Have Yourselves a Merry Little Christmas

Christmas dinner: fried ham, mashed potatoes, carrots, gravy and lingonberry sauce from Ikea (all made on a hot plate)

Katherine's first attempt at German pancakes. A little brown, but still good.

We wish each of you a very merry Christmas this year. Today we thought about Christmas traditions, as I'm sure many of you did as well. Traditions each of our families have, traditions they both have, and new ones we want to start this year or next year (our first normal Christmas). 

Here are some we fondly remembered today. 

First are the Pinsent family traditions. Katherine's favourite is the colouring book and crayons on Christmas eve. Then the Persson family. Eric's favourite is one present and one person at a time.

This Christmas was our first as a married couple. We had a great time, and have lots of plans for future Christmases together. Here are some K&E Persson traditions that started this year, or are planned for coming years:

Vienna Christmas mugs

new 1/2 pyjamas

buy each other a new ornament each year (then the kids when they come along)

Elf and the Grinch

bake a Christmas apple crisp

crepes or German pancakes

Christmas quilt (made with love by Katherine on her new sewing machine)

Girls have a girl day and Boys have a boy day (or finish their shopping separately, whatever needs to happen)

What did you do this year? Or some things you thought of that you're hoping will stay in your brain until you get to do them next year? Write them down!

Wherever you are and however you celebrate, we hope you felt love and shared love with those around you and our savior Jesus Christ this holiday season.

Prague, Czech Republic - store window

Paris France - Notre Dame

Krakow, Poland - Krakow History Museum

Krakow, Poland - Krakow History Museum

Paris, France - Sacre Coeur Basilica

Paris, France - cathedral

Barcelona, Spain - town square

Barcelona, Spain - Sagrada Familia Basilica

Vienna, Austria - Schonbrunn Christmas Market

12 Days

in Barcelona, Spain:

A small sample of Gaudi's work at Park Guell.

13 Days

Our hostel here is just a little bit dirty, though ironically smells severely like cleaning products, but the decor and concept of it is cute to me. I like it. Cool colours. Cool things on the walls. This is a poster in our room. It says Ramblas, although it looks like nothing. Don't worry if you didn't see it at first though because it took me until last night or this morning; and the place is called Be Hostel - Ramblas, and is located right off the famous street called the Rambla. Silly me, thinking I was so smart when I figured it out. Eric obviously knew it already when I told him so triumphantly that I figured it out. Anyway, now I think it's cute because I know what it is!
Do you think they'd notice if I stole that mirror? We're on the 5th of five floors, and each one has one like it. Also, do you think Eric would notice if I carried it home with me?

Antoni Gaudi

We got home late tonight and I honestly can't decide what pictures to post for today. You will just have to wait. It might take up a post or two, I haven't decided yet.
Hope the advent keeps you entertained enough for tonight. 
Christmas : 5 days away
Home Time : exactly 2 weeks from today!

***

Today I mentioned to Eric that yesterday we enjoyed a day of nature. We saw the beach, the water, the palm trees and a beautiful market. We ate wonderful fruit and drank great fruit juice creations. Then, today was a man-made day; and as Eric pointed out, "a man-made, inspired by nature." Which is true. Here is a little sample from Antoni Gaudi, an architect who largely influenced Barcelona's modernistic and artistic advances in architecture. They really are some of the coolest we've seen, and we learned today that he took much of his inspiration for his small details from nature. From the animals, plants and natural laws that surrounded him. These are a few of his greatest and most popular works.

15 Days

Cutest Christmas window display I have seen. Love it.

14 Days

I don't know if any of you have heard, but Christmas is in 5 days only. 5 days! Also: I like poinsettias now. I used to not, now I do. A fun fact I learned today. (just for Christmas though)

Barcelona, Spain

Here's a little taste of Barcelona. More to come...