UPON ARRIVAL + YET ANOTHER DEPARTURE

After a rainy drive home on Tuesday evening...

...Bailey was very happy to see us.

We are headed to our hometown again this weekend for NYE. 

The Mr's side of the family is having Christmas Saturday.

We are so excited to see A + M and our beautiful niece, Zoey.

{Miss Zoey}

UNTIL NEXT YEAR...

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}

 (fringe bag via Urban Outfitters}

{faux fur blanket via World Market, seen here}

 {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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!

Love, 

M + I  and Bailey, too

{vintage card via pinterest}

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE

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.

THE GLAD GAME {CHRISTMAS EDITION}

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}

{brown paper packages tied up with string. all loaded in my car}

 

 {this creamer my mom told me about that I found on clearance at Target. 

It's 35 calories per tablespoon and I probably added 5 tablespoons to my coffee this morning... oops}

 {our precious kitty, bailey, who I teared up *petting good-bye to this morning. 

yes, I did and I'm not embarrassed.}

 {annual Christmas gathering with the girls last night. yummy food...}

{...good wine, and the best company ever. I love you, girls}

*petting good-bye is sort of like hugging good-bye. you can't really hug a cat.

GUEST POST DAY

Happy Friday!

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.

BROWN PAPER PACKAGES TIED UP WITH STRINGS...

Does it still count as Wednesday's post if it's 11pm? I hope so! Today I arrived home to a package at our front door... my bakers twine {I just learned what it was called}! This year I am wrapping our packages something like this...

I already owned the kraft paper, but I needed the string. I found a great deal on it from Whisker Graphics. Not only was the price for the entire spool just $15, but shipping was only $3! They sent the cutest little "thank you" pouch wrapped with bonus string in all colors, and it was filled with six adorable tree stickers.

and now because I know it's going to be stuck in your heads as it is mine, below are the lyrics to aid you...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

BE MERRY.

We stayed in a lot this weekend. For some reason staying in during this season somehow seems a little bit cozier and nice. I feel a little less guilty for being a hermit. I chalk it all up to the tree. I decided to make my own burlap flag banner for the wreath we hung on the front door. It was a sad little wreath that needed something. My friend showed me the banners here and I decided to give it my best shot.

What do you think? I was really happy with how it turned out. Next time I would just glue the flags over the twine instead of sewing them! My hand was cramping up by the end. Thankfully I had wine to ease the pain.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE

This year I didn't feel like unwrapping each of our ornaments out of their little boxes. I wanted to do something new, simpler, and old fashioned. I would love to use antique glass balls, but Bailey the cat would probably break a few by Christmas. He does love to bat at the ornaments hanging from tree. I decided to use pine cones; luckily I found a set of pine cone ornaments at Target so it saved me having to make them (they came in a pack of 8). I dry-brushed half of the pine cones with white paint. Then I added white snowflakes and red wood bead garland (also from Target)! If you have a bigger tree decorating budget than we did, West Elm has wool red ball garland that I have seen in person and love. Sigh...how I love you, West Elm. Why must you be so expensive? I digress; below is the finished product and I love our new tree (so does Bailey)! How do you decorate your tree?

Last night we stayed in and watched movies with no lights on except the tree. Is there anything better? I also made a burlap banner for our wreath on the front door. Here is a little sneak peek! More to come Monday.

{ps. that is an aveda holiday candle we have burning... they are SO good.}