back to life. back to reality.

florida was scrumptious.
seriously warm sunshine. [i even sweat a little].
long walks and a warm breeze.
getting out of the car & bracing myself, only to realize i didn't need to. [for frigidness. i get so tense from the cold that i for real hurt myself. i make my neck & back all sore.]
freshly picked grapefruit & strawberries.
laying poolside with the most amazing husband ever [mine].
chilling with the most amazing parents ever [mine].
palm trees blowing in the wind.
sitting in the sun with grams & gramps, listening to stories.
four-car pile up on the interstate. ok, maybe that wasn't scrumptious. more details on that later.

morning.


evening.

like i said, back to life. back to reality.

-google game-

go to google. type your first name and 'looks like'.
mine, and i quote:
marla looks like a SHAVED bird!
hm. awesome.
it also says right after that marla looks like angelina jolie.
i'd kinda rather go with that one.

and a happy, happy birthday to mom m.!

we love you. the room is always brighter when you walk in. i love your enthusiasm and your warm spirit. i love that you like to shovel [wanna come help?]. i love all your crazy words and sayings, which include, but are not limited to:
geez manatty [possibly my favorite]
sicker than a brown-eyed buzzard
hotter than a georgia wolf
mad as fire
gracious dow
good night of mosie
naked as a j-bird
glorious peace
begomin mess
kyarn [looked this up in the urban dictionary for you northern folk: A southern derivative of the word carrion, meaning dead and/or decaying flesh. so one might say, 'gracious dow it smells like kyarn in here.']

if you were here i'd take you to visit the animal shelter, then to bed bath & beyond [for some kitchen gadgets, of course], then we could get a hot smoothie.
love.love.love.

inauguration: let's be honest.

what we were truly waiting to see...



michelle's inauguration day outfit.
love the teal pumps.
an amazing day in history. may God bless the obama family.

does a body good.

some friends recently got a cow.
we recently got some nice fresh milk.
i recently scooped some of the cream off the top and put it in my coffee.
thanks joce!

+ new zealand planning +

some ideas for our upcoming trip...

hot water beach: dig in the sand & it fills with steaming hot water.


see some penguins and other wildlife. perhaps some cormorant.


visit a glacier.


some hiking, of course.


visit rainforest.


stargazing.


any other recommendations?
what would you do in new zealand?

shake it.

go ahead. shake it like a polaroid.
neat-o, huh?

->> christmasing: craigyyy! <<-

mooms wanted craig home for christmas [who didn't, really]. so i booked him a ticket home from bangkok [after 5 months of traveling in asia]. we were all very excited to have craigy home...though we almost didn't recognize him! with a couple siblings living out of the area now it's even more meaningful to have the whole happy family together.



dad?

->> christmasing: christmas eve <<-

christmas eve = fun family traditions. and i love it, love it, love it.


hamburgers[/veggieburger] & latkes & milkshakes
gifts & giving
christmas eve service & glowing candles
grams & gramps
faith & love
sponge candy & ribbon candy
laughter & surprises

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!

go batavia!

i mentioned awhile back the bachelor tv show is a guilty pleasure. well this is a very special season...one of the girls is from booming batavia, ny! sharon was a senior when i was a freshman [either her or her twin sister dated my high school crush, but i hold no grudges.] i'm happy to report she got a rose last night [2nd to last, way to give us a heart attack jason.] i watched the premiere with 10 other girls, which made for a fabulous night. we screamed and clapped when sharon got the rose. one of the girls noted a passerby would think we were watching the superbowl or something.
go team sharon!

->> christmasing: sugar cookies <<-

without a doubt, sugar cookie cutouts are my favorite christmas cookies. really what's not to like - it's sugar on top of sugar on top of sugar. i even made little tiny ones this year. totally adorable.
take note of my super sweet helper in the 2nd picture...


more christmasing to come...

-the best part of 2008-

another year spent with my favorite guy!

i will post some highlights from all our christmasing soon...
i've been a busy, busy bee.