tuesday picnic on the porch, complete with orangina and 75 degree weather

{perfect}

p.s:  I now have New Years bangs thanks to Janie :)

Rabies and Tetnus and Yellow Fever, Oh My

We're back in Charleston with 3 sore arms and 1 step closer to our trip to Ethiopia!

This morning we got pumped with every disease imaginable and unimaginable.  {And by "we" I mostly mean Ben:( }.  One of the many perks of your maiden voyage to Africa.   He got both his arms poked- several times, but I lucked out with only having to get Tetnus.  

And now we're back Home...nursing our wounds, eating doro watt and getting just a little bit excited about our upcoming trip:)

Christmas at the Hardings

We chugged along the highway in torrents of rain as we made our way to Charlotte for Christmas with the Hardings. We snuck into the house at 12:30 to find the tree aglow and the packages nestled beneath it.

In the morning Ben and I woke Kristen up and we went downstairs to begin the festivities.

And, in true tradition, Dad read the Christmas story

Presents were exchanged....

Looking over the wedding album Ben and I made for Mom and Dad

Kristen got Ben and me matching Patagonia pullovers and a beautiful framed black and white picture from the wedding with her prayer for us, that she shared at the reception, written beautifully on the matting.

We got her a wooden recipe box with filled with copies of three generations of famous Harding recipes. And of course, a Real Simple subscription.

I also got a stellar embosser and my favorite scent in the world- Ahava lotions among other goodies.

The family (+ a temporary addition)

So we didn't get a puppy for Christmas, but we got to take care of one before she was given. And maybe we pretended like she was ours...just for a little bit:) Kyle got this "little" St. Bernard for Margaret for Christmas. She made our Christmas morning even more exciting.

Then Pawpaw and Betty came over for Christmas Brunch.

Then we relaxed, went on a walk, and headed to meet up with the rest of the Harding gang for Christmas dinner.


Parting shots...

I want one.....

Merry Christmas from the Taylor home...

to yours...

Christmas at the Taylor's is coming to an end, and late tonight, after dinner and the Christmas Eve service, we'll jump into the car and head to Charlotte to continue the celebration.

 

Merry Christmas!

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means "God with us"

Matthew 1:23

Coquito

So, maybe I'm sitting at my desk drinking Coquito from our Puerto Rican Librarian, and maybe it's very, very spiked with delicious Puerto Rican rum.

Ok, so maybe it's only 9:30am on a weekday.

And maybe I feel like this is completely acceptable behavior.

Sometimes I don't mind my job at all.

Cheers!

'twas the week before christmas...

Merry Christmas!

Even though it's a week away, we celebrated a wee bit early by opening our stockings...we just couldn't wait. (And by "we", I definitely mean Ben)  Have I mentioned that I am married to the Christmas Spirit himself? Yup.  It's true.

Our presents are made and wrapped and ready to go, and I have ONE more day of work before a glorious 2 week break!

 We head up to Raleigh on Saturday for the Taylor family festivities.  And the to Charlotte on Christmas Eve to join the Harding clan.  

Our very first christmas together..... 

Hope you have a very, very merry one!

Stockings

Today we got our Christmas stockings in the mail from PB!

the fireplace is now complete.

May the stuffing begin:)

December in the South

It's December 10th and it's 72 degrees and m-u-g-g-y.

and the AC in our office isn't working (it's December, it shouldn't need to be working)

So i'm sitting here, at my little desk...listening to Christmas music, writing Christmas cards, and sweltering.

That bottle of wine sitting by my desk is starting to look really tempting. Hot Yoga (the original plan) does not sound so appealing.

Happy Holidays from the South.....

sunday night

On Saturday we did some Christmas shopping at the market and on King st. and came home with this little guy...
So naturally we had to make gingerbread men last night....

and used our fancy crockpot to make a big batch of chili and old fashion cornbread

and danced in the kitchen to my new favorite song (so maybe I danced and Ben stood there and laughed)

and had dinner and watched Home Alone with this character
and ate these guys...and lived happily ever after....

celebrations

Last week my beautiful sister turned 25. 

 {She thinks she's old}  

{I think she's crazy}

Last night we threw a dinner party to celebrate her 

youth  

Complete with a winter feast, blueberry wine, champagne, and cupcakes

i believe a good time was had by all.....

the end.

Christmas at the Taylors

Christmas has finally arrived to our little charleston abode.  Our first as mr. and mrs.

It's quite the process.  Especially because I apparently married Father Christmas himself.  It turns out B is quite the Christmas fanatic.  

So here is how it happens around here....

Step 1:  Find the perfect tree.       

Step 2:  Light it up.  (Holiday attire and tunes mandatory)

Step 3:  Turn the other lights off and... TaDa!   

Step 4:  Build a scrumptious looking gingerbread house.  Complete with fishing pond and pimped out car:)
 And that is how Christmas begins at the Taylors....