christmas croquet.

Our family has been playing a game of Christmas croquet ever since I can remember. The course is never perfect & the rules are never spot on, but we enjoy the game anyway. I didn't play this year since we decided to set up a mega-long course with plenty of obstacles, but I had fun watching and cheering everyone on. Jeffrey won the game this year with an impossibly awesome shot that began on one side of a canoe, went through, came out the other side, swished through both wickets and hit the final post as the grand finale. It was so incredible my aunt threw her coffee mug in disbelief! A good time was had by all and Jeffrey felt especially great!

christmas 2011.

Our Christmas was filled with family, friends, new shoes, croquet, dessert, sunshine (80º weather!), good food, fun conversation, puppies, and lots of love. I was reminded of all the good in my life and how thankful I am to have a kind and funny family who gets together every year to remember the importance of strong relationships and a sense of humor.

christmas baking.

A few weeks ago my good friends Emily and Caroline made these delicious cookies. I asked for the recipe and have made them twice since then. They are full of chocolate-y goodness, if that's your thing (it's mine), and every chocolate lover I've come across has loved them so far.

My aunt came down to our house to bake some cookies yesterday. It's the first year we've done it, but maybe it will become a new tradition. While we were sitting in the kitchen -- my mom washing dishes, my sister researching recipes, me mixing some batter, and my aunt sitting and enjoying a cup of tea -- I realized that my life is pretty perfect.

The holidays are such a special time to remind myself of all the blessings in my life and the people who have filled my life with happiness and joy. It is a good time for reflection and thanks.

our christmas decorations.

My mom has a serious knack for decorating, and her Christmas displays are among my favorite. Every year when I come home at winter break, I'm excited to see what she's done to make our house magical. She never disappoints.

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays because everything becomes really magical and special. The week before Christmas is one of the best of the year -- people bustling around to complete last minute shopping lists, riding around in the car to look at Christmas lights, I love every last bit of it!

(Croquet is our Christmas game of choice. We play at our family gathering every year. I'm still not good at it, but it's fun to play anyway!)

list nineteen: christmas list.

1. Sweet pajama pants that support an amazing cause.

2. A cozy sweater.

3. Teacher tote.

4. Penelope.

5. Mylo Xyloto.

6. Hot Tools (1 inch) curling iron.

7. Thorlo Experia socks (in lime/white).

the little engine that could.

Last year's tree. So cozy!

I'm almost done with exams, and my hardest one was today. My friends and I spent the whole day in the library yesterday and rewarded ourselves with sushi. The payoff was that I think things went well, but I'm a little superstitious, so I'll leave it at that.

Jeffrey and I are going to a cookie exchange party and we're thinking of making these and these. (I'm making them, he's volunteering at a bike race with friends, sigh.) They look good, right? And, guess what? Your favorite baking blog has been updated. Yay!

That's about it around here. I haven't done anything too exciting lately, but that's all about to change! I'll be heading home tomorrow, and I couldn't be happier about that.

And, as always, thanks for reading. You're the best people. Ever. :)

xo, R.

A Winter Break In Pictures

To say I had a fantastic winter break would be an understatement. It was full of family, full of food, full of love, and full of relaxation — all the things a winter break should be. And when words don't quite describe the beauty of things, there are always pictures.

{Christmas morning.}
{Christmas dinner at my aunt's house.}
{Homemade Marshmallows.}
{Fentiman's Curiosity Cola.}
{This little guy.}
{This not-so-little guy ... who enjoys chewing his toys to a pulp.}
{These slippers; quite possibly the coziest item I have ever owned.}
{Sandwiches from our favorite Italian Market.}
{And of course we had to make homemade graham crackers to go with our homemade marshmallows. And then of course we had to make S'mores. Recipes here and here. Thank you, Smitten Kitchen!}
{Homemade Pizza.}
{The beach during Winter.}
{Boots.}
{Scrabble.}
{Monogrammed Mug.}
{Nail Painting.}
{Raisinets & Up In The Air.}
{Valentine-making a couple days after the New Year. We're pretty serious.}
{The adorable result.}

xo