It's been too long...

Hello friends. I apologize for the completely ridiculous delay in getting on here! wow. I've been pretty busy, as we all are, and have also been lazy (now doesn't that make sense?!) - so there we go! :) 

I hope you are all doing great and are enjoying preparing for the holidays! Yahoo! Thanksgiving is one week away, can you believe it? 

I have taken what seems to be permanent leave from my Photography Challenge - I SWEAR I'm not this flaky all the time.

Speaking of flakes, we have gotten some serious snow lately! I love Fall so much, but winter is here and it's beautiful! I finally got my studded tires on so feel that much safer on the road. This weekend, hubs and I will be making our first trip in a long time down to the Peninsula so one of us had to get studs on quickly - it was a good excuse to get my butt in gear. I've been impressed with how my little Suzuki Grand Vitara has been doing thus far with just 4-wheel drive & no studs - thankful also that the roads have been maintained fairly well, too. 

Anyhow! I've been faithfully listening to Christmas tunes on accuradio every day at work, and have some nice CD's to compliment my drive home. I can't help myself! And I know for a fact there are other's like me out there so don't be shy.

This year Thanksgiving will be a little different because my older sister, bro-in-law, and Emma won't be here. They will be spending it down in Cali. with his side of the fam. Although I'm bummed, I know they will have an awesome time and a nice break from this bone-chilling cold! (-5 degrees with the wind chill this morning! ack!) And hopefully they will be able to pop over to Disneyland too! 

Normally my older sister and I co-host dinner; but this year lil' sis and I are doing it! Fun!

So, alas, we will continue the family tradition here in the AK. I must say I have been less anal this year in my preparations and have only practiced making one dish so far (sweet-potato casserole, which turned out awesome!) 

Is it sick that I just can't wait to get up early and put the bird in the oven, wrestle my husband for the remote all day so I can watch SOME Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade between all of the Football, set the table, be stuffed to the point of comatose, and then eat more? It's a little sick, but in a good way. 

So, to all you other sicko's who just love this amazing holiday and time of year, I wish you the best of days and I'm thankful for you all!

Below are some things I've been up to. 

(above) "smoked salmon pizza" that I learned to make from my Uncle Dave. Just buy pizza crust (Pillsbury is good), cream cheese (I used chive & onion), capers, red onions (which I sauteed), and smoked salmon! Bake the crust as directly by itself. After it cools a bit, spread the cream cheese on top, then sprinkle on the rest of the ingredients. It's more of an appetizer dish than a meal - and it's amazing!

Look-see what I found! My buddy Jack-o got hubs and I an espresso maker for our wedding (2 years ago woot woot!) and I've never appreciated it more than I do right now... BUY THIS (at your local Carrs/Safeway).

My pretty penners snuggling on my lap while we watch Workaholics (have you seen this show? a bit foul but one of my new favs. Laugh out loud kind of laughing. Seriously.)

This is Gus my challenged pumpkin this year. By Halloween, he had an under-bite because I carved him a tad too early. He also had a visitor that night - Spidey! 

We also received zero trick-or-treaters this year so BOOOOOOO, more candy for me I guess.

This is Zoe at the dog park! My dogs love the snow.  I'm so thankful for this off-leash dog park and that it's close to my house. 

I hope you all have a great rest of the week!