Barely.
The blog, that is. Me? I am very much all the way alive.
You may or may not have noticed that there hasn’t been a post here since November 1. Frankly, I got really sick of myself and the blah, blah, blah posts. I decided to take a break (sorry I didn’t do a better job of letting you all in on my plans… it’s just that I didn’t actually plan it, so much as stumble around in it).
And what a break it was. Here are some of the things I’ve learned since November 1, presented along with low-quality photos (as in photo quality, not subject matter):
:: There is nothing sweeter than living in real time with real, three-dimensional people.
These are my two favorite 3-D people, making gingerbread men for Santa.
:: I can go a whole day, a whole week, and nearly an entire month without tweeting. Guess what? Twitter is still there. And I am still here.
And still being here is particularly nice at Christmas, I think.
:: I can make cake balls. But not with any sort of skill. Or without testing half a dozen or so in the process. I may have cured my desire for cake, at least in its ball form.
I made 12 dozen of these babies.
:: If you plan ahead and assemble small bicycles, configure new computers, and put the batteries in remote control cars during the week of December 19, Christmas Eve is a lot more fun.
A note from Santa explained that this is a family gift, but a certain 5-year-old still kind of thinks it's his...
:: I like to cook. I know, right? Crazy talk. I’m particularly fond of recipes from this woman.
How gorgeous is this brine? You should have seen the turkey it made, but you can't because I forgot to take a picture...
:: Some Pinterest projects work out.
I found this centerpiece idea on Pinterest, and tried to pass it off as my own idea. Everyone who knows me knows better than that, though.
:: Some don’t.
As they say on Pinterest: Nailed It.
:: I’m a Haiku Master. Or, more accurately: I Wrote One Haiku and Now It’s A Christmas Tradition (prepare yourselves, family).
For my family's Tacky Christmas Attire exchange.
:: Say what you will, but I love our Elf on The Shelf. A little creepy? Yes. But we had fun with him this year.
The kids didn't want to drink green milk...
:: Getting mugged is not so bad after all. In fact, it’s downright tasty.
Thanks, Meg, for my @Members_Lounge mug (and candy and hot chocolate!) #MugSwap2011
:: And finally, I learned that yes, real life comes first, always. But writing this blog still makes my heart sing. I have a soft spot for my blogging friends, for everyone who drops by to read, and for the free therapy that comes with writing it all down.
So. Happy New Year to you all. I am – finally, really, honestly – working with the fabulous Jen on a face lift for Wonder, Friend. Some minor changes in content are coming, too. It took me some time to figure out how to move forward with this blog, but I think I have it settled. For now. I look forward to sharing it all with you soon.
I also look forward to catching up with you. Let’s start here…
I wonder…
:: What did you learn in 2011?
Lapsed homemaker. Looking to hire a full-time housekeeper who will work for the sheer joy of a job well done and free coffee. Interested parties, DM please. 
You are doing it right by living life first. Well done! I sure like what you’ve been up to, and I’m so glad your Christmas was wonderful!
@Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell, Hope you’ve had a great holiday season, too! Will you be at Blissdom??
I learned that in 2012, I want to be you. Minus the green milk.
Nicely done. And yes. We’re still here.
XO
@julie gardner, Julie, it is so good to hear from you! Headed over to stalk your blog for a couple hours and get caught up. Happy New Year!
I just came on here yesterday wondering where you were and even tweeted Christina to see what was up. Glad you were just busy living life…as we all should. 🙂 happy new year!
@gigi, Gigi! I miss you! Email coming your way.
Cake pops?!?! I want some! Are they that hard to make? Someone told me over Christmas that you just mixed a crumbled up, baked cake with frosting to form the balls?
@liz, That’s basically it. It’s not HARD, but it’s time consuming (bake a cake one day, roll the balls the next, freeze or refrigerate for a while and then cover with chocolate… lots of little steps). I stink at the chocolate covering. There’s a reason I don’t bake often – that attention to detail is not my thing.
Yea! Glad to see you are well and happy to see a new post up here too! I’ve been wondering 🙂 if you would be back. I have been slightly “post-less” during the month of December at my personal blog. But ALWAYS read through my other blogs on my Google Reader and have missed your posts! Happy New Year!
Welcome back!
@Kate F., Happy New Year to you, too, Kate! It’s so nice to take a blog break around the holidays, but I’m glad to be back and look forward to catching up on your blog, too!
Glad to see you are busy just living life. Enjoy yourself. Am looking forward to seeing more of your posts in the upcoming year. Happy New Year to you and yours.
@Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri, Thank you Rudri! Good to hear from you, too. I need to head over and catch up on your blog – I’ve missed reading it! Happy New Year!
Well, I’m glad your back! I missed you. I’ve scaled back the blog writing lately too – I enjoy it more if I only write when I have something to say.
I’m glad you had a lovely break (but don’t do it again). 🙂
@Amber, Amber – that’s too funny. I was over catching up on your blog and your comment popped up over here. Love it.
I’m with you on writing when you have something to say. I resolved that I’m going to enjoy blogging and stop making it a job (because it’s NOT my job!). It’s much better this way.
Love the new look at your place. I’m working on a refresh over here, too, and can’t wait to get it all spiffed up. 😉