Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funkin' New Year!

My holiday season here in Idaho's Teton Valley has been both surprising and memorable. Commencing with Thanksgiving, festivities rolled through a cookie decorating party, an intimate gathering on the Tuesday before Christmas, a veritable eating frenzy on Christmas Day, and then finally the culmination of it all on New Year's Eve.

Many of you may have already reviewed the Thanksgiving coverage. We had visiting family during the famed holiday of sloth. I distinctly remember trying to announce the meal with some witty sentiment, but only choked on my own sentimentality. Needless to say, my attempt ended in vain with a "let's eat" and a little embarrassment while I tried not to shed any tears.

A few weeks later, I was kindly invited to a cookie decorating party. Initially, I had to chuckle at this baking version of a sewing circle slash quilting bee. I am not one that ordinarily seeks out the company of large groups of women. Going in, I could only hope that those attending would be just as smart, funny and gracious as Danielle and her sister Nicole, the two ladies tht invited me. I was not at all disappointed. Cookie decorating aside (which peaked at hilarity a few times that night), I was fortunate enough to meet and converse with a group of ladies that held my attention with a positive air of genuine kindness. Bottom line: we had fun, and the cookies were money, baby. Money.


Nicole - Wunder Barista and one of the lovely hosts of the cookie clatch

Following that, my new friend Erika invited me to her warm embrace of a home to celebrate all things holiday before she and her husband Mark hit the road on their driving vacation to the coast. Erika and Mark throw a glorious shin-dig. The food alone was enough to make me want to move in with them and insist on becoming their 36-year-old adopted child. The even more wicked cool thing about this particular party is that Erika entertains through song.

"I'm Erika, and I will be your Cruise Director for the evening."

To the tune of Runaround Sue, she and housemate Dave created a video for YouTube that was definitely holiday appropriate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC-IXMK73Uc). Mark managed to project the video onto their ceiling for all to enjoy. We craned our necks, laughed hysterically, and ate more food.

The long Christmas weekend gave us pause to do nothing but unpack our household goods. The new rental is a farm home that was built in the 1930s. Christmas lights would look so festive on the pine trees out front - there are several, the two tallest being at least thirty feet in height. Our move put Christmas on hiatus, however, and neither one of us felt any remorse. We didn't have to. On Christmas night, we were invited to participate in a large family feed. The dinner guests totaled only five, the food was plentiful, and the companionship held promise for friendships that would last long past the New Year.


John and Jack create atmosphere for the guests...

Wrapping up this year appropriately could only take place at The Knotty Pine Supper Club. The Knotty booked a slam dunk with U.S. Pipe And The Balls Johnson Dance Machine - busting out funk tunes for a crowd that danced 'til the proverbial ball fell. 2006 was a whirlwind, friends. A move to a new place, new jobs for the both of us, and a whole new community in which to settle and enjoy.

My wish is peace to each of you during this bright and shiny New Year.












Even in the most oddest of places... CARDINALS RULE!














Happy 2007!