Christmas Tree Hunting & Favorite Christmas Movies

Last week, we went to the mountains to pick out a Christmas tree. One of my favorite Christmas traditions. So, after arriving at the tree farm of our choice, we rode up to the trees via hayride.  

 Crazy family facial expressions.

And even though it was quite chilly, we had to tough it out to find the perfect Christmas tree. 

And we finally found one, (see below) !

David was fascinated by this truck. This is the kind of thing you only see in the (US) South.

Then we stopped by the Mast General Store. Love the vintage signs. 

and all the candy!!!

 Fun fact: A few weeks ago, President Obama stopped in this very store!

The chocolate section of course.

This shirt describes me pretty well. hahaha

Have you ever tried a Moon Pie? I'm sure it's just a southern thing, maybe just in NC? We used to eat them a lot growning up. So we got one for David to try :)

 I'm linking up not just with Embrace the Camera, but also at Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge. 

Today, the theme is favorite holiday movies/TV specials! Here's some clips of my Christmas favorites! Enjoy!

Alvin & the Chipmunks

Please Christmas Don't be Late

The Grinch

Home Alone

Jingle All the Way

(Anybody remember this one?)

What are your Christmastime must-see movies?

What I’m Loving Wednesday

    

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Today I'm loving the cold(er) weather. Finally starting to feel like winter!

I found this nail polish on a super good deal, and I'm loving these two Christmasy colors.

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I'm usually pretty conservative with my nail colors, so I was hesitant about the gold at first. But I wanted something fun and Christmasy, and I must say, I really like it. And it actually looks more neutral on than I thought.

I'm also loving chai drinks- hot and cold. Have you ever tried it? If not, go to your local coffee shop and get one! If you're in the moutains or foothills of NC, hit up an Emerson's Coffee Shop. They have a drink called a "dirty hippie." Chai with a shot of espresso. SO good.

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I'm also loving these vintage-y Christmas pins.

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Happy Wednesday :)

Today I'm linkin' up @

What I'm Loving Wednesday and

Thanksgiving Recap 2011

Our Thanksgiving was really great. I have been looking forward to it (and telling David all about Thanksgiving traditions) for months.

So, we woke up, and watched the Macy's Parade, coffee/hot chocolate in hand.

We ate a delicious lunch. Mom made all the classics. And Dad grilled the turkey. David and I made the sweet potato souffle and green bean casserole. Classic.

Some families play football/partake in physical actvity on Thanksgiving afternoon. My family takes a nap. It's what happens after eating so much good food. I don't think I have been that full in years. Seriously.

Then we had a dinner with extended family. So good to see (and for David- to meet) lots of family.
And most importantly, we shared the tradition to give thanks. Even though it's a habit I'm trying to establish year-round, I do love having one day that focuses on just that.

Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Arepa Lunch & a winner!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I am so excited about all the traditions- Macy's Day Parade, hot chocolate, time with family. Today we went to the mountains to get our Christmas tree (pictures coming soon!), one of my favorite traditions.

And of course, I'm pumped about all the classic Thanksgiving food soon to be consumed. So, before we dive into the turkey and all the fixins', I wanted to share this post about a recent Venezuelan meal we shared with some fam and friends.

You may have heard me mention arepas before. They are a typical Venezuelan food, made from a corn-based dough, kind of like the tortilla of Venezuela if you will. We brought some of the mix to share, and last Sunday we made a delicious arepa lunch. It was a nice combination of Venezuelan-American, with the arepas with shredded beef and chicken, salad, and sweet tea. 

 Here, David is mixing up the dough. You might also see a small bottle of Adobo on the bottom right-hand corner of the picture, which we also brought from Venezuela. 

Table is set, and it's time to eat!

Here, David is showing everyone how to slice open the arepas. I love all the facial expressions. I think they were more excited than it might appear.

And yes, I was that rude person taking pictures while everyone was eating. I just couldn't resist documenting such a (delicious) cultural event.

And check this out, one of David's arepas looks like it has a smily face!!

 And, thanks to random.org, I chose the winner of the Rosette Necklace Giveaway...

congratulations to the winner...........Melissa!!

Melissa, please email me at sarahannab@gmail.com!

Last chance to sign up for Rosette Necklace Giveaway!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only two days away? So exciting!

 

But before Thanksgiving comes in all its turkey and pumpkin pie glory, we've got a little blog business to take care of.

  We've got to give away one of these gorgeous necklaces to one of you.

Its super easy, just go to this post and leave a comment with your favorite necklace. That's it! And you'll be entered to win.

Tomorrow I'll randomly choose a winner.
And the winner gets to pick which necklace he/she will receive!
So hurry, go leave a comment!

And have a wonderful day :)

Giveaway courtesy of Lauren @ Seek First. 
Thanks Lauren!

Solution to the disappearing sock problem

Happy Friday everyone! It's quite chilly here this morning, 28 degrees! That's the coldest I've felt in a while, and maybe the coldest David has ever felt in his life!

