Category holiday

A Good Friday and Other Goings On

Lauren 1 Comment

We are very lucky.

We have a yard to get out in and good weather, good health, and both my husband and I are still employed. The children are doing well and adjusting nicely to this learn-from-home scenario. The baby chicks are still all going strong. Marital bliss prevails. We have a well stocked fridge and pantry. And we have masks provided by our talented neighbor who sews.

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A Day in the Lonesome October

Lauren 4 Comments

I am resolved to stop with beginning blog posts with “It’s been a busy couple of weeks…” Considering we have three kids, multiple house projects, two full time jobs, and holidays and visitors moving through the calendar and house that is obviously a “no shit, it’ll be like that till ya die” statement. So like, here is a recap of some of the recent goings-on.

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Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda… no Offend-a

Lauren 2 Comments

Reposted from October 2018…

Now when it comes to talking about Dia de los Muertos… as a white, middle aged, blond haired, green eyed guera, I consider myself no entitled-ass expert over here or anything. But know this- while I am not Mexican by birth I married one, we’re raising three, AND I made alters for Dia de los Muertos before the movie Coco came out. To further prove my bit of street cred, I totally love all things to do with the Mexican culture. Also I’m taking Spanish lessons on Rosetta Stone. So like… Yo tengo sandwiches, ya dig?

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Fluff that Fraser Fir!

Lauren

I spent one memorably cold winter at the garden center I worked at in college selling Christmas trees. And I remember EVERYONE wanted a Noble Fir- GOTTA have a noble even though they were THE most expensive. Why? Because they look great right off the truck.

My favorite are the Fraser Firs though. Silvery underside to the needles and way less expensive too. Much more fragrant than the Noble Firs as well, less needle drop, and way less apt to dry out. But people aren’t huge fans… and you want to know why? Because they look like this right off of the truck and out of the nets.

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Underwhelming

Here’s the secret I learned at that garden center though- you have to gently but firmly fluff Fraser Firs. And by fluff I mean push down on the branches until they are as close to perpendicular to the trunk as they’ll go… only takes about 10-15 minutes.

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See what I mean?

It makes SUCH a difference!

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Fraser Firs… Hella good trees

Happy decorating to all and give those Fraser Firs a chance!

Happy Holidays

Lauren

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Something I Enjoyed in 2016: One of my greatest joys this past holiday season was replying to a “Merry Christmas” offered by a retail associate or receptionist with “Happy Holidays.” It’s akin to the 3 years I made sure my mother-in-law’s Christmas gift was wrapped in “Season’s Greetings” wrapping paper after she forwarded an annoying email about keeping Christ in Christmas that one time. (I’m off her distribution list now)

Resolution for 2017: Next year I’d like to start replying with “Happy Hanukkah” when someone wishes me a “Blessed Christmas.” We’ll see how that goes. I’m looking forward to it.