This is oatmeal at its finest!
Last October, my dearest friends from college and I all got together for a weekend in Norman, OK. While there, Shannon (our host) took us to a restaurant called Turquoise Cafe for breakfast. It was there that we had this wonderful dessert. I mean breakfast. It is THAT good! So I decided to try and replicate the oatmeal at home, and this is what I have come up with!
It tastes great, it looks pretty, and it uses a culinary torch (the fun part!) So give it a try this weekend and let me know what you think!
Oh...this recipe can be catered to your serving needs. The Crème Anglaise serves 6-10 and the rest of the ingredients (based on how you purchase them) will serve even more than that. You can make the sauce in advance and keep chilled so that everything is ready to assemble when you're ready to eat!
Oatmeal Brulée
oatmeal (I use Quaker Old Fashioned Oatmeal)
walnuts, chopped and toasted
dried cranberries
1-2 slices of dried mango per serving (I like the Mariani brand)
brown sugar
Crème Anglaise (recipe follows)
1. Cook the oatmeal according to package directions and according to the number of servings you need. I like to add the walnuts to the oatmeal towards the end of cooking, but you can add them on top later if you prefer.
2. While oatmeal is cooking, slice the dried mango into thin strips.
3. Distribute each serving of oatmeal onto deep plates. Top with cranberries and walnuts.
4. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar on top of each serving of oatmeal and slightly flatten with the back of a spoon. Using a culinary torch, pass the flame evenly over the brown sugar until the sugar melts and turns light brown in places. The sugar will harden when cool.
5. Sprinkle dried mango slices on top of the melted sugar. Pour crème anglaise in a pool around the oatmeal. Serve immediately.
Crème Anglaise*
6 large egg yolks
1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
(You can substitute 2 cups whole milk OR 2 cups half-and-half for the milk and cream above.)
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until slightly thickened.
2. In a medium saucepan, pour milk and cook over medium heat, stirring, until bubbles form around the edges. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the bowl of egg yolks and sugar. Return this mixture to the saucepan.
3. Rinse out and dry the bowl, then set a fine sieve over the top.
4. Place the saucepan over low heat. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir the sauce gently but constantly, reaching the entire bottom of pan. As soon as the sauce is slightly thickened, remove the pan from the heat and stir gently for 2 minutes to complete the cooking. The sauce should be the consistency of heavy cream and read around 170° on a thermometer. Pour the sauce through the sieve and let cool for 10 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent a skin from forming on the surface.
5. Stir in vanilla. Serve warm with Oatmeal Brulée.
Yields about 2 cups, 6-10 servings.
*Recipe is from The Joy of Cooking. This sauce can be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Allow to completely cool before covering and placing in refrigerator. To warm the sauce, set the container of sauce in hot, but not boiling, water and stir until warmed through.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Variety is the spice of life
So they say.
1. It's been awhile since I posted anything scrappy, so here is a layout from awhile ago...I love the pictures of Hadleigh in it!
2. I cleaned off my desk/scrap space in our office and I'm feeling better and more organized and productive already!
3. I am so glad that socks are easily and inexpensively come by these days...if I had to darn every sock that got a hole in our family, I would have no time for anything else. And it makes me sad, because so many of my favorite socks are just about ready for the trash can...or to be recycled by Brent for staining wood projects.
4. I have yet another cold...so does Brent...so we're starting to wonder if we have allergies...oh, to be able to breathe through my nose!
5. There are children playing outside my window on our cul-de-sac. Fun! It's been awhile since anyone stayed outside for very long...the temperature report on my desktop says 49 degrees.
6. Hadleigh really enjoys wearing tights...I worried that she wouldn't because she loves taking off her socks all the time, but if we take them off for naptime or something, she always asks to put them back on....I'm glad, since I like her in dresses so much!
7. Speaking of which...what is it about Gymboree dresses that make them unwrinkley? I never have to iron those...and that, Martha, is a good thing.
