Recent good stuff:

     Finished my illustration for 'The Folly of Horanu' on Monday and got it added to the story today. Feels really, really good to have that off my projects list--and thanks to a three-day weekend spending hours on it each day, it only took four days! Sure beats when they end up dragging on for weeks! =)

     More goodies at work, this time because of our celebration of Nancy's 10th service anniversary. I hope she really enjoys her $100 gift card!

     Finally got visual proof that Shado is using the heated cat bed I got for my cats for Christmas. I gave it to them early because I'd been shutting them up to keep them away from the tree, and though I'd spotted Arun on it a few times, I'd never seen Shado using it. But on Sunday they were both on there and he did not want to get off! So, a photo. (Of course Arun had to get up when I came over with the camera!)

renaissance2010
Turning to photography as a creative outlet during a valiant fight with breast cancer at age 34, renaissance10 survived and set up a photo contest to help raise funds for the Lavender Trust, a nonprofit that provides information and support to younger women with breast cancer. In the first two years, the competition brought in over £65,000 (that's $107,260.73 U.S.!), with entries from 130 countries last year. Renaissance10 recently joined LiveJournal to meet other passionate photographers and find supportive friends.

curiouscupcakes
Holy buttercream frosting! If you have a sweet tooth for sugary goodness or a wandering eye for whimsical confection, this is pure ecstasy iced in deliciousness. Hailing the beloved cupcake as the artisinal canvas of choice, you'll enjoy recipes, photos, and bountiful tips to bake up a batch, whether your taste leans toward French classics or funky and flavorful.

mission101
With New Years in the offing, it's an ideal time to reflect on past accomplishments, make peace with disappointments, and refocus the lens on future goals. This community welcomes you to create a bucket list of 101 things you plan to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. Offering support, guidance, and inspiration, this is a great way to jumpstart those pesky resolutions.

Back-to-work Monday:

     There's been so much to gush about over the last few days that no end of things will be left out.

     Goodies: Mary said she'd make 'sandwiches' but instead it was Thanksgiving redux at the Towners on Christmas night. Can't leave out traditional Jesus' Birthday Cake! Nor can I forget the delicious home-made granola she gave me; it's been far too many years since I savored that! And now that I'm back at work, there's the second half of the cookies I brought in to savor, as well as the remnants of my mom's pumpkin bread.

     Gifts: I am very much looking forward to spending the gift cards I got. And the gifts I opened were great as well--already watched some of the extras in 'Up.' And a different sort of 'gift' in getting out to Gerten's for their 50% off all their Christmas stuff sale--it's been years since the 26th fell on a weekend and I could do that! I am really loving the thick crystal snowflake ornament I hung on the wall at work today--far too heavy for a tree, but it's gorgeous here!

     Blessings: Time, a luxurious 3.5 day 'weekend' of dawdling around reading, doing puzzles, watching movies, and working on an art project. So nice to slow down for a few days after the frenzy of preparation. And the blessing of safe travel amid all the craziness of the weather lately.

It's Christmas!

     Had to work a half-day on Christmas Eve, so I'm grateful for the neighbor who was out with the snow blower at 6:40 am. If it wasn't for his help, I'd never have gotten my car out of the parking lot!

     Also grateful for safe travel both ways, and the delicious pastries Dawn brought in to work (and her insisting I take something for breakfast today).

     Pleased to have my own small Christmas traditions as well, like watching the original 'Grinch' Christmas Eve, and my habit of leaving the tree lit and music playing overnight. And starting a new 'tradition' of sorts this year with my picture on my bio page--fun to change that on Christmas Eve as well.

     MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!

Wednesday delights:

     More goodies at work! This time Kathy added to the stash with a big jar of salted cashews, delicious cashew crunch, and chocolate-and-peanut-butter 'buckeyes' made by the Amish. Yum!

     Coldwater Creek kicked off its annual 50% off everything sale--and much fun was had with that!

     I about busted out laughing at the weather headlines this morning. I think they're getting a trifle excited at WCCO with words like 'snowpocalypse' and 'snowmageddon'!

     Changed my plans for church and went to the 5:30 service tonight instead of the 1:00 Christmas Eve I'd planned on. And it paid off--the storm hadn't started yet when I got there, and though it looked like a blizzard in January when the service ended, at least the driving back wasn't as bad as it will be. Glad to be safely home.

Seems all I post about these days is yummies... ;)

     I got a tin of delicious made-in-Denmark cookies at Trader Joe's Monday and brought them in for my coworkers today. Nice timing too, as they'd already emptied the bowl of chocolates I'd put out for them Friday! At this rate, they won't last until Christmas!

