just a little bit of bragging.

Now that the holiday is over and I don't have to hustle off and make sure other people got their flowers, I can enjoy my own. I know I posted a bit about them yesterday, but these blooms are brag-worthy. Somehow Sean managed to order me flowers from the florist at which I work without my knowledge, and they were, in my opinion, the most beautiful flowers we sent out over the past couple of days. They include some of my all-time favorites: daffodils, hypericum berry, and these beautiful roses we got in last week That my boss must have seen me drooling over. The pictures don't do them justice.

On top of all that (can you believe there's more?) Sean got our wedding invitations framed. I know what you're thinking: who even thinks of that? It's just so sweet. And it looks great up on our wall. We don't even have any wedding pictures up yet, and the invitations were an art project we collaborated on, so it was really meaningful. I know we were both proud of our work when we finished them, and it's like we both have one of our own pieces framed on the wall now. It was also a complete surprise that I never would have guessed.
Ok, ok, I'll stop my bragging now. Anything you'd like to brag about from yesterday? A sly surprise or chivalrous gesture? -hil

5 cheers for Valentine's

Things making today great:
#1: Got this great note in the mail all the way from the Colorado Quays. Arguably one of the best Valentine's ever, considering it was decorated with German sheet music for the song "Der Mai ist gekommen." Allow me to translate the last bar: "We the folk wander outside on heavenly treasures, and stand in appreciation of the wide, wide world." Thanks, Quays. We love you huge.
#2: Got a SECOND VALENTINE (I know! so loved) in the mail from Sean's parents! It was super sweet and super practical since they enclosed a Kroger gift card for us. I was so touched. That's literally the most thoughtful gift I can think of right now. Thanks, Dan and Heidi. Happy Valentine's to you!
#3: This cute video from the Etsy blog:

#4: Sean and I went on our Valentine's date last night to our favorite hole-in-the-wall chinese restaurant. We splurged a little and got drinks, which they serve in ridiculous novelty glasses. Also included is a look at the Valentine's specials. I appreciate the wittiness of the latter.

#5: Sean got me flowers. Gosh, aren't they beautiful? And he ordered them from my shop and I had no idea until suddenly I was handed a vase in the middle of work. Thanks, sweet husband of mine. You're the best.

And now I'm off to work to ship flowers all over the place all day. Not the worst job in the world, I suppose.

Any great Valentine's plans out there today? Or maybe something wonderful has already happened? Be sure to show each other love. Happy Valentine's Day, folks.
-hil

How To: golden deer antler wreath

Shannon's sweet winter wreath

A good seasonal wreath can be hard to come by. This was brought to my attention when I saw Shannon a few weeks ago. She was keeping her Christmas gifts this year imaginative, crafty, and thrifty and made wreaths for all her loved ones using rolled felt flowers and eucalyptus sprays. They were great. She taught me a lesson as she made them, saying she didn't want to gift Christmas wreaths, which could only be enjoyed for a limited time, but rather winter wreaths: something that spoke to the glittery cold, the heartiness of the season, and the simplicity of these winter months. This got me itching to try my hand at some winter decor for our front door, whose summery straw wreath desperately required hibernation. With a few simple purchases and some digging through old craft supplies, I was able to assemble a wreath to last us through winters cold stretch. Read on for the details after the jump!

Happy Post-Holiday!

