Christmas Wrap-Up

We had a wonderful holiday with lots of visiting. good food and laughs. Below is my nephew that I was so thrilled have for a couple of nights. There are just people you love so much and they light up a room. He is one of them. He gave me the best gift with his visit. Something must be wrong with me as I am not going to the Country General Store after Christmas sale. I go every year but last night I told hubby I have enough Christmas stuff and can't add one more thing and I am tired and am going to stay in my sweats all day and play with the kids, edit some of our pictures (erasing the ones where I have ten chins).  I have already made playdough soup this morning so I am on track to spend the day not doing much of anything.

Christmas Eve was at our friend's annual party. Here Q is rocking the party with some drums.

I gave the kids the Just Dance game. It was a hit but it is harder than you'd think or I am just that lame? Not sure.

Funny hats were popular this year. This one made the rounds.

Here it is on grandpa. Hmm which one does it look cuter on.

Early Christmas morning. Santa has been here and just waiting for the kids to rise. They always sleep in and we wake them cause we can't wait any longer. Hubby brews some coffee and the moments before the opening begins is what all the work was about. Good job moms and dads. We all made another Christmas happen for our kids.

My husband always says, "There's another Christmas in the books." Here we are tired but happy that we had a wonderful time and all went well.

My heart was torn over the holiday as my brother's step daughter, who is dying of cancer, has just been taken off life support. We spent the holiday with loved ones and enjoying good times while my poor sister in law is doing what must be the hardest thing ever, saying goodbye to a child. Say a prayer that she can recover from this. I mean are you ever the same after that? I pray her family and kids find some peace after it is all over. Such a hard time for them.
Linking to:
A Delightsome Life

Inspiration

Are you feeling it? The post Christmas, almost New Year itch to tidy things up. Make your home better, more organized and streamlined. Maybe it is the influx of all the new stuff that just came into it. Toys for our youngest, new games and pretties for our older girls, but something about this time of year inspires me to want to really organize some of our spaces.

All the photos are ideas I have found for specific areas in our home. Love this first one and already hung my own version in our bathroom. I will have to share a photo later of that. With four daughters and millions of bottles of hair product in their bathroom, one must get creative with where to store all those bottles.

I hung a wire basket but love this photo's idea too.

Would really like to come up with some better under the bed storage than the usual plastic boxes. Love the wheels on this one and the chalkboard label.

I can't tell you the number of game systems in our house but they are often on my den floor. This deep ottoman storage unit would be great for storing the ones the kids use most often in our den.

I have a very teeny weeny pantry and would love to get it more efficient. It is pretty organized but I would love more food storage containers to prevent things from going stale and to stockpile more canned goods in the same amount of space. These types of containers can be spendy though.

I really want to better utilize the space in my service porch where I have my mom's old table with my microwave on it. Here I have this whole vertical space, but am not using it as well as it could be. A tall storage unit with shelving would be perfect for things like packages of paper towels. The amount of space not being used is killing me. Love all the organized dishes here. See the bags for the stacks of plates. I would have never thought of this.

As I implement these ideas I will share them with you. All photos are from bhg.com.

Linking to:
BNOTP
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wed.

Christmas Blessings

I have some errands this morning to run and my grocery shopping for the holiday. I am hosting Christmas Day for my husband's family. I am thrilled to have my nephew arriving today and once he arrives will not be back on for sure until after the holiday.
Lots of cooking and picking up of the house. I want it all ready by the time we leave for our friend's annual Christmas Eve party. When we return home, I will ready the stockings and then when we wake the most wonderful time of all. They only thing is my oldest daughter has to work. Oh how I am sad. For her twenty years we have opened gifts together and this year she won't be in the circle. Ugh! I might cry. Christmas does this to me. Hubs and I decided we will surprise her and come into her place for breakfast. I know this is the first of many as she is studying to be a nurse and kids get married and then the circle grows but it is often missing a link or two.
Anywhoooo back to the food. What are you serving? I decided a few years ago that Christmas day has to be as easy as possible so I set my dining room table with a large cold buffet. A ham, cold cuts, potato salad and lots of snackies and finger picking kinds of food. Paper plates with snowmen of course. Everyone getting food when they are ready and me not in the kitchen cooking is bliss. I make it all on Christmas Eve morning and plop in the fridge for the next day. Not fancy but very practical.
So to wrap this novel of a post, I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas with your family and friends. From our home to yours... Merry Christmas!!

