Movie Magic

During the Christmas season, we love to sit and watch our favorite Christmas movies.  "White Christmas" has been mine for many years.  I like everything about this movie - the sentimental story behind it, the dancing, and the singing.  My favorite part is when Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney share sandwiches and buttermilk, and together sing the beautiful song, "Count Your Blessings."  This show is a classic.

Nel's favorite movie is "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."   Her favorite part is when the Grinch is sledding down the mountain, and after a tumble he sees that Max, his reindeer dog, is no longer pulling his sleigh.  When the Grinch turns around he finds Max waving at him from the back of the sleigh, enjoying the ride with a big smile on his face.

Jess' favorite is "Elf."  She likes Elf because the movie is really clever.  She thinks Will Ferrell is so funny, and the shots of New York in the winter are fun to watch around Christmas time.

We also like "Home Alone."  We think Kevin is so funny and cute as a little boy.  This movie also has a great soundtrack.

"A Christmas Story" is another classic we all love.  It's a time to reflect back and see how Christmas' were like years ago.  We especially love the end when they go to the Chinese Restaurant and the mom is cracking up at the table because the duck is smiling at her.  This movie always makes us laugh.

Is there a favorite Christmas movie that you watch every year?

                       

                             ~Sheri

                          

                            

Winter Wreaths

This year Jess and I both wanted holiday wreaths to spruce up our homes for the Christmas season.

We saw so many really beautiful ones while out shopping the other day, but they were all so pricey - as much as $60 in some cases!

So we decided to get creative and make our own.

We each picked out trimmings that would complement our home decor.

Jess loves the color red.

I love gold and warm earth tones.

Both Jess and I used these ruby red gems my mom had to give our wreaths a little extra sparkle.

We were quite pleased with the way our holiday projects turned out.

(Jess's wreath)

(Nel's wreath)

Have you been working on any fun Christmas crafts?

~Nel & Jess ~

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

The Christmas season is finally here! We have so many fun holiday traditions.

Going to The Nutcracker is one of them.

We love the Electric Light Parade that passes through Old Town. 

There's so many holiday goodies to choose from!

It doesn't get much better than listening to Burl Ives with a hot mug of eggnog while decorating the Christmas tree. 

The sweet smell of gingerbread cookies baking in the oven always puts us in the holiday spirit.

Even in sunny Southern California, the snow-capped mountains are just a short drive away.

In all of the merry holiday cheer, we feel it's important to take time out and think...

...about the real reason we celebrate this beautiful time of year.

Happy Holidays!

~ Sheri, Jess, and Nel ~

Giving Thanks

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses." ~Alphonse Karr

"Let us rise up and be thankful; for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so let us all be thankful." ~Buddha

"A woman has got to love a bad man once or twice in her life, to be thankful for a good one." ~Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

"So often we dwell on the things that seem impossible rather than on the things that are possible.  So often we are depressed by what remains to be done and forget to be thankful for all that has been done." ~Marian Wright Edelman

"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest." ~William Blake 

We are thankful for our loving family, good health, safety, shelter, happiness, perseverance... and YOU!  We wish you a peaceful holiday and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. ♥

There's Nothing Like A...

As you know, we love Photography.  I took a black and white Photography class years ago, and got to develop my own pictures.  To watch them being created right before my eyes was a thrill.  There's nothing more mysterious and beautiful to me than a black and white photo.  Here are a few pictures that I took back then.

Who doesn't love a horse and carriage ride?

One hundred year-old Oak Tree

Back in my home town, this Deli made the best hot pastrami sandwiches.

The Wonderful Disneyland!

This 92 year old woman was kind enough to let me take a picture of her....Bless her.

Colored pictures are pretty too, BUT...

There's nothing like a black and white.

This is my favorite picture of my mom and dad.

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
                    ~Mother Teresa~

Do you have a black and white photo that you treasure?

                          ~Sheri

For the Love of Wine

In Northern California, my mom's friend would host parties that we would attend every so often.  

We always enjoyed visiting her lovely home.  It was uniquely designed and really reflected the family living in it.  One of my favorite designs of hers was a spiral, ceiling-mounted wine rack that displayed bottles upside down.  

I had never seen anything like it.  I was so excited when I discovered a similar wine rack when we went wine tasting in Temecula.  

And I was even more excited when my parents bought it for me for my birthday!  

I have just hung it in my kitchen, and I love it.  

Now, I just need to keep it full with wine :-)  

Cheers!

~Jess