a jolly 'oliday

'Tis the season for egg nog and peppermint bark, I know, I know. It's obvious that I'm just as excited about it as the North Pole Elves, but I realized recently that my Halloween got lost somewhere in all of the hustle and bustle of my birthday festivities and I never shared it. Gasp! 

Anyhoo, I'd hate to finish off the year without sharing one of the best nights OF my year!

I actually got to live out a lifelong dream of being Mary Poppins and my cute honey was such a good sport, not to mention my BEST accessory as Burt, the chimney sweep (close second would have to be my authentic Mary Poppins parrot umbrella. Wowza, I know).

It's not too early to begin dreaming up next years creative ensemble!


Cheerio!

Mama Bear

Dear Mom,
I was hoping that by now I would've diligently kept up with my Thirty Days and Thirty Thanks posts, but sadly, I am a procrastinator and I've fallen behind (no, I know, I did NOT inherit such a trait from you).
Here's the thing...
I'm really really thankful for so many things. I'm truly thankful for all that I have, and even things I don't have but maybe dream of having. You taught me to be that way. A thankful dreamer.
In fact, you've taught me the most about gratitude, which is why I wanted to save you for last.
You're a strong mama, Mama (hehe). No but really. You have been a constant light in my life, always there to teach me, through your example, to embrace all that I have and "create my own happiness". Even in your darkest hours, you never cursed the heavens for what you didn't have, you've always turned to them to strengthen you and remind you of the blessings that you do have.
You are my greatest example of achievement and have shown me that through hard work and dedication, you CAN have the good things in life that you want, while still remaining a person who lovingly gives and gives.


I'm so thankful for you.
I'm thankful that you've always taught me the importance of gratitude and the words, "Thank you".
I'm thankful that you're thankful for your 'smile wrinkles' (which I promise, no one notices, it's just that you always talk about how you like them). It's nice to have a mama who's always smiling.
I'm thankful that you showed me how to dream. Dream books/boards are still my fave.
I'm thankful for the memories we've made 'giving back'. I really think it feels best to be on the 'giving' side of things... not that the 'receiving' side is too bad either.
I'm thankful for your strength. Strength to overcome, strength to move forward, strength to stay positive and strength to believe... the list could go on and on.
I'm just really so thankful for you. Not to mention, you're the one who gave me life. I'm pretty thankful for that too.


I love you, Mom. You continue to amaze me each day just by being you. Thanks for that.


Forever Yours,
Kaitlyn Marie

coming out of my closet

I should be embarrassed, but I'm not. I came straight home from Thanksgiving dinner last week and cuddled up in my very favorite Christmas sweater because it IS that time of year, ya know? And obviously, I was way excited about it.

Judge away. I bet you don't own a sweater as warm and fuzzy as this one.

Besides, this bad boy's won me an award or two, so if anyone knows of any Ugly (or in my case, Lovely) Christmas Sweater parties this season, gimme a ring.

someone's been pinning...

The honey got a new X-Box game (he couldn't wait until Christmas), so 'Snuggle Sunday' was postponed. No problem for me, I had plenty to keep me busy while he diligently fought to save the world from nasty little creatures. 
I went to work at my craft table and jammed out to some Sunday Night Slow Jams.
I've definitely been bitten by the 'holiday bug', but the question is, have I gone too far?


Ha. Who am I kidding? There's no such thing as 'too far' during the holidays.


Cheers,
Kait

If you're a pinner, surely you've seen something like this. It was so much easier than I expected, and lots of fun too, unless you're my neighbor and had to listen to my blow dryer going full force at 11PM. Sorry!

I made these all on my own out of things I just found around the house. Paper plates and leftover scrap paper. Voila!

My rubber tree was feeling left out of the holiday cheer so I spruced him up a bit.

