Christmas in NYC

.......2013. 

Yes, so this post is a year late. BUT I didn't have a blog when we went and I'm having severe "please take me back syndrome" so I figured it's never too late to post about an amazing trip!

First night in NYC! I love them so much.

This trip was my college graduation trip. When my sister graduated, the three Reeves women went to Los Angelos, and by the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to go to NYC....at Christmastime. I had been to New York a few times before (and loved it!) but I had never been at Christmastime. 

So right now you might be thinking: but you didn't graduate college in 2013....
You would be correct! 

I graduated college in December 2010, but was still recovering from surgery/radiation, so we decided to postpone. In the fall of 2011, I had to have another eye surgery that postponed the trip again. By 2012 I had a four and a half month old niece...so Amy was a little busy. By 2013, we were ready to go - come hell or highwater.

We flew out the Thursday morning after Christmas (me and my mom woke up at 3 a.m. for that flight!) and stayed through Sunday evening. 

While waiting on my sister (who flew in later from Dallas), mom and I got settled in and went and walked around the city. Holy. Cold. It was SO cold. In fact, I'm not sure I've been much colder than I was on this trip. It was a good day if I returned to the hotel with ten toes, cause I rarely could feel them. Did it snow? No no - it was just bitterly cold. 

So Amy got there, we got her settled, and then went to see the city lights. My friend Ryan told us about all the neat Christmas window displays, so we hit those up before visiting Bryant Park.

Pretty sure I almost got run over taking this but it's fine...

Me and Aim posing on a festive corner. PS we took this 17 times. Susie ain't that great with a camera..

Then we headed over to Bryant Park to see the shops and have some dinner. I don't know what Bryant Park is like during the warmer months, but you MUST go during the holidays! It's adorable! Picture those Christmas villages that people display in their houses....got it? Okay good. Now that's Bryant Park. 

The girls, the tree, and the 'hustle and bustle'

Hah - so then we were like 'hey, lets grab dinner outside and watch the ice skating." They had heaters, so we thought it'd be fine. Yeah no, it wasn't. We were stupidly cold. I don't even remember what we ate but I'll bet it was lukewarm by the time it made it to the table. 

Our view from dinner...ain't it cute???

Susie didn't think so. Susie was cold.

That was my first real night to be concerned for my toes. Those poor little piggies. 

BUT - no rest for the freezing. The next morning we bundled back up and headed to Rockefeller. 

We walked around the outside (and contemplated ice skating) and then had to take a break in TGIFridays just to thaw a bit. Have I mentioned it was cold? I'm not kidding people. 

We surveyed the city on the top of the Rock...

#windyselfie

And bought the picture like true tourists do....

We came back to sea level and said hello to Radio City....

And bonded a bit with the big red balls.

If there's one thing that says New York at Christmas, it's those big red balls...

Good shot, huh? Thanks :)

 To wrap up that pretty perfect day was one of the best nights of my life. We ate a good southern meal at Justin Timberlake's restaurant, "Southern Hospitality," and then WE WENT AND SAW NEWSIES ON BROADWAY. And sat in the very middle of the 5th row. I cried, y'all. Not only am I that cheesy, but I just love that musical THAT much. It's coming to Dallas in the spring. I will be there. No less than three times. Ohmygosh I'm so excited.

Look how happy we are. Our tastes may differ in some areas, but we all LOVE. US. SOME NEWSIES!!!

 That night was done. We bought the "making of" book, went back to the hotel, sang the songs, and talked about the show for the rest of the night. And then tried to find matinee tickets for the next day. Sadly to no avail. 

On our last full day, we visited the Plaza (were too late or brunch reservations - planning fail), revisited our childhood (and claustrophobia) at FAO Schwarz, and then went ice skating in Central Park. And THAT was an adventure...

Pretty lobby of the plaza

We stood in a line for this with people all shorter than my waist. It's fine...

Home Alone bridge!

I love my pretty sister.

 And then it was time. Time for the ice skating. Here's the deal. I don't ice skate. I don't roller skate. I don't ride bikes. I'm just not athletic, okay? SO - I was pretty nervous. But Amy said she wouldn't let go...so I obliged. 

And she didn't! ....For the most part. But those couple times she did, down I went. I'm just counting it a small victory that I didn't split my pants.

