One Week Later

Christmas Home Tour 2012

Welcome to our home!

 

Things are certainly Christmasy around here and I'd love to show you around.

We have a small home, and if I had to define my 'holiday style' I'd say it's a little bit country, a little bit whimsical and a little bit sparkly. I do not have one of those super fancy homes where all my decor matches and I'm just fine with that! A lot of my decor is all about snow, snowmen, sleds, and stuff like that.

 

{and I apologize in advance for my photos, I had the hardest time getting good

 one with the lighting I had to work with.}

 

Here is our living room:

We have a real tree {which I LOVE!}

The basket on the floor is full of Christmas books we read throughout the season.

 

 

We made some paper snowflakes for the windows and they look SO pretty!

 

Heading out of the living room and into the dining room you'll pass our fireplace...

 

I am just slightly addicted to this white pompom garland this year!

 

In the kitchen, I have this baker's rack ...

 

And across the kitchen windows you'll find these berry garlands with photos of my girls.

They have made me new ones every single year since they were babies and it's so fun to see

the pictures of them growing up! {too fast I might add!}

 

The kitchen wall is a chalkboard wall, so I copied this idea from Pinterest

and I love it, it's so cheerful!

 

On my kitchen table is this large basket, it's filled with old Mason jars

that have Epsom salts in them, then small votive holders sitting on top with cinnamon candles.

 Those are some real pine branches from the woods behind our house.

 

On the kitchen counter is my Hot Cocoa Bar ...

gotta have these essentials on hand for the holiday season!

 

And finally, in the bathroom I have 2 shelves and they are filled with more snowmen,

more nativities and a few other things.

Thank you for visiting my home!

Have a Merry Christmas and please visit the Nesting Place and

Kelly's Korner for more holiday home tours!

Brokenhearted

WHY?? WHY?? WHY?? It's easy to scream these questions, these accusations of why God?! How could you let this happen?! The words that keep filtering through my mind are; horrific, senseless, tragic, monster, loss of innocence ...

It's almost more than this Mama can take. I never watch TV during the day, but yesterday happened to be in my kitchen baking on a rare day at home. I put the Today show on for background noise and was stunned when breaking news came on about the tragedy in Newtown, CT. The idea of a school shooting ANYwhere is horrific, but being so close to home was truly 'too close for comfort'.

The first reports showed parents rushing to the school in a desperate attempt to find their child and see that they were OK. I found myself breaking down in tears just putting myself in those parents shoes. I think anyone who is a parent can't help but think that way.

My gut reaction was to rush to my girl's schools, pick them up and never take them back. We homeschooled for 5 years and I'll admit a part of homeschooling them was fear. Fear of all the 'bad' stuff that happens in schools {not even shootings, just all the rest}. But back in June when we felt the Lord calling us to TRUST HIM and send our girls to school we knew it meant we had to let go of some of those fears.

Let me just tell you, fear is an awful feeling and not easy to shake. Once it grips your heart it digs down roots and doesn't want to let go. I truly believe fear is something Satan uses against us, a way to gain a foothold and cause us to doubt our God and His goodness.

When my girls came home I talked with them about what had happened. It was one of the hardest conversations we've ever had. I worried that they would be afraid to return to school on Monday. We talked about how in ALL things God asks us to trust Him. Even when we don't understand how such a horrific thing could happen or what would drive someone to take innocent lives, still we choose to put our faith in God.

We DON'T know that our kids will always be safe in their schools. We DON'T know that we will be safe when we go shop at the mall. We DON'T have a guarantee of a long, happy life here on earth. But there is one thing we DO know ... we know we believe in God and have accepted His Son Jesus as our Savior. We know God knows anguish and pain and grief - He allowed His very Son to die a brutal death on the cross for us. Jesus didn't deserve to die - He was as innocent as those 20 children in Newtown. But God allowed His only Son to die for ME ... for YOU ... and yes, hard as it is to accept, even for the shooter. His salvation isn't only for good people, heaven isn't for those who don't murder and try to follow living a good life. Heaven is for EVERYone who accepts God's free gift of love. And He gives each of us the free will to accept or reject Him.