Okay. Okay. This is overboard. I know. It's just way too much fun and I have way too many extra magnets lying around. It's the holidays! Geeze!

sunday stroll

As beautiful as Fall is, it's kind of pesky too. The trees in front of my apartment have shed their leaves a dozen times it seems. I feel like there is ALWAYS someone out there blowing them and raking them up, blowing them and raking them up. I shouldn't really be complaining though. It's not like I'm the one out there blowin' and rakin'. I'm pretty sure whoever is out there is relieved though because the last of the leaves have finally been stuffed into the last of those big orange 'leaf' bags (hopefully).


To top off a great holiday weekend, Mama, Shelbs and I wandered up City Creek Canyon today in search of some beauty to be found in the fallen leaves and naked trees. We found plenty of beauty and the blue sky and bright sun helped a little too.


Happy Sunday,
Kait

friday night lights

I am so totally slacking on my, Thirty Days and Thirty Thanks, and it's not because I have a shortage of things I'm thankful for, it's just that I'm a slacker. Working on that.


This weekend was one of those weekends you can't help but feel so lucky to have had. Beginning with the obvious, Thanksgiving Day, the weekend opened with the year's feast of all feasts. There's really not much better than that.
And then came Friday night which was just so bright. And so awesome.

Some of the cousins and their cute families came over for hot cocoa, apple cider and vegan-unfriendly goodies (it's the holidays, gimme a break).

As if we hadn't gorged ourselves enough on Thursday, we continued to stuff our stomachs full of rice krispy ornaments, cookies and brownies, then we took our hot cocoa to-go and bundled up for the trek across the street to admire Temple Square's Christmas lights. I've been watching them string these bad boys since August. That's a long time to be up on a ladder, but obviously so worth it.

As usual, Temple Square put together a magical display, but as far as brightness goes, I'd say our smiles had those lights beat. Haha, I'm such a cheeseball. 

Yes, I seriously left the house still wearing my house slippers. Gasp.
Hehehe...

Let the festivities begin!

Happy Holidays,

Kaits

operation christmas crafts

'Tis the season and I just can't seem to help myself...

Happy Holidays,

Kait

i heart snuggle sundays

ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF NOVEMBER
Some people go to church, some people go on drives and some people cook up pot roast and potatoes on Sunday.
We snuggle.
We've been snugglin' all weekend though. It's been very low-key. I like it that way and so does he. Figures.
Hope you got some good snugglin' in this weekend too.


xo,
Kait

Where were YOU at midnight?

I know what you're thinking. You think I was one of those "crazies" who went to a midnight premiere of the new Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn, don't you? 

Well... I was. Oh my. I totally was. 

In my defense, my ticket was free and the movie was kind of better than I thought it would be despite all of the terrible reviews going around.

But I'm the girl that wanted to wear a cape and drizzle 'blood' from the corners of my mouth so you decide who's word you want to trust.

Kaits

Thursday's Threads: Leaves have fallen

Okay, I'm obsessed with Polyvore. It's like my own personal dream closet and I can't stop coming up with new styling ideas.
This Fall I've been obsessing over Hunter Wellies. I think Honey's got the hint. 
I love this color combo too. It brings out the warmth of the oranges, reds and browns that are littering the walkways and decorating our lawn.
xo,
Kait

Leaves are falling by kindlykait featuring wellies boots

what a gleek

I pretty much loved this week's episode of Glee. Then again, the only week's I don't like are the weeks it isn't on. Judge me. I don't even care. I love Glee and that's that.
Go ahead, just do it. Hit play...

You're welcome.


xoxo

the sweetest thing

ON THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER

I've always thought, Peeve, would be a funny pet name. Pet Peeve. Ha.

When we got our family dog, she was already named. Sweetie.

Pretty lame, I know.

She was three years old and the most awkward little thing you've ever seen. Skinny and just plain awkward. Not to mention, she had no tail. Nope. Just a little stub of a tail.

Everyone thinks they have the World's Greatest Dog. Everyone thinks that their relationship with their dog is more extraordinary than their neighbors. And everyone is probably right. In which case, I have the World's Greatest Dog. Our relationship is such a sweet (no pun intended) and pure friendship and I just love her so much. I'm pretty sure she loves me so much too, as I am most definitely her obvious favorite.

