Books Luke Likes - December (2 3/4 years)

Luke told me last week that he was almost 3.  SOB.  I had just gotten used to the "I two a half!!" and I kept telling him and Matt that he was still closer to 2 1/2 than 3.  But now...less than 3 months until my sweet boy turns 3.  We're halfway through his time at home before kindergarten!  HOW DID THAT HAPPEN.  Time goes fast people.  So fast.

After breakfast and we're both all dressed/pottied (Luke)/make-uped (me) I try to start the day with some books.  These are some of our current favorites.  Like the ones we read multiple times every morning.  Or just the ones I like.

1) Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Every one has read this one, right??  A classic for a reason.  Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary Anne stop getting jobs when the diesel shovels come around and so they go to Poppersville to dig the cellar of the new town hall in one day.  I've read this countless times in the last few weeks and I still couldn't tell you what the real lesson is...find your place in the world and get comfortable?  Avoid becoming metal trash by leaving town?  Not sure but Luke loves it.

2) If I Could Keep You Little
This book never fails to at least choke me up.  I may have just been wondering where the time went with Luke but still appreciate how each stage brings new things.  Yes, I miss having a cuddly baby but now I have a talkative toddler who genuinely makes me laugh every day.  That's what this book is about, if I could keep you little, I'd miss seeing all the things you can do now.  Makes this growing up thing a littler easier.

3) Star Wars ABC and Star Wars 123

Matt and I saw the new movie on opening night.  Obviously some of that excitement was going to rub off on Luke.  These are two books he got as a baby that he now insists on being tucked in with for every nap time.  He gets some ships confused (but not the Millennium Falcon, of course, he knows that one) but otherwise can tell you pretty much everything in these books.  Who knew who Zam was?  Or what Ugnaughts were??  We didn't and we even won Star Wars Trivia Pursuit against some of Matt's family.  Us and his little sister who definitely studied the cards for weeks before.  Whatever.  Luke might be able to beat us before too long.  (AND looking up the links for the this post I discovered there is a color one!  Already ordered.)

4) Let's Go for a Drive!   and Elephants Cannot Dance!
Of course more Elephant & Piggie.  Always more Elephant & Piggie.   These are just two of the new ones Luke got for Christmas and they are already in high rotation in this house.  I really like these books for many reasons.  1) They are short and easily read before nap or over and over and over again.  2) They can be legit hilarious.  I've laughed out loud more than once.  3) They are just cute. 4) They always have some sort of lessons.  The first is about adapting when things don't go your way/as planned.  The second is being ok with who you are, what you can do.  I think these will long be favorites around here.

5) Toys Meet Snow 
Apparently this is part of a series but this is the first one we've read.  A few toys venture out to play in the snow for the first time.  One has a lot of questions.  Another gives poetic answers, the other gives factual "I read that in a book" answers.  It's just a really cute book about winter and the wonders of snow.  I definitely plan on getting the others in this series because this one was so cute and enjoyable!

Happy New Year!!!

Target Tunics (Buy These NOW)

I love this week between Christmas and New Years.  All the hustle and bustle of Christmas prep is usually over and it's just a wonderful time to soak in the post-holiday glow.  I have usually taken this week, or most of this week, off work and did the same this year.  Meaning I worked 0 hours instead of my usual 3.  Such a BIG change but it really does feel like a special week.

We had a busy Christmas week, I think I counted 8 family gatherings in 8 days on top of our own things at home.  It was BUSY.  Luke and I are rarely out of the house at lunch time and in the days preceding Christmas we ate out 3 of 4 days.  That's really a lot for us!  Such a busy but wonderful time (recap coming at some point, in some form, probably).

