Making Merry

Our "official" holiday celebrations started on Christmas Eve, with a trip to the Zoo of all places! They do an amazing holiday lights display there, and since lights on the 24th is kind of our thing, its seemed like a great idea. It was gorgeous!

They had hot chocolate, and a special smores stand where you buy the fixing and make them yourself on surrounding fire pits!

After that it was time to head home, put out some milk and cookies, then straight to bed so Santa could do his work!

He came!

Christmas was wonderful. Honestly, while I've been enjoying our tree, and I was ready rather early, I've been a bit off for a few weeks so I really needed the magic of Christmas day to "reset" myself!

It worked. Seeing Gwen light up when she saw that Santa left her presents and filled her stocking (and squealing right along with her!) was so wonderful. Hearing her excitement at the presents she received, and at the simple things that have become so important (like cinnamon rolls for breakfast and A Christmas Story on the TV), was exactly what I needed - medicine for the soul.

There was so much geeky goodness... lots of Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Legos.

There was travel money, clothes, and movies... and we were all equally excited with all of it!!

Daisy was pretty darn happy with her stocking stuff too.

The rest of the day was lazy... we watched all three of the Hobbit movies while putting together Lego sets and playing with figurines. We ordered Chinese food for dinner, and were all ready for bed when it rolled around. It was a really great day.

I hope that your holidays, no matter what you celebrate, were everything that you needed too!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday {2016}

Happy and sad, with loss and celebration, 2016 has certainly been a big one for us! From Yoga Teacher Training to my first doula clients, a cross-country trip to weekends camping, hockey games to hiking, plus visits from friends and family, so much has happened! We don't need a full recap here... but I thought I'd share a few pictures from throughout the year.

12 Days of Christmas

This year Gwen and I had an unintentional "12 Days of Christmas" of sorts.

Gwen's school celebrated the holidays on the 16th (their last day of school before break). She got to wear her PJs to school and watch The Polar Express with her class in the morning. In the afternoon, parents got to come in to help make clove studded oranges and gingerbread houses.

Saturday Gwen made a whole slew of paper snowflakes, which we walked around to deliver to neighbors. It was actually really sweet!

Sunday we made our first batch of cookies, for a friend's Holiday Potluck - a fun party with roasted pork shoulder, dorky Christmas sweaters, and great company.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies!

Monday we met my friend SaraMarie for a walk through the Denver Christkindl Market. There were lots of fun stands and we both found a few things.

We then walked down to the Pavilions to check out the carousel set up right in the middle of the street!

We had a few movie nights during the week, made and delivered more paper snowflakes, and Thursday and Friday we baked more cookies!

Then, before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve!

Happy Holidays!

From Trav, Gwen, Daisy, and I - Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, or a very Happy Festivus.  

Whatever you celebrate, we hope your weekend is beautiful, and festive! 

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday {Yoga Growth}

Flying pigeon!

You never stop growing unless you stop trying! I never plan to stop trying new things in my yoga practice, so I never plan to stop growing in it either.

We forget the "simple" poses sometimes,
but I'm very pleased with my halfway lift here!

Raw Root Veggie Slaw {Recipe}

When Autumn, then Winter comes around, the food we make naturally changes over from the lighter, cooler summer fare, to richer, heavier, warming dishes. I love that changer personally - throw some butter sauteed, cream finished dish at me and I am a happy girl! That said, you definitely can't eat that way all the time!

I made a Raw Root Veggie Slaw the other night was the perfect combination of light food, but still winter food. It uses four of the wonderful root veggies that are around in the winter time, and a lemony vinaigrette dressing to punch up the flavor while still keeping this dish a perfect light side to any meal. Pair it with a lemony chicken to make your belly happy - both flavor-wise and as a break from the heartier stews and casseroles that come out this time of year.

Raw Root Veggie Slaw

Slaw: 
1 large carrot
1 parsnip
1/2 rutabaga
3 medium-large radishes

Dressing: 
1/2 c lemon olive oil
1/3 c honey balsamic vinegar
1/2 Tbsp dried mint (or 1 Tbsp fresh, chopped)
Salt and Pepper to taste.

1. Mix all of the dressing ingredients in a jar or tupperware container with a tight seal. Shake vigorously and set aside.

2. Peel, trim, and matchstick cut the carrot, parsnip, and rutabaga. Wash and trim the radishes, then halve and cut into half-moons. Mix all veggies in a large bowl.

3. Add dressing, stirring to combine. Refrigerate at least 20 minutes, but can do overnight, stirring occasionally.

4. Enjoy!