Nostalgia

It must be the fact that I am sick, or that WHEN I am sick I clean. When I clean, I find really old momentos, notes, and photos of where we have been (mentally, not only physically).

So yesterday, after my weepy blog post I flopped on our california king bed to watch TV. I looked over to the left where my pseudo bookshelf is, and a book called out to me.

Book: Pick me up!
Me: Go away. Too sick.
Book: You have to finish me.
Me: No, I don't. I have another year. Shhh.
Book: Maybe you should check that out...
Me: I am NOT getting up.
Book: We both know you are.
Me: Ha. That's Funny- FUNNY.
Book: Fine, I'll wait.
Me: FINE!

The book was a Christmas Keepsake Book from Susan Branch. I ordered it in September of 2005, because I wanted to document our first 5 married Christmas' together. I ordered it because LML and I ALWAYS filled out keepsake books together. I ordered it so I could show it to our future kids and family members. But- I never finished it.

And guess what? This year is the last one that will be documented in that book. I panicked and hopped on over to Amazon to order another one. (I did)

I can't believe the things we have been through since Christmas 2005!

2005
Christmas spent in Kalamata!
New Years spent in Athens, having a huge party!

(our first family photo & first tree @ home)

(this was in our yard in Greece, Christmas morning, making food. Don't laugh at our PJs/Socks & Slippers combo! LOL)

2006
Christmas in NY
New Years @ a catering hall with friends!

2007
Christmas in NY
New Years (very eventful, fighting, at a catering hall in NY)

(this pic is NOT from that catering hall- we don't have many pics from holidays 07!)

2008
Christmas with friends and family in NY
New Years- freezing cold in NY, so bad that we went home early and frostbitten!

2009
NEW YORK BABY!

Our relationship, like any other, has had it's ups and downs. Those who say they haven't honestly disturb me. I am so happy that it's been 5 married years with LML. Who else would put up with me?

Happy Holidays, and more soon!

MG

Symphony of Sick

Achoo sniffle sniffle

Sneeze sneeze COUGH

What else is there to do when you're sick and under the covers for two days? Someone help me!

Update: a few hours later...

*have discovered the wonders of chamomile by drinking 3 cups
*took out my Susan Branch Christmas Keepsake book- and can't believe our first 5 years of Married Christmases are almost over
*realized I cannot listen to some songs without weeping
*literally, weeping
*caught up on my favorite show, Accidentally on Purpose
*almost ate all the peeps

*made hot chocolate
*decided on what to make for dinner (artichokes and peas)
*decided on what to make for dessert (baked apples)

That's good for someone who's freezing and unbelievably ill. Ew.

Oh, and I ordered a book! More about my book issues soon!

Inspirations.

A good writer, an optimistic person usually pulls inspiration from anywhere. They can find it in anything: a beautiful day outside, the laughter of a child as they run like a maniac outside...just because they can. The smells of sweets being baked, frosting a cupcake, pretty things, a roaring fire to keep warm with a cup of marshmallow-y hot chocolate in hand...
I hold a notebook around with me, and usually jot everything down. Things to do, see, eat, cook, read. Inspirational words, stories, books to read. People to research. One of my favorite people to look to for inspiration (not a family member) is Susan Branch.
In a letter from a friend I had received years and years ago, she mentioned that she loved her cookbooks. I was just about to get married, so I figured that picking up a cookbook would be an excellent idea. Susan Branch's work is COMPLETELY inspirational. The intricate, happy drawings, the font used, and her life story jump out at you from the pages. It's as if it takes you to a land far, far away (i.e. Martha's Vineyard, another place to visit on my bucket list :)
One should really pick her Autumn book up- it's my favorite with the Christmas book coming in as a close second. I will get to work in the next couple of weeks (after I get some of my to-do list done) transforming my house into a winter wonderland. Hopefully, by then, I will have my camera back to use it!!! I'm going stir crazy without it...
In the Autumn book, she mentions a poem printed on the first few pages which fit the past weekend's description well. It was beautiful, and the weather was just brisk enough to make one feel like they can conquer the world. And boy, do I want to!
I love weekend's away in the country. I'm a cross between a city girl and a country bumpkin myself. I don't think I'll ever find a happy medium (suburbia? Creepy...)

So, here's to hoping that you all get to enjoy the weather this weekend! Bake a pie (eat a pie! God, I love pie...), kick some leaves, press the pretty ones into a book to frame them later <3 Visit a neighbouring vineyard if you can, or get a yummy glass of wine to enjoy with dinner (if you're indeed over 21, please! and Don't, DON'T! drink and drive)

More v.,v. soon!
MG