Let's Party!

My sister Lori and I have lots of things in common.

In the past year or so, though, we have embarked on
similar but very different adventures.

I started my own photography business.

Lori started a business named "Cooking Sense" with her friend Terri.
They offer cooking classes in your home for you and a group of friends.
Pick a menu.  They teach you how to make everything - hands on.
Then they leave and you enjoy a dinner party with your friends.

In addition, many people have been asking them to cater events
such as parties, wedding showers, and even weddings.

While I was visiting before Christmas, they were preparing to cater
a Christmas party, so I was happy to help out in any way I could.
After days of shopping and detailed prep work, the party began.

It couldn't have been a more perfect place for a Christmas party -
a beautiful log house on the hillside above Anchorage.

 The family had built the Anchorage airport out of gingerbread on the
island in the kitchen.  It was fabulous!

 They even made the Northern Lights and hung them from the ceiling...

As the sun was setting outside,

 the party began with appetizers...

There were skewers of tomatoes, salami, and olives drizzled with balsamic dressing...

and a cheese fondue with plenty of options for dipping!

 While the appetizers were being served, we were busy in the kitchen getting the dinner ready.

 Lori chopped lettuce for the salad.

There were many toppings for the salad and scrumptious scones.

Carrots...

 Terri was the one slaving over the stove and oven getting the hot dishes ready.

 Chicken marsala - so yummy!

 Hasselback potatoes - a Swedish recipe.

 And something special for the vegetarians in the group.

After the dinner buffet was set out for the guests to eat,
we were once again busy in the kitchen preparing for dessert.

White chocolate covered strawberries...

Home baked chocolate donuts and home-made peppermint bark.

 White chocolate mousse in home-made waffle cups.

But the hit of the dessert table, especially with the kids,
were the mini milkshakes!

Terri and Lori pulled off a VERY successful party with MANY compliments
on the delicious menu, from start to finish!

Congrats to Lori and Terri!

I'm glad I had to opportunity to see them at work and experience the work
that goes into catering a party.  I'm also glad I was just the worker bee who
did the easy stuff and had time to take pictures!

My Talented Niece!

While I was in Anchorage last week, I had the privilege of watching
my niece, Hali Carr, work her magic!  She was doing hair and
make-up at Nordby Photography Studio and since I love
photography and love Hali, it was an exciting afternoon for me!

When I arrived, I caught the end of a themed shoot for a contest
that Nordby was running.  The cupcake/candy theme was at its
most messy.  Hali had just sprayed Jillian's hair pink and was
adding pink frosting to her face, hair, and body along with pink
sprinkles.  It was fun to watch and it was definitely very different!

After this, Hali was doing Leah's hair and make-up.

Leah was doing a boudoir shoot that she was a little nervous about.
Not only did Hali do a fantastic job getting Leah ready to go in front
of the camera,

she was also there to give encouragement and make adjustments
as the shoot went along.

Leah looked so beautiful!

Even at home, Hali did Kerry's make-up one day...

even though Kerry didn't take it quite so seriously!

She looked absolutely beautiful!

Hali has recently started a blog about style, fashion, make-up...

Check it out at halicarr.blogspot.com

Here are a few pictures of other girls that Hali has worked her magic on:

Oh yes, this last one was done for Halloween!  This is Hali.
Her talent is endless!

It Was Time

"Birds are not late. A dog does not check its watch. Deer do not fret over passing birthdays."
"Man alone measures time.  Man alone chimes the hour. And because of this, man alone suffers a paralyzing fear that no other creature endures."
"A fear of time running out."
                                           ~ Mitch Albom "The Time Keeper"

Twenty-five years.  That's a lot of time.
It's the difference between youth and middle age.
Between having no children, to being empty nesters (almost).
Between having your whole life ahead of you, to realizing that you have lived through many of the "big events" of life already.
Between being the grown children of grown parents, to being the grown parents of grown children.

Twenty-five years goes by fast.

Twenty-five years is how long it's been since I have celebrated Christmas with my sister.
This year, I decided not to let another year go by.
So last week I flew to Alaska with my daughter, Kerry, to deliver a surprise gift - us!

We had the pleasure of surprising not only my sister,
                                                                         but each of her three daughters separately.
Even though it wasn't really Christmas yet,  the five days we spent together
                                                                        sure seemed like it.
And even though it was frigid outside, the warmth we felt inside
                                                                        made up for the air temperature.
Unlike get-togethers on December 25th,  there was no great preparation.
The house was not cleaned for guests.
No big feast was planned.
We just hung out and did ordinary things - TOGETHER.
That's what made it so special!


"With endless time, nothing is special.  With no loss or sacrifice, we can't appreciate what we have."
"There is a reason God limits our days.  To make each one precious"
                                           ~ Mitch Albom "The Time Keeper"

Random Thoughts

Just a few things that have been going through my mind...

