Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year quote

“Here's to the bright New Year, and a fond farewell to the old; here's to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold.”

Time to ring in the New Year!



What a year! As we look forward to a totally new year, a new president, I am awe struck at the beauty and simplicity of life and the passing of time. New Year's Eve lends itself to a time of introspection mixed with looking forward to a new future, a time of new beginnings and a chance to renew oneself. I look forward to ending 2008 with quiet introspection and retrospection and as 2009 comes in, I plan on celebrating like it is 2009!

New Year's Eve Images

New Year's Eve 2008

Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Book to Read

Party of the Century

Bacon Jack Chicken

Bacon Jack Chicken

Recipe #343069 | 30 min | add private note
(2) RATE IT NOW Print Recipe

By: Lainey6605
Dec 11, 2008
This is another chicken recipe from Simple & Delicious.
SERVES 2 (change servings and units)
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (I like to use thin chicken breasts)
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
2 tablespoons butter
3 slices bacon, strips halved
1/4 cup onion, sliced
1/4 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
3 ounces monterey jack pepper cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
1Sprinkle chicken with seasoned salt.
2In a nonstick skillet, cook chicken in butter over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until juices run clear; drain.
3Remove and keep warm.
4In the same skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.
5Remove to paper towels to drain.
6Saute onion and mushrooms in drippings.
7Return chicken to the pan.
8Top with bacon, onion, mushrooms and pepper jack cheese.
9Cover and let stand for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
10Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Warm Cheesy Salsa Dip

Warm Cheesy Salsa Dip

Recipe #342915 | 15 min | add private note
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By: Vyrianna
Dec 10, 2008
The cream cheese gives this a bit of a sweet tangy taste you don't have in most salsa dips. Pick a salsa you like since that is where most of the flavor comes from. If you like a hotter taste you can always add additional hot sauce. I recommend using a crock pot to keep it warm while serving.
2 1/2 cups (change servings and units)
Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
8 ounces Velveeta cheese
8 ounces salsa
Directions
1Melt cream cheese and Velveeta. Add salsa.
2If using a slow cooker, it's going to take much longer to melt, so plan at least 2 hours for mixing.

For Cheese Lover's

Hot Cheese Puffs

Recipe #307259 | 35 min | 25 min prep | add private note
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By: ICook4danny&Puddin
Jun 4, 2008
From the Charlotte Cookbook 1969. time doesn't include chill time.
SERVES 10 , 48 appetizer (change servings and units)
Ingredients
2 (5 ounce) jars Kraft Old English cheese spread
3/4 cup butter
1 egg
12 slices bread
Directions
1have ingredients at room temperature. whip until creamy.
2trim crust from bread. Spread mixture over slices of bread. Cut each slice into four squares.
3place on cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight to 24 hours.
4bake in preheated oven at 350 for 10 minutes.

Easy Appetizer Recipe

Stuffed Mushrooms

Recipe #314987 | 40 min | 20 min prep | add private note
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By: love_kcchiefs
Jul 22, 2008
My sister in law brought these to a family gathering and they were a big hit. Since then I've taken them to work and a co-worker called them "heavenly"!
SERVES 6 -8 (change servings and units)
Ingredients
8 ounces baby portabella mushrooms
Stove Top stuffing mix
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup butter
Directions
1Clean the mushrooms and pop out the stems.
2Cook stuffing according to box instructions and allow to cool.
3Then mix in 1c of the cheese.
4Spoon mixture into mushrooms and place in a baking dish.
5Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
6Melt the butter and pour over.
7Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
8Serve warm!

