January 2017

Here we are at the end of January -- already!  Somehow, I think of January as a "break" month -- perhaps because of memories of seemingly endless Christmas breaks (which, in reality, likely lasted a week and a half) -- but it typically flies by in a flash.

Greg and I had our first "alone" Christmas at the end of 2016.  It was very laid back and enjoyable.  Brunch with friends from King's Cross was followed by normal Lord's Day worship.  We relaxed, ate a lot of cheese, washed that down with a lot of wine, and watched Stranger Things.  I roasted a chicken and made Mom's Famous Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes.

We did end up going home to Pennsylvania for "Christmas."  It was a whirlwind trip.  Nine hours of driving through Virginia; a night at my folks' (enjoyed their new, fancy, wood flooring); went to the PA Farm Show with Mom; drove across Lancaster County to West Chester; had an incredible (and incredibly copious) all-you-can-eat sushi lunch with Greg's brothers and their women associates, followed by a special birthday dinner; then to Philly on Saturday to see my grandfather and more family; then McIlvaine Christmas on Sunday; all followed by nine more hours in the car by way of I-95 home.  I'm glad we went.


Amid the gift-giving frenzy (Greg's mom is especially generous!), brother Mark's girlfriend Lauren made me a lovely calendar!  She is quite a talented photographer -- do check out her work!