holiday baking!

Merry Christmas Eve!

What is up with this crazy December weather? Instead of snow we have flooding! But regardless we are gearing up for Santa to arrive (maybe in a row boat instead of a sleigh) tonight and preparing to celebrate Kynli's 1st Christmas!

Justin and I have a long standing tradition that dates back to our dating days of spending an evening or afternoon baking Christmas goodies together. This year little Kynli was a big helper from her bouncy seat! We made a few old favorites and tried some new recipes as well. I've compiled a list of this year treats for you to enjoy!

Of course, there was a little grocery store prep beforehand!

1) Oreo Truffles

One of our absolute favorites! I recommend getting quite a bit of chocolate to melt and using a double broiler! (We've never had a good experience with the microwave!)

 Recipe

2) Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

This desert is also perfect for a Fall treat!

 Recipe

3) Homemade Pumpkin Scones

Sensing a pattern here? We love pumpkin! These scones were super easy!

 Recipe

4) Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

These might be a new favorite! They would be even better if you added cream cheese icing on top!

 Recipe (Also on the Duncan Hines cake mix box)

5) Gingerbread Cookies

A tried and true holiday favorite and straight from a boxed mix! Nothing homemade here! We're boring and skip the decorating, but maybe one day Kynli might like to do that part!

6) Pumpkin Dump Cake

I've shared this recipe before, but it is seriously good, and again, has pumpkin! It's even better in a dutch oven!

Recipe

Have a wonderful Christmas!

baby keepsake ornaments

Hi friends,

I have found it sort of funny how many people have shared baby ornament projects with me on Facebook! However, no  matter how cute I think they are, I haven't managed to actually complete one of these ornaments .. even though I already have the supplies in my craft materials! Eh, there is 9 days until Christmas right?

If you are looking for an easy gift or a special keepsake for Baby's First Christmas then check out these ideas for inexpensive, handmade ornaments!

1) Hospital Scrapbook Ornament

Materials needed: clear ornament, ribbon, keepsake items from the hospital (ID tags, hat, bracelet, etc.)

This is a creative way to display those precious memories! See these 2 ideas from Thrifty Crafty Girl and Beauty in the Mess.

Source

Source

2) Handprint or Footprint Ornament
Materials needed: Plain round ornament of any color, glitter or paint, pen, ribbon

Trace your little ones foot or hand or just dip it straight into the paint. Add a personalized name and date! I think these are adorable, but fear they might be a Pinterest fail if I tried to make one!

Source

Source

3) Salt Dough Ornament

Materials needed: Salt, flour, water, paint, ribbon.

A tried and true favorite is to make handprints or footprints with salt dough! You could paint them or leave them blank. If you don't want to make the dough yourself, there are many very similar kits at places like Michaels. Click the link below for an easy to follow recipe.

 

Source

4) "Snow Globe" Picture Ornaments

Materials: Pictures, fake snow, clear ornament, ribbon

How adorable is this ornament featuring baby's ultrasounds? You could easily replace the ultrasounds with a picture instead!

 Source

5) Scrabble Ornaments

Materials: scrabble pieces, hotglue gun, ribbon

Basically, you can use scrabble pieces for most anything! Check your local thrift stores for a cheap game that you can turn into DIY projects.

 Source

Maybe I will actually get around to making one of these this weekend! Happy crafting! :) 

simply Christmas

welcome back friends!

Can you believe Christmas has come and gone for another year?! Winter Break is ticking by and I  am praying for it to slow down!

Like I mentioned in my last post I decided to take an impromptu break from the blog simply because I was overworked and overwhelmed. I am so hoping that I can manage to catch up over these last few days of break! In the meantime there has been lots of every-day-ness, lots of unpacking, lots of school work, and of course preparations for Christmas. Christmas decorating at our house was super simple this year- we only put up our Christmas tree and my Willow Tree naivety. We just returned last night from spending time in the mountains with our families and my in-laws have currently traveled back home with us for a few days as well. So grateful for family time!

That leaves me with lots of pictures to share with you!

Time spent with friends.

Date nights.

Gorgeous views on these country roads.

Christmas lights in downtown Greensboro. An entire neighborhood hangs these light balls all over in the trees .. it creates a magical experience that I wasn't able to really capture on camera!

A trip to Boone with my hubby's youth to volunteer at Operation Christmas Child. We go every year and it is one of my favorite events of the Holiday season!

   Lots of Holiday gatherings, musical performances, and parties, including making Advent wreaths with the girl's small group at church and the youth Holiday party where even Santa made an appearance! 

And of course, the big event itself, Christmas! 

Best wishes to all as the Holiday season comes to a close .. and of course as we remember the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ our Lord. <3