Wordless Wednesday -- Christmas Edition

12 Days of Christmas Swap - Post in Pictures

First off, I just want to say a big "THANK YOU" to Sami for hosting a great Swap!

I didn't know my partner, Lisa, going into the Swap.  However, after a few emails and visiting her blog, I found out that we had TONS in common!  She was a great swap partner.  I enjoyed each and every one of my gifts.  They were so thoughtful and she was so generous with the things she bought me. 

I'll shut it and just show you some pictures.

 It came, it came! 

I was so excited.  I almost peed my pants.

I wanted to tear it open and unwrap every gift.  Playing by the rules is hard sometimes.

 Day #1 - peppermint truffles and a cranberry candle.  Definitely set the holiday mood!

 Day #2 and #3 - Does this girl know me or what?!  Coffee, coffee, and a little more coffee, please.

Days #4 and #5 - She had me thinking about Mexico, sandy beaches, drinks with little umbrellas and a pool boy named Edward.  What?  There are Edwards in Mexico...OK, maybe Eduardo.  There.  Are you happy.  I also got those adorable snowman magnets to hold Isaiah's artwork.  They look great on my fridge!  Remember, I love snowmen?  I didn't even tell her.  It's like she was reading my mind. 

Maybe she's related to Alice?!

 Days #6 and #7 - She hooked us up with some supplies for our Santa cookies and a fun little date night activity!

Look, Lisa...we put your cookie supplies to good use!

Days #8 and #9 - iTunes!  WHUT WHUT?!  She also gave me this lovely plaque with one of my all time favorite verses on it.  Thank you, Lisa!

Days #10 and #11 - I got some great jewelry!  I had told her that I love zebra print and she came through with these adorable earrings.  I wore the necklace over Christmas and got several compliments.  It's so cute...and interchangeable! 

Day #12 - She gave me this beautiful picture frame that has phrases about family on it.  I forgot to take a picture of it and now it's in my Christmas gift box waiting to find a home somewhere in my house, so I'll have to take a picture later.

I had so much fun doing this swap!  

Thank you, Lisa, for all of the wonderful, thoughtful, sweet gifts! 

I'm glad we were able to meet! 

You have been so much fun to get to know

...another blogging friendship made in heaven.

McLinky Monday - Holiday Traditions

Today on McLinky Monday, Mrs. Montgomery wants to know...
What are your favorite holiday traditions?

I have lots of favorite family holiday traditions.

First and foremost, all of my mom's side of the family gathering together on Christmas Eve.  We are loud and rowdy and a bit (OK, a lot) crazy; but I wouldn't change anything about us.

 Old traditions that we've carried on at our house, like making special Santa cookies and leaving them for him on Christmas Eve...with chocolate milk, of course...

 and food for the reindeer to munch on while they wait on Santa to leave our gifts...

 and we hang our special key on the door, just for Santa.

 I also love Christmas morning at my Mom and Dad's.  We always have a yummy breakfast...

 and lots of presents... 

 and most of us show up in our pjs.

Isaiah stayed in his Christmas pjs for TWO days!

I hope you all had a VERY MERRY Christmas!

For more holiday traditions, go check out The RHOK!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve

Just wanted to drop in for a quick "hello"!

Hope you're all having a great Christmas Eve Eve!

Happy Winter, Lunar Eclipse, and Signs of Christmas

Happy First official Day of Winter!

Did you see the Lunar Eclipse last night?  I'm a star junkie, so of course I was up watching it...standing in the front yard with my very attractive night gown on, which I've had for 12 years, and Michael's 2 sizes too big coat, and his sandles.  I am the Queen of Fashion Statements.

Of course, I had my camera strapped on as well.

I was tired.  It was late.  Michael woke me up just in time to see it, so the photos are blurry and out-of-focus, but cool, none the less.

This was the only lunar eclipse of the year and the first one to fall on a Winter Solstice in 372 years!

Besides the fact that we are officially in winter, we've been seeing some other signs of Christmas...

 Dancing to songs from the Nutcracker.

 Snapping requires mega concentration.

 Class Christmas party gets a thumbs up!

 Waiting patiently on the Christmas program at church to start.

Hope you're all having a wonderful week!

McLinky Monday - Favorite Christmas Tree Ornament

Today, Mrs. Bundy wants us to share one or some of our favorite Christmas tree ornaments.

Usually my answer would be snowmen, snowmen, snowmen...I LOVE my snowmen ornaments.

However, all of my adorable snowmen are in storage.  Boo.  My favorite OU Snowman, usually adorns the front of my tree, and I must say that I really miss him.  I don't have ONE snowman on my Christmas tree this year...not one!  It's kind of weird.  I may have to go out and buy one yet.

