random ramblings

number one, i think the key to christmas happiness is to scale your christmas shopping way back. imagine in your head buying fewer and smaller gifts. now, imagine even fewer and smaller. i swear to you: it actually makes christmas more meaningful. for me. :) i hate christmas stress and excess. it's amazing how scaling it back can let the specialness of the season shine more brightly.

number two, i can't remember the last time i was so excited for a new year. new beginning. new start. fresh. freshness. start again. in the first time in forever i actually have a formidable list of resolutions -- which aren't resolutions so much as flat out goals and steps towards those ever elusive hopes and dreams. really looking forward to this.

number three, rooibus yum yum. oh whoops. already mentioned that the other day.

number four, amy march! and it's still cracking me up.

number five, which is fem in swedish and my lucky number in no matter what language, tomorrow should be an unbelievably gorgeous day. since my sister and her husband will be in the valley until the afternoon, my mom and i are going for a looooong hike in montana de oro first thing in the morning. this has become something of a christmas tradition with us and i love it.