Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'Shvat is the birthday for the trees, sort of a Jewish Arbor Day. Princess and I celebrated by drawing pictures of trees. After that, we then went for a walk that included the "secret forest" near our house and the two of us singing happy birthday to the trees.

What a lovely day we had!

Annual Baking - Happy Purim!

I hate to bake, but I love hamantaschen! These are a traditional treat for the holiday of Purim.

Purim is a lesser Jewish festival held in spring (on the 14th or 15th day of Adar) to commemorate the defeat of Haman's plot to massacre the Jews as recorded in the book of Esther.

Princess loves to bake and is always ready to help. We made these grain free, using almond flour and arrowroot for the dough. The filling is homemade poppyseed filling. So yum!

Celebrate

Since we wouldn't be at home for Princess' birthday, we decided to party a little early. Excuse all the blurry shots. These kids were movin'!

King Peace on Earth

Princess' best friend and his family have a collection of nutcrackers that they put out every Christmas. Princess has wanted one for a couple of years now and this year we finally got one. 

Princess has named him, King Peace on Earth. He has joined our festive holiday decorations in storage, waiting for next year. Of course, we had to wait until the best friend got back from his trip to Germany to show him before hiding him away until next year.

48

Yesterday, I turned 48. I started my day with a crossfit workout. That's right. I played like a girl.

I often have to remind myself how far I've come, and also where I've come from. Yes, I changed my way of eating to Paleo/Primal way of life and lost more than 40 pounds. I'm thrilled with that, especially with all you hear about once you're a certain age (and especially if you're menopausal) your metabolism slows down and it's so hard to lose. Eating a Standard American Diet (SAD) yes, it is. Go Paleo and watch how it changes. But that isn't the point of this post.

I go to the "box"for my WOD (crossfit lingo: box=gym; WOD=workout of the day). There are people of all ages and fitness levels. The thing is, I don't really run into anyone who I can realistically compare myself to . . . not that I should compare myself but I'm human. There are people my age, but I haven't met anyone my age who is really working out for the first time in their lives.

I have to look at the fact that I'm going, regularly. I work hard when I'm there. I feel great afterward (although often breathing heavy and sore the next day or so). I'm getting stronger. I'm feeling more fit. I still love crossfit! I even got past my funk and brief feeling of wanting to quit. Thanks to my best friend and one of my biggest supporters, Ute.

So what if my weights are significantly lower than everyone else's. So what if my rounds are lower or my time is slower. So what if it takes me six and a half minutes to run a half mile. So what if I have to modify most of the exercises. So what if there are some exercises that I just can't do. I'm still lifting weights. I'm still doing the WOD. I'm still running. I'm still doing the exercises. I'm still finding a good substitute for the exercises I can't do. And I'm still loving it. I have great trainers and great people who I work out with . . . and I'm having fun, getting stronger and more fit.

48 feels great!

Our New Year Getaway

We went to the

 We brought some entertainment . . .

a few board games . . .

and spirograph! I've been looking for this forever and it's finally available. I loved this when I was a kid.

Because of our food issues and the need to avoid gluten, we bring our own cooking supplies with us.

 

There was a lot of down time, something the Lizard King needed. You'd think I would have gotten a shot of that, but no. 

How did you celebrate the new year?

Happy New Year!

Sign Made by Princess, 2011

Lights!

Our decor isn't for Christmas and we don't really do anything on the 25th of December. In fact, LK is working and Princess and I are planning to go to the movies. Still, I thought it would be a good day to share our winter holiday lights with you. LK worked really hard getting all the lights up and installing electrical wiring and timers.

I think he did an amazing job and he has more plans to add on next year. I can't wait to see what he does! Wishing a Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it.

That's a Wrap!

In our effort to live more sustainably, we use fabric and fabric ribbon for our gift wrap. My hope is to eventually make gift bags of a variety of sizes. It will certainly make gift wrapping easier, as fabric wrapping can be more challenging than paper.

My sewing machine is in working order again. Now I just need a space to work. I think I will set a goal to make all the bags by November 2013. Ooh...sounds like my new year's goals are growing! I've got 2 things on my list now.

1. Send out cards for birthdays.
2. Make gift bags in time for next Hanukka.

I wonder if any more will pop up between now and the new year . . .

And a big thank you to Mom-mom and Poppo for this gift. As you can tell, Princess was very excited to receive it.

Hanukka 2012

We had an amazing Hanukka celebration this year. I'm so grateful, because it could have been such a disappointment. With the Lizard King out of town for almost the entire holiday, it just wouldn't have been the same celebrating without him. Thank you to my friend, M, for the suggestion to move it. Here's a little collage glimpse at our holiday.

Happy Hanukka!!!

Photo Shoot

I haven't sent out holiday cards in years. My family and friends can attest to the fact that I am horrible at sending and giving cards for any occasion. (Sorry!)

I think my new year's resolution is going to be to send cards out to friends and family for birthdays. Now I just need dates and addresses. ;)

Anyway, I decided to start with holiday cards and wanted to do photo cards. I called on my best friend, who also happens to be a wonderful photographer. She came over and did a quick shoot with us and by the evening we had these beautiful shots.

We wish everyone the happiest of times during this holiday season!

Winter Tree 2012

Our Hanukka celebration begins tomorrow!! 

A Glimpse at Our Thanksgiving Day

 Princess worked on the new Thankful Tree . . .

and we all put up leaves sharing what we are thankful for.

 As is our tradition, pumpkin roll "appetizer".

Lovely flowers from our friends.

 Football, of course!

I found this turkey cooking method online that worked beautifully! Why has nobody else thought of cooking the turkey breast down? It was juicy and delicious!!

 Just a few of the sides.

 

It was a lovely Thanksgiving with our dearest friends. We did miss having the Pittsburgh Royals (kids and grandkids), but they will definitely be with us next year.

How was your Thanksgiving celebration?