The grin says it all

More from Christmas with the family. This is Levi's I-just-ate-yet-ANOTHER-slice-of-cake look.....notice the tell-tale crumbs on the face!





Now that the boys are older and really get into the holiday, THIS is what it feels like when it's time to open presents.




Mom did a really nice job on the mantel. I love the needlepoint stockings with the boys' names on them. But hello.....where's my stocking?!?!




This year was the year of the remote-controlled vehicles...they were a HUGE hit! Once those were opened it was all over.

Holiday Preview

Our family celebrated Christmas today, and kept up the tradition of a family photo. I think it gets more challenging each year! More to come, but here's a particularly amusing out take.

Grandma is obviously the lone representation of sanity.

A very Snarky holiday

So the few of us that were in town and available got together for some yarn action and holiday good wishes. Sherrie was extremely constructive and actually completed a ridiculously cute baby sweater. So I took a picture. There may have to be a follow up zoomed photo to show the buttons.




















KateyJ was working on a scarf with a daring combination of yarns. She was torn between a) really-out-there-and-cool, or b) out-there-and-a-bit-much. I vote for the former.....color is awesome!

Kitchen Adventures

After many scheduling challenges, I was finally able to get together with friends Hannah and Kort for some catching up over dinner. Kort is quite the cook, and I need more practice, so we stayed in had fun gabbing while chopping and stirring.

The menu was stuffed quail, asparagus and mushroom risotto, tossed spinach salad with cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese, and.....carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Yum.













First things first: I put on Christmas music.

Kort was in charge of the wine selection, and Hannah got some fabulous tawny port to go with the carrot cake.

















Then there was chopping the asparagus, as well as the carrots, onions and celery for the stuffing.

Hannah wielding the knife on the apples.

Once Kort pulled the quail out of the oven, Hannah and I picked off some of the garnishes. Those tosted pecans and apples slices were gooooood. The risotto gradually filled up the entire pan, especially once we added the asparagus and the mushrooms.

Then it was time to set the table and dig in!

The cake, by the way, was DIVINE!!

New Actions = New Look

Playing with some new actions......fun!
These are some family shots of my nephew taken a few weeks ago.


That's Ian running UP the slide. Because....that's what constitutes fun when you're an almost 3 yr old little boy dynamo.

Furry Christmas Elves (Marietta and Atlanta Dog Photographer}

Since my friend Angela is back from her trip, my latest dog sitting duties have come to an end and I'm back home. Hallelujah....I missed my little place.

But the dogs and I had a nice time, and Ang told me that they ran to the window and cried when I pulled away. Maybe, but I know they were VERY happy to have her back. She works out of her home, so they get 24/7 love and attention from her, whereas they're alone when I go to work. No contest.

Angela is many things, but subtle is NOT one of them. I immediately noticed on my first day over there the red jingly decorative collars she has conspicuously left hanging on the coat tree in the foyer. Hint taken. Photo shoot with the dogs....completed. So I give you, the official holiday portrait of Speck and Paolo.