Mindy Knows

{Clockwise: the adirondacks are still inviting despite the 30* temp – Shaun relaxing Christmas morning – me and my college friend, Rachel, who dropped by with her boyfriend.}

It is so true – time flies when you’re having fun. Case in point: eight days in Washington went by way too quickly. And if I’m being totally honest, I went from pleasantly surprised to slightly dismayed at just how fast it went! Despite my best effort to savor each moment.

I’m sheepish to admit that there was an initial teeny-tiny, slight minutia of fear that I’d develop cabin fever when I first signed up to spend 5 days straight with Shaun and my parents after Seattle. I’m bracing myself for the backlash knowing how unfair that sounds, especially considering the wonderful relationship I have with my folks, what fabulous hosts they are, and the equally fabulous times I’ve documented with them here on the blog. However, please keep in mind that I haven’t been home for Christmas in 5 years. We’re talking about being all together. Confined under one roof. On an island. In the dead of winter in Washington, which is rather notorious for dumping miserable, unforgiving buckets of rain. Fortunately, any qualms I had were quelled upon arrival.

Visiting with family and friends, taking an hour to myself to go for a run each morning, hiking with my dad and Shaun to the end of the island (it only rained off and on), cooking delicious meals,  sleeping in deliciously late, and just simply enjoying the act of sitting with my cat while reading a book (reread The Great Gatsby in anticipation of the movie coming out) in a space that is so familiar to me turned out to be absolutely perfect. No doubt about it: no bouts of cabin fever. Five days on the island was just what I needed.

Scenes from Christmas on the island:

{Giving Mo some love.}

{Visiting with my cousins, including Baby Violet! Remember her from the 4th of July?}

{Meeting Baby Clementine. Some kids like me more than others – Lol!}

{A tradition continues: pesto pasta, grilled salmon, salad, chocolate, and wine.}

{Shaun and I prepared dinner as a little ‘thanks for having us’ – fresh grilled veggies and steak, olive bread, and salad.}

{Baking Christmas cookies.}

{Prepping Christmas Eve’s Prime Rib dinner.}

{A Christmas Eve tradition continues with our neighbors.}

{Merry Christmas!!}

{Visiting Grandma and grabbing beer, chowder, and fish tacos from Anthony’s before flying home.}