Cath, etc.

Christmas Greetings from Our House to Yours

It's been a year now since Mark and I left our home in Utah to begin a new life in New Hampshire. We've been busy, busy, busy settling in, adjusting, and making our house a home. And while it has been one of the most challenging experiences either one of us have ever been through, there's nothing like a little Christmas to make you feel right at home.

We've decked the halls (quite literally):

...and added a faux mantel to the new fireplace:

(Who knew? All you need is some bookshelves and some screws and voila! Instant mantle!)

Our snowfriends are happy in their customary spot--the kitchen window--where we get so much sun in the wintertime, I'm worried they might start to melt:

There are some sparkles in the sun-drenched dining room:

...and some carollers in the entryway:

Outside, the lamppost is festive:

The wreaths add some cheer:

(And like good New Englanders, there are candles in every window.)




Even the birds seem to be celebrating:

For little by little, bit by bit, this house is starting to feel comfortable and familiar:

A cherished spot where we wake up to sunrises such as these:

Our daily dose of enchantment from this magical place we {now} call home.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine in the 'Shire!

My Christmas Card to You

As winter kisses silent nights
And kitchens spill with sweet delights
As children fill with wonder by
The magic in a starlit sky

As neighbors knock to spread good cheer
And friendship deepens through the year
As strangers unto others give
So kindness, faith, and love can live

In hearts and souls of every man
We hold each other by the hand
And know the endless, bounteous worth
Of goodwill t'wards men and peace on earth.
  

Merry Christmas, blogfriend!
May joy be yours this holiday season
and throughout the coming new year!

With all my love,
~Cath

In Preparation for Our Guests

I've been cleaning like a mad woman.

Which is pretty much my least favorite thing in the whole world to do. And I don't think that I'm alone in this.

As much as I love and care for my home, I'd much rather go hiking than stay inside and wash windows.

In fact, I'd much rather write a blog post than clean my upholstery.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that I'd rather read a good book than steam-clean my carpets.

 When it comes right down to it, I'd prefer to hang with my family than clean out a closet.

Any day of the week.

I am not an organizer by nature. When I cleaned out the shelves of my kitchen island recently, I discovered it was housing papers from when Beccah was in junior high.

Ay yiy yiy.

Which compels me to make this humble confession. One of the things I liked about working full-time is that it tended to give me an excuse not to have an immaculate home.

I really should dust the bedroom this weekend, but I'm just exhausted from my work week.

I realize that the oven hasn't been cleaned for a millenia, but maybe I'll have more energy next Saturday.

Now don't get me wrong. I stay on top of the weekly maintenance. Vacuuming; dusting the main living areas; cleaning the bathrooms; Swiffering the hard wood; washing, drying, folding, and putting away the laundry--all these necessities get taken care of weekly.

It's the deep-down stuff that tends to get neglected. And now that I'm part-time, I can't pull the exhausted-from-my-work-week card. Ah, the drawbacks.

Which is exactly why holidays like Thanksgiving are so motivating. I tend to host the festivities every year. There's not a whole lot I enjoy more than putting on a good party.

Which leads me to reveal yet another humble confession. Sometimes I think I like to host parties because it gives me a reason to clean my house. Let's face it. I am an extrovert. As said extrovert, I am more motivated by other people than I motivate myself.

Especially when it comes to cleaning.

So, this year, because I'm part-time and therefore have the energy, I've pulled out all the stops in preparation of the Big Meal.

I've cleaned the carpets in three rooms, a staircase, 2 rugs, and a large hallway.

And put everything back.

I've even cleaned the upholstery on 2 couches.

I've mopped my floors, washed some windows, and dusted 111 staircase stiles.

I ordered the blinds for the dining room I've been promising myself every Thanksgiving for the past 3 years--in plenty of time for installation. Anyone who knows me well knows this is a veritable coup. In fact, they're already up. Thanks, Mark!

And in spite of my disdain for cleaning, it is quite lovely to have seen the dirt that came out of my carpets and know that it is no longer lurking in some invisible net of filth and putrescence, seemingly threatening our health and well-being, causing our carpets to wear before their time. I will spare you the visual.

And as I promise myself that I'll never let it get this bad again, I know that I will always be in a tug-of-war between wanting to live my life to its fullest and knowing that the bottom line is that I enjoy living my life to its fullest much more when my house is deep-down clean.

But for now, I am content to know that our little yellow house with the wrap-around porch will sparkle this holiday season--even if I'm the only one who can tell.

For really, being an extrovert who wants to put my best foot forward for others, I've been wrapping it up with love and warmth, in preparation for our guests.

Happy Haunting!

Have I mentioned recently how much I love my job?

Oh, I have? Well, bear with me, because I'm going to say it again.

