Filthy Fifty 5,6,and 7

The new year has kept me busy, but I'm gradually checking off Filthy Fifty items one by one.

Filthy Fifty #5

It's no secret that I love the story of Les Miserables. But having never read the book, I felt like I was missing one of the greatest novels of the nineteenth century. With nearly 1500 pages and over a half a million words...I made an impressive Filthy Fifty goal to read the novel and finish it before the movie released on Christmas day. Friend and fellow Les Mis fan Michelle suggested I listen to the novel on tape. 

I WAS ADDICTED...and couldn't stop listening for over 60 hours. Romance, justice, history, danger, adventure, humor, sorrow, love and grace. Les Miserables has it all! Hundreds of endearing quotes like "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise" or "To love another person is to see the face of God" are scattered among the dramatic story. If you haven't read it...do it...you will not regret it! By the way, I easily finished and was one of the lucky ones to see the movie on opening day.

Filthy Fifty #6

Chet and I have a Wednesday morning ritual where we use his late start at school as an excuse to have breakfast together. Jitters makes the best hot chocolate.

With no school on this particular day it was a perfect time to go all out and have brunch with my teenage son as Filthy Fifty #6.

I wonder if there is something in the "Bro Code" making it OK to have brunch with your mom.

Filthy Fifty #7

It's no secret that we love winter here at The Garlick Press.

Each snowstorm just adds to our excitement.

But building Jocie a snowman at the cemetery (Filthy Fifty #7) just may be the highlight of this winter.

Following a Saturday morning ski trip up to the mountains (which explains our outfits no judgement please), we stopped for lunch at our favorite Herm's Inn and decided today was the day.

His name is Harv. We gathered accessories from some of the prizes that had been accumulating over winter by Jocie's headstone. Harv's mouth is a red velvet bow attached with flower picks.

I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by two guys (and a dog) who are willing to accommodate my last minute whims. Harv is perfect! I have a couple of big Filthy Fifty items coming up...stay tuned!

Sunday Afternoons in Winter

It's hard to even look at the next four photos...


and believe the days were so green and sunny and warm. Chet had an idea last summer and he needed his Dad's help with the execution of his awesome plan.


Born with the skiing gene in his DNA, the winter sport is always on The Teenager's mind...even in the heat of summer. He designed and built two rails to be used in the backyard as soon as the snow fell.

He decided to paint the rails in Rastafarian colors...because they're cool!

Chet even strapped on the skis and tried the small rail placed on the grass. Skiers can be ridiculously obsessive sometimes!

Fast forward to a snowy Sunday afternoon in February, Chet couldn't wait to try out the rails in the snow. The boys built a ramp to the first rail

then placed the second ramp a few feet away.

Kenya...aka the canine tornado..was happy for the outside company.

A few last minute details...


and he's off.

Nailed it!

Now I'm definitely not the girl who wants to miss out on the party, so I jump in my boots and join in the fun.

I have to admit it was pretty entertaining and a great diversion from making Sunday dinner. Please do not make fun of the sweat pants tucked into the boots.

Having skied on rails at the ski resorts,

Chet quickly shows us how to ride them correctly.

Skiing on a rail requires speed

and good balance.

And the ability to pick yourself up...

when you land

on your butt!

And that's how we spend a lazy snowy Sunday afternoon at The Garlick Press.

Boots

Boots...

cowboy boots.

Henry's cowboy boots.

These cowboy boots are  super special because they were Daddy Bob's cowboy boots when he was this age.

Henry's cowboys boots are great for climbing.

and make Henry smile.

Henry's cowboy boots make Henry's Grandma Christa smile too.

Because Henry's cowboy boots were a gift from a real cowboy. Great Grandpa Burt holding Daddy Bob in this photo, gave them to his toddler grandson many years ago. We love this photo, as it is terrific evidence that Henry really looks like his Daddy Bob.

Henry's cowboy boots look good with a hat.

if Henry could just figure out

how to keep this hat

on his head!

Henry what a cute little cowboy you are.

I think Grandpa Burt would be very happy to see you in those cowboy boots!

Engaged

Today was not just another ski day, this one included big plans.

Lindsay's brother Steve (wearing Dean's OLD ski suit from the 80's, but that's another post altogether) and Jordan would hold up the sign as the couple came to the top of the ski lift.

Lindsay's other brother Mike is capturing video with his helmet cam. About this moment in time, Lindsay realizes what the sign says.

 I'm not sure who told Alex to take off his helmet to propose or whether he was just calm and collected enough to think of it himself. Brilliant move though!

The custom of proposing on one knee goes back to the days of knighthood and chivalry. It was customary for a knight to dip his knee in a show of servitude and wait for his lady to toss him her ribbons as an indication of her favor.

But I say, it's just straight up classy!

 This is the part where she said yes or rather "Of course I will" is what I heard.

 Alex had been skiing all day with the ring in his pocket.

And despite the frosty weather...

 he didn't get cold feet all day.

 But can you blame him...with a girlfriend as beautiful as Lindsay.

With this first kiss..

 Lindsay and Alex are engaged!

 Young love, is there anything more thrilling and incredibly beautiful?

 Lindsay...completely unaware of what was going to take place today hadn't suspected a thing. It was a great plan, and Alex executed it with perfection.

There were a lot of kisses on top of Beaver Mountain. And I'm sure there are a zillion more to come. 

I loved how Lindsay kept looking down at her ring...as if pinching herself to see if it was real. 

You are engaged to be married Lindsay and Alex and you have my permission to shout your joy and happiness from the top of the mountain. Jump up and down if you want to. 

Today with the sun shining down on a mountain blanketed in snow surrounded by people who love them

 both on Earth and in heaven

 Lindsay and Alex started their new life together. Isn't this going to be a fun engagement story to tell?

I have just a few pointers for Alex now that he's going to be a member of this fabulous family...

be loud, ski super fast, embrace the crazy, and love each member of this family deeply; for these are some of my favorite people in the world.

In Jocie's absence, Lindsay is like another big sister to Chet...

my heart skipped a little when I saw the t-shirt he chose to wear this morning. Seeing such broad smiles on the people I love given the loss we have shared...lifts my soul!

Between the cold mountain air, and the magnitude of this moment, my eyes welled with tears. I'm so completely over the moon happy for Lindsay and Alex. Thank you for including us...it means the world!

Anyone else notice the heart that forms when these two hold hands...aww so cute! Apparently holding hands while skiing is more difficult than it looks.

But lucky for Alex I didn't post the photos of Lindsay knocking him down while trying.

CONGRATULATIONS you two, the best is yet to come!