I'm thankful for Sweetie. She, much like everyone in my family, is a little bit awkward and better looking from certain angles, but she has a heart of pure gold and just wants to be a "good girl". She, and we, as in my family, were a match made in dog heaven and as she nears her older age and is beginning to slow down a bit, I'm especially thankful for her companionship and comfort.

Cheers to family dogs. Every family needs a "Sweetie Pie".

Cuz I Love You

ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER

Fourth grade was the year I learned I could actually pick my own friends. 

Really. 

It wasn't because I'd had a shortage of sleepovers, or late night playdates, or lunches at the park, or friends for that matter, fourth grade is just the year I learned that I actually had a say in who those friends were.

Before then, I just thought all my friends came from my Aunties and Uncles.

Here's the thing - I don't even know how many cousins I have. I could figure it out with a calculator and pad of paper, but let's just go ahead and agree that I have A LOT of cousins. And yes, I'm totally talking about my FIRST cousins. As in, same. two. grandparents. (Okay, fine, if you want an estimate, the total number of my first cousins would probably land somewhere in the 60's, maybe 70's, range. And there's still room to grow.)

Moving on...

The first years of my life were literally spent with my cousins. I didn't know I could have other friends because I didn't need them yet. I did everything other kids did with their friends, I just did them with my cousins. My cousins were even my babysitters, okay?

And it was totally cool. 

Today, I'm so thankful for my cousins. The old, the young and the really young. The ugly and the beautiful. The smart and the not-so-smart. You all know who you are. I love you all. 

I am so thankful for ALL of my friendships. I'm so thankful for the ones that I 'learned' to make after fourth grade. I've made really great choices. But, I'm especially thankful for the ones that I didn't have to make, the friends that were just given to me whether I liked it or not. Turns out, luck was on my side, and I'm really glad you're mine.

Arohanui,

Kaitlyn Marie

**If YOU are my cousin and you are not featured in the below collages (yes, I made two because, once again, we should hold our family reunions in football stadiums), don't be offended. I know you are my cousin and I love you just the same, you just probably look bad in all our pictures. hehe**

Oakley, Idaho

ON THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:


I lost my last two living grandparents this year, can you believe it? My Papa on my dad's side passed early this year in Samoa, and my Nana on my mom's side passed away this June. It's a somber thought realizing that they have moved on but it also has allowed a lot of reflection about who I am and where I come from. 
My nana lived in her family home in Oakley, Idaho, the same beautiful Victorian home her grandfather (my great-great-grandfather!) built in 1896. It was a home because Nana lived there and there's just no place like Nanas' houses, right? It was also a home because of it's history and our literal connection to the generations who had made it their home many times before. I have shared so many sweet moments at Nana's house and today, I'm thankful for Oakley.
I'm thankful for my times spent in Oakley, for sweet memories and friends that have been made and for all that I've learned about my ancestors and others who have come before me.

WWW DOT

ON THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:

I must say, doing this whole 'blogging' thing has been real neat. In my case, it's really just a way to rant and rave at a 60+ WPM speed which is a speed my cluttered brain can keep up with. And it's just fun for me. So, to the five of you who actually might stop by and do some reading once in a while, thanks. I never have anything interesting to say, so the fact that I see your 'visits' here and there puts a little smile on my face. Which leads me into why, today, I'm thankful for the good ol' world wide web.

I spend way to much time tangled up in the web, but I already posted about how thankful I am for books here, so I figure I can get away with this one now :)

Honestly though, there is an entire world available to me at the click of a few buttons and it's pretty dang awesome. I'm able to keep in touch with the people I love most and even some people I hardly know enough to love. I'm constantly being inspired to create and/or re-decorate by overachieving sites like Pinterest and Etsy. I stay up to date on current events and not just local or national stories, I'm talkin' world wide news coverage. At the touch of a tab or two, I can answer any question that pops into my little crowded brain at any point during the day, and let's be honest, I LOVE my Netflix documentaries and my HuluPlus shows. Oh boy do I love those.

