{our christmas}

When my siblings and I were young, we spent every Friday night together. First, we ate dinner and then, for a most special dessert, we got to have frozen Hi-C's while watching TGIF and having a sleepover in the family room. 

Every time, without fail, we'd microwave the Hi-C and the aluminum on top would spark and possibly ignite a tad bit. 

It was bliss. One of my favorite memories with my siblings. 

I don't know if my family loves traditions more than most, since this is the only one I've ever been in, but I know we love them as much as is humanly possible. 

But as we've gotten older, we've had to become more flexible. We haven't opened Christmas gifts on Christmas Day in years, because we want to wait for my sisters. We moved and tried a new church and have some food allergies we are accommodating so meals have changed a bit. Things are a little different around here. 

And even though I'll always be a girl for tradition, there is something beautiful in making new ones. As it turns out, Christmas gifts on Jan. 26 make the 25th less about gifts and slow us all down. It makes it more about the holiday with our extended family and less about opening. And more about food :) 

This year, we took it further. On the morning of Dec. 26, we had hot chocolate on the stairs and watched the little kids open their gifts. 

And then that night we put them in bed early, went back upstairs, and waited for our parents to bring us a tray not of hot chocolate, but instead of beer and wine. Then we ran back down those stairs and opened our gifts. Grown up Christmas! 

It was lovely. 

I think sometimes we associate change with things falling apart. We cling to the past because we fear what will happen if we let it go. But, just as we can't get to spring if we don't first get through winter, we can't move forward if we don't let a few things go in our lives. 

This year taught me that, in a family as big as mine, we can't always know what's next. We can't hold onto the past for fear of the future. This year, we swapped hot chocolate for beer and wine, but who knows what next year will hold. Heck, maybe even Hi-C's? 

I can't wait to find out! 

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

christmas at our house!

Despite yesterday being in the 60s, it was Christmas at our house last night. 

Ever since we put up our tree, it's been feeling full and festive in our little house. But last night, any doubt was banished: it's Christmastime in the Highlands! 

We took a present to our neighbors, exchanged gifts and spent a good hour and a half trying to put together the trampoline Melly gave me. 

We laughed a lot. Mostly about our lack of hand strength and therefore lack of ability to put together the trampoline. We talked about how long we'll stay in Atlanta - and how long we'll stay in this house. 

It was happy.

I've been trying really hard not to let too much busy get to me this holiday season. Not rushing too much. Not worrying if my gifts don't look pretty (worst wrapper ever!). Not doing things I feel like I should do and instead embracing the right now; the holiday. 

Last night was the perfect way to capture it - we didn't do much besides open and laugh and trampoline assemble, but it was life-giving and fulfilling in the best way possible. I fell asleep easily and with a full heart; so grateful for my roommate, our house and this season. 

One week! 

what our christmas tree taught me

Last night Melissa and I went Christmas tree shopping and upon arriving, we immediately found the most Charlie Brown tree on the lot. So pitiful, in fact, that they gave us a discount on account of its missing backside. A bare-backed tree, for us, indeed!

(You can't tell in this picture because my camera was being jankity all night: the entire bottom front half is missing...)

I'll admit this sounds dramatic, but something about this tree tugged at my heart. Melissa was understandably tempted by the trees at Whole Foods next door - beautiful, full and already in the stand for only $20 more. But no, I wanted this little naked tree that wobbles in the stand its so skinny. 

We joked we were just doing some charity work - adopting the very last $20 tree on the lot. The lonely guy on the back wall that nobody wanted. 

But as we threw it on top of the car, I couldn't help but think of the way were all like that tree. We've got some holes. Some wobbly parts. Some branches that stick out the wrong direction. 

I think the holiday season so easily tempts us to get wrapped up in the image. The perfect tree. Perfect gifts for people you love. Perfect dinner parties. Perfect scheduling - some how managing to make it to every party. 

This week, as the Christmas season has really kicked off, I've felt a little stressed. By the parties I have to say no to and the gifts I've not yet purchased. But last night our tree reminded me that life isn't about checking everything off perfectly during the holiday season - or any season, for that matter. It's about slowing down and showing up. It's about being present instead of performing. 

And you know what happened to our tree? We wrapped it right up in lights and ornaments and love. And before we knew it, it looked perfectly full. And perfectly happy. 

done. done. done, done, done!

You know how some people listen to songs on repeat? This has been my relationship with Target's Done commercial this year. I can't stop watching it. It makes me so happy!

