christmas in texas

Christmas was so good this year. It really was.

It was impossibly short, I've never had such a bad travel experience, and my mother had a cold that she kindly gifted the rest of us, but even with all that nonsense...it was just. so. good.

The in-your-bones-sort-of-good.

We ticked everything off the box. Christmas carols and sugar cookies. The traditional Christmas Eve dinner of appetizers and Love Actually. Midnight mass. A Christmas morning of kielbasa (to honor our Polish roots) and champagne (because why not?). We spent as much time as we could around the tree and even more around the table. We gathered in the kitchen and made meals together.

My parents are leaving this house--this house that spanned so much of my childhood--this house that none of us thought we'd be in for very long, but that now holds so many memories and dresses up so well for Christmas. So I sort of wandered around it, clicking away with my Canon, making tangible what I could of what I remembered.

It's a good last memory to have--this last Christmas in this house--it's a really, really good last memory for that particular place. Lots of twinkly lights and good food and the sort of love that gives the word home so much meaning.

christmas in new york

(My grown up shoes. The glitter leaves a trail...perhaps, inevitably).

(That Chagall in the background may be one of my very favorites. Ever).

(Thank goodness for friends who understand the importance of a damn fine cheese plate).

For all of the things to do in New York, and all the glamorous places to go, almost nothing beats a house party.

I find that so much in this city belongs to the public domain. Walking and taking the subway and traveling and eating--nearly everything is done in view of others. There's a reason everyone gets comfortable with crying in public here, you sort of have to. And because so much is public, that makes the private spaces that much more sacred. Not just anyone can be invited over the threshold and into your home. So when someone does open their door for you, well, it can make for a really lovely evening.

I'm so lucky to have the girlfriends that I've met in this city. I'm keeping them for life, that much I know. Even when, as I imagine will happen, time and fate scatter us across the country (or the world), I'm keeping them.

Good food, good wine, much laughter, and an apartment all lit up with lights and stories...I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sunday nights have a way of inviting in loneliness like no other, but last night--well, last night was good. A family night in the most expansive sense of the word.

A perfect start to the holiday week.

thanksgiving, part ii

thanksgiving, part i

Thanksgiving is my very favorite holiday.

And Colorado, well goodness I love this place.

And so much time with so very many family members...the best.

So much to say about it all, but that's for another day, as bed is calling.

Returning to New York tomorrow morning is not something I'm terribly keen on, but it'll be a busy week and I suppose there's a blessing in that. However, these last few days, I barely even looked at my phone and I have to figure out how to make that happen more often.

happy birthday dad!

today is my father's birthday.

last night we had an early celebratory dinner (which when the dessert came my father had to basically announce that tomorrow was his birthday). which means, i didn't know we were celebrating anything until the end. whoops.

but in my defense, how on earth did we get to june 5th already? is time just speeding up?

happy birthday dad, i do love you so.

(also, it should be known that because i am so my father's daughter, when i make ridiculous faces in photos, i get that lovely quality from him. and this was the best we could get last night).