we're in the process of building a new home, which was supposed to be completed last summer. i think it's to be expected that new construction timelines may change, so i wasn't surprised our move in was delayed - until our projected closing moved into next year. a few months late, i was mentally prepared for...but over 7 months behind schedule? my patience has officially expired. i was not looking forward to spending christmas in our rental, and cooking another year's worth of holiday eats and treats in a pint-sized kitchen, coupled with the fact that most of our belongings are still in storage. we got a tiny tree since our full-sized one is boxed away and unreachable, and unfortunately we weren't even able to put our presents under it as tavi has been rocketing around chewing on everything she can reach. (she's teething something pretty fierce right now!)

as j can attest, i was feeling pretty bah-humbuggy about the whole ordeal right up until christmas eve, when it started gently snowing.

as new pnw-ers i'm still a little confused about what's "normal" weather for this area. but from what i do understand, snow is not unheard of but not exactly super common either. to have it snow on christmas eve and through the night to give us a beautiful white christmas before returning to warmer temps was nothing short of magical.

throughout the month i made an effort to focus on the positives of the season, baking and sharing some of my favorite christmas cookies and treats, teaching cookie classes, indulging in holiday drinks from starbucks and some holiday crafts, visiting christmas tree farms and taking in the dressed-up areas of downtown bainbridge and poulsbo. we went on a lovely christmas eve weekend date at manor house, which had some pretty awesome food and drinks, (i loved the moscow mule offering and bourbon bread pudding!) before spending a lazy christmas day introducing tavi to the snow, watching j build his first snowman (i can think of no better use for my holiday ribbon than a mini snowman scarf), and basking in our first white christmas. given all of the newness and firsts i found myself trying to cram into the season, it predictably flew by. and i can't believe we've been in washington almost a year already!

we also feasted on gingerbread cinnamon rolls for breakfast, followed by a pretty simple and traditional holiday dinner. all in all, despite our unexpected living situation our holiday was merry, bright, and white! cheers to a happy holiday season!