Shots of Cheese : Twelve : Holiday Stars

If you grew up in York, Pennsylvania like I did, you looked forward to the holiday season for many reasons - caroling in Glendale, a white Christmas, the steam whistle playing 'Jingle Bells' and Stauffer's Chocolate Stars.

We may just be past Halloween but the holidays just got a whole lot closer thanks to the arrival of a little care package today from my stepmom.

If you haven't had a chance to try these gems - dark chocolate coated graham cracker stars dusted in white sprinkles - come by my place and we'll get in to the holiday spirit together. 

Holiday Stars
Taken at Scream Agency (I got the package at work and could not possibly wait until I got home to open them up!)
Captured on November 7, 2011

The Hunt

Every year for as long as I can remember, I've had an egg hunt on Easter Sunday. This is not your typical egg hunt though, kids. This is a Pep style egg hunt, complete with clues. The past few years, she has tried to get out of it and I've thrown a fit. "But Kate, we've lived in the same house for 19 years now. I ran out of hiding spots YEARS ago." 'But Ma, it's TRADITION!" And sure enough, she comes through, each Easter better than the past. Here is how it works: I come over a few days before Easter for the dyeing process.

Then, on Easter morning, I rise and shine, put on my Easter dress, (and this year) loaded up my own Little Bunny Foo-Foo and hopped over to Pep's house. She wasn't ready for me this year, "You're always late!" Um, not when there is candy involved. She gives me one clue at a time, I find 11 eggs and then my final clue leads me to my basket of GLORY! Let the hunt begin.



(And these are my mom's new teacups...a gift from Sam, aren't they beautiful??)
And my personal favorite of this year...

My final clue this year was a sentimental one. It read Mom + Katie and it led me to a ceramic plate I had painted a few Mother's Days ago that she keeps up in the guest room. My basket was everything I dreamed of, Cadbury Mini Eggs, Peanut M&M's, York Peppermint Patties, alongside a cute wind chime, gardening gloves and a gift card to Old Navy. I am one happy bunny.
Thanks, Ma. As always. And don't worry, someday there will be grand kids and then you can start recycling some of those clues :) Love you.

The Happiest Place on Earth

On the 5th day of December, 2008, my family made our annual trip to Disneyland. This has been a family tradition with my mom and I since I was 7. You see Pep never got to visit Disneyland until she was 40 so we've been making up for lost time ever since. My darling Lisa G. accompanied us this year as she had in many years past.

I'm not sure if you've ever made it to Disneyland during the holiday season but it truly is even more magical than usual. The Haunted Mansion is transformed into the Nightmare Before Christmas and it even snows on Main Street during the final fireworks show of the evening.

I admit it, my eyes water when they send that single shooting star over Sleeping Beauty's castle...just like in all the movies when I was little.

There is something about Disneyland that makes you believe that it really is the Happiest Place on Earth. Photo coverage below.