Success!! So glad we did this!!

Saturday evening is not worth documenting. We decided to go shopping and see Rockefeller at night. Yeah, well so did 35,000 other people. It was frustrating, hilarious (I'm laughing just thinking about it), and something I never want to experience again. 

Before we headed out on Sunday, we woke up early and walked to wait in line for Serendipity. Other than ice skating in Central Park, this was HUGE on my bucket list. I've always wanted to try that frozen hot chocolate. So we waited, and waited, and were within the top 5 groups in line. And people - it was worth it. 

I love this picture of my mom. This woman has one big sweet tooth!!

You probably thought this was a lot of pictures, but it was only about 1/6 of them. I will never forget this trip. I love these two women with my whole heart and couldn't ask for better role models. You can't give memories due credit on a blog, but I'm sure you can tell that a lot were made.

Counting down to the next city we take on. And I wouldn't be sad at all if it was New York again. At Christmastime. :)

Until next time, 

Katy

Christmas Cards!

I am very much a Christmas Card person. We never sent them out as a family when I was younger, but I loved getting them in the mail and couldn't wait to start sending out my own when I "grew up."

Well who says you have to wait for a husband and some kids!?

Four years ago Charlie (my pup) and I started our annual Christmas Card pictures. I just love it. I keep a running excel spreadsheet of addresses (yeah I'm a nerd) and address while watching Christmas movies (likely The Santa Claus or The Holiday). Sometimes they make it out the first week of December; sometimes we're pushing January - but you know what? Who cares. Them suckers always get sent.

-2011-

-2012-

-2013-

My how we've grown over the years! So while one would think we would get better and better at the whole picture taking thing - please do not be fooled. This post is to tell you that this is NOT the case. Successful pictures take three things: 1) dog treats, 2) patience, and 3) a loving and understanding photographer. My dad took the first two and my wonderful friend Lisa took 2013-2014. Again - they love us, so it works.

Even with the implementation of the three things above this is quite a process, and out of 134 pictures this year, we had a good 6 or 7. But I'm serious. Most look like this:

This is me waiting for other passerby dogs and humans to get out of the range of sight...

Or waiting for him to quit yawning...

Or to quit watching the boys playing soccer in the field next door. And using me as the seat cushion.

I'll spare you the other hundred. They're mainly of me man-handling my 80 pound (lap)dog. BUT, as I tell Lisa every year -- we. just. need. one. ONE. And somehow, every year, we come out with a handful of pictures that I treasure so much. Pups don't have the longest life span (cue tears), so I know whether "card-worthy" or not, one day I'm going to love looking back on all 134 of those pictures.

Man I love this dog.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you.

Until next time,
Katy

Katy's Christmas Playlist

Trust me - I am like any other person when it comes to Christmas music. I put pumpkins on the porch and wonder if it's too early to start 'dashing through the snow.' I personally think the problem is that there's no Thanksgiving music. We need something to play throughout the house while we decorate. If there was Thanksgiving music, we could hold out a little longer for Christmas music. But alas, there's not. 

 

I still try, however, to hold out until December 1st. It's tough - especially when grocery stores are playing it while you're shopping for your turkey stuffings -  but I really do try!

 

I'm sure everyone has that sountrack/movie that makes them think of their childhood, and for me, it's a combo deal. This little sucker right here is my Christmas childhood.

 

 

And don't get me wrong - I love it! Hearing Bing croon still makes me smile, and to this day, my dad and I watch it together every Christmas. And sing the songs. And quote the lines. And dance the choreography. That's what we do. The Reeves family is a White Christmas family.

(Which is ironic since I grew up in Beaumont, TX where you were lucky if it was cold enough for a fire on Christmas....)

 

Another song that makes me think of my childhood is Amy Grant's "Tennessee Christmas." Amy, my big sister, would always come home for the holidays and that's the first thing she'd put on the CD player. She loved her some Tennessee Christmas - which boggled my mind - because we live in Texas... :)

 

I decided to compile my 2014 Christmas Playlist (thanks to watching the CMA Country Christmas). This is by no means a complete list, just some of my favorites this year. I rarely turn off anything that comes on the Sirius Christmas channels - I just love it all. BUT - here are my current fourteen favorites.

 

NOTE : I am always looking for new music, so if you have a favorite - please let me know!

