Friday Things
1. This week, Einstein and Duke went for a much-needed trip to the groomer. They’re so fluffy and soft and smell so good, I can’t stop snugging them!
2. Are you planning to see Anchorman 2? We may need to do some last-minute Christmas shopping today, but I see a matinee movie date (my favorite!) in our future!
3. I’ve recently started using the shampoo and conditioner from DevaCurl. I was on the hunt for a new shampoo and conditioner combo that was free of parabens, silicone and sulfates, and gave this a try. I am LOVING it! The shampoo is different since it doesn’t lather, which takes some getting used to, but my hair has never felt so clean and light. I’m still using up my old styling products, so I haven’t tried any from their line yet, but I will keep you posted.
4. Last Saturday, we had a beautiful snow storm. It came and went all day, and I just kept standing at the window watching the big, fluffy snowflakes fall. Such a cozy day, I hope we have more of them throughout the winter!
5. I am epically bad at arranging flowers. I love having fresh flowers on the table and have an assortment of vases, but they never end up looking very good. I’m not sure if I’m using the wrong vase, cutting the stems too short or long… does anyone know of some tutorials or “how-to” sites that might be helpful?
6. My dad passed away in April 1999 and every Christmas since then, my aunt has given everyone in our family a homemade ornament with the year and my dad’s name on it. I finally set up a little ornament tree with all of them…
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It’s really very pretty and a nice tribute to my dad. However, after I got them all hung, I counted them… 14 ornaments… it made me incredibly sad. Fourteen Christmases that I haven’t spent with my dad; I can’t believe this year will be 15. Life really goes by in the blink of an eye, doesn’t it?
7. On Wednesday, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I went to the dentist for our annual checkup/cleaning. Incredibly, neither of us has ever had a cavity. Most people can’t believe it, including our current dentist. We grew up about 20 minutes from each other and, ironically, had the same pediatric dentist growing up until we were in college. Maybe we owe it to him!
8. How awesome is this garden? I have total garden envy!
9. How is your holiday baking coming along? My mom and I spent all day on Sunday baking, and I’ve done some on my own, as well. At current count, I have walnut pillows, thumbprints and decker cake in the freezer; peanut butter chocolate bark, peppermint bark, reindeer chow, pecan tassies, mini cheesecake cookies, date bars, snowballs and buckeyes in the refrigerator; and peanut butter blossoms hanging out in the dining room. I’ve also made Italian sesame seed cookies; I’ll be sharing that recipe on Monday! I feel like there are other things I want to make, but I might be up to my eyeballs in cookies until March if I don’t stop now ;-)
10. TGIF! I hope you have a fabulous pre-Christmas weekend! I’m going to try not to eat all of the peppermint bark before I give it away :)
That’s so sweet that your aunt gives you those ornaments. I’m sure they do bring mixed feelings but they are beautiful. It’s always shocking how quickly time goes by. Have a Merry Christmas, Michelle!
Love your ornament tree! I also get an ornament each year from the local ALS Association–my dad passed away from ALS. I only have 4, but I still couldn’t believe there were that many when I put them on the tree this year.
I don’t know what your hair is like, but I’ve been using the Frizz-Free Volumizing Foam for a couple months now and love it! My hair used to be stick straight, but a few years ago it became super curly when I grew it out. Needless to say, after a lifetime of styling one way, it has take some getting used to dealing with the curl and this product is great at keeping me from looking like Little Orphan Annie. I haven’t tried the shampoo/conditioner, but I may go that direction. Thanks for the recommendation!
I noticed a while ago we have very similar hair, I use deva curl and love it too, especially the heavenly hair deep conditioner. The styling products don’t have enough hold for me, but herbal essences Set Me Up spray gel and Totally Twisted mousse give me great (and cheap) definition without crunch. I totally buy into the philosophy behind those deva curl products and naturallycurly.com as well!
I am really feeling this chocolate peppermint bark!
Your boys look too cute! Hope Santa Paws is good to them.
I’m sorry about the loss of your father. I lost my Mom on November 8, 2012. It was very unexpected & sudden. The ornament tree looks very sweet; but hard to look as it gets more “full.”
I would love to take a flower arranging class. That’s something I think my Mom would’ve enjoyed. I think knowing how to arrange would help me decide what to buy.
Great post. Merry Christmas.
Your two fuzzy boys are soooo cute! I do love the smell of a doggy right after the trip to the groomer for a “fluff and buff”. Our short-hair Mutt (Moke) loves going to the groomer, does a dance just outside the door to get in! Thanks for sharing about your Father’s passing. It doesn’t get better with time, it just becomes bearable. My Dad, gone 5 years now, was a teacher and a hobby bee-keeper, so I always appreciate flowers with bees in the Spring and organic honey to use in my recipes. To remember him, I found someone on Etsy to make a small silver stacking ring with a bee on it to remind me of my Dad–looking at it reminds me to find time in the week to “Bee Happy.” I added his birthstone (small Ruby) to another stacking ring this Season as a flower! Have a peaceful, Merry Christmas, and thank you for your Blog!
I used DevaCurl for about a year, but just couldn’t justify the cost of it anymore (even with buying it from Amazon) for so-so results. I’ve been using EverCurl line from L’oreal and really like it.
That is so sweet to have those ornaments to remember your dad. What a great idea to put up a little tree for them! I am so sorry you’ve been without him for so long. I know you will see him again!
My dad passed away the day after Christmas at only 42; it will be 20 years this year. My son was only two at the time, and my dad had sent him an engraved ornament with his name and the year on the front and “Love, grandpa” on the back. Every year since then we’ve gotten him an ornament and had it engraved from grandpa. When he leaves home, those will all be his for his first tree of his own.
I bought 30 lbs of butter on special at the end of November; I’m just now down to my last two pounds. I can’t keep up with cleaning the dusting of flour and powdered sugar that’s settled on everything!