Between receiving gifts at Christmas, end of year allowance shopping, and the fresh start of the new year looming...I am always in a big "purge all the things" mode this time of year.  And I get really excited about it.  Our garage sale pile hasn't had much added to it since the last sale and I finally have the motivation to do more cleaning and sorting.  I love love love the fresh start feeling a new year brings so probably, hopefully, some organization posts coming in January.  When I get sad about Christmas being over I think about the wonderful feeling on January 1st, that feeling that this year can be different and that anything is possible...that gets me really excited. Plus, New Years Eve is about the best day to be sparkly all year.  And I love sparkles (something my 4 year old niece and I really agree on).

So, in the midst of purging and enjoying new presents...I'm going to tell you about a shirt you should buy.  Seem appropriate, right??  But seriously.  It's currently on 50% clearance plus an extra 20% off through Saturday.  With the extra 5% off with a Target card, that puts this shirt at $9.50 before tax.  That's a steal.  I bought the grey one a few weeks ago.  Rebought it (and returned the first without wearing it) when it went on clearance.  Wore it Christmas Day and LOVED it.  Promptly bought the white with black stripes one (which I'm posting to January 2016 allowance because I do the bookkeeping around here).

This shirt is the perfect combination of sweatshirt (comfort) and sweater (style).  Something I tried to write in my review at Target.com...before I realized I had already done a review for it.  Oops.  The grey is more of a sweatshirt material but doesn't fit or wear like one.  I don't know what the white one is...something more crinkly?  But still super comfortable.  Fitted enough but still not super tight to help hid all those holiday eating pounds.  Length is great and I'm not worried about stretching or shrinking like I am with a sweater.  I really wanted the navy as well but couldn't figure out what pants I'd wear with it so I have to settle with just two for now. 


It also pairs nice with my favorite Old Navy vest and Christmas was actually warm enough here I could leave the house with just that as a coat!  And this is someone who is always cold in the winter!  Sometimes, having clothes you really enjoy is enough to get through a long winter.  And a lot of other things like sunshine and holidays and a lot of time at home with my boys...but fun clothes certainly helps!

(As much as I really really wish Target would pay me to advertise their clothes...I do this for free.)

I haven't finished posting about painted cupboards...but almost

I know, you are probably wondering when I am going to run out of cabinets to paint.  I thought that for a long time too.  Luckily (for all of us, but mostly me), all the upper cabinets have been painted and most have been shared here.  I'm still struggling to figure out how to store my spices.  Why do I have so many???  I sorted through them but between ones I use for baking and ones for taco seasoning or homemade pickles or just frequent use...I had one to get rid of.  That didn't help my shelf situation.  In a related topic, I was recently cleaning the fridge and realized of our two door shelves of condiments, I use two (bottles) of them and the other 10+ are solely for Matt (or Matt and Luke in the case of ketchup).  But I don't think I can blame him for the spice problem.

I've done a lot of purging in the upper cabinet, gotten rid of a lot of vases and extra wine glasses.  We don't drink straight wine at home very often and I didn't see a need for more than 4 glasses.  We also don't have flowers often so most of the vases went.  But ice cream dishes stayed.  They have a very obvious use.  I really like that that cupboard is pretty empty.

To make this post VERY slightly Christmas related, I'm posting about our liquor cabinet today.  Because people drink at Christmas?  Because of the bottle of sparkling wine I used for Christmas morning drinks is in this picture?  SEE, Christmas connection.  Also, the cabinet we use for our all summer dishes which I can't link to Christmas at all.

The hardest part about this set was that I had to sit on the fridge to paint most of this one.  Strangely, not the first time I've sat on a fridge to paint, flashback to my summer janitor days.  I didn't think we had much liquor until I had the empty the cupboard...counted 9 bottles.  Too much? Not enough?  A fair amount are almost gone although some will quickly be replaced when they are empty.  My summer drink project gives me reason to have some different kinds.

Those might be some small rum bottles we bought on our honeymoon.  Next spring is our 10 year anniversary.

This smaller cabinet is right back the back door and holds all our summer or entertaining dishes.  Plates we use for BBQs and Luke's birthday party.  Ice cream maker (I keep the base in the freezer all summer but didn't have room for it in the winter).  Corn skewers.  Things pretty much only used in the summer.

