Brene Brown

Man, I just can't get enough of her. 

Christmas 2013

 

                                            Cookies on Christmas Eve

                                     My favorite people

                             The Men in my life

                                   My boys and I

               Someone is waiting for his presents

                        Cute packages

Holiday Gratitude

Christmas Tunes

I can't stop listening to Pentatonix's Christmas songs.  It's nice when you can listen to the classics in a totally new way, keeps the Christmas music fresh.

Baked Gnocchi

I can't stop thinking about this baked Gnocchi.  It looks so good and it seems easy to make.  What a perfect meal with a salad and some wine.   I'm adding this to my need and easy, impressive meal list. 

Brene Brown - Empathy

I saw this video via Cup of Jo and I had to re-post it.  This is so true, we try so hard to make people feel better or to distract them from their pain instead of just sitting in the pain and recognizing it.

Scenes From My Weekend

I love homemade marshmallows, once you have these you will never settle for those store bought ones again.  I always use this Martha Stewart recipe, it's easy and delicious.  They make a great gift if you wrap them with hot chocolate or all the stuff to make s'mores. 

 

 

I love having a little tree in my kitchen.

 

I never tire of this view, but I do get tired of the snow.  We got at least few feet this weekend.

Making marshmallows while burning my Marshmallow Fireside candle from Bath and Body Works, it really does smells like marshmallows mixed with a wood burning fire, weird.

 

Taste test must happen, right?

Gifts for the 15 Year Old in My Life

 

 

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Christmas Ideas

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I'm loving these simple Christmas ideas via Seventy Nine Ideas, actually I love everything about this beautiful blog.  Things feel so weird this Christmas, selling my house this time of year was not my smartest decision but it just all seemed to work out that way.  I didn't want to go crazy decorating for Christmas since I am also in the middle of packing up the house.  Any of these simple, beautiful ideas above would be so perfect for me this year. 

Scenes From My Weekend

Holy Mother of God is this Peppermint Bark gelato good.  I am a huge fan of the Mediterrean Mint and the Sea Salt Caramel and when I saw this special holiday flavor I had to have it.  It is so creamy and delicious, I can't even tell you.  I bought two and gave one to my sister, let's just say this is so good I tried to take back the one I gave to my sister.   I wonder if you can order it by the case?

I made chocolate chip cookies. 

Started wrapping presents.  I made the tags out of an old little calendar I had.

 

Also, the tree is up and ready for Santa.  I really wanted white lights but the kids wanted colored.  I should have put my foot down on the colored lights.

Happy Cyber Monday

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I wouldn't mind spending my day shopping online from this space.  I love the light floors and white walls.

My holiday weekend was so nice, spending time with family and friends is just what I needed.  I forgot to take pictures of our Thanksgiving feast, I was too busy cooking and drinking wine.  I did however, manage to get a picture of breakfast, my Publix Pilgrims and homemade applesauce in the slow cooker. 

6 Cortland apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup of sugar
sprinkle enough cinnamon on top to cover the apples

Bonus, it makes your house smell great too. 

Cook in the slow cooker on high for about 5 hours or low for about 8, you can tell when the apples are completely soft.  You can mash it with a potato masher or use an immersion hand blender to mix it up if you don't like chunks.