iPhone 5, AltPhoto | Nadia's first Christmas
 © kimberly k. taylor pestell, all rights reserved

let nothing you dismay

Merry Christmas Eve, lovelies

cooking:

quinoa pasta

marinara sauce with chicken rosemary sausage

and broccoli

and

trying not to let family get in the way of family

{canon 30d:  from Christmas in Arrowhead 2010 & 2011}

© kimberly k taylor, all rights reserved

eve of Eve

happy Christmas Eve eve

... letter-writing
... meal planning
... grocery shopping
... Christmas card making
... packing
... neeeeeeding sleep
... counting down minutes

{canon 30d:  from Christmas in Arrowhead trip 2010}

© kimberly k taylor, all rights reserved

new things



... a promise of marriage
... letters
... finding time
... holga
... job responsibilities
... navy cardigan

It has been light and heavy, simultaneously- light and dark, collaboratively.  and I cannot tell you where the time has gone and what has been done with it, exactly.  I can give you hints, hues, and happenstances, but no full pictures can be drawn.

December, what happened?  We were supposed to find quality time to just be together.  To cut snowflakes like last year- intricate, delicate beauties for stringing from ceilings and any edge from which they can be hung.  To learn, for once and for all, how to make those perfectly soft and chewy ginger cookies Brittany knows how to make.  To remember the Story and dwell on its beauty.  To pen and ink and watercolor my Christmas cards.  To sip hot cocoa or vanilla almond tea across the table from a friend.

Somehow, it all rushes past and I really have started to abhor the phrase, "hustle and bustle", but I will try to let that go and smile because all around me there are red, greens, and golds.  There is music circling and scents of cinnamon wafting around and twinkle lights making things feel more homey and personal than usual.

I truly do love Christmastime.  And this year, I am seeing Christmastime and the hope that is birthed with it.  And things seem to be slowing down even though, in actuality, they are speeding up.

{fuji instax mini:  their eyes were watching God}

© kimberly k taylor, all rights reserved

winterland

Aye, that, I

would 

beseech thee to withstand

a little longer while

beneath the whitely trace
and lulling face

to chance it all in hand

a finer windswept isle

betwixt sparkling lace

and hardened space

{polaroid 600: winterland}

A first try at Impossible Film

Day 2 of developing
© kimberly k taylor, all rights reserved

things to do in december

1) Take a photograph of Grandpa Harley in his Santa hat.

2) Listen to and sing along with Christmas songs on the radio everyday.

3) Perfect the art of making snowflakes.

4) Wrap each present on purpose.

5) Guzzle Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider at every chance I get.

6) Attend at least one Christmas party. *Edit: Okay, that was too easy, so how about 5?
7) Write a letter to little Sohail in Afghanistan.

8) Find and make friends with a pair of toe socks.

9) Learn how to make Brittany's deliciously chewy ginger cookies. *Edit: The recipe has been lost! :(

10) Go to a Christmas Eve service.

11) Make a day of wrapping paper making, implementing the genius idea of Geninne (scroll down to "Celery Stamp", posted on November 27, 2010).

12) Wish Spencer Terry a very Happy Birthday.

13) See s.n.o.w.

14) Catch up on sleep.

15) Wear cozy pajamas every night.

16) Make a gingerbread house. *Edit: Make a gingerbread train.

17) Spend quality time with beloveds (over and over again).

{canon 30d:  seasonal 'tis}

© kimberly k taylor, all rights reserved

Christmastime, tra-la

I have been captivated by the approaching holiday and its lively peace.  I cherish the brilliant golds, sharp crimsons, and vibrant greens that are floating around everywhere making everything sing-song and joyful.  I love how rich everything tastes and how delicately cool and bright the weather is.  I wish Christmastime lasted a little bit longer each year.

This weekend took place in winter wonderland Lake Arrowhead, with tree decorating, instrumental Christmas music, gift exchanging, Nerf wars, Apples to Apples, a jaunty walk and deli-style pizza downtown, homecooked meals and gourmet snacks in between, picture-taking, and jolly-making.

More, please.

 

1 Christmas songs and singing in the car    2 The scent of Christmas trees   3 Softy, chewy ginger cookies   4 Hot cocoa (all the time)   5 Gift shopping for beloveds   6 Long coats and high boots   7 Thick quilts and flannel pajamas   8 Vacation time and trips for visits   9 Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider 10 the 11 O'Clock Christmas Eve Candlelight Service  

{canon 30d:  jolly-making}

© kimberly k taylor, all rights reserved