Great dessert Recipe

Riesling Sorbet

Recipe #339408 | 25 min | 15 min prep | add private note
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By: JackieOhNo!
Nov 25, 2008
An unusual sorbet that will impress your guests. Prep time does not include chilling time or overnight freezing time. To cool the sugar syrup mixture quickly, place bowl in larger bowl of ice and stir occasionally. It should be cold in about 15 minutes.
SERVES 4 (change servings and units)

Ingredients
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 cup riesling wine
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 tablespoon superfine sugar
Directions
1Heat granulated sugar, the water, and 1/2 cup wine in medium noncorrosive saucepan to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Boil 3 minutes without stirring. Pour into small bowl and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until cold, about 3 hours. (Tip: To cool the sugar syrup mixture quickly, place bowl in larger bowl of ice and stir occasionally. It should be cold in about 15 minutes.).
2Stir remaining wine into sugar syrup, pour into 8" cake pan, and freeze overnight.
3The next day, thaw raspberries in bowl in refrigerator. Puree in food processor or blender, then press through fine sieve to remove seeds. Stir in superfine sugar.
4Process wine ice and raspberry puree in food processor or blender until smooth. Return to baking pan and freeze until firm, 2-3 hours, stirring once halfway through. Serve in wineglasses.
Coconut Lime Shrimp with Peanut Sauce

Recipe #81095 | 20 min | 15 min prep | add private note
(1) RATE IT NOW Print Recipe

By: evelyn/athens
Jan 14, 2004
Sublime! The combination of flavours and textures in this dish is fantastic. Intense and soulful. The shrimp need to marinate for a minimum of 2 hours. From Bon Appetit, July, 1997.

SERVES 4 (change servings and units)
Ingredients
PEANUT SAUCE
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (do not use old-fashioned style or freshly ground)
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce (nam pla)
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
SHRIMP
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons fish sauce (nam pla)
2 teaspoons golden brown sugar
20 large shrimp, peeled,deveined
4 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Directions
1For peanut sauce: Puree all ingredients in processor until smooth.
2(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.) For shrimp: Blend first 8 ingredients in processor until almost smooth.
3Transfer marinade to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
4Add shrimp and turn to coat.
5Cover and refrigerate 2 hours, turning occasionally.
6Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat).
7Thread 5 shrimp onto each of 4 skewers.
8Grill until just cooked through, basting with marinade, about 2 minutes per side.
9Alternatively, you can grill shrimp under a preheated broiler.
10Serve shrimp with peanut sauce.
11Serve with steamed rice.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Planning for the New Year

As I put to a close a fantastic Christmas 2008, I automatically begin thinking of the New Year and my plans, goals, dreams, desires and of course, resolutions. This year I am going to focus on getting and staying organized. I found a great new blog called Creative Organizing. I know this will be a frequent go-to site for me as I embark on this new journey.

Friday, December 26, 2008

As I begin my end of year cleaning/re-organizing of my living space, I am inspired to have a place for everything and everything in its place. I realized my jewelry collection does not have a place! I have a piece here and there and most of it has landed on my desk! I love jewelry and like to feel glamorous and accessorize and it is time to get it all together so I can have things available when I need them. I searched for stylish and functional jewelry boxes and this is what I have come up with:



These beautiful boxes come from Pottery Barn and I immediately fell in love with them.

I am Emma Woodhouse!


Take the Quiz here!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

A Christmas Poem

Can anyone explain the glow of Christmas?
Holidays are candles in the night.
Rebirth comes from family and friends
In one bright blur of food and talk that ends
Still burning as a peaceful inner light.
There is no way to substitute for Christmas.
Miss it and no circumstance feels right.
All my heart's with you, yet I must miss this
Season thick with love and rich delight.
-Author unknown

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The Night Before Christmas

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston


'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

I'm Yours

Lyrics to I'm Yours :
Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
and now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment maybe sing with me
A la peaceful melodies
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love love

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and laughed
I guess what I'm saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
No need to complicate
Our time is short
It can not wait, I'm yours

Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me
A la one big family (2nd time: A la happy family)
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love

I won't hesitate no more
Oh no more no more no more
It's your God-forsaken right to be loved, I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

No I won't hesitate no more, no more
This cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours, I'm yours

(Thanks to farah for these lyrics)
[ I'm Yours Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Candy Cane Cookies

Candy Cane Cookies

3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter at room temperature
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten with 2 teaspoons vanilla

Stir together the flour, baking powder and salt, then set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg mixture, a little at a time,
beating well after each addition. Gradually add the dry ingredients,
blending well after each addition.

Put 1/2 of the dough in another bowl. Add red food coloring to one
part of the dough to make the desired candy cane shade. Leave the
other dough plain. Flatten each ball of dough, wrap snugly with
plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until slightly firm.
Don't over chill!

