My new fitness plan

In a recent article on MSN.com they listed 50 Ways to Cut 500 Calories...

I'm going with option #21:

21. Get out your knitting needles. An afternoon of knitting can burn more than 500 calories (at a rate of about 100 an hour).

So, if you are looking for me this weekend, I will likely be starting in on my post-holiday health plan at Starbucks with a scarf, sock, mittens or hat...

And the winner is...

I'm going to be a winner!! Well, I hope so anyway. Miss Cindy got me hooked on reading this blog: Brooklyn Limestone and there is a New Years Giveaway going on that I'm sure I can win...it is all about the random number generator! One of the fun things about surfing blogs is finding out about all the talented people out there in this world and this is one talented photographer!!

Dear Virginia:

When we were going to the Santa Claus book reading at Petunia's Place, Tyler asked me if it was a Santa in a costume or the real Santa that brought presents to our house that we would be seeing. Today in the office, Erika asked me what Tyler believes about Santa Claus. In discussing our "Co-Parenting" Plan with regards to Santa Claus, Doug and I discussed whether Santa would probably visit both of our houses or just the one Tyler was staying at that night.

It seems that Santa Claus is, and has been for years, a much discussed aspect of the holiday season. In fact, in 1897, there was a little girl name Virginia who wrote to New York's Sun Newspaper asking about Santa Claus,

"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. "

"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' "

"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?"

The Response is "history's most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps."

One passage in particular stands out to me:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus."

This, for me, draws a loose parallel between the secular expression of Christmas (Santa Claus) and the true "Hero" of Christmas (Jesus). Jesus was (and is) the epitome of love, generosity and devotion. In fact, using Francis Pharcellus Church's words and replacing Santa Claus with Jesus it reads:

"Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a [Jesus]. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no [Jesus]."

SO TRUE!! I have always considered myself a believer, even though not necessarily "religious", but I have found that raising a son, I am constantly reassessing my beliefs and faith priorities.

All the time in the world...

In my blog reading, I keep finding these amazingly fun projects that I would LOVE to do (If I had all the time in the world....

While reading Nesting Place, I came across this project that I really feel like Tyler and I would have a blast with.

While cruising Live a Colorful Life, I found this awesome half eaten gingerbread ornament that I plan to start right after Christmas (gotta finish the Christmas gift knitting) and besides, then I'll have time to do it for the tree for next year.


And while looking on Etsy this week, I found several people who are making Button Letters...I'm totally planning mine (since I can't see spending that much money on something I can make). Instead of a pillow, I'm making mine a wall hanging!


This one's by Letter Perfect Designs

If you have any other super fun projects that I should add to my to do list, please feel free to leave them in a comment!!

Aren't the holidays fun?

Other than the ornaments Aunt Sue has crafted for me (and all the other cousins) over the years, this is probably my next favorite. The funny thing? It came as a Starbucks gift card holder a few years ago.

Dear Santa,

"I want a Black Spider Man costume, a Sharkbite Bay car track, a Wolverine Shing, Wolverine shoes, Wolverine socks ..." and his list goes on. This is the first year that Tyler has really been "into" Santa. He is continually adding to his "list" for what he wants Santa to bring him for Christmas this year. When I casually mentioned to him that I had never seen Wolverine shoes in the store, he blithely reasured me, "It's OK, Mom, I'll just ask Santa and he'll know where to get them!" Oh...well...now that you put it like that...(does anyone know where in the heck Santa might shop for Wolverine shoes or socks???)

This weekend Tyler, Mom and I had the opportunity to go to Petunia's Place (an awesome bookstore at Bullard/West) to listen to Santa read stories to the kids while the parent shopped--clever sales ploy which I totally fell for! Now, in years past, Tyler has wanted nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, to do with Santa. He didn't want to talk to him, he didn't want his candy, and he for sure did not want to sit on his lap. So, I knew going in that this was going to be a "distance learning" experience. As we were walking in to the bookstore, Tyler asked me, "Mom, will this be the Santa in a costume, or will this be the Santa who really brings presents to our house?" Hmm...Now, what an insightful question. Anyways, Santa read Jan Brett's Night Before Christmas and then asked if any of the kids wanted to sit on his lap. No go...Then he read Chris Van Allsburg's Polar Express and asked again. Tyler completely surprised me and said YES! So, at age 4, Tyler has his first Pictures with Santa.He started off standing...then made his way up onto Santa's lap...wheeew...we did it!

Trees, Trains and Gingerbread...

...it must be Christmas!

Now that Tyler and I are living in our own place, there was one more tree to put up. Bright and early Sunday morning, Mom, Dad, Tyler and I gathered at our house with a tree, some decorations, hot chocolate/coffee and LOTS of energy! Although, I have to say, I think most of the energy was coming from Tyler...We were able to set up our brand new Christmas tree (gotta love the three section, flip down limbed, prelit trees!) and then Ty set to work putting up the decorations. In years past, Tyler has been more about undressing the tree than dressing the tree, so it was a lot of fun to see him get into the festivities. My heart warmed when he requested his very own nativity and diligently set it up exactly as it was shown on the box.
It really helps me remember that JESUS is the reason we celebrate this thing we call Christmas; presents, food, etc. are just bonus, but would be nothing if it weren't for Jesus.

We were aparently gluttons for punishment, because later that same day, we headed over to Mom and Dad's house to do up their tree in a similarly festive manner. It was great to see Tyler practicing his management skills; it was common to hear, "Now, Mom, you put this one on that top branch, and I will put this ornament on this branch over here. No, Grandma, not that branch, THIS branch." Kim, Tyler, Mom and I had the opportunity to put together a gingerbread house...from 2007...needless to say, this one's just for looks! Later (the following weekend) we decided to to a gingerbread Christmas tree that could be eaten, because that's most of the fun!

While we were decorating at Mom and Dad's, Tyler somehow managed to convince Dad that it was a good idea to set up the train set. (Trust me, it was NOT that hard a sell...)