Thankful Thursday, New Years Eve style

Today is the last day of 2009. It's also my last day at my current job. I'm full of bittersweet feelings today. 2009 and this place both treated me pretty well, but I am boldly moving forward towards a better year and position. This is what I'm thankful for on the precipice of this new adventure called 2010:

1. Memories. I'm not a live-in-the-past kind of gal, but memories are still invaluable to me. They remind of us of what we've done, who we've known, and who we've become. They are little treasures.

2. Hopes. Despite my recent grumpiness, I'm an optimist overall. I know that things can always get better. It helps me look forward to new experiences. I like to start the New Year with my eyes, arms and heart wide open.

3. Experiences. Good or bad, I thrive on experiences. I love to try new things. Whether they bless me or burn me (quite literally sometimes -- I guess lampworking isn't for me), experiences expand the limits of what we can do, what we believe in, where we've been, etc. Just as "the unexamined life is not worth living," I think a life empty of risks is only half-full (see: still an optimist). I know 2010 will bring a whole new array of experiences.

I'm wishing a joyous New Year to you all! I hope it's a celebration that prepares you for a beautiful 2010.

Crafty Vegan Food Adventures #3

After a long, snowy, not-so-healthy weekend, I was dedicated to getting the week off to a good start. Here's what I ate yesterday.

I started the day with my breakfast of choice for the past couple of weeks: whole wheat bread with peanut butter (please excuse the missing bites!). I also had a mug of Moroccan mint green tea at work.

I had a morning snack of a banana -- a little yellow-brown for my taste, but still good.

For lunch, I wanted a huge salad, so I headed to Jason's Deli. The result:

It was so good! What you behold is several kinds of lettuce, yellow and red bell pepper, broccoli, baby carrots, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, red onion, a little bit of bean salad, hummus (upper left corner), cherry tomatoes (which I didn't eat, but I tried), and sunflower seeds topped with Italian dressing. I also had one of the organic flatbread crackers and four apple slices. So, so good! Artichokes are officially my new favorite salad topping.

For an afternoon "snack," I made some French press coffee. Here it is right after I plunged it. (Not the sexiest term, eh?) And yes, I did make that hot pad specifically for my French press.

Dinner was a bowl of chili made using Glue and Glitter's recipe and some TLC crackers.

We upped the spices, as always, and it was quite tasty. I think we'll add even more beans and tomatoes next time 'cause that's how we are. It was such fun to use my slow cooker again. I really need to make more stuff with that little baby. It's so convenient, and boy the apartment smelled good.

After dinner, we watched the American Masters documentary on Louisa May Alcott. It was so good! For dessert, I sliced up some pineapple and had some Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea. I totally neglected to take a picture, but I think you can imagine it.

It was a good eating day, and I feel back on track. Tonight we're making baked potatoes and crossing our fingers that the snow doesn't fall too heavily again tonight.

A very snowy holiday

I had planned to share photos of all the handmade gifts I made this year. Unfortunately, a blizzard (yes, a blizzard in Oklahoma!) majorly altered our Christmas plans, so I haven't finished distributing everything yet. The sleet and hail started in early on the Eve, and by 4:00, a blanket of snow began to cover the city. We had planned to see my mom's half of the family for a while that afternoon but quickly rethought our plans. Mom and her amazing guilt trip brought us across town for a brief, hour-long visit, which, given my crankiness about the holidays in general, was probably perfect. Since my grandmother hosts but is badly in need of a hip replacement, my mom, uncle, taller half and myself did all the cooking. Between all of us, we had a delicious, stress-free spread of -- believe it or not -- totally vegetarian fare. It was perfect.

The snow continued to fall and fall. The official count is 5.8 inches in Tulsa, but there were drifts several feet high. Our part of the state actually got the least of it, too. I'm always the last person to be excited about the fluffy white stuff, but I have to admit that this was one of the best holidays I've ever had. We were stuck inside -- just the two of us -- from about 3:00 on the 24th until Sunday. We did venture out to walk the dog, but our cars stayed firmly in place. (As if we had another choice. Oh, the joys of apartment life.) I'll do a better rundown of some of my loot in another post, but I did want to share a couple of cell phone shots. First is our now-traditional Christmas breakfast:

Yep, that is a plate full of homemade (by me!) buttermilk biscuits and vegetarian white gravy (crafted by my beloved). The meal was decidedly un-vegan, but I'm back on the bandwagon today. We had coffee and fruit on the side. I wish this picture was representative of all the biscuits-and-gravy consumption but, well, there may have been seconds. And we may have barely put a dent into the fruit. Oh well. Next up is some snowy aftermath downtown:

It cracked me up that the plows moved the snow into a giant pile into the middle of Denver, a busy downtown street. I bet it won't be there for long. The work week is once again upon us.

