gifts

The holidays to me have never been about religious ritual. They have always been about family and friends. In my family, presents are not something given on an annual basis to mark a birthday, anniversary, or holiday. They are more random, spontaneous and given, when something appears that one of us knows will make the other really happy. this could be at any time - or never. They could be purchased, hand crafted or picked from the garden. It really is the thought that counts.

This year i decided to spend my holiday weeks in state college. regrouping from an exhausting semester and catching up with friends in town and elsewhere.

Week one: still in progress has been marked by holiday dinners with friends. i was hoping for one all important "gift" this break - time outside to ride and hike. unfortunately, the weather has not seen eye to eye with my plans. Case in point, out my window this morning:

I woke up to a frozen world today. sleet turned to rain. My driveway and front stoop, a block of solid ice.


it rained. then it rained some more. so i ran out my frustrations at the gym - high resistance elliptical. Then i did what any girl would naturally do on a rainy day (see below - even went all out on the toes but taking pictures of feet is just too weird (even for me, ha!).)

look at those nails! they're real people - all natural! :) this was my gift to myself

This past weekend pam and I held our annual cookie bake fest. We ventured into the world of candy making toffee and another recipe in addition to the best cherry chocolate chip cookie recipe EVER. it's seriously that good. (see below). Luisa (see above), the cutest baby EVER and the most precious gift a family could have (check out those eyes folks - she's gonna be a heartbreaker).

Last night, cyclist festivities in bfonte. i suspect pictures could end up on facebook at some point and yes they naturally will include props and dancing. Tonight, tbone's bday party /dinner. We made ridiculously good margaritas with Patron tequila and orange liqueur. Mmmm what a smooth treat!

In short, to me, the holidays are about recognizing and appreciating what you have, and spending time with those close. From time spent in the kitchen at pams, to time out eating homemade food and dancing with cycling friends, to drinking fancy margaritas and playing with dogs a gdoggs, to talking on the phone with those too far away to see in person (ugh, miss u both so much), to enjoying a holiday dinner at another's family's home and in the near future my first 'holiday-time' dinner at my own home and mellow new years at the most awesome new found friends home ... the most precious gift one really can recieve is that of good friendship and love.

how did i get so lucky?