Tea Party

His: Jasmine

Hers: Ginger Lemongrass (it tastes like the boozey ginger lemonade from the Japanese garden! Minus the booze)

Tea set: a lovely gift from some friends... thanks gals!

Christmas Eve

Photos by Sarah OLeary, Dec 24, 2010

Icey Day

The fog froze onto just about everything a couple weeks ago, with some beautiful results!

Photos by Sarah OLeary, Dec 22, 2011

Our First Christmas

I have always loved the holidays, and Mike and I have been together around Christmas time for a few years now, but there is definitely something special about the first one after being married.  People keep asking us if we feel any different being married  (and some of the  more bitter divorcees ask if we're still together, shame on them) and while we say not really, the truth is there are subtle differences that are hard to explain... the occasional warm fuzzy feeling when you out of nowhere remember that there's this pretty great person who loves you enough to say he wants to be with you forever, or even the realization that things are, actually, wonderfully familiar.  We knew much of each others quirks and faults along with all the good stuff before we got to the actual ceremony, and there's a real contentedness in knowing someone and having them really know you.

So while we didn't go anywhere exotic (further than the park down the street for a snowy walk and Chicago) or buy extravagant gifts for each other (we donated to the animal shelter and bought smaller gifts instead)  I enjoyed the time I got to spend with Mike, as our new little family, and with both of our extended families...  it has been a lovely holiday to remember!

On Christmas Eve morning, we took a nice walk in the park down the street, it was so peaceful, and quiet, and beautiful! Plus we played in the snow!

Holiday Magic at the Zoo

Photos by Sarah OLeary, Dec 29, 2010 - Complete with lights, otters, and cats! (Plus a preview of many years from now if the husband needs a motorized cart!  And if he does, we will hang festive lights from it!)

Christmas Decorations

For one of our Christmas presents, we got a brand new, shiny, silver tree! It's quite gorgeous, the pictures don't do it justice.  I also put up some of my other decorations and my leopard print black tree... fun!  It's a bit past the holidays now, and I'm still enjoying the glow of the Christmas lights.

We also used our Kitchen Aid mixer (yay!) for the first time to make mass amounts of easy cookies for some of my students.  1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup water, 1 egg, and a box of the cake mix of choice, mix in whatever "toppings" desired, and away we go!  The red velvet with the white chocolate pieces were my favorite by far.