8. We're having Chicken Enchilada soup tonight...yummy!
9. I got a sweet surprise in the mail today from Kelli...some Rhonna Farrer stamps she talked about here. Thank you, sweet friend!
10. My sister Katy is coming to visit us this weekend...and I am SO excited!
11. What a great response to the mascara dilemma! Jillian and Hilary, I have tried that brand and it just doesn't work for me. Marianne and Kelli...I will have to try out your recommendations and let you know!
12. Tomorrow I'm sharing a fabulous breakfast recipe with all of you...so stay tuned! It's yummy and fun to make!
1. It's been awhile since I posted anything scrappy, so here is a layout from awhile ago...I love the pictures of Hadleigh in it!
2. I cleaned off my desk/scrap space in our office and I'm feeling better and more organized and productive already!
3. I am so glad that socks are easily and inexpensively come by these days...if I had to darn every sock that got a hole in our family, I would have no time for anything else. And it makes me sad, because so many of my favorite socks are just about ready for the trash can...or to be recycled by Brent for staining wood projects.
4. I have yet another cold...so does Brent...so we're starting to wonder if we have allergies...oh, to be able to breathe through my nose!
5. There are children playing outside my window on our cul-de-sac. Fun! It's been awhile since anyone stayed outside for very long...the temperature report on my desktop says 49 degrees.
6. Hadleigh really enjoys wearing tights...I worried that she wouldn't because she loves taking off her socks all the time, but if we take them off for naptime or something, she always asks to put them back on....I'm glad, since I like her in dresses so much!
7. Speaking of which...what is it about Gymboree dresses that make them unwrinkley? I never have to iron those...and that, Martha, is a good thing.
8. We're having Chicken Enchilada soup tonight...yummy!
9. I got a sweet surprise in the mail today from Kelli...some Rhonna Farrer stamps she talked about here. Thank you, sweet friend!
10. My sister Katy is coming to visit us this weekend...and I am SO excited!
11. What a great response to the mascara dilemma! Jillian and Hilary, I have tried that brand and it just doesn't work for me. Marianne and Kelli...I will have to try out your recommendations and let you know!
12. Tomorrow I'm sharing a fabulous breakfast recipe with all of you...so stay tuned! It's yummy and fun to make!
Monday, January 22, 2007
In search of
the perfect mascara.
I don't really think much about good/bad hair days...I guess that's one blessing about stick-straight long hair...it doesn't do much but be straight...and a ponytail is always an option.
But I really don't like bad mascara days...do you know what I mean? Mascara is the one thing that I always use...every day...even if I'm not leaving the house and just wearing pajamas. Something about wearing mascara makes me feel more awake.
And in case you are wondering about the history of mascara, click here.
I only wear black mascara...although I always spend forever deciding which one to try and then get home and realize that I accidentally picked up the brown-black one or the navy one or even the purple one.
I don't like waterproof mascara.
I like mascara that comes off easily in water but doesn't run onto your lower lids and look like watercolor paint that is impossible to get off without staining your towels.
I usually just buy drugstore brand mascara but I wouldn't mind paying a little more for beauty counter brands if it worked wonderfully.
I don't like my lashes so thick that they all stick together...but I don't like them thin either.
And I can never remember which brand/style that I like in order to buy a second one, so I might just have to blog about the one I choose, that way I'll have a record of it :)
As you have probably guessed, today is not the greatest of mascara days. Anyone have any suggestions? (And by the way, my mom informed me that lots of you friends from Asheville days read this and don't comment...so you need to comment, okay? Then I can email you or blog you back and then we can be in touch, see?)
I don't really think much about good/bad hair days...I guess that's one blessing about stick-straight long hair...it doesn't do much but be straight...and a ponytail is always an option.
But I really don't like bad mascara days...do you know what I mean? Mascara is the one thing that I always use...every day...even if I'm not leaving the house and just wearing pajamas. Something about wearing mascara makes me feel more awake.
And in case you are wondering about the history of mascara, click here.