1.  As I prepare to send out Christmas cards, I always feel a time
     of sorrow as I remove the names of those that have died this
     year.

2.  Should I buy this sweater for my daughter or keep it for myself?

3.  The no-lick stamp is the greatest!

4.  A paper cut on your tongue from licking an envelope
     doesn't hurt nearly as bad as one on your finger.

5.  Everyone Loves Raymond never fails to make me laugh.

6.  It's been about 3 years since I've been able to actually see
     the hair that I am shaving under my armpits!

7.  I'm always torn between buying a gift you know someone
     wants (because they have asked for it)  and taking a risk by
     surprising them with something else.

8.  When filling out online forms, I have noticed I need to
     scroll farther and farther down to find my birth year.

9.  Have you ever  gotten angry when your child doesn't return
     your text message, only to realize you forgot to press send?

10. I've eaten chili almost every day for lunch since March
      and I'm still not tired of it.  It's easier than thinking of
      something different every day.

11. Every year, I want fewer and simpler Christmas decorations.

12.  I don't bother hiding gifts anymore.  I put the bags in one corner
       of the family room and tell everyone they are welcome to
       peek if they want to spoil their Christmas by knowing what
       I got them.  It is much easier than hiding things and then
       forgetting where I hid them!

The Card

One of our grand traditions in this family is our Christmas card.
Not just the Christmas card, but the Christmas card picture!

For many years, it was just a picture of the kids.
They would complain and moan about having to
take so many pictures in the hopes of getting a picture
that was "just right".

As they got older, they started becoming a part of the planning
process.  What should we wear?  Where should we take it?
Dogs or no dogs? Cats or no cats?

This year, my daughter Kerry decreed it should be a
Patagonia fleece Christmas card and I suggested we
be walking down a country road with the dogs.

This is the photo that was finally chosen (after a little bit
of Photoshop to get everyone looking their best!)

Kerry's friend, Mel, was kind enough to be the photographer
for us, capturing many shots of us walking, and walking,
and walking.  Thanks, Mel!

We probably wouldn't have needed to take so many if it wasn't
for a certain member of the family...

Merry Christmas!

Raising Ravioli

We're babysitting for our daughter's new son.
Following in the path of those weird celebrity baby names,
Kerry chose to name her son "Ravioli".

Luckily, her son is not human.

He is a leopard gecko.

Kerry is a lover of small animals/reptiles, and this is her first official
adoption where she alone is responsible for its well-being.  She has been
very diligent so far.  It's only been a few months, however.  If all goes well,
Ravioli will live to be 17 years old.

He is kinda cute, as creepy crawly things go.

He eats mealworms and crickets.

Since he's nocturnal, Ravioli sleeps most of the day.  He is also growing, so
he sheds his skin almost weekly.  Since humidity helps him shed, Kerry made
him a little hut with a wet sponge inside where the environment is warm and
humid.  He loves it and spends a lot of time inside.

Once in a while he get active and climbs on his fake log cave

As pets go, he's pretty easy to care for.   Keep his heat light on for 12 hours,
off for 12 hours.  Clean the tank once a week.  Feed him every night.

 

He makes Kerry happy, so that's all that matters.

He's cute and growing on me!
I even bought him a Christmas present!

Thanks, Enzo!

The purpose of this blog is not to review books.
It's about my life.
But since this book made such a huge impact on my life,
I thought it only fitting that I talk about it!

I read this book a few weeks ago.
Well, I didn't actually read it.  I listened to it.
I do that a lot lately-listen to audiobooks as I work or walk my dogs.

"The Art of Racing in the Rain" is not a new book.
It's been around awhile.
I'm a little late to the party, but it's been on my "to read" list
for a long time.

When I listened to the first chapter, I admit I didn't love it
right away.  If I hadn't paid for the audiobook, I probably would
have stopped listening.   I'm soooo glad I didn't stop!

It's a simple book written in the voice of Enzo, a dog.
At the end of his life, Enzo looks back at the times of his life
with his beloved owner, Denny.  And the story unfolds.

In the telling, Enzo has a way of seeing the human world
that is funny and very insightful.  His simple observations
and wisdom teach us many things about how to live our lives.

I was literally sobbing in the last chapters of this book.
I didn't want it to end.  I didn't want Enzo to die.
And while the tears were still wet, I gave my dogs some extra
hugs as I listened to the last few chapters over again.

This book is not just for dog-lovers, although I think perhaps
it is a bit more enjoyable if you have ever known and loved one.
Dog lover or not, it forces you to look at life differently.
It shows you how to live a better life.
That's why I liked it so much!

“There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.” 
― Garth Stein, The Art of Racing in the Rain