Christmas cheer!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Despite the fact that South Africa does not celebrate Thanksgiving, I was able to participate in turkey-laden festivities for three, blessed reasons:

1)      My husband appreciates and goes along with all my holiday activities (I’m a lucky girl),

2)      I have friends here – both American and South African – who wanted to create a full-fledged Thanksgiving meal,

3)      And I work at an American institution, so I got the whole Thanksgiving weekend off! Hooray!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas season has officially begun! I have always been one of those “no-Christmas-music-before-Thanksgiving” people…although the longer I live abroad, the earlier and earlier that rule bends. But especially with living in a country that is in summer during Christmas, I try to work extra hard to make the season feel festive.

Christmas music (as previously mentioned) is a must. 

Especially George Winston and Frank Sinatra (among many others).

And embarrassingly, the Chipmunks are also a must. As a kid, my mom and I would bake and dance around the house to this album (can I even call it that?), so it's just kind of stuck with me. 

Snickerdoodles. And they must have red and green sprinkles. Must. (Sorry the picture isn't great...I made these for Thanksgiving and only took a picture on my phone to send to my mom. Please ignore the plastic wrap.)

Christmas movies. Where do I even begin?

I’m trying to do more crafty things this holiday season, a) because it’s cute and b) it saves money. I’ve already started putting this garland together (above) and it’s so fun!

Also necessary: Snuggling with family on the couch, reflecting on the year passing, praying for the year to come. 

What makes it feel like the holiday season for you? And if the holiday season is not a particularly festive time for you, or you are far away from family, how do you cope? I'd really love to hear.

Hoping you are filled with lots of joy and love,

EF

Fetch

Regardless of what your political views are, I feel like you have to love the fact that the White House can make a pop culture reference (and a pretty good one at that).

I mean, who doesn't love some Mean Girls?

White and living in Africa,
EF

(Arguably) The Best Trip Ever

Hubby and I just spent three weeks visiting my family in the US of A, and it was honestly one of the best trips I've ever taken; not because we went somewhere exotic or did something new and exciting - we didn't, really. (Although Disney World is pretty exciting. And so is summer. And the Fourth of July.) But because we were so refreshed, encouraged, inspired, and filled with so much joy and hope. (When I write that out it sounds pretty cheezy, but that's really what the trip did for us.)

We hadn't seen my family since our wedding reception, so our time with them was overdue and needed. Our three weeks was a perfect balance of "at home/family time" and "doing things". We made smoothies at home, swam in the pool, went to the beach, went to Disney's Hollywood Studios, watched movies, reconnected with lots of friends, made new friends, played lots of Mexican Train Dominoes, had a second wedding reception(!), and so much great conversation and sunshine.

Here are some pictures, if you'd like to see. Really, I can't wait to share more than just pictures, because God really did a lot in our hearts in three weeks. I hope some of the things we learned and are changed by can encourage and inspire you. More on the emotional details of the trip soon. :)

Love from the freezy Southern Hemisphere (we're totally missing the summer sun and warmth!),

Ellie

Excited to start our 24-hour travel time! No, not really. Excited to get to the States!

On our way to the US, we had a layover in London, so my aunt and uncle (who live in London) met us at the airport for  some coffee. So wonderful!

I decided that if I'm going to put a slightly embarrassing picture of my hubs online, it's only fair I'm slightly embarrassed too. He is sleeping great because of that lovely JetBlue eye mask, and I am not sleeping (who knows why)....which is why my eyes look a bit crazy. (Notice I did not make this picture as large as the others. :)

Brother/sister beach time. :)

My (unofficially adopted) big sister and her daughter (my unofficial niece). :)

Disney World with the fam! Hollywood Studios is def my favorite!

I seriously have the coolest brother in the world. 

Honey, we're shrunk. 

Watching Disney fireworks on the Fourth of July! One of my most favorite holidays. 

My campus ministers from college, but really, dear friends. So, so great to spend time with them!

Tom (on the far right) and I went to college together. This was a double date with our spouses...gosh, how times have changed. :) 

More friends! (I can't get enough of seeing old friends again!)

We are Aunt Ellie and Uncle Gordon. :)

Just a Sunday morning. 

Beach. Miami skyline in the background. 

Coming soon...

Our second wedding/reception! :)

Mom dancing

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! I went to the most amazing cupcake decorating class that I'll post about later in the week. (Seriously, it made me wonder what I've been doing with my life up until now.)

Mondays can be a bit bleak, so I thought I would share a video that is sure to cheer you up.

I'm not a mom (and hopefully nowhere close to becoming one - love kids, want them one day, but not yet), but I have a number of mom friends and a wonderful mom who I Skype often and miss terribly. This is an ode to them. And honestly, who doesn't love Michelle Obama?

Hope this starts your week off right!

Love,
e.f.