Table for Eight

I spent a little time yesterday reviewing my blog posts from 2010. And you know what? 12 months is a long time! Holy cow. So, even though I keep saying " Wow, this year really did fly by "--truth be told, we packed a lot into that flight! So, today's blog post is a bit of a recap (because that's what ya do on December 31) of my  2010 Highs and Lows. I'd also like to make sure and say that I'm grateful for this past year. I feel like I've learned a lot. And I think I've smiled and laughed a lot, too. And for that, I'm grateful. ********************* PS--If I were just blogging to blog, I'd probably NOT post this list at all. I mean, these things are OVER--history--so why dwell? BUT, I don't want my great-great-great grandkids to potentially read this and think I had a life free from, well, LIFE! Because that's just not that case. To paraphrase the granny in the movie Parenthood , my life is like a roller coaster--there

I was reading the New York Times Food/Wine section yesterday when I came across an article by their food critic--and in that article he outlined his favorite 15 meals of 2010 . (Did you know that he eats out every night of the week as part of his food critique gig? Is that amazing?) Anyway, after reading it, I realized that I only recognized two or three foods on his list (snails and some kind of scallop)! So, I thought it would be fun(ny) to list my own Top 10 Meals in 2010. (15 would be stretching it--since I repeat a lot of my same meals throughout the year. LOL!) My Top 10 Dishes in 2010  (PS: You'll notice it's carb-friendly.) 10. Dave's Prime Rib on Christmas Day. 9. Papa Murphy's Vegetarian Pizza. 8. Jonah's Birthday Burgers. 7. Kindra's Baked French Toast. 6. Shelby's Sunday Dinner Salad. 5. Janae and Jeff's Crock Pot Cake. 4. Papaya's Baked Tilapia. 3. Cam and Jr's Birthday Cake for ZuZu. 2. McDonald's Egg Nog Shake.

In one week, Jay turns 16! In his honor, here's a tiny walk down Recent Memory Lane . . . Jay (15) and Jr (10). Papaya (6), Cam (8), and Jay (10). ZuZu (3), Cam (8), Papaya (6), Jay (10), Dave and me (ages unknown). Dave and Jay @ Cafe Rio, Christmas 2006. Jay, 2005. Family portrait--thanks to cousin Daniel! Jay after a Cub Scout campout. Tiny picture of Jay. Skully Candy logo--which I found on my car bumper last night. Wonder who put that there? (Hint: He's almost 16.)

I went to the Goldie Hawn School of bangs. I was cleaning the house the other day when I came across ZuZu's tiara (she and LuLu got them when they had a special hair appointment--kind of a princess day). On my way to return it to her room, I had this thought: "My tiara wearing days are over." (Again with the midlife crisis. Sheesh, Dawn, get over it!) But then I realized, WHO am I to tell myself my tiara wearing days are over? And so I put it on. (And took the above photo to prove it.) And you know what? I think I like tiaras! They kinda remind me of the sparkly shiny ornaments on my Christmas tree. And I think you'll agree, t hey add a certain "pizazz" to your look. So, I'm just sayin', next time you see a tiara, you may want to try it on.

We had a really good Christmas day . For the first time in a long time, we didn't have to be anywhere. (I'm not complainin', but it's been a crazy semester with school/work for us.) So, we were HAPPY to have Christmas day be a time to just be . (Be together. Be silly. Be lazy. Be happy. And time to be grateful.) Dave and the kids decorated our tree this year--as a surprise. It was my favorite tree yet. Really! The kids picked out red glittery shatterproof ornaments (which Jonah tested everyday before Christmas) and silver garland for the tree. It was all so shiny and sparkly. And I love shiny and sparkly. (Thanks Dave and kids.) Best gift of the holiday: a $3.99 checker set from Harmon's. We have played non-stop. We're like the Bobby Fischer family of checkers. This is why you have kids--they get so dang excited (the dog, too, apparently). Jr. ZuZu, Harriet-the-dog, and Jr. on Christmas Eve. (With 6 kids, it's a little much