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SNS

Christmas Colors

I am a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas decor. I like reds and greens and red and white combos. But every once in a while something a little different pops up in my home. The above wreath in the chartreuse green was a gift and I think it adds a little sparkle over my desk which is tucked in a corner of our hallway.


My daughter loves purple so her tree is done all up in the color. We just painted her walls last week. I am hoping hubby can hang her shelves this weekend. She says every time she walks in her room it makes her smile. She is doing accents in purple and orange and owls of course.

This pot of mums exploded and I thought with the tuck of chartreuse green in there it was perfect for Christmas so I drug it over closer to the French doors so we could see it.

If the weather here is going to be warmer I am just going to have to enjoy it. Today I played on the computer while my little one played in the back yard. Sun was nice on my face.

Linking to:
Katherine's Corner
Transformation Thursday
SHow and Tell Friday

Christmas Busy

I was up early today to run errands and take lunch to my brother that is working near me for a week. What a treat so sit and chat over burgers and fries. Okay the pants are getting tighter folks. I need to get a walk in today.


In an effort to not have as much tear down to decorate this year we just added elements here and there where we could. On my hutch we left the main watering can and birdhouse and added things that sort of went with the colors or theme.

Day two of baking done. Gingies were baked and decorated and sugar cookies have been decorated. More tasting and more calories. Oh no!

When I was out it was really getting hectic. People were mixed. Some seemed happy but some seemed testy. I suppose this is the way it will be for the next few days. I was glad to pull in the driveway and come in the house with my packages. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the last few days of the pre-Christmas preparations. Tomorrow is candy making day. Sweat pants are in order (necessary).

Linking to:
Home Sweet Home

Almost Winter Solstice

From sunny Southern California, happy almost winter solstice. It is Thursday. Yep, I saw the weather of course it is going to be in the upper 70s on Christmas. Bah-Humbug. Won't be wearing the new Christmas sweater this year.

Mom's Best Easy Roll Sugar Cookies

One batch of my mom's sugar cookie recipe baked and ready to be decorated. I thought I would share the recipe. It makes a nice thick not too sweet cookie. With the frosted icing adding so much sweetness this is the perfect cut out recipe.

Audrey's Easy Roll Sugar Cookies
4 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 egg yolks
1/3 c. milk

Measure flour in large bowl & add baking powder and salt stirring to mix and set aside. Cream butter and add sugar gradually and beat until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and vanilla beating until well blended. Add dry ingredients and milk. Continue beating until well blended. Chill dough wrapped in plastic wrap for at least an hour or overnight.
Roll 1/2 inch thick cut outs and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for eight to 10 minutes or until they just start to brown on bottom edges.
After they cool, decorate with icing.

Linking to:
Bowl full of lemons
Wow Us Wed.

Baking Day!

Just quickly popping in while I enjoy a cup of coffee. Today is baking day. We will bake gingerbread, the best sugar cookie cut outs in the world and spritz cookies. Tomorrow we will make white chocolate jumbles and English toffee. Lots of sugar and butter will be used in this house today.

