Merry Christmas, everyone! I have not had an opportunity to post anything substantial in quite a while; my job has kept me very involved with responsibilities that need my attention at every hour, every minute of the day, so this break gives me the chance to catch up on my blogging and relax by taking photographs and sampling my subscription boxes. Of course, I get to also take the time to sip all of my teas I gathered from the Devan Shah International Tea Festival, which took place earlier this month.
I love Christmas even more than I love Halloween. While my family takes time out to observe Hanukkah due to our faith, Christmas is still a magical time of joy and togetherness. Decorating our home has always been enjoyable for me. This year, I had the assistance of everyone in the family, which I appreciated, yet I chose to keep it simple and not go bananas by decorating every room in the house. Still, the areas that don swags and garlands are still beautiful and took quite a bit of time preparing. These fineries are only up for a small amount of time. Consequently, taking photgraphs is always important: It is an opportunity to capture the beauty of Christmas, and for me to take shots to store for stock when I want to use them for projects in the future.
A Growing Family
Like most people, my favorite ballet is "The Nutcracker" . I remember as a small child waking up to the PBS broadcast with Gelsey Kirkland and Mikhail Baryshnikov and saying to myself, "I will dance in the Nutcracker one day!" As a young dancer, that is what I expected. What I didn't expect was that I would also be an avid collector of nutcrackers. Every year, I try to find the most beautiful and most unique, and I am not fussy; they can come from the drugstore or FAO Schwartz, it does not matter!
The Art of Getting Cozy
I think the best thing about the holidays is getting cozy. Practicing the art of "Hygge" brings all things together that are meant for gathering with friends and loved ones. The term "Hygge" (pronounced, "hoo ga") has its roots in Danish culture and defines the art of building sanctuary and community.
Seeking Adventure
I also love to get out into the city during the Holidays. I love the lights, the beautiful tall buildings, and the crowds that exude this energy that is filled with excitement. Going to see a movie, a play, concert or ballet always brings more to the excursion and provides memorable experiences. "Star Wars" opened during the perfect time to visit L.A. Live to channel our inner light and dark sides and take in the sites!
Nightlife at Farmer's Market
I was still quite antsy and excited, so the next weekend I invited Jim, Aaron and Ben out on a "Date Night" to The Grove. We had to get used to the enormous crowd at first, feeling a bit uneasy and not quite sure what to eat, but Farmer's Market offered a variety of options, and we grabbed a few bites and braved the throngs of people enjoying the night.
Christmas brings all people together...
This shopping center is special to me because it attracts people from the many communities surrounding the Fairfax District; a multicultural blend of individuals and families from all over the world, painted in a variety of shades and speaking every type of language imaginable.
Gathering with friends old and new...
Being at home, listening to Christmas music and baking is most fun when you are among those special surroundings that bring the magnificence of the season into the home. And inviting friends over to enjoy festivities makes my house come alive with cheer!
Labors of Love
Some of the hardest work we do is during the holidays; putting up the trees, decorating, cleaning the house for guests, hosting parties, decorating, baking, cooking, decorating, shopping, wrapping gifts...and decorating. Planning the holidays is like staging your own production! Whew! I get sore, my back hurts, I get a headache, and my butt and my legs hate me when I try to get up from wrapping too many gifts in one sitting. But, the beauty, splendor and wonder of this time of year is as fabulous as you make it. It is a time where everyone can shine and be creative. Everyone can sing a tune, everyone (thanks to Pilsbury) can make cookies. Most importantly, everyone can say, "I love you", or "Merry Christmas". Everyone can love. Those are the most precious gift of which the values are immeasureable!
Credits:
Photos by Delayna Goins