2 day pass

the weekend was just what i needed:
plenty of fresh air logging double digit miles with my man...
ample free time to read and relax...
and quality moments shared with my family.
it was a treat to enjoy an impromptu lunch with just my hubby in the middle of the day saturday and then a spontaneous Italian spread with more family that night.
it was such fun to cheer t. bone on courtside sunday afternoon and then to experience the blue man group with my wide eyed kids at the wee end of the weekend.
weekends like this one refresh and restore thanks to goodness galore.

On My Mind Monday

There's really no time like the present especially when it's the start of a spanking brand new year.

Checking In

It has already been a good, full day and the sun is still shining high. I'm here because I have nowhere else I need to be. Well, I could be taking down our Christmas trees, but I don't want to. It's not that I'm dreading the tedium of wrapping and boxing each ornament. No, it's that I'm just not ready...still...yet. I turn the big tree on every morning first thing and I enjoy my coffee in its glowing, peaceful presence. Last year I was so late in being "ready" that our tree sat on the edge of our culvert all winter long because we missed pick up and you need to know that I am proud of that. I don't believe the miracle that is Christmas ends on the 25th.

T. Bone woke up this morning rather sore after breaking in his new totally awesomely rad new snowboard last night. After a pain pill and two perfectly grilled camel's eyes (egg in a hole), he was convinced he could do basketball practice after all. We dropped him downtown at the club and headed due east to walk along the lakefront for a change of pace. The minute we got out of the car I took a whiff of air and swore it smelled exactly like spring. It was another unseasonably nice day, but the wind out of the west was a little biting reminding us that indeed it is just now winter. Hubby and I walked around the lagoon and out along the breakwater for 4+ miles. It was just a great way to start the day. I never knew that they play music when they open the wings of the Calatrava. I do now.

On our way to get T. Bone, we got the call that he hooked up with Uncle B. Bone and wanted to stay and work out more and then go for lunch. I guess that was some pain pill! What that boy won't suffer through to spend time with his Uncle and to get himself some wings. Hubby and I meandered along the side streets finding ourselves at the city's best Italian market only a little by accident. I knew he would love it and I knew he was hungry so I took him in to explore. We bought some fresh pasta, homemade sauce, melt in your mouth Montamore cheese, a bottle of wine and lunch: a mufaletta for him and a meatball sandwich for me. His was better despite the fact that mine was quite delicious too, and thankfully he shared. After we ate, we found ourselves shopping again. We picked up some more sauce and pasta, a couple bottles of Chianti, artichoke fritters, fried ravioli and canolis hoping that my brother and sil will join us for Italian night. They said yes, thankfully.

I set the table, made my Italian vinaigrette and that brings me to here...now.

It brought me to there, but then the phone rang. It was Miss Bit from her sleepover at Aunt L and Uncle L's. She said, "Mom! I have to tell you Alice got surgery. You know that hole in her arm? Well, Aunt L sewed it all up." When I asked if she was OK, she happily reported, "Oh yeah. She used like the exact color thread and you cannot even tell that she ever had a hole. She's as good as new." And that is good news because Alice is very special to Miss Bit. It's her connection to her Nanny. I know the little hole bothered her. I know she was worried that someday Alice would be no more too just like Nanny and neither of us were prepared for that.

I sat back down prepared to muse some more when I heard a cat literally wailing. It sure sounded to be coming from outside. It couldn't be one of my boys I knew because they were cozy inside. But I had to be sure. Check...Tigger was in his favorite afternoon chair, but Peanut...he was nowhere to be found. Then I remembered that I was in the garage about an hour before. I opened the door, and in he ran. That'll teach him.

Just as I sat down again, T. Bone arrived home, asked for a pain pill and made off with my computer. He had very important business to attend to you see. It's called fantasy football.

I'll pardon those interruptions, and I really don't even mind them one bit despite the fact that the moon is on the rise and I am now out of lost time.

Buonanotte.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

A much needed blog break. A respite from this forum. I've been a bit nostalgic and introspective. In looking in and back, I realized I needed to keep some of my thoughts just for myself.

Back to the routine. Monday morning came as a rather rude awakening here at Casa Wags. Both kiddos felt downright assaulted by their alarms, but we survived the battle. This week I discovered the very best way to wake my sleeping beaut is to whisper a little warning in her ear so she knows that soon she has to come unsnuggled. Whether I come back in 5, 10 or 15 minutes, she wakes with a smile. (And if she finds the day's outfit favorable, she may even have a slight spring in her step too.) This morning T. Bone was up before my alarm sounded singing and smiling because after school he has ski club. He was so over the rising sun to try out his awesome new snowboard that I imagine he's skipping through his day.

Ramping up the mileage this week. I even went out for a quick couple miles last night while the rest of my family ran an errand. Let me tell you it helps to have a good book to listen to. I finally finished The Room. It wasn't my favorite. It wasn't particularly well-written although it was interesting. Now I'm on to The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. I can already tell 4 chapters in that I am going to like this novel so much more.

Back to meal planning this week too. Crockpot bbq chicken and almost as good as Bruegger's breakfast sandwiches according to and inspired by T. Bone on this week's menu. The chicken was delish with the perfect baked taters. Here's how: Scrub Russet potato. Pierce 7 times with a fork. Rub with EVOO and then sea salt. Bake at 425 for 1 hour. You will eat the whole thing.

Mugs of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows and clouds of whipped cream even though we're still waiting for the cold and the snow in these parts.