 

 [PS my mom gave me the plate in this picture a couple of years ago - isn't it the cutest!? I'm a sucker for all things "Merry Christmas Y'all"]

 

Until next time,
Katy

 

Chaotic Christmas Checklist

Tis the season to be BUSY (falalalala la la la la)
 

Remember when we had a week between Thanksgiving and the beginning of December? That was cool. I really miss that. Now I feel like all my December "to-dos" are squished! I mean, it’s December 8^th and have I decorated yet? Nope. Shameful, I know. But I just haven’t had time! I did order my Christmas cards last night though – that’s a plus.
 

There are so many fun things I always want to do during the holly-days, but thanks to the hustle and bustle – I never get to them! SO – I made a checklist. More specifically, a “Chaotic Christmas Checklist.” It’s pure fact: if it’s on a list, it has a better chance of happening.
 

Note: I love lists. I don’t understand how people get anything done without them. Sticky notes, napkins, the notes app on my phone – all lists. I undoubtedly get this from my mother, and I’m so glad I did. I just love a good list.
 

I decided to limit the list to 10 festivities give myself the full month of December to get them done! I’ll report back on December 31^st with my results :)
 

 

 

1. Decorate (duh!) – this seems like a no brainer, but again, it’s December 8^th and I’m still sportin’ pumpkins, leaves, and acorns all over my house

2. Donate to a Charity – cause it’s always good to count your blessings and share some

3. Christmas Lights and Cocoa – I live a few blocks away from Highland Park (hello large gorgeous homes), so Christmas lights with hot cocoa-to-go are a must have!

4. Attend (and host!) a Christmas party – the “host” portion is to help ensure #1 happens!

5. Go see Trans-Siberian Orchestra – I’ve never been! Jeff has and he loved it so I’m super excited for that date night J

6. Try all the Blue Bell holiday flavors – counting down the days my friends, I’m counting down the days…

7. Go to a Christmas program – cause they’re good for the holiday soul

8. Visit the Gaylord Texan ICE! Exhibit – I don’t do cold well, but it’s worth it!

9. Go ice skating in the Galleria – my hiney already hurts just thinking about all the falls that are bound to happen

10.  Holiday in the Park (Six Flags) – this one’s mainly for the boy. He keeps asking, so I figured it’s only fair to put it on the list!
 

And there you have it! My Chaotic Christmas Checklist. Here goes nuthin!
 

Merry Monday everyone!
 

Until next time,
Katy

CMA Country Christmas

 

Due to the crazy holiday season - well, and my crazy life in general - I finally had time to sit down and watch CMA's Country Christmas last night! Jeff and I turned on all the Christmas lights, poured us a couple glasses of malbec, and settled in for Monday night's show (thank you DVR!)!

 

Prior to pushing play, we were entertained by my dog's first encounter with a running train set. And it was quite comical. So I thought I'd share...

 

That went on for about 2 whole minutes. Then the train died and he was QUITE distraught.

 

Anywho - back to CMA Country Christmas. Country music is my lifeline, and Christmastime is my absolute favorite time of year, so when you combine the two - you get one happy Katy. The show was about two hours long, but I thought I'd give you my top three performances.

 

First off - Jennifer Nettles is adorable. She's like a snippit of country everything all wrapped up in a cute pint-sized package. I think I had accent envy watching her host.

 

And okay okay - he didn't make my top three (because there were some top-notch performances!) but I love me some Brett Eldredge. His southern growl makes me smile and I just adore him. Look! We took a picture together last summer. Aren't we cute!? :)

 

[He's singing right to me. He told me so.]

 

So I smiled the whole time through his opener, and Jeff rolled his eyes and tried to sing over him. Sigh. Boys.

 

Back to the show. Here are Katy's top-three CMA Country Christmas moments:

 

1. Michael W. Smith and Carrie Underwood - All is Well

 

Are you surprised? Didn't think so. I love love love this song and Carrie is my girl so this was a match made in heaven for me. I mean, home girl has got some PIPES. And her baby bump is so cute. I wondered if the little nugget was loving being serenaded. Or going deaf from the pipe organ symphony he was experiencing. Regardless - this was a winner. Click the link. Be inspired.

