Saturday, December 5, 2015

Christmas Time is Here

We love Christmas at the Henry home! Here's a look at the current state of our space.

Front Door
Christmas Sheep
Simple box, bell, and sheep. I believe these sheep used to belong to Russell's parents when he was little.


The toy train and the banner were also Russell's when he used to live in Reno. His family are insane Christmas decorators. His entire family goes all out on Christmas, and it's nice to have little decorations that used to hang in his childhood home this time of year.

Coffee Table Centerpiece.
Top: Top View | Bottom: Side View
Coat Rack. Representing the Gryffindor scarf.
Side Table
Gotta put little ornaments on our houseplants. Russell's grandma knitted us that white circle Christmas decoration. The red yarn is mine since I am also trying to knit little Christmas decorations.

His & Hers Stockings
Mantel View
Loving our mantel. We had so much white space above the fireplace, so I hung little Christmas ornaments across it using fishing line. Total money saver and an easy DIY.


Snow Falling 
Also hung little blue snowflakes across our windows. The only way we'll get snow in this part of Southern California.

Vintage Sign
This also used to belong to Russell's parents. It's currently hanging in our kitchen.

Presents
Oh Christmas Tree
We got a real tree this year (last year, we were living in Carlsbad and didn't have space in our 450 sq. ft apartment for a tree). For ornaments, we stuck with white and silver ornaments/snowflakes. Russell also wrapped white yarn and twine around the tree. I love the smell of our living room every morning when I step out of the bedroom. Smells like CHRISTMAS.

My Favorite Christmas Ornament
Every year, we get a new ornament for the tree. This ornament was from our first Christmas together as a married couple. Also an easy DIY (buy a clear ornament, print out a picture, stuff it in ornament, then fill the extra space behind the picture with cotton balls).

Lewis as Grumpy Santa
Handmade Items:
  • Wreath on door: I made this last year as part of a wreath-decorating contest in a company I worked for. I got second place :)
  • Christmas pillow cases: Sewed new cases from extra fabric I had lying around. 
  • Quilt/blanket: Quilt on the couch was the one Russell's mom made me for one of my birthdays.
  • Stockings: Russell's stocking was made by his mom; it's the same stocking he had growing up. 
  • Red Mat on coffee table: From an easy sewing project
  • Mantel Ornaments and Blue Snowflakes: Made from fishing line and old Christmas ornaments from our first Christmas together!
  • Yarn and Twine wrapped around tree: Self-explanatory
There was a lot of easy DIY Christmas project this year. You can never go wrong from personalized Christmas creations.



We didn't go too overboard with the decorations--I figured we have years to collect different Christmas momentoes, so I didn't want to stockpile it this year. Hence, lots of random handmade bits. I think we honestly spent less than $20 on decorations [does not include cost of tree] this year, and most of that money was spent on ornaments. Loving the look, smell, and overall vibe of the living room. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving

It's been a little crazy...off-beat...off-tempo, I don't know—different in the Henry household. We got a bit of news before Thanksgiving that wasn't the best. Nope. It was upsetting news, the kind you don't want right before the holidays. Yet, somehow, getting bad news right before Thanksgiving is the best time to get it. Because the day after, you're forced to face everything that you're thankful for. I hate being vague, but there's just some things I don't want to blog. Anyways, most of you know. Let's just put it this way: we are thankful that we both are in good health, that we have a roof above our heads, and that we serve a great God who always provides.

The day before Thanksgiving, we received news that set us back a step. But on that same day, we climbed into a Ford Expedition with both of Russell's brothers, their wife/fiance, two dogs, then drove to Oroville. How can I be mad about that day when it was also shared with so much sunshine and happiness? It was still a great day nonetheless because it was a day filled with love.

It took us 11 hours to get to Oroville, compared to our usual 8 hours. However, since there were 6 adults in the car, driving wasn't tiring. The dogs are best friends and would often cuddle together.

Thanksgiving day was a reminder of all things good. It was held on the same ranch we got married at. What a wonderful reminder—there's no bad news when you have a good marriage grounded on some sturdy foundation. We ate some good food with family, at a location that held so many memories.

Pictures:
Sunset on Thanksgiving day
These dogs taught Lewis how to beg. This was taken while I held a piece of banana for breakfast.
The day after Thanksgiving, Russell, his brothers, and one of his cousins played a board game. We also had a lot of wine curtesy of his aunt, the wine-maker. 

Russell and his brother being silly. This was at a small mandarin stand next to his grandparents' ranch.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Harry Potter, in Pictures

I took most of my Florida photos on a film camera. Here are the few I have on my iPhone camera roll.

Diagon Alley:
Diagon Alley was behind A BRICK WALL, LIKE DUH
Gringotts
Hogsmeade: 

Butterbeer!
Frozen (my favorite kind out of the three butterbeers they offered: cold, frozen, hot)

I had so much butterbeer while in the park. I don't even want to think about how much sugar I consumed.
I would write more about Harry Potter...but I feel like I wrote what I needed to about it in my Yelp review. If you're at all interested about what I thought about it (spoiler alert: I LOVED it), here's the review: Yelp Review