Sun Valley

Levi and I got to do something that I've wanted to do for years -- ever since I heard the activity existed. We got to go to Sun Valley and take a "sleigh" ride! I can't tell you how excited I was! Especially because the openings fill up very quickly. I made all the reservations and decided to do the day trip instead of the night one. It's been so cold around here lately that I thought we might enjoy it more the warmer it was {that really only applies to me; Levi is always warm; I sleep with socks and an extra blanket.} And I use the term "warm" loosely for the day of our trip. The temperature was between 27-30 degrees depending on the city we were in. But that was warmer than the evening temps of about 7 degrees.

Sun Valley Club

Our ride took us to the Sun Valley Clubhouse. A beautiful building with a beautiful view. It overlooks the golf course that serves as a preferred cross-country skiing destination. Snow-covered mountains and trees as far as the eye could see. Levi and I warmed up in there for a little while. I ordered their chicken curry soup and glass of wine. I tell you what, I was really torn between staying in the clubhouse, enjoying the food and view, and enjoying the rest of our ride!

On our way back

I don't think I have to tell you what a gorgeous day it was. The sunshine and blue sky made the entire city look like a picture out of a calendar.

Our Sweet Ride | Duke, Dan & Clay {driver}

When we were done, we strolled around the small town and visited the boutiques and shops. We didn't buy anything, of course, {the price tags are targeted at the likes of Bruce Willis and the Schwarzeneggar family}, but we did love just looking. Some artist decided to share their talent with the lucky visitors who managed to walk by their creations:

Snowflake

There was also a Christmas tree and a Santa sculpture. I really appreciate people who can manipulate the elements like that. They take a beautiful thing that God created and make another beautiful out of it. What is that? Like, beautiful squared or something?

We grabbed Chai lattes and stopped a couple places on our way home so I could snap a few pictures. I just love it.

When In Home

*WARNING: The following post contains graphic, self-congratulating & back-patting by the author. Humble viewer discretion is advised.*

I did a lot today. And it felt good. Really good. I've actually been quite productive lately, and my accomplishments are emphasized with every item I cross off my never-ending lists.

But today was different. There were no lists, no expectations. It was supposed to be my last lazy Saturday before the Christmas festivities. {Oh, who am I kidding -- the Christmas festivities started the day after Thanksgiving.} But I actually pushed my butt outta bed, completed a 2-mile brisk walk in the comfort of my living room, trekked over to Sunsations to tan for a few minutes {but the Kids Klub was closed; maybe next time}, headed over to Appliance Warehouse to check out their dishwashers {my current one wants to keep the soap all to itself and not share any with the dirty dishes; it does this very noisily}, talked with Levi about said dishwashers, went home, made reservations in Sun Valley, made lunch, made cookie dough, vacuumed and cleaned while refrigerating cookie dough, made 2-dozen cookies out of aforementioned dough, went back to A.W. and placed order for dishwasher, came home with new microwave {at husband's request}, replaced new microwave with Gracie & Gus in the back of my car, took them to Petsmart for necessary nail-grinding {Gus took maybe a minute; they had to call in backup for Gracie *sigh*}, got stopped by every other store patron so they could tell me what clowns pugs are {of this, I am keenly aware}, brought dogs home, changed Eric's and my clothes, placed order with waitress at Applebee's.

{Ahhhh.}

And you want to know what else? Our dinner was entirely free. I had a $25 certificate and our dinner came to $24.53. Even with dessert! That was {quite literally} the cherry on top!

{I did tip our waitress well, so hopefully we both had a good night.}

What a wonderful day. It's a good thing I managed to kick my own butt through that 2-mile walk this morning; I think it gave me the jumpstart I needed to make this an incredible day! Eric even let me borrow his Disney Christmas cd so we could flood the house with holiday music. The Lord has blessed us so much. Thanks for being one of those blessings.

Only 6 days 'til Christmas!

Frosty Fun

I've sure been having fun so far this Christmas season. The shopping has been a blast! Giving gifts is something I love to do anyway; I enjoy hunting down that perfect gift for that special someone that I know they will love. I put serious effort into the process but the pay-off is always worth it. Eric's birthday gave me a jump-start on the shopping which has been nice -- it's given me time to make sure I remember everyone I feel I should.

I had forgotten about one of my favorite cookie recipes that I had made last year. I had written it down in a little notebook and {thankfully} it was still there!

Austrian Jam Cookies

No treat has ever disappeared so quickly. Sweet and salty always compliment each other, but this combination is perfect. So I'm very excited about making more this year!

I got our tree up about a week ago. I do the same decorations every year and never tire of them: various gold and red lovelies. My favorite items are the large red poinsettias. I clipped them on all over the tree and they make it so bright and cheerful.

One of the channels on tv has been playing a loop of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I don't think that movie will ever go out of style. This is the first year I've watched the whole thing. Boy is it funny. And it's really a clean kind of funny. I had forgotten that Julia Louis-Dreyfus played one of the neighbors. Her physical comedy just kills me; one of the reasons I like Seinfeld.

Anyway, I'm going to go see if I can find another holiday movie playing while it snows outside. Only 18 days 'til Christmas!