 

2. Idina Menzel and Jennifer Nettles - Let It Go

 

Okay, so I love this song, but it's on my top three because it was flawless. Powerful Disney song plus harmonies plus a country twang was just a good recipe. (Plus everyone stayed on pitch!!) I got chills. And found myself smiling at the end. It's just a heart warmer.

 

3. LeAnn Rimes - Someday at Christmas

 

This choice might be surprising, but I just really love LeAnn Rimes. AND this is one of my favorite songs. First time I heard it was on Justin Bieber's Christmas album (don't judge - sorry Stevie) and I've loved it ever since. She and her two piece ensemble did it justice. And resulted in me wailing this song for the rest of the evening. And of course making up lyrics to the parts I don't know yet.

 

All in all, another win for CMA Country Christmas. This has highly inspired me to do a post on Katy's Personal Christmas Playlist. Coming soon. :)

 

Until next time,

Katy

 

 

Pumpkin Spice Makes Katy Real Nice

I. LOVE. THE FALL.

 

Sweaters, boots, scarves, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

 

....but for real.

 

So when I was young...okay like four years ago...I used to HATE it when my mom and sister would take me in a home decor store. The phrase "let's go in Kirklands real quick" got quite the moan out of this one. They would always say 'just give it a few years' but I didn't believe them. There was NO way I'd ever be interested in home decorations.

 

HAH. I was so so wrong. Hobby Lobby is now my happy place.

[I mean how can you not smile at this?!]

 

Three years ago I started my Christmas decoration collection, but it wasn't until last year that I really started on the fall decor. My dad and I went to the Hob Lob and created a good looking starting point, and then my mom and I went back this year and added to the loot.

 

Here's something I had to accept: my house will not look as beautiful as my mother's overnight. Decorations ain't cheap, so it's going to take time. As in years. (sigh) Anyways, I took a day off work this year (that's a rarity) and put my fall decorations up (with about 4 Bath and Body Works candles burning). I might be biased, but I think it's a pretty good start :)

 

 

We've covered decor, but a HUGE part of why I love the fall is THE BAKING. I love baking year-round, it's quite the stress reliever, but when your ingredients start incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice....things get infinitely more exciting.

 

I was not having the greatest day at work one day and the boyfriend (commonly referred to as "Jeff") sent me this picture of my surprise pick-me-up!!

 

[What can I say? The boy knows the way to my heart!]

 

 A lot of blog posts over the next two-three months will likely include trial recipes from these magazines. I try tree new recipes over the holidays (usually Thanksgiving week), and I can already tell you the brown sugar coffee cake on the front of that magazine is going to be one of them!

 

Alrighty, that's all I have for today. Random fall happiness.

 

Until next time,

Katy

 

 

The Original Initial Blog Post

Here's the thing: I really don't like the first blog post. I mean, there is quite a bit of pressure on this puppy. Do you give your life story? Talk about your dreams? Share where you are currently in life? Where you came from? Where you want to go? I mean REALLY.

I'll keep this initial post short and sweet so I can get to the good stuff. Instead of telling you any of the above, I'm just going to tell you some of the idiosyncrasies of Katy Reeves...

• I kicked cancer in the patootie. To read all about that journey, grab a few hours, several snacks, and click here.
• I'm obsessed with coffee. Why is this an idiosyncrasy, you ask? Because my favorite part about coffee is that first sip.....before you brush your teeth. Y'all, that cool minty freshness of toothpaste ruins everything. I will make coffee for my commute and sneak in a couple sips before I brush the tombstones just for the 'first sip experience.' More or less, I'd have to agree with Folgers - it is the best part of waking up.
• My closet is color-coded. By sections.
• I found my dog on the streets, yet raised him to be quite the high-maintenance little fella.
• I've never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• If I'm really stressed out and working late, I will wake up an hour early just to watch an episode of TV and drink coffee in bed.
• People call me "dramatic"...but I prefer "passionate."
• If I were a color, I would be purple.
• My life dream is to be a country singer but I break out in hives when I have to sing in front of people. It's a problem. I'm aware.
• I sleep with a heating pad year round: summer, winter, spring, and fall. I am NOT the "find the cold spot in the sheets" person. I never want to find the cold spot.

I'm sure there are more - and I'm sure I'll divulge them to you later - but that's good for now. Congratulations, people. We have survived the first blog post.

Until next time,
Katy