Glorious Action and Noble Risk

If I had to pick one quote to describe my Christmas morning snowshoe adventure it would be this:

One hour of life, crowded to the full with glorious action, and filled with noble risks, is worth whole years of those mean observances of paltry decorum.

-Sir Walter Scott

I just love snowshoeing. I love the challenge, the feeling of accomplishment after its over, and getting to see an untouched winter wonderland.

Going down the mountain was especially fun. With big clunky snow shoes on, it was inevitable that I got my feet tangled and took a few spills. I wish I could say that I got back up gracefully, but that would be just a big fat lie. I got back up each time with much help and flailing about. The last spill was especially hysterical as I couldn't stop laughing and therefore spent a couple minutes sinking, upside down, deeper and deeper into unpacked snow. I had more fun falling and clumsily making my way back up than I can remember. I felt like a little kid playing in the snow. It was Glorious! It was Epic. It was an amazing way to spend my Christmas morning.

Rest in Peace Mingo the Flamingo.

A couple years ago my prized flamingo was taken ransom.  A "prized flamingo" you ask?  Yes, it was very special to me. 
A couple years earlier, while on a shooting extravaganza in the middle of the desert, I saved my flamingo from death by firing squad. Sheri, my Stepmom, had sent the flamingo along with other collected targets for everyone.  Well as soon as I saw the adorable pink thing, I knew I had to save it.  It wasn't an easy feat.  I looked in all directions, and then tucked my new flamingo under my arm, very inconspicuously I might add, and headed for dads truck.  How I and the flamingo made it undetected is still a miracle.   From there, I got the stowaway to my suitcase safe and sound.  Once safe in Salt Lake City, my prized flamingo became a mascot for my apartment.  It sat  atop my kitchen wall shelf, ever so cheerfully, watching over me and all who entered.  Those were happy days.  A few people even started referring to my place as "the Flamingo!" 
But then one tragic day, a horrible, despicable, terrible, and not to mention creepy individual aka Jimmy broke into my apartment and stole Mingo the Flamingo.  That was flamingos name...Mingo.  Clever right?! 
If his intention was to hurt me....BULLSEYE! 
He then shipped Mingo to Portland where a very scary, hairy, troll aka Ben was waiting.  The torture exacted on Mingo causes me nightmares to this day.  I was sent a ridiculous list of demands, the worst being that I wear a Sarah Palin Shirt and take pictures.

 I would rather die than be caught wearing a shirt for that woman and so I could not, out of principle, give into the demands of Mingo's captors.  I know the Mingo would understand. 
Its been a year and half since my precious Mingo was taken and not a day goes by that I don't think of how Mingo is doing. I have begged, pleaded, and even plotted rescue missions, but to no avail.  Mingo is gone.  Its something I have to come to terms with. 
Its time. So for Christmas, the children of  that horrible, dispicable, terrible, and not to mention creepy individual aka Jimmy brought me a new Flamingo.  Something about the sins of the father came to mind while receiving my gift but those thoughts quickly shifted to excitement and joy.  A new Flamingo to match my pink dish towels and dish soap. 

Meet Bingo the Flamingo.

This is Me On Make-up...This is Me After Someone Stole My Make-up

Who would steal someone else's make-up?  I would never want hand me down makeup, especially from someone I dont know.  Why? Why? Why?  Its a question I just cant quit asking since my make-up was stolen at the Gym. 
I always protect my purse and and iPhone.  Its valuable, so I am always doing the phone check.  Who knew I needed to be so mindful of my make-up. 
In retrospect, stealing my makeup was far more lucrative than stealing my phone.  I spent about $200 on my iPhone 2 years ago.  My make-up on the other hand is worth three times that. 
I am not rich, I cant go on a Sephora  or M.a.c. shopping spree.  But over the last couple of years, a little here, a little there, and gift cards for every birthday and Christmas....It added up to a big chunck of amazing make-up.

My Make-up Mecca

RIP perfect little brush set.  You were wonderful.

I hand picked each wonderful color...I will miss you. 

A big chunck of amazing make-up now in the hands of some creeepy gym thief!  Is it wrong that I wish that said thief gets a horrible allergic reaction or trips on their own shoe laces on the treadmill?! 
I am at work with zero makeup.  Its a little uncomfortable.  I need to get to the Sephora and stat for an emergency kit.  A little Sephora brand tinted moisturizer, Black sparkle eyeliner, Urban Decay mascarsa, a bronzer, and an eye shodow or two.  Every thing else will just have to wait.

Im highly considering posting up signs if the gym will let me that goes something like this:
This is me with Makeup

This is me without make-up

Please return my make-up....no questions asked!!!

