the christmas lights at the end of the tunnel...

Magical, whimsical, joyful, and more -- words to describe Christmas time.



While I'm usually positive, upbeat, and motivated, I must admit that I haven't really been able to describe my December in any of those words. December has been a stressful month around these parts (my work, J's school, and lots of things in between), but this past weekend was just what the doctor prescribed. With our student doctor's beginning winter break on Friday, it turned into a magical, whimsical, and joyful weekend for all of us. And we needed it.



Carly and Brian had us over Thursday night, and I told her the exact same thing. I wasn't thrilled at first about going to hang out with friends, because when you're in a gloomy mood, ya sometimes just aren't feeling it. I was later thrilled that we dragged our butts out to be with friends, because it was this exact moment sitting on their couch with friends when I realized, 'I love this.'

J and I were sitting legs crossed, Dave beside us playing Dave Matthews' Crash Into Me, Christmas candles lit to set the mood, Carly and Brian handing out cookies, and just relaxing on a weeknight with friends. Thank goodness for the amazing friends we've made here. Nights like this make me happy.

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Dave had his traditional pancake brunch for all of us...we all arrived wearing our comfiest PJ's, sipped on mimosas, and reminisced on Christmas memories while watching Charlie Brown Christmas.




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To celebrate the start of J's winter break, I baked some cookies and he brought in some Christmas cheer with beautiful flowers.


I also made our friends a couple batches of chocolate-covered pretzels. Yummy!


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Do you remember our beer and pretzel tour of Atlanta over the summer? Well, we were ready for another tour. So to end the week, we made up went on our own sweet potato fry tour of Atlanta. We called it 'Sweep Atlanta.' Sweet Potato = Sweep. Get it?! Okay. It was great!

The guys donned their best 3/4 sleeve plaid button downs..I missed the memo on that -- bummer.



More on this to come - look out for a blog post :) But for now, you can rest assured knowing we had a successful 'Sweep!'

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And the very next night was the 'Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.' Seriously, who knew there were so many damn sweaters out there that are oh so hideous?!

Check us out...

I sure did feel like we had stepped back in time a tad. And how did someone else have my SAME EXACT sweater? Who knew mine would be so popular...

J was a finalist for the men's sweater contest. It came down to him and Dave, but honestly, how could you beat this size 7 little girl's sweater with an extremely classy tattoo sticking out?

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Tonight, I've stayed up late, sat by the Christmas tree, felt the warmth of the fire, and watched Elf on TV -- all while wrapping Christmas presents beside my husband (my husband of 6 months today, by the way ;). I've got four more days of work until Florida! We are ready for ya!

Thank goodness the end of the week has certainly changed my less-than-impressive December to a magical, whimsical, joyful one. Just remember, there's always light at the end of the tunnel! And if it's December, there are thankfully Christmas lights at the end of the tunnel. I've found them.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

the best way to spread christmas cheer....

...is singing loud for all to hear! Elf, anyone?!

That is just what I've been doing recently. If a good Christmas jam comes on, I can't help but sing out loud in sheer joy! Call me crazy, but I freakin' love the holidays. And well, J..he'll bust out a tune or two as well. You've just gotta catch him in the right mood!



After much anticipation, we slowly wandered down enchanting rows of trees to pick out just the right one for us. It was a cold evening and that perfect amount of Christmas scent filled our noses. I was happppy. And I greatly appreciate having a husband who loves Christmas/the holiday season in general almost as much as I do. Not quite sure what I would do if I had that Grinch-type for a husband. Phew! (By the way, Grinch the Musical was adorable..I highly recommend it!)



Pandora holiday tunes were playing, the oil warmer was lit, leaving scents of evergreen to fill our house, and the fire place was flickering. Great night to decorate our Christmas tree.

Our pup thinks the tree is a place to hide under when he's in trouble. Me, I think it's hilarious.

I still see you!

