We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.  --Thornton Wilder

So grateful for my many, many blessings this year. Groceries, warm blankets, and phone calls from friends and family. So, so, so grateful this year especially for my best friend, for making five months of marriage (today!) the "best of" my life. So many treasures to be thankful for, all the year through.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Photo via Kinfolk Magazine

an american.

Ralph Waldo Emerson has said, "America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine providence on behalf of the human race."

I've always liked that, and I've always, always believed that.

The Fourth was simply a lot of fireworks, burgers, swimsuits, and a lot of jokes from old friends about how I used to think President George Bush (Jr.) was cute; but it was really big in a lot of ways too. I felt pride and gratitude. I stood with others as the Star Spangled Banner was sung by the choir. I echoed the words, God Bless America. And I loved the flag, my flag.

I am glad to be an American.

christmas memories.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
--Hamilton Wright Mabie

I love this time of year. I love the Christmas movies and traditions and the shopping and the wrapping and the snow, (and unfortunately since snow isn't in the forecast next week, I went ahead and ordered this a few days ago) -- But one of my most favorite things about the holidays are the memories.

When my sister and I were little, my parents told us that two elves named Thumpkin and Dumpkin would come stay in our home a few weeks before Christmas. The purpose of their stay was so that they could observe and report to Santa whether or not we had been good or bad that year, and what exactly we would deserve on Christmas morning.

Now, when I say I loved it when Thumpkin and Dumpkin came to stay at our house, I l-o-v-e-d it. It was almost even better than Christmas itself. A kid with two magical elves can't easily be beat. We had a big dinner in honor of their arrival, and I remember always setting two extra places at the kitchen table for our new friends. We'd set up little beds near our own at night so our elves could sleep by us, and you can bet your bottom dollar we never forgot to say our prayers with them around. We meant business. And honestly? It was one of the most magical parts of the season. The only downside to any of it was that I lost friends in the first grade because of this. You can imagine what my classmates thought of me when I told them I had two invisible elves in my pocket. (true story. ask my mom.)

But beside the Christmas elves and the memories, I'd have to say that the one other thing I absolutely love about Christmas is the music -- probably because most songs remind me of a memory, anyway. And I know there are plenty of people who dread Christmas music when it starts at the beginning of November, but not me. No siree bob. I love it all, but most especially, I love Jon Schmidt. I don't remember a Christmas without his CD. Whether we were listening to it in the car picking up last minute gifts, or on Christmas morning as we read our letters from Santa (and Thumpkin and Dumpkin!) -- this song always seemed to be playing in the background.

So I share with you all my most favorite song of the season, because as I spend my first Christmas far away from my parents, this song will always remind me of Christmas at home.

absence makes the heart grow fonder.

I've neglected this blog because it's been hard to stay on top of everything, let alone online journal-ing. But since November is ending, and the most wonderful time of the year is just beginning -- I thought I'd share only a few of the happiest of things that the 11th month of the 2011th year has brought to me:

-The oh-so-fateful date of 11/11/11. After years of waiting to make a wish on such a special day, I somehow found myself at 11:11 that night + in my pajamas + in a Wendys parking lot + making a wish inside of a car. But my wish was granted.
-The return of my best friend Max. Words won't be enough for this point, because I don't know how to write about being happier than I've ever been before.
-Christmas decor. I watch Mickey's Christmas Carol every time I set up the Christmas decorations, just because we used to when I was little. Even with family far apart, I still feel at home.
-Thanksgiving feast, naps and Youtube videos with my aunts and uncles and cousins.
-Black Friday shopping. Never had done it before, never will do it again.
-The cuddle couch/Red Robin bottomless fries/stories by the fireplace - all accompanied with friends and family and movies and smiling til our cheeks hurt. I love how people come together so much more often this time of year.
-My tentative (fingers crossed!) planned trip to see my parents (and Samoa!) this Christmas.
-And again: My best friend coming home. Have I ever even talked about being in love on my own blog before? If they say absence makes they heart grow fonder, mine could probably burst at the seams.

happy 4th

I've mentioned John Adams letters to his wife Abigail before, but I especially loved this letter, too. Dated July 3, 1776, future president John Adams predicted the fourth of July to be something like this:

"...I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction."

I've been especially patriotic in some ways since the eighth grade, (and yes - I thought former President Bush was super cute) but reading that part of his letter earlier this morning made me feel so especially grateful that John Adams was exactly right.

Happy 4th of July!

baby won't you go underneath the mistletoe.

Now that I've really been able to spend my time focusing on the holidays, (although to be honest, the rain is driving me nuts, where is my white Christmas?)
Rather than being busy with schoolwork or finals, I've had the time to spend my time with family and friends who I love, and I've realized my favorite things about the Christmas season are limitless.
Greeting cards, packages and peppermint sticks, spending my evenings creating the annual Christensen Family Year Book (speaking of which mother and father, I need your updates quick!)
I love the falling snow and all the twinkle lights, although, consider me plain, but I like the clear lights instead of the colored ones most.
I love Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in White Christmas.
I love Michael Buble's Christmas album, and decided that John Mayer really needs to make one too.
But what topped the list this year as my most favorite thing about the holiday season, is being able to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone I meet. Forget "See you later," or "Nice to meet you," -- It's the one time of the year that I get to wish the people on the phone, the post office and the grocery store a "Merry, Merry Christmas," and I think that's what makes me most happy.

