I Miss You Too

Dave was kind enough to point out that I haven't posted in a while. In over a month! Don't cry! Here is a little update. I worked on a portrait commission, and then flew with Mark to Nashville to see his Mom and Sis. Then we celebrated the New Year's arrival at our friend Chris's house, to which I brought the famous macaroons.
The portrait was such a major project. A child's face is the most difficult thing in the world to paint. I would rather paint a cut crystal bowl full of hershey's kisses, or a trompe of a dollar bill. But I think it turned out okay.



The trip to Nashville was wonderful and completely relaxing, which made up for the punitive plane rides. After 3 years in LA, the rolling green hills, ponds, and farms were such a gorgeous sight. And there were ducks! and chickens! and donkeys! Oh, my!
Mom Marion and Holly were so fun, and we were all thrilled to spend the time together.

I have never been a big New Year's Eve celebrating person. Midnight is just so late, dammit. But I do like the idea of setting new goals and intentions for the year. When I figure them out, I will let you know.
I made macaroons to bring to the New Year's Eve party, and people flipped out over them.
Here is the recipe for the most amazing, sinful cookie you will ever have. It's like putting a creamy, chewy, sweet piece of heaven in your mouth. I am not kidding. Make these for someone you love. Hopefully, they like coconut. I bake stuff all the time, and these macaroons get the most attention. Almost as much as the whoopie pies. There are many other recipes for the whoopie pie, but Mark forbids me to try them out.

So there you have it. Portrait, ducks, and macaroons.

Festive

I took this shot on Christmas Eve Day. Thanks, Mom for the beautiful centerpiece. We hung our wedding painting next to the tree.

It was a very quiet Christmas Day. Just Mark and me. Opened a few gifts (Yay, I finally have an IPod!). I cooked, and then we ate!

Hope your Christmas was wonderful!

Home Again

Friday, Mark, Cato, Clouseau and I were allowed back into our apartment. The kitties sang to me the whole way home in the car. Everything is fine. Got our Christmas tree and decorated it. Yay!

The only problem was that nobody (ahem, the landlord) had the gas turned back on. No heat, stove, or shower. Boo.

I was not going to let that get me down! We had a fabulous time hanging out and eating bagels and coffee with our wonderful downstairs neighbor, Tom. Yay!

Here is a pic of the cool motel we stayed in. Oops, I mean, the motel in which we stayed. Cato on the bed, perfectly calm, and Clouseau wedged in between the headboard and wall, where he hid most of the time. Also, Cato took some time to study the artwork in the motel room. And here is a pic of our apartment building tented. I drove by to see it that day. I thought it was weird how nobody parked in front of the building. I guess people are still afraid because 4 years ago a building exploded when they fumigated. Eek.

It feels so good to be home again. The kitties are happy! I appreciate a shower so much more than before, and we are ready for Christmas!

Christmas Cheer

Mark, Cato, Clouseau, and I are in a motel room for 3 days because our apartment building is being filled with highly toxic gas in an attempt to kill termites, and any other living thing that has the misfortune of being there. I have to say that I do not like the idea that everything we own is going to be permeated by this toxic gas. The 'bug guys', as we like to call them, told us that there is no danger, that the gas evaporates completely from everything. But make absolutely sure you double bag and securely tie all food in these special bags. And baby mattresses especially. Okay, what about adult matresses? Not them? I don't feel confident.

So after days of bagging all food in the fridge and cabinets(and pillows), we are all at the Safari Inn. Clouseau spent most of the day wedged in between the bed and the wall. Cato is fine, of course. I am a little stressed because the motel has a policy that pets are not allowed to be left unattended. So I have been in the motel room most of the day. Not too bad. Watched Law and Order reruns on TNT.

Until today, though, I have not been feeling any good Christmas spirit. Mostly because 5 days before Christmas we have been kicked out of our apartment, having poison gas sprayed on all our stuff, and staying in a motel room. And no Christmas tree.

I usually run around all day, with no spare time. So, with all this time on my hands, I decided to send a little 'Happy Holiday' note to everyone on my email list, make a few phone calls, and balance my checkbook. When I checked my email later, I had received so many sweet responses to my little e-note that I was struck with a burst of Christmas Spirit. Thank you everyone! I was actually going to post today about how I needed help getting into the spirit, but now I don't need to. Don't get me wrong , I still long to hear from you with anything you could say.

Mark and I are planning on decorating our tree this weekend, listening to Christmas music, do some last minute shopping (which I actually love, as long as a mall is not involved), and I am going to make all our favorite foods! Yeah, Christmas Spirit!