TBT: 2003 Christmas card

I ordered my Christmas cards this morning (hooray!) so I'll throw it back to my Christmas card in 2003.  #epmemories #iamstillanangelallyeareveryyear

Sweet Sisters

I had the sisters over for dinner tonight.  Pizza.  That I picked up on my way home from work.  They asked me about my mission plan.  #oyvey #dontgotone #nohomemademealnomissionplan #iammormon #arlingtonwardsistersareforever #whydidimakethisblackandwhite

Cookie Swap recap

11 attendees and lots of fancy, delicious cookies.  My tin of gingerbread cookies was emptied out.  #braggypatton  I made a plate for myself and for my good friends who are dealing with some health challenges.  Being in Shaunna's beautiful home was nice.  Let's do this again next year!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #arlingtonwardcookieswapsareforever

The best part of my day...

...until I go to my annual cookie swap that I host with Shaunna Baird.

Annual Cookie Swap

My friend Shaunna and I have hosted a Christmas cookie swap for a few years and it's tomorrow night so I'm baking more Finnish gingerbread cookies.  #cantstopbakinggingerbreadcookies #ilovetobake #madeatmidnight

Peddling Christmas pennant banners

Being neighborly

Every few weeks I leave cookies for my next door neighbor.  Last night I left him 2 big slabs of chocolate cake and this note was by his door this morning.  #ibethehadcakeforbreakfast #dontbejealousofmycarpet

Fancy lunch

#scallopsatscampo

Colton's elephant

I met Colton and his mom Labor Day weekend in Rhinebeck, NY and since then he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, had surgery, and is in Boston for six weeks of proton beam treatment.  Colton and his mom came over for dinner tonight.  I made this elephant for him; his favorite color is purple.

Alistair Snow Hilton in the snow

Taken at the Belmont Chapel where Alistair attended church the first 3 1/2 years of his life.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Christmas colors

Concord, MA

Alistair's in town

I'm hosting Alistair Hilton tonight who is in town for an interview at a certain medical school in Boston.  I met Alistair the day he was born and his family is one of my Arlington Ward favorites.  Funny story.  When Alistair was almost 2 and his brother Conor was 4 I watched them overnight while Bruce and Mariann went to the DC Temple or somewhere.  I woke up in the morning and the two boys were standing right next to my bed holding a box of cereal.  Maybe they couldn't reach the bowls!  It's a favorite Hilton memory.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #thethinker #thefuturedoctorhilton

This door's for you

#firstsnow #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

The NYC Moores

I'm glad the Moores let me capture them on their NYC street.  #epnycholidaytrip2017

Missionary moment

This gal approached me at church today (I was attending the Manhattan 1st Ward) and said, "I recognize you; you are John Patton's sister."  My brother taught her mother the gospel while serving his mission in Sweden.  In his words--"my one mission success story".  It was so nice meeting Jenn and I wish we could have talked more.  #epnycholidaytrip2017

Yankee Candle pop-up shop in NYC

Afternoon reading.  #candlepowerNYC #epnycholidaytrip2017

Mimmu Hartiala-Sloan

Mimmu is Mother Earth x 1,000.  Her hospitality is off the charts, she cooks and bakes like nobody's business, is fearless and friend, and is the best storyteller (we all gathered around her and requested she retell funny stories--the best!).  I loved spending time with her tonight.  She makes the world a better place and is loved by everyone.  She is a legend!  She returns to her homeland Finland in a few days (they moved back there 9 years ago).  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

More friends moving

Gone are the days when I cry when people move away from the Arlington Ward (I'd be a non-stop puddle of tears) but in the words of my Texas cousin when her dog died, "I didn't cry, I's just sad."  I'm going to miss the LeFevres.  They've made lots of contributions to the ward, are good friends, and are really cool.  And I like to pride myself on being Ally's first customer when I bought a red pillow from her company @collectivco.  Godspeed, safe travels and don't ever forget #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever.

#retrogramboards

#mostpopularpieatthepieparty

#stepasidefruitpies Recipe cred: A Bountiful Kitchen

Sugar

I have about 1/4 cup of sugar to my name.  That is no bueno for a baker.  I had enough for a double batch of turkey sugar cookies for tomorrow and I'll be buying sugar on Black Friday.  #notborrowingfrommyneighbor

Turkey cookies

I have cookie cutters for every holiday and I'm making Grandma Pitchforth's sugar cookies.  #turkeyday #madeatalmostmidnight #treatsforwork

Two weeks from tonight!

Goodbye, Betty

I went to say goodbye to Betty tonight.  I took some photos of her in her almost empty apartment and videotaped her telling more stories.  She's a gem and I miss her already.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #toknowheristoloveher #shecallsmeherthirddaughter

New photo cards!

My card party is Wednesday night and Thursday night from 7-10pm at my place.  Cards are $2.50 each and my 2018 calendar is $17.  Everyone is invited!  #epphotography

The lone donut

This is what you get at 3:30pm.  #MIT #cafefour #iwastheretogetapepsi

An early Christmas present to myself

I can't wait to look at every single photo.  #missingobamabigtime @petesouza

Turkey Terrifics

I think a turkey terrific might cure everything that ails you.  #exceptmybrokentooth #turkeyterrificisterrific #thissandwichislegit

The Arlington Ward matriarch

I loved being in the Temple with sweet Betty today.  #thearlingtonwardmatriarch #hernotme #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Vera's last day as a 7 year old

#baptismbirthday #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Trash day

The Laughmans brought the chaos

I had the Laughmans over for dinner tonight.  They brought chaos and a fruit salad.  I had the same menu as last Sunday (meat loaf, mashed potatoes, corn, lemonade) but added pumpkin squares for dessert.  I love the Laughmans and am glad they are back in the AW.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Bishop family photos

I found these when I got home tonight

#sweetsisterinlaw

Flour

Why not try Joanne Chang's favorite thing to bake?  Flour is just two blocks down the street.  #umyum

MIT PDA is different than @byupda

I hate the day that family leaves

#pattonmemories

Public Lecture at Harvard

I went to a really cool public lecture at Harvard tonight: The Science of Sugar with Joanne Chang from Flour bakery.  She was so interesting and engaging and delightful and we got some Italian meringue and a sugar cookie (yum).  #ilovetobakelikejoannechang

Chuck loves peach cobbler

#ilovetobake #andimasuckerforarequest

Always a red barn

#nophotographicregrets #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Chuck in Maine

The church is the same everywhere

Today was the Primary program with 9 children in a branch in Maine.  It was wonderful.  And so nice to be greeted at the door by friendly members. #iammormon #LDS #epramblesaroundnewenglandandgoestochurch2017

Another lobster roll

#trevettcountrystore #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Non-descript McDonalds

They must have strict rules in Freeport, ME.  They have $1 sodas though!  #epramblesaroundnewengland2017

Chuck and the Bean boot

#freeport @llbean #epramblesaroundnewengland2017 #chuckramblesaroundnewengland2017