Someday, I'll "walk the walk".

Sooooo New Year's Resolutions...AKA "That thing I'll feel really motivated to work towards in Jaunuary but by Februay I'll convince myself I'm too busy and go back to how I used to live my life." Yeah. Those. We conjure up some master plan to eat healthy, exercise more, stay organized, make peace with foes, yada yada yada. We all "talk the talk"with the January issues of our magazines and by printing out the "Top Ten Weight-loss Foods" articles - but what does it really take to "walk the walk"? Often resolutions put too much pressure on one goal - too many changes made at one time. We are creatures of habit. If we plan on steering an aspect of our life in a different direction, it should be a gradual, smooth turn, right?

Over the summer I tried to get in the habit of running. I should probably mention that I have NEVER been a runner. I've danced since I was three. I hated running when I first started. Hated it. So repetitive. When I'd go running, all I could do was think about how tired I was. Months later, I still don't think I'd call myself a "runner" however I do enjoy it. It's become part of my weekly routine. This habit, or whatever you want to call it, is one that actually stuck, in simple terms, because I had a broad goal, had realistic expectations, and knew that long term I would be happier doing it than not doing it.

I guess in this time of reflection, my resolution is to put less pressure on meeting goals, because it's hard to determine what is realistic long-term. I'd rather make casual changes {throughout the year} in my life where I see necessary and self-improvement will naturally follow.


Happy New Year, everyone! 

Someday, I'll staaaaaaaay organized...

How I feel after tackling that messy room.

And then...

 How I feel after all of that post-Christmas clutter decides to once again make it resemble the wreckage of a tornado:

Yeah. As much as I like to be organized, my life just turns into a compilation of half checked to-do lists on post-its and a half-unpacked suitcase that I've been living out of for the last two and a half weeks. On tomorrow's to-do list which may or may not make into into the "checked-off" category: ORGANIZE! {and strive to keep it that way}

Someday, we'll keep the kitchen clean...

What would the holidays be without some genuine home cooked goodies! After all, why haveNew Year's resolutions without that "insulation" we build up from devouring all of these seasonal snacks? Well thanks to StumbleUpon, Pinterest, and good ol' family recipes, this household was not deprived whatsoever this season when it came to delectable confections.

{Peppermint sandwich cookies} I made them solely because I thought they were adorable, but to my pleasant surprise, they were as delicious as they were cute!

Making gingerbread houses with kids I babysit...{I get PAID to do this?!}

The famous caramel {that's right CARAMEL...not cinnamon} rolls. Hallin family recipe and true tradition. :)

First two creations courtesy of this lovely site that has 25 different amazing cookie/dessert recipes for the holidays:

www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/christmas/christmascookieschocolatehazelnutcrinkles

Someday, we'll be this festive too.

The famous, semi-overrated, yet semi-enchanting part of SE Portland known as Peacock Lane...visiting is a Hallin family tradition. We make it on up to this homy little street every few years when residents of the lane adorn their tudor-style homes with lights and other festive Christmas ornaments. Hot chocolate, sleigh rides, and holiday music, draw in crowds of viewers to what I would call a "humble" light display. It's cute and charming, but what really makes it an event, more so than the lights themselves, is the fact that it is an old tradition that locals can delight in experiencing together.

Peacock Lane

Mumsie & Me

We called this the "Mardis Gras" house.

Horsey rides!

 {taking in all of the classy yard accessories}

The bottom left house was for sale, offering the Grinch lawn embellishment with the purchase of the home. We were sold.

We had fun as a family taking pictures, navigating the crowds, and sipping cocoa. Our venture through Peacock Lane followed a day of holiday shopping and going out to eat. A true, much needed family affair. :)

Someday, we'll be a normal family...on second thought...

The Hallin Christmas card. Let's just start by saying last year we didn't even send one. No one can ever agree on a picture and we never seem to get around to taking a family one around Christmas time - none of us ever seem to be primped enough at the same time to take a quick snapshot. This year we came to the conclusion to just compile a few photos of each of us from the past year - I guess you could call it a success. Us Hallins, we like to look our best on that glossy picture that gets sent out to everyone we know...I'd say that's valid, right? I'm glad to say this picture made the cut...

{I guess we had 4 tries to get it right!} 

Someday, I hope to be like Grandma Linda.

Fun is an understatement for this past Saturday, December 11. Family on my mom's side joined together at our house to celebrate "Express Christmas" {Modern Family reference} as well as a very special day for my mom's mother, Grandma Linda. Of course being the humble, sweet woman she is, she downplayed her 70th birthday and was hardly concerned with receiving and rather focused on showering us grandkids with love and gifts.


It was so adorable. She has a laptop at her home in Albany, however in attempt to give her something a little more user friendly, we bought her an iPad. You could see the excitement on her face, however  it was slightly masked by a look of being completely and utterly overwhelmed. She was so patient as she sat for an hour whilst my dad attempted to give her a crash course on how to use this alien piece of technology.

I may be biased, but I have one of the best grandmothers God could have blessed a person with. She's the epitome of a grandma. Whether she's telling me how to avoid wrinkles, reciting her favorite Bible verse, or whispering to me the secret ingredient in her cookies {which does make QUITE a difference} it is always in this gentle, selfless nature. This woman has changed so many lives through the work she does through her church and the love she has that never seems to run out. I can't imagine life without her.

I must say, through her 70 years here on Earth, she has so gracefully carried a radiating beauty inside and out. {See for yourself :)...}

                      

{Grandkids & Grandma Linda celebrating her 70th birthday}

Happy birthday, Grandma. I love you more than you will ever know.

Love,

Brit

Someday, I'll start a blog.

You are a journalism student who has just tackled your first term of college, what are you going to do over your month-long winter break?! Why start a blog of course!

So here I am. A blogger. It's official.

Still trying to work out some of the kinks and make it my own - but that is hardly a chore. Will soon be posting about all of the holiday fun coming my way - December is now in full swing!

Well wish me luck as I venture into the new world of blogging!