Durango

It was a very sad day for me a few weeks back when my beloved Honda Civic conked out. True, it did have about 220,000 miles on it, and we'll probably end up getting it fixed to have as a backup car, but we figured it was time to upgrade from a two door.

We've been talking for years about our next car . . . a nice safe volvo or a sporty/nerdy prius (depending on which sister's opinion you're getting). I definitely never imagined myself driving

this big-ass carbon footprint monster truck wannabe.

If my memory serves me correctly, I think sister 2 had one of these with a very squeaky rear window.

Strangely, it is starting to grow on me.

Beef. It's What's for Dinner

Beef.  It's what's for dinner.

  That ad campaign started in 1992

and today's prime rib could have a starring role.

The back up players included a nice bottle of wine,

Our new holiday favorite --- 

roasted brussel sprouts in brown butter with toasted almonds,

garlic roasted potatoes and crescent rolls.

It just doesn't get any better than this!

Now it's time for a nap!

Happy New Year

2009 couldn't be complete without a few more embarrassing moments for my sisters. But because my new year's resolution is to try to be a nicer person, I didn't pull out the big guns.

Also, I know Trudy will retaliate.

So here is a quick reminder of days gone by and a few before and afters just for fun.

2010 is sure to have many highs and lows, but it is not likely to surpass the style-high of the decade, the trend that never caught on, but definitely should have:

The era of the purple star pants.

And it seems like only yesterday that these scrappy sisters were fighting one minute, hugging the next.

Oh wait, it was yesterday.

One has to wonder what kind of excitement 2010 will bring . . .

Cross-country flights?

Auspicious celebrations?

Orangutan look-alike contests?

Our (six) readers will have to decide who the winner is.

But wherever the new year takes us

Crowded airports

Or wide-open spaces,

hospital waiting rooms

or other places,

know that we are wishing you the happiest of new years!

Cloudy Day

If it weren't for days like this, I'd almost be missing the snow.

Weekend Plans

I should be shopping, or making Christmas cookies, or candy.

But instead we will travel the 80 miles from our home to attend

an all day basketball tournament for daughter #1.

Since the school the girls attend is so small the athletic teams are split into varisty and junior varisty teams. The varisty team is the top players for grades 6-8, and the jv team is the remainder of players for grades 6-8.

Since daughter # 1 is a 8th grader she gets plenty of play time for both the jv and varisty. She may not score alot of points, but she is a good team player.

She is always encouraging the other players and keeps everyone pumped up for the game.

Most of all she loves hanging out with her friends.

Go Crusaders!