Christmas Memories: Homemade Sugar Cookies

I was so blessed to have my mom come up for Christmas. I love seeing her interact with G. I hate that our time together is so short and that the distance between us is so far...I have dreams for it to change some day. So until that day, we soak up every second and make as many memories as we can.

One of my favorite memories from childhood was making Christmas sugar cookies with my mom. She has used the same recipe forever and it always tastes the same. It is the essence of my childhood Christmases. To my delight, my mom chose to keep the tradition going with her granddaughter.

She even brought matching aprons! Isn't that the cutest thing?!

She and G enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Granna taught G how to roll out the dough and use the cookie cutters.

We opted out of the frosting this year and just decorated the cookies prior to baking. What fun!

Homemade Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

2/3 c shortening

1 1/2 c sugar

2/3 c butter (10tbsp)

2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

8 tsp milk

4 c flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

Cream together shortening, butter and sugar. Add the vanilla and eggs, add flour, baking powder and salt. Add the milk. Mix well and chill for several hours (or overnight).

Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Flour your work surface. Roll out the dough and cut with cookie cutters. Bake until the cookies are very lightly browned (10-12 minutes). Cool, frost and decorate.

Linking up with Green Fashionista

Christmas Pajamas!

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I love pajamas and there always seems to be something extra special about Christmas pajamas.  Growing up, until high school...maybe college...mom gifted us new pajamas on Christmas Eve.

My best friend has taken on this tradition for our daughter.  She is after all an awesome honorary aunt. While I have no pictures of this year's Christmas pajamas from Aunt Lala (still waiting for Christmas Eve), I do have a few pictures of our darling in Christmas pajamas at a recent Christmas pajama party. So fun!

An Act of Kindness

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December 19th will be marked as one of our most difficult days to date.  I'm not at a point of sharing the "why" yet and with the joy I have in my heart from some of the events of today, I can't focus on those other things right now anyway. (I know you're curious and one day I'm sure I'll share...)

As for those good things...my hubby and I got to spend some much needed quality time together. After a long morning we opted to grab lunch at IHOP. Who doesn't love pancakes?! Side note: The Caramel Bon Bon pancakes are amazing! And no, I was not compensated to say that.

We enjoyed a yummy lunch and then gathered our things to leave. While waiting in line to pay, I stepped to the side, leaving more room for other customers since my hubby was going to pay. I saw a lady begin talking to him. I heard her ask if he worked for the fire department (he had on one of his firefighter hats.) He shared with her his career and volunteer firefighter positions. I saw her hug him and then thank him for what he does. I then saw my husband shaking his head, telling the lady no about something and then he eventually walked over to me...she insisted on paying for our meal! This precious,  blessed soul paid for our meal without any hesitation.  She told him that at one point this deed had been done for her and she wanted to pass the kindness along and that she wanted to do something to thank him for his service.

I cried.

I wanted to run and hug her and thank her for her act of unexpected kindness. This might have freaked her out so...

Instead I prayed prayers of blessings over this sweet woman and her family. My hubby and I are still humbled and can't wait to pass this bit of joy along.

How can you spread a little more kindness in the days to come?

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Five on Friday: Memories Made

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Since backing off of social media I have found myself happier, my time spent with my family more meaningful and the memories more precious and full. I haven't participated in a Friday Five link up in quite a while, and like my time, I want my posts to hold a little more meaning and value. Here are a few of my favorite things from the last week or so...

Just a side note: our precious gem turned 20 months old today! How did that happen?!

[Chasing Moonbeams]

Our little one has been infatuated with the moon as of late. I'm not sure what has spurred it but she looks for it every evening we're outside. The other night I got her out of the car and stood her in the driveway. She immediately began searching the sky. She found the moon and pointed at the beautiful round orb hanging in the starlit sky. Suddenly she began running towards it yelling "moon" down the driveway. I snatched her up and we both just stood there and stared at one of God's most spectacular views. She stayed focused on it until the opening of the front door broke her concentration.

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[Christmas Traditions]

We have several family traditions that I hope to share soon. One of my favorites is the 12 Books of Christmas that we began with G last year for her first Christmas. While you'll find tons of ideas regarding 25 books, we decided to scale it down a bit. We start on December 13th and she gets to open a new book each evening. We read it together and add it to her "library". She'll open the last one on Christmas Eve and then we'll read the scripture of Jesus' birth on Christmas morning. She really enjoys opening the books this year. Christmas will be so fun!

[Pajamas and Gingerbread]

Our dear friends (although I'd say they are more like family) hosted a Pajamas and Gingerbread House party. They did an amazing job! They invested so much heart and soul, not to mention time, into the evening. Each child had their own (homemade) gingerbread house. The rest of us brought items to decorate the houses with. G really enjoyed herself...even more so when she realized that what she was making was edible. I now know what my child is like on a sugar high!

Courtesy of Ashley

[Diapers]

Lately G has become aware of when her diaper is wet/dirty and informs us of when she needs changed. While she's not interested in potty training, she does like a clean bottom. She also feels her "babies" should have the same experience. We've caught her several times trying to diaper her moose and giraffe with one of her diapers. While we get a good giggle out of it, she gets frustrated, especially considering that the diapers are bigger than her toys. I decided to make her some felt diapers for her babies. She loved them and is gradually becoming more independent at putting them on Bella and Mo-Mo herself.

