It's a shiny new....

I received so many wonderful gifts this year for Christmas, and I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am for all of them and for those that gave them to me.  I do have to tell you about the gift that was given to me and Jon that we both are so super excited about....a few hints first...

it's brand spanking new....

it's shiny candy apple red with chrome detailing...

it's got a strong motor...

and it looks like this...

Our very own KitchenAid Stand Mixer!!

 We have been wanting one of these for years!  I love to bake and Jon likes to cook so we will definitely put this baby to good use!  In fact, I couldn't wait to use it, so I opened it up the day after Christmas and this is what happened...

Delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. 

I found the recipe over at The Comfort of Cooking.  It is a recipe for The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, and I do have to admit that they are some of the best homemade cookies I have had.  For some reason my cookies always turn out flat, but flat or not, they were chewy and delicious!   Thanks Uncle Jimmy for the stand mixer!  I promise to send you something delicious whipped up by the new prized possession!

Reindeer Cake Pops

One night while aimlessly browsing Pinterest I came across a picture of some reindeer cake pops and of course "pinned it" to my  'experiments' board.  I love to make cake balls/pops and I love themes, so being able to turn a cake ball into a reindeer cake pop was right up my alley.  This past week while trying to decide what to do for my co-workers for Christmas, I came across my 'experiments' board on Pinterest and immediately knew that I wanted to make the cake pops.  Here is how they turned out...

< half the cake pops are dipped in chocolate >

< Rudolph with your nose so bright... >

< almost done >

< Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer >

I was pleased with how they turned out and now I want to make more "themed" cake pops.  We will see what I can find to do next...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

**this is one of our pics from our Christmas card this year**

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that you all feel blessed and overwhelmed with His love.   I know that I am very excited to spend this Christmas with my husband (this is our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs.) and our families.    I am also looking forward to the new year and to see what He has in store for us in 2012. 

"Glory to God in highest,  and peace on earth  to those with whom God is pleased."  Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in highest,  and peace on earth  to those with whom God is pleased."  Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in highest,  and peace on earth  to those with whom God is pleased."  Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in highest, 

and peace on earth 

to those with whom God is pleased." 

Luke 2:14

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

my true love gave to me...

Twelve drummers drumming

Eleven pipers piping, 

Ten lords-a-leaping

Nine ladies dancing, 

Eight maids-a-milking

Seven swans-a-swimming, 

Six geese-a-laying

Five golden rings,

Four calling birds

Three French hens, 

Two turtle doves

And a partridge in a pear tree!

This month's bunco was hosted 12 days before Christmas by Mary (@The Worry Bird) and it was very fitting to have the theme be the twelve days of Christmas.  Each player was given a specific day and was encouraged to be creative with her outfit.  I know that Mary was nervous/worried about everything turning out good, and I have to say that it wasn't good, it was great!  The food was delicious!  She served mini lasagnas, ham sandwiches, spinach dip, oreo truffles, chocolate chip cookies, and a toffee dip with apples.  Yummy! I think I got a little sugar high, but it was well worth it!  She was super creative with her prizes and favors.  The prizes were given in popcorn containers and consisted of candy and a gift card to The Robinson Film Center, but of course I didn't win!  For favors, we each got a box of chocolate and a super cute bunco ornament that Mary made.  (We told her she needed to set up an etsy shop and sell those ornaments!)  

Here are a few pictures from the night...

-the whole crew-

-(from left to right)-
-the partridge in a pear tree-
-the turtle dove-
-the french hen-
-the calling bird-

-(from left to right)-
-the golden rings-
-the geese-a-laying-
-the swan-a-swimming-
-the maid-a-milking (yours truly)-

-the piper piping-
-the lady dancing-

-me and the french hen-
-(I was being inappropriate and milking my teat)-

-my sweet friend Alissa joined us this month and was the turtle dove-

Like I always say, we have so much fun at bunco and always look forward to the next month!

Dear Santa

All I want for Christmas...

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

and please send my husband one of these...

via

before you head back up the chimney

Annabelle would surely like a new one of these...

via

and Charley would love to snuggle up on this...

via

Thanks in advance!

Love always,

Trim the Tree

Every year Jon and I look forward to getting a Christmas tree.  We go all out with the real deal, no fake stuff for us.  We stop at numerous tree stands to check out what they have before we make our decision.  Jon is more particular about the tree than I am, but I do appreciate a pretty tree.  This year we decided to buy a Noble Fir and we actually found the prettiest one at Home Depot.   I was so excited about it!  We loaded it up and headed home.  Once we got home I realized that the ornaments we had were not going to be sufficient, so I headed to Hobby Lobby and racked up on the 50% off Christmas ornaments sale they were having.  Saturday night Jon and I went to work on decorating the tree.  He is always in charge of putting the lights on it, because he does a fantastic job!  I usually put most of the ornaments on, and he tops it off with the star.  It is something we really enjoy doing together, and I hope that we are able to continue on with this tradition every year!

{the tree}

{the tree with lights}

{old and new ornaments}

{the decorated tree}

{all lit up}

{up close of some of the ornaments}

{the little LSU tree I decorate every year}
GEAUX TIGERS!!

{baby girl is tired from all the decorating}

{sweet boy was checking out the camera}

This morning when I got home from work the first thing I smelled was the aroma of fresh Christmas tree, and it definitely made me feel all warm and giddy inside.  I guess slowly but surely I will get in the Christmas spirit this year! I am looking forward to the next couple of days off so that I can curl up on the couch, with the Christmas tree glowing, maybe a fire burning, possibly a glass of wine in hand, and my husband right next to me!! :)

Happy Birthday FIL!

This past Saturday Jon and I had the opportunity to have his side of the family over to our house to celebrate his father's 70th birthday.  We invited Jon's two sisters and their families and also Jon's dad's brother and his wife.  Everyone was able to make it and we were very excited about that.  We really enjoyed being able to see everyone and spend time with them.  I know that Jon's dad also had a wonderful time and that it meant the world to him for everyone to be there in his honor.  I was in charge of appetizers so I went to researching some new things that I could make and I came up with the following: Spicy Sausage Dip served with Ritz crackers and pita chips, Crack Dip served with pita chips, Drunk Dogs, and Pizza Bites. (I'll post recipes later.)  They were all a big hit!  Jon's brother in law, Bill, was in charge of the gumbo and rice and it was delicious!   How could I forget to mention that we watched the LSU Tigers beat the Georgia Bulldogs!! Now the Tigers are headed to the National Championship to whoop up on the Bama Crimson Tide again! :)    Overall, it was a really great time and a moment that I know that the FIL (Father-In-Law) will cherish for years to come!

[Jeff, Regina, and Ron (the FIL)]

[Jon with his sister Cindy and her hubby Bill]

[Happy Birthday to you!!]

[Jon's dad with his pretty and yummy cake- doesn't he make 70 look good!]

[Jon's sister Regina with her daughter, Anna Leigh, and Cindy's daughter, Abby]

[me and the MIL]

[the dad with his children!]

Jon's dad is one the kindest men I have ever met.  He has a big heart of gold and is always looking out for what's best for Jon and me.  He is a great man of God and a wonderful role-model.  He even plays tennis multiple times a week! :)

We turn not older with years, but newer every day.  ~Emily Dickinson