It somehow feels earlier when you are waking up for work, despite the fact I woke up around the same time the last three days. As my alarm went off this morning, it felt like the little bubble around us was bursting. Most of you had to head back to work yesterday, and I am sure some of you felt the same way. Yes?
I took an extra day off yesterday, for which I am so thankful, since I had to work Christmas Eve day. Bailey was so happy to see us when we arrived home. I have a little video to post later.
Since I am feeling like a woman of few words today, I thought I would share these... I love these sweet little signs with their lovely little messages. I saw them at World Market when I was Christmas Shopping. Which one is your favorite? I am leaning toward the second one.
What did you get for Christmas? The Mr. and I wrapped up the camera we purchased and opened it together. Because of our big purchase we decided we were just going to exchange stockings this year, and the Mr. outdid himself. He also totally cheated because nothing fit in my stocking. Among my favorite stocking stuffers were a few "how to" books about our new camera, a blogging book {maybe soon you'll notice it will get drastically better} a vintage red bird ornament, and vintage arrows. In addition to gifts from the Mr, my parents added to the very rustic, western themed Christmas I seemed to have...
{Christmas Eve mass}
{Santa came!}
{for the Mr... via world market}
{sweet little vintage bird from the husband}
{vintage arrows from the Mr. and sheepskin rug from my parents}
{newest addition to my Minnetonka moccasin collection}
{vintage deer via Etsy, also from my parents... to remind us of this day}
I'm always a bit sad when Christmas is over. It is my favorite time of the year. The Mr. asked me today when I was going to take down the Christmas tree. We were both talking about how we feel like I just put it up! I received two new nutcrackers from my parents, a welcome addition to my growing collection; I put them both out with the rest...to enjoy them for one last week. It's probably silly to collect something I only get to enjoy 1 month out of the year, but I do love them so.
I hope you all had a wonderful, magical Christmas. I'll be sharing a few details of ours tomorrow, or perhaps Wednesday. But for today, since we are still at home enjoying time with family, I leave you with this: my second guest post {Men's Style in 2011} for my talented friend, Graham Nolan, via his witty blog, Cool Kids Table. GN added the links to a few funny videos within the post. Because GN is funny. I can not take credit for the funny.
As I was loading up my car this morning, headed home for my first Christmas as a Mrs, I thought of this moment: The Mr rented a little cabin for our 1-year dating anniversary. It was a lovely surprise. The moment captured below is one of my favorite moments ever.
Wishing you all a warm and cozy Christmas, surrounded by those you love the most.
Today I have to work, but only until 2pm...then I make the 1 hour and 30 minute-ish drive to my home-town; Straight to church for me! I hope my family saves me a seat. Hey husband, save me a seat.
This sunny Christmas Eve morning I am especially glad for the following:
{an antique ornament chandalier at our favorite antique shop}
Today, you should head on over to my good friend Graham's blog, Cool Kids Table. I was so honored he asked me to write a guest blog post. You should go there to read it, and then continue readying his blog from this day forward. Because it's cool.
You know that feeling when you are so tired you feel nauseous... today that is me. I stayed up way too late wrapping presents, packing my suitcase, and other mundane things I needed to do before Saturday. You see, last night was my last night to get anything done before Christmas. I work the next two days...*sad face*... and I have been feeling a bit Grinch-like these last few days trying to get everything done in my short little evenings after I arrive home. As the Mr. told me last night, "If something doesn't get done, what is the worst that can happen?" I need reminded of that constantly. Tonight I have our annual girl's night; Each Christmas when everyone is home for the the holiday we get together. I am so looking forward to it, and I know it will inject me with that Christmas Spirit I am lacking right now.
Below is this year's picture of my friend N's dog, Daisy. Isn't is great? I showed you last year's pic here.
When I sat down to write this post, I thought of all the amazing photos I wish I could share. Unfortunately most of my favorite old photos are at home in my parents' albums {except for these few below, and this}. Those favorites include, but are not limited to, the following: both of us wearing my Mom's fabulous 70's boots that came up to our thighs, with my Dad's hats and hunting vests... the perfectly timed photo right after I pushed her down in the kiddie pool... building snow forts... holding hands while we watched a parade... wading into Lake Erie with my Dad, jeans rolled up to his knees...
We were the very best of friends and that has only grown stronger with our old age. We are getting so old, sister!
My Mr and my sister are like peas in a pod. It makes me love him even more to know he loves her like she was his own. I love how close they are... until they gang up on me, which tends to happen frequently now that I think of it...*Ahem*
We like to be silly and do senior pictures poses in front of the tree on Christmas Eve...
{circa 2010 and 2008?}
I could go on and on about how amazing she is... the fabulous food she cooks, how funny she is, how when she laughs it makes you laugh, how she is the most generous person I know... how much she has been there for me over the years, like my rock... her beautiful eyes, big smile, and bigger heart. I could go on and on, but I won't. Because sister doesn't like it when I'm mushy. She does love it when I throw myself at her, hug her and won't let go. Right, Kate?
My birthday post has to end with this. Can you believe they still make these, sis? I didn't have time to order the cd, so just imagine he is saying, KATIE! {We need to find that old record}
I love you so very much, K. I am the luckiest little sister in the world.
Over the last five years, Sunday has become my favorite day of the week, but Saturday held that spot for the previous 27 years. I loved Saturday because there was still one more day off that followed! Typically my Sunday evenings were spent dreading going to school or work the next day; however, managing a boutique and working frequent Saturdays sort of makes them lose their appeal. So... Sunday it is. Lovely Sunday. The store is closed and it's the one day of the week I always have off.
This particular Sunday, my mother-in-law and father-in-law {M & B} came to spend the afternoon with us.
We went to lunch at Tip Top. Tip Top is yet another brain child of Liz Lessner, the creator of most of our favorite places... Surly Girl, Dirty Franks and Jury Room {recently talked about here}. We ordered the Ohio Nachos {potato chips with all of the fixings}. On a scale of 1 - 10 {10 being the most spicy} how would you order a bloody mary? Well, M ordered an 8 and I over-estimated myself a bit by ordering a 7. The husband had a cowbell {beer with a little bloody mary mix}and B had a whiskey drink because he is a whiskey man.
