Best of 2009 - Day 18 - 31

Fail. But I'll at least finish what I started.

18. Shop. Online or Offline, where did you spend most of your mad money this year? Outside of the grocery store, it's probably a tie between Nordstrom and Target.


19. Car Ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove? Who were you with? Best ride of the year took place at Heibel Ranch on Mount Howell in California. Trent Ghiringhelli, owner of Heibel Ranch, took Brent and I on a 2 hour private tour of his vineyard. It was a beautiful evening and the highlight of our Napa trip. We toured the property in his old Jeep (it had a history of its own) while drinking Tecate and taking in the sites. We saw horses, wild turkeys, a black bear, redwoods and the most amazing sunset! We had the pleasure of tasting his wine Lappas while sitting by the lake enjoying delicious cheese and excellent company. If you're ever in Napa, it's a must see!

Sunset at Heibel Ranch

Transportation on the ranch

View across Howell Mountain

20. New Person. This year I gained a brother-in-law. He's a great addition to the family and most of all, he makes my sister-in-law Jami very happy! Now if I could just get them back on the east coast!

Jami & Sean on their wedding day!

21. Project. What did you start this year that you're proud of? Game Night. It all started last Christmas. After opening the loot and eating way too much food, my siblings and I started playing Monopoly. We had a blast. So much in fact, we decided to make it a monthly ritual. So one Saturday a month me, Brent, Scott, April and Sara all meet up for food, games and you never know what else!

S and B-rent playing Scene-It

The night it all started

22. Startup. What's a business that you found this year that you love? My new favorite find is Etsy. You can find a version of anything you are looking for and a whole lot of stuff you could never use!

23. Web tool. It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn't live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience. Google Reader. It helps me keep up-to-date with the many blogs I read.

24. Learning Experience. What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you? How to forgive and let someone go all at the same time.

25. Gift. What's the best gift you gave yourself this year that has kept on giving? The ability to be ok with being imperfect.

26. Best Insight or Aha Moment? Relaxation is not only good for me but fun too!

27. Best Social Web Moment? Did you meet someone you met over the web? No.

28. Best Stationary? cardstock.com

29. Best laugh? No one moment stands out but game night has provided me with the best laughs of the year!

30. Best Ad? The pothole commercial.

31. Best Resolution from 2009? To learn to live in the moment. I haven't mastered it but I've come a long way!

God Came Near

I find it incredibly easy to lose focus during this season filled with fun, family, friends and frustration. In an effort to keep myself mindful of the true meaning of Christmas, I return to my favorite book for the Christmas Season, Max Lucado's God Came Near. Enjoy the excerpt!

"The noise and bustle began earlier than usual in the village. As night gave way to dawn, people were already on the streets. Vendors were positioning themselves on the corners of the most heavily traveled avenues. Store owners were unlocking the doors to their shops. Children were awakened by the excited barking of the street dogs and the complaints of donkeys pulling carts.

The owner of the inn had awakened earlier than most in the town. After all, the inn was full, all the beds taken. Every available mat or blanket had been put to use. Soon all the customers would be stirring and there would be a lot of work to do.

One's imagination is kindled thinking about the conversation of the innkeeper and his family at the breakfast table. Did anyone mention the arrival of the young couple the night before? Did anyone ask about their welfare? Did anyone comment on the pregnancy of the girl on the donkey? Perhaps. Perhaps someone raised the subject. But, at best, it was raised, not discussed. There was nothing that novel about them. They were, possibly, one of several families turned away that night.

Besides, who had time to talk about them when there was so much excitement in the air? Augustus did the economy a favor when he decreed that a census should be taken. Who could remember when such commerce had hit the village?

No, it is doubtful that anyone mentioned the couple's arrival or wondered about the condition of the girl. They were too busy. The day was upon them. The day's bread had to be made. The morning's chores had to be done. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred.

God entered the world as a baby.

Yet, were someone to chance upon the sheep stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem that morning, what a peculiar scene they would behold.

The stable stinks like all stables do. The stench of urine, dung, and sheep reeks pungently in the air. The ground is hard, the hay scarce. Cobwebs cling to the ceiling and a mouse scurries across the dirt floor.

A more lowly place of birth could not exist.

Off to one side sit a group of shepherds. They sit silently on the floor, perhaps perplexed, perhaps in awe, no doubt in amazement. Their night watch had been interrupted by an explosion of light from heaven and a symphony of angels. God goes to those who have time to hear him -- so on this cloudless night he went to simple shepherds.

Near the young mother sits the weary father. If anyone is dozing, he is. He can't remember the last time he sat down. And now that the excitement has subsided a bit, now that Mary and the baby are comfortable, he leans against the wall of the stable and feels his eyes grow heavy. He still hasn't figured it all out. The mystery event puzzles him. But he hasn't the energy to wrestle with the questions. What's important is that the baby is fine and that Mary is safe. As sleep comes he remembers the name the angel told him to use ... Jesus. "We will call him Jesus."

