weekend lounging

saturday naps are the best.

especially with this lot.

a thoughtful gift from a sister

For Christmas, my sister made this lovely cutting board for me. I absolutely *adore* it and I'm not quite sure I want to use it because it's so pretty!


















Lyrics come from the song posted below. I do love me some Three Dog Night ;) Elliott really loves it too, he keeps trying to sit on it.


















Check out that epic hair. Reminds me of my dad in his younger days :) Happy Weekend!

2011 Favorites

Becoming Godparents...














Christmas with in-laws...

Our Church family!!


















Best re-reads...

Crocheted booties from my mother...


















Best flicks...














Visiting brothers and sisters...














learning to ferment...














sisters!














...coming to visit!!














cooking with besties...

visiting S.L.C to hang around and spit seeds (It's a Berry family tradition)

"Who-can-spit-the-farthest" contests

cooking cooking cooking

fantastic coffee...

Neighbors/Pseudoparents!

Local Haunts...

*Fat* kitty cats

Elliott in a moby

Elliott was actually quite comfortable in the moby wrap. He hung around in it while we cooked dinner (Roasted Quail, mmm)


















I think he might get super jealous when we actually have a *real* baby. but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it...

In the meantime...isn't he the cutest!?!?

A Happy New Year

We entered the new year with friends, food, festivities, and homemade almond roca & chocolate-caramel covered pretzels. (sent to us from my super sweet mother)


















































Apparently it's St. louis tradition to shoot your gun at midnight for the new year. Even among the music, laughter, and gunfire, judah slept the majority of the time.

Happy New Year friends!

Holiday Roaming

Out for coffee at Kaldi's, then a walk around Concordia seminary across the street.


















No one comes to visit us without having their picture taken in front Luther.




























Cooking and baking together...

We went to the Wild Lights at the Zoo

cute little penguins for Jake :)

Happy Christmas!

Christmas Day

After opening presents and much cuddling, we had breakfast with our beloved friends upstairs.














PS: Look at all that beautiful antique china!


















Elliott helps himself in whenever he feels the need.


















Maureen and baby Judah

Judah's first Christmas!

An in-law Christmas

A morning trip to Soulard Farmers Market for last minute Christmas meal items, and a bouquet for the ladies.














Homemade lemon-almond...














...& chocolate-almond biscotti for our neighbors...














Our church basement becomes a homeless shelter for 16 women during the winter season, and we volunteered to cook the Christmas eve supper. So here we are crammed in our little car with pots and pans up the wazoo...














In the church kitchen, powing around.

after supper, the ladies got presents and manicures before bed. Fun!

Judahbear

Taking the night shift with Judah...


















cooing...


















staring off into space...














yawning..

'Okay, I'm done with this lady"