Happy Monday-after-the-holidays! I hope you had a merry Christmas and a happy new year. If you're anything like me, you're probably having a bit of trouble transitioning out of the holiday season and back to regular life. It's rough going from sitting around reading, watching TV, and eating to heading back to work, feeling slightly fatter than last month, and cleaning up all the leftover tinsel and wrapping paper. Our culture will tell you all you need is a new gym membership, a better gaming system, or to treat yourself to a shopping spree after this joyous (but stressful) season. But deep down, you and I both know the truth: the last thing you need is even more stuff. Here are three simple things you might have missed during the hustle and bustle that may help to regulate your life:
1). Go for a walk: Scientists have linked this simple activity with an increase in mental clarity, physical health, and just plain happiness. Don't have time for that full on, extreme workout you promised yourself you'd do everyday? You can at least go for a short walk. This study states that walking just 5 minutes a day in a natural area can really boost those endorphins, which will help motivate you for your more intense workout days. Another study made this incredible claim:
"Six years ago, Britain's chief medical health officer issued a statement saying there is no difference in the effectiveness of treating clinical depression with physical activity than treating it with drugs." Whether you've struggled with depression or just need a lift after all the holiday stress, this is good advice to take to heart.
2). Go on a date: You may feel you've spent every last second with family and the ones you love this past week, so much so that you want to crawl into a cave until March rolls around. But consider your spouse or significant other. I know that even though my husband and I were with each other for the entire holiday, we didn't get much alone time unless you count falling into bed exhausted every night together. Take some time to have one-on-one time. Go somewhere special, just the two of you. It will be a nice change of pace from traveling in the family herd. If you aren't in a relationship right now, take the opportunity to call a friend who you usually get to see but with all the relatives and old school pals coming through town, you've neglected hanging out with. You can swap stories about your crazy families. If none of those sound right, take yourself out: go to the coffee shop, take a book, and just chill for awhile as you stare out the window.
3). Give everything it's place: Take the time to give the new gifts you've received the proper place in your home and life. Go through your old things and get rid of what you don't need anymore. Start small: maybe just the sock drawer today. Sean threw out two old pairs of jeans last night because he got some really nice ones for Christmas. It will give you a sense of accomplishment to simplify your life and to lessen the clutter in your home. If you got a new blender for Christmas, seriously consider giving your old one to someone who could use it or selling it; don't put it in a box in the basement "just in case" or worse, let it take up precious shelf space in your kitchen. Deal with your things now, while they're new, and you'll have more fulfillment in the year to come. -hil

The Wrapping Paper Solution: a few ideas on sustainable and creative gift wrap

As though it weren't enough to be running hither and yon through crowded shopping malls searching for the perfect present, Christmas gifts produce yet another complication: wrapping them. Sometimes this is the most stressful part for me because when I go to do it, I have no paper in which to wrap them! So instead of merely keeping wrapping paper stocked in the house, (something I have no problem with; you should buy a roll that suits your fancy when you see it for a good price, regardless of the season) I like to keep objects that help turn common items into wrapping paper. For example, a couple year ago I invested in a small stamp alphabet, a couple ink pads in metallic hues, and a stamp with a feather design that I liked. Using that small arsenal I was able to create the wrapping ensemble above with the use of the one roll of paper I had left from the year prior, an old map, and some kraft paper. Brown paper bags can be turned inside-out and gussied up with stamps and ribbon. Read on for even more wrapping ideas after the jump!

Deck the Halls and Dust off your DVDs

Allow me to explain my absence for the last half of last week. I had a little slip-up with a pairing knife while cutting some carnations at the flower shop and ended up with eight stitches in a very sore thumb. While this was incredibly inconvenient and took me out of work (this blog included) for a couple of days, it did allow me to catch up on some of my favorite films of the season. So, to quote Rob Gordon, here are my "all time, top five" movies to watch around Christmas. Enjoy! -hil


The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
My all time favorite version of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol." I'm not usually a Muppet fan, but this rendition is very beautiful and full of the whimsy of animation, only without it. Plus, Michael Cane plays Scrooge and Gonzo plays the narrator, Charles Dickens himself. What's not to love?

The Family Stone (2005)
Okay, so I'm a little embarrassed about this one (I know it seems super chick-flicky) but I love it and it's easily rentable from the local library. It's an all-star cast and follows the Stone family through their holiday as they learn to accept new members into their close-knit unit and learn to face new challenges. Basically, the now-grown Stone children learn to actually grow up. It's heartwarming and I cry every time at the end.

Little Women (1994)
Always a beautiful story, but that first scene set with the winter that the March sisters recall as "the coldest of our childhood," feels so much like Christmas. It's a wonderful story of a Family that doesn't have much but finds wealth in the company of one another. If not that, what is Christmas about? And when Beth gets that new piano from Laurie's grandfather...so priceless. An absolute must. Plus, Kirsten Dunst is just an itty bitty and Christian Bale grows a snooty mustache.

