The Fourth Annual Reading

For the past four years, my friends and I have kicked off Christmas in DC with a special evening dedicated to the reading of The Polar Express.  

This year, Jordan and Buck graciously hosted our group once again.  Their decorations did not disappoint--all guests were welcomed by the roaring fire, decorated Christmas mantle and stockings.

Setting the scene

Buck's stocking

Our hosts for the evening:

Mr. Buckalew

Mr. Downs

The reading began:

Yes, I wore my pajamas.  You can't read and fully appreciate The Polar Express unless you are comfortable.

After the reading we all enjoyed a screening of "A Charlie Brown Christmas"--arguably my favorite Peanuts movie (it's hard to pick a favorite).

Do you have a way to kick off the Christmas season every year?  What are your favorite traditions?

Welcome!

Remember this post about my mom's door baskets that I raved about?

I finally made a trip to Mostly Martha's in Ridgeland and got my own!

Mom and I had a blast picking out items to arrange in my holiday basket.  She is so good at eyeing pieces and helping me pull it all together.

Another reason I chose to purchase this hanging basket was because it is a perfect item to re-use.  I can easily change the arrangement relatively inexpensively, versus re-buying a new wreath each season to decorate.  This is really a necessity for me because I don't have a lot of extra storage space (or spare funds) to completely be able to start from scratch every few months.

Plus: I LOVE the basket.  Have I mentioned that yet?

After I got all the "pieces" mom and I headed to Gran Fran's to make a mess in her kitchen arranging.

Remember when I mentioned ANGEL VINE in my Simple Table post?

Angel vine looks like tangled up twigs, but it is actually an amazing floral filler that is much better to use that that foamy green blob...if that makes any sense to those of you who have worked with flower arranging.  Anyway--I stuffed that down in the base and stuck all the other pieces in until I found a way I liked them.

So come on down the basement stairs...it's how we do it in the city:

Happy Birthday to...me!

I had a very special birthday weekend!

On Saturday night, Kern and I had a wonderful dinner at Al Crostino on U Street.  I'd been wanting to try this mother/daughter owned Italian restaurant, and it did not disappoint.  I had this mushroom stuffed pasta with cream sauce...and I don't even like cream sauce (I'm a red sauce kinda gal) and it was AH-mazing. 

Christmas lights behind me on U Street

On Sunday morning, Lee and Holly took me to Ardeo Bardeo in Cleveland Park for brunch.  We just sat, ate and talked for almost 2 hours--it was so much fun.

Wonderful Roomies!

After church on Sunday night, Kern organized and arranged for all our friends to come over to his house and have a birthday dinner for me!

Yummy!

Carolyn made my cake: 3 layers (2 white, one funfetti) with raspberry filling.  It was delicious!

Can you see the adorable banner sign with my name on it?  Carolyn's sister, Ali, has an Etsy shop called Lavender Strings.  She made my banner.  Check out her shop--it's so cute!

So many dear friends came and it was great to see everyone after the Thanksgiving break.

Archer and Henry

Katie, Holly and Charles

The planner and the person behind the camera:

Laineybug and me

Carolyn, me, Katie and Mary Ellis

Thanks to everyone who came to the party!  It was the perfect way to end the weekend and celebrate turning 2-6.

Simple Christmas Table

I wanted to tweak my fall table decor and use materials that I had on hand with a few unique twists.

I used the same napkins, tied them up with jute and a burgundy ribbon.  Then I stuck a piece of angel vine (more on the miracle of angel vine in a later post), a piece of real pine garland a cute tag--labeled for each roommate--and voila!

I kept classic, clean, white plates on natural chargers and spiced up the decor with my Spode drinking glasses.

Since my table is small, I used a green plant bouquet and tied the same jute and burgundy ribbon around the stick base to tie it in with the napkins.

I'm still undecided on what I'm going to do with the top of my table.  Stain?  Paint?  A fun faux finish?

Well, I know it won't happen over the next few weeks.  There's already too much going on!

That said, come over and enjoy a meal at my cozy, simple and easy holiday table!

Welcome, December!

It's officially here: my birthday month, the month of Christmas, the last month of 2011.

As I look forward to the coming celebrations, I also reflect on the past year--the joys, blessings, trials and learning experiences.  

As we enter the season of advent of "coming" it is with great expectation that we remember the birth of our Saviour.  It's easy to get caught up in the material aspect of Christmas, but the more I ponder the season, the more I am humbled at the thought of Jesus coming to earth as a baby and living to die...for me and for you.  

Consider an excerpt from Jesus Calling's December 1st entry:

"I love you with an everlasting Love, which flows out from the depths of eternity.  Before you were born, I knew you.  Ponder the awesome mystery of a Love that encompasses you from before birth to the grave."

To put a fun spin on the Christmas countdown, Kern and I have advent calendars this year.  Not just any ol' calendars...but the kind with chocolate behind each day!

Just what I need...more candy!

So...here we go.  Full speed ahead into a month packed with family, friends, good food, traveling, laughter, tradition, gifts and giving...but most importantly a block of time devoted to remembering the love of God that led to the greatest sacrifice