Superwoman Feats

Last week was brutal!  I worked more and slept less than I maybe ever have.  I gave it my all and barely survived.   That is the cost of success I suppose.  I don't mean success in that I'm rich and can quit my day job.  I just mean that when the orders are pouring in, I must be doing something right.  I love making cakeballs most of the time.  I love making something that tastes amazing, is unique, and adorable.  I love that people keep coming back for more and show so much enthusiasm for my little company. 
But the time requirements are overwhelming.  I put in 40 hours at my day job and then from Tuesday through Sunday put in an additional 36 hours of Cakeballing;  36 hours of running to my favorite store (Orson Gygi), baking,  standing on my feet for 9 hours (after working all day) to make hundreds of cakeballs, making deliveries, and working a boutique. There just wasn't enough time in my day for sleep. 
By Saturday night I had run out of fuel. Run out of sweetness.  Run out of patience.  And run out of tact. 
One of my favorite things every Christmas is my Family Blacksheep Fondue Party.  It just so happened to be this same Saturday night.  In hind sight, and suggested by my dear Aunt Jana, I could have let something go. I could have decided to not do the boutique.  But with so many Superwoman feats under my belt in the last week, I thought I could do it all.  Well I couldn't work all the hours, give up all that sleep, and still be my chipper, cheerful, and fun self at the party.  So I guess I did let something go. 
It just so happens that being my chipper happy self is the last thing I ever want to give up.  Its something that people expect from me and something I do right along with breathing.  Its who I am.
So lesson learned, I have limits.
The best part of working so hard, is that the rest that follows is that much more appreciated.  Its great to say I worked hard so it is ok that I have no idea what time it is, Im just doing the things I enjoy. I slept for eight hours.  I spent the whole rest of the day with my Twinnie. Her husband and kids were away,so it was peaceful and relaxing.  We actually read to each other. I know, how romantic, right?!  We caught up on all the juicy stuff going on in each of our lives.  We made Sunday dinner, perfect timing for her family to get back from Idaho.  We read some more.  I felt so loved and comforted after such a rough week.  As we both like to say to each other. "You always ruin my bad day!"  She made my bad day an amazing one.  So even though this past week I have never worked more or slept less, I also have never been happier. 

Out With the Bland and Boring

Holidays can be tricky.  With so many people have their own traditions and expectations it can be difficult to merge everyone's idea of a perfect holiday together.  But when it happens, life couldnt be better.  For years I always went to my Gramgrams for Thanksgiving.  Then I spent 6 consecutive Thanksgivings traveling the country with my dad and stepmom.  But with neither of those two fabulous traditions being an option, I had to make a new tradition. 
Gab offered to do thanksgiving at her place and so we conspired to make the best dinner ever!  I have no problem saying mission accomplished!  Gab made two Turkey roasts. She aquried fresh thyme, sage, basil, and parsly.  Which I have to say shows great insight, the fresh herbs made it.  What else was on the fabulous menu?  Stuffed mushrooms, bacon and parmesean crusted asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, my killer stuffing, and sauteed zuccini and squash.  For dessert I made mini pumkin pies drizzled with white chocolate, Pumpkin pie cakeballs, and a peach pie complete with little pie crust leaves.  I felt so domestic. And everyone had the same problem of not being able to choose between them, they each had to try all three. 
 
The stuffing was intimidating because I had never made homeade stuffing.  My Gramgram had a very specific tradition.  Onion and bread stuffing.  It was a tradition we loved, but truth be told, it was bland and boring (Im hoping Grams will forgive me for saying the truth).  So I did a little research, combined recipes and luckily had my dear friend Jason's helped me with moral support in the kitchen, It turned out to be the best stuffing I have ever had.  Full of amazing flavors; Onions, celery, mushrooms, sage sausage, chicken broth, butter, and bread crumbs= the new official family stuffing recipe. 
I loved spending the morning sharing a kitchen with Jason ad then finishing up all the cooking with Gab.  Indi was an adorable little cooking assistant for us both.  She pulled her little chair up to the counter every few minutes to see how things were coming.  I got lots of loves and even a spanking when I crossed her.  My mom and stepdad showed up.  The first official family event for them as a married couple.  It was so great to see them both so happy.  Aaron, Iryna, and baby Sia were the cherry on top.  Baby Sia is so beautiful.  One of my favorite moments was holding both my adorable neices at the same time. Indi was so excited about baby Sia. 
In all, an amazing meal, surrounded by my little family.  Our family is anything but bland and boring but we love each other  nd are there for one another when it counts.  Its moments like this, in a cramped little house when I realize that I have a great family .