Thursday, December 31, 2009

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...

2009, it's been fun!

I found this sweet Irish blessing and thought it was so appropriate when looking forward to the new year. I hope your 2010 is filled with lots of love, laughter, and blessings.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
~Irish Blessing




*picture from Country Living Magazine

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Snowed In!

WHAM! We have been hit! Right now we are at 24inches and counting. My boys, for the 15min they were out, gave up on trying to walk through the snow. It is just way too deep for their little legs.


So in honor of the Blizzard of 2009 I raise my mug of hot chocolate...heres to the snow, Global Warming, a warm house filled with lots of love and chicken soup. Salute!


*photo countryliving.com

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Who said you have to use wrapping paper??

Who wants to spend money on wrapping paper? Wouldn't you like to save that 6bucks and buy yourself a Venti Skinny Eggnog Latte to sooth your shopping woes?? Here's a few ideas I came across. Some which are very cool, but unfortunately I don't have a team of 100+ to jump at my every command. So Martha's Rice Paper Dipping might have to wait till next year(although I probably won't do it then either).

*photo from MarthaStewart.com


Do you have any old and unwanted maps laying around?? Slap a pretty ribbon on that baby and Viola'...

*photo from Vocalpoint.com

But if you truly want to aggravate your loved ones do as my husband once did for me. Wrap your gift first in newspaper and then proceed to wrap it completely with a whole roll of painters tape. It was a dead giveaway...I got a canning pot.
I searched and searched through our photos hoping we had a picture of it (it was a few yrs ago) but no luck. So you'll just have to take my word for it :)

Textophobia??? Nah just indecisive.

Among many things I am a collector of fabric. From linens, to burlaps, oh can't forget denim, love them polka dots, florals, cutesy, you get where this is going. This is not a bad thing but there's one problem. I hate using the fabric. Are you confused yet? Oh sure if I have a project in mind when purchasing fabrics then I'm totally okay with cutting it up. But if I purchased it on attraction alone, I get cold feet when contemplating the commitment. What if I change my mind mid snip?? What if I really don't want another apron? What if these curtains look tacky?? Here's the latest addition to the indecisive pile...


*Textophobia is the persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of certain fabrics.

Monday, December 14, 2009

The Best Sugar Cookie Recipe Ever!

I love a good sugar cookie, and well personally I don't like buying store bought cookie dough. Now don't you get mad Pillsbury. Your sugar cookie dough is fabulous but I like doing things the old fashion way. From scratch.

Believe it or not I had a really hard time finding "the perfect recipe". Some turned too hard, and some ended up more like a biscuit (in size and texture! YUCK). But last year was the year! I happened to stumble upon it here.

Ortner's Cut Out Cookie
1cup Butter
1cup Sugar
1tsp vanilla
1egg
2.5cups flour

Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in egg. Add flour and slowly mix. Chill for 2hrs and roll thin. Bake at 350degrees for 8min.

1. I never chill it. I'm spontaneous. And in my house it is completely unacceptable to have to wait 2+hours for a cookie. I just use lots of flour when rolling and cutting so it will not stick.
2. Use your judgment for baking time. My oven is wacky.
3. Decorate how you see fit. You could ice but we always use sprinkles.



Monday, December 7, 2009

Almost There...

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
- Norman Vincent Peale


The tree has been cut..



The Popcorn has been strung...




Garlands have been hung...


We're almost there...

I hope you are enjoying this season as much as my family is.