So, that's that.  These were the last cabinets I painted but the one with the biggest improvement is still coming once I figure out the spice storage problem.  This has been a very drawn out project but every time I see a before picture I am so glad I took it on.  Seems a little silly and boring (yes) and time consuming (yes) but very much worth it to me.  It's nice to know that over the last 8 months I've gone through all these cabinets, completely emptied them out, and put them back together better than before.  That's almost enough to make me take on the bottom ones.

Before and after.  Always my favorite.

Kitchen cleaning cupboard
Office closets
Office cupboard
Kitchen dishes cupboard
Kitchen cupboard over the stove
Baking cupboard
Upper cabinets (holiday dishes)

Paper Christmas Trees (kid craft)

Merry Christmas Eve!  Do you have antsy kids at your house?  I'm not sure mine understands what is going on.  I think after this year he definitely will.  For now I can pretty much get away with acting like a normal day until the fun starts later.  I'm so excited to share Christmas with him!!

We did this craft a few weeks ago with my sister and some of her kids.  4 kids under 5, paper, glue stick, it was a little messy and crazy.  Luke needed some (a lot) of help but my 4 year-old niece did hers all on her own (after the paper was cut).  This would be a nice way to use up wrapping paper scraps or scrapbook paper scraps (mostly what we used but wish I had though of the wrapping paper earlier!).

I used my paper cutter to cut a bunch of scrap paper in different widths and length.  Took about 5 minutes.  Then let the kids have at it with glue.  I tried to guide Luke on getting the strips in some sort of order but he was mostly interested in the glue anyways.  Cut some paper for the base and stars for the top.  And voila!  Luke was very proud of his tree and wanted it hung above his bed, where it still hangs today.  Easy little project to keep a kid entertained.  And I love seeing his pride in the finished product!

Merry Christmas!!

Adorable Wooden Christmas Trees

Do you ever look at the "Following" tab next to your likes on Instagram?  I do, on my once daily IG check.  Sometimes I find new accounts to follow or just pretty pictures.  One day last week or the week before I saw these wooden Christmas trees, liked by someone I follow.  And I was immediately smitten.  Every year I struggle with decorating our large window ledge by our dining table.  Our stockings hang there and I try to tell myself to treat it like a mantel but I never have much luck getting it to look how I'd like.  I've found some ceramic trees I like at Target but at $20 each...I'm hoping to get some on clearance. 

So these trees, all 13 made from one $12 piece of wood?  Yes.  Doable and customizable and easy.  Plus, why buy when you can DIY??  I enlisted Matt to buy and cut the board for me.  I just told him I wanted a bunch of triangles.  You can see what I got.  With our mild winter (so far), Matt has still been able to work in the garage, making a variety of things which means the saw's been out anyways and not a hassle to cut a few more things for me.  He even sanded them because he bought some new sanding pads (or something) and wanted to try them out??  I'm not sure but he did most of the work which made this a super easy project for me.

I used a variety of acrylic paint on these, just buying one and using what I had for the rest.  All but the red received two coats (that was my new bottle...turns out buying a more expensive brand means better coverage...who knew?).  This was sometimes done during naps, sometimes while Luke was playing with Matt.  Then I used the handle end of my paint brush to dot snow on all my trees.  Just one side so I have a snow-free option if I'd like. 

Then, my favorite part, figuring out where they could go.  Some ended up on the large window ledge:

Some are currently around our nativity scene:

Who knows where they will be next year??  I'm still messing with all the Christmas decorations, moving things here and there as I see fit or as needed to keep away from Luke (he quickly figured out the snowman that had candy in it...that one got moved fast). 

I love how easy this project was and how absolutely adorable they turned out.  Little money, little time, great outcome.  My favorite kind of crafting.


