A new generation of Griswolds
My family always did a “little bit extra” to decorate the outside of our house when we were kids. Colored spot lights, an 8 foot star 15 feet above the chimney (you could see it for MILES), painting the front windows, a christmas tree made from green 7-up bottles in my bedroom window. Yeah, we did a lot actually. My folks have now built some huge nutcrackers to put in front of the house (i’ll try to get some pics when I’m home this year).
This, however takes it to a whole new level. This home is outside of Valencia California, and you can sit outside and listen to the tune on your FM radio. One word…WOW
Year End Portraits
Just a few portraits to end the year. Yeah, I know that it’s not the end of the year yet, but after the blog-a-thon in November, I’ll be lucky to squeeze out more than a couple posts this month. So glad that I was challenged to do it (even thought I fell a bit short), and so glad that Liz put up with me sitting by the computer every day.
My folks and the future in-laws came to visit last weekend, and it was the first time they met. Not surprisingly, everyone got along quite well. I had to bust out my home made ring light to show my dad. He insisted that he never takes good pictures.
My Mother
And the forever lovely Liz, my muse:
Wish I could remember why she had such big hair that night…I think it looks terrific!
The final bunch
Thanks Lisa for the interesting exercise.
8-Things I’m passionate about…Things I want to do before I die…Things I say often….Books I’ve read recently…
Songs I could listen to over and over…
Things that attract me to my best friends….
8 Songs I could listen to over and over (in no particular order):
- If I needed you - Townes Van Zandt
- It’s a hit - Rilo Kiley
- Closer to you - Brandi Carlile (I’d pretty much listen to all of her stuff over and over and over, man she has got soul.
- Wild Is The Wind - Cat Power version from The Covers Record
- I will follow you into the dark - Deathcab for Cutie
- Open your Eyes - Snow Patrol
- Me and Mia - Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
- Tranquilize - The Killers
I could name way way more than 8. That was just a quick run through my iTunes list. We’ve been to so many great concerts in the last 18 months I can’t even begin to talk about all that here. So much good music out there right now.
Brandi Carlile, Cat Power, Snow Patrol, The Killers, Rilo Kiley, Joseph Arthur, Bob Dylan, Feist, Death Cab for Cutie, Neko Case, Ryan Adams, Fischerspooner, Old 97’s, I could go on and on and on.
8 Things that attract me to my best friends (I’m stealing a lot of these from Lisa because they apply, and she’s my friend so she’ll understand.)….
1. They love me despite my dorky nerd tendencies (and sometimes because of).
2. They fully support me and encourage me
3. They are interesting, confident, strong, intelligent, and beautiful from many angles inside and out.
4. Their dorky nerd tendencies- each in their own way.
5. Laughter. They know how to laugh real good. They make me laugh real good.
6. They are good people, or overall they try to be.
7. They have maintained our friendship even though I’m across the country
8. I am constantly learning something from them.
So, there you have it. It’s been a fun month, I posted over 50% of the days, way more than I’ve done in any month since I started writing this blog. I already can’t wait to do this next year.
And now for some pictures of my favorite person…
The next bunch of 8
8-Things I’m passionate about…Things I want to do before I die…
Things I say often….
Books I’ve read recently…
Songs I could listen to over and over…
Things that attract me to my best friends….
8 Things I Say Often
- I love you
- No Worries
- Holy Crap
- Hey Lambchop (to Daphne)
- Honey, I can’t hear you (Liz likes to talk to me while my head is beside a loud noise like running water or the stereo speakers). I suppose this could also be that I have bad hearing, but I had it checked for work a year or so ago, and it said “Better than Average”
- You’re so amazing and beautiful (I don’t go around saying this, just to a specific person but you could probably guess who)
- Time to wake up (I say this A LOT)
- You’re Kidding. I’m not sure why I say that a lot, but I do find myself saying that a lot.
8 Books I’ve read recently…
I guess I won’t get any points with Amazon for linking, but here goes:
- Walking on Water: Reading, Writing, and Revolution - Derrick Jensen
- Blink:The Power of Thinking Without Thinking - Malcom Gladwell
- The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can make a Big Difference-Malcom Gladwell
- Between a Rock and a Hard Place- Aron Ralston. It got surprisingly good reviews, but I think he’s really lucky he’s not dead, and I felt like he really didn’t learn from any of his near death encounters he faced prior to having to cut his own arm off with a pocket knife. I didn’t like the book at all)
- A Million Little Pieces - James Frey. Don’t get me started on the whole Oprah thing. It was a good book, not sure any human could really endure what he claims he went through, which now apparently isn’t true.
- My Friend Leonard. Same story as above. Both of his books are brilliantly written, though.
- I am currently trying to work my way through The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley, but it’s been a struggle to get through.
- The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner: Worksheets, Checklists, Etiquette, Calendars, and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and Bridal Bargains, 8th Edition: Secrets to throwing a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget (Bridal Bargains). I’ll count them as one book, but they’ve been quite handy over the past year. Thanks to Elisa for the recommendations.
Taken on the doormat outside our front door:
