Cousins and Christmas

We Like to Party.
A few days ago was the annual Harper Family Cousins' Night. My husband's side of the family celebrates this special bond of cousin-hood in a once-per-year celebration of silliness and wonder. Brian and Kelley, the fearful party ringleaders, truly outdid themselves this year by throwing a shin-dig that no one could ever forget. I believe the word EPIC was thrown around quite a bit on this glorious night.

Why is this event so wonderful? Well for starters, in past years, there has been a costume contest. I have dressed up as Cindy Lou-hou (I made Stevie go as The Grinch. Two words: Green beard!) and we once dressed as "Two Turtle Doves" where I decked out as a sparkly white dove and Stevie dressed as a Ninja Turtle. There are always prizes, ranging from inappropriate gag gifts to gift cards to gallons of candy. And it wouldn't be cousins night without family-themed games, which strikes a special chord in the Harper cousins, since everyone is insanely type-A and competitive. It's one of my favorite events of the entire year, because I truly love these cousins as my own and it's a ridiculously fun time together, sans babies and parents. How often does that ever happen? In our case, one a year.

CN 2012.
This year's party details were kept under lock and key in order to maintain an element of surprise. We were instructed to arrive ON TIME and in pajamas, so we assumed we would be doing breakfast for dinner this year. Oh, that was only the beginning. This year's party contained the following:

A scavenger hunt through Atlanta in two teams of limousines, where we hunted for Christmas-themed items (example: Find a glass of eggnog! An African American Santa! A menorah!) and then we had to photograph these items on one official team iPhone (mine was chosen, iPhone 5 duh.) We had 2 hours to arrive back to the house on time or else a point was deducted for each minute we were late. We had coolers for each limo containing various appetizers and drinks and we had limo drivers that were up for this spastic holiday task. IT WAS BOSS.

5 Golden Rings// We found a pack of gold bracelets.

4 Calling Birds// We found four different bird ornaments. Call me maybe.

Mistletoe// DON'T FREAK OUT! We are not those kinds of cousins! Everyone making out in this photo is NOT related! Those snogging one another are either married or dating. And Garrett has his bear.

Open Fire// We busted in on a private party at Park Tavern because, well, it was the only open fire we knew of in the area. And then we were immediately ushered out.

Your Dinner, My Liege.

When we got back to the house, there were two private chefs preparing us a fanciful breakfast for dinner. I am not kidding. We cousins compared our scavenged findings and MY team was declared the winner. Woop woop! I think the Harper competitiveness might be rubbing off on me. Beware.

An Affair to Remember.

I had a complete blast and wish the night could go on and on. It was wonderful to catch up with family that we rarely see and just have a dang good time. I laughed A LOT. After all, isn't that what the holidays should be all about? Major shout out to Brian and Kelley and all the Harper cousins. Thank you!

Cheer, Carols and Ugly Sweaters

Christmas Eve at home in Georgia means Christmas caroling, dorky sweaters and delicious spiked beverages. Oh, and fantastic food that takes an unnecessary amount of time to prepare with my hilariously warm family. Yes, I bake all day with my mom and sisters (in our pjs), invite tons of friends and family over to dinner and then bundle up and walk door-to-door singing carols for people. We seriously do this. My dad prints sheet music and we have guitars. It's not even funny to joke about being a family band, because that is essentially what we are. The von Trapp family has nothing on us. Stevie's favorite Christmas quote is from Buddy the Elf, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loud for all to hear." Well, this year our caroling troupe was equipped with 4 toddlers and a newborn along with the normal crowd of goofballs so our cheer was off the charts. Off the charts. We crooned for the neighborhood and didn't get any tomatoes thrown our way. Success.

I hope your Christmas was fantastic and brimming with surprise. This is truly the most magnificent time of the year. I have plenty of more ridiculous and endearing photos to share from my short amount of time home, so stay posted. And stay warm!

I'll Be Home

I'll Be Home for Christmas.
Being home for Christmas is strange and amazing all at the same time. Driving through your old stomping grounds, listening to age-old crooner tunes while seeing the familiar-but-bare trees standing upright and frozen can bring you back to a nostalgic place in your heart. Seeing your parent's house completely decked out for the holiday can remind you that life is still going on here, lights are brighter than ever and Christmas magic never really goes away, even though it's boxed up 11 months out of the year. I am home in Georgia for Christmas, and this morning, over my steaming cup of green tea, I am staring at the twinkling tree and soaking in the wonderfulness of where I am.

