Holiday fun

After a brief hiatus (Christmas shopping and Christmas movies called...tis the season!), I'm back!

Holy mackerel...how is Christmas already over?! I felt the shorter time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, did you? I crammed a lot of holiday fun into a short period of time. In the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my life revolves around Christmas. We start to decorate our house the night of Thanksgiving, I stop listening to my regular radio stations and listen to the stations that play Christmas music non-stop, Eric and I watch Christmas movies or listen to Christmas music each night, I shop for Christmas gifts in free time...it's like Christmas threw up all over my life - and I love it!

I have some favorite Christmas decorations - basically all of my favorites are decorations from my grandparents that they gave me or I inherited (sentimental anyone?!). I have some pics of these items below:

 Two parts to this picture: The red elf was made by my Grandma Hjort when my mom was young (there is a matching green on on the other side of the window). I loved playing with these when I was young visiting my grandparents at Christmas. The village houses were given to me by my Grandma and Grandpa Hjort knowing how much I loved my Christmas scenes. (Side note: Yes, that is a green army man on the church steeple. My dad would hide it somewhere every year and wait for me to find it so I've carried on the tradition!)

 

My Grandma Larson gave this to me before she passed away. It was in her home growing up as a child. The writing is my Great Grandma's. It's one of my most treasured Christmas decorations along with...

 

This was in my Grandma and Grandpa Hjort's home. My Grampy was full Swede and this is a Christmas wall hanging in Swedish.

 

Again, I love my scenes. This is actually my parents though they gave it to me because as a child I would sit and turn the ornament around and around forever imagining what this family was doing. It's always at eye level so that I can easily see it.

 

Eric and I got this ornament in 2010, the Christmas after my Grandpa Hjort and cousin Allison passed away. It was the tree topper to our tree until we got my Grandparents star. Now, it has a special place on our tree.

This ornament was made by my Great Grandpa Larson. Like all of favorite ornaments, it's always at eye level.

Eric and I are on a very busy schedule around Christmas. We celebrate the holiday with both of our immediate sides of the family, with both of Eric's mom and dad's sides of the family, and my mom's side of the family. Needless to say, by the time the holidays are over we are in need of some down time and sleep. Eric and I were able to take some much deserved and needed time off this week. It's been nice to be home with him and the cats these past two days.

It seems that the end of 2013 has brought joy to many of my family and friends which makes my heart happy! Congrats to all those that have recently gotten engaged or are expecting! 

I have some additional time off next week and I plan to reflect on the past year and think of some resolutions for 2014. More to come on that for sure, but one that I know of immediately is to blog more - ya'll better be in for some more regular blog posts from yours truly! Joy to the world!

Until next time...

Coffee, Cats, and Wine and I'll be Fine ;) 

My Holiday: Cities 97 Sampler Release day!

To give some background to those that may not know, Cities97 is a radio station in the metro area. For the past 25 years they have been putting out a cd, called the Cities Sampler, of music from artists that have come to the area and played in their studio. This is a very popular cd throughout the metro and many outstate areas of MN and sells out within the day. What’s even cooler is that all of the proceeds from the cd's go back to the community to help area non-profits. I have been getting the Sampler cd for the past 5 years, waking up at what I like to call “the butt-crack of dawn” and waiting in a line outside of Target store doors in some pretty freaking cold and undesirable elements. But I love it. This year I called in and was their sought out 17^th caller (17 is obviously my new lucky number by the way ;) ) and won a cd and two tickets to the stations Sampler Release Party the night before the release date PLUS back stage passes to meet the band Delta Rae – AWESOME! The party was last night and I am still on a high from it. Pictures from the party are below:

After getting a cd the first couple of years, I started to notice how important this day was to me so last year and this year I have taken the day off…plus it offers me a chance to warm up, take some naps and have some me time at Starbucks (where I am writing this now!). I made the decision last night after the party to not wake up at “the butt-crack of dawn” and instead sleep in since I had scored myself the Sampler already. However, I woke up around 6:30am feeling bummed that I was not out there with my fellow fans and taking that time for me. I am incredibly sentimental and a creature of habit – I missed doing what I would normally do! I decided to take an early morning walk to see if the cold breeze would satisfy my need {this will be explained below} though it left me still feeling empty. So, my wonderful husband (who took half the day off to spend with me!) and I beebopped over to Target at 7:50am to make me happy and at least try to get a cd and try an experiment: do I really need to wake up at “the butt-crack of dawn” to get a cd? Answer: no, they were still available even with me getting in line at 3 minutes to 8am. Reality: I will totally still wake up early and stand in line to guarantee I get one.

You see, today (the release date) is about so much more for me than getting the cd. You’d be surprised by how waiting on the side of a Target building hours before the sun rises, bundled up in all of the warm weather gear that you own can offer time for reflection and peace. Each year I use that time to think about the past year(s), what I am thankful for, my family (particularly my cousin Allison who passed away in November of 2010) and the upcoming holiday(s). It is a time of peaceful reflection for me. I do not shy away from thinking about the tough times and instead face them and reflect on how they have changed me. It sometimes feels like the sting of the cold breeze on my face is cleansing me and giving me an opportunity to start new – my own personal new years! I think a lot about my cousin Allison today and what a blessing she was in my life. One of the best compliments I have ever received is from family who said that she and I resembled each other with our fair skin and dark brown hair. I told her this the last time I saw her in the hospital – I am forever thankful that God gave me the strength to tell her through all my emotions. As you may know, I sometimes like to order my coffees (ok, by coffee I really mean mochas) in honor of my strong, feisty, courageous, independent female family members that have passed away. Today I am Allison.

Even without the hours of sitting outside on a crisp November morning in MN (which sounds crazy) - it’s been a good day! Just hear all I did! I went for a walk, successful experiment with Eric to get a cd for my Dad, went out to breakfast with Eric for some 49er Flapjacks at OPH (seriously, so flippin’ good – pun intended! Ha!), took a nap after said breakfast, cleaned out our entry way closet, picked up the house some, mailed a package to my good friend who just had her baby yesterday (love you Monika!), picked up the free Sampler cd I won from the radio station, spent some quality time at my favorite store – Target (yes, I am the kind of person that will go to Target multiple times a day…don’t judge!), and am now relaxing at Starbucks with some coffee (ok, a mocha!) waiting until it’s time to head over to the salon to get my hurrrrr did. A cut and color is in order…man it needs it!

What a wonderful day my own personal holiday has been!

Until next time…

Coffee (ok, Mochas!!), cats and wine and I’ll be fine :)

Ten year HS reunion and a weekend for reflection

I went home this weekend for my 10 year high school reunion back in St. Cloud. I had such a good time. It was so great to be able to connect with people again. Some I talk to regularly, others I haven't see in since high school. But I can honestly say it was good to see everyone. And a special thanks to those that talked to me about their interest in my blog and reminded me that I need to write!

In my reflection one thought keeps going through my head about this weekend: I am blessed. I woke up feeling this way but it wasn't until after a run this afternoon that helped clarify things for me and encouraged me to dig a little deeper. I thought back many times while talking with good friends, people that I lost touch with or people I just plain didn't talk with much through high school, about who I was then and who I am now. I was happy with my high school self, but like anyone that age I had a lot stuff to figure out and a lot of growing up to do. Looking back from then to the present, I can say that I am and proud of the person and the woman I have become. Possibly, for the first time I really realized that I am happy with me. Me. Just me! What a concept :)

I was humbled by the things that people felt comfortable sharing me, and in contrast, the things that I felt comfortable sharing with others. It can be hard to admit faults, downfalls or areas we aware that need change. We are all human. We all struggle through this thing called life. Some struggles are bigger, others are smaller. Why do we act like this struggle is something to be ashamed of? It makes us who we are. We can only learn from our life experiences and move on. It's tough to do this alone, so let it be known that I am here to support you in your struggles and celebrate you in your joys.

