Here's to the Holidays!!
Ok, ok...I know I'm way behind on my Thanksgiving posts, and now that Christmas has passed, I've decided to lump my updates into one, huge post with tons of pictures! Ruben and I are so blessed to live in a city, have wonderful jobs and friends. So, we decided to host a "Thankful for Friends Wine Exchange" at our house the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
We provided the food, and asked our friends to bring some wine to share. It was so much fun, and we were thrilled to have our good friends with us to create some new memories!
First, everyone had to pick their glass for the evening. Ruben had shopped almost every thrift store in Chicago to find multiple wine glasses for our party. They were different shapes and sizes, some were more decorative than others. It was fascinating to see which glass each person chose.
There were tons of laughs and good times! A party that I know we will be hosting again!!
Ruben and I usually do Thanksgiving for just the two of us, but this year we had a few friends who were in town, so we decided to invite them to join us and ended up with 5 friends coming over for dinner!
Ruben and I cooked, and with some extra dishes from our friends, we had a feast!
Ruben prepared the turkey. :)
It was the best turkey I have ever eaten!
First he rubbed the outer skin and meat with a Hispanic seasoning called Sazon. It's bright orange!
He then stuffed sprigs of rosemary and slices of tangerines between the skin and the meat, and then stuffed the inside of the turkey with strips of bacon, which formed a seal over the cavity and kept all the juices and flavors in!
I was in charge of side dishes and a dessert.
Ruben and I got the opportunity to Skype with my family in West Texas before our friends came over for dinner. Skype is a lovely way to touch base with family on holidays when we have to be apart! I was so proud of my cousin Heather and her husband Isaac, who hosted their first Thanksgiving in their new home!
Our friends Jessica, Justin and Sarah came over around 5pm. Jessica prepared a ham, cornbread stuffing and a pumpkin pie. Sarah brought over a bottle of wine and some rolls.
Right before dinner Ruben's friend Dario came over with his girlfriend Paulina, and the seven of us were ready to eat!
Ruben brought in the turkey!!
A wonderful meal with wonderful friends!!
Later that evening Jessica and Ruben serenaded the group with some bass & violin duets!
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Ruben started out his Holiday Concert season the first weekend in December! He performed with this great chamber orchestra called The Lira Ensemble. They performed a Polish Christmas concert downtown at Orchestra Hall!
Ruben and fellow bassist, Aaron, did great!
I was so glad to have my best friend, Sarah O there with me to enjoy the 2 hr and 40 min concert of Polish Christmas tunes! It was quite an experience!
The first weekend in December also brought the Benton House Community Center's Annual Tree Give-a-way! Unfortunately, we were not able to make it to the event, but were thrilled to learn that there was one left over for us to use!
So, after that exhausting concert, Ruben and I head home to drop off the bass, then went to the Benton House to get our 2011 Christmas Tree!!
Here's Ruben doing his part by setting up the tree, and getting it ready to decorate. :)
The following weekend, I decorated the tree, then attended the Wicker Park Choral Singers concert where my friends, Tim and Joan perform. It was a wonderful concert!! Full of amazing a capella music and singers!
Unfortunately, when I got home, this is what I found!!
I've never had a tree down before, and it was really upsetting.
A few bulbs and ornaments were broken, it left a big mess, and the tree was lopsided in its stand. I used a chair to prop up the tree until Ruben got home to help me fix it!
By the next day, it was all fixed, sturdy and looking beautiful!
Then came the Holiday party's. I feel so loved! I was invited to 6 Holiday parties, but was only able to make it to 3 of them!
Here's a pic of the Annual Wardrobe Christmas Party! These ladies throw a lovely party, and I always have fun!
Lyric has an annual Staff Holiday Party, and I love that one too! I work with some amazing people!
Then, I got a call from an old college pal of mine from Texas Tech, Leigh Anne. She and her husband were visiting another college pal, Alex, and wanted to invite me to join them for brunch. It was such a treat meeting Leigh Anne's husband, and catching up with some friends that I performed with at Tech. 
This month, Ruben performed at least 6 different Holiday Concerts. This is a picture of the last performance right before Christmas. I'm so proud of him!
We started our Christmas celebration a little early this year on December 23. We decided that we would make some homemade pizzas, and exchange one gift.
I was so excited to get this awesome addition to my Snow Village collection! It's a British Castle, and it's quite a set up!!
Christmas Eve was a wonderful night. We felt so blessed as we looked at all the gifts under the tree for us!
This month we learned that Ruben has been invited to audition for a full-time symphonic gig with the San Antonio Symphony on January 23rd. So, Ruben has been VERY diligent and practicing hard. Not even taking a night off for Christmas. He's amazing!!
After he practiced, Ruben prepared our Christmas Eve dinner.
He made a delicious stuffed pork tenderloin.
I helped by making some tasty sweet potato latke's.
It turned out to be a wondeful meal!!
I also baked an amazing cake with pumpkin, cranberries, pecans and with a maple frosting. I was thrilled out it turned out!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
I feel so blessed to share my life with this wonderful man!!
After dinner, Ruben and I opened our presents. He's opening a gift from Heather and Isaac. They got us a Keurig Coffee and Tea maker!
I gave Ruben some nice Bass Clef cuff links. :)
Ruben also gave me 2 other additions to my Snow Village! Here's a pic of the gas station!!
Ruben was excited to get some new boxing mitts from me!! I'm looking forward to working out with them, too! The old pair, were just that; OLD! :)
Christmas morning brought stockings and brunch.
The dogs were excited to get their new scarfs that I made them! They look so cute!!
For brunch I made waffles and egg, bacon, parsley and cheese pastry cups. All turned out delicious, if I do say so myself!
The rest of the day was quiet, but fun as we played with our new toys and devices. Here I am, excited to get the Apple TV hooked up with our new Netflix account! Thanks Uncle Mark, and Aunt Sissy!!
An absolutely perfect Christmas!!
The New Year is just a few days away! This weekend both Ruben and I are working. Ruben is ringing in the new year by performing 2 concerts in one day, and I will be assisting a wedding downtown.
I believe that 2012 will hold some amazing opportunities for Ruben and I and I'm excited to see what's in store!
