Dear Santa

I know you won't be stopping by the Homburg household tonight and I'm totally okay with that. I don't need anything under the tree this year. I've waited years for my very special gift, so I'm happy to wait six more months.

Just remember, this time next year there will be one more stocking on our mantle.

Mission Accomplished

Nothing was set on fire, the cookies are all edible, and my kitchen may permanently smell of peppermint.

I think that makes Bake-a-palooza 2008 a rousing success!


I am so thankful for these girls and their friendship. Here's to many more adventures in 2009. I know it's going to be a big year for all of us!

Counting Down

Just about a year ago, December 15th to be exact, Barb and I started an annual tradition. We called it Bake-a-palooza, and it involved eight hours of non stop baking, candy making, and general holiday fun.



Tomorrow, that tradition continues, but this time with the addition of two more of my favorite people. Em and Josie are coming up from Chicago to hang at Chez Homburg. It's been way too long since we've all been together...August to be exact when we gathered in Milwaukee for Josie's birthday.

This time around we've got quite a list of things to do ahead of us. In addition to getting a better photo of all four of us, we've got new recipes to try, old favorites to repeat, and at least one cookie we'll pass on this year after the great flop of 07

(RIP Spritz cookies. We will not make you again. )

More on this year's adventures on Sunday!

SEC Forever

I live in Wisconsin, where it sometimes snows in October, and asking for sweet tea is met with a blank stare. I don't have a Sonic, or a Chick-fil-a, and I cannot buy my groceries at Publix (where shopping is a pleasure).

But no matter how long I live "up north," I will forever be an SEC girl. Nobody does college football like the schools of the South Eastern Conference. (Sorry, Em. I'm sure you disagree). There's just something about the history, the rivalries, the school pride.

As I sit here watching the SEC championship game, cheering on my Florida Gators, I can't help but think back to my Gainesville days. I remember moving into my first apartment in Gainesville on a 100 degree day in June. I remember getting drenched while walking across campus in a summer storm. I remember the first time I walked into The Swamp (the stadium, not to be confused with the bar across the street that bears the same name). I remember wearing sweatshirts and peacoats when the weather turned colder (back when cold was 50 and freezing was 40!). I remember packing my life into a Uhaul just a few days after graduation to begin my life as a tv news producer in Knoxville, TN.

I've never lived among Florida fans since I left Gainesville in May of 2001. I spent my 3 years in Knoxville trash talking with all of my Rocky Top friends. Then I moved to the U.P. of Michigan where they were obsessed with this sport called Hockey. And now I live in Northeast Wisconsin where the majority bleeds green and gold. But I still cheer, watching every Florida football and basketball game I can up here. Karl looks at me funny when I scream at the tv and he laughs when I dance around after a touchdown. He tries to support the Gators, but it's just not the same.

My life as a solo Gator fan ends in 6 months. Monkey has no choice. He will be raised a Gator fan from day one. He will learn to respect the SEC. And someday, I hope he makes his home in Gainesville. Hey, maybe he'll want to play football. :)