Inspired by: Inspired By Charm

Chocolate Chess Pie

I rarely truly amaze myself with my baking.  I mean, I try new recipes and some come out better than others.  Some are good, some great, some ehhhhh.  But I generally know what to expect when I try, say a new cookie recipe no matter how different.  Some cookie recipes are better than others but most should result in a similar consistency.  With this pie, I truly amazed myself.  It might have been very very low expectations going in mostly due to the inclusion of evaporated milk which I associate with pecan or pumpkin pie, neither of which I like for the taste or consistency.  It also didn't look the most appealing after baking and I was worried nobody would eat it, hence the addition of the whipped cream.  (I have an irrational fear of rejection for my baked goods.)

So I made this pie the day before Thanksgiving and was pretty bummed out about how it looked.  Just not appealing and I didn't even know if I'd want to try a piece.  I just thought the consistency looked weird.  Then, on Matt's suggestion, added some homemade whipped cream before taking it to my in-laws on Thanksgiving.  I was leery to try it there but did and WOW.  Like I said, zero expectations (just like I'm trying to have for the Star Wars movie tonight) so almost anything edible would be a win.  Pie crust and then this super creamy, silky AMAZING chocolate layer.  And homemade whipped cream (the only kind worth eating) and a dusting of chocolate powder.  It was INCREDIBLE.  I don't say that lightly.  It might be the most impressed I've been with my own baking since baguettes (or the Samoa cupcakes I made for Luke's first birthday, those were pretty great too).


Even with Matt's big family there are always dessert leftovers because there are just so many to try.  Luckily for us, we came home with half a pie which we finished before the weekend was over.  Luke eagerly did his little boy bathroom business for a piece.  Anything that gets my kid to do that where and when I want him to is going to be a huge winner in my book.  I would make this again for Christmas if I didn't already have leftover ingredients from a dessert I didn't make for Thanksgiving (due to too many desserts).  This is worth a spot at your table soon.  It will be back on ours as soon as I can justify it. Or Pi Day.  Whichever is first.  (And despite 3 layers this is actually very easy to make and can be spread over multiple days.)

Chocolate Chess Pie
yield: 1 standard sized pie
Ingredients:
Pie Crust (or insert your own favorite recipe or use a store-bought...no judgement)
1 ¼ cups flour
1 TB sugar
¼ tsp salt
8 TB cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 TB very cold water

Chocolate Filling
1 ½ cups sugar
3 TB unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
5 ounces evaporated milk (or a little over ½ cup)
4 TB melted butter 
1 tsp vanilla

Whipped Cream
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar

Directions
1) To make the pie crust, combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Mix briefly to combine.  Add in the butter and mix on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles coarse sand and the largest butter pieces are about the size of peas.  Mix in the water on low speed just until the dough comes together.  Turn off the mixer.  Shape the dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or a few days). 

2) When ready to make the actual pie, remove the crust from the fridge and let sit at room temperature while mixing up the filling. To make the chocolate filling, preheat the oven to 350°.  Combine the sugar and cocoa in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix briefly to combine.  Beat the eggs in a separate bowl and add to the sugar/cocoa.  Turn the speed as high as possible without making a mess and add the milk, butter, and vanilla. 

Roll the crust into a circle big enough for your pie pan and transfer to pie pan, pressing it down to fill the corners.  Cut off any excess and use a fork or fingers to crimp the edges.  Dump in the chocolate filling.  Bake for 45 minutes or until set.  Let cool at room temperature and store in the fridge until ready to serve.  (I made this the day before we were eating it and it held up fine.)

3) Shortly before serving (or a few hours), mix up the whipped cream.  Add the cream and powdered sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip until soft peaks form.  Gently spread this over the chocolate layer and sprinkle with cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.  Serve cool.  Enjoy!!

