Christmas Recap and Renovations

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I know that we really enjoyed ours.   We baked cookies

We looked at lights

We decorated cookies at home and with friends

I maintained my sanity

 

We remembered the birds

 

Santa came

 

...and then, when the tree came down we started ripping up our floors! Yes, we are insane. I've been wanting wood floors since we bought this house 6 years ago and we are finally getting around to doing it. It's a TON of work but I know it will be worth it in the end.

 I wonder if this beautiful linoleum is original to our 1994 house?

We are doing the whole downstairs, which includes the foyer, kitchen, dining room, living room and a half bath. We chose a darker pecan wood in varying widths. I'm totally ready to not be living in a construction site with 2 dogs and a 2 year old. More pics to come as we keep rolling on!

Happy New Floors Year!






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8 More Days till Christmas!

Slow down December! I still have 8,000 things on my holiday bucket list!! Per what is becoming a yearly tradition, we went to Opryland hotel in Nashville to visit with Santa. Let me tell you, middle of the week is the time to go. There were not crowds of people, and no line for Santa. Let me repeat, NO LINE FOR SANTA.

 

 

 

He was a really good Santa. They took another good photo of her looking up at him, telling him what she wants for Christmas but I couldn't pass up choosing this sweet smile.

 

 There was no way we were leaving without getting some delicious gelato. She chose peppermint and was a sweetie to share it with mama. Daddy got peppermint mocha and it was insane as well.

There were tons of little scenes set up all over. Lots of different snowmen figures. This set was see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Love that they let the kids touch and interact with the set ups. 

And of course we had to take our mommy / daughter photo in front of the magnificent poinsettia "tree". I have always been amazed by these huge displays since I was a child and my parents brought me to Opryland for the holidays. 

 

Here's last years:

Please slow down growing little one... Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Traditions

Growing up (and let's face it, now), if it's a Christmas activity I want in on the fun. I have always crammed as much baking and yuletide crafts as one possibly can in a short month. (The shortest month of the year if you ask me). 

 

When I was little, I always made a gingerbread house. But back in the day, you couldn't find all these perfect little gingerbread house kits that include everything you need. My mom, bless her, isn't so crafty. She never baked me up walls and a roof for my little houses. So, I used what we had around the kitchen. Usually graham crackers, sometimes saltines and squeeze cheese. My parents always told me how beautiful they were, but now that I'm a parent I know they were tossing back eggnog and laughing till they cried.  

 

I'm pretty sure those windows are made out of cheese...

This year was Mally's first time to do a gingerbread house with me. Needless to say, she love it as much as I do.

We got this tiny house kit at Target for like $2.50. It came with the house pieces, some small candies and the frosting! I added in some extra candy and sprinkles from our stash. (Yes, we have a massive stash of sprinkles for every occasion.)

Turned out adorable! I am so excited to start this tradition with my little one and hope she looks forward to doing it each year as I do!

Happy Holidays!

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Our Family Advent Calendar

We had such a nice holiday weekend. Full of too much turkey, a trip to the movies to see The Good Dinosaur (bring tissues...), and some Christmas decorating.

She loved, loved, LOVED adding ornaments to the tree. She brought in her little stool from the bathroom and hung every ornament I would give her on the same branch. I had to keep coming behind her and moving them. She also wants every tree and ornament to all be in HER room. She already has a nice little artificial tree but she needs MORE CHRISTMAS! I hear you little one, me too...

We also have started a new tradition in the house. The advent calendar! I never did these growing up. My husband's mom would get the little cardboard ones where there is a chocolate behind each door. Downside? Had to share with his 2 sisters. So that's only like 8 pieces of candy! I purchased an advent calendar from Pottery Barn Kids. For some reason, in my head, it was like poster sized.. Nope, it's enormous. And I love it.

I've filled it with little goodies like socks, gloves, candy, small ornaments for her tree and some fun activities for us to do together or as a family. Like making and delivering goodies or dropping off little secret gifts to friends. Of course we are going to also incorporate the true meaning of Christmas along with the fun.

     
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Two year old wishlist

My two/almost three year old is SO excited for this holidays this year. This is such a magical age when everything, everyday is just so thrilling. I am relishing in it and trying to capture as much of that magic as I possibly can. Here's her wishlist this year:

Her jam lately has been to "help" in the kitchen. She drags her step stool from the bathroom and butts it against the cabinets so she can see and reach to stir or pour. I figured it was time we get her a little kitchen of her own. I love how affordable the ones from Ikea are. I plan on sprucing it up a little, but you can't beat the cuteness for the price!

You can find a million cute hacks online for this little gem. We also scored some tiny pots and pans, little utensils. Who couldn't love this $8 basket of felt fruit?

 

Keeping with the home maker them, we got her this little pink Dyson. It is supposed to actually pick up dirt, so I was all for that. I can use the help!

These wooden jigsaw puzzles are great. She has one already but we are getting her some more. They are a great price and are super durable. She is able to put them together all by herself and loves to do it over and over.

It's not Christmas without a new pair of festive jammies!

What's on your wishlist?

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Let the holidays begin.

This is what I keep hearing. Mostly from my husband, but I can't help it. When the spirit hits me, I'm done for. I have compromised a little by just decorating one room so far, but nothing puts this southerner in the Christmas decorating spirit like rainy, gloomy days and that is what we are in for this week.
I've always wanted to do a "Christmas bed" for my daughter. She was in her crib still last year, with the ugly mesh rail. But now that she's in the big girl bed, it's easier to make happen. We went to target to get a happy pillow and fuzzy blanket to go on her white quilt that is already there.

Merry Christmas pillow

Plaid Throw   I will post some photos of the room once I put a few more finishing touches on!
Happy Monday, Fa La La La La!

