remembering amish country

you may remember me blogging last year about my chicago girls. the photo that i used in that entry was taken last november. the four of us, in an effort to celebrate janet's pregnancy with dot, took a little 24 hour trip to amish country (shipshewana, in). we spent our time there browsing the quaint little shops, admiring the craftsmanship that the amish bring to anything they touch, watching their chirstmas kick-off parade, gabbing like school girls in our bed-and-breakfast 4 bed dorm room, and just enjoying one another. it was wonderful. we went to give janet a little respite before dot entered the scene, but each ended up getting out own little respite, too.

while there, i found this little frame. it struck me as adorable and funny and attention grabbing. i thought it would be a great addition to our holiday decorations.

yesterday, we decorated our house for christmas. it was lovely. we trimmed the tree, found new spots for all of our usual holiday decorations, listened to festive music... and it was 74 and sunny. now that is my idea of wonderful! but when i reached into the bin and pulled out that little frame...

i smiled first. but then a little sadness crept into my heart. i love our life here. i still find myself laughing sometimes that i live in california. (i'm not sure why i find it so funny, but it certainly isn't something this east coast girl ever expected to be doing.) the sun is amazing, you heard about how i have a new found appreciation for nature and it is mostly good. but i am a social being and a few months ago i said goodbye to some of the most wonderful people in the world. i miss them.

this holiday season, as i look at those little guys tugging that great big tree, i'll think of my fabulous 24 hour get away. and while it might make me sad, i'm going to choose to be grateful. because the truth is, i am so blessed to have those three gals in my life.

love you girls and miss you more than words can express.