Posted on

Fire & Ice

pondI am my father’s daughter.  I know how to make a raging fire. I have spent years watching him build fires, in The Most Beautiful Fireplace in the World,  and strategically place wood in locations ready to add to the smoldering logs.

When it snows, I typically yearn to be at my parent’s house gearing up to go sledding or hunkering down to play games. This is the first snow that we’ve had at HBHQ and I’m feeling quite cozy and down-home happy.

We were left with a fairly large woodpile when we moved in and it is finallyBarry's Woodpile coming handy. I found myself bundled in a random combination of pjs and one of Barry’s extra large ski coats this morning strategically piling wood outside our door in order to ensure fewer trips to the woodpile.

I have countless childhood memories of making such trips in and out the door to fill the wood box with my family…. loading one another up and hoping that each load would be the last.

If The Most Beautiful Fireplace in the World was cozygetting used, my dad would take on the wood-getting and fire-building himself to make the a-fore-mentioned raging fire. The stones stay hot for days and it is best to lean up against them if you’ve just come in from the freezing weather.

Now, we don’t have stones that heat up and we certainly don’t have The Most Beautiful Fireplace in the World, but I am my father’s daughter and I have made a raging fire.

Excuse me, while  I go enjoy it.

Posted on

Hey Charlie Brown

The HBHQ has officially kicked off the decorating extravaganza (read: we got a living tree and are examining hand-me-down ornaments).

Posted on

10.31.08

The annual HB Halloween Party came and went this year. Phew. Two things learned:

1. Friday night parties are difficult for almost everyone.

2. Always, always, always have a costume contest.

I found myself feeling full of pride this year because we have some very creative friends. Dog the Bounty Hunter, Pooh and friends, George Kastanza, a disco ball, a butterfly, a cowgirl, a bear and even a keg and tequila were among the crowd.   Nearly everyone dressed up and stayed in costume for the entire night.  The rain stopped enough for people to stand around outside and warm their hands next to the fire; however, some decided to stay inside and sip on tasty beverages.

Bahl came dressed as Chuck Knox with a clipboard filled with plays to rescue the flailing Seahawks. Barry and Jeff seemed to win the contest for tightest/shortest costumes. The pie-loving twosome decided that a Halloween party would not be the same with out Barry giggling/jiggling in the fat suit.

Carter, Jude & Ankya collaborated and came dressed as The Three Little Pigs. Hilarious. Of course we had to have a photo shoot. Gigi, the princess fairy, even had time for a picture!

Days away from the election, Sarah and Todd Palin made time to stop by the HB house. It should be noted that she only held Trig, her baby, for this photo. Palin spent the remainder of the evening campaigning.

My dream came true towards the end of the night and those of us that were left, played a game.  Turns out there is no such thing as a Hoopla card and George Kastanza isn’t the biggest fan of acting, singing and rhyming. Suzanna and Barry seemed to be extra good at guessing….perhaps they have played before? (I’m just sayin’!). It was sweet to watch Luke multi-task with Carter. A new HB crew member, Jamie, was able to help us with the special Halloween Rules. I think she loves games as much as I do!

Friday night, missing friends (you know who you are), and not enough chairs aside, it was a smashing first Halloween party for the HB home. Next year will not be on a Friday and will have a prize for most creative costume. Of that, I have no doubt.