PS.
I should really save this next part for another blog, but I can't help it, I like to talk too much.

So I tried making toffee over Thanksgiving break, and my sister almost threw it up. It was a disaster. Anyway, I had told my grandma about this, and so she referred me to her toffee recipe this weekend.
Ingredients:
2 stick of butter
1 cup of sugar
5 cent candy bars and 25 cent almonds.

It's horribly cheesy to say, but seeing 5 cent candy bars and 25 cent almonds made my heart melt. And hey, at least my toffee actually turned out this time!

table for three please.

the table was set for three.
not two, not four, but three.

this is because my dates during the holidays happen to be with my best friends and not boys, and with cake, and not mistletoe. but that's okay as long as the cake is chocolate.

candy cane kiss cookies.

I attended a birthday gathering tonight and had
no idea what to bring --
so I resorted to the online internet and decided on
Candy Cane Christmas Kiss Cookies.
I have to admit, I saved about 3/4ths of them for myself,
And I decided that if I really want Santa to leave this for me underneath the Christmas tree this year,
(red, convertible, leather seats please)
I better make him a batch too.

christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat.

"Please do put a penny in the old mans hat!

If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do,
if you haven't got a ha'penny then God bless you!"

The title to this post was a song I sang
in the 7th grade Christmas show;
I seem to forget about this song
until the holidays roll around,
and once they're here,
then out comes this song as if I almost can't help it.

I caught myself singing it the other day
while shopping with my sister at WalMart;
and even though she was too embarrassed
to stay on the same aisle as me,
I just kept singing about this Christmas goose
because my Christmas decorating is done,
And I'm a happy, happy girl this time of year!
(so happy, that I even forget to stop singing)

So yay for today being December the 1st.

I have a good feeling it is going to be a very good month
to end a very good year.

living in thanksgiving.

Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent...Living in thanksgiving daily is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love.
-Elder Wirthlin, "Live in Thanksgiving Daily"

My thankful Thanksgiving post I've been so excited to share.
Here I shall go:

Friends, family and most especially faith.

And I know I brag about the first two items on the list quite often,
but it's simply because I happen to have the most beautiful and incredible girlfriends,
And funny, strange, out of control boy-friends, (who like to talk just as much as girlfriends).

I have a family that loves, supports, and helps me become better each and every day.
Parents who, (believe it or not!) keep me up way past my bedtime just so we can talk on the phone at night about life 2,000 miles apart from each other.
I have a sister whose become an incredible young woman over the past year; and as we've grown up, the more we've doubled up on the time we spend talking and talking (and talking) about our joys and heartaches.

And finally, the first two wouldn't mean nearly as much to me if it wasn't for what I believe. That God does live, and that He is a loving Heavenly Father who perfectly knows and loves each and every one of His children.

Have I (or will I) ever win the lottery?
No.
Will I ever own that Anthropologie dress I've been vying for the past two weeks?
Never.
Am I insanely brilliant? Or is college graduation still taking forever and a half to complete?
It's taking forever and a half to complete.

But I do believe I have all that matters most in life, and that makes me so, so very grateful.
So, with that being said,
Happy Thanksgiving.

weekend getaway.

leaving today for a long weekend of horseback riding,
small town burgers, and fireworks in the park.

happy fourth of july!

To The Boy With the Brown Hair and the Australian Accent.

i made eye contact with you eleven times last sunday.

i counted.

and if it wasn't for my parents insisting
that i spend new years eve with them,

i'd willingly fly out to australia to kiss you at midnight.

Reader's Digest Version of My '09.

To start this off, let me begin by confessing:

the picture above is kind of what my entire holiday vacation has looked like.

i happen to be very, very, very lucky,

however...(this is where the confession sets in)

the other day i was in an absolutely wicked and terrible mood.

i didn't really have any good reason to be either -

especially considering i have constantly been seeing some of the most beautiful places on earth; unfortunately, my weaknesses still got the best of me,

and i made rather unpleasant company.

luckily, this confession has a happy ending,

because it didn't take long for me to start thumbing through my life in lists book -

and as i began a new list, i was able to gain a whole new perspective.

here is a part of that list.

the list of things i loved about twenty-oh-nine.
i love that i got to see my favorite city in the world. twice.

(especially when i got to visit valentines day with my dad)
boston, i will always love you.

i love the 1,001 memories i made in just 100 days of summer;
especially the night where i was halfway eaten alive by mosquitoes after jumping into a lake while wearing my yellow dress.

(i love that my best friend had to push me me in so i would actually do it too.)

i love that i discovered a new love for strawberry shortcake cupcakes.

and i love that my love for zac efron has never died. and i don't think it ever will.

i love that i took a nap in central park on a summer afternoon just two weeks before another school year started.

i love that i just realized i could cross 22 things off my

"things to do before i die list"

(including: flying over the northern part of New Zealand in a helicopter!

