Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.
Kevin Arnold, The Wonder Years
Archives for December 2011
dear 2011,
December 30, 2011
What a year it has been! I was just looking through all my iPhoto albums from this year and between my fancy cam and my iPhone I’ve documented this year more than any other. I am more than lucky to have the people I love in my life, with a job that makes me smile and a beautiful city at my fingertips, I’d say this is more than enough to be thankful for.
This blog has come a long way in a year too. I’m more in love with this community than ever and am happy to be a part of it more every day. I have made many connections in Boston and have friendships that stretch across the country. How amazing, I can’t help but think, that I can read blogs at any point of the day because I have friends in different time zones.
Dear Friend started as a way for me to update my friends and family on what’s happening in Boston and was a place for me to save favorite things, but in a year has become something a little more. I am more connected than ever, to myself and to others, and this is a place where I can share my thoughts, ideas, and memories with not only my family and friends, but the world. I’m still finding my voice as a writer, but it’s fun to discover the process. I’ve realized the best way for me to write is to just simply be me, and write like I would talk, as if we were having a conversation over brunch. And so, this is what you get here, a voice that is truly me and how I am. So should you ever end up meeting me for brunch in real life (and I hope we do), you’ll already have a friend in me.
If you are newer around here, or have been around for awhile (and I thank you from the bottom of my soul) I’ve tried to go back and look through my 2011 posts and find the ones that are my favorite, the ones that are the most “me” and the most sincere.
It was fun looking back and was a nice salute to 2011. There were lots of posts I had gone and forgotten about so it was good to go back and re-read. And reading them again long after I’ve written them makes me look at them from a different perspective too. I can’t believe how much is here, how much I have written and recorded. Memories that would simply be forgotten if they were not etched here, on this blog, for all to read and remember.
Here are some of my favorite posts from this year:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, thanks so much for being here, for taking the time to read and connect. Thanks for saying hi, and for your comments and emails. They means more to me than most of you know.
Goodbye, 2011!! Thanks for the memories!
And happy New Year, dear friends. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
christmas cheer.
December 29, 2011
If I had to sum up this year’s Christmas in a sentence it would be this:
A happy, simple and relaxing time filled with love and food and family.
What could be better than that?
Christmas Eve we sung our favorite hymns at church, and lit candles during silent night. There is something about Christmas hymns that always brings tears to my eyes. I get all choked up and emotional and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
One of my very favorites:
Angels we have on heard high
Sweetly singing ore the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strainsGloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis DeoCome to Bethlehem and see
Christ whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn KingGloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis DeoSee him in a manger laid
Whom the choirs of angels praise
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
While our hearts in love we raiseGloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
And one more, because this one gives me the chills:
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord!
We had Christmas Eve dinner in my grandmother’s apartment, which is in the lower level of my aunt and uncle’s house. When we’re spending time in Greenwich we really don’t have to leave the house if we don’t want to. Everyone’s under the same roof and it’s just the way I like it. It’s the ultimate opportunity for being lazy and I relish in it.
We had a quiet Christmas Eve, but a special one nonetheless.
We had chicken noodle soup and bylosh (Czechoslovakian cheesy bread that is yum, yum, YUMMMM).
We had holy bread and honey.
And we finished the night off with pecan pie.
Christmas day was filled with presents and smiles and we all enjoyed being with baby Hope on her very first Christmas. Oh, that little girl is so sweet I could squeeze her. And squeeze her a million times I did.
There were sparking lights.
And coffee and cookies.
And wrapping paper that covered the floor.
There was family.
And memories.
And prayers.
And thankfulness.
We really did have the most relaxing weekend (and it’s continuing throughout the week), which is exactly what I’ve needed. Christmas vacation is the most wonderful break for a teacher. It comes at a time when all is crazy in the classroom and everyone (kids and adults included) just needs some time off.
I’ve been wearing my slippers from sun up til sun down, watching movies, catching up on reading, and have spent a fair amount of time looking at lovely things on Pinterest.
It’s been nothing short of peaceful.
A Merry Christmas indeed. How was your holiday, everyone?! Hoping it was filled with joy and love.
This year and always. ♥♥
new york, new york
December 28, 2011
Meg and I are heading to New York City today! We have a long list of things to see and do and we’re ready with open arms to experience the sights and sounds of the city.
We’re going to meet up with Molly too, which I am so super excited about! We’ve already decided we’re soul sisters, so the day should be simply wonderful. This I am sure.
Visiting New York this time of year is one of my favorite things in the whole world.
It’s magic.
Pure, glorious magic.
