January 7, 2013

A Small Surprise in my Christmas "Sock''

One of my favorite Christmas traditions back home is digging through my stocking on Christmas morning. My mom is a master stocking-stuffer and everything she puts in it is perfect and usually leaves me saying 'how'd you know I needed this?!' Hence the master stocking-stuffer title. 

A Dutch Christmas involves no such thing. So Christian quickly caught on to this thing he calls a 'Christmas sock.' This year my mom even mailed us 2 mini stockings stuffed with some goodies (Christian was overjoyed that his contents included mini packs of Milkduds...his favorite American candy). Over the past few years, Christian and I have sworn off Christmas gifts and instead we fill eachother's stockings, which usually involves a few small things here and there.

This year I was in for a treat. Christian put a brand-spanking new (12-24mm f/4) lens in my stocking! I gasped because I knew lenses weren't cheap but he said he knew 2012 was a tough year for me, so he had to splurge. With all of the crazy travel plans coming up over the next couple of years, this lens will be perfect for landscape shots (can't wait to use this little baby in Iceland). 

With a new lens in hand, we headed towards the canals to try it out. It was a very special Christmas Eve, walking around beautiful Amsterdam (even if it is a little grey) with my love in one hand and with my brand new lens in the other, I was one smitten  gal.
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4 comments:

Unknown said...

Just stumbled onto your blog and loving it! Funny, I am a So Cal girl living in Germany! Look forward to your posts!
http://itsabouttakingthejourney.blogspot.de

Jenna said...

Such a sweet surprise - that lens is going to be put to such good use :) I also passed on the stocking tradition to Jurgen and this year there was a dslr in my stocking! Great minds think alike! ;)

xxx
Jenna

Kari said...

That's an amazing lense! Beautiful pictures.

Jay said...

Stockings are my favourite things to open on Christmas too!
Lucky you to get a new lens in yours!