Fulham

Take a look at the great slideshow, HERE

I decided my new favorite team is Fulham. I picked this team mainly because my new favorite randomly picked Irish soccer player, Damien Duff, member of team Ireland FAI, also plays for Fulham in the Premier League.

When we had cable, Joseph loved watching PL soccer and kept me up to date on scores and players. I used to root for Manchester City, but then they got money and became somewhat good. I like the underdog. Who dey.

I love Fulham's history and the tradition of the Cottage. It seems very Wrigley Field to me. Although since I'm not English, I have a hard time comparing it to anything I know of. I love these old photos taken from the 40's-60's. Maybe one day soccer will take off in America like it has for England. Until then, we've got cool sports like football, which is very similar to rugby, and baseball which is really just a shorter version of cricket.

Cute Overload

Read the rabbit and dear's story HERE at the photographer's website!

The fawn was given the name Finchen and lived in a garden at the edge of the small village. Finchen was growing and developing very well, but was probably lonely without other deer around.

One day, a wild rabbit showed up and stayed near the fawn. At first, the two were only observed together at dusk or at night. They always grazed in the same corner of the garden, but kept a certain distance from one another

Winter came and the small fawn had turned into a beautiful doe, but not even snow could keep the little rabbit away from Finchen. Instead of staying in its cozy warren, it remained on Finchen’s side at night. The two rested very close to each other under the spruce trees at the edge of the garden. They also stayed together to feed. With her long legs, Finchen was able to remove the snow cover to access grass, which also benefited her little friend.

Thanks mom for sending this to me - like I need another reason to be a crazy bunny lady! Rabbits love to snuggle.

Our rabbits are doing very well. Since it is winter, our favorite time of year, the little lapins are snuggling, playing with the tree skirt, and keeping themselves toasty warm. Vienn, Nietzsche, and Rupert (Juri) have been working on the bonding thing. A few nights ago we put them together successfully without many scuffles to say. Although they can't be alone, or Vienn will bite someone's head off. It is a long process and a little stressful, but I can tell that Juri wants to be friends. He comes waving a white flag.

Vienn visits the vet on Tuesday for her teary eye. All signs are normal, except for that runny right eye of hers. She is in her elder years, so I want to keep a close watch on her well-being. I'll let you know the update. I don't have any recent pictures of her. The camera has been at the Pings house with a broken flash. I do miss taking pictures of the rabbits, but I know I'll have time in the future.

Another Brilliant Find via Black Eiffel; Ingrid Sophie Schram

INGRID SOPHIE SCHRAM

Black Eiffel shares her post about "bohemian feminine style of model + actress Ingrid Sophie Schram" and I just couldn't resist sharing it with you guys! Notice the blue gingham shirt in the middle!!! No wonder I like her!

Taken from Black Eiffel - Photos by the Selby, William Gentle from a new to me favorite blog - Backyard Bill. He takes photos of people in their own clothes -- love it. Check out his work + blog super stuff there, like this guy.

Family Affairs in December

my "old English farmer" hat

Buffalo Plaid is the only style! Smokey thinks so too.

Timber!

The Pings family favorite - using sharp objects to cut things down.

Torturing the animals

Elizabeth's side of the family

Grandma Pings with her puppy

Thanksgiving - Donald, Joseph, and William

The Pings family

GO BEARCATS!!!

The Moscow Ballet Nutcracker, downtown Denver

I've been a little busy...

Bonnie December at J.Crew

I want to make Joseph wear all of these wonderful buffalo check, argyle, tartan, and plaid things from J.Crew, but I have a feeling he wouldn't let me if I tried!

Unfortunately, J.Crew decided that women do not need buffalo check pajama pants, or else I'd probably be wearing them right now. I don't think I'm brave enough to have a union suit... even if you do wear it under your jeans and sweaters ;)

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

When I arrive to work early I enjoy perusing through Pottery Barn's menagerie of sparkle, snowflakes, and evergreen. I can't help but get into the spirit when I'm surrounded by perfectly constructed Christmas trees and fake living room sets that I could only dream of having. Kind of like Maggie's house! It is just like PB! This season, PB has particularly cute stocking stuffers that makes it difficult to resist!

Sunday we have the day off so we can treck into the mountains to cut down our tree, decorate while listening to dapper holiday music (like Dolly & Kenny, Charlie Brown, and dad's new CD of classics), string popcorn, wear plaid (just kidding), watch holiday movies like Home Alone and Elf all the while drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies! Well, this may be a tall order, but if I dream it - it will happen! I want to do all the classically cheesy things people do on the holidays because it always looks like fun! And besides - why not?

Today is the start of a busy end of the week for me. Although for some reason all I could manage to do this morning so far is eat oatmeal, drink tea, empty the dishwasher, watch Indiana Jones, go through our holiday box from mom and dad (THANK YOU!!!), brush my teeth, and update my blog. Motivation when it is colder than 20* F is a rough one. I honestly do not want to move away from my duvet and space heater with the rabbit keeping my lap warm! Thanks Rupert!

I have my first practice tonight as a 20 & O at 6:15, after a mandatory meeting for my license from 4-6. Busy afternoon driving ALL OVER TOWN. Tomorrow I have to pick up items from the library (like the new Fantastic Mr. Fox soundtrack), create a White Elephant gift and buy wine for our elementary staff party, then drive back down to Denver for our family outing to the Nutcracker! The Parade of Lights is also going on that evening, so it might be difficult to maneuver around the city. Saturday Joseph and I have important plans to watch football (Go Bearcats! *see below) and Sunday is of course our holiday extravaganza! I hope that Kari has a very enjoyable last few days here in the Nati! Have a very Merry Cincy-style Christmas celebration with the family this week!

at

Pittsburgh

Day:		Saturday
Date:		Dec. 5, 2009
Location:		Pittsburgh, Pa.
Time:		12:00 p.m. ET

Nesting Dolls Day One

Today this kids started work on their nesting dolls, but since I had a
sub yesterday and I was a little behind on prep work, they had to use
yellow paper! We read The Littlest Matryoshka, then began work on the
dolls. The students can chose their subjects - family, pets, football
players, or the characters from the book (etc.) so you'll see some
Bronocs players in the mix when I add more photos :)

I've been a little quiet on my blog lately, but I have some time later
tonight to fill you in on my week!

Artwork: First grader working on the matryoshka characters from our
story!