Merry Christmas!

Just a month until Forrest returns home from Afghanistan! In the meantime, the boys and I are enjoying the festive season as best we know how. That is to say, eating a lot of cookies (something the three of us can agree on!).

also, I took the printing press for a spin and made my cards again this year. The poor dogs were covered in glitter for a week afterwards (doesn't really help with the tough-guy impression!)

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

with love from Lou, Rudy, Felix and Bob the turtle

***

What's up, Gnomie?

I have already introduced you to Mister Longbow, but he has come a long way since his last showcase on my blog.

Hunter is a patient gnome. He spent much of his visit untouched on my breakfast bar, where he witnessed a month's worth of activity and once almost eaten by a sneaky little Shepherd. Felix! NO!

Here he is at Thanksgiving. Quite naked, other than his hat.

Eventually though, we fashioned a fine set of clothes for him. He insisted on the tattoo.

Though he's a little late for Oktoberfest in his fancy schmancy lederhosen, I packed him off to Germany...home just in time for Christmas. Also, he's probably deploying to Afghanistan with his battalion next Spring, so wish him luck :)

Miss you already little buddy. Prost!

Behind the scenes of a mid-tour leave.

Posing with my beautiful trophy-dog after the Nashville Half Marathon. (I placed 22nd out of 1039 women, surprising nobody more than myself....did I mention how many doughnuts I've been eating lately?! miracle.)

Feeling thoroughly smug that all mine and Lesley's training had paid off, and eagerly anticipating Sunday mornings with a hot chocolate and a book instead of 10miles of freezing misery. aaah! I mean, I loved every minute. yes.

The after-party is well represented by Rudy hiding behind his tail. Lively? To say the least.

Thanks to my friends who refrained from drawing all over my face when I committed the ultimate party foul of falling asleep at 9pm. at my own party. (A half marathon will do that to you apparently...)

And all of a sudden it was the day we had been trying to avoid. Time to pack Forrest on a plane (or five) back to Afghanistan for the last couple months of his tour. Behold Rudy's most valuable asset.... sad face!

Also, bonus points to Forrest for utilizing my homemade message-shelf in the back ground! Miss you too, Love.

November, in a Nutshell.....

Oopsy....I seem to be running behind with everything lately. Not least, my poor forgotten blog.

To sum it up: my husband came home from Afghanistan for two weeks of leave. We vacationed in beautiful, colorful Gatlinburg. We ate a lot of doughnuts. I ran a half marathon. Family Neumann flew in from the Golden State and we partied like it was 1999. I somehow managed to squeeze two Thanksgivings in (which, being English and unused to this holiday- I do have lots of catching up to do!)

As if that wasn't enough....I've had a really fun illustration job (to be shared soon). Felix is developing a conscience (I've been waiting long enough!), and I have signed a self-publishing deal with a talented author friend of mine. Watch this space!

November, as seen through my camera:

yes yes, you're welcome for this picture of the legendary cuttlefish. I was especially charmed by the sweet little fellow who appeared to be slumbering whilst balancing on one leg! Too cute.

News and Views

Allow me to introduce you to Mister Hunter Longbow. He's a charming fellow. I have been tasked with transforming him into a modern and desirable gnome, by my dear friend Chad, stationed in Illesheim, Germany. Hunter is the Bravo Company mascot, and let's be honest, his style choices are lacking and personal hygiene also falls below the bar (dust in your beard Hunter? Really?). So here he is, idling on my workbench, clearly disregarding my no-smoking policy. Maybe it's a bubble-pipe.

We have a lot of work to do here at Gnome Makeover HQ.

In other news (and check out the views!), it is my first year here in Tennessee, and the season is spoiling us. I've told the boys that Forrest is coming home soon (next week for R&R!) so here are my two cuddle-bugs gazing expectantly at the forest (no no, I said Forrest! Daddy!). oh well...

So it's almost the month I've been waiting for. I am up to my eyeballs in errands and projects and Rudy is tapping his watch and saying that BlueBall awaits us in the garden. No rest for the wicked. Oh, Happy Halloween!

On this lovely morning:

life feels good.

Cold days, Warm dogs.

It has taken just one week for the temperature to drop 20 degrees, all the leaves to fall off the trees and for me to switch my wardrobe from shorts and tees to long socks and sweaters. The dogs are looking smug in their fur coats when we brave the chilly 6.30am walk. I'm wearing gloves and hats and jackets in the 50s and wondering how I'll make it through the zeroes. With hot chocolate, for a start.