I am having my nephew for a couple of days over Christmas. He is one of my favorite people in the whole wide world so I am beyond excited. I want the house to be as cozy and full of the things he remembers from Christmas time as a kid. Continuity and tradition is very important to me. Since my parents passing nine years ago and all my family living out of state, it is the traditions and sights I continue that keep my family near to me in my heart. Our connection to the past as we celebrate the present is my goal. So let me just say to have one of my family flying in for Christmas just makes me so giddy with anticipation. If you have all of your family near you than give them all an extra hug and be thankful you get to see and enjoy them often. I miss my family and never more than at Christmas time. I am blessed though with all these kids and a wonderful husband so they make it all so worth all the preparations of the holidays.

Below is a little basket I keep out for the kids and their friends each Christmas. Whipped cream and a jar of marshmallows is at the ready to top off their cups. Have a great day everyone.

Staying Ahead of the Game

Today is the last of the hectic busy days I am hoping. This morning daughter #2 and I hit Target at 8:30 am. It was blissfully empty and we walked right up to a line. I was in such a festive mood we splurged on a coffee for each of us. They were plum out of molasses which I needed for my gingerbread men so we headed to the market. As I was grabbing the molasses and complaining to my hubby who had called me on my cell about the price, $4.89, he said no negativity or complaining. This is Christmas week so be happy and enjoy and be glad I have the money to pay for it. Thank God for people like that in our lives who keep us real and grounded.

At home I finished wrapping every last gift. All I have left is to pick up some Trader Joe gift cards and assemble some baskets and my cookie tins. Of course we need to still bake and will start tomorrow. Dough is in the fridge. I feel so much better when things start getting checked off my list. Don't we all. I am not a good last minute doer of things. Makes me stressed. Since we will be gone tonight through the dinner hour and need something to eat when we get home, I threw my favorite crockpot recipe together Supper In a Dish. You can click on it to grab the recipe. It is a complete meal in one dish which I love plus if you keep ground beef or turkey in your freezer it is a great eat from the pantry meal. I made a salad and we will be set with a hot homemade meal when we get back.

Linking to:
BNOTP
Coastal Charm
Bowl Full of Lemons

Finding My Peace

Remember my post the other day? The one where I was feeling sort of frazzled. Well, I am here to say I am done with frazzled for this year. I vow to just breath and savor the sights and sounds of the season.

I am almost done wrapping and we will begin baking tomorrow. We have one more recital on Monday evening but three year olds dancing offers real comic relief so it should be hilarious.

Yesterday I was picking up the house and enjoying my daughter's beautiful piano music. The result of years of lessons. No lights were on except for the tree, and her just sitting with the glow of the tree brought me the wave of peace I had been seeking. It is as if the meaning of the season washed over me, ever thankful for my life and family and the chance to celebrate this time with those I love the most. If something doesn't get done, it won't. 

Last night we went to see our church's live Nativity that they set up each year on the city hall lawn. I love to just stand and watch the scene while they narrate the story and offer you hot chocolate gathered among other  festive folks come to savor the moment.

Last night a phone call informed me that someone very near and dear to me who lives out of state is having a very hard time just putting food on the table. At Christmas I can't bare it for them. I cried while cooking dinner knowing how that was not easy for them. Our family talked about ways we can send immediate help and will do so but I just feel terrible that I had no idea. Here we are so blessed with all we need and someone I love so much had never told me they were having such a difficult time. I felt ashamed for my feelings earlier in the week. I was frazzled from too much to do but we had full bellies and plenty in our cupboards. It really brings it home that times are very hard for so many and we need to be thankful everyday.

Poor Man's White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Latte

I am in love with Starbuck's Peppermint Mochas but at 4.55 for a small we had to break up. I nearly died when I went in and ordered one the other day and that was my total. Wow have prices gone up. So I just got to goofing around here one day and made me a coffee that comes pretty darn close.

First, take a few of those Hershey's White Chocolate Peppermint kisses and drop them in the bottom of your mug and pour your hot coffee in. Then add some sweetener (I used Splenda) and some creamer and mix well. I had the Mounds flavored CoffeeMate. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with some crushed candy cane.

Now doesn't that look yummy?

Ho Ho Ho!!