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Last Minute Mint Chocolate Chip Fudge

The rush is on! Christmas is just days away and if you're like me, you're trying to cram every last drop of merriment you can into these last few days! I wanted to share this quick and super easy Mint Chocolate Chip fudge recipe that I make every year. Everyone raves about it and it is so simple. You can see it on my dessert platter here, the green squares:

 

 There are just a few ingredients:

1 bag of white chocolate morsles

1 tub of vanilla frosting

1 tsp of peppermint extract

a few drops of green food coloring

mini chocolate chips

 

Melt the chips in a double broiler (I just have a heat proof bowl over a saucer of simmering water). You could also do all of this in the microwave but be careful not to burn the chocolate.

 

Once the chips are melted, stir in the frosting until it's smooth.

 

Once it's smooth, you can remove it from the heat and stir in the food coloring and peppermint extract. Pour it into a 8x8 baking dish that is lined with parchment or wax paper. Dot the top with mini chocolate chips and chill in the fridge for an hour or so, until it's hardened. Pop out and cut into squares. (It helps to dip the knife in warm water between slices to make the cuts nice and clean.

Merry Christmas!

Toddler Christmas Gift Ideas

My little one is SUPER excited about Christmas this year. It warms my heart and brings a tear to my eye to see the sparkle in her eyes when she finds her Elf on the Shelf, or sees a Santa (or as she says "Seenta") on the TV or in one of her books. Even though she can only count to six, I tell her each day how many days it is until Christmas. We have also been talking about baby Jesus and "Jeje's mommy and "Jeje's" daddy when she looks at all my little manger scenes. I've put together a few things that would make for one excited toddler on Christmas morning. I'm not sure who is more excited, me or her!

slide / table and chairs / magnadoodle / puzzle / moccasins 

Holiday Fun and White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

We have been in full on Holiday mode over here lately. Our precious children are only little for so long, and I am diligently trying to savor every single second of this magical time of year with my little girl.

We made some festive snacks to share with family. Mally loved getting to decorate with sprinkles (and eat sprinkles...) She really did a good job for a not quite 2 year old if I do say so myself!

I've been wrapping gifts as they arrive in the mail. I did a lot of online shopping on Thanksgiving day while we were waiting on the turkey to fry. There were a lot of great deals! Is everyone else loving the free shipping from Target like I am??

Raspberries have been on sale lately so I decided to scoop some up and make these tasty muffins! White chocolate raspberry muffins. They are easy and so so tasty.

White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg
• 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 cups Flour
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ cup Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
• 1 cup  White Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup raspberries (or dried cranberries would be good, too!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400º
2. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with cooking spray
3. Mix together egg, melted butter, and milk in a small bowl.
4. Mix dry ingredients (flour, salt, sugar and baking powder) in a larger bowl.
5. Incorporate wet ingredients into dry. Mix until combined.
6. Gently fold in chocolate chips and raspberries. Divide into muffin cups.
7. Bake 15-17 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Holiday Winter Sangria for a Crowd

Holiday Winter Sangria! This stuff is like Christmas in a glass! You can rim the glasses with cinnamon sugar or garnish it with a sprig of rosemary (looks like a Christmas tree!). With this sangria recipe, letting it sit overnight will help the flavors meld together better (and one less thing to do before guests arrive).

Holiday Winter Sangria

Ingredients:

• 3-5 cinnamon sticks
• 2 large apples, chopped (I used honeycrisp)
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 (1.5 L) bottle red wine (used Yellowtail Sangria. Any brand will do.)
• 3 cups apple cider (I used honeycrisp cider from Target)
• 1 cup ginger brandy (plain brandy will work just fine)
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• juice from 1 lemon
• 1/4 Cup Goldschläger  (Or any cinnamon schnapps, I just happened to have the brand) 
• club soda, to top off the glasses

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients EXCEPT club soda. Let marinade overnight or at least an hour.
2. Serve over ice with a splash of club soda.
3. garnish with rosemary / oranges / apple slices / cinnamon sticks / etc.
4. ENJOY!

Gift Ideas for Her

I've put together a little personal Christmas registry wish list to share :) I think any girl would be happy to find these items wrapped up under the tree on Christmas. It's evenly spaced out price wise with some high and low options. I think that's always important when shopping for others on a budget, or constructing a Christmas registry wish list!

plaid shirt / knit hat / clutch / boots / poncho

Gift ideas for Him

I can not believe Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK. I'm in full holiday attack mode. I used to get my panties in a wad when the stores would set out Christmas decorations around Halloween. Now that I have a kid, I relish in ever second of holiday magic I can get. Would it be awful if I put up a Christmas tree today?

I've been searching online for gifts for everyone on my list. I like to start with the guys because, being a girl, I always think they are the hardest. Here's a few items I've got my eye on:

 toiletry bag / umbrella / flask / Sriracha tee

What man doesn't like liquor, hot sauce and camo?

Holiday Weekend Fun!

 The weather was half way nice this past Saturday, as opposed to the SNOW we have today! So we decided to take some family photos for our Christmas cards this year. It is interesting trying to get a toddler to look at the camera AND smile.

We were able to get what I thought was a good one though:

After family photo fun time, we decided to take her to Opryland Hotel to look at all the lights and decorations. I wanted to go to ICE, but we agreed to wait until next year for that. If you live near Nashville, it is worth it to visit the hotel to see all of the over the top decorations.
If you park near the mall, you don't have to pay for parking.
We typically park near the movie theater and walk. It's free family fun!

Of course we had to make a stop to see Santa! I thought for a split second she was going to get in his lap and take a pic. In the end, it turned into more of a family affair... Which is fine by me! You're never to old for Santa!

Hope everyone had a fun weekend!
I'm looking forward to more festive merriment in the days and weeks to come.