Needing Something Light

How were everyone's holidays? Ours were amazing! In fact, we're still in Texas, visiting family. My amazing MIL has gotten me hooked on Pinterest. Just where have I been? This might be my favorite site ever!!

We've been cooking and baking a lot. Honestly I'm starting to feel a little stuffed. Like we've had a bit too much good food. You know, holiday food. Filled with lots of yumminess, and calories. I'm craving something delicious, and light. So is my MIL. We took to Pinterest, for a little inspiration.



Doesn't this look wonderful? We thought so! And since our men are fully engrossed, in all things sports, we're completely involved in all things food. Don't tell them, but tonight, we're having a super healthy meal. With this as dessert! If only the link had worked, but it doesn't look too tough, to duplicate. I can't wait to have some fruit!! ♥E

Enjoying Life

Matilda is nearly 2 weeks old! It's been pure bliss around here. :) Our house is currently, full of our loved ones. And we really are loving it!

Having so much of our family around, has been a blessing. It's allowed Paul and I, to get some rest. We have tons of help! And we have knowledgeable people, to turn to, when we have a question! I'm so thankful!

It's also given me, a bit of time to remember those things I didn't get done, before Matilda was born. My parents, managed to find our Christmas decorations. And pulled them out for us. My in-laws have thoroughly stocked our fridge. And my MIL has cooked us many meals, and froze them, for when everyone goes home.

My sisters have managed, to get our holiday donations, to the local Children's home. Paul sent the mail, that I never managed to get to the Post Office. And my SIL bought that CD, that I wanted for the nursery. I swear to you, I had a list! There were just certain things, that well, fell in the cracks.

One of those things, is this hat. My parents still live in the mountains. And we plan on visiting them, in about a month. That means, Miss Matilda, is going to need some warm clothes. Not like we're lacking or anything. I mean, Lola made us so many things! Everyone gifted us, with so much! But I had wanted to make an earflap hat, for my sweet girl.



This hat is a little large. I asked Lola to help me a bit. And she shrank the pattern, to make a more "newborn appropriate" hat. And because I've become a bit of a "yarn hoarder," I have exactly what I need! I'm hoping, I can get a hat done, for Matilda. With all this help, and over a month, I think we can have some success!

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy these early days of mommyhood. And all our family. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving. And long afternoon naps, with the sweetest girl I know! ♥E

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! We're excited about today. It's one of Paul and I's favorite holidays. We're actually getting ready to grill. Or I should say, Paul is getting ready to grill. :)

My parents came down too. And tonight we're going to go see the Electrical Parade. So much fun! It reminds me of when we were in college. We would go every year. That's part of the fun of living in a small town.

But you can never forget the people that make it possible. The men and women who are out there fighting for our lives, our freedoms, and our safety. To you, I say Thank You! It means the world to me to be an American. ♥E

Holiday Makeup

I'm really getting into the holiday spirit. And watching all these YouTube videos is making me want to dress up every day. Even if I'm just spending my days and nights at home. But I'm really enjoying it.

I wish I was better at makeup. I'm nowhere near Manders. But after watching some videos, I'm feeling a little adventurous. And I want to try this look. What do you think? I don't think it's too dramatic. And I'm pretty sure I can pull it off. I just need to practice. ♥E

Christmas Cookies in a Jar

Earlier this week, I was looking for a good cookie recipe. I really wanted to bake cookies. And I'm going to admit it, we still haven't finished unpacking. So I couldn't find my holiday recipes. I decide to go looking around All Recipes. And I found this recipe.



I immediately thought that this idea would be great for some holiday gifts. For our friends. Who doesn't like a good cookie? And even for some of our family. So I'm going to get started. I have a bunch to make! But I did manage to bake some cookies for Paul and I. They were delicious! I think you should try out this recipe too. But if you're not into sweet cookies, I'd half the chocolate chips. ♥E

Ingredients

1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup orange flavored dried cranberries
1 cup vanilla or white chips


ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions

1.In a 1-qt. glass jar, layer the sugar and brown sugar, packing well between each layer. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; spoon into jar. Top with oats, cranberries and chips. Cover and store in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

2.To prepare cookies: Pour cookie mix into a large mixing bowl; stir to combine. Beat in butter, egg and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Drop by the tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

This and That

There is so much going on lately. There is a local Children's Home that is asking for little things for the kids. Things like crayons, bubbles, and small toys. So Paul and I decided to spend $100 on things for these kids. You know, it feels better to do something for someone else. And we can both do without a present or 2 for Christmas. This is much more important. If you want to help out, just send me an email and I'll send you the information. Now I just need to go shopping.



Paul and Antonio had to split up the guys dogs. The BBs are in Las Vegas. And we agreed to watch their dogs. That's 2-3 dogs a guy! Wow! Can you say "Dog City" around here? But it's been fun. I've been trying to spend 2 hours with them in the morning. We go outside and run around. Or they run around and I try to workout. Then Paul runs around with them when he gets home from work. Let's just say, our dogs are having a lot of fun with their visitors. :)

And we're trying to get ready for the holidays. It's been so busy around here. I've been doing some shopping on and off. But we really need to schedule out a day to go shopping. I have a list. And slowly but surely, we're making our way through it. And I'm even managing to keep up with the wrapping. I think we're doing pretty good. How are you doing on you holiday shopping? ♥E

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I just love Thanksgiving for all the yummy food. J gave all his employees fresh turkeys. And Paul cooked ours. Amazing! We really out did ourselves this year. And we cooked like we were expecting an Army! It was just the 2 of us. :)

Now we're going through the ads. Looks like it's going to be an early morning for us tomorrow. But we enjoy the crazy shopping. And the good breakfast we usually go out to have afterward. I really can't wait to have a leftover turkey sandwich tomorrow too!

Right now, my belly is stuffed! Oh my! Everything was so delicious. And I'm still considering some more pumpkin pie. :) But I really want to say how much all of our friends and family mean to Paul and I. It's been a crazy few months. And you've stuck behind us. It means so much to us! Thank you very much. This year, we're most thankful for all the people that love us. We really are blessed. ♥E

It's Beginning to Feel...

A lot like Christmas! Paul has been working on the lights outside for about 2 days. We're getting ready to put up our Christmas tree. It just feels amazing! I LOVE this time of year! It makes me feel like a kid again.

And we've been indulging a bit. I've been baking cookies and making hot chocolate. But it's just perfect for the cold weather that we've been having. I'm so excited! Little by little, I've been putting up the decorations in the house. Like the Nativity Scene and such. But the tree is the highlight of our decorating. I can't wait. I've even got Christmas music playing in the background. :) ♥E

Happy Halloween!

I'm so excited! It's Halloween today. And we're in Las Vegas. So much fun! Tonight we're heading to see our friends perform and we're so excited. I'm also anxious to see Lauren all dressed up. She keeps telling me about her costume.

We also have our event to go to tonight. Yes, Paul is working. But we'll have more than enough time to enjoy the holiday. This morning, we woke up to a big Halloween surprise from Lola. A basket full of yummy treats! She is an amazing friend. :)

I'm going to miss handing out candy. But this is going to be a fun day. I'm super excited! And the day is just beginning. But what can I say? I'm in love with this city and all the things we're getting to do! Happy Halloween! ♥E