2012, a year of lists.

I think lists are perfect.

So let's make lists all year long!

Things to make lists about:

Groceries.

Self improvements.

Good things to eat that are green.

Reasons to break out of jail.

Why Mark Harmon is beautiful.

What to do with the extra hour in a 25 hour day.

Books I've read more than ten times.

Books worth reading more than ten times.

Reasons why the dark is scary.

Sporting events to attend.

Beautiful writings about the ocean.

Pros and cons of:

High heels

College

Being a housewife

Living in Chicago

A lovely list in pictures.

And weddings I attended in 2011-

Funny time!

Can I just tell you how funny Mindy Kaling's book is?

I imagine having a best friend (who's a girl) would be like reading this book.

I've already read it through (plus a couple chapters out loud while Joshua cooked dinner and a couple chapters over just to myself because I loved them)!!

Winter time.

Winter is for being cozy.

comphy tee

long underwear

parka

All I want in winter is to cuddle up with warm blankets and peace on earth and a sprinkling of snow. One in three isn't bad... and there's peace in my little corner of earth so I'm calling it a 1.5/3. Not a bad batting average (but a terrible free throw percentage)!

Merry Christmas!!

We celebrated with my grandpa (and his new blanket- my fall creation) yesterday.

Today we invited everyone home and pulled every plate, spoon, and feeling of goodwill we had to make Christmas magic. I'm about to fall into Christmas coma.

(May your days be merry & bright, but maybe not as bright as this blanket)

Christmas my Christmas

Superb!

There really is no place like home for the holidays.

Also, have I admitted I cry over everything now? Weddings, baby dedications, and this video. Every time!! I'm not sure what's wrong with me! Ha. I'm no crying wife but I definitely need to start carrying a hankie.

Once a year (ish) I get a hankering for a locket.

It seems silly since I only wear two necklaces: my pearls from my dad on my 21 birthday and a necklace from Spain that used to be my moms. I think it's something to do with keeping a picture of someones I love near my heart.

I think I would put this picture

And this one

In it. Maybe. At least to start.

Vienna.

Home sweet Vienna.

We didn't take enough pictures here, we took too many. Do you ever feel that way? I didn't take a single picture of Mom and I walking up and down Mariahilferstrasse twice, wandering in and out of every store looking for perfect boots. And we were both completely immersed in the moment. But now, no pictures. And I want a million pictures of Vienna. If I had to live anywhere else it would be Vienna- even over another US city I think.

Right. That's that.

The Kunsthistorisches where Carvaggio's David and Goliath is (D&G picture not mine). My favorite painting in Vienna/ maybe ever.

On the ring. We saw a GIANT dog five minutes after this. GIANT. A six year old could have ridden that dog.

Bustling daytime Christmas market activity- it was opening day of the Rathaus market so things were crazy!

Poofy hat from Christmas past and red cheeks from Christmas punch (and the freezing weather- high 30's the whole time)!

Lovely.

St. Valentine loves The Kooples.

I tried, I really did, to hold this in until February.

The Kooples were EVERYWHERE in Europe.

It seemed like every bus in London, every billboard in Amsterdam was them.

And these are adorable ads.

So um, Happy Valentines Day.

Ferris.

Why yes, I did rock the Christmas gift exchange with a poster of Ferris Bueller.

Ferris was a gift from a friend in high school and he was my best bud through all five years of college (who else will stay up and smile with you during every all-nighter? Not boyfriends I'll tell you!). When I came home he was sent to the basement (you know when it's time to let go) and replaced by:

But I couldn't take him to Goodwill to be scavenged!

And then came the gift exchange. I knew he would find a home filled with love in one of the screaming teenagers we were spending our evening with... and he did! Along with homemade deer jerky and a VHS set of Star Wars he was stolen the max amount of times. My proudest moment.

Joshua brought Citizens, after I convinced him to keep the Lives of the Pope book so I could read it. He wrapped it in the business section of the newspaper and taped a bow down by taping over the bow. It was ridiculous. Mine was WASPy, two big ribbons and a clump of snowflake necklaces... equally ridiculous but waaay prettier.

All in all, a successful Christmas party.

Roma!

It was 70 DEGREES! Isn't that wild for November? We enjoyed our summer weather by wandering the streets without coats and buying gelato liberally. All the walking from the previous cities was undone by scoops of coconut!

They used to flood the Colosseum (before they built the underground bits) and stage naval battles.

Forum.

Why yes, that is the open window of the Pope's study!!! I'm positive he saw me.

Pretty Castel Sant'angelo with a giant flock of tiny birds.

The stairs of St. Peters (always up things..) were curved as you followed the dome- it felt like you were holding up the walls!

But oh the view.

Godzilla seagull.

The Spanish steps.

The last gelato of the trip, coconut was the best flavor. Coconut and cafe were the best combo. I'm so glad there's not a gelato place in town, I'd be in big trouble!

The Circus Maximus! Ben Hur!

Mom, always caught up on here journaling.

Me, always behind.

Something pretty.

I have no idea where I saw this but I love it.

Not mine, although I do wish it was..

I learned the phonetic alphabet last year, just because I didn't know it and it seemed like something everyone should know. Like how to write in cursive.

Christmas List 2011- 23 days and counting!

One of my favorite thing about living in America is that if I never got anything else in my life I would still have everything I really need. Mister, a house, food (okay, I'd need more food) that can be had with my well running car... I am content.

But here is my list of things I'd like.

movie, book, windshield wipers, ship stamps, and yarn. I'm easy to shop for.

Splurges:

You don't have to convince me to go to Hogwarts.

Star Wars Moleskine.

Paris, where Ratatouille is set.

Mister would call that association lowbrow.

Don't care.

Paris was a nice change from chaotic Caribbean neighborhood London... couldn't understand hardly anything! French was the language I knew least of on this trip. But it was easy anyway, if you're quiet and polite you can fool or charm your way almost anywhere.

Most nice was Laduree macaroons! Coconut was best, but mom loved the raspberry too.

We walked from the Louvre to the Arc a bunch of times over the course of three days, with breaks to dodge cars in the middle of giant round-a-bouts.

We climbed 284 steps to see Paris from the top of the Arc... I have now no desire to go to the top of the tower, the view from the Arc is incredible! We didn't use the flash anytime hardly and I like the muted sky that created.

Nursing our wicked blisters and enjoying the lovebirds.

Versailles. It's enormous! I can't even describe how large the grounds and gardens are- that's the view in only two directions.

And the night train- on the way to Rome! With hummus and shopping bags.

Holiday time-

How can you not love the holidays?

Food, lights, and new little beasties in the world.

Crowds and hot drinks and regular drinks with friends

and

peace in my little corner of earth.

(No, I'm not breastfeeding. I'm sorry I was sneak attacked and didn't adjust baby angle okay?!)