My Christmas House Tour ~

Here is our house ready to go for the very fast approaching holiday. I decided to simplify a few things this year...enjoy!

I added our tour to the Christmas Tour of Homes with the Nester!

And It Is Up ~

Our tree is up awaiting gifts to be wrapped. I typically wait until the last minute and wrap them all at once, but this year - I am hoping to be a bit more on top of things and maybe (just maybe) start wrapping a few this weekend. Oh, and we have a Santa train that circles around the tree - my kiddos LOVE this. I am thinking this weekend as well!

Is your tree up yet? I hope you have a great weekend!

Funky Junk Interiors is having a Christmas Trees Unite Party and I linked up!
I linked our tree up to Thrifty Decor Chick's A Christmas Tree Party...oh how I love this time of year!

Displaying Candy Canes ~

Candy Canes are like the Candy Corn of Christmas. Just seeing those beautiful red and white twisted stripes - and instantly you think Christmas. Are you a Candy Cane fan? Do you have any great ways of displaying them at you house?Real Simple

Country Living

Better Homes & Gardens

Great Cookie Gift Idea ~

Here is what I was up to last night...

I decided this year to make a few gifts to hand out to neighbors, teachers and friends. When we were in Palm Springs this past October, our friends made "cake cookies" and they were amazing - I must say I have made them too many times since we have been home - so I decided these would make perfect gifts. I got the idea from the Bakerella when she made these Cowboy/Cowgirl Cookies.

The recipe - I don't even know if I can call it that because it is soooo easy:

1 box Cake Mix (I used white)
1 Cup Chopped Pecans (or any nut of any amount)
1/2 Chocolate Chips (or any flavor chips in any amount)

Preheat Oven to 350 Degrees.

Combine cake mix, nuts, chips. Add 1/2 cup oil, 2 eggs and 2 Tablespoons water. Drop by heaping Tablespoon onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Allow to cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet then move to cooling rack to complete cooling.
Enjoy!

I was hoping to make a batch for myself, but as luck would have it, our oven just stopped working! Do you have any gifts you make to pass out to close friends and family?

Fruit in Holiday Decor ~

I love the addition of fruit in holiday decorations and arrangements. Here are a few examples that inspired me.

Southern Accents


Good Housekeeping

Better Homes and Gardens


Real Simple

Traditional Home

Country Living