I really am thankful for the knowledge, opportunities and ideas that are available to me through access to the world wide web. Life just wouldn't be the same without it.

chevrolegs

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:
I have a confession to make. 
I don't have a car.
Really. No car. I haven't had one in over three years. My honey has one, so I get to use it here and there, but one of the best things about downtown living is the fact that we really don't always need it. I'm a true fan and regular rider of the UTA Transit System and I'm totally proud of it. 
Today, I'm thankful for public transportation. It always gets me where I need to go, it's wallet-friendly and I don't want to make anyone jealous, but my work commute consists of a short 5-minute walk through the most beautiful block in downtown Salt Lake City and three trax stops. That's it. It takes me less than ten minutes to get to work from the time I walk out my front door. I know, right?! Green living has never felt so good or been so easy.

fortunate me, i live in the land of the free

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:


Okay, like every other American out there, sometimes I curse the land, or rather the people that run the land that I live on. Don't worry, I'm not going to protest on capitol hill anytime soon, but no government is perfect or gets everything right. Even so, I am one lucky girl and I live in one lucky place. The land of the free. I'm truly grateful for the life that I live and for living in a place that allows me to be who I want to be and go where I want to go. I wouldn't have any of the freedoms that I enjoy today without the past and present men and women who have fought for their freedom, and mine too. Today, on this beautiful Veteran's Day, I am thankful for the servicemen and service women who have and continue to risk their lives for my freedom.

And today, as I think about our veterans, I'll especially be thinking of my uncle Daniel and my cousin Dallin, two honorable servicemen and great examples of courage.

i love to laugh

ON THE TENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:

Today I'm thankful for laughter.

And I don't think it needs any explanation.

Prepare for some not so pretty laughing faces, and faces that make me want to laugh...

Life's a beach...

PLAY THIS...

WHILE READING THIS...

ON THE NINTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:

I'm trying hard to enjoy this winter weather this year, remember? 

But days like today make me remember how much I really DON'T enjoy the chattering teeth and tense muscles that are the result of the season. Days like today make me thankful for the days I get to bury my feet in warm sand, lather up the SPF and lay out a bath sheet. Today, I'm thankful for the beach.

I mean, honestly, who isn't? 

A Song to Sing

ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:

There is nothing coming from me today but grunts, moans and whines. That's right, I'm sick. My normally healthy and functional body has lost the battle and that loss has resulted in swollen lymph nodes and a case of the coughs. The only people happy about this unfortunate tragedy are my neighbors. Today their walls have not rattled with showtunes and Christmas music which usually happens to be blaring from my stereo, and I most definitely won't be showcasing my musical theater belting techniques to the pedestrians walking past my patio.

Now before you go on judging me you must know, I come from an incredibly musically talented family, on both sides. This doesn't necessarily mean that I too have been blessed with incredible musical talents, but I can carry a tune and *blushing* I have participated in a few years worth of vocal training. My mother is an amazing singer and growing up, her sweet voice could be heard resonating throughout our home most hours of the day. I grew up on Rodgers and Hammerstein, Disney, Broadway's Bests, and all of the classical classics and I wouldn't have it any other way. Today, I'm so thankful for music.

I'm thankful for being brought up in a home full of music. I'm thankful for a family who cherishes it as a gift. I'm thankful for the moments when my heart has been touched by song, my tears have been shed to tunes and my belly has chuckled from lyrics, and I'm especially thankful for the sore hands and fingertips that I've experienced as a result of making love to my piano and guitars. Music continues to light up my life and I sure don't ever plan on tiring of those tunes. 

That being said, sorry neighbors. Naptime is over, Dayquil is downed and my volume is going up.

All I Need to Know About Life, I Learned at Hogwarts

ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:
... I spent waaayyy too much time on my computer, but what's new? I usually spend too much time on my computer which makes me really thankful for the days I spend travelling to far off places, participating in courageous battles and falling in love with my sworn enemy. Today, I'm thankful for the power of books.
I love to read. I love curling up in bed, immersing myself in a good book and losing track of the real world for a time. Books entertain my wild imagination and take me on journeys that I could never create on my own.
I'm so thankful for creative authors who have shared their stories with the world because the book really IS always better.

