself). But I do enjoy going to the movies, and I'd rather watch one good movie a month in the theater (because usually if I'm going to the theater it's a movie I really want to see or have heard good things about) than 5 so-so movies at home.

Next up is Blue Valentine, or maybe No Strings Attached. And I'm counting down the days until April and Water for Elephants.

2. I bought a recycling bin, so that our recyclables will go in there instead of the trash. It makes me happy. And I bought some pretty reusable grocery bags. They make me even happier.

3. Of course 2010 will always be the year of Australia. 2011 won't hold any trips like that, but I'm hoping for several smaller ones. We've got a cruise already booked for the spring. Then maybe a beach trip in the summer and Mexico in the fall?! As long as we're sans-kids, I plan on vacationing as often as our money and PTO days will allow.

4. This is on my life list. And I need to do it before I get any older and more decrepit.

5. Not a smarty-pants class, but something fun. Like floral arranging, or photography, or Photoshop skillz. Maybe even cake decorating? Time and money are always an issue, but life's too short not to get really good at something that has nothing to do with furthering you in life or your career.

So, what are YOUR fun goals for 2011?

Christmas Gifts

1. Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. I've referred to it twice already -- how to fold a fitted sheet and how to properly put a comforter in a duvet cover. It's THICK (like an encyclopedia), and I can't wait to read it cover to cover.

2. Sheets. These are nice and thick. Vera Wang. High thread count. Santa knows what's up.

3. More towels. So we'll have extras on hand.

4. Ice cream maker. Will summer ever get here so we can use it?

5. A clock. For decorative purposes, of course.

6. The Pioneer Woman's cookbook.

7. North Face Denali jacket.

8. North Face toboggan. And again.

9. Michael Kors watch.

10. Golf cart.

So basically, Santa rocked it out again this year.

But we all know the best part of Christmas is the giving. And the time spent with family.

But the nice gifts don't hurt though.

Wordless Wednesday: These Two Have Their Priorities Straight

Let It Snow

It snowed. We put the golf cart to WORK. Sugar had a blast chasing the golf cart. We went sledding at the overpass. And I took a million pictures of the farm.

These pics were taken the next day, from the back of a golf cart going 50 miles an hour. That takes skillz people:

Christmas Break

Is anyone else having as hard of a time as I am getting back into the swing of things?

Maybe that's why it's January 4th and I'm just now telling you about our Christmas Break.

It contained our annual afternoon of cookie baking:

Plus lots of lazy afternoons watching random movies (Now & Then, This Is It, and She's All That anyone?)

And several naps.

And of course lots of good food.

Santa brought my sister and I a golf cart, 15 years too late.

It'll live at Erin's during the winter so we can enjoy it on the farm and at the river during the summer so we can enjoy it there.

We got lots of other nice gifts as well (maybe I'll tell you about those later).

And Mother Nature dumped 8 inches of snow (pictures to come soon).

And we bought Lee a new truck (more on that later too).

We got hit big time with the stomach bug and cold/flu, and the snow prevented our Virginia folks from getting here, but we made the best of it.

And we wrapped it all up with the perfect New Year's Eve -- a bonfire on the farm complete with hotdogs and brats, s'mores, lots of beverage and most importantly, great company.

Happiness List

Things that are making me happy this morning:

• New shampoo! From Aveda. I just can't get enough of the smell.
• The lunar eclipse. We got up last night just in time to see it at its peak. Did you see it?
• Yesterday was the longest night/shortest day of the year. It's all uphill from here folks!
• The cookies I made for my neighbor and hairdresser. I wanted to stick some in the mailbox for the mailman, but Lee said that was weird. (He's probably right.)
• My Kindle, and time over the next two weeks to get sucked into it.
• My sister has Now & Then recorded and waiting for us to watch when I get to her house (talk about a blast from the past).
• Also waiting for me when I get to her house? An afternoon of baking and decorating cookies with some of my favorite little people.
• My shopping and wrapping is officially DONE.
• Date night tonight! We're stuffing ourselves with Italian and then coming back to open our gifts to each other. (And give Sugar her gifts too!) Can't wait!

Isn't this just the best time of the year?

Last night we hosted Lee's family's annual Christmas party. We were happy to finally be able to have the party at our house this year and thankful that everyone was willing to drive to Raleigh so that we could host. (I think the promise of shopping at Crabtree helped.)

We had a great time and, of course, some great food (everyone brought a variety of appetizers, dips and desserts).

I did not do a good job of taking pictures (the host never does, right?) but finally managed to break my camera out when we wrangled the cousins on the steps for a photo op.

And of course Sugar had to steal the show.

I love these next shots, because they do a great job of capturing the chaos of the night overall.

Our house is usually pretty quiet, with just the two three of us, so it was nice to have a house full of hustle and bustle for a change.

Ok, I'm off again to bake cookies and finish wrapping the last of the presents!