tree time

I truly love the Christmas season, but not because of the gifts, or the holiday parties, but mostly because of my Christmas tree, with pretty lights and decorations that bring with them memories of the last 30 (eek!) Christmas's I've had.

This Christmas marks the 4th year that Ryan and I have cut down our own tree. It's a tradition now. We go to the same Christmas tree farm, walk around in the cold with mud all over our shoes and get all giddy about finding the perfect tree. And, it does have to be just perfect. Perfect in color, perfect in smell, shape, and height.

Ryan this year inspecting the tree for perfection

The first year we got a tree we weren't yet married, but since it was my first Christmas in my own home, and because Ryan knew that I LOVED Christmas trees, he took me to cut down the tree and surprised me with Christmas lights, decorations, an angle for the top, the stand and a beautiful Christmas tree skirt! Here is a picture of Ryan putting the tree up that first year.

So, ever since then, it's been the same tradition and we love it! Last year we started a new tradition of going to the McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern which I mostly love because its a log cabin in the middle of the woods and it's warm and cozy by the fireplace (the Spanish coffee helps too!!) This year after we got our tree we meet Ryan's parents and grandparents at the tavern to share a meal with us too! Here is a picture of us from last year.

We love our Christmas tree traditions and we can't wait, Lord willing, to someday share these same traditions with our kids too! My dad found this photo of my brother and I taking our Christmas tree home when we were kids. We were so excited about such a simple thing... not much has changed, I still love it just as much!

So, in the month of December, if I'm not baking Christmas cookies, running around shopping for Christmas gifts or going to holiday parties, you will most likely find me curled up on my couch taking in the magic of my Christmas tree.

lists - the good the bad and the ugly

I'm sure I have mentioned before that I am, to put it plain and simple, "a list freak". Unfortunately, more often then not, these lists seem to get the better of me as my very OCD personality begins spinning out of control in the middle of the night and I can't sleep because I'm thinking of everything I need to get done (usually for something that's over a month away), or during the evening, when I should be relaxing with my husband but instead get up from the couch 15 times to write on my grocery list or add to my Saturday to-do list.

For some reason I just can't seem to knock this seemingly bad habit, much to the discouragement of my husband who I'm sure wishes I would stop tossing and turning in the middle of the night and settle down in the evening to spend time with him.

Lists have been all over the place this last month as my brother is about to be married. His bride-to-be, Nikki, and I have many lists (her, more then I of course). She's gotten a true taste of the "Laura list obsession" when she comes to my house and I scribble on the chalk board, listing everything left to be done before the big day. Welcome to the family Nikki, and my crazy list obsession!

My cousin Kristi, will also attest to my love for lists. A few years back, before I was married, I was spending the evening with Kristi at her house. We were talking, (probably about boys) and I was a little out of sorts (probably about a boy). A list of course, was the perfect solution during this very troubling time. I ran into the other room, grabbed a piece of paper and began to make a list, the title in big bold letters read:"How I Feel by Laura Monaco". Kristi, will never let me forget this.

While my "feelings" list may have seemed silly to someone else, I will argue that lists can actually bring a real sense of clarity, direction or understanding to a situation. Lists can bring to light what's important, or, what's really not important. But, as I'm also learning, there needs to be a healthy balance to lists that I choose to make.

Recently I was inspired by a friend of mine Ally Spotts, who in a post from her blog, Packing Light, also argues that lists can bring things into focus and as she so wisely says, "just the process of making a list forces the most important details to rise to the top." Of course, I couldn't agree more, which is why, when I read her post I couldn't wait to grab a sheet of paper and begin penning my next list... (like I said, just a tad bit of a list obsession)

Ally's post inspired me to make a list, but it also reminded me in a very refreshing way that my lists don't always have to be a grocery list, a to-do-list, or a list of messy feelings and emtions. I can make a list of things I'm thankful for, things that I enjoy doing, or just the simple pleasures of life, which is what led me to pen the following list.

Simple Pleasures

Going for a walk.

Riding a bike.

Listening to the sound of the rain.

Treating yourself to drink at Starbucks and not worrying about the price, or the calories.

Sending a hand-written letter to a friend.

Watching it snow.

Walking into the bank to make your transaction with a real person.

Stopping to pick fresh berries on the side of the road.

Listening to the leaves crunch beneath your feet while you run in the fall.

Smiling at a stranger.

Breathing in the fresh morning air.

Climbing into bed at the end of a long day.

fall and football

You know summer is coming to an end and fall is just around the corner when football season is here and in full swing. You can almost just smell the crisp fall air and hear the rustling of the leaves on the ground!

I love this time of year. Over the last two years, football has only added to my love for the season. Of course, it hasn't always been this way. I really didn't grow up watching football, memorizing stats, learning about the game, the teams, the leagues and the conferences (although I do remember and will confess to having a small crush on Troy Aikman when I was younger). Football was a Sunday pastime, that was it.

But, when I married Ryan, my view of football changed, it had to, because in marriage, it's about becoming one and here at the Doucet's that means uniting around football.

For Ryan, Fall=Football (or at least it's a REALLY big part of it). Ryan loves college football and as long as I've known him, if not otherwise committed, Saturday is football day. Personally, I'm a Pro football girl, so it's Sunday's that I enjoy or better yet Monday Night Football! (This season may change my mind. I'm slowly enjoying college football more and more, but I haven't made the switch just yet)

Ryan spent his early college days at the University of Oregon so he is without a doubt and full-blooded Duck. I went to Oregon State University so technically, I'm a Beaver. I was however recently caught by my roommate from collage wearing a Duck sweatshirt. Needless to say, I was embarrassed as she tried to hide the look of shock on her face. Of course, she was gracious about the awkward encounter (thanks Hillary) and said it didn't matter, but I knew better; school pride doesn't lie. Let's just say, I don't think I'll let that happen again.

So, whether it's a Duck game, a Beaver game, or some other game with a football, in the fall, our house encompasses the essence of football.

And so it is, that football now brings a strange sort of comfort to my world. I'm pretty sure that my love for the game isn't the same as most. You probably wont find me checking stats, rankings, making a fantasy football draft, setting up my picks for the week, or hoping my team will win the national title. No, my love for the game is different.

I've come to love what I like to call "touchdown trivia". This is a game frequently played in our home. I'm always the one guessing and Ryan's always the one asking, so it's really not a game. But when I win, (aka, get the question right) Ryan's really proud of me and what wife doesn't love that!

Don't let this game fool you though, "touchdown trivia" might happen to you at any moment, of any day. Yes, even when you are just about to drift off to sleep, you might hear, "Honey, what's a pick six? Who's the Quarterback for the Cowboys? What's a Tight End? Who is the defensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks? What's an offensive pass interference?". Yes, these are good time.

I must mention briefly that I truly do love the NFL Theme Song. Football just wouldn't be complete without it. It makes me smile.

Perhaps though, my favorite part of football is just in being with my husband while he watches the games, curling up next to him on a cold rainy night after a long day, a cinnamon candle burning on the table, and a cup of hot tea warming my hands. Yes, this for me is football.