11 Days of Christmas

This year I have 11 days in Boise for Christmas!  Whoot!  So very happy!!

Before I even got out of California I was already having an Idaho reunion, with my friend Shandra Jeffries!  She was on the same flight out of Oakland to Boise.  I grabbed us both a seat and we got to catch up on the flight home.  It was exciting hearing about her studies in San Francisco- she's studying to become a genetic therapist!  When we landed I got to meet her girlfriend and she got to meet my boyfriend, what a fun way to start the vacation!

For my time in Boise; first things FIRST!  Jake and I had to go watch Saving Mr. Banks- we have both been waiting in anticipation for this movie since we first heard about it.  I enjoyed it so very much, I might have to call it my favorite film of 2013.  It couldn't have hurt watching it at the village at meridian in the VIP seats- always a good time!  The next day Jake spent some time shoveling Chuck and Emily's driveway when we stopped by their house while they were out of town.  Christmas eve morning Jake surprised me with breakfast was the blueberry compote pancakes.  Delish!

Christmas Eve was perhaps the busiest one I've ever had!  I started the day off running 9 miles up the greenbelt, completing two separate Zombies Run missions.  Run one.  Run Two.  I hadn't kept up on my running miles as closely this year, so I was behind and trying to make up the mileage before the end of the year hit.

Unfortunately, earlier in the month (December 6th) a car ran the yellow blinking left turn light on Ustick and ran head first into Jake driving his Pontiac Vibe.  It was demolished.  Fortunately he was okay and he got the money to replace it and ended up purchasing a brand new 2014 Volkswagen Jetta!  It took us some time today to get things squared away, but very well worth the wait.

Once we had Jake's new car, it was time to get ready for the Farkle Family Christmas Eve!  Last year was our last year with our wonderful Santa who has been coming to our family Christmas Eve handing out presents since before I was even a twinkle in my parent's eyes.  Joe Posluszny has been there for our whole family year after year, and we could always count on him to bring us a special present if we were good and sat on his lap and affirmed we were good boys and girls all year.  It wasn't quite the same Farkle Family Christmas this year without him.  Speaking of Farkle Family traditions, this year our pinata was a Lego man.  His head was large enough for my aunt Carrie to joke around like she was a robotic Lego man!  Also, for the first time we had a white elephant gift exchange.  I was lucky enough to get the gift I brought (magnetic words with friends board) and Jake won an actual white elephant!  Bill, my Mom and Cassidy won some silly hats.

It's always sad to me when the evening wraps up, I love spending time with all my family.  That night Jake and I exchanged gifts and took our first Christmas picture together.  I really like it!

Christmas Day we spent in Twin Falls with Jake's parents and older brother, girlfriend and daughter.  It was nice to meet Jake's family and I taught them the Shanghai rummy game that we all play in my family.

Emily sent me a picture of her and Chuck at Abby's house in Denver, CO where they spent their Christmas this year.

The next day Jake and I met up with Damian, Clint, David, Song and Janice for lunch at the Yard House.  It was great that we all got to say hello while everyone was in town for the holidays.  Song and I finalized our plans to go skiing the next day with Cole and Peter.  Later that night was another Christmas back in Boise since Chuck and Emily were now in town!  They'd been in Denver to celebrate the holiday with her family so we are having a small Christmas on the 26th with the six of us (Chuck, Emily, Sam, Sandy, Ross & Jake).  First thing- I had to go for a run on the greenbelt with some icy consequences, and path closures!

We had so many great pictures; I can't even post them all here but here's just a couple of my favorite from our Christmas evening.

Monday the 30th Jake dropped me off at my parent's house so I could borrow their explorer and take Song, Peter and Cole up to Bogus for an afternoon and late night out skiing (it got postponed until today).  We took way too many pictures and even some videos- the shots we drank at the upper lodge were probably to blame.  It was a great and very memorable ski trip to Bogus Basin!

The rest of the week was filled with family time, playing cards and lots of running!  Still had to run 6 more times before the end of the year, but I DID make my goal!  5pm on New year's eve; 1,200 miles -DONE for 2013!  Phew.  That was exhausting!

New Year's eve Jake and I spent the evening with Chuck and Emily enjoying calorie replenishment (as if we'd been shorted the last few days!?) and then that night headed out to see the first Idaho Potato drop!  The crowd was very intense, but the actual lowering of the Potato seemed a little anti-climatic.  There were kisses to go around and then we headed home.  The next day was January 1st, and I'll have been in Idaho for 11 days.  The trip was over and time to go home.  It was absolutely wonderful and I'm so very lucky to have such amazing friends and family to spend the holiday with.