 

You Can Count On Me.

Stevie and I share the coming home experience with a lot of glee, because we are from the same town. The same landmarks live in our memories, and so many dear friends and family have enriched those good ol' times with their life and laughter. We wouldn't miss a Christmas in Georgia. It wouldn't be Christmas without my mom begging us to go out caroling like we always used to on the evening of the 24th or my dad reading the story of Jesus on the morning of the 25th. Or my sisters and me making animal sounds to add to the effect of baby Jesus lying in the manger. We rock those theatrics. And every year my Dad is offended, but I think God likes our additions to His story. 

 

Please Have Snow and Mistletoe.

The snow never happens here. Ever. Other than the blizzard of '93, which was a wonderful southern fluke. Snow only exists in my other life, in Boston, where it is possibly snowing this very instant. But in Georgia? All we can count on is the mistletoe. But even then, it's a little weird to kiss under the mistletoe when your dad is watching. Some awkwardness never gets old. 

 

Presents Under the Tree.
The pinnacle of the Christmas morning experience: the presents. Have I mentioned HOW MUCH I love presents? I used to be ashamed of my love for gifts. I used to mask it with a phony Christmas spirit, "Oh, the reason for the season is the spirit of blissful wonderment and the children's dreams and a cheerful heart of sugar plums..." But the truth? I love presents and I don't care who knows it. Opening up a surprise is just SO. MUCH. FUN. I don't know why I love it so much, but I don't hold back my childish ways any longer. My friends and family know about this Achilles Heel and they actually indulge me (I know very, very nice people.)

There are still so many Christmas activities to engage in, now that I am home and solely focused on this holiday. There is still baking to be done, Christmas cards to be sent out, presents to be wrapped and sweet nieces and nephews to be played with. Parties to attend, friends to laugh with and stories to be told. Not only is is Friday, but the fun has just begun!

Favorite Thing: Cookie Exchange

Happy Tuesday! Do you remember my attempt last week at making hottie Christmas cookies? Well, it was for a purpose. I don't make a habit out of whipping up cookies from scratch. My dear friend Carrie organized a cookie exchange and the Anise Italian Cookies were my contribution. Joined by my fellow Cambridge buds, we exchanged home-made goods and shared a little story about the cookie's significance to us.

Milk and Cookies

These lovely ladies really know what they're doing. I tasted cookies I've never even heard of before, including German delicacies and cookies sent to soldiers during WWII. See? Eating can be cultural AND historical. Santa is so, so lucky.

"They're Italian and kind of peppery...?"

I had to explain my monster cookies, although there wasn't much to be said for them. I just moved on real fast. We can't all be June Cleaver.

Intruders.

We got a little visit from some hungry boys. They simply couldn't stay away at the thought of yummy appetizers and cookies being consumed. See how my husband tries to talk his way in the door? Emily and Carrie got a kick out of it. Why don't guys get it? Sometimes, boys just aren't allowed!

Yum. What a perfect way to celebrate with my fave ladies before we all take off for the holiday break. Have you ever participated in a cookie exchange? If so, did your cookies take the cake?

Bon Appetit!

Sunday Gratitude

Forget Me Not.
Sunday has become my day of reflection and gratitude. There are so many things to be thankful for, especially during the holidays. The tragedy that occurred in our country on Friday just reinforces the need to be strong in prayer and appreciative of what we have, today, right now. You never know what tomorrow brings. I may know all of this in theory, but when a maddening occurrence that rocks the nation takes place, I am shaken by the truth and gravity of life. It is so important to make each moment count. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and the community of Newtown, Connecticut during this time. I'm sure they are struggling to keep a straight face as they kiss their babies and tuck them into bed tonight, struggling to maintain composure as they turn out the lights and try to explain to their sweet children why their brother or sister won't be here for Christmas this year. Or any other year. Struggling as they try to keep their composure and finish up their Christmas shopping and then lose it in the aisle of Target, crying out to God in their grief. Struggling as they try their best to shut out the awful sins committed against them. This is a trying time and they are entitled to their mourning. Indeed, as a nation we are all mourning the loss of the innocent angels whose bright futures propelled us forward with their purpose and meaning. It is a loss that can never be replaced. There is no good explanation for such a loss.

Perspective.
During my time in ministry school, I had the privilege to sit under some excellent teaching that has become foundational for my faith and my outlook on life. One of my pastors, Kris Vallotton, posted his very poignant perspective on Facebook:

"Jesus said, 'Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." In America we avoid pain at all cost so instead of mourning with those who mourn, we often think it is our job to cheer people up. But mourning and grieving is the road to wholeness and peace. David said, 'weeping endures through the night but the joy comes in the morning.' Sometimes the 'night' is longer than 8 hours; is it the dark season of the soul. In these night seasons it's important to remember that God is bigger than our pain. If we don't stuff our pain but allow the process of grieving to bring closure to our lives... the season will change and joy will return.

One more thing; trying to figure out the 'why' in the midst of our pain usually leads to wrong answers and bitterness. Not only that, it prolongs the 'night' season of mourning.

Sometimes people get 'stuck' in grief and they need us to take them by the heart and lead them back to joy. But shutting down mourning prematurely will lead to incomplete healing and chronic heart pain.

Love NEVER fails!"

Ahead.
Kris's words might just carry a lot of weight with me, but I found his unique perspective impacting. Tonight I am thinking and praying for those Newtown families. I believe that their hearts can be restored. I believe time can heal. Personally, I am on a mission to cultivate a grateful heart, in the big and the little circumstances. Life can be so short, and I am looking for opportunities to be thankful. Tonight, I am thankful that I get to smother my little niece and nephews with hugs and kisses in just a few short days. They will probably wriggle free from my grip as soon as possible, but it won't change the truth that I can feel their breath, their heart beat, and their sticky jam hands. Take a moment and reflect on things you are thankful for. Don't let them pass on by. Happy Sunday.

TASTE: Italian Anise Cookies

Cookie. Monster.
There are so many great blogs out there that teach you how to cook delicious, smashing recipes. (Find my fave healthy go-to here.) I'm here to tell you that this is not one of those blogs. NOT.

I am an experimenter. A curious soul. Not always a winner. Let's just be clear.

I got invited to a delightful holiday cookie exchange, so I decided to put my hands to work and use a homemade recipe. Like an old Italian broad. Probably the first mistake. A precious girl at my office was talking about these cookies that she makes every year for Thanksgiving (yes, I was eavesdropping), and she kept going on and on about how her family begs her to make them. They can't live without them. Obviously, my ears perked up as I heard this conversation going on and in a stroke of genius (or madness), I decided that I must extract this recipe from her and bake this masterpiece recipe for the cookie exchange.

I don't want to say it was a mistake... it just wasn't a home run.

I'll share the recipe and then my dazzling insights:

The Recipe
Italian Anise Cookies
Makes 6 dozen

Cookie Dough
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon anise
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
1/4 cup baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting
2 cups confectionary sugar
1 tablespoon anise
1-3 tablespoons water (Start with 2 and slowly add water until the consistency is right. You want it on the thicker side, but not so thick that you can't spread.)

Instructions
Combine butter, sugar, eggs, anise and vanilla.
Sift flour with baking soda and salt and add to mix.
Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
Roll into 1-inch balls and place two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes (Note: Cookies will not be brown but will be cooked. Only the bottom of the cookie will brown.)
Let the cookies cool completely, then frost. It's easiest to turn the cookies upside down and dip them in the frosting.
Add sprinkles (the multi-color nonpareils are best because they won't melt into the frosting...)

I was so jazzed. Clearly. However, these cookies really do take quite a lot of work, and while they tasted ok, they weren't the prettiest cookie. Certainly not as pretty as my co-workers.

Where it went wrong.

I didn't screw up the recipe. The cookies tasted alright (I expected them to taste magical, since I created them FROM SCRATCH, but they just tasted like a normal cookie. That was the first disappointment.) But I got the wild idea that I was going to add food coloring to the frosting so that the cookies could be stylin' in Christmas colors. That was my second mistake. Do you have any idea how hard is it to make the color red with food coloring? It's nearly impossible. Just keep adding red, right? WRONG. With each droplet of red food coloring, my frosting just kept turning a more neon hue of pink. Like pink-pink. Like the 9-year old girl, Hello-Kitty loving-pink. Not cute. Upon reflection (and maddening research), I am glad to know that I am not alone in my attempt for the perfect shade of red via food coloring. So I made another batch of frosting and colored it green. That went a little better, but I only managed to achieve a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle green, not the my desired holiday Christmas tree green.

The Results?

Mixed. My husband liked them (but didn't LOVE them), while I was in denial for a few minutes because of all the hard work I put into them. "They're not ugly, right? They're pretty?" I asked, in an attempt to make them prettier just by saying the words out loud, to which Stevie responded, "They're techno-cookies." Awesome. I meant to create gorgeous, graceful holiday cookies that would have the crowd ooo-ing and ahh-ing, and instead I made techno funk. Seems fitting.

Want to know how my darling cookies were received at the party? I bet you do. Stay posted! Oh, and Merry techno Christmas!

Sam Adams Brewery

Beer Me.
Why is that the funniest phrase in the world? It's so bro-licious. It's truly frat-tastic. All I can think of is Andy Bernard and his fratty Cornell-worshipping shenanigans on the early episodes of "The Office" where he used this phrase often.

I am in a silly mood today and everything (AKA this ridiculous phrase) is making me giggle. Including my recollection of the recent adventure I took with my husband and our dear friends, the Wests, out to the Samuel Adams Brewery. Oh the fun we had.

Map.
The Sam Adams Brewery is located in a suburb of Boston called Jamaica Plain. It's a bit of a hike to get out there (red line to green line to orange line on the MBTA) but it is the perfect tour. Not too educational, but not too fluffy either. Not too stuffy, but not too drunken. And it was the prettiest day. Hence the zillions of forthcoming photos.

Mmm.
We sampled three brews: the Boston Lager (the traditional flagship beverage), the Imperial Pilsner (a truly funky, spicy mix of lemon and nutmeg. Liked it though.) and my personal fave, the Octoberfest (they figured out a way to bottle the season!) So so yummy. And we got to take home our sample glasses. Now that's just classy. Way to go, Sam.

Off-topic: how gorgeous is this man? He gets sick of me photographing him, but he is a pretty good model. AKA he won't look at the camera. Little does he know that his avoidance of me actually makes for the best pics! Ha. I WIN! I like to think that we have a reverse-muse thing going on here, but let's be honest: I am not Woody Allen, and while he does have occasional dramatic fit that is eerily reminiscent of Diane Keaton, I'm not convinced we are dedicated enough to the cool/weirdness-factor of having a reverse-muse dynamic here. Am I making you gag yet? Me too. Moving on.

Moment.

We tasted. We sniffed hops. We munched on barley. We laughed at the wonderful kooky man giving the tour. Stevie attempted a bit of parkour outside the brewery. After this fun experience we headed to America's oldest restaurant, the Union Oyster House. This place is like a pirates den. It is so, so cool. All I ever order is the clam chowder and brewed-especially-for-the-house Sam Adams 375 Colonial, and I always leave ridiculously happy and full. This was a special day, though, because we convinced the hostess to seat us at "The Kennedy Booth", which is apparently where JKF used to sit all the time. It felt meaningful, sitting in the seat where one of America's most famous (and perhaps, infamous) presidents used to sit and quietly eat the same clam chowder we were enjoying. It doesn't matter how you feel about the Kennedy clan, their Camelot or his politics. It was still a neat moment to share with friends and as we dreamed and talked about our future plans. Needless to say, we cheered. With our Sam 375.

Are you a beer-house touring expert? Because I feel like I could really get into this as a professional hobby. What are some of your favorite brewery tours? I enjoyed this experience so much, I wrote an article about it for The Harbus. Check it out!

Sunday Reflection

It's important to take time to reflect on the week's happenings. So often on Mondays, I feel like people ask me, "What did you do this weekend?" and my mind is a total blank. What in the world happened during the last week? I live a busy lifestyle right now, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't enjoy the hustle and bustle and the peaceful breaths of air in between. I realize that I need a better way to reflect on the week's happenings; not just the major events, but the little moments, too. That great cup of coffee on Tuesday morning. That nice old man on the subway. That really pretty sunrise over Boston's north end as I walked to work. These are special days, and they are passing by so quickly! I won't be living in Boston much longer and I really want to savor each day that I live here. Who knows where life's journey shall take me? So here it goes; my week in pictures:

1) I met the famous Hollywood producer and founder of New Regency Film Company, Arnon Milchan at a conference over the weekend. I might have told him I'm an actress. More to come on the nonsense of this day.

2) Someone's shoes, sprinting off the subway. I understand, as these trains tend to run late.

3) A view from my office window. Not my personal window, but nonetheless, a lovely view with the sun just right.

4) Did anyone else check out the Target-Neiman Marcus collaboration collection? I did. No purchases made, although I did like the Elton John-esque sunglasses.

5) Walking on the bridge from HBS to Harvard Square. Up ahead are Stevie and our dear friend and favorite Italian, Ale, who snapped some Christmas photos of us. More to come on that, as well...

6) It arrived! My personalized stationary from When it Rains! I was a contest winner on The Wonder List and oh, what a grand day. If you do something really nice for me, I promise I will write you a thank you note on this lovely stationary. Thank you, Emily, Alex, Cason and Kathryn!

7) My friend, Justin, belting out a slammin' 90's tune at the HBS Men's A Capella performance. I wanted to give him a grammy and a hug.

8) Wisdom in the tea. Just to clarify, this is not a tea reading. But close.

9) Dressing room shot. I texted my stylish sis a pic of some AWESOME leggings that I'm dreaming of for Christmas. She always responds with the most honest answer in the world, so I can trust her to give me the "no" if needed. She loved them, too!

Take a moment to remember your week. Maybe even snap a photo or two. You won't regret it!

Adventure: Getting Air

Teeny Tiny Plane.
That's what I took a ride in. Do you see the smallness of that precious, tiny airplane?? Oliver, who is a dear friend and classmate of Stevie's, offered to take us (and our other good friend, the beautiful Andrea) up in the sky for a leisurely flight over the city. Because apparently some people fly planes as a hobby. I watch movies, bake treats and lick the cookie batter off the beater. Those are my hobbies. But Oliver, well, he flies planes. He spent his youthful years in Germany studying and training in order to get his pilots license, and now he's the guy that says, "Well, on Saturday I'm planning on flying over Boston. Wanna come?" I literally laugh everyday at the amazing people that I've met over the past year and a half. Oliver is one of those amazing, talented people. Coincidentally, so is the beautiful Andrea. (I like Andrea so much that I wrote an article about her. It's a real girl crush.)

Map.
Oliver chose to fly Sky Hawk on this particularly gorgeous day. Does that sound like a James Bond movie to anyone else? Apparently Sky Hawk is his favorite plane in the plane park (I clearly have no idea what you call a place that holds tiny planes for people like us to ride around in. 'Airport' seems too ordinary a word for this experience.) We flew over the downtown area of Boston and then headed over Cambridge, where we checked out their school (see below for the stadium photo!) and we even saw our apartment! All from the sky. Who are we. This is a once in a lifetime experience. Oh my gosh.

Mmm.

I mean, is it just me or do I look like I'm in an episode of "The Bachelor" right now? That's certainly what I felt like as I was climbing into this tiny (have I mentioned just how tiny this plane was? I mean, the size of a Fiat. Or smart car. Bitty baby plane.) Except that in "The Bachelor" those girls are never appropriately dressed for the elements, and I actually stayed quite toasty in my layers.

Moment.

I know that flying in a plane is no big deal. People do it everyday and its not any kind of magical experience. But on this day, our experience felt special because: A) Our friend was the pilot (duh, so cool) and B) I had this moment.

