Christmasy things 2014 :)

Now that it has finally snowed here in Missouri (and we happen to be playing Christmas music at this very moment),

I think it is high time I publish these ''Christmasy'' pictures! :) 

I miss Christmas time! I love the coziness and music and firelight....

Our Mum got a Groupon deal for the youngest girls to go to the Zoo for the lights! 

Judging by their expressions, it was indeed a special treat for them! :) So glad they got to do that!

They said there was the Christmas station playing all over the Zoo, which added to the fun atmosphere!

This picture gives me a ''Narnia'' feel!

Our Dad and Jessica were the little girls' escorts that night. 

The generous, in-the-moment people that they are, they gave no second thought to treating Katia to a magical carousel ride! 

I'm glad they did it. :) 

We need more people like that in the world. :)

Earlier, our family went on our annual Christmas window shopping trip to old St. Charles!

I love this time of mingling with other happy shoppers, smelling the holiday smells, looking at all the twinkling lights, and being overwhelmed by the warmth and color in the crowded shops!

The Flower Petaler...

Over 12 rooms like this!

Husbands, be warned. 

This is the shop.

That wives enter.

And shop 'til they drop.

(copyright Mazzou 2015)

   It would have been humorous to have taken videos of all the patient husbands standing outside the crowded, suspiciously Victorian-looking gift shops (such as the Flower Petaler), awaiting their wives return to earth. 

Each man gave a sympathetic look to each husband who was added to the group. 

what one does when one is waiting for one's mother to choose hand cream for one's grandmother

feeling young again...taking pictures of myself because it was too dangerous to do anything else in such overpopulated shops...

''overwhelmed by Christmas'' (as if anyone could be!) selfie, followed by

a juvenile ''hungry wolf'' (or more innocently, ''forgot I had braces'') selfie

(hate those...I must practice at least by taking some cues from my darling wee sister Laura-Lise!)

Spotting interesting items in the shops

Example of bad sales logistics: displaying this questionable item outside your shop!

I wanted to take a video of the dozens of passersby who queried ''Weeds''?...

Just a snapshot of a Christmas tree in my room. 

(to be utterly truthful, this isn't from this year but it's close. Same Christmas tree-look and same star light. ;) )

In December, we also went to our friends the Burnses to complete a delightful annual tradition: that of making dozens of cookies to last us through the holidays! ;)

This time was just as lovely as usual...only all my pictures got deleted. So. We won't dwell on that too long.

On Christmas Eve, we watched The Book Thief for the first time!

We absolutely loved it, and have all announced it a family favorite! 

Love it!

                                       

I found it randomly when searching for good haircut ideas for my French-Canadian looking sister Elodie...long story short, I came across this (French-Canadian) actress Sophie Nelisse and when I saw that she was in a World War II movie...I had to find out more! :) 

You should watch it!

Just don't read the book. Please. Please. Please.

November 2014: Concert at Powell Hall, Ice Skating, Baby Shower

Here are some more memories from November 2014!

I'm trying to make my posts more organized and less lengthy; I think you readers will find it easier to read posts you are interested in as well!

On the first of November, we girls attended a shower for a dear friend who was expecting her first! (as I write this, I say ''was'' because the baby was just born! Congratulations J & D!!!) I love anything baby...I'm just so excited my friends are getting married and having children! :) 

           
                                     Random home life: sort-through-the-socks-day!
Anyone who has 2 feet and more than 10 pairs of socks can sympathize. Multiply the pairs of feet by 11 and you have...a lot of socks. I don't know about your family, but ours boasts extremely independent and adventurous socks.
We watched Anne of Green Gables while doing this momentous and horrific task.
(we hadn't gone through the socks since summertime, when I brought them all outside and spent a lovely, sunny afternoon doing them.
 It was bad.)

In November, I entered a Chiquita banana recipe contest which required something made using caramel, walnuts and bananas...I created this caramel banana pie which was absolutely delightful! (see? I can make sweet desserts :) )

If you want the recipe, come back to my blog soon- I'll be doing a post with the recipe. 

It certainly deserves its own post. 

Oh! I didn't win the contest, btw.

And for those of you who are cruelly thinking ''no surprise! there's no way a pie like that could've made it through the USPS''....

I didn't send them my entry. 

The pie pictured was just my tester. I sent in the recipe. 

Skating season started up in November! Yay! It has been such a delight to meet with friends at our rink and skate for 2 hours every Saturday! (we used to go Sat. afternoon, but now we go for the evening session) 

With friend Sara and Haley

In November, we were pleased, delighted and excited to attend a Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra concert at Powell Hall! 

I love Powell Hall! So proud to be living in the same city as it. 

We older ones have memories of attending the children's concerts or the Top 99 concerts at Powell Hall in the past, but we hadn't been for years! It was so excited to be back, softly treading the red velvet carpets and excitedly finding seats!

The evening's music list is here

The musicians did an excellent job! 

I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the music surrounding me...you can listen to the music at home, but there is nothing like being surrounded by the strains of the entire orchestra playing in the same room! There is so much power and feeling...

My favourite piece of the night was this: 

It was Laura-Lise's first time as well! She looks a bit overwhelmed.

Getting ready for the performance!

Just for fun. There is so much detail!

These younger performers were amazing!

There's +Rachel Petzoldt ! :) (flute- far right, flute not visible)

 It was a delight to watch you perform!

Me, my siblings and friend Sara Burns with friend Haley.