Earlier tonight, Scott mentioned that he had a conversation with a co-worker today about the American Girls Store in Manhattan. It sent me to the closet where my own Molly doll lives. I pulled her down and realized that it was 21 years ago this Christmas that I received her.

A full gallon of Chex Mix, made from Eleanor’s recipe. When it’s around, I cannot stop eating it. The contents of these jars were promptly taken to our respective offices.

He earned the best husband prize tonight when he came to my rescue and plunged the sink after I managed to plug it up royally. It’s moments like these when I know I married the right guy.

We spent a couple of hours with one of our favorite families this afternoon. I can’t get over the cuteness of those girls.

Every year, since my very first Christmas, my mom has give us an ornament. The goal was to ensure that by the time my sister and I moved out on our own, that we’d have enough for our own trees. Being that Scott and I have tiny tree, we end up having many more glass balls and baubles than we need. But still, I love unpacking those boxes every year and remembering all those holidays past.

Philly got its first real dusting of snow today. I loved the way the flakes looked against this red hydrant.

I found myself canning ham stock into the final minutes of the day. I loved how the spilled stock reflected in my counter top lighting.

A wintertime salad. Plenty of greens, sliced cucumber, roasted brussels sprouts, sausage and blue cheese. Good stuff.

Scott’s department had their annual holiday party earlier today. I’ve known many of his coworkers for years now and so it’s always fun to spend a raucous afternoon with them celebrating the holiday season. The theme this year was the beach, and Scott dolled himself up for the occasion.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Scott and I pulled out the tiny, pre-lit tree that we bought at Target last year. The first Christmas we lived together, we bought an enormous Noble Fir. While it was gorgeous and so, so fragrant, it was far too messy and huge for our apartment.

Now, I’ve always been scornful of fake trees. However, now having one I can understand their appeal. They don’t drop needles and require no water. Buy a pre-lit one and you don’t even have to go to the trouble of looping the lights around the branches.

I haven’t given up on real trees forever, though. Someday, when we live someplace a little bit larger and closer to the ground, I hope we’ll be able to return to something a bit more aromatic and less designed for long term storage.