Holiday Hiatus

Christmas with Bono

What a jam packed month of December! J and I celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah so from November 26th to January 1st it is party, party, party! Add a good friend's out-of-state wedding in there and our celebrate-o-meters were about to combust! I thouroughly enjoyed this holiday season (not always my favorite time of year since I lost my little brother) but this year I jumped into Christmas head-on leaving no tradition untouched. Cookie exchanges, holiday plays, decorations, homeade cards, gifting the perfect presents, and much, much more. But what was my favorite holiday memory of 2009? Hands down- giving my parents their Christmas gift. What could we possibly have given them to make such a memorable moment you ask? U2 tickets! My family has a great love for Bono and U2, we love all the songs- ecspecially from the Joshua Tree album. When I found out they were coming to our area, I called my brother and immediately we began making arrangements. Fast foreward 4 weeks later to my parents opening their gifts. They are unwrapping their presents, but neither have their reading glasses on, U2 tickets ?!? my day exclaims. Immediately my mother leaps up and starts shouting for joy. It is then when I proclaim that all 6 of us our attending that I too am leaping around with excitement. My dad later tells us that he couldn't read U2- he was just guessing. I am so glad he guessed right. What a buzzkill if they were really tickets for Shakespear in the Park. This brings me one step closer to my lifetime goal of meeting the Dublin Prince (I made that up- nice huh?)

Happy Anniversay

In keeping with celebrations, I must mention that J and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary! It was perfect. J woke me up with breakfast in bed ( my favorite! ) and red roses. We then put on our Vikings Jerseys and cheered on our hometeam. We were also able to eat the top of our wedding cake. It was still delicious. It is crazy how the taste of something can bring back memories. We then finished out the evening with dinner at Maggiano's and a movie. To be continued ...

An Open Letter to Barbara Walters

Dear Babs,

While I truly enjoy your top ten most fascinating lists, I have a bone to pick with you. When you are interviewing the First Lady as your number one most fascinating person please refrain from spending a third of the already too short interview discussing said woman's arm buffness. In the words of Rihanna "puh-leaze". I know you are getting old and have seen it all, but I am unimpressed and frankly as a woman to another woman a tad offended that you would result to discussing a woman's already over objectified- body in the first place. Let me help you with a few questions you could ask Michelle if you are ever graced with her presence in the future.

"What has been the most exciting thing you have done this year?"

"As a strong woman and role model, who do you look up to?"

"You said your focus will be on children's health, how will you implement your mission into a concrete plan?"

"How have your values and beliefs changed or been strengthened within the last year?"

If you would like anymore suggestions please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help.

Sincerely,
Lo

P.S. I found your interview with Lady Gaga (of all people) to be compassionate and almost a tad provacative. Kudos.

Top 5 Holiday picks for 2009

Oh the weather outside if frightful, but inside it's so delightful . . . blah, blah, blah, you know the rest. By now, if you are a fellow Minnesotan, you are so stir crazy that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season offers much appreciated relief and distraction from being stuck inside day in and day out. This year I welcome Holiday Bonanza 2009 with open arms and tears of gratitude. I have compiled a list of my top five holiday favorites for 2009. So flick on your electric fireplace, cozy up with a mug of peppermint hot cocoa and enjoy!

1) Starbucks Carmel Brulee Latte

Yum!!! As a self proclaimed Caribou lover, I am hesitant any time Starbucks flashes a new drink in my face, fearing it will not satisfy. But this, my friends, this does not disappoint. If you want a real treat, go ahead and order it full fat, otherwise the skim version is pretty darn tasty. And how can one not appreciate the crispy caramelized sugar sprinkles on top?

2) Ornament shopping at Patina

After ordering your Carmel Brulee Latte, why don't you cross the street and head over to Patina? The most beautiful store in the world, often described at walking into a jewel box, is a true treat for your senses. It is filled with many unique and beautiful tree trimmings. J and I each chose an ornament this year. We picked out a metallic hot dog and a marshmallow snowman. A great place to do some gift shopping as well.

3) Mass at the St. Paul Cathedral

The cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Twin Cities. A must for Christmas mass.

4) Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway

My mom and I are lucky enough to see this show at the Ordway this holiday season. I love the songs, the costumes, and the story. It brings me back to my childhood whenever I hear "Be Our Guest" or any other Disney tune.

5)The lights at Rice Park


To me this is one of the most magical parts of the city. It is very near and dear to my heart not only because it exudes Christmas magic, but also because it is where J proposed to me two years ago. Every year Rice Park transplants a very tall pine tree to be the center of the tree lighting ceremony. If you have a little time after the Ordway go ahead and take a stroll through the park and maybe meander over to the St Paul Hotel for a dessert or a cocktail.

So there is my list. By no means is it complete, but I hope to demonstrate the joys of the season can be found in activities and events both big and small, free or with cost. So while December is often filled with trips to the mall and fighting crowds, make sure to take some time to relax and enjoy the blessings of the season. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Sincerely,

Lo

Thanksgiving

Do you smell that? That is the smell of Thanksgiving, my favorite time of year. I love the turkey, sweet potatoes, my dad's -everything but the kitchen sink- stuffing, J's cranberry salad, pumpkin cheesecake and green bean casserole. I love Thanksgiving so much I have no qualms about doing it all over again a mere three hours later. J and I do the newlywed double duty. We actually have been doing the double duty long before becoming newlyweds, but I think the holidays are something every new couple has to navigate and plan carefully.

We are fortunate enough to have both families living within 10 minutes of each other so we are able to do the double duty for practically every holiday. On Christmas Eve we have even started our own tradition of bringing both sides together while we host game and appetizer night. It is a nice way for us to ease our way into hosting holidays, show off our beautiful fancy wedding dishes, and bring everyone to us. Tomorrow, however, we are having lunch with J's family and dinner at my brother's. My stomach can't wait.

Another thing I love about Thanksgiving weekend is Black Friday. You won't see me standing in line at 4 am outside of Walmart or pushing over any soccer mom's for the last Wii. But I love the excitement of it all. I love the hustle and bustle and enthusiasm of the upcoming holidays.

I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving filled with many blessings and moments to reflect on the things you are truly grateful and thankful for.

Sincerely,
Lo

HILARIOUS!

Go see this. Showing at the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis.

Dear Pandora

Dear Pandora Radio,

You are my favorite. No really, every time I enter the Pandoraverse I feel a little tingle in my stomach. A moment of smugness that I am cheating the system with all the free music, free LEGAL music, that my little ears can handle . No suits coming after me for 2.2 million dollars because I coveted Fred Durst "Rolling" circa 2000. No icky viruses leaving my computer as dirty as 2 cent gigolo on the corner of University. A little part of me smiles each time I pull up my personalized stations to see what you have in store for me. Melody Gardot mixed in with a little Christina Aguilera mixed with a few spoonfuls of Lil Wayne and a side of Sinatra? Yes, please. The opportunity to introduce new music to my hip music buff acquaintances? More of that please. Avoiding the use of the soul- sucking frustration known as Itunes. Keep 'er comin.

Sincerely,
Lo

Star Struck

Last night I had a dream that I met Brad Pitt. In my dream I did not ask him for a picture, he approached ME to take a picture with him. I asked if someone could take a picture with my camera as well to prove my presence with the king of stardom. The random passerby flipped several pics while Brad and I coyly posed for each one. . . . I retrieve my camera to review the photographic evidence and learn much to my dismay not ONE picture was taken! One thing to note... I get very star struck. If you have been in a commercial, I will get slack jawed in your presence. So to have a dream that I was playing it cool with one of the most famous people on the planet is difficult for even me to imagine. This has led me to develop my top list of celebs that I would like to hang out with in all my star dazed glory. . .

1) Bono- love, love, love U2. He is the epitome of a rock legend.

2) The Backstreet Boys- circa 2000

3) The boys from Entourage- especially when Drama is in a fit of road rage

4) Chelsea and Chuy - possibly as a guest at the round table

5) Micheal, Jim, and Dwight from The Office

6) Will Farrell

7) Courtney, Jen, and Lisa

8) Bridget and Kendra from the Girls Next Door- Classy, I know