We all have that one friend who is just a little extra. Let them shine as brightly and glittery as they want--their light is why you keep them around, after all!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
christmas traditions
I'm the first to admit that I am a bit holiday-obsessed. Holiday-season is my favorite time of year. Since I met Ted, this season has stretched to start as early as October 8th (our anniversary) instead of October 31st. Anniversary, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day, my birthday, Easter. Yep--half of the year, I'm pretty stoked on holidays, and I like it that way. My favorite thing about holidays are the traditions. Christmas has the most traditions, thus making it my #1 holiday.
Friends Christmas Brunch
Since 2009, my friends and I have had an annual brunch, hosted by me and Erin. The past two years we've had it at Erin's lovely home she shares with her sister. (Aren't we grown-up or what?) After last year's latke success (I made them for the first time after being inspired by Ted's), we have kept the new tradition alive this year. I was especially proud of my fancy spinach & feta latkes. It is such a lovely time catching up with old friends. I feel very lucky we can all get together during the holidays.
Christmas Eve
We go to mass at our church or my grandma's church, depending on the year. This year we went to our little pink church (yeah, it's pink). Afterwards we head over to my aunt's house to have a delicious meal, complete with homemade eggnog and a big rice-crispie wreath studded with M&M's. We do a white elephant game with $10 gift cards, which is always funny. This year I had to choose first, which is the worst number, but I ended up with Starbucks, so all is well. When we open the presents, the kids all open one at the same time, and the adults open their secret santa gifts. This year my relatives were super sweet and generous and gave me pounds for my upcoming London adventure. I'm so grateful for their support in everything I do, especially when I'm the oddball in the family who went out-of-state for college and am now going abroad for five months.
Christmas Day
When my dad has to work on Christmas day, we wake up super early to open presents so he can leave for work around 7 or so. Later in the day we go visit him at the fire station, where A Christmas Story is on loop. Luckily, this year we had him all day! Once he got home from work around 8, we opened presents and stockings. Everyone got what they wanted. Me--lots of stuff for London (including a new camera!), cute new additions to my room, and an REI giftcard (Portland has officially had an influence on me, because this was very exciting). Kendal--One Direction tickets. Enough said. Izzy--a new bed. My parents--they didn't get much for each other this year because they're coming to visit me in London, but they did love the personalized cutting board I gave them!
It was weird this year, because due to my stressful semester and not arriving home until two days before Christmas, I didn't make any of my gifts this year. It's probably the first year I've done this. However, I still had just as much fun finding the perfect gifts that showed my family how appreciative I am of their love and support. I also enjoyed being able to support independent artists during the holiday season.
For Christmas brunch, we usually have quiche or blueberry french toast. This year was the french toast with some chicken sausages. We always have almond champagne and sparkling cider. Throughout the day, I also have a good time breaking into the multiple homemade treats lying around from my mom's students. There's also the tamales my mom orders from a local lady each year...
And then we watch Christmas movies in our pjs. All day. Throw in a nap or two, and you have the perfect Christmas day.
The Hatos family never celebrates Christmas on the right day, and we are proud of it. We divide all the gifts and then take turns opening our gifts. Kendal and I alternate, because we are the kiddos. I got so many lovely gifts, including more things to bring along to London, some traveling money, and cute accessories (like the cookie cutter necklace and red "London Calling" bangle seen above). We end the epic gift-opening with find-the-pickle-ornament and an elf scavenger hunt! Another hunt that happens is for the nativity scene's baby Jesus. Every year, my dad hides it for my grandma to find. Add in a delicious brunch spread out on matching Christmas Waechtersbach dishes complete with egg casserole, grits, cinnamon rolls, and pralines, and you have one magical day. A funny thing happened this year was that my grandma bought this beautiful Christmas tree butter and when we went to go eat, it was slouching over, sadly melting in the Arizona sun streaming through the window. That's a desert Christmas for you!
Other traditions we have during the holidays: Christmas dress shopping (mine got good use at the theater Christmas party, Ted's and my Christmas date, The Nutcracker, Christmas brunch, and Christmas Eve) and The Nutcracker.
