the sound of silence

As I sit here drinking my coffee, I am savoring the most beautiful sound. The sound of complete and utter silence. Monday mornings are usually this way. After I take Lance to work, I come home and have a few hours of complete aloneness. Usually I have to work, but often take some time when I first get home to breathe and simply sit and absorb life a little bit. 

Today the quiet is exceptionally alluring and peaceful. I spent the past week experiencing what could be a glimpse into my distant future. Lance and I were house/child/dog/cat sitting for the week and I was completely caught off guard by how exhausted I was when it was all over. Yes, the kids went to school during the day, but then I went and hung out with other children. So my week was basically a blur of kids galore, maintaining schedules, subduing tantrums, cooking, cleaning, middle-of-the-night nightmares, etc. In general, it was great. Really, it was. Especially doing it with Lance (the only child who has never even held a baby!) and getting to see a quick peek into how he would be as father. You always hear women proclaiming that seeing their husbands as fathers is, well, sexy. It always seems (to me anyway!) like a slightly odd connection, but now I think I just might get it! ;)

This is Oscar. He slept with us every night and liked to be under the covers with his head on the pillow. He also pees in the toilet. He thinks he's a person.

This morning is my first time being alone since then. It has really reminded me how important this time is for me. I mean, I fully accept and am completely aware that I am an introvert, but I fall into the same patterns as most Americans seem to of glorifying "busy". So, I fill my schedule as much as possible and am constantly griping about how "busy" I am. It's funny because there have been times in my life where I have been a lot busier, with many more mandatory and challenging things on my plate, but, nevertheless, I continue to busy myself with other things and then complain about them.

The stark contrast of a week with children and animals all up in my business compared to this moment of being completely alone has reminded me to set aside times where I am NOT busy and where I can be by myself. I need alone time. I crave it. I recharge with it. Without it I get a little crazy and on edge (sorry hubby!). And yet, somehow, I often forget to take it.

P.S. Just in case I needed something else to busy myself with, I have joined Vine (a new app like Instagram, but for sharing short videos!). I'm Kylee Noelle, come find me!

insta-scrapbook

Find me on instagram here!

Margarita with Blood Orange Bitters Recipe

Last night my husband made the best margarita of my life (and margaritas and I have been around the block a time or two!). It was just the usual Monday night consisting of a late dinner while watching The Bachelor. Steak fajitas were on the menu and, naturally, husband thought they wouldn't be complete without a margarita. And then, magic happened! I asked him to share his enchanted potion. He did. And thus, I present to you Lance's margarita with blood orange bitters. I may have to hide the tequila now to avoid having one every night.

This was definitely share-able but I absolutely won't judge you if you want it all to yourself...

*adapted from here.

More Christmas, New Year's Eve & Downton Abbey

Okay. So I always have these high hopes of blogging more than once a week and they rarely come to fruition. So forgive me as I may or may not proceed to share some Christmasey stuff in this post. Yes, I realize it's a week into 2013 already. But I'm behind, okay?

But first, let me ask you. Do you watch Downton Abbey? BUT WAIT! Before you rush down and reveal all the juicy spoilers, I don't watch it. I know, I KNOW. Calm down. What I want to know is, should I? So many people, everywhere I turn, are OBSESSED. But here's the thing, I tried to watch it once and only made it through the first hour. Kind of painfully actually. It bored me a little bit (sorry!). But maybe I made a rash decision to not finish and should give it more time. Feel free to convince me that I should watch it...

Anyway, I really only want your opinions on Downton Abbey but I should probably share photos from my last couple weeks before another week goes by. Besides our Christmas at the coast with my extended family, we also got together at my parents house as well as with Lance's family. And then, on NYE, we had some people over and played games, ate pizza and mixed up some fancy drinks. 

I didn't take many pictures of any of these events, but here are a few snapshots...

[From our time with Lance's fam]

His dad makes super yummy omelettes. Also, we always leave Palazzo family gatherings fully stocked on health & wellness products. It's like they want us to live long lives or something?! 

[From my parent's house]

Santa brought Jack a new friend. His name is Earl. Earl and Jack are besties. 

[New Year's Eve]

There was this game. It was called Seven Wonders. Maybe you've heard of it? The men in the room were obsessed. Me? Not so much. It was quite boring confusing. I don't even know what was going on or what I was doing. But that's fine. I think I managed to get third place (or so they tell me).