Christmas

This year was my first Christmas away from my family and while it was hard, it was made easier due to some great friends. I planned a brunch for Christmas Day so those of us left behind could commiserate and celebrate together. I made tofu scramble and others brought: hashbrowns, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin cheese cake, fruit, and granola. It was all quite spectacular and left us lulled into a stupor on various furniture pieces around the apartment. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was on as a holiday movie, playing in the background, and I knew then that we had a tradition in the making. There are no photos worth posting of it other than these spices (garam marsala, paprika, turmeric) before I mixed them with onions and garlic--the beginnings of a tofu scramble:



But I am getting ahead of myself here. Upon waking up, I woke up Ryan with a phone call and soon we were video chatting while opening our gifts. I received a 50 mm lens for my dSLR and a book of portrait photography by Henri Cartier-Bresson from Ryan, both of which I am enjoying. The lens is the one used for every photo in this post. Thanks, baby! Ryan enjoyed his lightbox, film and skillet mitt. The next gifts I opened were from Ryan's mom.



The hat actually fits my head, which is quite an anomaly, I assure you. After every hat in the local outdoor outfitter store would not fit my head (except ugly, non-descript things), I wasn't sure if I would find a proper winter hat. A matching scarf came with it and both are beautifully colored. The handwarmers will come in handy (ha) as well. Thanks, Moo!

So, fast forwarding to after the brunch...my Wrangell momma and her husband came to pick me up for some family Christmastime. I played with remote controlled helicopters, watched Nintendo gaming systems being played, talked, ate, and petted animals. It was nice to soak up some family atmosphere, even if they aren't my own family. By the time I went home, it was 54 degrees, windy and night time. Alaskan weather is almost as strange as my home state's. It must be the ocean's influence.

With that, I leave you with some of my holiday decorating. The rest (not photographed) include cards and a small, red glittered tree.



I am wondering about one of the cards...there is no return address, no origin stamp and no full name is assigned. So, "A", if you are the one who sent me this card, please let me know so I may attribute it properly!