Put on the Glasses

I always wanted to try Williams Sonoma's peppermint bark but I never wanted to shell out the exorbitant price tag just to try it. So, I hunted down a recipe. I found a simple one from the blog Savory Sweet Life . Here is shot of the peppermint bark when I finished: Brian called them, "Dangerous because they taste just like a Peppermint Mocha. Except they have more chocolate, which is better." I also made another, similar recipe from the blog for candy cane chocolate-covered pretzels : Brian kept trying to steal these too. I think they turned out really well, and I'd recommend making either of these recipes because they were super-easy to make and taste delicious.

On Sunday, Brian and I went to the  New Standards  Holiday Show at the Fitzgerald. We went last year, loved it, and went again this year.  We got a box to ourselves (we aren't rich; it was an obstructed view). Here's Brian before the show: Here's the best shot I got during the concert: Yes, those are dancing Christmas trees. And in the back row, you can see Jeremy Messersmith and Mike Doughty singing back up during Brian's favorite New Standards song, Snow Days . We had a good time. I recommend going next year, if you get the chance.

This is a first big snow in the house. I heard it is going to hit 13 inches before it is done (it is still going). I snapped some pics this morning when we first shoveled. We have shoveled three times since. Here's Brian doing all the hard work: Leela didn't like the snow so much. She went out and came right back in:

I've always had a fake tree. I grew up putting together the artificial tree from the box stored in the basement, bending wires to try to get that "authentic" look. I never really knew what that authentic look was. Now I have a real tree and I get it. I now know what all the fuss is about. The tree is full, lush, and it has made my whole living room smell fabulous. We picked it up from a local place a few blocks away and carried it home (the whole time I pictured Brian and I as Harry and Sally; yes, I have seen that movie too many times). Here is the tree when we set it up: Here's Brian giving the tree its first drink of water: Here it is all lit up and covered in ornaments: I firmly believe it is the best tree I've ever had.

My cat is almost a desk accessory at this point. She loves napping on top of my papers and swiping at me while I move my mouse. 

For the first time in my life, I have lights hung outside my house for Christmas. Brian and I went simple this year, since it is our first attempt. Here's Brian hanging the lights: Here is Leela keeping an eye on us while we worked: Another shot of Brian stringing up lights by our door: And here is the finished product: I love it. We have a lit tree on the porch that matches the outside and Brian bought some new LEDs for the little tiny shrub by our steps. I feel so festive. Happy Holidays!

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes was a tear jerker of a book about Charlie, a 31-year-old mentally disabled man. Charlie undergoes an operation to increase his intelligence. Told from the perspective of Charlie, the book chronicles Charlie's struggling with memory, friendships love and life as his intellect grows and his perspective changes. The book is emotional, compelling and heart breaking. It's a quick read and I highly recommend picking it up.

My husband bought these cards at Papersource a while back. Perfect for stopping a loquacious person at a meeting, at dinner or anywhere else where you need someone to simply stop talking.