It sort of hit me as we were elevated 3000 feet above our city. There I was, seeing the Earth in a way I've never seen it. Having a bird's eye perspective gave me a little metaphysical perspective, too. Life can be strange and unexpected and sometimes, a friggin' bummer, but wow, when you see the whole picture... it's honestly breathtaking. And I wasn't realizing all of this just because my center of gravity was off and I was a little nauseous from sitting in the back. Seeing Cambridge, my town, from up above was a little overwhelming. This is a place that my husband and I used to talk about, used to dream of living in, and here we are 5 years later seeing it sprawl for miles and miles all around. It was captivating and complex and sort of intimidating. Because it was in that moment that I realized that I am living in the dream. This adventure was our dream for so many years, and now I am able to be a part of my beautiful man living in his dream and thriving in it. And, quite literally, flying over it. Is there anything better? I am so grateful. It hasn't been the easiest adventure, but I bet Frodo would have agreed that not all adventures go the way you plan. Yeah, I went all LOTR on you there (it had to happen.) But honestly, seeing the hugeness of our world from the window of a tiny prop plane got me excited for the future.

Here's to adventures, those dreamed and even those unplanned, coming together before your eyes and sprawling like a masterpiece. I hope you are able to take a moment and realize that some part of your current situation is due a dream you had a while ago. Maybe everything isn't perfect in your world, and maybe the sky is falling. But I bet there is something that was worth fighting for, and you won it, and now you are living in the middle of that dream. What a beautiful moment for gratitude.

Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

It's time to think about that man in your life. Buying a Christmas gift for a man-dude-friend is so hard. What in the world do you give? More importantly, what does your gift say to him? If you're married like me, any gift you give just says love. Whether it's a set of golf clubs or the brand of underwear he likes, it all falls in the category of "I love you and I'm taking care of you." I like to refer to this as love slash care. But if you're shopping for a man-dude-friend and you aren't so sure that you're at the "love slash care" point in your relationship, what do you buy? Plus, what about your Dad, grandfather, brother, cousin, BFF...? They deserve something awesomely thoughtful, too! So stop eying that boring plaid button down (that he probably already has in 12 colors from HIS MOM) and check out the following guide for some truly unique (and memorable) gifts for him.

1. Williams Sonoma Beer Making Kit, $39.95
For the creative man who like to craft his own beverages, this is the perfect gift. It allows you to mix up the included hops, barley, yeast and spices to create a one-of-a-kind brewsky. Created by the Brooklyn Brew Shop and offered via Williams Sonoma, this kit is truly unique and fun. Both of my brothers-in-law would love this, and yours will too!

2. J. Crew Leather Flask, $42.50
This flask will warm your heart as well as your spirit! For those cold days when a shot of bourbon won't hurt, this is a fun and lighthearted gift for the man who likes to have a good time. Leather-bound and made of stainless steel, this J. Crew item seems like the perfect gift for Dad or grandpa (if your dad is anything like mine!) The only way to amplify this gift? Include a bottle of his choice beverage, as well.

3. Vintage World Maps Calendar, $21.50
Does he like to travel? Probably so. Let him dream of future excursions by the month with this gorgeous vintage-style 2013 calendar offered by Anthropologie. DIY Alert: After the month has passed, you could always cut out the map and frame it for a friend with an interest in that country! It's the gift that keeps on giving!

4. The Art of Shaving Kit, $25
This is a gift gone right, and I know from personal experience. I got this for my man a few years ago and he, surprisingly, loved it. It may look a little fancy and the store is definitely upscale, but this Starter Kit is modestly priced and, apparently, gave him the best shave of his life. It comes with a pre-shave oil, shaving cream, after-shave balm and a badger-hair brush in a few different scents, but the unscented is the one I went with and it still smelled great. Pamper him a bit, why don't ya?

5. Moleskin "The Hobbit" Notebook (Special Edition), $16.95
With the movie dropping Dec. 14, this is a timely and thoughtful gift for the man who loves his Tolkien (not that I would know anything about an obsessive love for this man and his life's work...) Moleskin is offering an exclusive edition of the classic notebook with this etched-leather pocket ruled notebook. There may or may not be a map of Wilderland included in the back... this is an awesome gift! I'm silent screaming right now!!!

6. The North Face eTip Gloves, $45
Practical. Efficient. Weatherproof. Where I live, these gloves are a necessity. It's bitter to bare your hands while dialing on your iPhone. These allow full user mobility on any device, and you don't have to brave the harsh cold while texting. Invest in your man's hands and surprise him with these bad boys, black North Face eTip Gloves, first seen on here.

Happy Shopping!