I love my job.

Here's one of the many reasons why:

The 9 Brides of Frankenstein

My take on the theme

Each year we dress in a team Halloween costume. Last year, we were hippies, though I spent Halloween in New Hampshire and missed out on the fun:

Kelly, Jennifer, Susan, Brandy, and Stace

Although, Mark and I did channel our inner hippies at a party Susan and Beth had hosted the week before:

The year before that the Paper Crafts team was a girl-band; the year before that, pirates; and the year before that we were a motorcycle gang.

And yeah, I'm kicking myself because I don't have any photos of those great costumes for you.

But this year, with the addition of Matt, our token man to the team, we enjoyed being the 9 brides of Frankenstein. Which could only happen in Utah, of course!

Jennifer, Susan, Matt, me, Brandy, Holly, Brenda, Kelly, Melinda, and Sarie

It's one of the ways I get my Halloween jollies every year, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Here's the other:

This year marks the 15th year of putting the "eyes" in the upstairs windows for all our neighbors.

And here's another:

 Our kitchen bay window. Click here for the full treatment.

What are your favorite ways to celebrate Halloween? With our kiddos all grown, I will admit, it's fun to have a couple of pieces in place to make sure that I still celebrate. I hope that no matter what your age, you still get into the Halloween "spirit"!

Happy haunting!

Easter Brunch

_{Mlle. Violetta Lapin} 

 

The Menu

Baked Ham

Vegetable Strata

Rhodes' Orange Rolls (in my grocer's freezer)

Funeral Potatoes

Steamed Asparagus

Fresh Strawberries

Ina's Coconut Cupcakes (with speckled jelly beans on top)

Mimosas

 

I'm a busy little bunny preparing for this feast for eight at 1:00 PM tomorrow. I hope your Easter Eve is filled, like mine, with childish anticipation of a festive gathering shared with family and friends.

Happy Easter!

From My House to Yours

A house of ginger, a Christmas wreath:

A sparkling tree with gifts beneath:

 

Eggnog, scarves, and tiny lights:

Caroling on a snowy night:

With jolly old St. Nicholas:

Ho-ho-ho's and ha-ha-ha's:

With partridges and mistletoe:

Firelight and heaps of snow:

Homemade treats and jingle bells:

Windows steamed with Christmas smells:

With shopping, wrapping, ribbons, and bows:

Jack Frost nipping, nose and toes:

With relatives both far and near:

And a wassail bowl to spread good cheer:

 

With good friends, laughter, all things jolly: 

 

With deck the halls with boughs of holly:

With peace on earth, good will towards men:

   

Merry Christmas again and again!

 

From my house to yours, Merry Christmas blogfriends!

A Time to Remember

I'm back from 6 parties in 5 days, 3 of which I hosted at my home. It all began last Wednesday in which my Classics Book Club gathered for a fine meal and a discussion of what books we'd like to read next year.  More to come.

Thursday was the Paper Crafts team party hosted by our editor-in-chief, Jennifer Schaerer, in the midst of which I was presented my birthday cake...

...handmade by the multi-talented Stace. Paper Crafts goes all out for birthdays. My theme this year: the Moxie Fab World and becoming green.

On Friday, I went to work and discovered this sign hanging above my cube:

  

...once again, prepared by the multi-faceted Stace. I was presented with a gift card to REI on the way to our company holiday party with which I plan to purchase some Yaktrax so I can hike this winter.

That evening, we attended a super fun party hosted by our friends Jill and Randy. I'm sad to say that we were so busy having a ton of fun that I have no pictures whatsoever.

Saturday was my birthday (not Friday as my birthday blog post would have indicated. Since when does 12:00 AM 12/20/2008 become a December 19 post?) Nicole, Beccah, and Mark pulled out all the stops to throw me the best party evah! (Thanks, guys!) Whilst they were making preparations, my mom took me to lunch and we went shopping. I don't have a ton of photos, but here are some of the highlights of the party:

The luminaries on the sidewalk leading up to the house.

Beccah and Barty

Jennifer, Nicole, and Jennifer

Jennafer, Stace-the-talented, and Susan

Jennifer & Nick

Vince & Charsti

One of the many highlights of the evening--the surprise 6th annual visit of the Tuba Carolers, friends of Nicole's from high school who play Christmas carols on our front porch, the surest way for anyone to be dipped, no dunked, directly into the Christmas Spirit.

 Staci, Nan, Yours Truly, and Charsti--Seriously good times

On Sunday we hosted 28 for the 6th annual Crazy Cousins Christmas Caroling Convention in which we were surrounded by love, warmth, and beautiful music. The highlight of that evening was the moment in which I invited the little girl cousins, the big girl cousins, and the aunts upstairs to raid the Cards by Cath stash. Some left with 3 bags of cards overflowing!