Sharing crocks of sausage corn chowder and spicy tomato soup with friends during the Rose Bowl Monday night. It was a welcome start to the week. Of course, it could have been better with a Badger victory, but we are all still Bucky lovers here at Casa Wags as is evidenced by this Fathead that will soon adorn T. Bone's bedroom/locker room wall!

There's always room for two no matter how cozy the spot. We're seeing much more of this these days.

No more Christmas cookies or leftover birthday cupcakes or buttery scones or homemade donuts or hot out of the oven cheese danish for breakfast. Back on the menu are smoothies and cereal and anything whole or whole grain.

Even without her two front teeth, this girl can still tackle an ear of corn.

Resolve. I've really strayed from stating very specific resolutions at the start of the new year. Let's come clean...we all know that they usually aren't manifested. The minute we divide our wants, desires and dreams into shoulds and should nots we set ourselves up for inevitable failure. Instead I look at the big picture and try to come up with an inspiring mantra that is flexible and all encompassing of the many areas in my life that I wish to change or improve. In 2012, I will be more present. Amen.

For this view on the first day of the new year.

A family movie date for the movies last weekend. The whole row of us gave We Bought A Zoo the big thumbs up. I cried through most of it...both the happy and the sad parts. It's just that kind of a film and I'm just that kind of a sap.

Miss Bit is already packed for her sleepover at her aunt and uncle's this weekend. She's just a wee bit excited.

No kids tonight so hubby and I will take a long walk in the almost spring-like air.

January...a month I so adore for the fact that it makes me feel like cocooning with my new books and newfound Pinterest, and I think I need to say no more.

Welcome New Year

This past week my blog has taken on the appearance of a photo album. Sure, I have been busy ('tis the season), but I have to come clean and admit that my words have been evading me, sentences ever elusive. No pictures today though because we are all still in our jam jams lounging around the family room watching football while cuddling. It's snowing outside. Finally the ground is white. Of course, the kids go back to school tomorrow, but they have plans to get outside with friends in 2:49 when the game ends. T. Bone has dreams of snowboarding and Miss Bit would like to sled.

Miss Bit just warned, "The Packers are losing, but there's no need to panic."

T. Bone woke at 11:11 just in time to get his fantasy football team in order. Miss Bit didn't grace us with her presence until after noon. We didn't come home to bed until 2012. The party we all vowed we would stay at for only one hour proved much more festive and fun than we anticipated and none of us wanted to leave so we didn't. We cooked the pizza that was going to be supper for breakfast and will play games tonight after dinner. I made two pots of soup because it's just that kind of a day: lazy, cozy, warm, comforting. Hubby doesn't know it, but in 2:18 he'll be starting a fire, making me a hot toddy and letting me win at Scrabble.

This is exactly the kind of day we all needed and the perfect way to welcome the new year.

And Miss Bit was right. With 1:10 left in the game we are now up by 4.

Looking Back on 2011

JanuaryFebruary

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Happy 2012. I'm hopeful for another happy year filled with goodness.

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for the abundant blessings of Christmas. I'm still recovering from all the festivities...the food, frolicking and fun. The excitement of the crescendo leads to exhilaration and ultimately to sheer exhaustion, but in looking back as I'm so inclined to do at this late date in the year, it was good...all good. We were all sufficiently spoiled getting more than our fair share of time with family, good eats and yes, thoughtful, generous gifts too.

The memories of our celebrations are presenting themselves to me as moments burned in my brain the same way that images are captured on film. I can see the delight in T. Bone's face when he realized that the big gift he was told was for me was actually for him. It was the size and shape of a snowboard. Let me rephrase that...a real snowboard like the one he asked Santa Claus for not really expecting to get, but so desperately wanting. Santa B. Bone works magic too. Despite the fact that T. Bone was up at 7:00 Christmas morning, he didn't come rouse the rest of us because he was busy "playing with his snowboard." Mind you in his room where there is no snow! He was almost as excited about the longboard on Christmas morning and able to give it a roll precisely because there was no snow. I'm grateful that my kids know how fortunate they are, and that they appreciate gifts large and small, but do not expect them.


I can see the joyful surprise on Miss Bit's face when her Daddy came into the living room with a gift he happened to find in the basement. I'm grateful that although she didn't ask for a keyboard, I knew she would love one. She exclaimed, "I had a feeling I was going to get one of these. I just knew it!" She's been tickling the ivories ever since and eager to start lessons.

I can hear the second graders beautiful rendition of Walking in the Air. It's still sounding in my head in just the sweetest way. I'm grateful that my hubby and I were both in the audience for our girl's performance, and that she finally found us after much nervous crowd searching. We were there to see her...she saw us...she knew.

I can still hear the choir singing Mary Did You Know during the concert before Christmas Eve mass. The same line that opened my floodgates made Miss Bit giggle: And when you kiss your little boy you've kissed the face of God. After church, her Grandma told me she thought the lyrics were And when you kiss your little boy you've chewed a piece of gum. I'm grateful that my in-laws came to church with us and also that my mil carries Kleenex in her purse.

I can smell the dozens of cookies baked over the course of the last couple weeks and wrapped up to share with family, friends, teachers and neighbors. Christmas Eve day we made our annual Santa offerings: sugar cookie cutouts. Even T. Bone got into it again this year. I'm grateful for traditions. I've been baking the same cookies with the exact cookie cutters since I was T. Bone's age.

I can smell the doughnuts warm and freshly powdered on Christmas morning. Santa brought Miss Bit a doughnut maker and she just had to break it in nevermind that I had cranberry scones and berry muffins and cheese danish already made. I'm grateful for the slow start on Christmas Day and time to enjoy our gifts...one another. It was a welcome calm in the seasonal storm.