holiday crafts.

{1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6}

Now that it's December, I'm perfectly content to let my holiday freak flag fly. I just adore the Christmas season and everything surrounding it. I wouldn't really consider myself a very crafty person, but these 6 crafts from Pinterest actually seem doable. Here's to hoping I actually try at least one of them out! xo, R.

little snapshots.

 

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{1} Our Thanksgiving set up; {2} Do you ever get sick of pictures of this little guy? (I don't.); {3} A pomegranate from our backyard tree; {4} Thanksgiving flower arrangement; {5} Our back porch; {6} Wedding craft in process; {7} Prep for shortbread cookies

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Dear Friends, I hope you had a lovely, lovely holiday. Mine was simple and relaxing — two of my very favorite things. Now that Thanksgiving is over, it is appropriate to start the celebration of Christmas...so, happy holiday season, my sweet readers! There is something so special about the holiday season. I know there's no need to explain it because everyone feels it. It's like an extra warmness in the heart! I hope you have a wonderful week full of cheer and love. xoxoxo, R.

wednesday inspiration (4th of july inspired!).

|-1-| Wedding sparklers.
|-2-| Firecracker popsicles.
|-3-| Corn on the cob (with feta + cilantro).
|-4-| Summer sandals.
|-5-| Bright, colorful flowers.
|-6-| Sweet ladies on the beach.

Happy 4th of July, my sweet readers!

sunday morning doughnuts.

On our last day off from school Jeffrey and I decided we needed to do something fun. We filled coffee travelers with chocolate milk, got doughnuts from the local Krispy Kreme, and took them to one of our favorite, most peaceful spots on campus. It was such a lovely way to end a wonderful, relaxing, perfect break.

final breakfast of 2011.

Breakfast is perhaps my favorite meal of the day and going out for breakfast is even better. On New Year's Eve day my parents and I (and Andy) went to one of our favorite breakfast spots to enjoy an egg scramble and french toast made with banana bread. It was the perfect final breakfast of 2011! We then took a walk at a local park where we saw a Great Horned Owl and discovered an oddly shaped tree. It's the little things, isn't it?

I recently saw that it is good luck to wear a color that represents the feeling you want to emanate in the new year on New Year's Eve. It sounds kind of silly, but my family is pretty superstitious so we instated it as a new tradition this year. I chose to wear a coral color to represent cheer. I am going to try to live happily and cheerfully in 2012, which works well with my resolution to smile more!

cappy's.

Pizza. One of my all time favorites. And finding a good pizza place? Well, that's the good stuff. So when we found Cappy's, we told everyone about it and promised to visit it again and again (and again). Nestled in an old home, the Chicago style pizza and Greek salad is some of the best there is. And if you give Roxanne some pizza, chances are she'll want a Coke to go with it.

P.S. I am aware that the amount of Parmesan cheese I put on my pizza is obscene.

my resolutions.

My New Year's Eve was quiet and relaxed -- just how I like it. I had a dinner of pulled pork sandwiches + coleslaw, ate sundaes with homemade fudge + whipped cream, and watched Sabrina (and then fell asleep halfway through). Then this afternoon, my parents, Jeffrey and I took a bike ride and ate burgers at one of our favorite gems, El Cap. This year I've decided to keep my resolutions simple and attainable. I plan to take my vitamins everyday, spend more time with my girlfriends and sister, and smile more!

Happy New Year, friends! Any resolutions you're particularly excited to start? xo, R.

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 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.

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).