I'm still in shock. I'm still absolutely heartbroken. When I think of all the gifts bought for these children, that will never be opened, it breaks me in two. When I think of the teachers and staff who willingly put themselves in harm's way to save more kids I am in awe. When I think of parents having to bury their children the week before Christmas and siblings who will be forever missing their brother or sister - it kills me! I worry for the staff and children who survived, I worry about the lasting effects of all they saw and heard. I worry that they will never be able to return to that school and feel 'normal' again.

My husband and I had a long talk last night. It's a difficult thing to watch your big, strong husband break down with sobs shaking his body because he worries about protecting his daughters. We cried a lot of tears yesterday. We WILL keep our girls in school. We KNOW where our girls would go if anything this horrific ever happened to them. They have both chosen to accept Jesus as their Savior and they have the assurance of heaven because of that. I pray for the families left behind that their children were Christians. I pray that these families will one day be reunited in heaven someday.

No one knows what tomorrow will bring. I could die in a car accident today. Anything can happen and in this crazy, fallen world we live in you know bad things WILL happen. It's so important to know where you will go if you die. If any of you that are reading this want to make this choice and have questions for me, please ask! I don't have all the answers, but am happy to lead you in the right direction. Don't let another day go by!

John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

I'm praying that the God of all comfort will fill these families hearts with peace. And PLEASE, go hug and love on your babies, no matter how young or old they are.

Favorite Things Party 2012

It's that time of year again, time for the Annual 'Favorite Things' party at 320 Sycamore!

 

These are a few of my favorite things for 2012:

 

1. Nivea Soft cream.

I have this tiny little tub of it, perfect for throwing in your purse if needed. But most of the time I keep it by my beside and put it on right before bed every night. My hands tend to get so dry and chapped in winter and this lotion makes them feel so super soft! Best part - the little tub is only 99 cents!

 

 

2. Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss.

I have been buying products from Avon for years {their wash-off waterproof mascara is my fave} and the Glazewear lip gloss has always been a fave of mine.

 

3. Cozy slippers with a good solid bottom.

I don't have this exact pair, but one very similar. I love that they are durable enough to step outside in but soft and cozy on my feet too. I even accidentally wore them to the grocery store one day cause I rushed out and door and thought I had real shoes on. LOL

4. Stash Tea.

I am just starting to get into tea drinking ... I have always enjoyed iced tea but didn't drink hot tea as often. I'm finding it's the perfect way to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day.

 

 

5. My Keurig Machine.

Still my fave and honestly what gets me out of bed most mornings!

 

6. Washi Tape.

Loving this cute tape that comes in all sorts of cool colors and patterns. If you got a Christmas card from me you may have noticed my envelopes with 'sealed' with some cute Christmas-y Washi Tape.

7. Pick Your Plum.com

LOVE this site! They email you daily deals and I have already ordered several things from them {washi tape being one of them!} ... everything is priced so low and is SUPER cute and great quality.

 

8. Dr. Teal's Epsom salt.

Don't think I'm weird or anything but I'm loving the Eucalyptus/Spearment epsom salts right now. The scent is heavenly either in a hot bath or the way I have them right now is in Mason jars {to look like snow} with candles.  

 

9. Confetti Nail Polish.

Oh my stars. Cutest stuff EVER. Paint a fun color on your nails and top with this stuff and you are bound to shine! I currently have red nails with confetti on top and it looks so fun and festive!

10. Loreal BB Cream.

I'm not really sure what it is. I know, don't laugh at me! It's like moisturizer, foundation, concealer and perfector all rolled into one. I think. At least that's how I've been using it! ha! And it goes on so nice and makes my uneven skin look good.

