pint o mimosa. yum. by orange

Now that we are a few weeks into January, I felt it was time to revisit some of my photos taken during the wonderful holiday break.  Oh how I miss those days.

During our Christmas getaway to Whitbey we spent one day in Langley.  Langley is a quaint town with about 1.5 blocks of fun.  We came across a very cute diner where we stopped for brunch.  What drew me in?  The pint glasses of mimosa of course!

the mango & "european" mimosa

my scrambled eggs, potatoes and toast - yum!

the husband's bacon, egg & cheese croissant

hope you are having a fantastic week so far!

cheers,
orange

good bye holidays. by orange

The husband thought that I would resist taking down the holiday decorations until Feb. 1st due to my love of all things Christmas.  This weekend, the de-christmas-fication of the Nicholson household begun.  All things Christmas holiday, except for the tree, are put away in the closet.  And the tree, well I blame that on not enough time (not sure if that is 100% accurate).  We missed the boy scout tree pick up...so we have to haul it to the dump.  And my in laws started the "you know you're a red neck when"...(your christmas tree is up...still.).  This week, or next weekend - I promise.

For Christmas I recieved a gift card from my in-laws to one of my favorite places - Pier 1.  So, with the holiday stockings down, the holiday pillows put away I thought it is the perfect time to put that gift card to good use.  Check out my findings...

pier 1 pillows that I've been eyeing for some time...on sale!

new piece to put above the fireplace

vase for the mantle - on sale as well!

some fun recycled magazine rubberband-like balls for the center of the dining table

not a new item...but from pier 1 as well, I "re-purposed" it to the fancy/living room area

the final look

retail therapy with a gift card really helped lift my un-holiday spirits

Up Up Joe Bro. by violet

For me, Christmas 2009 will be known for two things – sock monkey slippers and “up, up, Joe Bro.”  J. and I traveled down to California to be with our families for the holiday.

The tree at my dad and Kerry's

Festivities kicked off right away with large family dinner at my dad and Kerry’s house on Christmas Eve.

Grandma K, Grammy and Chloe

Chloe helping Pop Pop

"Umple" Mike and Chloe getting ready for dinner

After dinner we exchanged presents. Kerry suprised the whole family with sock monkey slippers for everyone.

Totally hilarious

Especially on my dad

My brothers and Jenn had worked with my niece Chloe teach her how to say, “what’s up, Joe Bro.” She really didn’t get the "what’s" part all the way. So it was, “up, up, Joe Bro.” A two-year old can really make the most ordinary things seem enchanting.   

The whole fam

Christmas morning brought more presents and more family time. 

A Wii for Dave and Jenn

Mike rocked the heirloom Christmas pants

Later that day it was off to the Pisanos for dessert and a rousing round of Catch Phrase. The rest of the time was a blur of old friends, Wii and more dessert than anyone person should actually eat.  I'll be back with more but for now,

Cheers,

Violet, in sock monkey slippers

starting a new tradition. by orange

Around the holidays is when we are reminded of all of our family traditions.  When I think of holiday traditions, what comes to mind first is Amy Grant.  I'm not sure if it was a "tradition" per say, however, every Christmas we'd hear the likes of her belting out Emmanuel, Tennessee Christmas, ect. 

This year, the husband and I started a new tradition for us.  We spent Christmas Eve with his parents and sister's family, exchanging gifts, drinking mimosas and playing a couple rounds of Sorry.  Then, Christmas morning the husband and I exhanged gifts and then headed out to a cabin we rented on nearby Whidbey Island.  We've been here for 3 days now and it has been perfect.  So far the agenda each day has been a mixture of: sleep in, drink mimosas, play board games, nap, go out to dinner, watch movies.  Very relaxing which is exactly what we need.

Here are some photos of the cabin:

I hope you and yours have been having a fantastic holiday as well!!


orange.
in UGG Cardy Classic Knit Boots

i see red and green. by orange

As my friends can attest to - I love the holidays.  I love holiday music, ugly sweater parties, holiday lights, christmas trees, gift giving and holiday decorations.  And this weekend is the weekend - where it all starts!!  I get to lug out my box of holiday cheer from our closet and start decorating the house.  Even more exciting - we might be investing in a real christmas tree this year.  With two dogs and one of them loving to chew just about anything, we've aired on the safe side in previous years with no tree.  We don't have an exact plan on how to keep the schnood away from the tree, but we plan on figuring it out this year.

 

Even though I already own two boxes full of holiday decorations I love to see what is out there in some of my favorite stores.  Compiled below are the items that caught my eye from Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1 Imports and Target. 

 

What is your favorite thing about getting ready for the holidays?

 

 

Pottery Barn:

• Twig Reindeer
• Advent Calendar
• Twig Star
• Outdoor Wreath
• Ornament Tree
• Cranberry Vase/Candle Filler
• Star Plates

Pier 1

• Cheer Pillow
• Ornament Stocking Holders
• Red Ornament Garland

Target

• Snowflake Hurricane/Candle Holder
• Berry Candle
• Striped Door Mat