This morning when Mark received an invitation to a work cocktail party for this evening, I respectfully declined. He is there now, and I am home with you. For I have had the time of my life in these last few days. There's nothing like celebrating the good friends in our workplaces, the everlasting pals from our pasts, and the kinship that lies in those to whom we are born. I am writing this wrapped in a glow that will last at least until the next time we meet.

May your holidays be filled with the love and peace of good friends, close family, and the laughter and warmth that fills each day with joy.

For these are the times to remember. And I will, gratefully, remember them well.

15 Things

1. Dutifully called the Third District Court after 5 on Friday to determine if I would have to report for jury duty tomorrow. That's a negative, but I'll be sure and avoid contempt of court charges by calling again tomorrow to see if Tuesday's a go. I received my Jury Summons with dread, as work is impossibly crazy right now. Is there ever a convenient time to perform our civic duty? Truth be told, I actually think it would be an interesting experience, but I'm not wishing for it. I'll keep you posted.
2. Ordered Chinese and watched two episodes of  CSI on On Demand followed by Christmas Vacation.
3. Hiked a 6.5-mile loop in Corner Canyon in high-40's beautiful winter blue-sky weather, grateful for every step of such a late-season opportunity.
4. Hot-tubbed afterward to sooth my weary bones.
5. Was thrilled that the toenail I smashed in June finally fell off when I clipped it to reveal a disfigured, but healthy, little nubbin underneath.
6. Went on a Christmas shopping  date with my handsome husband in which we
7. drove by La Caille to see their stunning decorations
8. on the way to a more reasonably priced restaurant in which we shared a romantic meal and a creme brulee.
9. Sent out e-mails for the Crazy Cousins Christmas Caroling Convention sticking to my desire to simplify the season by not making handmade invitations.
10. Watched The Long Kiss Goodnight (great movie!) while we
11. joyfully listened to the raucous laughter downstairs as Nicole, Beccah, and some good friends watched Elf  and played Yahtzee.
12. Woke up and got ready for our 23rd annual Ornament Shopping Trip that began when Nicole was first born and has continued every year ever since. This includes
13. singing Christmas carols in the car,
14. eating breakfast out,
15. and shopping for a new ornament for the tree.

A wonderfully relaxing weekend celebrating the season with my family.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Simplifying the Season

 

Let me know if you're feeling any of the following symptoms:

• An overwhelming desire to cut way back on your holiday obligations. I want to do the stuff that I really want to do. Like the Crazy Cousins Christmas Caroling Convention. And the annual Sunday morning go out for breakfast and get a new ornament for the tree excursion. And Grinch night with tea cakes and fudge even though I don't really like tea cakes, the fudge makes up for the tea cakes.

• Christmas cards? Everybody I know reads this blog. All y'all know way more about what's going on with me and my family than you did last year at this time. And maybe even some stuff you didn't want to know. If you even knew me last year at all. This could be considered sacrilegious considering the fact that I'm the creative editor of a paper crafting magazine, but I'm just tellin' it like it is.

• A need to simply enjoy experiences with your family and friends rather than shop until you drop. Like watch A Christmas Story. And It's a Wonderful Life. And maybe even Elf. A moonlight hike up Mill Creek Canyon would be lovely. Baking ginger snaps together would be divine. To be honest, the last place I want to be right now is a mall. 

• Wanting to spend less and give more meaningfully. After taking a class on sustainability recently, I just don't want more stuff that I don't really need. Every year my girls and I get a new pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve. Well, truth be told, I have three perfectly wonderful--and cute!-- pairs of jammie pies that aren't even stained. I need a new pair of pyjomes like I need to do jury duty next week (which is a possibility--I find out tomorrow night.) So, to be kind to mother earth, and my wallet, I'm going to abstain from jammie pies this year. And everything else that I don't really need. I'm OK with asking for things that are essential. But then when I think about it, what do I really need to be happy? I have good health, a lovely home, a great job, and fantastic family and friends. What's one more doo-dad going to be compared to all that?

• A desire to simply enjoy the moments of the season. Like last night stopping what I was doing to sing Christmas carols in harmony with Mark and Nicole who were practicing them together on their guitars. Like sipping a glass of wine in front of the glowing fire and the sparkling tree with my sweet man. Like breathing deeply and immersing myself in the magic of it all. I can't remember the last time I relaxed through the holidays. It was at least before I became a mother, and probably even before then.

Bottom line: I want to change my expectations for myself this year. Pay attention to the things I really want to do. Let go of the things I don't.

Mindful of the pie, I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanksgiving Mosaic

A good time was had by all.

Thanks for making the place cards, Beccah.