fah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.

Christmas is all around.

I'm much more merry than in past years.  Maybe it's the house, maybe it's the decorations, maybe it's watching Rudolph the Rednosed Raindeer.

Do you like the new wreath?
M thinks it's excessive to have two wreaths.  Needless to say, I disagree.

I don't know, but I'm off to turn on some holiday tune-age.

*snapshot of my winter walk with teddy today*

thank*full

Hello!  How was your holiday?

Mine was great, here's some photos to prove it.

We first went down to my aunt's, where we walked into a house filled of perfect smells.  

*the spread*

*the centerpiece*

*the china*

*feeling left out*

Poor Teddy was all too aware of the good eats that weren't for her.

(Don't worry, she got spoiled a wee bit.  Actually, she had the turkey, I had the stuffing.)

 *patience pays*

*the beggar*

*after dinner walk in bluff country*

We rounded out the weekend with M's family, where we indulged on Thanksgiving2.0..OhnoIatetoomuch.
Fun all around, kind of wish I had it to look forward to again.
Wait there's Christmas!
Whew.

real [estate] therapy

Are you looking for a house?  If so, do you have a decent budget?

When a little blue, I online shop... for real estate.  Houses make me happy and distract me from my woes with built-ins, subway tiles, sun porches and high ceilings.  While we found our right house, therapy is therapy.  I really can't justify not looking at EdinaRealty.com.

So, below are a few local finds, I’ll be your real estate agent today.  And if you happen to buy one of these?  I’m strongly suggesting you invite me over for dinner, so I can see it for real.

(Note: All of these houses are in the Kenwood area, and I searched sale listings from most expensive to least... Soooo, clearly a little bit of dreaming is going on...)

Behind door number one, we have a grand Colonial, symmetrical in its beauty and intimidating in scale.  Can't have just one fireplace, must have two; can't stop at one library, must add another.  And for a cool three mill, this LOTI (Lake of the Isles) home is yours.  Get it while interest rates are low!  :)

Behind door number two we have a historical Lowry house.  A large Tudor with mahogany detailing, barrel ceilings and smart renovations.  I'd feel pretty grand living here.  And by grand, I mean rich.

While house number three borders on slightly too Modern for my liking, the whiteness of the place wins me over!  So does the breakfast nook.

House number four is a "Nora" house (sorry, Brothers & Sisters reference), warm, golden and filled with cozy places to sit.  I'd really like to sit on the porch, in the bedroom or on the patio and read a good book. :)

Number five is an oasis.  If you don't believe me, check out the nude statue in the garden; this place is legit.  Complete with wicker furniture, gauzy white curtains and french doors, this home is owned, no doubt, by someone who does yoga.  This is a calm, contemplative home; no mess aloud!

Lastly, we have house number six.  I admit the curb appeal is meh (well, in comparison to the other multi-million dollar homes), but its interior is killer.  I'm in love with the dining room.  If ever one would buy a house based on one room, I would strongly consider.  Who does wallpaper anymore?  Especially that wallpaper!  And who brings wainscoting that high?  Killer.  Smart.  Not for the timid, I like.

 

So, I don't know about you, but I feel a whole lot better!

Ready to buy? ;)

when do you most feel like you (sayeth oprah)

So don't judge (well if you do, don't tell), but I get daily emails from Oprah asking me to "live my best life."  Yes, I signed up to be in her Life Class, because I'd like to lead a more examined life and well, such introspection seems to have helped her.  Corny and other words may come to mind, but be positive people.

So one of her questions was, "What part of your day do you feel the most like yourself?"

I hope the answer for us all does not involve watching TV or sitting in traffic or doing laundry.  Maybe for some of you it's while working... weird.

Anyway, I feel most like myself when M and I are walking and/or running with Teddy.  If I could spend my whole day the way I'd like to, I'd be outside, celebrating the sun and fresh air, enjoying my company and reminding myself of the good things.

Speaking of good things, I'm about five years behind the curve of technology, but I've discovered Instagram.  I adore it, though I find it ironic that we all long for nicer and nicer cameras, but ultimately favor photos that look like they were taken thirty years ago.

So here's some photos of a walk with Teddy, retro style:

So when do you feel the most like yourself?  Do tell.