Sources: Crust: Annie's Eats, Filling: All Recipes, Whipped Cream: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Things I Tell Myself When the Adoption Wait Sucks

We started the process for our second child about 21 months ago.  We've been officially listed for over a year.  For Luke, from our first meeting with the social worker to getting him was 14 months, we were listed 10 of those.  This one is going a little slower.  Which we expected but that doesn't really make it much easier. There are some parts that are certainly better this time around.  I mean, this kid is pretty stinkin' adorable:

That certainly helps a little.  But there is also knowing the longer this goes on, the bigger the gap between them gets.  I am about 2 years from both my older and younger sister (25 and 21 months, respectively).  Luke is about 3 months from turning 3 (!!!).  I always figured I'd have kids with the same gap as most of my sisters and I.  Plus, we'd like more than 2 and expect the wait to be longer between each...then I start freaking out about being almost 40 (but not really) and not having all our kids!

A lot of this adoption process has been learning how to let go of what I wanted and expected.  Actually, pretty much all of it is about that.  So, when the days get tough and the wait drives me crazy (which is usually at least some point in every day) these are things I tell myself to make it a little bit better.

1)  Maybe we're getting twins next so we need extra calm before the crazy.  (And nothing makes me feel better about only having one than thinking about getting ready for twins in less than a week.  I mean, we have a small house and no car that could fit three car seats!  We'd actually really like twins...but maybe for #s 3 & 4 or 4 & 5.  But honestly...we're not going to turn them down at any point.)

2)   

3)  Maybe this next kid is so awesome we just can't handle it yet.  We need to build up to the awesome.

4)

 5)

6)

 7) This:

8)

9)  I remind myself I can have a drink if I want...which you (mostly?) can't do pregnant. 

10)  This, but with my son:

11) I reread this and remember all the feelings from when we got Luke.  Mostly the complete trust in God and the wonderful feeling of contentment.

12)

(All Bible quotes from Bible Gateway.  Other quotes from Pinterest but they didn't lead to any real source.)

Carmel Chocolate Shortbread Bars

When we were in London 3+ years ago, we were at a local grocery store and came across these Twix Caramel Slice bars.  They were A-MAZING.  I think we realized that after our first bite and then bought more to come home with us.  We called them "British Twix" and they are among my favorite candy I've ever had.  Matt might agree and he has faaaar more experience with candy than I do.  They had shortbread (which I've already admitted to loving), caramel, and chocolate.  There is nothing not to like about any of that.   We never found these in the US which is a shame because they are much better than the Twix bars we get here.

I made something similar for Luke's baptism but wasn't super impressed.  I've had this specific recipe pinned for years and finally took the plunge.  And it was pretty easy, all done in small steps over 2 days.  I haven't always had the best luck with making caramel but this one was easy and maybe hard to mess up.  And the chocolate.  I had leftover of the really good, real stuff from various cupcakes (and frosting) I made this summer and I think that was a huge factor.  You can't beat real chocolate.  Get that if you can.  Or at least something better than standard grocery store chocolate chips. 

Full disclosure.  These bars have 5 sticks of butter.  I usually don't tell people these things before they eat my desserts but I was so amazed at this one having so much that I did.  And even knowing that a few of my sisters decided they were still worth it.  I knew it and I ate these leftovers for many days.  Of course, with something so rich, small serving sizes are necessary so these can serve a decent crowd.  A little goes a long way.

Carmel Chocolate Shortbread Bars
yield: 9x13 pan - serves a lot!
Ingredients
Shortbread:
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar

  
Carmel
2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 cup sugar
2 TB corn syrup
2 (14oz) cans sweetened condensed milk


Chocolate
8 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 tsp corn syrup
1 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces
sea salt for sprinkling (which I completely forgot about)

Directions
1) For the shortbread layer, preheat the oven to 325°.  Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.  In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Stir and set aside.  Combine the sugar and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for 1-2 minutes.  Turn to low speed and slowly add the flour mixture, blend just until incorporated.  Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden.  (The crust may puff up a bit while baking, if so just press down when it's out of the oven.)  Let cool completely on a wire rack.