Ok, so this is kind of a random bit of information I know, but I've found it super helpful. So you know what I'm talking about right? After a load of laundry has been washed and dried, somewhere along the way, the pair of socks has been separated. I have bags of mismatched socks that I am not sure what to do with.

(I can't give credit where credit is due for this brilliant idea because I don't remember where I first heard it- a magazine maybe? )

So here's the trick. After you take off your socks, safety pin them together before throwing them in the dirty laundry! Then, by the time you are folding the laundry, you already have the pair matched! It may seem like common sense, or a waste of time, but I've been trying this little trick and I think that if hubs and I can get in the habit of this, maybe we won't have piles of unmatched socks in our future.

Any other laundry tricks out there?

Happy weekend everyone!

Fall Photo Op

Sunday morning the leaves were beautiful, we were semi-dressed up, and wearing fall-ish colors. So we snapped some pics with my brother, whose pumpkin-colored sweater was almost too perfect.

I’m so glad we took these!

p.s. Don't forget to sign up to win a rosette necklace! They are so cute and would make a great Christmas gift… for you or someone else. And the winner of the giveaway will receive a necklace of her choice. How great is that?? Click here to find out how to enter!

Not wishing fall away....just yet

Christmas is everywhere. And while I love it, and it is my favorite
holiday, this Wednesday I am loving lots of fall stuff. Only a week
and a few days until Thanksgiving! So I’m soaking it all in before it
comes to an end. Gotta enjoy it while it lasts.

I am loving…

 this candle my sweet Mom surprised me with, pumpkin caramel latte
scented. Smells so so good.

Halloween Oreos. Yes, Halloween has come and gone, but I don't think we should limit these cookies to one day. :)

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A pumpkin-infused breakfast. Mixing some canned pumpkin with vanilla
yogurt or oatmeal (and some pumpkin pie spice) and sugar really is a good (and healthy!)
breakfast!

The weather. It has been so nice. I’m talking sunny, 50s-70s, and of
course the beautiful leaves. I’m so thankful we made it in time to see
them before they all blow off the trees!


And last, but not least, I'm loving these picture, which I took after the boys went huntin'. Edited by the hubs.

And I'm linking with What I'm Loving Wednesdays. 

Soaking up some local color

David has lived most of his life in a big city. So I knew that coming to rural North Carolina would be a big transition. I have tried to explain how things are in my home culture, and how “No, you can’t walk to a grocery store,¨ and ¨No, you can´t ride a bicycle either because people aren’t used to bike riders out here and you would probably get run over.”

In just a week, David has experienced a lot of different “cultural” events.

My great-aunt’s funeral.

Hunting with my brother.

Chicken Dumplings.

First ever trip to Wal-Mart.

Made-in-NC sweet tea.

Walks outside surrounded by lots of falling leaves and squirrels.

Bluegrass music.

A wedding.

Mexican restaurant.

Barbeque.

Church service.

Let´s see what week 2 has in store!

Rosette Necklace Giveaway

I have a fun surprise for you today!

Meet Lauren from “Seek First”. I recently found her blog, and I have really enjoyed following along. And not only are her posts cute and genuine, but she also makes beautiful rosette accesories.

And one of you will win a necklace/headband of your choice!

Here are some of my favorites. 

Lauren's unofficial interview:

      1. What is your favorite part about blogging?

L: My favorite part about blogging is all the other girls I have met.  So many of them have become such great friends!

2. What is your favorite rosette necklace and why?

L:  My favorite necklace is always changing, but right now I find myself wearing the 5 rosette red necklace.  It seems to go perfectly with all of my fall outfits!

Lauren, I love the 5 rosette red necklace (above, top right) too! So cute for Christmas time!

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

 L: The holidays are my favorite part of the year for so many reasons!  I love coffee, food, and snuggling...and all are a big part of our celebrations!  This year, my husband and I will celebrate our first anniversary right before Christmas!

This giveaway ends on November 23, 2011 (The day before Thanksgiving!). I will pick a winner at random and will announce the winner on that day!

Here’s how to enter:

      1. Visit Lauren’s Etsy shop and leave me a comment with your favorite item.

More (optional) ways to win:

2.   Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect or email (scroll over to the right) and leave a comment.

3. Follow Lauren’s blog and leave me a comment.

4. Follow Lauren on Twitter and leave a comment.

5.  Share this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment with the link.

6. “Favorite” Lauren’s Etsy Shop.

Good Luck!

We have arrived!

 This past Monday we flew into NC. All flights were safe and on time, thank the Lord!

My parents met us at the airport.

 Then we met my little bro for dinner. I was so excited he could come despite his busy college schedule. And David was super excited to meet my brother (in person and not skype) for the first time ever.

We ate at Chili’s. Classic. Their Quesadilla Explosion is one of my favs.

The past few days have been like a whirlwind. But a really good whirlwind.

It’s still kind of surreal that I am here, with my family, AND David.

We are so thankful to finally be here. And for sweet tea.