It was a beautiful Christmas. I feel so fortunate to have such loving family and friends who make the holidays so special. The holidays are just as magical as they were when I was a little one--maybe even more magical, because I get to start my own traditions with my friends and Ted. Hope you had just as lovely a time and I wish you and yours a Happy New Year!
today I am thankful for...cupcakes
halloween in my room/my room in general
I couldn't help but add a little holiday spirit to my already chaotic and tiny wooden room. It wasn't hard to add a little pizzazz after receiving Halloween packages in the mail from Amy and my grandparents! (Some festive tea from my aunt was also crucial to harnessing my holiday spirit.)
PS-My room is weird and narrow, which makes it difficult to take pictures that have much in them, so I apologize for the massive post.
MY ROOM IS TINY AND WEIRD AND FREEZING COLD...
But it's colorful and mine.
it's pumpkin time
On October 1st, I woke up and thought, "Today is the first day of October!" and the song "We Need a Little Christmas" immediately popped into my head as I got dressed in this outfit. It stayed there all day, despite my full-on Autumnal outfit. Christmas obsession aside, I like to give every holiday its time to shine (which is why I swear off Christmas music and decor until midnight strikes after Thanksgiving). Right now, pumpkins get my full attention.
Literally. I could stare at tiny pumpkins all day and be pretty okay with that. What is about them that are so sweet and cheerful?
Portland isn't taking Fall lightly this year. When it's not constant downpour, it's freezing. The Burrow isn't insulated very well, either. I've been spending my nights doing homework under layers of blankets in my puffy North Face jacket and fuzzy socks. Fuzzy socks are crucial. I do love the rain though. It's a reason to get cozy, drink tea, and wear bright tights. Also: baking. Ted and I made Banana Espresso Chocolate Chip Muffins last Saturday night while listening to Michael Buble, and let me just say--this is a good use of a Saturday night. We brought them to our London meeting the next morning and they were a hit! This is why you buy your boyfriend baking recipe books for holidays, guys.
Dress/Francesca's, Cardigan/Anthropologie, Boots/Nordstrom, Barrette/Anthropologie, Necklace/Kate Spade, Belt/Thrifted, Ring/Edina Kiss, Tights/Target, Photos/Ted
from me for you
For my parents & Kendal.
For my self-proclaimed pear-shaped, pear-loving roommate.
For my Ted.
These are a little too late to be any holiday inspiration, but I thought I'd post them anyways. The patterned paper was from a pack I found at Paper Source. Each page was double sided, which I loved. It served well at the valentine-making party! This is practically a sin to type in this day and age, but I absolutely LOVE paper.
Hope everyone's hearts day was wonderful. I will post more about mine probably next weekend, since Ted was gone this weekend and we still have a little more celebrating to do!
XOXO
Kaylie
hearts day sweets & crafts
This past Saturday night my roommate and I had a Valentine's Day get together with some friends. It was a great turnout, and I was surprised how easy it was to get people to make valentines with me! I really should just follow my mom's footsteps and become a kindergarten teacher, because it made me so happy to get my guy friends to make Valentines for their moms...
The benefit of using heart-shaped measuring cups.
I made brownies (with the heart-shaped tins I got last year from my grandparents) and Claire made chocolate chip cookies, courtesy of the Baked book I got Ted our first Christmas together.
YAY!!!!
iheart crafting
In love with this dish cloth that I stole from home! Gotta show my AZ pride.
Some lovely lotion my grandparents gave me a while ago, an altoid tin shadow box of my two homes (whose birthdays are on Valentine's day!) made by Erin, and...
...the seasonal gourd! This lil' guy is the cutest. He is a magical gourd of all seasons. The heart is because he loves me and Claire.
This little AZ shrine has been up all year, but it seems appropriate given Arizona's Valentine's Day Birthday.
Adorable banner made by my friend's mom. We're pretty much kindred spirits.
That's it FOR NOW. Who knows what else will crop up. ;)
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