Kung Hai Fat Choi– Happy Chinese New Year! Hong Kong Travels

Last week my brother and I set out for the distant land of... Hong Kong, China, and by distant, I mean 15-hours-away-distant, a.k.a. LONG flight. But it was well worth it. My dad lives on Lantau, an island where people mostly ride bikes, cows roam the streets (see below), and local life is a slower pace and chill. My brother and I have spent our days riding bikes 5 minutes to the grocery store, where we discovered a local fav of Brazilian chicken feet (toe nails included), and some of our favorite items: Milano cookies, popcorn, and Tim Tams (not all the food choices are as exotic as the first). 

The Chinese New Year is here (10th of February, I believe), and everyone has decorated with beautiful red paper lanterns and lovely trees with small oranges filling their branches. Most people get between 4 and 8 days off of work, school, etc., to be with their families. There is also usually a huge fireworks display at Victoria Park, as this is the most celebrated holiday here. This year is the year of the Snake. 

Hong Kong Island (View from the ferry)

Hong Kong Ferry

Mui Wo local beach

Hong Kong Island at night

A decorated orange tree (for New Years) and pretty flowers

Flowers at the Pui O local garden shop

My brother and I spotted this lovely herd of cows wandering up and down the streets of Mui Wo on our bike ride and I couldn't help but notice how cute the calves were! So, being the picture taking guru that I am, I dismounted my bike to capture some photos of the baby calves. The little ones immediately came over to me and started licking my jeans as well as the red fire hydrant. Loving the local wildlife!

What is your favorite place you've traveled to & why??


Happy New Year (Kung Hai Fat Choi)
XOXO,
Kirsten

It Feels Like Christmas

Three weeks ago, I returned home from the warm beach temperatures of Sydney, to be greeted with a beautiful white snowfall the next day. But, even with the snow, my  sunburn-turned-tan and wardrobe of summer dresses has made it hard for me to actually feel like Christmas is coming. Usually I have time to prepare – autumn leaves start falling in October, the warm weather slowly drifts away, and Thanksgiving comes around. By then I usually start getting excited about Christmas. So in an attempt to make myself more excited, I have been:

and

It worked! 

10 more days until Christmas everyone!! 

xoxo,

Kirsten

Thankful for Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again. Autumn, Thanksgiving, and preparing for Christmas. Although I'm not a huge fan of the transition from hot summer weather to the freezing cold days of a Colorado winter, I do enjoy the perks of these holidays. The first snow is always exciting to me – the pure white snowflakes covering everything in sight, frosting the green pine trees and gracefully dancing in the air– everything outside at peace. Watching snow fall truly captivates me. 

"snowflakes covering everything in sight... everything outside at peace"

It is one of nature's most beautiful abilities and one of God's most beautiful creations. It emulates a perfect atmosphere for sipping hot chocolate by the fire and listening to Christmas music. I can also attest to being snowed in with 4 feet of snow just outside my front door– an invitation to go sledding in the street, build snowmen and snow tunnels, and the excitement of having a day or two off of school. As sad as I am to be missing some of these festivities, I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to get a university degree and spend time with lovely friends in a beautiful country. 

"an invitation to go sledding in the street, build snowmen and snow tunnels, and the excitement of having a day or two off of school"

And for those who are pondering why I am missing Thanksgiving (I have had a couple friends who have asked me what Australians do for Thanksgiving), sadly, Australians do not celebrate this wonderful American tradition (although Halloween is becoming more popular here, so perhaps in the future, Australians will adopt our Thanksgiving traditions? ). If you recall, it was the pilgrims and indians in Plymouth, Massachusetts who shared the Thanksgiving Harvest. Check out a brief history of Thanksgiving here! Did you know that it was President Abraham Lincoln that declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday?? 

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever" –Psalm 107:1

As I read all of the Thanksgiving statuses on Facebook and see the pictures of turkey, cranberry, and mashed potatoes on Pinterest, I can't help but get excited. I am so thankful for all of the years that I have spent time with my family at Thanksgiving and all of the wonderful memories (playing hide-and-seek, sitting at the 'kids' table, playing football, and eating leftovers the next day). Even though I'm spending this Thanksgiving away from my family, I am still so thankful for all of the blessings God has given me. 

What are you most thankful for in your life??

Happy Thanksgiving!

xoxo,
Kirsten

Happy 4th!

This year my family and I showed my boyfriend CJ how we celebrate the 4^th (he’s from Australia). We spent the day shooting hoops and grilling some delicious hamburgers and Oscar Meyer Turkey hot dogs- I’m not usually a fan of hot dogs, but these ones were pretty good! Not to mention, CJ is obsessed! He tells me on a regular basis that he is crazing hot dogs.. 

After dinner we headed to my best friend Bri's house for some tasty desserts including a fruit pizza (which Chris and I put together RECIPE HERE) and some beautifully patriotic decorated strawberries (idea from Pinterest). 

Due to the ban on basically any kind of outdoor fires, we got creative and roasted marshmallows over the stove (which to my surprise worked a charm, see above). Our smores were AMAZING! A great idea for making smores on a rainy day; just be careful not to let the marshmallows fall onto the stove. All in all, a successful & fun 4th of July! 

What are your 4th of July traditions??  


xoxo
Kirsten 

How To: Fruit Pizza

What you need:

• Any kind of fresh berries or fruit that you like (enough to cover your fruit pizza)
• Sugar cookie dough
• Cream Cheese (8 oz.) 
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1-2 tsp vanilla
• Baking pan

1. Roll out the sugar cookie dough, put into the baking pan & bake for 8-10 minutes or follow the baking directions on the package
2. Mix cream cheese, vanilla & sugar until blended
3. After the sugar cookie has cooled,  apply the cream cheese frosting evenly (leaving a slight border is optional)
4. Place berries on top of the frosting and chill for 1 hour or indulge right away if desired & ENJOY!