[Just Say "No" to Santa]

While we're not brining up G to believe that Santa Clause is "real" (please don't boo and hiss, we have our reasons) we do share him with her as a fun storybook character. She has seen Santa in various places and media and had her picture taken with him several times last year. This year however, thanks to her age appropriate stranger anxiety, she was having none of that. She kept her distance at first but then was enticed by his offering of a candy cane. That's where the interest ended. We could barely get her to stand next to him, let alone sit in his lap. No good pictures have been gotten this year. We have one more chance to try this weekend and I'm hoping it goes smoother...but will not be surprised if things go South quickly.

Linking up with Darci from the good life blog and Amy from The Farmer's Wife

12 Books of Christmas...How It Happens in Our Home

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Last year we began the 12 Books of Christmas with our daughter. Beginning on December 13th she opens one book, we read it together, and add it to her book collection. I've had a few people ask me about the logistics and also for a list of the books we've purchased for this tradition.

I begin buying books in January. I purchase one book each month, with my final book bought sometime in December. It works well. I've purchased books online, from Scholastic, thrift stores and consignment sales. All of the books I choose are in new or "like new" condition. I wrap them all and have them set out in the living room.

On the 12th we begin by sitting down as a family and have her open her 1st book of the season. She eagerly sits in anticipation as she waits for us to read the story. These moments are so precious and will hopefully continue to cultivate a love of reading.

As for the books I choose? Honestly it tends to be what strikes me. As a teacher I get the opportunity to look at a lot of books through our library, the collections of other teachers and the annual Book Fair. I make note of books I like and keep an eye out for them as the year goes on. I think back to books I enjoyed as a child and try to include those as well.

Here is a list of books from 2013.

1. Pout-Pout Fish and the Big-Big Dark
2. Curious George
3. Madeline's Christmas
4. Henry's Pirate Surprise
5. Have Fun Molly Lou Mellon (seriously one of my favorites...ever)
6. The Very Busy Spider
7. Who's Peeking at Me?
8. Christmas in the Barn
9. A Charlie Brown Christmas
10. My Little Red Fire Truck
11. God Bless You & Good Night
12. The Family Christmas Treasury (we just read stories from this book from time to time)

On Christmas Day we read the scripture of Jesus' birth. We then open presents and enjoy our time together. I hope you'll find some special ways to make memories with your family this Christmas season.

(I'll do my best to get up our 2014 list soon after Christmas...because I honestly can't remember all of the books that I chose...)

Linking up with Annie for Thoughts for Thursday

Inside Out German Chocolate Cake

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Oh how I love holiday baking. The kitchen gains a whole new scent from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The house is always filled with some type of sweet or savory smell this time of year. We had a short notice family gathering this past weekend and with some other fantastic activities we had planned, I didn't have time to do a lot of additional baking for the family event. That's when this semi-homemade dessert came to mind.

I have to give credit to one of my fellow teachers who first introduced me to the basic concept. Her recipe calls for a Butter Pecan cake base (A.MAZ.ING!) which was the only cake mix that was not available at our local Wal-Mart. What are the chances?

Time to improvise. What else goes well with coconut and pecans? Well chocolate of course! I call this cake simple (almost embarrassingly so) and you'll soon see why...

Inside Out German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

1 box of German Chocolate cake mix

1 can of coconut pecan frosting

Eggs

Oil

Water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350.

Generously spray a bunt pan (I could not find my "pretty pan" so my angel food cake pan had to suffice) with cooking spray.

Prepare the cake mix according to directions on the box. Before pouring the batter into the pan, remove the foil seal from the frosting and microwave it for about 35 seconds. Scoop the frosting into the cake batter and mix well.

Pour the batter evenly into pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes and then remove from the pan by flipping it out onto a plate or platter.

 This cake is heavenly served warm but is also perfect the next day with a cup of coffee. You can't go wrong! I hope you'll find this recipe just as tasty and easy as I have. I continue to receive compliments on the taste and I never come home with leftovers (which could be a good or bad thing, depending how you look at it.)

Happy Baking!

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My New Love: eShakti

I was thoroughly excited when eShakti contacted me about reviewing one of their clothing items. How could I say no?! I've been eyeing several items on their site and I could not wait to pick something of my very own.

I adore so many of the dresses on this site. There was no way I could just pick one...so I opted for a jacket. I have not bought a good jacket in a few years, so this was a much needed item. I loved many of the designs and colors but opted for a beautiful, blue floral trench coat. I put in my height and custom length...placed my sample order and waited. However, my wait was not long.

I was impressed with how quickly  my coat arrived. I was even more impressed with the overall beauty and quality of the piece. The lining is threaded tightly and every part of the coat is stitched together flawlessly. At first I was a little intimidated by the weight, but once I put it on, I realized it was comparable to my other coats. I probably could have gone with a size slightly smaller (after all, they can customize all of their products based solely on your measurements), but it still fits well.

I love the pattern and I could not believe how many compliments I received upon wearing it out. While I am no fashion blogger and my sweet hubby is no photographer (and this picture was taken first thing in the morning...as in before the dawn), I hope you'll get an idea of just how great this piece really is. However, do keep in mind that this picture does not do it justice.

I can't express enough thanks to eShakti for giving me this opportunity. I see more purchases in my future...Especially since I'm currently swooning over their holiday items. Check out this amazing company. You will not be disappointed. Their quality, customer service and customization are impeccable.

Linking up with Annie for Thoughts for Thursday