2) For the carmel layer, combine all the carmel ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted.  Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly.  Continuing stirring and simmering until it reaches an amber color and thickens slightly (this may take some time).  Pour this over the shortbread layer and spread in an even layer.  You'll need this layer to be completely set before adding the chocolate.  Putting it in the fridge for a few hours (or overnight) helps.

3) To make the chocolate glaze, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.  Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter are melted and the mixture is smooth.  Pour over the carmel layer and use a spatula to spread even.  Let set for 1-2 minutes and sprinkle with the sea salt.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Source: Lisa is Cooking via Annie's Eats

Some Christmas Thoughts (not rambling, not. at. all.)

I was reading Mama Loves Coffee yesterday and she was writing about how blogs seem to be very curated lately when I'm pretty sure that's not how they started.  Who else had a live journal back in the 90s?  Just me.  Maybe I've always been an over-sharer on the internet although I feel like I'm usually a private person which you may not agree with if you've been reading this awhile.  Never the less, I've long been a writer, kept a daily diary for 10 years, from the age of 12 until we got married.  Then a few years off and I was back to daily writing about my days.  Will anyone care to read these?  Probably not.  I've come close to getting rid of all my composition book diaries from my teenage years because heaven knows I don't even want to read all my thought from that time period but yet, I still have them, all 20+ volumes.  Numbered and preserved. 

So Christmas season is here, the commercial one at least.  I've been trying to do more in keeping with the real reason for the season and all the last few years.  Because while we are very practicing Catholics, I also admit to loving most of the commercialism of Christmas - the baking, shopping wrapping, decorating parts.  And trying to find the right balance can be tough.  Last year I read The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas, in a few days, instead of the recommended 25 or whatever, due to not getting it until about December 20th from the library (hold wait problems).  It was fantastic on helping my mind focus on the real reason we have this wonderful season.  I should have bought it over the summer when it was on half.com for 75 cents instead of the $12 it is now...because I'm obviously going to buy a book for 75 cents whenever possible.  It would be great to reread each Christmas season.  

There is also the need to make sure Luke understands why we have a Christmas tree and we celebrate this time.  We talk about Baby Jesus a lot and he has his Little People Nativity which I find myself picking up multiple times a day.  And a Playmobil one that is out of reach in his room so at least that one I'm not in danger of stepping on (and he is thankfully past that "put everything in my mouth" stage so no choking concerns, even if he did manage to scale his dresser, which he hasn't, yet).  But he's also very excited about the Christmas tree and Christmas music ("Jingle Bell Rock" is by far his favorite, for reasons totally unknown to us.  Matt doesn't like Christmas music (for reasons totally unknown to me) but I tell him at least Luke picked that song and not one by NSync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, or the multitude of others I have that he would find much more offensive).  For many weeks all he would say he wanted for Christmas was "a Christmas tree!" but as soon as that was up he was asking where the "prizes" (presents) were.  So that didn't last long.  

We're not "doing" Santa.  It wasn't a real big deal in either of our families and just decided we'd rather skip it.  Definitely not doing any Elf on a Shelf either which I don't really understand.  We debated the Santa thing for awhile and our only real reason to consider it is because that's what most people do and I didn't want Luke to be the one to ruin the secret for all the other kids in kindergarten (when do kids find out these days??) but that wasn't a single good enough reason for it.  So no Santa here.  Luke's kinda picking up on the fact that there is a Santa (mythical person wise) but so far no questions about presents from Santa and all that.  Of course, he's only two so those questions are probably coming.  Haven't entirely figured out what we're going to tell him so he doesn't feel like he's missing out but also so that he doesn't ruin it for other families.  But again, he's two.  I don't think we're in danger of that happening this year.

We did have St. Nick visit which Luke kinda got.  Mostly that there were presents under the tree.  That's a C-3PO ornament we got in a two pack (with R2-D2) on clearance last year with markers I got with a 25% Cartwheel deal.  In his Target shoes I got on super clearance for $6.  And our tree skirt is also from Target ALTHOUGH the tree is not (because Target doesn't sell live Christmas trees, duh) and I'm pretty sure the stand is from Lowes SO not everything we own is from Target, despite how it seems. 