Wide awake is Mary. My, how young she looks! Her head rests on the soft leather of Joseph's saddle. The pain has been eclipsed by wonder. She looks into the face of the baby. Her son. Her Lord. His Majesty. At this point in history, the human being who best understands who God is and what he is doing is a teenage girl in a smelly stable. She can't take her eyes off him. Somehow Mary knows she is holding God. So this is he. She remembers the words of the angel. "His kingdom will never end."

He looks like anything but a king. His face is prunish and red. His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby. And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.

Majesty in the midst of the mundane. Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat. Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter.

She touches the face of the infant-God. How long was your journey!

This baby had overlooked the universe. These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity. His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen. And the worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds.

Meanwhile, the city hums. The merchants are unaware that God has visited their planet. The innkeeper would never believe that he has just sent God into the cold. And the people would scoff at anyone who told them the Messiah lay in the arms of a teenager on the outskirts of their village. They were all too busy to consider the possibility.

Those who missed His Majesty's arrival that night missed it not because of evil acts or malice; no, they missed it because they simply weren't looking.

Little has changed in the last two thousand years, has it?"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the joy of Christ this Christmas. May his love fill you in the coming year!

Best of 2009 - Day 16 and 17

16. Best Tea of the Year. I can taste my favorite tea right now. What's yours?

Have I mentioned that I like lemons? I thought I might have. In case you are new in these parts, I adore their smell, texture and taste. Just thinking about them has my mouth watering! Oh right, the question was favorite tea. My favorite tea past, present and future is Lemon Zinger. I drink it every afternoon, always in the same cup and with my pinky in the air. I think it's time to put the kettle on...(which really means to microwave some water here at work).

17. Word or Phrase. A word that encapsulates your year. "2009 was ______."

Blessed.

Best of 2009 - Day 15

Best Packaging. Did your headphones come in a sweet case? See a bottle of tea in another country that stood off the shelves?

For those of you that don't know, my husband is a packaging engineer. Oh the pressure! Philosophy makes some of my favorite packaging. You can check them out here.

Best of 2009 - Days 12 - 14

I had too much fun this weekend and not enough time for blogging. :)

Day 12 - Best New Food.

There aren't many foods I won't eat a second time. Notice I said a second time, because I will try anything once. Just ask Brent about the tripe he ordered while in Florence, Italy.

This year for the first time I had the pleasure of trying marrow. My father-in-law sent Brent and I to dinner at the acclaimed Tom Colicchio restaurant, Craft (a must dine restaurant). The bone marrow was delightful!

Marrow while sludgy and grey in appearance, is also incredibly rich and fatty. It arrived at the table, a six inch long piece, split in half and sprinkled with sea salt. There is something carnal, perhaps barbaric about digging marrow from the bone, and yet, refined by the fact that I was digging it out with a demitasse spoon. The sea salt provided the right balance for the silky smooth texture of the marrow. Needless to say, I found it to be bone sucking good!

Day 13 - Best Change. What's the best change you've made to the place you live?

• New towels from Restoration Hardware. All I can say is, go buy some.
• Finally (after I won't mention how long) got the basement organized.
• Planted 6 tea rose bushes and I just adore them.

I'm already looking forward to reporting this time next year as we have wood floors, granite counter tops and new appliances in the works!

Day 14 - Rush. When did you get your best rush of the year?

When Georgia Tech clinched the ACC Championship! Go Jackets!

Best of 2009 - Day 11

The Best Place - A coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook?

My kitchen. No it's not designer or gourmet but it is where I love to spend time. My kitchen is sort of a sanctuary within my home for me. It provides me a place to be creative, to clear my head and share my joy with others.

Best of 2009 - Day 10

Album of the Year - What's rocking your world?

And I thought Day 9 was tough. I love music and there isn't a genre I won't listen to. So instead of being forced to choose one album, I'm giving you a list of my favorites:

U2 - No Line on the Horizon

JayZ - Blueprint 3

Michael Buble - Crazy Love

Lady Antebellum - Lady Antebellum

Zac Brown Band - The Foundation

Check 'em out!

Best of 2009 - Day 9

Biggest Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?

I have no idea was my first thought. I need to push myself harder was my second.

On a more serious note, the biggest challenge I faced this year was shopping for a new church home. I grew up in a traditional United Methodist Church (which I adored) but somewhere along the way I stopped feeling fed at that house of worship. (That is not a knock on the United Methodist Church because we considered the denomination in our search.) Brent and I bounced around from church to church for a few years, staying at some longer than others. We just never felt like we were "home." This year we set out on the quest again and I think we've finally settled in at the Church of Chapel Hill. We just love it there!

