New Years Eve fondue for two

TBT: New Year's Day

These photos were taken in Orlando.  Robes was never home on New Years Eve because he was always covering a bowl game.  That year I flew to Florida to meet Ian and spend the holidays with them and we drove to Jacksonville and Orlando and Kim and Ian and I hung out while Robes worked the Gator Bowl and the Citrus Bowl games. 

Where do I find puzzles?

In the quaint little stationary store in my town!  I went to buy a movie ticket at the quaint little movie theater in my town and saw puzzles in the store window next door.  #lexingtonmassispuzzleheaven #vacationfun

Dave Chopelas

After lunch at Sawasdee I stopped at my friend's grave.  I'm sad to start another year without Dave Chops.

Old ornaments

I did buy two of these boxes for $2.50 each.  #sweetbargain #icouldntnotbuythem #iloveantiquing

Antiquing in N.H.

This was a beauty but I've never paid more than $40 for a typewriter and this one was $80.  #frugalantiquer #iloveantiquing

Lunch time

I was out rambling around and antiquing with my friend Jenny today and we stopped here for lunch.

Movies

I'm trying to set a personal record for movies watched over vacation.  #vacationfun

Party Favors

My friend Judy brought me some Party Favors cupcakes earlier this year.  They were the best store bought cupcakes I've ever had.  Judy passed away in October and finally today, in her memory I got over to Party Favors in Brookline.  These Christmas cupcakes were on sale and they are SO good.  #partyfavorsbrookline #therearereally5inthebox #idontplantosharethem

Paper calendars

Obviously I'm a paper calendar gal.  I just dug through my files and crawl space and found all my calendars and now I'm getting ready to put birthdays and important events in my new 2016 calendar from #papersource

90 minutes later

Maybe I do want to do a 1000 piece puzzle.  I love that there are 2 duplicate pieces.  #vacationfun #ilovemyfloor

Puzzles

Am I the only one who doesn't want to do a 1000 piece puzzle?  #puzzlesarehardtofind #especiallywimpy300piecers #vacationfun

Baby Jesus

#christmaseveinthecondo

Bran muffin mix

My visiting teacher's friend who has three children recently took in two little brothers through the state foster care system.  My VT asked if any of us RS ladies wanted to take them a meal as they adjust to their new family.  Meals are tough for me (that full time job gets in the way) but I made her a batch of these delicious ice box muffin mix that my mom used to make.  The batter lasts up to six weeks but I bet it won't last that long.  They are yummy.  And you can bake as many as you want at a time.  I hope they enjoy them.  #reliefsociety

I was behind a UPS truck in Arlington...

...brown paper packages tied up with packing tape...

Climate Change sit in takes a vacation

#MIT

These are the trees

The neighborhood Christmas tree lot

This deserves its own post

This window is all sorts of awesome!  I've already told Emily that if she ever wants to get rid of it I will take it. 

More photos of Emily's apartment

Christmas at Emily's

Christmas bread

One of my friends brings me this amazing sweet cheese bread every Christmas.  She moved away and still brings it to me.  I feel like the luckiest person in the world.  She just told me that's why she still makes it for me. Thank you, Aly!  #iamnotsharing #withanyone #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Paisley photos

#arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

I love seeing "the kids" from the Arlington Ward visit at Christmastime.

Outside Trinity Church

Trinity Church Candlelight Carol Service

It was wonderful.  We were in the balcony and couldn't see much but it sounded amazing.  It's one of my favorite Boston holiday events!

Art by Raigan

From the Dads with Babies series

#arlingtonwardchristmasparty #arlingtonwardbabiesareforever

Snow shovels for sale

#wedontneedthemyetinboston

Cutest little elves

#hsiehtwins #fakeaunt #parentsatstarwars

TBT: Swensorpat Christmas

We had a fancy party with fancy food and we wore our fanciest clothes.  And made up a portmanteau (Swensens+Windsors+Patton=Swensorpat).  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #2000 #swensorpatisforever

Arlington Ward youth

We had a lot of fun at our Christmas party (even if it doesn't look like it).  #arlingtonwardyouthareawesome #wehaveacriticalmass

Sweet gift

One of the Young Women gave this to me tonight.  It made my day.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

The game

It took me 40 minutes and $30 to make this that 20 youth used for a game that took 10 minutes.  Photo cred: Autumn B.  Purse: Chinatown in NYC #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardyouthareawesome #iamneverinphotos

Seen on my way to work

To the one on the left: hang in there--only 9 more days!  #santasinarlington

Christmas project

I'm trying to get motivated to paint some wood.  #christmasproject

Bretzelis

My friend (and Merrie Miss teacher) Ruth Hirschi taught me how to make bretzelis, a Swiss cookie you make using an iron.  I use a pizzelle iron I bought in the North End.  These cookies are amazing and I make them every Christmas.  #vannuysthirdwardfriendsareforever #bretzelis

Every village needs a Post Office

Enchanted Village

I went with my little friends Raigan and Presley.  #enchantedvillage2015

My friends give me joy

Emmet & Sophie

#friendsforever

Big smile

My friend Susan has a big smile because she retires from MIT in 5 days!  About 8 years ago I recognized her on the bus stop and stopped and asked if she wanted a ride to work.  After that I always stopped to give her a ride if I saw her.  #commutingbuddies #retirementparty #jealous #MIT

Only at MIT

#nerdalert #MIT