 

11. Toby Mac.

LOVING his Eye on It album! I'm showing you the playlist cause I really want you to check out a couple of these amazing songs ... my super faves are: Me without you, Steal my show, thankful for you and Favorite song. But honestly I know the words to just about every song by now ... it plays in my car all.the.time. =)

 

12. Aeropostale sweat pants.

So comfy. So cute. Just love 'em.

 

So there ya have it. Hope you'll go over to Melissa's blog to check out tons and tons of other Favorite Things posts ... it's always so fun to see what stuff other people like. =)

 

Merry Christmas!!!

 

 

 

 

Christmas Traditions!

When it comes to Christmas I am most definitely a traditional kinda girl. I'm perfectly happy doing the same things year after year ... though we do occasionally add something new or ditch something old.

 

Here are our top 10 traditions we do every year to celebrate the season {in no particular order}:

 

1. Making Christmas cookies and treats - this is one of my favorites and some of the things I make are recipes form my Grandma, which just makes me nostalgic and makes me miss her. I like to make several different kinds and bring some over to share with our neighbors, as well as bring some to Christmas parties we go to throughout the month.

 

 

 

2. Going to a local light parade - it's seriously the best parade we see all year! The floats are AMAZING, there are a whole bunch of dance troops with light up costumes, they throw tons of candy {my kids love that}, and even some floats with the nativity scene or signs that say 'Keep Christ in Christmas!' ... it's just an amazing time in every way!

 

3. On the Sunday before Christmas our church does an all church carol sing - all the little kiddos come up from Sunday school to sing on stage - it's precious! We also always go to the Christmas Eve service every year. They always do an early one that is geared to kids and a later one which is more for adults. Again, it's a precious thing. One year, about 5 years ago, my oldest daughter accepted the Lord at the Christmas Eve service! It was awesome, no greater gift, I tell ya!

 

4. Christmas morning breakfast. We always make a big egg casserole, some type of sweet bread or danish and some fruit - and believe it or not, we wait until AFTER our big breakfast to open any gifts ... my girls have learned to be VERY patient on Christmas morning!!

 

5. Picking out and cutting down our tree together. We had a fake tree for many years but 3 yrs ago we went back to a real tree and we LOVE it! I may never have fake again!

6. Making something crafty. This year we kept it simple with some cinnamon ornaments ... other years I have stamped homemade calendars, sewn special gifts for people or made other kinds of ornaments with my girls. The holidays are a good time to be crafty and have fun.

 

7. Going to a Christmas party with our BFF's. My friend hosts it every year and there are 8 adults and 11 kids there. We do a yankee swap, have lots of yummy food and just have a fantastic time. I look forward to it every year!

 

8. Reading The Night Before Christmas on ... you guessed it, the night before Christmas. Just seems natural ... =)

 

9. Taking turns to open things {even stockings!} ... we like to be sure everyone gets to see what the others are getting so we take our time and let one person at a time open their stocking or gifts - that way we're not all just tearing into things with frenzy! {I told you my girls were patient!}

 

10. Putting all the gifts out after the kids are in bed on Christmas Eve. Even though my girls don't believe in Santa anymore, we like to hide everything until that night ... so it's a big surprise when they come out on Christmas morning and see all the stuff. So I never put gifts under the tree until that night.

 

Hope you have enjoyed, go over to Kelly's blog to see check out her Traditions Tuesday and view lots and lots more Christmas traditions!!

Christmas Cookies

one of my fave christmas traditions is making christmas cookies. i typically make about 4 different kinds and almost every year it's the same ones. occasionally i try a new recipe, but sometimes you just gotta go with what you know you already love, right?

 

so last week my daughter asked if we could make some sugar cookie cutouts on the weekend and i was happy to oblige as these are always a favorite.

 

the girls are fantastic helpers, the love to roll out the dough, cut out the cookies and then decorate once they're cooled.

 

 

we actually waited to decorate them until the following day so the cookies could cool and so we'd have more time. they had a blast using all the colored frostings and colored sugars!