Stuck Together Forever

ON THE SIXTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:
I'm thanking my lucky stars for friendship. 
I'm just gonna say it... 

...I have the best friends.

I really do.

I myself am not always the best friend. As mentioned here and here, I'm emotionally unstable, some days I suck at returning phone calls and yes, sometimes I even forget birthdays, but that doesn't stop my friends from being great friends and for that, they make me want to be greater too. Thanks guys.

From my clan of childhood bff's to my more recent lifetime friendships, my friends pretty much rock and I'm very thankful for all of the ways my life has been blessed by them.
(Just because you may not be featured on my "friend collage" does not mean I don't cherish you. I do. I probably just look bad in all our pictures. xo)

A Puuurfect Buddy

ON THE FIFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:


For the record, I have never been a "cat person"...

until I moved into an apartment.

You see, I love animals. So much that I refuse to eat them or anything that comes from them. One day, I was in desperate need of something furry and warm to cuddle with and my boyfriend just wasn't enough. So, I journeyed down to the nearest animal shelter and found just what I needed. This little guy...

Best purchase I've ever made. Really.

Today I'm thankful for my Frankie boy. He was six weeks old when I brought him home and for the first few weeks he was mine, I'd wake up to him cuddling my neck and sucking on my ear lobe (what a weirdo). He was the sweetest baby and has grown into such a funny cat with a very strong personality. He's stubborn, he knows what he wants (and how to whine and get it) and he loves the outdoors. Just like me. 

Sir Franklyn Felix Finnigan McFloyd and I were a match made in animal shelter heaven and I'm so glad that I gave a cat a chance. I love waking up every morning to his purrs and cuddles and can't imagine not having him at the door to greet me at the end of every day. 

I'm grateful for the joy that Frankie has added to my life which makes it so much easier for me to deal with scooping his poop for another 18 years or so. 

My Whole Heart

ON THE FOURTH DAY OF NOVEMBER:
Being the firstborn, I'm sure I would've been perfectly content without ever having to share my toys and having ALL of my parents' attention to myself, but today my little heart is full of so much gratitude for the other lives my parents just had to create. Today I'm so thankful for my siblings and for the gift of being a sister.

Geeze, my eyes are already tearing up.
I love being a sister, and a "big" one at that. I can't imagine a life without three others, it just wouldn't be right. We've always always been there for each other, even when we don't want anyone around. We've hated each others' guts while loving the crap out of each other at the same time. No one has made me cry harder, and no one has loved me more either. Now that's what I call friendship. 
They are my best friends, my biggest fans and my whole entire heart. Words will never be able to explain how much my brother and sisters complete me or how grateful I am to be theirs.
I love you guys and I'm so incredibly thankful that we somehow got paired together on life's journey. 

Lucky in Love

ON THE THIRD DAY OF NOVEMBER:

..."My true love gave to me" oh, oops, wrong month. But since I already brought it up, today I'm grateful for my honey. 

I like to think I'm a pretty simple gal. I don't always need to be showered with gifts or lots of attention, but if there is anything "high maintenance" about me, it usually has to do with my mental and/or emotional state. Sometimes a girl's just gotta cry and boy am I good at that!

A few years ago, I tricked a handsome man into falling for me. As our relationship blossomed, he slowly began to experience my unstable emotions and hormonal ups and downs and.... he stuck around. Wait. What?! 

No really, he did, and he's still making me one happy and lucky girl. 

When it comes right down to it, I'm so glad he puts up with my wild ways. There's nothing to love about me until I've been awake for at least an hour and then eaten breakfast, but he's okay with that. He still thinks I'm beautiful, even when I'm not (which is more often that I'd like to admit), and even when we're really getting on each others' nerves, he still tries to make me smile and usually succeeds. 

I sure do love that honey of mine and I'm so thankful for a good and kind man who, for the most part, seems to love me a lot too.