I only wear black mascara...although I always spend forever deciding which one to try and then get home and realize that I accidentally picked up the brown-black one or the navy one or even the purple one.
I don't like waterproof mascara.
I like mascara that comes off easily in water but doesn't run onto your lower lids and look like watercolor paint that is impossible to get off without staining your towels.
I usually just buy drugstore brand mascara but I wouldn't mind paying a little more for beauty counter brands if it worked wonderfully.
I don't like my lashes so thick that they all stick together...but I don't like them thin either.
And I can never remember which brand/style that I like in order to buy a second one, so I might just have to blog about the one I choose, that way I'll have a record of it :)
As you have probably guessed, today is not the greatest of mascara days. Anyone have any suggestions? (And by the way, my mom informed me that lots of you friends from Asheville days read this and don't comment...so you need to comment, okay? Then I can email you or blog you back and then we can be in touch, see?)
Thursday, January 11, 2007
So it goes
Hadleigh loves wearing sunglasses in the car...for a long time she wore them upside down and it always made me smile!
The glasses in the picture above are the first pair in about 4 that have not broken. I'm not sure how well the pink lenses shield her eyes from the sun, but she likes them and they're in one piece, and right now, I guess they'll do.
A few weeks ago, I noticed that they were missing. They usually stay in the pocket of the seat in front of her car seat, but I looked everywhere and could not find them. I guessed they had fallen out of the car at some point.
So today while at Target, I bought a pair of pink ones that I thought she would like (these have dark lenses that may actually shield her from the sun!)
When we got home, she spotted her empty Twinings tea canister (for her play kitchen) in the garage and went over to get it. When she shook it, it made a noise (side note: Hadleigh is obsessed with noises. Any noise she hears, she needs an explanation for. She's not usually scared of the noise but curious...) So when we opened the tin to discover what was making the noise, you guessed it. Her old sunglasses.
Does this happen to you too? It seems like as soon as I find a replacement for something I lost, the original turns up.
And, indulge me, the weather channel is calling for a high of 70 degrees today. Crazy. Hello, it's January. And tomorrow? Oh, the 30's with ice and wintry mixes through the weekend, 30ish highs through at least next Wednesday! Bring on the snow! I am crossing my fingers, having Brent bring firewood to the back porch, and hoping that the weatherman's predictions are true!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Coffee Bean Cookies
Wow...three posts in as many days, who would have guessed? I guess I'm off to a good start in 2007! Got lots to do still while it's naptime (and Brent is coming home early!) but I wanted to share this recipe.
It's an "adult" cookie...for the coffee lover in your life! I got the recipe off of a friend's website (she's a Southern Living at Home consultant) and it is really yummy! Great with a cold glass of milk or hot coffee! I hope you enjoy them!
Coffee Bean Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped almonds, toasted
1 cup chocolate-covered coffee beans
4 toffee candy bars, chopped
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla.
2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients. Add to butter mixture. Stir in almonds, beans, and toffee pieces. Cover and chill, if desired.
3. Drop dough by teaspoonfulls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes until golden. Cool 1 minute on baking sheet; remove to rack to cool completely.
Yields 4 dozen
It's an "adult" cookie...for the coffee lover in your life! I got the recipe off of a friend's website (she's a Southern Living at Home consultant) and it is really yummy! Great with a cold glass of milk or hot coffee! I hope you enjoy them!
Coffee Bean Cookies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup chopped almonds, toasted
1 cup chocolate-covered coffee beans
4 toffee candy bars, chopped
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and shortening at medium speed until creamy; gradually add sugars, beating well. Add eggs and vanilla.
2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients. Add to butter mixture. Stir in almonds, beans, and toffee pieces. Cover and chill, if desired.
3. Drop dough by teaspoonfulls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes until golden. Cool 1 minute on baking sheet; remove to rack to cool completely.
Yields 4 dozen
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Stain Fairy
So here's a little story about that yummy chicken enchilada soup recipe I gave you a month or two ago and a favorite blue shirt of mine.
