Happy 2012!

I know that lots of bloggers out there post every single day, even when they are celebrating holidays, have company, are traveling or whatnot, but you know what? When I am *living* my life, I like to be in the moment! Sometimes that means that blogging takes a back seat so that I can engage in my 3D life.

This is particularly important to me because even though we have lived in Medford for over 2 years now, all my friends still live hours away! When they take time to come and visit me I want to make sure I am taking time to BE with them.

In that spirit, I was thrilled to have my two besties, Kelsey and Heidi, come to celebrate New Years with us. They arrived Friday evening and we settled right in with catching up, gossiping, snacking on some veggies and cookies (all about balance, right?!).

Unfortunately, Chris had gotten called in to work at the beach late Friday afternoon, so he left for a 3 hour drive to the beach, worked for an hour or so, and then drove home. He got home pretty late. It was a bummer way for him to start his weekend, but that is part of what his job entails sometimes.

Saturday was a lovely day here. Lots of sun breaks and moderate weather. We enjoyed a lovely crepe and blackberries breakfast, got ourselves ready and hit the town. We stopped at See's Candies, a furniture store, Harry & David and an amazing little local boutique called Papillon Rouge. Kelsey and I convinced Heidi, after much hemming and hawing, to buy a very cool grey sheath dress with a cowel neck. She looked stunning! I'm SO glad she bought it!

We headed home to get ready for our New Years Eve Appetizer Extravaganza! We opted to just have apps and wine and chocolates for NYE.

We couldn't wait to start eating the guac....

We played Yahtzee! and turned on New Year's Rockin' Eve about 4 minutes before midnight to watch the ball drop.

We stayed up for another 20 minutes or so, but then it was bedtime!! Roxie was for sure ready for bed. It was a LONG day for her!

It was a perfect NYE. I love staying home and just having fun.

Sunday we had coffee and then us girls decided to go for a hill-climb walk. We walked just under 4 miles in just over an hour up a very steep hill. Surprisingly, I am not at all sore today!

After our walk I found out that Chris had been called in to work, again! This time it was only to Ashland, so only about a half an hour drive instead of 3, but what a bummer! The girls and I headed home and ate leftover appetizers for lunch. Then we just hung around the house visiting and listening to Heidi play angry birds.

For dinner we were making a fried Turkey, scalloped potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce and a green salad. Chris got the turkey going after he got back from working for a couple hours. The really cool think about frying a turkey is it takes about 30-45 minutes for the whole bird to cook. Yup..that's it. Super quick! And, SO delicious! Moist, tender and very flavorful. So pretty, too!

We were all pretty tired from the weekend of fun, so we cleaned up the kitchen and then just relaxed. Roxie got lots of attention and play time from everyone all weekend.

It was a really great way to celebrate the start of 2012.

The girls headed back home this morning, after Chris got called in to work AGAIN! 3 times this weekend. I snuggled with Roxie and watched a little tv just to decompress a bit. Then I hopped up and started all the cleaning and de-Christmassing. I got it all accomplished and my house now feels clean and empty. I always like that feeling after Christmas.

We are finishing up the appetizers and leftovers in the next day or two and then the holidays will be done for another year.

I will be working on meal plans, goals and so forth over the next day or two and will be sure to post both my January and 2012 goals.

As always, I loved having my friends here. It makes me feel still connected to the life we left behind when we moved south. I always appreciate them coming and the fun and laughter, and sometimes tears, that we share together. Looking forward to the next time!

Happy New Year, Friends! Thank you for reading my blog and sharing some of your time in my little world. Blessings to each of you in the coming year.