This past week, one of the most important men in my life celebrated a birthday. He would be 63 years old if he was a human, but in doggie years he is nine. Funny story actually. For years, I thought Dooley’s papers read that he was born in 2001. So naturally, I would be dreading this birthday as it would mark #11. That’s an old age for a Basset Hound, for any dog. And that’s something that isn’t easy to come to terms with. We came across his papers the other day as we were packing, and found that in fact he was born in 2003. If that doesn’t make me feel like a bad mom–who doesn’t know how old their kid is? Needless to say, I’m glad the news was in our favor. We celebrated with a few extra belly rubs and treats.

(He was not a fan of the birthday hat last year. I vetoed it for this year)

{This year’s birthday with some kisses}

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time with friends, family and loved ones. We are preparing for a big Christmas dinner with our family, listening to Christmas music, and pretending their is snow on the ground! I hope everyone enjoys their presents as much as Dooley did.

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

The holidays are always my favorite time of year. Last weekend we put up our Christmas tree and indulged in my personal favorite Christmas Candy-Angel Food. It has been a candy that is a give-in at our Bohemian Christmases that used to be spent at my Great-Grandparent’s farmhouse. {See related: here, here, here, and here} It’s one of my winter goals to make Angel Food from scratch. My mom’s tree is also something that usually receives plenty of comments throughout the holiday season. She has homemade ornaments strewn over each branch adorned with white lights-my idea of a true country Christmas.

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

Halloween Weekend is upon us. This year October seemed to fly by particularily fast. However, I did sneak in some much needed relaxation with my family last weekend. My mom always loves putting up gourds, cornstalks, and making her famous pumpkin seeds. I definitely have no objection to either! Not to mention, she makes the greatest chicken noodle soup with noodles made from scratch. A perfect way to enjoy a fall weekend is cuddling up to the crackling of the fire, enjoying a cup of soup, and watching a haunted flick. Hocus Pocus is on my list this weekend. Happy Halloween!

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

This year was definitely the year for family reunions. The one here and here, marked our first reunion ever. There was never a need for one before my great grandparents passed away because we all saw each other at Christmas time at their farmhouse. My Dad’s side of the family hadn’t had a reunion since I was 3 years old, so I had plenty of family to meet. It was great to meet new faces, remember the good ‘ole days with the old ones, and make new memories with both. There is really nothing more satisfying then reuniting with family!

{A vintage typewriter that I found sitting outside on an old desk}

{Delicious roasted corn with lots of salt and butter}

{The peaceful view}

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

My family reunion required two posts because there are just way too many pictures to share. I still had trouble deciding what pictures to post. This is one of those weekends I wish I could rewind whenever I needed a little family get-together and be right back to last Saturday. I can still hear the cling of the horse shoes, feel the warmth of the sun, and see the bright stars sprinkled for miles while roasting marshmallows.

{Delicious home cooked bbq}

{Dress: gifted, Belt: Banana Republic, Ring: Tiffany & Co.}

{A game of horse shoes to pick up where we left off}

{Hundreds of acres on my g.grandparent’s farm that seem to never end}

{Outside of the old grainery}

{The only light we had as dusk set in}

{The beauty of age}

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

This Sunday wrapped up our weekend of family, great food, games and lots of laughs. It was so refreshing to have everyone together again at the farmhouse and the weather was absolutely beautiful. I made sure to get plenty of pictures to feed my appetite until next time. Because there will be a next time-from now until, forever.

{An abandoned railroad track along the way}

{A small town we passed through. I love the old man sitting on the bench}

{An old mill that has become a ritual to stop at}

{The inside of the old grainery on my great grandparent’s land}

{The front door to a house that has held so many memories}

{Enjoying the beautiful weather}

-Part Two coming tomorrow-Have a great Monday everyone!

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

My grandma has had this china cabinet in her living room since I was a little girl. It is always filled with her china pieces, Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls, and a few other sentimental things. When I was there with my family on Mother’s Day, my grandma decided to let each of her children and grandchildren take something from the cabinet. My mom received my grandmother’s wedding ring and my uncle was given the china cabinet.

I decided to take this beautiful crystal dish that could be used for a variety of things. I just couldn’t see packing it away until I was in a house of my own to properly display it-so I improvised. I currently use it to hold my nail polish; just any excuse to keep it out.

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB

Being only a few days before Christmas, I thought today’s post should relate to the holiday. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know where these past few months have gone! I feel as though it was just September and I was graduating. I haven’t even had time to soak up and enjoy the Christmas Season!

What I love about the holidays is all of the family traditions. You can always count on the same traditions to bring you back to your adolescence.

I love big family get-togethers. They’re so much fun! When I was younger, we used to go up to my Great Grandma and Grandpa’s house where the house would be filled with the men playing cards, the women chatting and baking in the kitchen, the kids upstairs bowling down the hallway, and homemade, delicious Bohemian food galore. I miss those times immensely now. My great grandparents have both passed away in the past five years and we don’t do the big upnorth get-togethers anymore. I wish I knew then how much they would mean to me now. I might have taken a few more moments to just stand in the corner and soak it all in. Memories are a great, great thing and what I hold onto now. I’ll cherish them forever.

A family tradition in my family is to put together a Christmas puzzle. Every year, my mom will buy a Christmas theme/related puzzle and we put all of the pieces onto a card table. It’s fun to sit by the fire, drink some wine, and put the pieces together. My dad is so competitive (even when it comes to putting puzzles together) that he taps his pointer finger rather loudly with a smile when he fits two together. Yes Dad, we see you’ve got it!

We also always make the same Christmas Cookies every year. My mom makes awesome peanut butter balls. I believe it’s peanut butter, pecan shavings, and rice krispies (along with a little bit of this and that) rolled into a ball and covered with milk chocolate. I look forward to them every year, along with the chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz Bitz Crackers and Spritzer Cookies.

My family is huge on what we call Angel Food Candy, also referred to as Sponge Candy. It’s only sold during the Christmas Season, and we just can’t wait until the store has it in stock. We buy it by the bags.

I also bought a gingerbread house kit from Target weeks ago, in hopes that my boyfriend and I could put it together. I thought it would be fun, especially because I’ve never made one. Lets just say that it’s still sitting in the box, patiently waiting to be put together. I’m crossing my fingers that we can put it together before the holiday is over though!

*Keeping my thoughts and prayers with the Luxem Family over this holiday season. I find it absolutely admirable that during a time when most would just feel sorry for themselves they have been full of perseverance, strength and positivity.

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

THE GIRL IN THE YELLOW CAB