Dust your hands and working surface with flour. Roll a one-inch ball
of dough into a rope about 6 inches long. Take one red colored rope
of dough, along with a plain piece of dough and cross over, to make
a candy cane. (The first time you make these experiment with a
couple before you bake them all. They can turn out too big if you
use too much dough.)

Bake in a 350 degree oven on greased cookie sheets for 12-14
minutes. The cookie dough may be a little soft when it comes out of
the oven. Let cool completely before you handle the cookies.

Easy Sugar Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Stephanie PHOTO BY: SUGARPLUMSCOOKIES

"Quick and easy sugar cookies! They are really good, plain or with candies in them. My friend uses chocolate mints on top, and they're great!"
PREP TIME 15 Min
COOK TIME 10 Min
READY IN 25 Min
Original recipe yield 4 dozen

SERVINGS

  (Help
     
Servings
 

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
I used this recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com 


DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.
The Legend of the Candy Cane 

CandyCane1c 
Look at the Candy Cane 
What do you see? 
Stripes that are red 
Like the blood shed for me 
White is for my Savior 
Who's sinless and pure! 
"J" is for Jesus, My Lord, that's for sure! 
Turn it around 
And a staff you will see 
Jesus my shepherd 
Was born for Me! 
CandyCane1c 
Many years ago, a candy maker wanted to make a candy at Christmas time that would serve as a witness to his Christian faith. He wanted to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry and death of Jesus. He began with a stick of pure white hard candy; white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus; hard to symbolize the solid rock, the foundation of the Church; firmness to represent the promise of God. The candymaker made the candy in the form of a "J" to represent the name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. He thought it could also represent the staff of the Good Shepherd, with which he reached down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. 

Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received, by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promise of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane - a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the true meaning is still there for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. 
Author Unknown 


CandyCane1a

Monday, December 22, 2008

Quotes about Christmas

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.  ~Laura Ingalls Wilder


Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish.  Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself.  ~Francis C. Farley


Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976


At Christmas
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here;
Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime...
~Edgar Guest


We hear the beating of wings over Bethlehem and a light that is not of the sun or of the stars shines in the midnight sky.  Let the beauty of the story take away all narrowness, all thought of formal creeds.  Let it be remembered as a story that has happened again and again, to men of many different races, that has been expressed through many religions, that has been called by many different names.  Time and space and language lay no limitations upon human brotherhood.  ~New York Times, 25 December 1937, quoted in Quotations for Special Occasions by Maud van Buren, 1938, published by The H.W. Wilson Company, New York

Thursday, December 18, 2008

My hope will keep me warm

She poured her heart out to him, 
like a man pouring rain out of his hat. 

She told him everything she felt for him, just like that. 
She wanted everything to be perfect 
the right moment and place 

They were sitting on the couch just the two of them 
she had not made up her mind to say anything. 
It just came out 
it was unplanned, unscripted 
She was so nervous she was stammering 
he was the only person on this earth that 
had that effect on her. 

She told him everything
that she loved him and had worried about him 
that she cried when he did and hurt when he did

It was so beautiful 
he took her in his arms and 
she never wanted him to let go
she cried. She finally let it all go 
she wept like a baby and 
he held her and he whispered he loved her 
She said she loved him too she said she loved him 
and he said he loved her too. 

He said he did not want to hurt her 
she assured him she would not get hurt 
she said she would wait for him 
he urged her not to 
he did not want to hurt her 
and she would not let herself get hurt 
that is a risk she knew must take 
to put it all out on the table as he said
they could sort it all out later 
it was out there now 
and she was unsure of what to think 
she did it, she said it and what a relief 

he pondered aloud what might happen 
what could happen 
if it never happened 
he did not want to leave her alone
she assured him 
the hope of him, of a future together with him 
would keep her warm. 
Lyrics to My Immortal :
I'm so tired of being here
Suppressed by all my childish fears
And if you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

CHORUS:
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me

You used to captivate me
By your resonating life
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase

Chorus

I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're gone
But though you're still with me
I've been alone all along

Chorus
[ My Immortal Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ] 


Lyrics to I Believe In You (Je Crois En Toi) :
Lonely
The path you have chosen
A restless road
No turning back
One day you
Will find your light again
Don't you know
Don't let go
Be strong

Follow you heart
Let you love lead through the darkness
Back to a place you once knew
I believe, I believe, I believe
In you

Follow your dreams
Be yourself, an angel of kindness
There's nothing that you can not do
I believe, I believe, I believe
In you.