This shirt is just a t-shirt. Nothing too special...it's from Gap I think. But it is the perfect color and neckline to go under this blue cardigan sweater that I love to wear. (This sweater by the way, was an {incredible} find at Ann Taylor. Super deal. Dressy. Casual. I love this sweater.)
I may have failed to mention that you should wear an apron while cooking and eating this soup. While stirring the soup, it splattered and left a fairly decent-sized orange spot on my shirt. Darn.
Later, I began to wash the shirt. I used my trusty Shout on the stain. Wash. Stain. I try Zout. Wash. Stain. I try Zout scrubbed in with my trusty Shout brushy-thing. Wash. Stain. You get the picture. The stain doesn't even fade. I probably washed the shirt about 6-8 times, never putting it in the dryer. I really want the stain to come out but I gave up for a little while. I must do other things besides laundry, you know.
So I folded the shirt (still wet) over a hanger and hang it in my laundry room. Then we go on Christmas vacation. I forget about my shirt slightly...I was a little disappointed I couldn't travel with the sweater, but oh well.
Three weeks go by.
Yesterday, while doing the laundry from our trip, I see my blue shirt hanging there and think to myself, I'll try it one more time. So I pick it up to slather more Shout on the stain, and to my surprise and delight:
There is NO stain. Not anywhere. I am baffled. And happy.
I like my stain fairy. (Any idea how she operates?)
This shirt is just a t-shirt. Nothing too special...it's from Gap I think. But it is the perfect color and neckline to go under this blue cardigan sweater that I love to wear. (This sweater by the way, was an {incredible} find at Ann Taylor. Super deal. Dressy. Casual. I love this sweater.)
I may have failed to mention that you should wear an apron while cooking and eating this soup. While stirring the soup, it splattered and left a fairly decent-sized orange spot on my shirt. Darn.
Later, I began to wash the shirt. I used my trusty Shout on the stain. Wash. Stain. I try Zout. Wash. Stain. I try Zout scrubbed in with my trusty Shout brushy-thing. Wash. Stain. You get the picture. The stain doesn't even fade. I probably washed the shirt about 6-8 times, never putting it in the dryer. I really want the stain to come out but I gave up for a little while. I must do other things besides laundry, you know.
So I folded the shirt (still wet) over a hanger and hang it in my laundry room. Then we go on Christmas vacation. I forget about my shirt slightly...I was a little disappointed I couldn't travel with the sweater, but oh well.
Three weeks go by.
Yesterday, while doing the laundry from our trip, I see my blue shirt hanging there and think to myself, I'll try it one more time. So I pick it up to slather more Shout on the stain, and to my surprise and delight:
There is NO stain. Not anywhere. I am baffled. And happy.
I like my stain fairy. (Any idea how she operates?)
Monday, January 08, 2007
Home.
Isn't it wonderful to go "home again" for Christmas...family...old familiar places and faces...special memories...
And isn't it wonderful to BE home again? Aside from all the unpacking and cleaning and settling back into our routine that goes hand in hand with returning from a three week vacation, I am glad to be home!
We had a very special time with both of our families...here's a list of some of my favorite highlights:
-taking the kiddos to see the gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn!
-cooking with Mom and Katy (my sister).(Mom agreed to share her peppermint cloud recipe, for those of you who asked...so I'll be posting it soon!)
-taking pictures of Hadleigh and Mom gathering pinecones to make treats for the birds.
-getting a pedicure with Mom at the Grove Park Inn Spa...seriously, fabulous. I would take one of these pedicures over 12 "regular" pedis any day. Can't wait to go again sometime...and next time we're taking my sister too!
-roasting marshmallows over the firepit at Brent's parents home.
-watching Hadleigh explore outside...I don't think she gets her love of outdoors from me :) She could stay out there all day, sun or snow!
-learning that Brent's brother and his wife are expecting number four!!!
-a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway on the most gorgeous New Year's Day EVER.
-an evening of chocolate fondue and games with both of our parents and Katy.
-watching Nathanael take his very first steps!!!
