WE'RE MISSING A FEW NUMBERS!

I had to take a double-take at this morning's temperature on the news, when I saw our current forecast of ZERO degrees! And with the windchill - some places have registered at 25 below. I know you're jealous now! I remember just last Summer in AZ, it was 118 degrees...

IT'S BEGINNING TO FEEL A LOT LIKE CHIRSTMAS!

BRRR....

Little b checking out the snow...

In search of the perfect tree...

FHE with our friends, which included dinner & dessert at her mom's cake shop - yum!

Merry Christmas!

YUMMMMMO!

THE Rachel Ray made a stop here in Dayton to promote The Big Orange Book - or "BOB" as she calls it.

Since it was being held at the bookstore down the street I figured I'd check it out. I went about three hours before the signing was to begin and let's just say that it's a good thing I went when I did.

If you've never been to a book signing - the deal is - you stand in line in hopes of getting a ticket (for RR's appearance they were only handing out 250 tickets), then wait in line again, according to your number. I was crossing my fingers and hoping that I wasn't number 251. Luckily, I was 120.

Another note about book signings is that in order to accommodate everyone in a timely manner, the process is very structured. Kind of like rounding up cattle. The book had to be opened up to a certain page, you couldn't really "talk" to her besides the normal hi and bye, and adults couldn't pose with her for photos. She would take pictures with the children but adults were told to just take a photo of her while she was signing.

Well, when it was my turn I had to lean WAY over the table (as you can see) so that we were both in frame. And somehow the person taking our photo managed to get her to look up and smile. So there you have it.

I have to say that whenever we see celebs we're not really starstruck as much as we are comparing the way the look on tv vs in person. Even though this photo gives a distorted comparison because of the weird angle, Ms. Rachel is a tiny li'l thing. She's a couple of inches shorter than I am, which I expected - but what was surprising is that she is VERY tan. Seriously, look at me and then at her. Of course, I am closer to the flash and all, but in person I have to say that she looks like she just left the beach. Bri thought she looked different because of the make-up she had on that night. Having said that - I know what you're thinking...and YES, she really is that nice. :)

Anyhoo, it was a fun night and I have an autographed copy of her new cookbook. Can't wait to try out some of the recipes...

On a side note, I do have a lot of photos to post, but we are slammed right now as you probably are, too. So, I'll get around to those slowly - stay tuned.

LITTLE TURKEY

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. So long Fall. It's been good.

Keep going!

Okay, so it's not as cheap as say...TEXAS...but being that we aren't as close to the vapors of the refineries, I'd say we're not doing too shabby. Remember when gas was "cents?"

Merry Thanksgiving!

Remember what I said about the people here doing up holidays big time? We started seeing the mall done up, lights on houses and people's trees up over TWO WEEKS ago! We went to a tree lighting this past week, too. Even the wrappers on our food at restaurants were adorned with holiday images. It's not even Thanksgiving! So, we decided to join in the festivities and put up our Christmas decorations, too. And with the snow we've been getting - it actually FEELS like Christmas! Love it! I think we'll continue this early Christmas tradition when we leave - we love Christmas, so why not draw it out?! How about your town? When did you start seeing the holiday decor? So, here's to a very early Merry Christmas! Oh, and Happy Belated Thanksgiving.

Here are some "drive-by" photos I took around town...

HERE WE GO!

Outside our window this morning...

It's a little hard to see...but you get the idea. This is dedicated to my friend Janee, who recently hightailed it outta here and left us to fend for ourselves in the cold. This one's for you girl - because I know you'll miss the snow when you are basking in the Arizona sun. Sunny and warm is SO overrated.

Bring it on Old Man Winter, bring it on!