"Quick, more butter! More flour! Can you grab those cookie shapes for me? Is the oven preheated? This is the fourth time they've played this song. Are the cookies burning?! Stop eating all the dough! How did flour get in here? I'm going to get you an action figure for Christmas. Gosh, this is just like a taste of Christmas!"
We made Christmas cookies one cold and dreary Monday afternoon and if you were there, that up there is probably what you'd hear. We're a loud and crazy bunch, that's for sure.
And now it's December and Christmas is just three short days away. Truth be told, I like the days leading up to Christmas more than the big day itself. Even through hazy days spent working long hours, studying for tests, finishing up bits of homework before break, and searching for presents, it's just such a magical time. I still have a few gifts to hunt down (hi my name is procrastination) and a few more hours to spend at work, but man, I love Christmas.
Here's a Christmassy lists a la Hannah because I love lists almost as much as I love Christmas.
things I like about christmas:
christmas eve service (11pm! candlelight! singing!)and wearing a new gold sequin skirt to said service
the chance of snow predicted for christmas day
a whole two weeks of freedom
reading the night before christmas
making cookies
and eating almost as much dough as cookies
driving around the town looking at lights with the windows down and a mug of hot chocolate in my hands
the excited flurry of the 23rd and 24th
the aftermath of present opening
watching elf (because it's the most quotable of all christmas movies ever) and home alone (because it's darn classic)
getting together with friends to sit in the living room and sing christmas carols
food food food
and did I mention food?
but most importantly: celebrating the birth of my savior.
also this video, because it's not christmas without it:
Merry Christmas!
this made me so happy to read and see. :) still sicksicksick right now and I haven't been able to eat (much less make) Christmas cookies, but seeing this is sorta like being there. :) also...things you like about Christmas...WHERE IS ELF, WOMAN?! ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo, h
WHOOPS I ADDED IT NOW. gosh where is my elf spirit this year...
DeleteThese cookie pictures of yours are always my favourite. Beautiful, as always! :)
ReplyDeleteLove these photos and hearing about what you love about Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures and your words. Your photography is just incredible!
ReplyDeletelove elf! I think I like the leading up more too! xo
ReplyDeleteelf. elf elf ef. elf is my favourite. smiling is my favourite. also you don't really sit on a throne of lies but i have yell out YOU SIT ON A THRONE OF LIES. that sounds like something that should be just as much of a trend as signing your name as "primrose everdeen" and then yelling that you volunteer as tribute at starbucks.
ReplyDeleteand no i have no idea what i just said.
also i've never really make Christmas cookies. like, ever. this much change immediately. although i prefer Christmas cupcakes.
basically this is a adorable. the end.
I love that little video!! Their Aussie accents are too presh.
ReplyDeleteYay for gold sparkly skirts! I want to see a picture of this. :D
Oh and food. food. food! It's kinda the best, no?
Merry Christmas!
~bree
This is truly lovely, Carlotta. :) I agree, the days leading before Christmas are perhaps the best time of the year. Cookie baking, Christmas shopping, and the rest of fun stuff...for me it just never gets old. ;)
ReplyDeleteStill gotta watch "Home Alone" this year. I've still got 3 days left to do so! :D
Take care, and hope you have a lovely day!
Oh I just love how raw and real your pictures are. The coloring is so rustic and beautiful. Some of your best shots. I believe I almost like the days leading up to Christmas more than the day itself too. They're so special, full of traditions, laughter, gift-planning, gift-making/buying, gift-wrapping, and meditating on the WONDERFUL story of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I haven't finished my gift shopping yet either :P
Love your list!
Blessings!
-Madi
Lovely post! That video was sooo cute.
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas, and I'm super excited by the fact that we only have three more days left. :)
CUTEST video ever.. I do not kid. I can't tell you how much I love this post!
ReplyDeleteHannah, thank you for putting Carlotta in the right Christmas mind. ;) ELF is THE Christmas movie!
Just a quick question- what camera do you have? All of your pictures are perfect!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you! I use a nikon d90 and generally shoot with a 35mm 1.8 lens.
DeleteAh, I love this piece of writing of yours, Carlotta...it's by far my favourite Christmas post this year! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how any one could not like Christmas?!
xo
This is beautiful!!! I love that last one. Merry Christmas! =)
ReplyDeleteYou captured such real, priceless memories. So good! :)
ReplyDeleteI really love your photographs. The details, and yummy editing. It's very pretty, And I'm glad you're posting again/more. :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas:)
ReplyDeletegah, carlotta, you are brilliant. and your photos make me nostalgic in every way possible.
ReplyDeletexxx acacia
Beautiful post, Carlotta! I absolutely adore all of your food/cooking photos. Oh, and isn't that little film the best ever?
ReplyDeletexo M
I was seriously about to put up a post on making cookies much like yours. I wish I knew your family, you all look like you have so much fun together! I hope you have a great Christmas!
ReplyDeleteTessa Brooke
I love this set of photos! Love it!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family, Carlotta! I hope you enjoy every moment of it!
The cookies are darling. I made some with my little brother the other day, too!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Carlotta! Thanks for inspiring me everyday to be a better photographer and writer. I've been reading you for 3 years now!
Merry Christmas, Carlotta!! Love that video, so cute. Jesus is the reason for the season :)
ReplyDeleteXo
beautiful pictures. :) your b&w shots are so powerful, like really. Merry Christmas Carlotta.
ReplyDeleteOh, that video will never fail to lift my spirits! I love your photos, now I really want a cookie... ;)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Christmas Carlotta!
Merry Christmas! I love the photos so pretty and homey. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images, Carlotta! I love the contrast!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is definitely my favorite time of year. As much as I love opening presents and eating a big breakfast and dinner Christmas day, the hype revolving around the days preceding Christmas is very fun. :)
ReplyDeletethat christmas video is the most amazing thing ever. I'll show that to my kids one day. :)
ReplyDelete