 

i've got a few more kinds to make over the coming weeks ... and just so i don't personally scarf them ALL down, i usually freeze most of them until we want to use them. i usually use christmas cookies to give to some of our neighbors or bring to any christmas parties we attend over the course of the month ... and of course i have some myself with a nice cup of tea in the evening!

 

if anyone is interested, here is my sugar cookie recipe:

 

cream with a mixer 3 eggs, 2 softened sticks of butter and 1 cup of sugar.

add 1 & 1/2 tsp vanilla, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt,

slowly mix in 3 & 1/2 cups flour.

 

chill dough in fridge for one hour.

 

using a 1/4 of the dough at a time roll it out onto a floured surface - i usually flour the counter top, the rolling pin and sometimes even my hands so it won't be too sticky. my number one key to success with these cookies is to roll them a little on the thick side - i don't like crispy, burnt cookies, so i keep them a little thick and they always turn out fabulous.

 

bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 min

 

the frosting i like to make is:

 

1 stick butter, softened

1 whole bag confectioners sugar

1 tsp almond extract {almond is my fave}

and add a little milk as you go until it reaches the desired consistency

 

sometimes you have to alternate pouring in the sugar and the milk so it doesn't get all chunky.

 

after the cookies have set out for a bit i am usually able to put them in containers in the fridge or freezer and they taste just fine once thawed.

 

and here's a fun little treat for you to enjoy now:

 

 

I am still here ... I promise!!

yes i'm still here! the blog is just one thing I have to let slide when life is busy though. i have much to share, just not enough time to sit and type and upload it all! so here is a little shortened version of what we've been up to lately ....

 

3 brave moms took 5 screaming girls to see 1 {cute} boy band ... you may have heard of them ...

One Direction!!!!!

{I'll admit, it was a lot of fun, i sang and danced just as much as the girls! hey, when you hear the songs on replay day after day they get stuck in your head!}

the girls were so cute, they made homemade shirts for the show with fabric paints!

 

 

not a fan of skinny jeans on guys ... but i will admit these guys are pretty talented!

 

the 3 mamas ...

 

i put together my own version of a little advent 'wreath' ... i used a basket I already had, some mason jars, 4 glass tea light holders, 4 cinnamon scented candles, epsom salt and some natural pine greens that i found in the woods behind my house ... i love how it turned out!! each week we light one candle, the first week was the 'hope' candle, this week is the 'love' candle ...

 

and can I just tell you, the scent on my kitchen table is to die for ... the epsom salts were scented like eucalyptus & spearmint, the candles are cinnamon and the pines are well ... pine-y ... and all together it smells sooooo good!

 

Bob and I celebrated SIXTEEN years of marriage! wow!

so thankful to be married to my best friend! my in laws watched our girls overnight so we could have an overnight date ... we went out to our fave restaurant and had the yummiest meal {i had salmon}, then rented a redbox movie and picked up some ben & jerry's ice cream and brought them home, snuggled up in our pj's and enjoyed a quiet evening in. it's kinda funny that this is the kind of evening we now prefer when we have a date night, yet it's comforting to know it doesn't have to be expensive or outrageous for us to enjoy the time together.

we went and picked out our christmas tree at a local tree farm, and we decorated the house for christmas. the new thing I tried this year was an idea i saw on pinterest - you add ribbon to your kitchen cabinets and use it to display your christmas cards! genius! in past years I had just taped the cards to our front door, now i can see them all every time i walk in the kitchen!

 

we had one night of snow ... it wasn't a lot but it was so pretty. we've seen a lot of deer in our yard lately too, so pretty to see the deer with the snow ...

 

more christmas decor ... the full tour of the house will come soon!

 

another idea i copied from pinterest and absolutely LOVE ... every time i walk past this wall i smile!

more to come soon ... hope you are all enjoying the christmas season so far - i am just about finished shopping which is a huge relief!

 

love you all! xoxo