peace on earth...

Tonight was our (now) annual Christmas dinner celebration with roommates of the BR/MC. We chose Julian, a new spot in Brookside serving delicious and unique gourmet comfort food. I almost want to momentarily turn into a food critic, carefully describing all our creative dishes and desserts. But... I'm not going to. Just know it really was delicious (except the mussels for Shawndra - but she tried!) and you should check it out.

I would rather instead reflect briefly on the joys and smiles only good friends bring. You know everyone is enjoying themselves when they stay long, long after the check has been delivered and paid. You know everyone is comfortable when they laugh a little too loud, tell stories they wouldn't tell their mother, and order whatever looks yummiest on the menu, without regard to caloric intake.

It was that kind of dinner. With those kind of friends. I'm so thankful. And I say that often, I'm sure. But I don't say it enough. It's been wonderful sharing Kansas City with you all, and I'm incredibly grateful our friendship has long outlasted the late night college rendezvous and ridiculous Aggieville adventures.

May you have a very Merry Christmas and know your friendship is an immeasurable blessing to me.

pump it up...

Ummm... the blow-up snowmen, blow-up Santa Clauses, and blow-up Christmas trees are not only taking over our neighbors' yards and burning our holes in our retinas, they are also taking over the reason to celebrate the season.

What in this big, beautiful world is up with all those lawn decorations? When can we go back to a few strings of soft white lights framing the roofline and a sparkling tree in the window?

The calm, peaceful, quiet kind of Christmas cheer.

We could all use a dose this holiday season.