I made my friends watch it a few times last night. They thought I was pretty much crazy until the second glass of wine, at which point I promise I caught a few of them bouncing their knees along with me.

The check lists! The girl dancing in front of the tree! Oh man it gets me in the spirit!

confessions of a [non]DIYer

I like to think of myself as crafty. I don't, however, like to think of myself as someone who is in denial, and unfortunately, you can't have one without the other. Crafty I am not.

The real issue is that I have minimal patience for crafts. I'm interested in most projects for approximately 12.5 seconds, at which point I begin slopping it together so I can call it complete. It is one of the many, many traits I received from my mom and can be seen most clearly through the cabinet we repainted.

That being said, yesterday I made a Christmas ornament and was very [probably too] proud of the finished work.

We decoupaged styrofoam balls with cut up books, then added ribbon and a pearl pin (wha?).

Did I get panicked mid-project when my hands were covered in mod podge, which was also in my hair, and I realized the entire table was a mess? Absolutely. Did I attempt to pour the glue onto the styrofoam ball in order to speed up the process? Of course. And did I do a second one when everyone else did? Definitely not. But who needs a pair of ornaments when you have one happy little guy to hang on your tree?

I named the finished work Penelope and hung her on an aloe plant at work...

Now I can stare at her all day long, while I dream of aloe-ish months. Straight bliss, my friends!

empire state of mind

Last week I mentioned having a hard time remembering it's almost Christmas. Wellp! Problem officially solved. 

This weekend I went to New York to visit my friend Austin and am now 110 percent in the holiday spirit. The city is in such close quarters and every inch of it is decorated with Christmassyness.

Katie and I coordinated our travel plans, so we arrived from Chicago and Atlanta simultaneously Friday night. And although we weren't staying together, it felt very happy being there at the same time. We shared a cab into the city and I think the driver might have thought we were a little obnoxious and hyper, but I'm not even sorry about it because I just love being with her.

From the moment our planes landed, the weekend was a whirlwind. On Friday, Austin and I went out with Katie and Blake and some of his friends.

On Saturday, we went to brunch in SoHo, then to Chelsea Market and the High Line. Last time I was in New York, I decided Rockefeller Center was my favorite part, and this time around, it did not disappoint. The tree is ginormous! You could actually fit a million presents under it.

After that, we went to Traffic, which is an IU bar, to watch the game. It was so much fun being with a lot of familiar faces, especially since we won. Being in Atlanta, I sometimes forget that my friends in Chicago, NYC and Indy have the ability to see each other so regularly. I was loving it.

Finally, Saturday night, we went to dinner at the Breslin with Katie and Blake, Emily and Steven, and a few other friends.

On our walk home from dinner, I got to see the Shake Shack, which has been my obsession ever since I saw a documentary on it this spring. Although we didn't actually eat there, I felt pretty fulfilled just having seen it. Especially because the lights on it, although I think permanent, seemed holidayish. It was literally Christmas loving everywhere you looked.

My only regret is that I somehow forgot gloves and warm shoesies so my fingers and toes were slightly numb throughout the whole weekend. However, other than that minor misstep on my part, the trip was just perfect. Austin kept telling me it was "actually pretty warm" and I'm not sure which one of us is confused, here, but I'd say we can meet in the middle on the fact that it was warmer than Chicago, but colder than Atlanta. Here's to hoping for actual pretty warmness in Indiana later this week. And sun! Di!

Thanks, Austin, for a great weekend! I hope your weekend was wonderful, too! Less than one week!

My name is Whitney and I steal things from Courtney

But can you blame me? Look at these little cuties. They're so happy. If I could, I'd steal the kids, too.

Just kidding.

But not really.

via court's blog, via st. pauls

Ra ta ta holidaaa

Although I would never (ever) complain about warm weather, after years of winter starting as early as October, 70 and sunny in December is confusing my brain. I keep forgetting how close we are to Christmas! It's only 11 days away. Ra!

Thank goodness my friends were willing to get my in the spirit this week, with a pitch-in and ornament exchange at Melissa's.

I walked away with a super cute snowflake to hang on my tree and took the long way home to look for Christmas lights. The combination, plus Christmas music all day at work, helped remind me how close we are. Also, as soon as I head north, I'm pretty positive my brain will be quickly reminded of it. Di!

Bum bum bum

In two weeks, I shall see my seesters.

And I will love on them.

And my whole family.

And lots of my friends.

And it will be very happy.

Ta da!

(PS: Friday, people! Friday!)

image via

Bring your cheer!

