Work

It isn't very exciting around here right now, because classes started back up on Monday, so we're very busy at work with things that aren't too exciting to photograph. So Ipo is hanging out on my desk, watching me work, for the most part.

We have some fun and photographable things coming up during the next few days, though!

3D Printing

We have a 3D printer in our library now, and I went to training to learn how to use it. We made nameplates for ourselves:

It was super fun to design and learn and watch the printer make things! We'll probably be doing more of this in the future so we know how to help patrons once it's available to the public.

New Year's Eve (and Christmas Decorations)

Every year, we make a big fondue dinner for our friends for New Year's Eve. It works out nicely because fondue can drag out and keeps us busy until midnight!

I got fancy this year and folded napkins, with Ipo's help.

The table, set and ready to go. Ipo is doing his finest imitation of fondue.

The rest of the night gets insanely busy, what with chopping up fruits and vegetables, melting cheese and chocolate, switching out cheese for meat for chocolate and then making sure everyone has champagne before midnight, so there aren't any other photos, but it was a lovely time for all.

In other news, I was sick for about a week up to Christmas (Ipo makes a wonderful nurse, by the way) so I don't have many photos of what we got up to around then, but I do have him posing with our Christmas decorations:

I only have two Christmas houses: my grandmother's library (left) and a bookshop my Dad got for me.

The Santa hat is a little too big for Ipo.

My husband ordered this beautiful necklace from PhoenixFireDesigns, fellow LV swapper!

So, very belated merry Christmas, and only slightly belated happy new year!

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah!

My favorite day of the entire year is whichever day we have Hanukkah dinner with my in-laws. Brisket and latkes and a poor re-telling of the story of Hanukkah that always gets derailed hilariously... what's not to love?

Mmm, brisket! With sweet potato, prunes, some other delicious stuff.

Keeping a safe distance while my husband and father-in-law perform their latke-making magic.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We do two meals in one day for Thanksgiving: my family in the afternoon and the in-laws in the evening. Which means we're as stuffed as the turkey by the end of the day!

For the first time ever, my family asked if I wanted to make/bring something.
We made roasted carrots...

...and brown sugar cookies! Recipe here on my food blog.

Sister-in-law made a delicious punch with pretty cranberries in it!

Leftovers! Why yes, I put cookies on top of my dressing. Don't you?

Ipo makes a friend while waiting for dinner.

The beautiful table... can you find Ipo?

Christmas at the Mall

We just took a little trip to the mall right around the corner to grab some lunch and an Angel from the Angel Tree (long-standing tradition) and had to see the new Christmas tree in the newly-renovated mall!

Welcome to Virginia

Sure, Ipo's already been in Virginia for a little while now, but he got a proper welcome at a Welcome Center (aka, a rest area) on I-64 on our way home from the conference. I can't tell you how many Little Visitors have been to this Welcome Center with me and got no photos, so I was proud of myself for remembering this one, even though it was getting dark and the photos aren't the best.

Virginia is for Lovers!

Virginia bench!

Sure, this is on the front of a trash can, but I had been driving
with nobody but Ipo for company for about 3 hours at this point.
I was amused.

Bonus photo: We stopped and had lunch with my friend Cassy
(who I believe has had a photo with every one of my LVs so far)