J and Grizz loving each other?! Not so much, but they're doing what they do best - wrestling :) That's what puppy daddy's are for, right?



We decked the tree with ornaments before going to bed, while visions of sugar-plums danced in our heads. Twas the night before Christmas, anyone?!








Hmm...that looks like me! Is that me?


These ones make me smile..

While decorating for Christmas, I think it's a time when everyone usually reflects on their favorite childhood memories and family traditions. I love that each and every family has varying traditions and values that make up Christmas time for them, many of which are passed down through generations. You can't help growing up, but you can choose which memories and traditions to move forward with.

Looking back on our BIG family's Christmas mornings, I can't help but miss those days with all of us having a blast together, without a worry in the world. That's the fun of childhood, and while you learn to let go, you yearn to grow. My family members now have their own families to incorporate some of our traditions into while creating new ones along the way. It just means more family members to share in the joy with. Especially now that I'm married..double the families, baby! And family, after all, are the most important people to spend the holidays with!

We hope to bring some new traditions to the table, like buying our tree the day after Thanksgiving, and decorating the tree on J's birthday (except for those years where his birthday falls before Thanksgiving!) We have a few other ideas that we hope to throw in along the way, and then there will be those spontaneous activities that just so happen to become traditions without even planning for it. I'm thrilled to stumble upon those in the future, and for now I'm thrilled for our first Christmas together as "The Barr's."

What are your family traditions? I'd loveee to hear about them!

Now bring us some figgy pudding! Muppets Christmas, anyone?!

Kevin & Courtney: engagement shoot!

They may have gotten engaged about a year ago, but it's never too late for engagement photos! Especially because they are still in the 'engagement' stage. We are all excited for their wedding in March :)

To follow along with their theme, I made them a few props for their shoot..love the lips and mustache! We went to Courtney's church, 12Stone in Lawrenceville, to take some fall engagement photos. Check 'em out:















They met at USF, so we had to get some photos in some of their favorite attire: (I think garnet and gold would have been a better look..jus' sayin!)




Taking engagement photos is a fun experience not to be missed out on. They are completely different from wedding day photos, not only by the way they look, but the overall experience itself. It's much calmer when taking engagement photos and it's a casual, relaxed atmosphere to just have fun, be goofy, and be yourself. While wedding day photos share a lot of the same qualities (as in an incredibly fun day), it's nice to take the time for some pre-wedding casual photos with just the two of you.

We all had fun taking these, and next up on the list for them: the big day!! Congrats to Kevin & Courtney :)

DIY Christmas Monogram Wreath Tutorial

Before my mom and grandma came last week, they offered to get J and I a nice Christmas decoration as a gift for our first Christmas as a married couple. I decided we should just make something and after seeing yarn wreath's all over the blog world, I wanted to try!

If you're interested, follow this tutorial:

Supplies:

• foam wreath
• yarn (just one roll will do)
• felt (about 4 sheets)
• monogram letter
• natural jute twine (to wrap around letter)
• berry picks (optional)

I began by wrapping twine around the letter as well as wrapping yarn all the way around the wreath.

I then cut felt (either strips or circles depending on flower type)...

For this type, I cut a strip, folded it and hot glued it to keep it folded. Then cut slits through the folded seam and rolled it up (placing hot glue every couple rolls).


And for this type, I cut a circle, cut it like a spiral, then start rolling up the spiral while gluing it.




I hot glued the corners of the 'B' to the wreath and then arranged my finished flowers and berry picks on the wreath. Note: I stuck the berry picks in the foam and glued them first before gluing the flowers on.

Ta-daaa!





p.s. - an easy way to hang a wreath if you do not have a wreath hanger or if they are too bulky for your door - just attach a ribbon to the top and use a push pin on the top of the door frame. That's also how I hung my fall wreath and it held up all season.
Martha Stewart taught me that one ;)


Tonight, we are off to the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta to catch Grinch The Musical :)

Happy December, happy weekend and happy crafting!