September was busy we were savoring the last bits of a delightful Summer and getting ready for an amazing two week trip to Maine and NYC, which was all kinds of crazy, wonderful fun.
Camden, Maine
Times Square, NYCAnd when we returned it was hectic, I was super busy at work. I love selling Real Estate so that's fun busy. Our Vintique and Handmade handcrafted soap business was busy with many people ordering ahead for the holidays, thank you all so much for your orders. Busy is good and I love being busy, but before I could catch up the holidays began.
Thanksgiving was a beautiful day.
It was a day filled with gratitude and Pomegranate Martini’s. We shared this lovely holiday with our very sweet, camera shy, friends and I was grateful for every moment of it. Turkey good, rutabagas good, gravy great and the BEST-EST friends, which all added up to a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.
And then, as if someone was playing a cruel joke on us all, Thanksgiving was late, rendering Christmas only 3 ½ weeks away. I am still waiting on an answer as to how that happened, and all of this has left me whining and completely wedged behind the eight ball.
Soon I found myself trapped here, behind this big black orb, and the panic set in fast. I decided not to host my annual Christmas Cookie Exchange and rather attended one hosted by a friend. It was fun to see how someone else hosted their exchange and I left with many delicious treats and a lovely ornament and gift card from a “white elephant” gift exchange. But I did miss catching up with some of my friends and may have to host another type of winter get together after the holidays settle down. I’m thinking a Valentines chocolate cookie/candy exchange, to give your Sweetheart, in lieu of the traditional commercial boxed candy. But wait. We have another holiday in the mix and I must get back to that. It’s a big holiday; in fact it’s the busiest holiday of the year. Are you ready?
Remember that eight ball I mentioned, it’s still here. My tree is not up yet, I only have half of my Christmas cards sent, some gifts still to get together, all gifts to wrap, and many to get in the mail to ensure they reach the East Coast by the 24th at the very least.
Yes, it’s getting a bit tight back here, along with panic the sweats have arrived and at times I fear I am about to have a full blown breakdown. Breathe, deep breathing helps to slow the heart rate, right?
So as I sit here, breathing and wiping the mist from my brow I have been looking around. And through my panic-y haze, I have noticed a few of my friends and family back here with me, they are stuck too. And now I find myself saying, “Hi Mom”, “Hi Sister”, “Hi friend with the new baby”, welcome. And like in all dilemma’s, we are supporting each other. “Don’t stress, it will all get done and what doesn’t get done won’t matter”, “Do you really have to put a tree up this year?”, “How can I help?” and the best advice of all, “Take a few minutes to just do something else, take time to recharge, when you get back you’ll have a clear head and be more focused.” And so that is just what I did Friday night, and it was magic.
Friday night I took a few hours off from Christmas. Clyde and I met some friends in Seattle to welcome back Matt Brown and the Connection who were making their return to the Pacific NW for a few shows. Matt has been in Nashville working on his music career and it was great to see him, hear his new music, which is wonderful, and enjoy a much needed date night.
And on Saturday morning I was ready to rock this holiday out! My behind the eight ball combined with a little friendly support has become a Magic 8 ball and as I shook the bejesus out of it this morning, it read, “Outlook good”.
I may still be on the wrong side of this eight ball, heck I may have even pulled up a chair and propped my feet up, but my family and friends are here, we are toasting with some brandy and eggnog and with 10 days till Christmas as I wonder, will I be ready… all the “Signs point to yes”
So today I am wishing you all a lovely and manageable pre-Christmas holiday rush.
PS: And let me not forget to mention the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, came to town and I just had to go see her.
She was warm and lovely and very funny. She chatted and connected and gave everyone as much time as they wanted. Well, I would have loved to have had a drink with her but the hundreds behind me in line may have taken issue with that.
She signed her newest cookbook and a photo I brought, of her delicious Mango Margaritas that have now become a Summer staple around this home. Yum!
So that's almost like having a drink with her! She said she could use a pitcher of those at that very moment. Ahhhhh, we will always have Mango Margaritas Ree, come back soon!
... and that was my date with the Pioneer Woman.
And I bet she's back here too, ya know behind the eight ball. Four kids, a blog, a television show, cookbooks to sign, and a ranch to run, yes, I am sure she is around here somewhere I just need to look around.