But yes, St. Nick came and Luke was excited.  We read a book about St. Nick the night before and that was educational to all three of us.  The morning after St. Nick's Day Luke took off his shoes (like he always does) and I asked him to put them away (meaning the bottom of the stairs) and he put one there but one back under the tree and put his C-3PO ornament back in it.  He seems to think that's where it goes now.  But it's cute.  

I certainly don't have all my shopping done.  Getting there but slowly.  I feel like we've cut out a lot of gift giving in the last few years, but there is still Luke, each other, our parents, our godchildren, and Luke's godparents.  Then we do an exchange with my sisters and brother-in-laws so Matt & I each have a person for that (although, honestly, I usually do the shopping for both of us) and Luke's in a cousin exchange on Matt's side so we have that to buy.  And stocking stuffers for like 60 people which I want to be something more than candy but it's hard to figure out what's easy and in the budget.  But even without stockings, we're shopping for 16 people which is no small task.  

I have a pile of things we've bought but nothing wrapped or in stockings.  My baking is mostly done, but two harder things left (dipping truffles and baklava).  Decorating is basically done besides some pillow covers I want to sew when I learn how to use my sewing machine and maybe a few things I'm waiting to buy when I use my 20% off store-wide Target coupon this week from spending $75+ on Black Friday.  Although, that coupon excludes Legos which I've learned are pretty hard to get on sale. 

So what is this post about?  I don't really know.  Christmas.  Of sorts. It can be an overwhelming season and there's a lot going on.  How it's easier to prepare your home with the decorating and shopping and baking than it is to prepare your heart. But it's also one of my favorite times of the year and that's coming from someone who hates being cold (and pretty much always is in the fall/winter/early spring).  Trying to find the right balance between religious Christmas and commercial Christmas.  I have no good advice on that one.  But we're trying.  Didn't we all learn that it's the thought that counts??

Looking back at November

December already!  Despite my early, right after Labor Day, mental Christmas countdown, I'm still in shock!

1) Enjoying a hot beverage on a sunny porch morning.  Now that it's too cold for the porch, this sounds wonderful!
2) My happy boy at the playground on a very rare but wonderful 70° November day.
3) Beautiful fall foliage. We had a pretty perfect fall, weather wise and just life wise!
4) My little superhero.  He wears his cape and mask at least once a day!
5) Reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix outside on another warm November day.  Love being able to read outside while Luke plays!
6) In the years before we got Luke I did more and more Christmas baking, feeling like I was filling my life with baked goods instead of kids.  I looked forward to when we'd have kids who could join me.  And now we do!  It was messy but I loved my little buddy joining me in cutting out cookies!
7) Happy happy boy at the lake for closing.  He'll take anytime there, even in the fall without a jet ski!
8) Why it's good to own rain boots (there really are a lot of reasons to have them!).  Walking in the lake in November?  Yes, I'm going to do that just because I can!
9) Luke has kinda learned how to do the junior birdie eyes (that's what I learned this was called).  He needs help but thinks it's hilarious.
10) Old Navy is one of Luke's favorite stores, mainly because of this dog.  And Daddy let him ride it.  He's nicer than Mommy.
11) Beautiful, beautiful early snowfall.  I think we got 4 inches and it was gone within a few days but I honestly loved it!  I'm pretty much perpetually cold November - March (despite multiple layers I also have a blanket wrapped around me as I type this) but still love the beauty of fresh snow.  Especially, mostly, when the roads are fine!  Snow covered trees + blue skies = one of the best things about winter.
12) Luke was very excited about the snow!  He's been talking about for months and was so excited for a little time to play in it!
13) Got my boys to join me for some cookie decorating while we watched some old Christmas tv specials we had DVR'd.  Luke got much more frosting in his mouth than on any cookies but he loved it!
14) I remember in college telling friends that we had a giant Santa lit up on the side of a building.  It's one of the cooler things about where we live.  Luke's big impression of the lighting was "guy said 1, 2, 3, and lights came on!". 
15) And family picture in front of the wreath!  I have one of these from every year of Luke's life!
16) Our Thanksgiving weekend included 3 big meals in 30 hours (at one I made my little sister laugh so hard milk came out her nose.  Something she specifically told me to write about here.), some Black Friday shopping (on actual Friday, none of that Thanksgiving Day nonsense), a date for Matt & I, decorating for Christmas, and getting our tree.  So many fun things with so many great people!  This was Luke "helping" push the cart with our tree at Lowes.  Our Christmas tree picking out took 15 minutes from pulling into the parking lot to pulling out.  We're speedy Christmas tree shoppers.

