This year is quite different weather-wise from last year (and the year before): there is NO snow. It's been pretty warm, even up to 10 degrees, which is the temperature that SPRING arrives with. The grass is still green and the ground is spongy with damp. I've noticed that the moss is appearing on every surface: trees, houses, roofs. The white house around the corner has one side wall that is nearly green with the algae growth.
Family & personal highlights of 2011
- A fantastic family vacation to Iceland in July
- Karin switching schools from Flyinge to Sandby
- Martin volunteering to sing a SOLO at his school Christmas party
- Mom's 3-week visit this summer
- The birth of my brother's little boy, Sammo
- A week and a half with Mom in Massachusetts in September, including a visit with Elizabeth at the Squam Art Workshops
- New gadgets: an iPad with my bonus money in the spring, and a new computer for Christmas
- Anders getting to pet tigers in Thailand, and visit with Kathey & Russell in Texas during his business trips this year
- Karin joining the Innebandy team, as WELL as continuing with soccer
- Karin's first (and hopefully last for awhile) boyfriend!
- The growth of my team at work, which has begun to relieve some of the pressure
- Posting every day in November!
- A whirlwind weekend visit to southern Germany for Sammo's baptism in December
Best Books of 2011 (in no particular order and not including re-reads)
- The Immortal Life of Henriette Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- Just My Type by Simon Garfield
- The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
- Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller
- The Help by Kathryn Stockett
- Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
- Smile or Die by Barbara Ehrenreich
- At Home by Bill Bryson
- The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti
- Thornyhold by Mary Stewart
Best musical discoveries in 2011
- Eliza Doolittle
- Cee Lo Green
- Katherine McPhee
- One Republic
- Gotye
- Neon Trees
- Adele
- First Aid Kit
- Coldplay (I know, I'm late to the game)
- WALK WALK WALK
- Midsummer with my entire first family in northern Germany!
- Possible family vacation to Greece
- Thorough clutter cleaning in the whole house
(Drop cap courtesy of Jessica Hische's Daily Drop Cap)