First, there was Life of Pie — the months in which I tried, failed, and tried again to become a master pie baker, baking my way through dozens of pie recipes. Then, I decided to learn to knit, and have knitted now dozens of squares and rectangles aka scarves, baby blankets, dishtowels and my latest accomplishment: hats.

And now, I bring you to the Life of Pasta . . .  for Christmas, my gifts included a pasta maker and The Complete Book of Pasta and Noodles. I predict a new era on this blog, as I learn to make not only delicous Italian dishes but Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Indian noodles. I’m so excited to get started and could not wait to tell my buddy Brian, aka The Food Geek about my cooking haul. (No competitions! But I do want to have Brian over for dinner.)

Who knows, though — there could be a Pasta Fest in my future.

Most people give thanks on Thanksgiving, but Christmas Eve is a time that I pause and think about the year, and everything I have to be thankful for. Four years ago I was in the exact place I sit right now. I’m a different person four years later. Then I was waiting with some anxiety to move to Virginia, unaware of how much our lives would change. It’s been wonderful; we love Charlottesville and I’m thankful for that, and that our move and the past four years have gone so well. I’m grateful for family who put us up, and put up with us, both moving and visiting and coming all the way to visit us.

This year I reunited with several people, thanks to an active social network. I am, as you may have guessed, easy to find. One reunion with one friend in particular was a life-changer and I’m so happy that the years we spent apart have been dissolved.

I’m thankful for my husband who has been by my side for more than 20 years as of this year.  I’m grateful the boy, the girl and the allergist’s daughter have had a good year; that the boy has been at home (you know, geographically speaking) and that they have all been well and happy in 2009.

I’m thankful for my wonderful friends (and you know who you are) including all you gorgeous blog readers, Tweeps and Facebook buds.

In this year of the masses being made redundant across all businesses and industries, I’m thankful that I have a job I love and coworkers doing the best they can.

This Christmas I wish the same happiness for all of you and the peace and love I feel to flow to you and on to the next person who needs it. Merry Christmas, my friends.

This afternoon we will be striking unnatural poses for our awkward family photo. There may be a last minute battle, who knows? The girl (as I think YOU all knew she would) is suffering from regret over her hissy fit over the PINE shirt and her reluctance to wear the requested khaki pants with it. She and Grandma went to the store and bought some khaki pants this morning and by 3pm we’re all to be decked out, brushed and spiffied up.

What I really came here to tell you though is that I was at a party last weekend with about 20 fabulous women including one in particular who had the most gorgeous  shampoo commercial hair. She shared her hair product secret, and if you leave a comment, I will tell YOU the secret. I bought the recommended hair products and tried them out this morning, just for the all-important family photo hair and it’s the best — she was totally right.

So leave a comment, telling me either about your hair challenges OR your awkward family photo. I’ll be waiting with the secret.

It’s day three of being snowed in at Chez Jaggers. Mark is going out of his mind and can’t wait to get out of here. No plows have been anywhere near our neigborhood.  We’re running low on food, but only to the point of being really creative with what’s left. Rice and baked beans, anyone?

I’m perfectly fine being at home — I’ve got a lot of projects to keep me busy and since we’ve had power all yesterday and today, there are movies to watch and a laptop to keep me entertained. Plus, cooking three meals a day out of what’s on hand requires some time.

We were due to head out Tuesday, but it’s not looking good. Much longer than that and we’ll have to suit up and hike to the nearest grocery store.

We are housebound; snowstuck. Beginning Friday afternoon snow fell for about 20 hours leaving about 22″ of powdery, sparkly, cold stuff.Clover snow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out our deck: there’s a grill under there — really!

On Saturday we were without power for several hours, and if it weren’t for our fireplace, that might have become quite unpleasant.

We spent the time playing an epic game of Monopoly, wrapping presents and snacking on food from our pantry.

We’re fine, of course, and could live for a long time on the food that is in our house right now.

But darn it, we have no eggs.

As soon as the power came back on, I rushed to resume laundry – we’ve got mountains to do and a deadline to get it done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dogs have never seen snow like this before — of course this is all new to Starbuck, but the snow is deep enough to seriously concern Clover who, at first, thought it was fun to play in, then when the snow became taller than he is, it wasn’t so much fun anymore.

Starbuck, like most puppies LOVES the snow. She wants to eat it, burrow in it, romp around and bury herself in it.

Since, in the Jaggers family, no one is ever called by their given name and everyone has a wide selection of nicknames, here I give you . . .

The Top Five Nicknames for Starbuck:

1. Starbuckle

2. Starbie

3. Buckle

4. Superstarbuck

5. She Who Will Not Be Named (this one usually follows some puppy destruction or indoor potty incident)

The snow is pretty, but truly, we’re stuck — no plows are expected until Monday and maybe even Tuesday. In case you’re reading this from New York or Northern Illinois, or someplace that is accustomed to this kind of weather event — remember this is Virginia; we don’t know snow. Not this kind, anyway. We get snows that fall in maybe 2″ maximums and melt by the next day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So for the time being, we’re not going anywhere. I’m knitting, wrapping presents and folding laundry when there’s no power; watching movies, cooking and washing and drying clothes when there is.

Please send eggs so I can bake.