Christmas Traditions - New and Old

Merry Christmas! Well it is a day late but oh well, deal with it. I had a WONDERFUL Christmas, even though it was a little strange to be away from family. I wish it were Sunday again so I could relive the past two days.

We created a new tradition on Christmas Eve and went snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was beautiful! Also, it was really nice to do a little preemptive calorie burning. ;) We got to the trailhead at 11:00 and actually saw someone I know from the cycling team there - small world! He was the only other person we saw on the trail that day, that's really nice. It was pretty cold, mostly in the teen's and 20's, and sometimes windy, but we were both comfortable once we started hiking. I wore my fleece-lined tights and lightweight blue EMS pants, two pairs of socks, and my montrail boots. On top I had a base layer, a wicking long-sleeve shirt, and my primaloft vest. These were fine for hiking uphill, but my marmot rain jacket and a lightweight fleece also came in handy from time to time. Ok ... that was probably boring but it is good for my own reference to know what works on these outings.

We probably hiked about 4 miles up the Lawn Lake Trail - starting at 11:15 and turning around close to 2:00. We had a fabulous lunch of hummus and veggie pitas, and then hiked downhill. Going downhill is so wonderful in snowshoes! We got back to the car right about 4:00 - perfect timing!

We were pretty hungry when we got home so we ate dinner in stages. First I put the ziti in the oven for 1:45 (too long!). Then Chris made some garlic bread for course #1. Course #2 was an antipasto salad, complete with salami, provolone, and olives - yum! We also opened a bottle of wine that Chris bought in Paris in 2002! Our last bottle of French wine, and I think it was a worthy occassion! After salad, I made brownies with my ghiradelli's chocolate from San Francisco and stuck them in the oven just as the ziti came out.

The ziti was really good but the top was overcooked and we had a few very crunchy pieces (kind of like the chewy turkey in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation!). Also the sauce was too thick - two things to remember for next time! But it was a wonderful meal, and I enjoyed talking to Chris about how it was nice to be on our own but kind of weird to be away from family. I've felt that since some of the usual things we associate with Christmas (family, exchanging presents) weren't here this year, it kind of forced me to appreciate what we really should be celebrating every year - that God came to us, which if you think about it (and believe in God and Jesus) is reason enough alone to get really excited! Chris agreed. We also talked a little bit about how our faiths have changed this year, especially Chris's with the stress of being out of work for so long. I think it has been a kind of transformational experience for him. He learned that he is capable of making a living working independently. He was hoping to find a job that would allow him to further a cause, rather than line someone's pocket, but that didn't work out (at least not yet). But he has been presented with an opportunity to use his talents for good on a trip to an AIDS clinic in Jos, Nigeria next month! So overall it has been a great year, and I am so so happy that we are both growing spiritually. I feel like I need much more work, but that is another story!

Anyway, we finished the main course and then had delicious brownies with mint chocolate chip ice cream. :) Around 10:30 we left for church. We met Mollie and Rob and their friends (and Kelty) there. It was a very nice service. And about half-way through, we started to see big while things float by the stained-glass window! Snow??! It was beautiful, and it seemed like the congregations singing was doubled with the excitement of a white Christmas. Turns out, it was just graupel (rain/snow mix), but at least it had looked pretty during church. Chris and I went to bed by 1:00, it had been a busy day and didn't take long to fall asleep!

Christmas morning we got to sleep in and didn't start moving around until about 10:30. Wonderful! We spent the morning leisurely eating breakfast (ambrosia), talking to family, and opening presents. We exchanged very modest presents (less than $10 each) but I was completely fine with it. I just felt happy to be with him, and we actually had quite a few other presents to open from family. I gave Chris a shirt I had bought at a thrift store on Haight St. in San Francisco, and he gave me a nalgene with a flower on it. :) Good stuff!

We lounged a little and had some more antipasto salad, but not too long because we had to cook some things for dinner at Tim and Erica's. I made a pumpkin pie (just using the recipe on the can and it was pretty good!) and a broccoli casserole. Then we went to our friends' house for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and gravy - yum! It was a great meal and nice to hang out with friends. Of course, we were all exhausted after eating so much, so we relaxed and watched Casino Royale on their big screen tv. (I would have to say that I really like this James Bond. There is usually plenty of eye candy for the men in these movies, so I'm happy to see that this one was an equal opportunity flick. ;) It was a good evening!

Of course, we got home and I had to watch the 5th Harry Potter. I'm afraid I might be somewhat obsessed. Well ... Chris fell asleep half-way through, which means we get to watch it again soon! Anyway, all these silly things aside, it really was a wonderful Christmas! I bet we will be back in Georgia next year, but for the next time it is just Chris and I (well, and maybe one more?), we have began some great traditions! :)

Now Chris is back to work and I actually have some work to do too. I want to mostly take the next three days off. I want to paint our kitchen tomorrow! And, we might even paint the cabinets, too! Hallelujah! It will be nice to have a fresh look in here. Then some time in 2008 we can redo the counter tops (we need to wait a bit b/c we just spent about $900 on a new sliding glass door!). Today, I need to start up another model run and do some writing for CMMAP (2-3 hours). Then I can go buy paint, and clean up a little to get ready for the project ahead. Hopefully I can get it all done. At least I don't have to worry about making dinner, we will be eating ziti the rest of the week! :)

Bye!