A California Christmas
I found out, rather to my dismay, that my new fiancé is not a fan of that certain brand of craptastic Christmas movie that sings “holiday spirit” to me, louder than anything else. As far as I’m concerned, slap-stick and/or musical Christmas films should play on repeat 24/7 in this house from Black Friday through January one. He disagrees.
Also, I cried (yes. cried. Ugh, holidays…) the other day because there is an unopened (unwritten, un-mailed) package of holiday cards sitting on my dining room hutch, alongside an unopened gingerbread house kit. They both seemed to mock my obvious holiday-festiveness-preparedness shortcomings.
The learning curve to my California Christmas has been steep. Somewhere between moving, getting engaged, becoming full-time self-employed, and a new climate that makes 60 °F seem frigid, I felt Christmas had left me in the dust.
Then, while bemoaning a lack of time and a lack of snow, it occurred to me that we don’t need the standard-issue trimmings to make this holiday official. Instead we’ve been creating new holiday memories and traditions. My favorite among them has been time spent with our dear friends, Lauren and Garrett.
This last weekend the four of us ventured to Justin Winery in Paso Robles, where Lauren and Garrett are members. There we enjoyed a savory lunch on the patio and sampled some of their favorite wines. Then we were invited for a tasting at the members-only tasting room with a front row view of the vineyard’s wine caves.
Matthew and I are headed down to Orange, California today to celebrate Christmas with my family. I’m looking forward to Christmas movies, food and time with the ones I love. I’m hoping you get to enjoy the same. Here’s to holiday traditions, new and old. Merry Christmas.
FOR THE BRIDE // 
