It’s the first Bliss Bits of 2017, and it’s a doozy! We are certainly, um, easing into 2017 over here. For example, George the Christmas Tree is still up and fully dressed. But it’s ok! Remember, I said I was going to go easier on myself this year. I won’t pretend the end of 2016 was easy, but that doesn’t mean there were less of the little joyful moments I gather for these posts. In fact, peeling through my photos from the last month made me remember a lot of happy things I would have already forgotten about. It’s easy to let those moments slide by without noticing, particularly in times of struggle or stress. And that’s the intention of Bliss Bits…to remind myself to enjoy the smiley bits and pieces that help balance out the rough parts. What a privilege it is just to be alive! Plus, it’s always a little sad to dismantle the tree after the holidays… a few more days of twinkly lights won’t hurt anyone.
Take a peek at what had me giggling or thankful during the last month!
What a fun age Oden is right now! He’s learning so much every day.
My family.
Wintertime comfort food is the best! Enchiladas for the win.
Out with the old! I purged my bathroom drawers and cabinets. Whoa.
We had our hot tub serviced! The view has gone from this…
…to this. Brrr!
Extreme jealousy of my dog at this moment.
That booty! I’m chasing it around these days!
I joined a friend for her birthday spin class, followed by glasses of bubbly!
2017 mantra.
Amanda sent me this photo from the beach. Because they can go to the beach in December. Sigh.
My hikes are fewer and far between with her, but they are still happening!
The only good part about a serious back injury was all of the attention from Cholula.
My first chiropractor visit was crazy! It helped, though!
Thankful for our wonderful nanny, Tere- especially while I was down for the count!
Another babysitter we hired to help during that time organized all of Oden’s too-small clothes!
Attention hog.
Sweet holiday treats from neighbors and friends. I ate three of the four cupcakes myself.
Cocktails made with satsumas from our friends’ farm. Sunshine in wintertime!
I scoff at you…
Heading home with the goods to make REAL eggnog!
I took some to share with some girls en route to dinner one night.
Multi-tasking while baby naps. How do I find more hours in the day?!
RIP George.
Festive.
Oden’s first Christmas gifts from Tere, who knit that hat!
JOY!
It’s not easy to get a family portrait with an infant. I’ll take it!
Each ornament is special.
Christmas eve selfie!
John took Cholula skiing on Christmas, which is also his birthday.
Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for Oden’s Christmas outfit! The Santa booty kills me!
Incredible homemade multi-tier ice cream cake for the birthday boy.
Pardon the midriff.
Steak sandwiches made with John’s birthday tenderloin! YUM.
We had our Christmas with each other a few days late.
Cholula is part of the action, always!
Naps are a gift from Heaven.
A hike in 12-degree weather.
A rare moment of Me Time. A goal this year is to be better at self-care.
FYI: Oden has 9 teeth and is part termite.
Major pouting on a day without a hike.
There’s something awesome about the first non-holiday-ish meal! Curry chicken.
Recent view from the living room window.
YES, please. More of this.
This kid has a smile on his face all the time. Bundled up for a New Year’s snow walk!
Cute baby shoes that he kicked off within three minutes.
Ramen and Korean street tacos on New Year’s Day.
Their relationship is awesome to watch develop!
I turned 42 on the second day of 2017. I got these beautiful flowers!
Oh, the things you see in Park City shop windows…
A random moment with the owl from Harry Potter before my birthday date night.
Sticky toffee pudding and a wish I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.
Tere made me her famous flan for my birthday! SO good.
A walk in a winter wonderland with my buddy.
This photo simultaneously makes me proud and scared. That face!!
A couple of cookbook gifts I gave to John!
Poor cold little bird!
So, I figured out that if I give Oden the remote, he’ll snuggle with me for a few minutes…
I did not buy this even though it was on close-out.
His favorite book is still the one with Auntie’s voice.
The best part about Oden’s first cold is that it took 10 whole months to happen.
Oden joined Mama in The Wok and it was awesome!
Rough life!
Little and big.
Sleepy wake-up face.
Snow day tomato-fennel soup with grilled cheeses!
I organized and cleaned out the Tupperware drawer and IT FEELS SO GOOD.
A typical lunch for Big O. Fruits, veggies, finger foods, and prunes!
He LOVES his sippy cup.
Big Apple pizza is the best in town!
Should have gone bigger…
THIS IS REAL.
These three each make my life challenging and wonderful in their own ways!
Mexican stuffed sweet potatoes! Working my way back into regular time in the kitchen.
One year ago, there was a party to celebrate Oden’s impending arrival. I loved that belly!
Two years ago, I was hiking in a LOT of snow with Cholula!
Three years ago, we spent New Year’s Day hiking at Sundance Resort.
Four years ago, we went to the Rose Bowl with Spencer and Nancy!
Five years ago, I got engaged to this mountain man on my birthday at Sundance.
Six years ago, the road to Sundance looked like this!
And this morning, the snow hasn’t stopped…
You know. Just the usual bliss.
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the usual bliss 
Rose Bowl! 🙂 I actually could have gone with Spencer this year, but I was like ‘meh, been there, done that.” haha!
Happy New Year, Happy Birthday, and I just wanted you to know how happy your posts make me! Even though I do not personally know you, you exhibit so much happiness and sunshine with your pictures, your family and of course Cholula! I love to read each post you send out! The short video of Oden and Cholula melted my heart! They will be the best of buds!! Thank you for being you and sharing your life, making us feel like we are a part of your family! The world could use more people like you in it!
Such lovely bits of bliss! You know anytime I see sticky toffee pudding on a menu I have to order it, no matter how full I am.