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Holiday Memories, and Moments.

January 18, 2015 By Lena

One of the best things in life is when you can connect a moment to a memory. Like, the smell of coconuts and thoughts of your favourite beach vacation. Or, biting into the sweetest strawberry in the dead of winter, making you long for lazy summer days. The sounds of children giggling at the same jokes you laughed at as a child.

The moments and memories you bring together over and over again because it’s food for the soul.

Yesterday, I picked up my new glasses, which happened to be a Christmas gift from my husband (they cost him an arm and a leg, but I’m worth it). Do you love them as much as I do? It’s my first foray in handmade frames… and these happen to be handmade in Paris by Caroline Abram. Worth. every. penny. I wear glasses 90% of the time, so it’s nice to feel fabulous!
DSC_0359aAs I put them on, I thought about this past holiday season, and how it always seems to fly by. Do you feel the same way? I feel like there is such a momentous build up lasting all of December (or, according to retail stores, 10 seconds after Remembrance Day ends) and then poof! December 25th happens, and it’s gone.

One of the best things about being a Nikon MOMents blogger is the reminder to capture those moments, which of course, helps to preserve the memories. And so yesterday, as I had a chance to enjoy my Christmas gift for the very first time, I once again thought about the holidays, and the food, family and love that made it special. Today, I’d love to share some of those moments with you. 

Holiday MOMent: My tree! My huge, fake Christmas tree that is always the same colour scheme (although I did purchase bright green ornaments to incorporate next year). We moved it to another area of the house, right by our entrance way, and I must say, I was digging the change. It’s nice to be greeted by a whole lot of jolly when you enter the home!
DSC_0172Holiday MOMent: *THE* mantle. You know, the one I had to create for Home Depot Canada, which challenged my decor skills and led me to the conclusion that more is more.
DSC_0241Side note: I don’t know what crazy thing the lights are doing in the pictures below, but it’s the best thing ever. It reminds me of a Christmas card from the 80’s, when the tree lights would twinkle with halos. These photos were taken at midnight on Christmas Eve, and there’s just something so magical about them. (Also, you’re catching a glimpse of our second tree. It was only 6.5 feet tall, and hence, perfect for our dining area. Here, I adopted a bronze, gold and silver colour scheme.)
DSC_0247DSC_0252Holiday MOMent: This girl. My niece. Also known as the best thing about Christmas – babies! Babies who dress in their Christmas best and remind us all that the most blessed thing is to be surrounded by the ones you love, especially over the holidays.
DSC_0280Holiday MOMent: Generations. My mother with her grandchildren, my sister-in-law with my niece. My two boys. And a high five between them all. Life is a bowl of cherries!
DSC_0263Holiday MOMent: In one of the biggest wins of the night – getting the two babies of the family to sit for a picture. Grandma beaming as she cuddles two of her favourite people in the world (the third was peeking in gift bags when this photo was taken).
DSC_0269Holiday MOMent: The turkey and carcass, which as we all know is the base of all delicious turkey soups. My mother-in-law has perfected the roasted turkey, and this past Christmas was no exception; it was tender, flavourful and juicy. And made great leftovers, too.
DSC_0288Holiday MOMent: Prime rib on the bone. Because why have one star of the show when you can have two? I sliced the beef thinly and arranged it on a bed of carrots and onions that it cooked with, and I can still taste it now. A most delicious memory.
DSC_0300The rest of our family photos I hold dear, and therefore, private. However, I hope you’ve enjoyed a peek into some of my favourite moments of the past holiday. And if you haven’t downloaded your own Christmas photos from your camera, now would be a great time to relive the magic.

I am part of the Nikon MOMents program with Mom Central Canada, and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #NikonMOMents, christmas decor, Family, Nikon D3300

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emilia

    January 18, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    I do like your frames. There is a lot of different details to them. The white in frame is what caught my eye. A wonderful holiday you had too.

  2. Soozle

    January 18, 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Great photos :) You really captured a very special holiday from the looks of it!

  3. La Cuisine d'Helene

    January 18, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Very, very nice glasses, I wear mine all the time. So nice to see all of the pics from your holiday decorations and the family. Grandma looks happy with the grandkids!

  4. Michael

    January 18, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Nice frames!!

  5. Tammy

    January 19, 2015 at 6:27 am

    I have to start with the saying how gorgeous your new glasses are! You almost make me wish I didn’t have Lasik done- almost. Seriously frames weren’t that cute when I had glasses. Your house was beautiful at Christmas, I was so lucky to experience the beauty in person. The picture of your SIL, mother and the kids is my favorite picture. It is moments like that, that are what Christmas is all about. Cheers to a New Year to do it all over again.

  6. Judy Cowan

    January 19, 2015 at 11:09 am

    Love your new glasses! Looks like you had a great Christmas and captured lots of great memories. Our Christmas this year was very quiet since hubby had to work and I have to admit that I only took 4 pictures.

  7. angie in my 30s

    January 19, 2015 at 12:27 pm

    Great glasses Lena! Very unique. And that prime rib stew looks deeeelish!!

  8. Margaret Imecs

    January 19, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Beautiful family with wonderful Holiday Moments! Thanks for sharing!

  9. Eldon L

    January 20, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    Lovely pictures!

  10. Marissa

    January 20, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    Wow! those new glasses look stunning on you Lena! Love the Christmas décor and the beautiful pictures of your family. Thanks for sharing.

  11. Lynda Cook

    January 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Thank you for sharing your pictures with us, your whole family is beautiful, I love your Christmas decor just stunning!! your new glasses look super nice too!! hopefully this year will not speed by us like last year, I want to be able to watch my granddaughters grow into lovely young ladies!!

  12. angela m

    January 23, 2015 at 10:38 am

    I loved your photos.. I think your new glasses look great..

  13. Athena

    January 24, 2015 at 10:29 am

    Thank you for sharing :)

  14. loriag

    January 25, 2015 at 3:44 pm

    Those are amazing Nikon MOMents!

  15. Rossana Wyatt

    January 29, 2015 at 9:46 am

    Love the glasses! The photos are beautiful, capturing special moments is important; they will be treasured for years to come.

  16. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    January 31, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    I did so much decorating for Christmas because of my daughter’s wedding on dec 12th I actually have tendinitis in my right shoulder now. but it was beautiful. Next year we will have a baby girl to dress up for christmas cant wait to be a grammy.

  17. Athena

    February 8, 2015 at 11:04 am

    I forgot to mention that I like your glasses!

  18. Melinda L.

    February 17, 2015 at 11:30 am

    So many lovely moments, thanks for sharing :) and you look awesome!

  19. loucheryl

    February 24, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    I love your photos! I take so many photos every day it’s crazy. I want to save every memory. :)

  20. kathy downey

    February 28, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    I sure loved the photo,those frames are hot

  21. George M

    March 10, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    I know you had a wonderful holiday.

  22. kandi h

    March 13, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    Love the specs!

  23. kathy downey

    June 6, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    Beautiful people,tasty food and lovely decorations.A happy place

  24. kathy downey

    February 12, 2016 at 12:19 pm

    What beautiful wonderful Holiday Moments!

  25. Susan T.

    February 18, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    I love those glasses! It’s so important to have frames that you feel confident in!

  26. Debbie White Beattie

    June 17, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    Your frames look fabulous, I just got my first pair of glasses and I know how hard it is to find a pair that you like.
    As for your decorations I love the silver and blue just like I liked your purple decorations

  27. kathy downey

    August 20, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    Your frames are very nice,i think i will try something different !

  28. kathy downey

    November 3, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    What wonderful memories to look back on !

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Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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