Linking to:
Seasonal Sundays
Nifty Thrifty Things
Sat Night Special
I Heart Naptime
Weekend Whatever Party
Met Monday
Wow Us Wed.

Hail to the Red and Green

To me there really is nothing like the old fashioned colors of Christmas. Red and green just fit perfectly with the season. The green of the tree and the red of candy canes and Santa. I love the traditional colors and have them tucked throughout the house.

Today I ran to the market early to beat the rush and then grabbed a quick lunch with my oldest. She had her finals yesterday and we wanted to celebrate and grab a chance to talk. Do you have Farmer Boys? Their BBQ Ranch chicken wrap is to die for. We split one and had some fries. You know a real healthy lunch.

After lunch I came home to finish up some painting in my daughter's room. Her and I have been painting it this week. I love to paint. What a change it makes for so little money. Well paint really has gone up but for a can of paint, a room looks so fresh and clean. I am vacuuming for the weekend so the house is picked up and clean at least for now. Just taking a little break before it is time to make dinner.

 Tonight I am making chicken avocado quesadillas for dinner. My inlaws have a tree and while the avocados are plentiful I make this family favorite a few times for dinner. With a side of Spanish rice and beans my family will be happy. How fun are these sheets? Red and green candy flannel. Fun to climb into at night and yes the lineman likes them just fine.

Linking to:
Show and Tell Friday
Cherished Treasures
Sat. Night Special
A Stroll Thru Life

Going Nuts

I think I am going a little nuts in this house right now. I think I need to start a new trend of recital and kids parties in January when life is slow again. Wrangling a three year old through a two hour piano recital was a mental workout. We exhausted all snacks and art projects in the first hour but the recital just kept going and going. Next time I think I will see if Q can go play at someone's house while we go. As a child I remember a slow calm progression to Christmas with my mom. Now by the time I was in school I was the only one at home so maybe that was it, but one school Christmas program and we were done. Mom seemed to never be rushing around frazzled.

Girlfriends I was frazzled yesterday. Not a vision of my mom at all.  I think we have busied up the holidays too much but maybe that is just my homebody self resisting all the trips here and there and all the squares on my calendar filled with writing that I am fighting. 

I have a desire to just stay home and play Christmas music and clean house and bake lots of cookies and finish wrapping my gifts and not feel rushed. Does anyone relate to this? 

Linking to:
Show and Tell Friday

My Sparkly Side

I have told you all before my decorating is all over the place. I have a china hutch in my dining room that was given to me by my mother in law. I put my crystal and sparkly things in here. I wish I could get better photos but this room is dark so sorry for the dim photos. 

Had to sneak a snowman in here.

These little houses I bought last year after Christmas and thought I would put them in some old champagne glasses.

I love these little houses. I think because my mom had an old set of them and boy do I wish I had those now.

Linking to:
Home Sweet Home
Common Ground
Fridays Unfolded
My Romantic Home
Nesting Place
Sat. Night Special

Christmas Oddities

Have you had these yet? I blame my addiction on another blog. Sweet Bee Cottage spotlighted these a few days ago and I just had to go find them. See how many are already gone. White chocolate and peppermint kisses. Oh divine. She baked them in the middle of something yummy and chocolate so go check out her post.

Do you have one of those perfect trees with all matching and coordinated ornaments I dream of or is your tree like ours? A hodge podge of ornaments that the kids would never think of getting rid of much less not displaying on our tree. Here are a few.

The one armed Barbie. Have never been able to locate the arm in any of the boxes but for about 10 years she comes out and everyone goes, "Oh the one armed Barbie." We must say that.

Spock hanging there. Is that not the most ugly ornament ever? I try to hide him deep in the tree. Guess who he belongs to?

A red glittered heart someone made many years ago.

A bbq with burgers that say ho ho ho. We know who this one belongs to as well.

But some of the most beloved is my hubby's Peanuts ornaments given to him each year as a child through his teen years. This one is from 1980.