Pants free Christmas decorating

Ah, Christmas. The time of year where we get our one or two decorations out from the Halloween box and I tell myself I'll really get decorating when I'm a real adult. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have tons of holiday cheer around, but the thought of adding another box to our already jammed storage closet or 700 sq foot apartment that we will be moving from soon enough is too much for me to handle. But really, one tiny elf-proof tiny elf tree was enough to fill our whole space with festivity--and a few whiffs of good smells. Good thing we have to throw it away this weekend, because it's already dying! We loved you while you lasted. Theo had the best time hanging up the ornaments, and it's always been my favorite Christmas ritual. Up next, Idaho and some real snow! And a 45 minute flight. That is 2 episodes in Yo Gabba Gabba time. (What? Theo doesn't watch shows...)

giving thanks for carbs and meat

It's hard for me to describe how much I was looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. And while I have a lot to be thankful for, that wasn't really on my mind. Since October, a steady mantra of "turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls" had been on repeat, and it just got louder and louder as the days went by. We're talking minor obsession. Maybe major. We stayed in Portland for the first time and had dinner with David and Vanessa, and I rounded out my selfish Thanksgiving thoughts by not thinking enough about the needs of one dairy free, gluten free, soy free member of the party. (So glad meat free wasn't in there too). See? Thanksgiving brings out the worst in me. The other day Jon accidentally threw a pillow at my head while I was eating dinner and I became really, inappropriately harsh, so maybe food brings out the worst in me. (I did warn him that the pillow hit was like approaching a predator while eating, so maybe I was just acting within my biological nature?) Anyway, after I got a few bites of food in me my selfishness dissolved a bit, and my thoughts turned to wonderful friends, and our wonderful little family. We always have the best time making food with the Wilkes so it was a perfect day. Plus, David made THE BEST TURKEY I HAVE EVER HAD. All caps totally appropriate. Raise the roof, you deserve it. And I made gluten free dairy free pumpkin pie to make up for the fact that I was a horrible friend and brought rolls to dinner. Sorry V! At least they weren't homemade.

 I actually let Theo have at my plate before I had a chance to start eating, which was remarkable given the frenzy I was in at that point. The spoon in the potatoes was his fault.