Christmas and a Wedding

Happy 2013!

It's hard to believe that we are already back from our 9-day trip to the Twin Cities and Sioux City, and that my 11-day "vacation" ends with going back to work tomorrow.  Tomorrow.  These days are never long enough.

Christmas Eve we enjoyed Thanksgiving food.  Since dad had his quintuple bypass not long before Thanksgiving, he wasn't able to enjoy it this year.  So we celebrated it all over again.  But with Christmas dishes.

When I was younger, my favorite part about mom's Christmas china was the little teddy bear just waiting under the tree.  He's still my favorite part, actually.

We toasted with some cranberry mimosas (cranberry juice and champagne), which were simple and festive. And delicious.  And served in a gold-rimmed glass, which were collector's items in the '90's for about $2.99 from Arby's.  Yup, you read that right.  We don't want to get too classy, here.

Is this not the most beautiful plate of food you have ever seen?  Just looking at it sparks cravings that won't be satisfied for another 10 months...

After enjoying Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family, we headed off for Sioux City to spend time with Tyson's family.  This year we were able to double up on our fun for the trip, since one of Tyson's cousins got married the Saturday after Christmas.

 The church was beautiful since it was still decorated for Christmas, and was too perfect in coordinating with their red, white, and blue wedding (for her military husband).  

I got to help out by making the centerpieces for the reception.  To keep the budget low and everything simple, I filled different clear vases with babies breath.  So simple, but so pretty.  And perfect for a winter wedding, since the tiny white flowers reminded me of the snow outside.  The taller vases (I don't have any good photos of them) have the addition of some curly willow.  Then I tied on a heart with their initials ("e + a") around the vase with some string.  Simple, but still personal and elegant.

I feel like I should have some reflections on 2012, or large aspiring goals to write about for the new year, but I really don't.  2012 meant losing jobs, losing a cousin, starting a new job, planting the seeds for a new business, and my dad's surgery.  I'm mostly excited to put 2012 to bed.  But 2012 taught me the importance of rest, and free time, and taking time to do things I enjoy, simply because I enjoy them.  I feel like 2012 was my time of rest and taking a little bit of a break, and that now 2013 is calling me to get back out.  I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to get out and actually do quite yet.  Right now that's just a minor detail.