I was going to blog tonight but accidentally turned on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and got distracted. Whoopsies.

So instead I'll just say that I'm rillly excited because, as you can see from yesterday's post, my family bought our tree this weekend. And in approximately six tiny days I get to put up another one in my brand new home! Although I'm a teensy sad to leave my happy apartment, I am so excited about my new roommate and the sparkly town lights we will have on our tree.

See you on the twinkly side!

image via

making a list and checking it twice

Wellp, November is here, Sam's birthday has passed, and, although I am not OK with people playing Christmas music or decorating this early (let's respect Thanksgobble), I am totally comfortable starting my Christmas list.

Anybody asking for something awesome? I'm not quite sure what I want to put on mine yet, but I think it's time to start perusing. I really don't have many ideas and Muff wants a list! Holler at a girl.

PS: I can always find inspiration here. Ah. Happy.

holidaze :)

After all this build up to Christmas, I should probably confess now that I'm likely going to be a very absentee blogger for the remainder of 2010.

I've got my sights set on time with my family, Christmas celebrations, and a sparkly start to 2011.  I'll try not to be completely negligent, but just in case... Merry Christmas! and a happy New Year :) I hope your final days of 2010 are filled with lots of love and happiness!

via from portland to peonies

and he huffed and he puffed...

I began to understand how the Grinch must have felt last night as I took my tree down, five days before Christmas.  That corner of my apartment looks so sad now.

Though, when I return after Christmas, I'll be very happy I don't have to do it.

Fortunately, my apartment is not looking completely like Whoville, because Jim and I made gingerbread houses this weekend.

We listened to Christmas music, ate tons of candy (that was more me than him), and talked as we built two happy little neighboring gingerbread homes.  I highly recommend the activity.

You'll notice there is a lot of snow on my house...

Sadly, Jim's house fell right as he put on the final piece. I must admit, though that before it collapsed, it was definitely better than mine.  You can tell by the roof detail...

Beware, it's kind of a messy project. But well worth it...

My bags are [almost] packed and I'm ready to go...

It's my first year flying home for Christmas, and no one warned me just how challenging it would be to pack...

A trip to New Hampshire
A trip to Indiana
Loads of presents to deliver
Christmas Eve service to dress for
Ski clothes required...

I can't quite figure out how to make it all fit!

But even if it means I'll be dressed wrong for a few occasions, I am beyond excited to be with everyone.

I just have to cram my puffy North Face jacket between Lily's Christmas gift and my sparkly flats.  I've got to look my best for all you fine people... :)

via the neotraditionalist

nine days!

see you soon family!

via the spoon sisters

Whimsical Wednesday {Spring into Christmas}

I realize I was just talking about my winter wonderland on Monday, but it's supposed to be nearly 60 degrees at the end of this week, and I've got a case of spring fever.

While I may have said the snow was making me feel Christmasy, the balmy weather certainly isn't dampering my spirits.  In fact, it has me dreaming of mixing my holiday traditions with my favorite spring activities...

1. What's springier than a bike ride? And what's holidayier than sending cards? These are perfect combination. Not to mention how much I love that Charlie Brown Christmas tree in the basket.

2. This nautical tote screams spring. And yet it's candy cane striped. How happy is that?

3. A hot cup of something might warm you up on winter day, but this drink makes my heart flutter. 

Ten more days!

what's Christmas without a tacky sweater?

Or, in our case, a button up, sweater vest, and strand of battery operated lights?

A very tacky Christmas, to you!

christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat...

I'll be the first to admit that I don't like winter. In fact, if I could avoid it altogether for the remainder of my life (minus the moments when I'm in the mood to drink hot chocolate and skif), I'd do it.

However, I also must admit that the cold weather and tiny flurries in Atlanta are putting me in the holiday spirit a whole extra lot.

Only 12 days to go! I cannot wait!

images via From Portland to Peonies and My Winter Wonderland

puzzling

There are about one million amazing things I could tell you about all of my grandparents. 

But, two things that will always stand out about my gram are (1) she loved doing cross word puzzles - so much that I really wanted to buy her the Largest Crossword Puzzle from SkyMall in sixth grade - and (2) she loved her hot toddies.

For those reasons, I firmly believe she would have loved these crossword coasters. Toddy + word puzzle + a conversation piece. What more could you want?

brr.

It's very, very cold here.  I know just what I need to warm my heart...

I must admit that although I don't prefer the cold weather, it is certainly a reminder that it is, in fact, December. It suddenly feels a lot more like Christmas!

via apartment 34