12.31.2011

A New Look

I have a new look for the new year...for the blog, that is. I've been working on it for a while and am finally ready to "roll it out" :)

Happy New Year!!

12.30.2011

Food Poisoning...

Last night, my bestie and I went to Ikea for some dinner and shopping. I had grand plans to show you some of the fun things I bought for our master bedroom redo, but along with my purchases I also came home with food poisoning. NOT. FUN.

I'm just now, at 4pm the day after, starting to feel normal again.

In other news, our sweet baby girl's first tooth FINALLY popped through


YAY!

Have a great weekend!

12.28.2011

My Boy

Have I ever told you how much I love this boy?


God gave him such a loving and thoughtful heart.

Last night I was tucking him in and he asked for his daddy because he had a surprise to tell him about. Then, this morning my hubby got up with the baby, let me sleep in and then he and the boy brought me breakfast in bed. They brought me a cinnamon roll, milk and coffee.


That was the surprise. For me. That he thought of all by himself.

I felt so loved and special.

I really needed it too. I've been feeling down and icky lately due to lack of sleep, not working out and eating lots of junk. But he (and his daddy) made me feel like a million bucks this morning!

Plus I dragged myself into the gym the last 2 days and have been eating a little better. It's amazing how much all of that affects me.

While at the gym today, standing at the front desk with all 3 kids, the boy comes up and says, "look mom! I lost my tooth!!" The lady at the front desk chuckled and asked me if I wanted an envelope. It was pretty funny.


We were just at the dentist yesterday and he said it was close to coming out. Plus, there's already a tooth coming in behind it.

Never a dull moment around here :)

I hope you had a great Wednesday!

12.27.2011

To all you moms out there...

My sister-in-law posted this on her Facebook wall and I had to share...


12.26.2011

Christmas 2011: New & Old Traditions

This year, we did a few new things that will become a tradition for years to come. One of those things was going to Zoo Lights.







It was cold, but fun! We'll definitely go back next year.

Our other new tradition we started this year was The Elf on the Shelf, well, a variation of it. Meet Pepper Mindt...


I found this little, vintage knee-hugging elf online and he was in perfect condition.

We didn't want to spend the $40 for the book and elf, so he just arrived on our doorstep one day with a little letter explaining who he was, where he came from and the rules of his job.

The kids looked for him every morning and really enjoyed seeing him in a new spot each day.

He hitched a ride home with Santa on Christmas Eve night, but he'll be back next year.

A few of our yearly traditions include...

Setting up my husband's Polar Express train...




He has lots of extra accessories and the track extends around our entire living room and around the tree. The train is 10 cars long, steams and makes lots of fun sounds! The kids love it! And my hubby loves putting it up every year.


Every Christmas Eve, we head out to my in-laws for dinner and presents. We always get the kids new pj's...




Christmas morning is spent at home with warm, homemade cinnamon rolls...


I make them for my parents, my hubby's parents and sister-in-law (and us, of course) and we bring them with us on Christmas Eve. My mother-in-law looooooves cinnamon rolls and looks forward to getting them.


After Christmas morning at our house, we normally head (over the river and through the woods) to my parents' house for brunch/lunch and more presents.

Then naps and dinner.

But, this year, my brother had to leave on Christmas morning, so we changed it up and spent Christmas Eve morning with them.




For Christmas, I got this purdy little cover for my iPhone. It's even personalized! Thanks Mom & Dad!!


And my brother and his girlfriend bought me and our sweet baby girl our first pair of Toms...YAY!


And my hubby and I will be having a dance off later with this...


My hubby was sweet and stuffed my stocking with date night movie tickets and pretty scarves that I've had my eye on. He also surprised me with a new lens for my camera!! It is AWESOME!


It was a busy, fun Christmas and we're looking forward to what 2012 has in store.

I hope your Christmas was a blessed one!

12.19.2011

A No Bake Christmas

I haven't done a lot of baking like I normally do during the Christmas season. I've been all about the easy, no-bake recipes this year. Are you looking for an easy, last minute treat to take to your neighbor? Or to a party? Here are a few of my faves:

Spiced Christmas Tea


We also call this "Russian Tea" and I've heard it called "Friendship Tea", but at Christmas time, we call it "Spiced Christmas Tea". It's very soothing and yummy! Here's how to make a big batch of it. It takes...