-Hadleigh and her cousin Sarah-Kate hugging while jumping on the trampoline...so cute!
-And I was excited to find under the tree for me...Photoshop Elements (from Brent) and a Cricut cutting machine from my parents! Now I just need to find time to figure both of them out!
And as for things I'd love to forget from our travels...we all got a yucky stomach bug while with my family (everyone but Nathanael and my brother Michael) and then we all caught colds while we were with Brent's family!
I have more pictures to share, but Blogger won't let me do more than two right now, so I'll post them later. Lots to blog about...with a resolution to keep all of you informed and entertained more often :)
I hope you are all having a wonderful New Year so far!
And isn't it wonderful to BE home again? Aside from all the unpacking and cleaning and settling back into our routine that goes hand in hand with returning from a three week vacation, I am glad to be home!
We had a very special time with both of our families...here's a list of some of my favorite highlights:
-taking the kiddos to see the gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn!
-cooking with Mom and Katy (my sister).(Mom agreed to share her peppermint cloud recipe, for those of you who asked...so I'll be posting it soon!)
-taking pictures of Hadleigh and Mom gathering pinecones to make treats for the birds.
-getting a pedicure with Mom at the Grove Park Inn Spa...seriously, fabulous. I would take one of these pedicures over 12 "regular" pedis any day. Can't wait to go again sometime...and next time we're taking my sister too!
-roasting marshmallows over the firepit at Brent's parents home.
-watching Hadleigh explore outside...I don't think she gets her love of outdoors from me :) She could stay out there all day, sun or snow!
-learning that Brent's brother and his wife are expecting number four!!!
-a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway on the most gorgeous New Year's Day EVER.
-an evening of chocolate fondue and games with both of our parents and Katy.
-watching Nathanael take his very first steps!!!
-Hadleigh and her cousin Sarah-Kate hugging while jumping on the trampoline...so cute!
-And I was excited to find under the tree for me...Photoshop Elements (from Brent) and a Cricut cutting machine from my parents! Now I just need to find time to figure both of them out!
And as for things I'd love to forget from our travels...we all got a yucky stomach bug while with my family (everyone but Nathanael and my brother Michael) and then we all caught colds while we were with Brent's family!
I have more pictures to share, but Blogger won't let me do more than two right now, so I'll post them later. Lots to blog about...with a resolution to keep all of you informed and entertained more often :)
I hope you are all having a wonderful New Year so far!
Friday, December 15, 2006
A Christmas Game of Tag
I've been tagged by Kelli!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Mmm...I like both, depending on my mood...but I love hot chocolate with whipped cream on top!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa gifts sit unwrapped under the tree!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I love white lights the best!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.
5. When do you put up your decorations? Since we usually travel over Christmas, we decorate the week after Thanksgiving...I love decorating for Christmas!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Sweet Potato Casserole...the kind with pecan streusel on top...no marshmallows for me.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Okay, I have two: when I was six or seven, Mom and Dad built this fort in the living room out of the large waffle blocks that were part of my brother's presents...our Santa gifts were arranged in and around the fort. It was magical! And then for many, many years (I'm the oldest of four children) all four of us would secretly stockpile blankets and pillows and stuffed animals in our front coat closet so that we could hide there at night to watch for Santa. I don't think we ever did sleep in it, but the anticipation and planning each Christmas Eve day was so much fun. Even now as an adult, I miss doing that!
8. When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? I don't remember exactly, although I think I held on for a long time so that it was still special for my little brother and sister.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Well, we celebrate Christmas Eve with my husband's family, so we open those gifts Christmas Eve and then gifts with my family Christmas Day.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Together as a family...hopefully with a fire and egg nog and Christmas music!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love the snow. I always wish for a white Christmas!
