Happy post Holiday post, everyone! This holiday season was delightful and weird (I broke my cellphone, got in a car crash, and caught a terrible cold all in the same week). But, did I let that hold me back? I think not! Ever walk into a Krispy Kreme's and said, "I need 13 dozen, please"? I highly recommend it.
My family's annual caroling party calls for lots of donuts and sausages (my parents don't get symbolism)...but they do get the holiday spirit :)
Best part about the holidays is getting to reconnect with friends and family. KGB made it back from NYC in time for the party! Love this lady!
More of my favorite peeples. Right after this photo was taken, we had our "indoor" caroling which culminates in a rousing rendition of the 12 days of Christmas (complete with interpretive dance)
KD was able to make it this year for the first time! We were pretty excited about it.
Schmitzie & Andrew: they have the best smiles :)
The evening would not be complete without a late night conversation about t.v. shows & ghost stories. Do not read about the haunted ebay painting or ...you will never sleep again (sorry Marcos!)
And now for Christmas Eve! For the last five years, we've been going up to see It's a Wonderful Life at the Stanford Theatre- it's so magical & I lurve it. Before the movie, we eat at the Peninsula Creamery (a Palo Alto landmark). My grandparents actually used to go there after school & get milkshakes, so it's full of great memories.
Here we are: Gramps & Lo & Stephen, Hayley!
Nothing says Joyeux Noel like a tuna melt, nothing!
Fierce cousins (ok Lo is fierce & I am quizzical)
Movie time! You know the story behind It's a Wonderful Life, right? It was directed by the brilliant Frank Capra and released in 1946, but it bombed. Like big time bombed because everyone came in expecting a light frothy comedy & instead they got well, kind of a dark & deep existential crisis about a man contemplating suicide. It wasn't until years later that the film started being shown on television (because it was dirt cheap to get the rights to) & people realized just how brilliant and special a movie it truly is. The Stanford Theatre has been showing it on Christmas Eve for years & it's become a tradition for many Bay Area families. We always tell people we attend the Church of Capra on Christmas Eve because there is this really amazing vibe in the audience- it feels like a small town of sentimental movie lovers :)
People start lining up hours before hand, so Hayley made a huge pan of butterscotch blondies & passed them out to the crowd. They were still warm (the blondies, not the crowd- we were freezing).
The Stanford Theatre might just be one of the most magical places in the world & on Christmas Eve it doesn't hold back. For $7 a ticket, you get to see It's a Wonderful Life & have all the free popcorn and soda you want!!! That's the spirit- atta boy, Clarence!
They even have a giant tree in the lobby covered with "stars" of the silver screen :)
The Stanford Theatre has an organ complete with organist who comes out and plays before the show. Here are Schmitzie, Hayley, Ang & me rocking out to his hip tunes-
Stephen & Sahar- aka the adorable couple
Can you get over how gorgeous this space is? Then the movie starts...
By the end of the movie, I am always a sobbing mess. I just start hugging everyone around me. They show this cool movie ad from 1937, thanking the patrons for their business & wishing them continued movie fun in the coming year. I think it's just an excuse to give us all time to compose ourselves post Frank Capra induced emotional melt down. I hope you all had a magical, memorable holiday season & "Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends."
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