Tout seul
Tu t'en iras tout seul
Coeur ouvert
A L'univers
Poursuis ta quete
Sans regarder derriere
N'attends pas
Que le jour
Se leve

Suis ton etoile
Va jusqu'ou ton reve t'emporte
Un jour tu le toucheras
Si tu crois si tu crois si tu crois
En toi
Suis la lumiere
N'eteins pas la flamme que tu portes
Au fonds de toi souviens-toi
Que je crois que je crois que je crois
Que je crois
En toi

Someday I'll find you
Someday you'll find me too
And when I hold you close
I'll know that is true

Follow your heart
Let you love lead through the darkness
Back to a place you once knew
I believe, I believe, I believe in you

Follow your dreams
Be yourself, an angel of kindness
There's nothing that you can not do
I believe, I believe, I believe
In you.

(Thanks to Borja & Anne-Marie for correcting these lyrics)
[ I Believe In You (Je Crois En Toi) Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ] 


December 18th An unexpected encounter

She was going about her day like any other day. The to do list was a mile long as always. At this moment she was out walking and enjoying the balmy December day. The track was long but she was up for the challenge. It was a gorgeous day. Clear gray skies, perfect winter skies. She liked the transparency of the clouds. There was a group of guys playing soccer in the field across from the track. As she made her laps she checked her cellphone. One missed call, who could that be? she wondered. She checked the caller id. It was him. Her heart skipped a beat.  She called him back and it was so good to hear from him. Instantly she turned into a schoolgirl again. Nervous, heart racing, palms sweaty, the whole nine yards. They caught up with each other over the phone and they made plans for him to come over. She was happy. The thought of seeing him again gave her an unexpected energy to power through her walk.  She finished up and went about her other errands in order to go home and get ready for her company.  She went home and waited for him to show up. Finally the moment arrived. She was  sitting outside talking on the phone when he pulled up. He looked so good, smiling and waving at her. He came up the stairs and embraced her. She loves his hugs, being close to him and in his arms, she feels relaxed and at peace. Her nerves  

Monday, December 15, 2008

Dear Lord, help us to remember daily that nothing is too hard or difficult for You to repair or mend in our world. Help us to expect the impossible to be made possible by Your omnipotent power. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

If you could have just one perfect minute today, what would it consist of?

Short story, continued p. 2

How she longed to just open up and share her feelings, to tell him how she really felt about him. Yet she held back. Was it fear of rejection? Or was it admitting the truth to herself. She breathed a sigh and relaxed against his shoulder. At that moment, nothing else mattered but just being close to him. The world stopped for this moment, and she was happy and peaceful. Feeling his rhythmic breathing, stealing a glance at his profile she appreciated every fiber of his being a man, a man she desperately longed to care for, respect and cherish. To protect him from the harsh and cruel world and to shelter him when he seeks solace. He turned to look at her and she interrupted her stream of thought to pay attention to him. The sound of his voice, low and deep and somehow tranquilizing set her at ease. Her head tilted toward him, her hand on the back of his neck stroking his hair as he talked, this is how a man and a woman should be, she thought. Two people languishing in their time together. He could have this every day, every night if he would just come to her. She longed to take him in her arms and never let go. That whatever they faced, as long as they were together, they could get through. She thought back to all the things they had been through as friends already. The good times, the bad times, triumphs and tragedies. Thick or thin somehow they always found each other again. Her mind was made up, she would wait for him for however long it took. He was the only man she wanted in her life. He was worth waiting for. As the bottle was empty and the night was getting longer, it was time to say goodbye. She always hated for this time to come. When he would go back to his world and she hers. He stood up and she did the same. He took her in his arms in gratitude of a perfect night. She could smell his scent on his neck and she inhaled deeply as if to imprint his scent on her memory so she could remember him in his abscence. She enjoyed the embrace and embraced him back to communicate she was feeling the same way. She walked him to the door and they embraced once more. He promised to call soon and she gave him a short kiss on the neck as he turned to go. Her heart skipped a beat in anticipation of the next time she would see him. 

