Happy New Year

It's hard to believe that Christmas in Nashville has come and gone.  I looked forward to it for so long, made plans and was giddy... and now it's a memory -- but a beautiful, sweet memory!

The picture you see here is so perfect because it's so indicative of what any time with my family is like.  Even if you add the other half of the family that wasn't able to join us in Nashville, this would be what they would have been doing as well.  

There was a survey here at work about what my resolution for this new year will be... and I started thinking about it.  God gives us a new year... a time to start over.  Our calendar could have just been a list of days stretched out before us but God knew that we would need fresh starts, a time for renewal.  This year is a little different for me than others because I started my biggest resolution about 2 months ago.  I started eating healthy and have lost 23lbs -- I'd like to continue that, but on top of that I resolve to have a new year... one that's different than the old because it's full of growth and change.

I pray you are ready for a time of renewal as well!!

A Christmas First...

I my be a bit biased, but I am of the opinion that the Christmas tree pictured here could quite possibly be the best one this world has ever seen. Of course, it's also the first one I have ever had. I've always been willing to partake of other people's trees -- even participate in the decorating of them --- but this one is all mine. I picked it, paid for it, carried it inside (yes, all 7ft of it), strung it with lights, and decorated it!

I know that anybody reading this knows how wonderful I think my family is -- but this year they have chosen to come celebrate Christmas in Nashville with me and I am forever honored. *(Unfortunately my brother's family won't be able to make the trek and they shall be missed)*. I am looking forward to having them here and have thoroughly enjoyed decorating them. I figured that with them all coming I should have a tree and as soon as my sister holds up her end of the bargain, the kiddie poos stockings will be hung by the fire with care!

We may have to eat in shifts since I can only seat/serve 4 at a time, but I'm sure that it will be glorious.

May you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family as I drink in a full week with mine giving thanks for them and for having a great God who is BIG enough to send His Son to be born for us but for also caring about the details of having us enjoy our time together.

Las Paletas ... delicious Mexican Popsicles

I found out about this place on "Throw down with Bobby Flay" -- the owners are from Guadalajara which is the city in Mexico that I was born in. I found them this past weekend and they are fantastic. I wasn't able to meet the owners, but I'm sure I will since I'm planning my new route home by this place. :-) I had the tamarind chile flavor ... yup, tamarind with chile powder! :-) If you're from Nashville and want directions to "Las Paletas", let me know!