My canine running buddy

Today I got out for a run with Wish for the first time in what seems like ages!

December has been a cold month in Minnesota, and while Wish's body doesn't seem to get cold because of all that fur, he is really uncomfortable outside when his paws are on the cold sidewalk for too long (read: more than 100 feet when it's below zero). (Also, he did not stand for the one pair of booties we tried for him last year.) Because of all the cold weather, Wish's exercise time has been limited this month, and even with games of fetch in the house, he gets cranky and stir-crazy.

After a full week, I was excited to get out for a few easy miles this evening, and with the temperature hovering around 20 degrees all day, conditions were favorable for my canine friend, too.

This is the basic idea of how he looks when he runs:

We stopped to look at some holiday lights and you can tell how much that pleased him.

With light snow falling gently, my dog and I trotted around the neighborhood for 2.5 miles. It felt great to get out for a run and fresh air, and Wish was having such a good time he didn't even think to bark at a passing garbage truck. (Also, I think he's sleeping now.) It was a pretty fun way to kick off the weekend before Christmas.

Throwback Christmas lists

In honor of Throwback Thursday, I thought I'd share a few Christmas lists from years past.

First, from circa 1989-90:

I am most interested in what dolly surprise I was seeking.

Ahh! I just had a flash-hint of a memory, googled Dolly Surprise, and confirmed that a Dolly Surprise was indeed waiting for me under the tree. Does anyone else remember them? You'd raise one of Dolly Surprise's hands and her hair would grow, and then I think raising her other hand would make her hair get shorter. Yes!!

This one must have been in my early middle school years and is quite a bit more substantial:

As you can see, I was a serious fan of the Sweet Valley franchise. (But perish the thought that I might be gifted "Shipboard Wedding, the newest one"! I don't remember the premise of Shipboard Wedding, but it sounds wonderfully dramatic.)

Also, I had forgotten about mini-backpacks until I saw one on my list from that year. And I love that I was pining for a Readers Digest subscription, too.

I saved my favorite for last. It's not even mine - it's my sister's - and I've shared this on Miles and Laurel before. But I do believe that it's the ultimate wish list.

Kitchen projects

Sugar and butter were flying in our kitchen tonight, and by the looks of the utter mess on the counter, the kitchen hasn't bounced back yet.

But one of our kitchen projects did successfully reach 300 degrees - otherwise known as hard crack!

Fingers crossed that this batch turns out. If it does, I'll tell you more about it soon!

Marvelous Monday: Week 50

Week 50 is going to fly by! Here are some notes about the start of the week:

1) The very big highlight is that our friends welcomed a baby girl into the world late last week. We stopped by over the weekend to see the family, and I got to hold the two-day-old baby. We are so, so happy for them.

2) Everything else is small potatoes by comparison, but I am pleased that the rosemary plant I harvested from our outdoor garden seems to be doing okay inside and maybe even growing a little. (I didn't have high hopes.) The sage plant is looking a little bit wilted, but I'm crossing my fingers for it, too.

3) Josh was at the mall today and brought home a surprise present: new Tennessee hats! Yay!

4) I love holiday cards.

5) Tonight I walked through the living room and noticed, for the first time, the marvelous shadows my snowflakes were making on the ceiling. Whoa!

What's marvelous about the start of your week, Reader? Do you have any secrets about how to keep indoor herb gardens? Is there anyone else who plans to get a Christmas tree but hasn't yet?

A tuckered-out dog

Someone got to play off-leash in the snow for the first time today!

Hope your weekend was great!