Green Queen

ON THE SECOND DAY OF NOVEMBER:

I woke up, brewed a cup of mate tea and ate an apple. I bought bananas a week ago and they're still green. I've never had bananas take so long to ripen, but anyway, I plucked off the 'almost yellow' one and ate that too, then I got ready for work.

I've been eating whole fruit when I wake up every morning for about a month now. I read in some book that fruit is better as the first meal of the day because your body is able to digest it more effectively. I found that interesting, so I've been trying it out. The truth is, I like eating fruit in the morning. I don't eat enough of it throughout the day, so it's been easy to eat it for breakfast and ensure that I'm getting my daily dose.

I'm glad that I care about that. I'm glad that books like that book are interesting to me. Today I'm thankful for my body and good health.

I used to roll my eyes when my mom would lecture us about good nutrition. I just thought she was some crazy old hippie who learned to eat boring food out of a VW van. My first year at Utah State, I lived in the dorms with a girl who was vegan. Interested, I learned a little about the meat and poultry industry in the United States. Naturally, I was turned off and I gave up meat for a little while, but I was a first year college student and without the cafeteria I had no option but Top Ramen, so my "feat against meat" ended quickly. But I was still interested, and as the years went by I learned more, and more, and some more. Then I started learning about things other than factory farms, and hormones and antibiotics. I started learning about pesticides, and preservatives, and insecticides, and genetically modified products and I really freaked out.

Long story short, I've been trying now for a few years to live a life free of animal products and heavy processing and rely on a whole foods plant-based diet. I feel great. It's taken time to get used to over the years, but I've learned more about nutrition and diet than I ever would have known and I've become a much better cook. Food tastes better and I feel great about eating it.

I'm grateful for the healthy and nutritious examples I've had throughout my life and for a healthy body that I'm trying to take the best care of.

Kait

Thirty Days and Thirty Thanks

'Tis the season to be thankful! This is truly the best time of the year to reflect and be merry and I'm going to celebrate it by reminding myself of something I'm thankful for every day during the month of November. Yep, all thirty days of it. This way I won't have as much time to wallow in self-pity and feel sad about the looming frigid winter season, which in my opinion, isn't really necessary once the presents are opened and the tree comes down.
Okay, I'm lying. Lately, I've surprised myself by not whining over the disappearance of sundresses and swimsuits. I'm actually a tad bit excited to bundle it all up. Perhaps it has something to do with the healthy twenty-five pounds I've gained since last winter and being pleased as punch to pack away the summertime clothes that no longer fit, but honestly, I'm kind of looking forward to scarves, hot chocolate and most nights spent at home. Which brings me back to the business at hand...



ON THE FIRST DAY OF NOVEMBER:

I never thought I'd find myself feeling this way, but today I'm grateful for the beauty of four seasons. Don't get me wrong, I'm still grateful for the possibility of someday having one endless season of tropical blue skies, but I guess you could say, I've grown to really love the changing of the seasons. Each season brings something new to look forward to. In the summertime, I get to spend endless hours in the sun (lathered up with a strong SPF, of course!), hike to the tops of mountains and cliffs, and shop the finest and freshest of the good ol' Farmer's Markets. Then Fall slowly (or quickly, depending on the mood of Utah's impulsive weather) rolls in and the bright reds, oranges, yellows and greens compliment the always beautiful sunsets. My sleeveless tops are tucked away and replaced with soft sweaters and if I'm lucky, the aroma of something delicious baking will usually grace my kitchen once a week or so. Then the snows come. Then they go. Then they come again. And go again. And Fall and Winter battle it out until Winter wins and the snow sticks around a bit longer. Maybe my excitement for Winter has something to do with my carefully mapped out "Winter Wants Preparedness Items", but now I'm getting off track. I really do love a quiet snow-covered street (mostly while looking out the window) and I especially love peppermint lattes. And after the joy and cheer run out and the excitement of a new year fades, the snow turns to rain and the world is renewed by Spring and a plethora of joggers. 
I'm thankful to be a part of the changing of the seasons, to experience renewal and to live in such a beautiful place.


Kindly,
Kait