Love, Actually (2003)
I know, I know, so cliché. But throw out the Kiera Knightley plot line and keep rewinding that part where Hugh Grant dances to the Pointer Sisters and you've got a pretty good Christmas film. My favorite line? "I'm the Lobster," said with that cute little british accent.







Hook (1991)
Ok, so this movie isn't about Christmas, but it does remind us all of the beauty of childhood, to think happy thoughts, and remember: never grow up. I think Christmas tends to bring out the kid in everyone, not to mention an appreciation for your family. This film accomplishes both feats. Bangarang!

Advent, advent

Advent, Advent, 
ein Lichtlein brennt
erst eins, dann zwei, dann drei, dann vier
Dann steht das Christkind vor der Tür.

DIY Advent Calendars

My mom taught me this little poem when I was very young. It's literal translation is "Advent, advent, the little light shines. First one, then two, then three, then four, then stands the Christ child at the door." We always celebrated Advent growing up, and I loved it. Advent is basically the season of waiting for Christmas to come. It's a beautiful time of anticipation and hope, and there are plenty of symbolic traditions to go along with it, first and foremost being the advent calendar. A traditional advent calendar usually has 24 doors (sometimes 25 in the US) and you open a door every day starting with the first of December and leading up to Christmas eve or Christmas day. Behind these doors is some sort of treat, whether it be candy, a picture, or an ornament for the tree. Today there is an endless variety of advent calendars, and I thought I'd celebrate the season by sharing them with you. I've categorized them for you viewing pleasure. Enjoy! -hil

Garland Advent Calendars

German Advent Calendars

More calendars after the jump!

the best floral items to fit your holiday

I'm sure last week wore you out a bit on the recipe front, so now it's time to switch modes. I hope you enjoyed Brian's guest gift guide yesterday; there will be more of those as the holiday season trundles on. In the meantime, i'd like to share some imparted knowledge. I recently started working at a small floral shop and have had the privilege of watching some very creative folks at work each day. Sometimes I get lucky and they teach me a thing or two, like how to tie a bow with red velvet ribbon, an item that screams holiday no matter what you apply it to, or how to make a mistletoe orb without actually having mistletoe (hint: boxwood and christmas tree trimmings). You can get pine cones the size of your face from the west coast. Did you know that spruce needles are poisonous so you should use fir branches to make wreaths because they won't irritate your skin as much? I didn't, and in order to impart some of my gleaned floral knowledge to you (and a few long-time personal opinions), I've created this handy educational chart on the best floral supplies for all you DIYers out there to help you decorate for the holidays. Enjoy!-hil

A last minute list for Thanksgiving day

Happy thanksgiving! I hope you're all cozily snuggled on your couches watching the big parade. But if you're anything like my family, you're probably busily making a schedule for oven use or being sent out to the grocery store with a last minute list in your hot little hand. So to help with these eleventh-hour errands, I've compiled a short list of items that never hurt to have around this capitol of all cooking days. You can view it after the jump. Hope it's helpful and have a great holiday! -hil

Thanksgiving for the Smaller Table

For the past ten years or so, I've gone to Florida with my family for Thanksgiving. We don't have much extended family, at least not any close by, so our holidays have always been a bit small. When my oldest sister got hitched and it was just my parents and Lindsey and I, we started inviting folks over on Thanksgiving, but even that felt pretty modest. That's why I'm very excited to spend the holiday with Sean's family this year. The extended family lives close by for the most part, and those who don't are driving in. I think Thanksgiving is a great time for a large group, a festive feast, and even if your family is small it's nice to attend a good party or go over to a friends house this time of year. However, if there's just a couple of you, cooking a huge turkey and all the fixings can be overwhelming and impractical for your personal Thanksgiving meal. Never fear: I'm here to help.

