Maxwell-Concklin Christmas IV

Hello and Happy New Year! I can't believe it's come and gone. I hope you had a beautiful holiday season.

Flee to the Cleve has been quieter than ever these past few months, thanks to my two jobs. I've been burning the midnight oil in many ways, but things are shifting. More on that soon.

In the name of tradition, I have to pay homage to one of our favorite days, Private Christmas. We did it again this year and loved every second. True to form, we took a night before family holiday travels to shut everything else out, cook a great meal together, and exchange gifts.

We had less time to prepare this year, having both been stretched pretty thin recently, but that made it all the more lovely to take a night out to celebrate together.

After that, we made whirlwind trips to Atlanta and Aiken before returning to Greenville to see some of our closest friends. And now, suddenly, it's a brand new year.

Here's to success, happiness, and growth in 2014.

Maxwell-Concklin Christmas III

I feel so lucky to say that this is my third Christmas with John. In a way, it's our fourth together, because he was the first person I heard from, via text message, on Christmas morning 2009. That was before our first date, and I remember being really excited it. :) 

I've told you about our tradition of having a private celebration before we leave town to be with family, which is one of the best ideas we've ever had. The photo above is a card John gave me, which was perfect. I was in tears before the first gift was opened. He's also gotten especially good at making our favorite drink, pictured below. 

We had said cocktails, let Herbie annihilate his stocking, and baked a wheel of Camembert with sun-dried tomatoes. We exchanged gifts before cooking Halibut in a Shallot Caper Vinaigrette and opening the wine. It was romantic and wonderful, and I already can't wait until next year. 

I'll be taking a few days off this week to be with family and friends, but meanwhile, we wish you a beautiful, cozy Christmas with the people you love most!

xo,

Lauren

Maxwell-Concklin Christmas I, and II.

Maxwell-Concklin Christmas II

John and I decided to make our Dec. 21 Christmas celebration an annual event. We get to make a fancy dinner and exchange gifts four days early! It also allows us to create our own family traditions but reserve the big day for our parents. 

This year, we had a wonderful time with our favorite bubbly and a Stuffed Pork Loin, Roasted Root Vegetables, Green Beans in Shallot Vinaigrette, and Butternut Squash Bread Pudding. Bread Pudding is so fun to make, and this one in particular combines sweet and savory in a really good way. It was a total hit.  

Herbie got a new bouncy ball, a bone, and Blueberry treats. :)

We hope you all have a beautiful holiday weekend with the people you love most. 

Cheers!

         Lauren

 p.s. My two handsome men -

Maxwell-Concklin Christmas

Don't get me wrong. Christmas isn't over. John and I are still very excited to see both of our families, go South, celebrate, see Justin play, and celebrate again!

But because tonight is for cleaning, yoga, and packing, our special dinner in Cleve was yesterday. A little early. But it was perfect, because I don't think either of us could wait another day to exchange gifts.

Tomorrow I work, and then we hit the road for the first half of our trip to Atlanta. So excited!

Here are some highlights.

Herbie asks very nicely for his stocking.

I got home from work to find a clean house,

candles, incense, and presents,

and Herb, bathed and dressed in his Christmas PJs.

For John's Mom 

Furry Sidekick

Here's to going South and seeing loved ones. Happy Holidays to all!