As I sit here drinking my Christmas Eve morning coffee, I think I'm ready for the festivities to begin.

Which surely means that I've forgotten something very important.

The gifts are wrapped.

My hubby bravely did the Costco run for me yesterday.

I made at least half of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dishes ahead of time.

(Christmas Eve is creamy broccoli soup in homemade (by my daughter-in-law) pretzel soup bowls.)

(Christmas Day is Prime Rib, twice baked potatoes, this jello, and some form of homemade bread. This year we are making this one, which is unbelievably delicious and so, so easy.)

Oh, and Peanut Butter Pie for dessert.

I refuse to add up the amount of cream cheese we will be consuming in the next two days.

All my kids will be home this year, and of course we have the new baby to make things even more fun.

How about you? Are you in the last minute scramble? Or are all your Christmas ducks in a row?

Have a wonderful Christmas!

pink - the very best kind

Back when I first shared about my battle with breast cancer, I eased into breaking the news by making you play a guessing game.

"Pink" was the first clue, and I knew some of you would initially think a baby girl was joining our family, instead of thinking that breast cancer was joining our family.

But, guess what.


Almost exactly a year after I finished my last chemo treatment, our first grandchild arrived, and our lives have once again been totally taken over by pink.

It is the Best Thing Ever.

Ever, ever.


She is beautiful and perfect, smushy and sweet, squeaky and snuggly, and just the most precious thing ever.

I love her.


I've been known to stand watching at the window when she's coming for a visit.

She's just starting to smile, and her smile melts my heart into a puddle.

In fact, every single thing about her melts all of us into a puddle.

My son and daughter-in-law are wonderful parents, just as I knew they'd be.

Her uncles are smitten.

My hubby and I are wearing the Papa and Grandma badges with pride.


Oh, what a difference a year makes.