I think it's important to cook something special on the holidays. It helps to set the occasion apart, hence the traditional whole Turkey. But if fifteen pounds of poultry is a little over the top for you and just a couple other guests, consider this recipe I found for Roasted Cornish Hens with Apples and Onions. What's great about the cornish hen is they always feel really special to make and to eat, plus you get the satisfaction of serving the whole bird. They are a bit of a delicacy and certainly aren't the most practical, but they're so small that it makes them easy to work with. They don't dry out like other birds in the oven since it doesn't take as long for them to cook the whole way through. This particular recipe is festive and rich: perfect to serve alongside mashed potatoes and all the other Thanksgiving accouterments. Part of it even includes a delicious gravy! I like that it's a simple recipe that produces a complex flavor. You'll need a dutch oven for this one, as well as: 2 Cornish Hens, olive oil, an onion, 2 apples, dried thyme, a smidgen of brandy, and a splash of apple cider. If you have flour or cornstarch nearby, it might be handy to thicken the gravy. Follow the link above for the complete instructions and read on for a visual How To after the jump!

Second Family Thanksgiving

This past weekend Sean and I hosted a little gathering called Second Family Thanksgiving. We moved around our furniture and thanks to some kind friends who brought extra tables and chairs, we were able to turn our tiny home into what looked like a ramshackle but cozy restaurant for the evening. It was my first time doing a turkey solo, and one certainly feels the weight of getting it right when there's fifteen pounds of main course depending on you. I went with something fairly straightforward and also wrapped some bacon around the bird to give some extra flavor (a trick my sister Lindsey taught me). Success was mine, as was the whole night. We had folks bring a veritable cornucopia of dishes, from the traditional sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce to mashed parsnips and waldorf salad. It was delicious!

The vintage plates help add that homey feel

One of the best parts was seeing all the people from every corner of our lives crammed into the same room enjoying one another. Despite the fact that most were strangers to each other, it felt like a reunion of old friends. Having a celebration like this was such a phenomenal way to embrace this season. The founders of this occasion in Oxford, the Quays, were of course desperately missed, but it was lovely to see the legacy they'd left with us. Also, a few lovely ladies had collected vintage plates for me back in the spring to use for the wedding, but it ended up being a bust. Fortunately, we still had them stowed away and used them for the event. They added a great down home feel to the whole thing.

So, from Second Family Thanksgiving, I've included some family photos. My sincere apologies for neglecting to take pictures of the beautiful and expansive spread! In all the excitement, I just plum forgot.

Ashley and Mark with their award (a vintage plate, duh) for coming the farthest: all the way from Iowa!

Verily, Thanksgiving is almost upon us! Here's to a week of food, merriment and togetherness. You can view more pictures of our Second Family after the jump!

Turkey Day or Bust

First of all, forgive me for being flaky last week posting-wise. It was birthday week! Can't a girl take it easy? And now that my birthday has indeed kicked off the holiday season, I can turn to face what is up next: Thanksgiving!
Yes, folks, it's that time of year when I have to be inordinately cautious not to drool on my keyboard. There are so many great holiday recipes online! Beware the obscene amount of foodie posts about to usurp this blog. I love food, and when it comes to the holidays I become obsessed with it.
This week Sean and I are hosting a tradition started a couple years ago by our friends the Quays, who recently relocated to Colorado. We live in a small college town, so when any sort of holiday or school sanctioned break rolls around, this place empties out like a frat party with a dry keg. That's why the weekend before this particular holiday we like to have what's called Second Family Thanksgiving: a time when we can celebrate Tday with all our friends in town. We provide the turkey and they provide all the side dishes. The only problem is I tend to get a bit carried away looking up recipes and want to make about a million things. Don't worry, I'll control myself. But I have rounded up a few of my favorite, most festive recipes to share with you. I've picked three each as far as turkey, side dishes, and desserts. Click the links below them to get the full recipes. Enjoy! -hil

turkeys

Left to Right: Cider-Brined Turkey with Star Anise and Cinnamon, Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Breast stuffed with Pear Hash, Pancetta-Sage Turkey

More festive recipes after the jump!