5 Today ~

My darling kiddos are 5 today - I can't believe how time flies! 

My babies are not babies anymore - they are kind, funny, respectful, sweet little people. They remind us every year, right before Christmas, what is really important. 

Happy Birthday Diesel & Fia - 

We love you!

Our Christmas House ~

Decorating | Holiday Inspiration

I can't believe I haven't posted our holiday home yet - so here are a few shots to really get you in that holiday mood (insert Christmas music and eggnog latte here)...

I hope you have a merry weekend - We will be wrapping, partying and maybe a little snowshoeing!

Dressing Up a Stack of Books ~

DIY | Holiday Project Inspiration

I love books - old books, new books, stacking books. So I decided to dress up these guys for the holidays. 

I simply started with a few pieces of sheet music (yes, I still am using the 2 books I purchased from Goodwill forever ago) and a little glitter.

I rolled up the sheet music and added some glitter to the edges.

I then printed and cut out "i believe", added a bow and some jewels and placed it on my stack of books.

Super easy and quick. You could use any paper and ribbon you had on hand. 

Just a fun way to dress up a little corner of your home.

A Vote Please (pretty please) ~

I just added a few projects to the ReadyMade 100 contest and was wondering if you would be so kind to vote for your favorite - the contest closes at midnight Wednesday the 15th!

Here are the projects I submitted:

Dresser with a New Look

Rustic Lazy Susan

Vase Turned Cloche

Harlequin Fun

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Our Tree ~

Here is our Christmas tree - I tried to stay away from the red, but I got suckered back into it by the hubby - and I must admit, it feels perfect.

More of our Christmas tomorrow!

Joy Frame ~

DIY | Holiday Project Inspiration

 Here is a fun, easy and inexpensive project to add to your holiday decor - or possibly a hostess gift for that hard to buy for friend (we all have them!). 

You will need sheet music (or any paper), a 5x7 frame and a smaller frame for the middle.

I simply cut the sheet music to size

Printed out "joy" and cut it to size

Grabbed my handy hot glue gun and attached the frame directly to the sheet music

And added just a little bling

Super easy and festive!

Materials:

Sheet Music - Goodwill

5x7 Frame - The Dollar Tree

Small Frame - Michaels

Jewels - Michaels

Almond Shortcake Thumbprint Cookies {repost} ~

Holiday | Entertaining Inspiration

I had to repost this amazing recipe. This is a favorite at our house and I am getting ready to make some this weekend...yum!

These are so good that I really have to reserve them for special occasions or else you might have to roll me out my front door. With that said, they are yummy - and if you like almond, you will LOVE these! 

Cookie Ingredients:
1 Cup Softened Butter
2/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup Raspberry Jam

Glaze Ingredients:
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 to 3 Teaspoons Water
1 1/2 Teaspoon Almond Extract

Combine butter, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low, add flour. Beat, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Cover, refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in center of each cookie with thumb (edges may crack slightly). Fill each indentation with about 1/4 teaspoon jam.

Bake for 14-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute, remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, stir together all glaze ingredients in small bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cookies. This recipe from Land O Lakes.
Enjoy!

I hope you all have a merry weekend!

Do you Gingerbread?

Holiday | Tradition Inspiration

Does your family make a gingerbread house during the holidays? This is one of my kiddos favorite traditions...thanks to Hansel & Gretel who doesn't love a candy house! Here are a few images to get you in the mood (if you haven't already made your masterpiece this year).

 Images 1-3 Martha Stewart, 4 Things that Inspire, 5 & 6 Martha Stewart.

Holiday Home Tour ~

Home | Tour Inspiration

Here is a holiday home tour - "a classic and traditional look with a modern twist" - bought to you by Seattle Home Magazine.

Our decorations are almost all the way up, I hope to show you in the next couple of days!