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but only forward :) When I was little I wanted to be a figure skater!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Growing up, I loved getting clothes and accessories for my American Girl dolls.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family and teaching our children about the greatest gift ever given--Jesus Christ.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My mom makes a delicious dessert: Peppermint ice cream served in a pink meringue bowl, topped with homemade hot fudge and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy. It's SO good!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? This year, we have started Advent devotions and I think that is becoming my favorite tradition. And growing up, we always read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before going to sleep Christmas Eve, then wake up early, open stockings first without peeking at the tree, then read the account of Christ's birth before opening gifts. I love that tradition.
I am tagging Hilary, Marianne, and Jillian!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Mmm...I like both, depending on my mood...but I love hot chocolate with whipped cream on top!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa gifts sit unwrapped under the tree!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? I love white lights the best!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.
5. When do you put up your decorations? Since we usually travel over Christmas, we decorate the week after Thanksgiving...I love decorating for Christmas!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Sweet Potato Casserole...the kind with pecan streusel on top...no marshmallows for me.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Okay, I have two: when I was six or seven, Mom and Dad built this fort in the living room out of the large waffle blocks that were part of my brother's presents...our Santa gifts were arranged in and around the fort. It was magical! And then for many, many years (I'm the oldest of four children) all four of us would secretly stockpile blankets and pillows and stuffed animals in our front coat closet so that we could hide there at night to watch for Santa. I don't think we ever did sleep in it, but the anticipation and planning each Christmas Eve day was so much fun. Even now as an adult, I miss doing that!
8. When and how did you learn that Santa isn't real? I don't remember exactly, although I think I held on for a long time so that it was still special for my little brother and sister.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Well, we celebrate Christmas Eve with my husband's family, so we open those gifts Christmas Eve and then gifts with my family Christmas Day.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Together as a family...hopefully with a fire and egg nog and Christmas music!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love the snow. I always wish for a white Christmas!
12. Can you ice skate? Yes, but only forward :) When I was little I wanted to be a figure skater!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Growing up, I loved getting clothes and accessories for my American Girl dolls.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family and teaching our children about the greatest gift ever given--Jesus Christ.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My mom makes a delicious dessert: Peppermint ice cream served in a pink meringue bowl, topped with homemade hot fudge and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candy. It's SO good!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? This year, we have started Advent devotions and I think that is becoming my favorite tradition. And growing up, we always read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before going to sleep Christmas Eve, then wake up early, open stockings first without peeking at the tree, then read the account of Christ's birth before opening gifts. I love that tradition.
I am tagging Hilary, Marianne, and Jillian!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Winners...
Yes, that is plural! It's Christmas, after all!
The winner of the Cottage Living subscription is Jillian Marie! And the winner of an assortment of scrapbooking goodies is Juli! Ladies, please email me your addresses!
And thanks to all who shared their traditions...I had lots of fun reading them! And I got some good ideas :)
This was fun...I will have to do it again soon!
The winner of the Cottage Living subscription is Jillian Marie! And the winner of an assortment of scrapbooking goodies is Juli! Ladies, please email me your addresses!
And thanks to all who shared their traditions...I had lots of fun reading them! And I got some good ideas :)
This was fun...I will have to do it again soon!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Around our house...
it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! (By the way...this is a long post...but if you make it to the end, you could be a winner!)
This is a picture of the first Christmas tree Brent and I decorated together! I love this picture even though it's a little blurry because I have such wonderful memories of our first Christmas married! That tree doesn't have as many ornaments as ours does now...but I love the way it looks against the red walls in our first home (I miss our red walls!) I love thinking about how I strung cranberries for the first time...but gave up on stringing enough for our tree and settled on making a garland along the curtain rod (which stayed there for many months!) I love remembering how many pictures I made Brent take with the self-timer and tripod...SO thankful for our first digital camera that let me know I needed to change sweaters and socks to get a good picture! :) (That might not be Brent's favorite memory!) I can still remember the taste of the Steak and Lobster Bercy Christmas meal that we made...a tradition we began that we have tweaked a little since. (We still have a special meal with "our family" before leaving to celebrate with extended families...but we haven't done lobster since our second Christmas...might have to change that next year!) Special memories!