If you are on your own quest for a new church family, please join us anytime!

Best of 2009 - Day 8

Best Moment of Peace 2009

In January I made a resolution to learn to live more in the moment and less in yesterday's shortcomings and tomorrow's anticipation. I thought this had become just another resolution (like all the others).

In August we decided it was time to try and add to our family of two. I never assumed we would be able to bring a baby home in 9 short months but I also never imagined getting to know the ins and outs of the fertility office. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) in September. I knew, just knew, something wasn't right and after seeing 2 doctors, the third was an answer to my prayers. My prayer was that all was okay and I was just losing my mind but that if I were right, that the doctors would find the issue and be able to correct it. After many trips to GRS (awesome office and physicians) and countless pokes and prods later, I am now on a track to hopefully get pregnant without medical intervention.

I tell you all of this to say that these last few months have given me an amazing amount of peace because peace came when I realized (perhaps "finally" accepted) that I don't have control over much in this life, especially the one thing I want most (a child).

How freeing it was to realize that I didn't have to be the mastermind behind my life's greatest (and not so great) events. If God himself rested on the seventh day, then surely he meant for me to have a little peace in this world.

Have you felt peace this year?

"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace"

~John 16:33

Best of 2009 - Day 1 through 7

I love blogs. I generally start my morning by reading recent posts on the blogs I follow. (Good way to waste work hours.) Today, while reading my childhood friend Elizabeth's blog, I decided to steal an idea that she stole from someone else, who stole it from someone else... The idea is called the Best of 2009. There is a list of blog topics for each day of December where you recall your "best" in each category with a simple entry, a photo or both. I'm a little behind but decided to play catchup and get on board. I feel like this time of year goes by so quickly and often look back wishing I had taken time to relax and enjoy. What better way to do that than by remembering my favorite moments over the past year.

December 1 - Best Trip of 2009: Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

On the hike to the lighthouse at Point Reyes

Hiking to Drakes Beach and Elk Reserve

Brent and I are blessed in so many different areas and one that I cherish is being able to take some pretty awesome vacations. This year we decided on Napa Valley, CA. We were only going to be in Napa for 5 days and needed entertainment for the rest of the trip. We decided to spend the first two days in Point Reyes, CA. Point Reyes is a tiny town (population 350) about an hour outside of San Fran. I was really excited about going to Napa but ended up loving the time in Point Reyes so much more! We rented a small cottage off the beach area which also happened to be surrounded by pasture land. We spent our days hiking the Point Reyes National Seashore where we saw sea lions, elk and numerous birds and sitting on the shores of rocky beaches just enjoying the peace of it all. We spent our nights hanging out in the hot tub, playing scrabble in front of the fire and drinking wine. We could hear the farm animals and the sound of the water all at once.

December 2 - Best Restaurant Moment 2009.

This one is easy! Without question, The Woodlands, Summerville, South Carolina.

The Woodlands is home to South Carolina's only five star, five diamond restaurant. The culinary staff creates a new menu every day using fresh, local ingredients. Brent and I went with his parents in July and enjoyed the best culinary experience thus far!

December 3 - Best Article of 2009

My husband stumbled on lunatic farmer and author Joel Salatin this year. I too became hooked. The article Natural Patterns of Farming is just a tiny snippit of Mr. Salatin. I highly recommend his books.

December 4 - Best Book of 2009

I haven't read as many books this year as I normally do. I don't really have a valid excuse other than I chose to do other things. I feel a New Year's Resolution coming on. My favorite book of this year is The Shack. You can read my blog on it here.

December 5 - Best Night(s) Out 2009

I couldn't pick just one! Two nights come to mind. The first, Brent and I went to the Georgia Tech v. Virginia Tech football game and the Jackets pulled off a win that no one thought would happen which resulted in the goal post coming down. The second, the U2 concert held at the Georgia Dome. U2 never disappoints with a show and this year was no exception.

At the GT v. VT game

December 6 - Best Workshop or Conference 2009

I don't attend seminars in my line of work mainly because when you've been to one, you've been to them all. That's all I have for that topic.

December 7 - Blog of the Year 2009

As I said, I read lots of blogs. This year I stumbled on Design Mom and instantly fell in love. Check her out!

Brought to you by the letter "P"

Big P, little p, what begings with P? Pet Peeve.

All of you know that I have plenty of pet peeves. I could write a book on the things that annoy me. (Don't worry, I'll spare you.) This time of year brings about a pet peeve near and dear to my heart. The horror begins on Thanksgiving and lasts until Christmas Eve...

SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS!

I know these precious people are donating their time to do good for others. I just wish it didn't involve a bell. Seriously, their incessant noise pollution has got to stop!

Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays!

~The Grinch