Freeeeak. So. So. Cool)

and yet I have added 78 things to that same list too.

i love my french professor still.
yes, monsieur lawrence, it is true.
i really, really loved you.

i love the sunday dinner tradition that was started this past fall with all my darling, charming but mainly dorky friends.

i even love all the jokes about "spells i put on the chicken" after food poisoning three people.

i love my best friends who always remained a phone call away,

even when they got married to their other best friends.

i love that thanks to taylor swift,

my friends and i have reinvested our friday nights into

making more silly music videos.

i love that i spent the last week of december totally sore and sunburned.

(kind of. this was me just trying to be super optimistic)

i love that even though i've had to say goodbye to people that i love more than anything,
i know that they're still there, and always will be.

i love that after all the tears it cost -

i will still take a years worth of important lessons with me.

i love that at the close of another year,
as i sat and tried to write the usual christmas card greetings,
i couldn't find the time to write everything

i wanted to say to everyone i love,
because i've been so blessed to meet so many good people.

and lastly...

i love that there was something about this year that i will never forget.
maybe it's because i grew up a tiny bit more,
or maybe it's just because i grew to love life
(no matter how hard, or how imperfect)
just a tiny bit more too.

and now that the end of the year has finally come,

a new decade is getting ready to begin.

in fact, considering my location this new years eve,

i will be among the firsts in the entire world

to celebrate the beginning of a new year,

(which merits me making a lot of wishes at midnight, don't you think?)

anyway, before i end i've come to one final conclusion:

there may be some parts of 2009 i'd like to leave behind -

but there sure is a lot, lot more i'd like to take with me.

and as for 2010...
well, i really can't wait for you either.

Merry Wishes & Happy Christmas.

"Again Christmas, abiding point of return. Set apart by its mystery, mood and magic, the season seems, in a way to stand outside of time. All that is dear, that is lasting, renews its hold on us: we are home again."
-Elizabeth Bowen

And as I type this I am sitting in my second home, far away, in New Zealand.

Can't wait for my very first Christmas on the beach!

(And if I'm not here in the meantime...)
I want to wish you all a very merry and magical Christmas,
and a warm and bright new year!

If you haven't been able to tell,
Christmas really is my favorite time of year;
I've always wondered why there is something so special in the air,
and why there is something inside of me that seems to just start glowing -
but I think Elizabeth Bowen illustrated my feelings beautifully when she says,
we are home again.

No matter where that may be.

Make-A-Flake.

I'm spending my Saturday afternoon cutting out paper snow flakes while watching the real ones fall outside my window.

Today can quite possibly be my favorite day of December so far.

Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! How Could It Be Anything Else?

3 words:
Hot Chocolate. Cinnamon rolls.
And Rolos.

thanks to this ingenious young man
who probably has the most wonderful laugh in the entire world
(and i sometimes even think he is in the
top three cutest boys i know.)

Also.
Being able to watch the movie
It's a Wonderful Life as many times as I'd like.
On the movie cover it reads:
"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
How could it be anything else?"

I think I'd like to say that to someone some day.

Also.
Outdoor Ice Skating.
Is there anything more romantic?
More magical?
More perfect in time for Christmas?

Negative.

(ps. it's even more fun to go when your friends do this)

Also.
Christmas Cards.
Sending and receiving.
I just started a few today and I love it.

Lastly...
Recognizing what Christmas is really all about,
is really what it's all about.
This message is especially touching.

I'm Thankful.

I'm thankful for an alarm clock, that will wake me up early enough to catch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - even if today is my one excuse to sleep in.
I'm thankful for Christmas music that I've been listening to since November 1st.
I'm thankful for a best friend who called me at midnight a couple weeks ago just to tell me, "Kelsie. We're only young once. Let's go to Disneyland in two weeks." And so we are.
I'm thankful for my other friends who have become more like family since we've grown up.
I'm thankful for outdoor skating rinks.
I'm thankful for a sister who will help me carry a Christmas tree up three flights of stairs because I can't wait to start decorating.
I'm thankful for the fireplace I sit next to every morning because for some reason the heater does not work in my room and it is a night.mare.
I'm thankful that despite the broken heater - I am still pneumonia-free.
I'm thankful for my aunt and her family, who have become a second family since my parents have moved.
I'm thankful for life.
I'm thankful for my faith.
I'm thankful that despite not knowing how to cook - I can always make hot chocolate and cinnamon toast for breakfast.
I'm thankful for parents, who will text me at two in the morning just to tell me that they love me.
I'm thankful for this guy who can always makes me laugh, no matter how sad I get.
& i'm thankful for the lady at the post office who stopped me on my way out the door, just to wish me a "happy thanksgiving."

and i want to wish you all the same.

i truly have so much to be thankful for this year.

happy holidays!

"cause this is thriller, thriller night..."

wishing you all a very happy halloween weekend!

and at 12:01 am on halloween night...
(although i guess that would make it the morning)
why don't you check into your local radio stations;
you may just hear a christmas song or two,
or three
...
or four
...
and now for the next two months,
i definitely know what i'm listening to!