Our house is decorated...although I have to admit that our luck with trees in Texas is not so good. While still green and twinkling, our tree is very dry, which makes me sad...I think it is the time it takes to ship fresh trees all the way here...a friend told me about a tree farm nearby (who would have guessed it?) and I think we will try there next year if we are still in Texas. Last week we received the wreath that Mom and Dad ship us every year from the mountains of North Carolina...{sigh}...it is fresh and green and smells absolutely wonderful! I love to open the door just to smell it...for a few minutes I am transported back to the Appalachian Mountains.
Today we got a bunch of Christmas cards...I love getting Christmas cards...I am so glad that even with email, people still take time to send personal cards in the mail! And for those of you expecting cards from us don't worry, I'm almost done with our Christmas cards...just waiting on the pictures to arrive!
We are spending lots of evenings driving around looking at the lights...this is Hadleigh's request every evening! Her favorites are the big inflated snowmen...and we are on a constant search for them...ready for the next one before the last is out of sight. She also likes to look for Baby Jesus when people have a nativity in their yard. She and Nathanael have had so much fun playing with the Little People Nativity we got this year...a good teaching tool as we've been reading our advent devotions!
And in the spirit of giving, I thought I would do my first blog giveaway...tell me what one of your favorite Christmas traditions is and tomorrow, I will randomly select a winner to receive a one year subscription to Cottage Living, one of my very favorite magazines! (Please leave your email in the comment and make sure to check back Tuesday night so that I can get the subscription registered before I leave for Christmas (less than a week now!)) Can't wait to read about your traditions!
This is a picture of the first Christmas tree Brent and I decorated together! I love this picture even though it's a little blurry because I have such wonderful memories of our first Christmas married! That tree doesn't have as many ornaments as ours does now...but I love the way it looks against the red walls in our first home (I miss our red walls!) I love thinking about how I strung cranberries for the first time...but gave up on stringing enough for our tree and settled on making a garland along the curtain rod (which stayed there for many months!) I love remembering how many pictures I made Brent take with the self-timer and tripod...SO thankful for our first digital camera that let me know I needed to change sweaters and socks to get a good picture! :) (That might not be Brent's favorite memory!) I can still remember the taste of the Steak and Lobster Bercy Christmas meal that we made...a tradition we began that we have tweaked a little since. (We still have a special meal with "our family" before leaving to celebrate with extended families...but we haven't done lobster since our second Christmas...might have to change that next year!) Special memories!
Our house is decorated...although I have to admit that our luck with trees in Texas is not so good. While still green and twinkling, our tree is very dry, which makes me sad...I think it is the time it takes to ship fresh trees all the way here...a friend told me about a tree farm nearby (who would have guessed it?) and I think we will try there next year if we are still in Texas. Last week we received the wreath that Mom and Dad ship us every year from the mountains of North Carolina...{sigh}...it is fresh and green and smells absolutely wonderful! I love to open the door just to smell it...for a few minutes I am transported back to the Appalachian Mountains.
Today we got a bunch of Christmas cards...I love getting Christmas cards...I am so glad that even with email, people still take time to send personal cards in the mail! And for those of you expecting cards from us don't worry, I'm almost done with our Christmas cards...just waiting on the pictures to arrive!
We are spending lots of evenings driving around looking at the lights...this is Hadleigh's request every evening! Her favorites are the big inflated snowmen...and we are on a constant search for them...ready for the next one before the last is out of sight. She also likes to look for Baby Jesus when people have a nativity in their yard. She and Nathanael have had so much fun playing with the Little People Nativity we got this year...a good teaching tool as we've been reading our advent devotions!
And in the spirit of giving, I thought I would do my first blog giveaway...tell me what one of your favorite Christmas traditions is and tomorrow, I will randomly select a winner to receive a one year subscription to Cottage Living, one of my very favorite magazines! (Please leave your email in the comment and make sure to check back Tuesday night so that I can get the subscription registered before I leave for Christmas (less than a week now!)) Can't wait to read about your traditions!
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