     My coworker Dawn brought in big candy canes full of Hershey's kisses as gifts. That brought back pleasant memories of my mom hanging those on my and my brother's bedroom doorknobs for us to find Christmas morning. I didn't realize they still made those. =)

     Got together with Christi for lunch, and exchanged Christmas gifts as well. I'm delighted that my gift was a big 'score' and she was thrilled with it. And I'm enjoying having hers hanging on the wall next to my calendar at work. (note to Mama: yes, I'm sure you want a photo!)

Monday treats:

     Had the day off work to use up the last few vacation hours I can't carry over to 2010...and boy was I lazy with it. Slept in to almost 7:30, which is the latest I've managed in a long time.

     It being Christmas week was the excuse I needed to break into another jug of Spicy Cider, as well as the second loaf of pumpkin bread my mom sent me. Yummy!

     The treat of the day was getting out to the movies, saving a few bucks and avoiding the weekend crowds as well, to see Avatar in 3d. Incredible. The most gorgeous thing I have ever watched, and the 3d was fantastic. (My inner artist and biologist are both on cloud 9.) I'm thinking I just might have to treat myself to a second viewing at the huge(ly expensive) IMAX theatre on New Year's weekend... =D

i_hope_that
For many of us, the holidays can be kind of rough. If you're searching for a network of understanding friends, this ultra-nurturing community encourages you to express your heartfelt wishes and offer other members encouragement and acceptance. Not for the terminally snarky or emotionally-challenged, this is a good-spirited place to lend comfort and support.

diygifts
Feeling crafty? If you've got a few last folks on your holiday gift list, this is a great place to seed your creativity and generosity. You'll also discover wonderful DIY tips to decorate your home and entertain guests. Offering a no-frills-no-skills attitude that welcomes the cash-challenged and arts-phobic, you're sure to get ideas and make friends in the process.

cooking_club
A fun and friendly community dedicated to those who love to cook, whether you're a meat-and-potatoes type, an aspiring gourmand, and/or a vegan. In search of a brilliant dish to use up those weekly leftovers? Post your ingredients and you'll be whipping up a feast by dinner. You can also share favorite recipes. For Type A chefs, you can spice up your culinary repertoire with exciting cooking challenges.

Three gratitudes:

     My mom's timing for her phone call on Saturday was perfect, as I was ready to smash my computer in lieu of being able to strangle Vue for wrecking the picture I was working on. I was feeling better by the time I got off the phone, even after realizing that my 'save' entailed having to redo Friday night's work. Thankfully, the software behaved after that, and I was able to finish the Christmas Day version of the Advent picture today--and no more corrupt files or mutated hyarmi cubs, either. Whew!

     Finally got my tree decorated Saturday evening, not that it took long considering how small it is! Probably only used half my ornaments. Here's a photo for the curious.

     Most of all, I'm grateful for safe travel today. I underestimated how quickly the roads would deteriorate after the piddling half-inch or so of snow that fell early this morning, and made an impressive spin in my car after crossing the overpass. Very grateful I didn't go into the ditch (a long slide in that location) and that the roads were a bit better coming back from church.

Recent treats:

     Mozzarella sticks from Arby's as a part of lunch Thursday. Way too good!

     Goodies at work: mini scones, mini cinnamon rolls, and donut holes that some unknown generous soul left by the microwave for anyone on the floor to enjoy. I certainly did!

     The fun of bringing in little gifts for those who work in 'my' section of the department, as well as stocking my green crystal bowl with candy.

     Can't forget--payday Friday today! My coworkers were amused when I announced that upon walking in this morning...and then told them I'd already spent it all.

     Not only do I have a three-day weekend to look forward to this weekend, but I have three in a row, thanks to Christmas and New Year's both falling on a Friday. Wonderful!

stepstomarrow
When granddaughter, Jada, was born with leukemia, a donor-match was located and Jada made a miraculous recovery. In honor of her grandaughter's health, Jeanna has decided to walk across the country (in the dead of winter) to raise awareness and build support for the bone marrow registry (all that's required is a cheek swab). Follow Jeanna's remarkable journey as she travels the United States by foot.

Hump-day is here!

     Went out to Chipotle for lunch with my coworker Dawn on Tuesday and we had a great time. Also nice that only the last block or so has to be done outside--my ears froze that fast!

     My boss has been getting me into new projects at work since my fellow Administrator Greg is utterly buried--busiest time of the year for him. One of them is on scanning 2d barcodes, so I've been getting lots of on-line and off-line reading to do and the fun of trying to make samples for testing. Fun to learn something new.

     A pleasant delight to have Drig drop by my writing LJ when I hadn't heard from him in years. =)

     Nice progress with my advent/Christmas picture over the last couple days, since I wanted something of the season up on my bio page. Just need to finish the version for Christmas itself, now.