Loving the Rain.

Just read something rather fantastic. . .

"It is impossible to think one thing and produce another"

 --Emmet Fox

Dear Santa

Smiling Aurora wants a trampoline for Christmas. 

And a backyard to put it in. 

The Dog Days are Over

Courtney's Lulu. We took her on a walk!

What a beautiful couple of days we have had. I kept thinking, "I'm so lucky to live here!"

Beach weather right before Christmas.

Oh and I've just gotten a new camera! Don't you love the pics?

Chocolate and Santa Clause

I've never been a big fan of Christmas. Blame it on the pony Santa never brought me when I was seven. Maybe it has to do with most of my family living on a different continent. For me, this time of year always seemed to highlight the fact that my family was apart. As a result my childhood holidays were not always bursting with large, warm and fuzzy get-togethers complete with eggnog and big, ornate Christmas trees. The holiday memories that trickle into my mind are pretty ho-hum.

And lets not forget, with all the perfect gift searching, shopping, baking, party going and planning, Christmas time can be stressful!!

But you know what? Things change. People change. And part of me has always wanted to enjoy the merry season.  I will start by finding a few great things to love. . .

Thing I love about Christmas #1:

The extravagant abundance of chocolate (and other naughty deliciousness) virtually everywhere.  Have you walked into a Trader Joe's this week? It is impossible to make it to the back of the store, for there is a train sized stack of a million and one dangerously tempting, never before seen and wonderfully packaged treats piled at the entrance. 

Peppermint bark covered pretzels? Oh my. How wonderful. Even a random stranger in front of me at the check-out line could not help but turn around and comment. 

Thing I love about Christmas #2:

Santa Clause! Every year the same thing happens: I walk into the mall a few days after Thanksgiving and BAM--it is Christmas time. I look around in wonder at the garlands, the little blinking lights, the beautiful tree and . . . Oh, Santa Clause!!!

My heart jumps and a long forgotten surge of excitement rises. Inside I'm screaming, "Santa! Santa," and I'm mentally transported to a time in my life when Christmas was magical. I'm filled with amazement, wonder and joy. It is when I completely forget who I'm supposed to be at the time. It is when I forget that I'm all grown up.

There is no better feeling in the whole world. I love feeling like I'm little again! And this is not exclusive to Christmas time; I still delight in swinging on swings, jumping rope, and if there is moon jumper anywhere near me, I will go in and jump my little heart out. I get excited by candy, Disneyland, and well, apparently Santa Clause. (The Easter Bunny too!)

I just read something about Einstein and his interpretation of time as an illusion. He believed that  all events in our lives are actually occurring simultaneously. Yes! That means five year old me is still out there somewhere at this very moment.  I love how Christmas makes me a kid all over again.  

Thing I love about Christmas #3:

The Mariah Carey Christmas album. What a classic! I honestly cannot imagine decorating a tree or wrapping presents without her rendition of All I Want For Christmas Is You in the background. I just want to start singing out loud right now!

See, even I can like Christmas. Happy Shopping everyone! 

Sometimes I wonder.

The Tea Exchange in downtown Manhattan Beach not only has an exciting array of delicious teas, some yummy snacks (chocolate coconut balls!) and some of the most original cards. One simply read: "I want to have text with you." Genius. 

This one here is my most recent impulse buy. Will I ever send it out? I think not. It is just way too fantastic!