I hope you all had a safe, warm, happy holiday. I also want to show some love to Hollyrocks, who is getting hitched today. Yay! I'm so happy for the newlyweds-to-be. Send them your good thoughts, and let's hope Eureka Springs welcomes them with open arms. :)

A gift for you

We got a blizzard in Oklahoma last night, which shortened some Christmas Eve plans and cancelled everything today. Here in Tulsa, we have six inches of snow on the ground. That's insane for this area! I'm not a fan personally, but the creature in my life who hates it the most is my tiny dog. I took this video this morning of her attempting to go get through show piles nearly as tall as her. I hope you enjoy!

Christmas Questionnaire

In yet another attempt to get into the spirit, I'm filling out this questionnaire I just read on She So Crafty. Feel free to fill it out, too!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
I cannot stand egg nog, so hot chocolate. Also, hot chocolate contains chocolate. What's not to love? I like mine with cinnamon.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
I'm 25 and no longer believe in Santa Claus. I don't think I'll tell my children there is a Santa either.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
My two-foot tree has its own multicolored lights.
4. Do you hang mistletoe?
I never have, but it could be fun. I don't really need an excuse to kiss my taller half. ;)
5. When do you put your decorations up?
Whenever I experience a moment of grinchlessness. I believe I put the tree out on Monday.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Generally it's mashed potatoes. However, we're starting a new Christmas morning tradition of vegetarian biscuits and gravy. He loves my homemade biscuits and has perfected the meatless gravy.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Hmm . . . I'm trying to remember. I had a lot of good holidays as a child. Oh, I know. There was a Minnie Mouse doll that laughed I really wanted when I was 6 or 7. My parents couldn't find one anywhere, so I guess they had one of the stores put it on order. On Christmas morning, I got some other toys plus a letter from "Santa" written on my typewriter that said I would get Minnie later on. I thought that was the coolest thing.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I think one of my mean older cousins must have told me. I was 7. That should probably embarrass me.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
That was our family tradition when I was a kid, but my taller half and I no longer do.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
I remove it from its box and plug it in.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
I am vehemently anti-snow. I don't like being cold and damp.
12. Can you ice skate?
Decently. I haven't been since I was a kid, though. I really want to try again.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I remember my mom giving me the complete works of Shakespeare when I was 11 or 12 and feeling super grown up. I don't really have one specific favorite gift, though.
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Um, getting through them without exploding.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Used to be pumpkin pie. I guess it still is.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
I'm looking forward to making new ones.
17. What tops your tree?
Most people's trees. Oh wait, you mean a tree topper? Nothing at the moment.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Giving. Even though it stresses me out, I love making gifts for people.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
"Patrick Swayze Christmas."
20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?
I like them but can live without them.
21. Favorite Christmas Show?
Little Women (the one from 1994). It's not really a Christmas movie, but it's close enough, and it's AWESOME.
22. Saddest Christmas Song?
I guess I don't know any. I have had "Where Are You, Christmas?" from the Grinch movie in my head for days. That's pretty sad.

Today is my last day this week. Then I just have four more next week before my time at this job is over. Crazy!

Last-Minute Shopping Party

Tonight is the Tulsa Craft Mafia's Last-Minute Shopping Party at Fresh Roast! All our merchandise is 10%. Plus, you can enjoy great coffee and free baked goods while you shop for those last few gifts. Come out and join us!

I'm Brigid, and I'm Funky

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm experiencing the blues. You all gave me some wonderful advice on how to cheer up. Thank you so much! One thing I decided to do was reclassify myself: I'm in a funk, so I'm no longer cranky, I'm funky. That at least made me smile. I also did two more things to help lift my spirits.

1. I tried once again to brown my hair:

Getting closer. I may actually be my natural color again one of these days.

2. I tried doing something creative. Holly, my favorite bride-to-be, posted a fun-looking tutorial last week on making polymer clay candle holders. I had some left over from her fun lollipop workshop on December 5, so I decided to do a couple of my own. Of course, I had very few of the necessary supplies (i.e. the clay and the candle holders), so I had to improvise. I ended up combining her tutorial with the class we had taken. Here's the result:

They're not perfect, but I love them. See the sweet little candy cane?

I'm going to buy some seasonal candles to put in them.

Today is my final Friday lunch with the man I love. It's been our tradition for almost two years to have lunch together every Friday. Since the next two are holidays and my new job is in another part of town, today the tradition ends. I'm a little sad but also looking forward to savoring the experience. Then this weekend we have Christmas with his side of the family. I also have a wedding shower and a friend party. I shall not lack for distractions.

I hope you have a great weekend planned!