To Do Lists.

I’m a frantic to-do list writer. At all times, there is one to-do list on the computer, one on my phone and at least one floating around the house on a piece of paper. My mind can’t settle and start working until I write everything down. Otherwise, I have to try to contain my list in my mind while I work.

And that never works.

Before we left for Colorado, I had a monumental to-do list. Pretty standard for pre-vacation holiday time. A peculiar thing happens when I have a long to-do list though and it happened right before we left for Colorado.

Sometimes I look at my list, with tiny boxes ready to be checked upon completion and I don’t like anything on my list. And instead of powering through to a boring task, I instead add tasks to my already overflowing list.

Brilliant.

Two days before we left for Colorado, when packing and shopping and a hundred other things were on my list, I decided to send out Christmas cards for the first time ever.

Two days before we left.

Furthermore, due to the long shipping times and high costs of buying cards online I decided to just make my own, giving me even more time until I had to get back to my actual list.

Brilliant.

If you didn’t get one, it’s not because I don’t love you. It’s because this whole idea was ridiculous and unorganized. I had no list, no rhyme, no reason. If you want one of your very own, I have extras. Email me your address and you can have one all to yourself.

But just to cover my bases (and keep from doing the other 13 things on my list) here is our Christmas card:

And photo cred to the fabulous Lane Jacobsen *wink*

presents

What could make me this excited?

Opening a perfect present –that’s what. This year my in-laws got me one of Kelly Moore’s gorgeous new camera bags. Well actually, they got me a piece of paper telling me it was on its way. The bags are so new they won’t be out until January and I will be diligently checking the doorstep until it arrives. All that to say, you should check out this bag. Maybe try to guess which color I’m getting.

As long as we’re talking about things that get me excited, I’d be remiss not to mention the For the Love Workshop coming up in February. It’s hosted by some of my favorite photographers in the mountains of Tennessee. Just thinking about it makes me breathe a bit deeper. I dream about going here one day. Le sigh.

Colorado

So when I said that Colorado was beautiful. I meant really beautiful. I meant the pack of elk by the house, sun peeking through the forest, mountains hiding in clouds, aspen lined road kind of beautiful. I got the joy of shooting some pics alongside Evan’s granddad, who is quite the accomplished photographer. Just one more great Christmas present for the year.

still….

Colorado remains delightfully beautiful and fun, in case you were wondering.

yummy.

Some things are simply irresistible. Some things are too delicious. Some things need to be shoveled in by the mouthful. And apparently snow is one of these irresistible delicious treats. Who knew?

Snowmass

We’re all cuddled up in Snowmass, Colorado, enjoying the snow and the family. I have come to the conclusion that everything is beautiful with snow on it. The dumpster by the road is simply breathtaking. I think I’m going to design a new beauty product, packaged snow. you just throw it all over yourself in the morning and instantly look angelic and beautiful. I’ll be so rich. Lots of pictures to come once the Internet starts kicking but until then enjoy this cuteness from my phone.

fest o’ sausage

Some of you out there may have curiosity about the little event called Sausagefest. I’m not surprised. Two years ago, before my first sausage making extravaganza, I had no idea what to expect. So here is a story for you.

This is a story of how thirty people turn 200 lbs of various types of animal flesh into delicious sausage. First, you bring the meat. As far as I know, our pork came from the butcher and our venison came from San Antonio, compliments of Big Stan. The sausage making starts early, directly following a delicious breakfast of coffee cakes and casseroles. The first step is to cut all the meat into grindable chunks. Last year, I cut frozen meat on a table outside and my hands were burning, they were so cold. This year, the boys took over this job entirely. Next you feed the meet chunks through the awesome, industrial-strength grinder–a vast improvement over last year’s kitchenaid with grinder attachment. Then we regrind the meat to combine the different types of meat in the correct proportions. Then we season the meat with spices, garlic, and jalapenos. Then we regrind it to make sure the seasoning really gets locked in well. This part is especially fun because you have to make the ground meat into “meat bullets” so that they feed correctly through the grinder. Sounds effects are also helpful. Next is the nasty part. You take these slimy shoestrings, which are in fact animal intestines, and you run water through them to get them to start opening up. I guess it’s kind of like stinking your hand in some pantyhose to prepare them for being filled with your legs. Now pantyhose are going to really gross me out. To be honest, I steer clear from this station because I feel the danger of no longer liking sausage creeping up on me when I approach the casings. ick. Then you load the casings onto the stuffer, again this brings to mind prepping pantyhose at the base of your foot before putting them on your legs. (This was not an intended part of the story, I just can’t stop thinking about it like this.) Then you start cranking, molding and spinning the sausage into a nice round spiral. Then the spiral is separated into looks and tier together with strings. Finally, the sausage is hung by the strings in a smoker in the backyard until it is perfect and delicious. The end.

Here are some pictures of the process (more pics of people and the Marina v. Lonestar football game to come):

quick update

I bet you didn’t think this update would be about my dog’s flatulence BUT it is.

So a sweet friend of mine just informed me that dogs are allergic to grapes and raisins, to the extent that they can die from ingesting to much.

Molly is happy and fine and far less gassy but I just wanted to share this information in case, like me, you think grapes pose a good opportunity-with their mass and spherical, aerodynamic bodies- to try to teach your dog to catch food in the air.

OWNER FAIL.

There is an article about this issue here.

And since blogs are better with pictures here’s one from this weekend:

The caption should read: “Anyone who was accidentally poisoned by their pet parents please raise your hand”