2021 in Review

Y'all! Hiiiiiii! Enough is enough already.  I hope to be back in this space more regularly - shooting for twice a month, but at the very least once a month (is that timeframe considered regular??) Anyway, I've been reflecting back at 2021, so thankful for our blessings, for our health, family, and even for the hard stuff.  That being said, I do sorta hope that 2022 is less eventful! 

A look back at the highlights of each month....

January: we got to fly to visit Grandma and Grandpa (and Aunt, Uncle, and cousins too) in Barrington, IL.  And also SNOW!

A Mother Daughter Christmas Brunch

A few weeks ago Havalah and I hosted a mother daughter Christmas brunch.  We had such a fun time being together with these friends, and getting caught up.  The girls all brought a gingerbread house to decorate, and Havalah planned some Christmas ice breaker questions as well. 

In true Kristen fashion I agonized over my menu until calling in the big guns, Whitney, party planner extraordinaire. She sent me so many great ideas, including how to host a brunch on a budget.  I am doing you a HUGE favor when I tell you you have to try her Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies. A couple of the girls who attended were overheard saying the smokies were "literally the best thing I've ever eaten." So yeah, you gotta make 'em.

Our menu:

Fruit Platter

Mini Quiches

Mini Muffins

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

GF Scones

Christmas Cookies

Bagels and Cream Cheese

Cracker Barrel's Hashbrown Bake

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Hot Chocolate Bar

Juice, Tea, and Coffee

Here's what I learned, my friends don't eat very much, haha, but my daughter's friends weren't afraid to dig in.  I made way too much food for the ten of us, (I will say that I was expecting four others who had to cancel at the last minute).  Next time, I'll keep it simpler.  ;)

We had such a great time, and I'm so thankful that Havah and I were able to kick off the Christmas season with something so special. There's been talk of making this an annual get together, so we shall see! :)

I forgot to take many pics, sadly, but I did get a few...

December wrap-up

Merry Christmas, all! December went by in a blur, per usual, but what a sweet one it has been! Unfortunately I started the month off by tearing my achilles tendon playing doubles with Henry, and have spent a good portion of my time "off my feet." (And by this I literally mean off my feet in a wheelchair, or, even more glamorous, a motorized cart.) The good news is, it seems to be healing (hallelujah) and I most likely will NOT need surgery.  I'm feeling very excited about this! Other than that, we've enjoyed a much needed break from all things school related, and have relished our time together.

Here are few pics, mostly from Christmas Eve, but also a few from Six Flags, and San Antonio a few weeks ago:

December 7

The house is taking shape! I’ve tried to make my decorating more intentional this year - using a lot less than normal. I’m enjoying having less clutter :) My friend, Kristi’s husband made me the wooden box that I’m using on my mantel. It’s one of my favorite things and it’s fun to use it in a different way (flipper upside down)!

December 24 - Gathering

Christmas morning

One of the best things about this time of year are all the official gatherings.  I love the ritual of setting the table, for all of the special meals, from the planning to the placing.  I think when we think back to our own childhoods one of the things we remember best are being gathered around the dining table with the people we love.  

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December 23 - Favorite

Two out of three of my favorites, right there. And the kids aren't bad either, ha! ;P

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December 21 - Glow

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December 19 - Inspiration

If you follow me on Pinterest you know that there is no shortage of inspiration, ha!  But here are a few things I'm currently loving.  

Ok, so this is one of my own pics.  You guys, my bottle brush trees, the ones that I painstakingly bleached and hand dyed are missing.  I've looked everywhere! Did I throw them out accidentally?  {insert sob} At least I have a bajillion pics from the last few years to enjoy.

 Every year I tell myself I'm gonna make this cake for Christmas, and I never do ;P Maybe this year?

Ahhh, this tree, this room!  All the heart eyes!

What's inspiring you today? :)

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December 18 - Clothing

Last month my girlie and I got matching sweatshirts that say, "nice is the new cool", which puts me in a completely different state of mind when I'm wearing it.  Ironically, when we had them on on Christmas Eve, Jon spotted a lost wallet in our cart at the grocery store.  He opened it to glance at the guy's address, then turned it in to customer service.  After shopping we drove over to the person's  house and knocked on the door to let him know we had turned it in.  Even though a few hours had passed he hadn't noticed that it was missing and was thrilled to be alerted.  His wife sent us home with a plate of warm Christmas cookies, which was so sweet of them! 

me and my mini me :D

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December 17 - Stockings

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December 16 - Messes

a pretty cute Christmas morning mess :)

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December 15 - Tradition

This sweet boy was a Christmas kitten in 2010, and every year his favorite sleeping spot is under the tree.  An unintentional tradition, for sure, but one that immediately became a household favorite.

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December 12 - Elf

Chestnut is right at home. 

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December 11 - Secret

I chose Havah (aka Halla) for Secret Santa.  Shhhhhhhh...

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December 10 - Tree

{early morning light}

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December 9 - Family

This #2017Christmasmoments photo challenge is my favorite of all.  I love these sweet, crazy cool people of mine more than anything.  :D

December 8 - Music

The Christmas music gets turned on on November 1st at my house, and if we're being honestly, I could probably listen to it all year long.  In the last year or so I've really come to love Gene Autry, but my fave artist is still Bing.  How about you? :)

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December 7 - Gift

This #2017Christmasmoment photo challenge was an easy one.  It snowed in Houston!!!  Our kids were beside themselves, having not seen snow in about 5 years.  We were outside catching snowflakes until after 11:00 pm, then Henry woke us up at 4:00 am to let us know it was STILL SNOWING, and they were out the door playing before 7:00 am in their pajamas.  What a Christmas gift this was!

December 5 - Traditions

For a routine and traditions loving girl, Christmas hits all the marks.  We've got so many, sometimes it's hard to keep track and get them all done ;)  Fortunately, that's ok too.  Here's a peek at a few of our traditions.

the kids keep track of whose turn it is to put the star on top

All sentimental ornaments for this girl.  This sweet little lantern is one of the only things I own that belonged to my grandmother Estelle.

I cannot/will not go through the Christmas season without this movie!

and of course, Mr. Chestnut

We're having a contest this year to see who can put him in the most creative positions.  Stay tuned...

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