So, this year I am really loving this ornament from Starbucks.  I always buy one. 

Last year it was the new reusable clear cup ornament.  I also have the traditional green and white Starbucks cup, along with a couple other versions.  I can't wait until next year, when they're all back together.

Isn't it cute?  Makes me happy.

What is your favorite ornament or ornaments?

Do you collect something specific, or is it something your kiddos made...or a treasured gift?

Go check out more favorite ornament posts over at The RHOK!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I know I've shared several pictures of our Christmas tree and such, but today I want to link up with The Nester for her 2010 Christmas Tour of Homes! 

This year, our Christmas decor is a bit different. 

Since we are in the middle of construction, all of our regular Christmas decorations are in storage and really hard to get to.  So, we've improvised and bought a smaller tree.  It's pretty Charlie Brownish, but it's ours and we love it...ok, Isaiah and I love it.  Michael is just tolerating it.

I didn't want to spend a fortune on decorations since I have so many lovely ones in storage, so I bought a few cheap things and "made do".  We all have to do that from time to time, right?  Just "make do". 

Mostly, our tree is decorated with jingle bells.  I bought a pack from Michael's for about $2.  I also purchased a few spools of raffia.  I hung all of the bells from the tree with raffia.  I bought a large spool of tartan plaid ribbon and made bows...even a large one for the top.  Isaiah is NOT happy about this, so we probably will have to go out and buy an angel or star before it's all over.

The rest of the tree is filled in with pine cones, candy canes, and a few $1 oraments from Target...

and this cute little pirate nutcracker that Isaiah opened as one of his 12 Days of Christmas gifts.  He opened it and said "ARRRGGGGHHHH.  I'll crack your nuts."  Boys.

I love to match my wrapping to my tree.  So, all of my gifts are wrapped in this brown/craft paper w/ red and gold writing on it.  I really love the way it looks. 

Here's a few other simple details I've added around the house.

It's not much, but it's definitely beginning to look like Christmas...

Have you decorated yet?  Do you have a theme or do you just go with whatever is in the box? 

Thanks for stopping by!

~jennykate

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

Swap package is ready for mailing!

Do you think I went overboard with the "fragile"? I wanted to make sure that Lisa's made it there in one piece. Made me think of The Christmas Story..."Fra-gee-lay...must be Italian."

My Internet is down today (posting from my phone...that's why it sucks). Hopefully it's fixed soon and I can make my daily visits.

Happy Hump Day! :)

McLinky Monday - Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

Mrs. Sinclair over at The RHOK wants us to share our favorite Holiday Cookies and the recipes, of course!

I've been in the baking mood, but I've yet to bake.  I've bought ingredients, but I haven't put them to use yet.  I've also bought some adorable boxes to put my goodies in, but they're still empty.  I plan on doing that this week...or maybe over the weekend.  I have to allot a whole day to nothing but baking.  I usually make some chocolate dipped pretzels, and a really yummy candy bar fudge along with some of my favorite cookies recipes.

You know, something like this...

Ala Cher from Clueless.  Plop a whole roll of cookie dough on a baking sheet and toss it in the oven. 

I kid.

My FAV holiday cookies are simple.  I usually gravitate toward the shortbread and butter cookies.  I just love them and they go GREAT with a cup of coffee.

Here are my best cookie recipes:
Pecan Shortbread Recipe:
(Source:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/ )

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups small diced pecans

Directions

Cook's Note: This recipe can easily be doubled, as what was shown in the episode.

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter/sugar mixture. Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
• Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut into 2 1/2-inch squares with a plain or fluted cutter (or cut into any shape you like). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.

Almond Butter Cookies
(Source:  http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/ )

Do you buy Gooseberry Patch cookbooks?  If you don't, you should.  They are FANTASTIC!!  I'll be having a giveaway for one later this week, so stay tuned!

OK, back to the recipe...
Ingredients

• 1 c. butter
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1 t. almond extract
• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 t. baking powder
• 1/4 t. salt

Directions

• Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat about 10 seconds, until very soft but not melted. Stir together butter, sugar and extract. Add dry ingredients; mix well. If dough seems too dry, add another tablespoon or so of butter. Form into one-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten to 1/4-inch thickness with the bottom of a glass jar. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool. Drizzle Chocolate Glaze over cookies; let stand until glaze sets. Makes 5-1/2 to 6 dozen.

Chocolate Glaze:

• 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 t. shortening

In a small saucepan, stir ingredients over very low heat until melted and smooth.

What are your favorite holiday cookies?

For more great recipes, hop on over to The RHOK!

~jennykate♥