Simple Shortbread

I'm a big fan of shortbread.  I don't know what it is.  Soft, buttery, crumbly, not overly sweet but still rich.  I would honestly take these over the typical frosted sugar Christmas cookie (which we definitely have in our cookie jars here too!).  Especially because the last few years I've been feeling like my tolerance for sugar is decreasing the older I get.  So rich butter cookie over one covered in sugar?  Yes.  I'll take it.

These were very easy to make, 4 ingredients!!  And it just so happened that I baked them the day before our first snowfall of the winter - 4 inches, breaking records!  So, even if you can't tell, that's a picture taken on the snow.  Because, why not?  These are great to enjoy with a hot beverage and a good book while the snow falls outside.

Simple Shortbread
yield: about 30 cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
2 ¾ cups (340g) flour
1 tsp salt (ONLY if using unsalted butter)

Directions
1) Whisk the butter (and salt, if needed) in a medium sized mixing bowl (you can use a stand mixer but it's not necessary).  Add the powdered sugar and stir until well combined.  Add in all the flour and stir just until it's mostly incorporated.
2) Dump out onto a clean work surface and use your hands to form the dough into a flattened ball.  Refrigerate for about an hour. 
3) When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 300°.  Let the dough sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to get it warm enough to be workable.  Roll to about 1/2 inch thick on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Cut into rectangles (mine were about 1" x 3").  Don't bother making them all perfect, I have all sorts of weirdly shaped cookies from the edges.  Pierce with a fork, this will keep them from bubbling.
4) Bake for 35-45 minutes, until a light golden brown.  Remove from oven and recut.  Leave on cookie sheet until completely cool. 

Source: Eugenie Kitchen

Simple Holy Families

I've seen many variations of simple Holy Families all over Pinterest the last few Christmas seasons and thought they would be a good project to make as stocking stuffers for my family. As with any project, they took a little more time than expected (everything needed two coats of paint and I made 8!) but I was very pleased with the final outcome. 

I bought all the heads at Jo-Anns and Matt cut the wood blocks from scraps* (we always have wood scraps).  I bought 1/2 yard of burlap for a few bucks.  That gave me plenty for this project with enough leftover for a table runner (as in, I put the rest down on a table and DONE.).  The twine is also from Jo-Anns (near the jewelry making, I had trouble finding that).  Paint on everything twice and then a lot of hot gluing.  Overall these averaged to less than an hour each but that was doing everything assembly line style for 8 sets. 

Honestly the hardest part was Mary's veil.  I think all 8 I made have a slightly different variation.  A lot a lot of glue was used there. 

I've liked this so much I've kept mine out year-round (for a long spell it was in our bathroom).  We do so much shopping this time of year that it's nice to have some homemade gifts too.  And these simple Holy Families are a nice reminder of what this season is all about!  Happy December!

*Dimensions
Joseph
height: 3 ¾"
width: 1 ¼"
depth: ¾"
head: 1 ¼" ball

Mary
height: 3 ½"
width: 1 ¼"
depth: ½"
head: 1" ball
Mary's veil: 2½" square or 3" square

Jesus
length:  1 ¾"
width: ¾"
depth: ¾"
head: ½" knob

twine: 18"-24"