2 c. Tang orange drink mix
1 c. instant tea
3 c. sugar (or less)
lemonade drink mix (enough to make 1 quart)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon (not pictured)
1/2 tsp. ground cloves (not pictured)
3/4 c. red hot candies

Mix all ingredients (except red hots) in a food processor until well mixed (you can also mix by hand, we just use the food processor to ensure that there are no lumps). Stir in red hot candies. Use approximately 2 Tbsp. of mix for every one cup of water. This makes a great gift. Just fill small jars or bags tied with ribbon.

Another favorite is Bakerella's Christmas Crunch




WARNING: This is extremely addicting! And because of that I've also heard it called "Christmas Crack", but I think "Christmas Crunch" sounds much better, don't you?

It consists of Corn Chex, pretzels, peanuts and M&M's drizzled and mixed with vanilla flavored almond bark. So easy. SOOOO good!

The next no-bake item is Microwave Peanut Clusters.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters Recipe
image via

My mom and I have been making these for years. In fact, the copy I have says "Holiday Cooking 1987", so apparently it's been almost 15 years! They are one of my husband's favorites! AND there are only 3 ingredients!!

1/2 pound vanilla flavored almond bark (4 small cubes)
1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 c. spanish peanuts, roasted, salted (regular peanuts will also work)

Place almond bark and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for about 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until completely melted and smooth. Stir in peanuts.

Using a medium scoop, drop peanut mixture onto a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Chill for about 30 minutes, or until firm and set. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.

Another no-bake Christmas goody is Peppermint Bark

image via

I made this last year and was SO easy and again, only 3 ingredients...white chocolate, candy canes and peppermint oil or flavoring. 

My last treat is the newest edition to my no-bake Christmas recipe collection. It's Martha Stewart's Foolproof Holiday Fudge

image via

I've made fudge in years past and have been disappointed with the outcome. Most of the time it comes out too dry or too gritty. There's definitely a science to it all. But this recipe came out PERFECT! So smooth and not gritty at all! It truly is foolproof. The only changes I made was using 4 Tbsp of butter instead of 6 and omitting the peppermint candy.

So there you have it...my top 5 no-bake Christmas goodies. Do you have a no-bake Christmas favorite?

12.12.2011

Cookie Exchange 2011

This Saturday I hosted our annual cookie exchange. For the last three years, I've had the joy to exchange cookies with these girls...


and Cathy, my 5k running partner & neighbor and my mom (not pictured). It is always such a good time to get to eat, talk and eat some more. We had Christmas music blaring, hot apple cider on the stove and lots of yummy treats!


Cookie Exchanges can be done in so many different ways, but here's how ours works...we start with LOTS of cookies! We make one dozen for each person attending the exchange, plus one dozen for sampling.

This year we had Brownie Bites...


Caramel Bars...


Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies...


Raspberry Almond Shortbread...


Rolo Turtles...


and I made Truffles (not pictured).

After we gather up all the cookies on the table, we spend some time packaging them up. This year I set up little packaging stations.

Ric Rac Plates...


Parchment bags with a stamp and some twine...


Scalloped bag...


to look like this...

kraft bags
via

a variety of other bags...


and some tags...


We had lots of fun putting little embellishments on them too...

printable tags via




It's a super fun way to spend an afternoon. And now we have lots of goodies to give away to our neighbors and teachers.

Are you a cookie swapper? What do you do for your exchange?

12.08.2011

Goodwill Goodies

Goodwill is one of my favorite stores. You can find everything under the sun there!

Here are my finds from my trip this week...


a $5 globe, shiny, vintage ornaments and an awesome vintage suitcase.


I snagged the suitcase for $2.50!


I'm planning to make an ornament wreath like this one:

RossOrnamentWreath
via
However, I'm gonna need quite a few more ornaments to pull it off.

Here's my latest Goodwill Goodie project...


Months ago I picked up some silver chargers, a glass candle holder and a glass plate. I put it all together with this


and voila! An instant cupcake stand...for under $5!!!