Happy Thursday!

Today is the first day of Christmas Vacation for me!! I completed finals yesterday and had a wonderful relaxing evening with friends over a pizza and drinks. Refreshing! I woke up early in anticipation of what a day of freedom might bring. Of course there are plenty of things to do on my to do list, but I can do things in a more relaxed manner now that I do not have to stop for studying and classes. Plenty of time to catch up on things now. The morning sun is coming through my window and the sky is a beautiful crystal clear blue that you only see on winter days. It snowed last night. It was so romantic and beautiful. It inspired me to write. There is just something about a cold snowy night in December and being with the one you love. It is fun to bundle up in coat and scarves and gloves and brave the crisp wind. All the more reason to snuggle. : ) 

Monday, December 8, 2008

Finals Day

Today is the first day of Finals. UGH. The only good thing about that is that after this week I can have a break. It was a good semester, I learned alot and changed alot and am looking forward to next semester. 

Friday, December 5, 2008

A short story, continued...

and before she knew it, he was knocking on the door.  She had dressed especially for him, a beautiful purple sweater and black pants with the new ballerina shoes she had purchased a few days before, with the idea of casual evenings in mind. Her hair was impeccable, in the new style of the day. The skin of her face was as smooth and creamy as porcelain. The glint in her hazel eyes flecked with gold sparkled and danced as the light from the porch caught them when she opened the door. The knock was unmistakably his..he knocked and her heart skipped a beat. She opened the door and there he was, smiling and so happy to see her. They embraced happily and warmly. She felt as though her breath was taken away. She never wanted  this embrace to end. The closeness and strength of his embrace was intoxicating, and at once she felt complete.  He came in and she returned to the kitchen, to put the final touches on the dinner for the evening. Bocelli was playing in the background, candles burning, casting a most romantic glow over the living room. She urged him to sit down and relax after his strenuous day at work. She poured him a glass of wine, Reisling, which he had selected and brought with him for them to enjoy that evening.  She went back to preparing the meal as they talked about their days. She listened intently as he vented and recalled the days and weeks before.   Taking a sip of her wine, she stole a glance at him over the bar that separated the living area from the kitchen.  He was simply ravishing, she thought as she studied him. The boyish good looks, his light brown hair, dark brown eyes that were so intense and so deep she felt as though she could fall into them and never return. The scruffiness of his beard that had not been shaved in a couple of days did not suggest uncleanliness but of ruggedness and strength, virility that was rare these days, she found. He was dressed casually, in jeans and a blue and white button up shirt with short sleeves and dress athletic shoes. From head to toe she thought he was perfection. He was humble and modest and apologized for his scruffy appearance. She assured him there was no need for apology. She appreciated his natural good looks, that was one of the things that she was attracted to . He continued on with his recollection of the day's stressors and she finished up the meal.  She poured herself a glass of wine and went to sit next to him on the couch. He asked what was going on with her life lately. She did not want to talk about herself. She wanted to hear from him. She related with a brief analysis and then expertly steered the conversation back to him. She cuddled up next to him and related the good news she had for him and they toasted a toast to life in gratitude and happiness.   The clinking of the crystal glasses and the glisten in his eyes told her all she wanted to know about his feelings. They raised their glass simultaneously and drank to good life and the special time they were sharing.  She stole a glance over her glass at him. The candlelight danced in back of him and made his hair glisten. Their eyes caught and they shared an electric moment. Though she tried to maintain her composure, inside her heart was dancing and every sensory neuron was sparked. She felt alive with the love that she shared for this man. 

Monday, December 1, 2008

Happy Monday!

HAPPY MONDAY!!

I had a great weekend at work and now am so happy its Monday! And CyberMonday at that! I took advantage of that today for sure and found some great deals for gifts.

I also took my last Microbiology test before the final, i just have one full day and one week left before this semester is over. It has been great though. I had alot of accomplishments and have really changed alot, of which I am glad.