Merry Christmas 2016

 

 

Wishing you all the happiness and blessings this lovely holiday has to offer...

 

 

From my h♥me to yours...

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

 

(via)

 

 

I hope you enjoy your day with the ones you love ♥ 

 

xoxoxo

One week to go...♥

It's the week before Christmas and I don't know about you, but I'm getting excited.  Are you ready? I still have a few finishing touches to get done this week, but overall I'm feeling pretty good. 

This week I still have to squeeze in a haircut and one more trip to the mall.  I think I can do it ♥

In between wrapping and baking, here's a few snaps of what's been going on around here the past week.... 

We had a snow day on Saturday and some of us really enjoyed it!

He's been waiting all summer for this!

While the boys were outside in the snow I was cozy warm inside making French toast and hot chocolate.  Snow days call for comfort food!

Snow day essential!

By Sunday the rain had washed it all away, but we enjoyed the view while it lasted.  I played Johnny Mathis Christmas music all morning in the kitchen and it felt like a winter wonderland : )

This weekend I made a batch of these easy stuffed mushrooms.  If you ever need an idea for a quick appetizer here's my secret.  I sautéed the mushroom caps in oil, butter, and garlic.  And then I topped them with Stove Top stuffing (yup, that's right!) If you want to dress them up a bit you can sprinkle them with shredded mozzarella cheese and heat them in the oven.

Bon appetite!

And speaking of little bites...

I had my work Christmas party on Tuesday night and I totally indulged on appetizers! I think I could live on appetizer food alone if I had to.  So good!

I spent a few quite moments at my parent's house....

Before helping decorate their tree. 

In 42 years I've never missed decorating this tree.  It's my favorite tradition!

Last weekend was absolutely freezing, but the cold weather didn't deter us from our annual Christmas visit to Edaville Railroad to see Thomas the Tank Engine and the all the Christmas lights!

Bundled up like an Eskimo and didn't mind one bit!

You should have seen what I looked like! LOL

So pretty at night.

Magical!

John and Gordon....

Some things he'll never outgrow ♥

Back home for tea and cranberry cake.  All the goodness of the holidays. 

From my home to yours, I hope you are enjoying these last days of holiday preparations.  Remember to take a moment for yourself and breathe.

Next week, when it's all said and done, we can sleeeeeeep! ♥

The most wonderful time of the year....is here ♥

Hello my friends! 

I can't believe (as I type this) today is December 7th and we are one full week into December.  What have you been up to? 

Over the past two weeks I've been busy shopping and wrapping and probably, out of excitement, not getting nearly enough sleep.  Holiday preparations can be fun, but also a bit stressful. Sometimes I have to tell my self to stop....regroup...and relax.  

Rudolph was on the other night, and we did just that.  Everyone on the couch...me in the middle ♥ 

Here is our Christmas tree.  Every time I look at it I'm reminded of all my Christmas's gone by.  

I've had this Minnie ornament since I was in high school.  

I love her ♥ 

This box of my grandmother's glass ornaments is one of my most treasured possession.  My mom gave them to me after Nana passed away.  I have vivid memories of helping decorate her tree with these ornaments.  I always put them high so they won't get broken.  They are worn and faded in some spots and that's just the way I like them ♥ 

I've gotten a bit of help with my wrapping.  This is our elf Zip. Her brother Zoom is around here somewhere.... He's a bit more mischievous than she is.  They watch over John and keep Santa posted on everything that goes on in our house.  They've also been known to follow him to school and hide in the coat closet. I hope they never go away : ) 

We had our first snow this week! It was just a dusting and within a few hours it was gone.  It was around just long enough to put a pretty coating of frosting on the holly bush.  

John was dancing around the yard as if we had 3 feet of snow! Not to worry, I'm sure there will be more to come ♥ 

Is there anything better than coming home after a long day and finding a package on your doorstep? Nope!

A gift from my sweet far away friend has me in the mood for baking! I can't wait to use this cupcake kit!!! ♥

Back out to the stores I go for more shopping.  Gingerbread lattes and chocolate croissants is my fuel! 

The mornings are dark and cold but so much more cozy with glowing Christmas lights around the kitchen window.  It's makes it so hard to leave in the morning. 

Yes, you do....♥

Things are moving quickly these days.  John is preparing for his drama show next week.  The Jr. drama group is doing A Christmas Carol (21st Century style). I'm not exactly sure what that means but I can't wait to find out. And while he's preparing for that, I'm preparing to make my first Christmas Day dinner ever at our house. 

The lists are out of control around here! ♥ 

I hope you all are enjoying these fast paced days of the season.  Remember to stop, regroup, and relax....

Let's make this time last as long as possible. 

Maybe with a blueberry muffin and some cocoa by the Christmas tree ♥

I'll be back soon with a some home baked treats for you! ♥ 

Have a happy day! xoxoxo