I don't want to make this blog sound like 'Yay me! I have my crap together!' because I certainly don't. I just wanted to share my thoughts and encourage you to think back 10 years (or 5 or whatever number is a good or lucky number for you!) and review your life - where you were then and where you have come. We've all changed and that's okay! Look at what you've done, overcome and accomplished! Way to go YOU!

In your reflection you may also have seen some things that you want to change. And that's okay! What will your next years bring? What do you want to do, overcome and/or accomplish? In the words of Kelly, Lisa and Jessie from Saved By the Bell "Put your mind to it! Go for it! Go on an break a sweat! Rock and roll you ain't seen nothing yet." Come on...you all know I have to put some sort of dorky inspirational spin on this blog ;) It's just who I (proudly) am!

Until next time...

Coffee, cats and wine and I'll be fine :)

October - the month of everything pumpkin!

I recently saw a picture on Pinterest that had a beautiful fall scene with words over it saying "I'm so glad I live in a place where there are Octobers". That's my feeling today. I love October. I went for a run this morning and the gorgeous overcast sky and cool breeze made mew want to run forever (my legs on the other hand did not agree). October. Pumpkins and pumpkin flavored foods everywhere. Eric and I will be feasting on pumpkin bread soon - a close second to my all time favorite breakfast of bran muffins. Here's a new take on pumpkin bread: try it with a little margarine, sliced bananas and honey on top. Your world will be turned upside down. I am making my first pumpkin pie this evening in celebration for Eric's birthday this week (Thursday!). Like most first time recipes, I call my mom numerous times for clarification and support. Thanks Mom!

So, this is a blog, eh?!

So, this is a blog, eh?! Neat! I have no idea what I am doing, which I'm cool with. I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog for a while, so why not just start! I figured that this may be a good way for family and friends to stay connected with us. Plus, I need a hobby. I have lots of interests, but no hobbies. Don't even get me started on the difference between an interest and a hobby...!

So the title...'Coffee, Cats and Wine and I'll be Fine'. These are some of my favorite things. We'll start with coffee. I love coffee. I should say, I love coffee in the form of mochas. Iced or hot, either will do! Getting coffee is so relaxing for me. It grounds me (pun intended!). I love sitting around a little bistro table with someone and talking. Eric and I have made this a weekly date on the weekends. We talk about our week, create a grocery list, plan our weekend, look through the newspaper, discuss future plans, dream about our future, etc. A coffee date is sacred time for me. I treasure connecting with my friends and family over coffee.

Cats. I'm an aspiring Crazy Cat Lady. Ok, not really but I really like cats. Eric and I have two cats, Gretel and Amelia. When Eric and I first started dating and a more serious talk about the important things in life I feel like I gave him a pretty general answer: faith, family and friends. Then I threw in the curve ball of telling him that cats were basically a deal breaker for me. If this relationship is going to keep going, he had to be willing to adopt cats. Not A cat. CatS. The conversation went well since we've been together for almost 10 years, married for four and have two cats :)


Wine. It only took me a trip to France to start really enjoying wine. Cheap, right? ;) I love red wine in the Fall and Winter into early spring and white in the Spring and Summer. I enjoy dry wines. The kind that make your mouth feel like it's been sucking on cotton. Don't give me sweet stuff. Gone are the days of Mogen David, Gewurztraminer and Riesling. My "go-to" wine is Manyana's Tempranillo though my favorite wine (so far) is Coppola's Claret...or the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc...or Nobbilo Sauvignon Blanc...ok, so I have a few. I love sitting with a glass of wine on my deck or downstairs by our fire - especially in the winter and around Christmas when our Christmas tree is up!

Well, I think this went well! Thanks for stopping by and reading folks! Bear with me during this time as I get to know the layout of the blog and what the heck I am going to write about! Until next time...

Coffee, Cats and Wine and I'll be Fine!

~Jenna