Mike & Debbie's Christmas Party

Tonight I went over to Debbie and Mike's place in Sebastopol for a Christmas party!  Mike is an exceptional chef, so there was all sorts of fixings.  Most importantly, he made his famous macaroni and cheese, sure to help you gain those holiday pounds!  I also think he decorated the tree!?  Their friends Bob, MaryAnn, Mike and Gloria were all there too!  I've spent many a relaxing evening having snacks, drinks and yes dinners at their house.  Always a good time, always great company!  Merry Christmas!

Holiday Cupcakes

Today the CMS team had our annual holiday cupcake decorating team building.  It's been a tradition for some time now, carried over from my time at BSU.  This year we were a larger group, incorporating the AIS (technical team) into the group.  After decorating we take them around the University and share them with our co-workers.  Always a good, sweet time!

Sam, Sandy & Jake Visit

It's almost Christmas and here everyone is visiting me!  Jake flew in last night and I picked him up from the airport.  Today my parents were at a wedding in the San Jose area and then drove up to Santa Rosa to stay the rest of the weekend here.  Mom took me and Jake to dinner at the Mexican restaurant up the street.  It's amazing how convenient it is to have so much just within walking distance of my house.  I grew up always having to drive everywhere.  Being able to have a short walk to and from dinner is a pleasure!

It was a busy weekend.  The four of us went to the coddingtown Macy's in search of my Christmas present from my parents.  I knew I needed a new bedspread or duvet cover and I really wanted a juicing machine of my own.  I was in luck, they had both just like I wanted and at a sale price my parents were willing to go for.  YAY!  Thanks Mom & Dad for the early Christmas presents; they'll go to excellent use!

We had a nice time playing cards and Jake even had some time to take a recipe for health bars that Amanda had sent me and make them.  They were good, but drier than we'd expected.  Almost like we missed an ingredient or something!?  In the picture is Jake preparing the health bars and at the top is the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University all light up with the holiday season colors.

Before I knew it, we were piled into the explorer to drive Jake to the airport.  When we got back, Dad stayed home and had his dinner.  Mom and I walked across the street to the Indian restaurant.  I'd never been; I was happily surprised by their delicious selection.  The next day Mom & Dad headed back home to Idaho.  It was wonderful having them here.

One of my Favorite Dinners

I don't enjoy cooking as much as I enjoy eating.  Therefore I have only a handful of go-to dinners.  One of my favorite is to cook up some organic ravioli with some organic sauce and open a bottle of red wine.  I sprinkle rather liberally red cayenne pepper over the dish and often add slices of avocado.  It just makes for a really delicious, relaxing and enjoyable evening!

Amanda's Cauliflower Appetizer

Today I went over to Amanda's house for some cooking and dinner.  We started off by making the pumpkin secret cookies with a bag of organic spice cake mix.  She had some fun designs such as gingerbread men and Christmas trees to form the cookies.  Some of them we just made like normal.  They turned out very good!  For dinner she tried a new cauliflower appetizer that was absolutely amazing!  You drizzle some olive oil over a fresh cauliflower and a little bit of sea salt.  Then you bake it for a while but only until it starts to brown.  Then you serve with a dipping sauce and it's an appetizer/discussion piece that's fun and tasty!  Not sure I'm brave enough to bake one on my own, but maybe one day I'll try!

The Pumpkin Secret

Jake taught me a cooking secret with organic pumpkin puree.  You take 1 box of any of your favorite cake mix and 1 can of pumpkin puree and mix them together, then bake just like you normally would.  This little trick omits the egg, oil, butter, etc and produces the most moist cookies ever!  Plus they have a hint of pumpkin; love this tasty idea.  Thanks Jake!

The Graton Casino

I flew home this morning from my Thanksgiving vacation in Boise.  As I was driving back north from Oakland to Santa Rosa, I thought I'd stop in at the new Graton Casino in Rohnert Park.  I'd heard they have very good food and a lot of options.  Also, I was thinking of taking my staff here for a Holiday lunch so thought I'd scope it out.  I decided to eat at Tony's of North Beach, a pizza place.  The food and drinks were a little pricey, but the quality made up for it!  I had a Margarita pizza and mixed drink.  I was also glad the smoke from the patrons of the casino didn't come into the dinning area of the restaurant.  I really enjoyed myself and am looking forward to bringing my employees here for lunch.