New Year's Resolutions

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year! Christmas morning went of without a hitch at our house--Totally out of character for this crew! Here are Santa offerings waiting to be ripped to shreds by eager little sleepyheads:

Followed by being shredded by said sleepyheads:

AND I made a huge brunch for my family that included:

• French Toast
• Bacon
• Sausage Patties
• Sausage Links
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Apple Almond Cinnamon Strata
• Hash Brown Casserole 
• Fruit Salad

Ok, you all need to try the Hash Brown Casserole, it was scrumptious! I wish I had gotten pictures of the spread but with so much going on, I didn't have a chance. Next year. 

Mmmm, candy at 8am makes hyper boys even hyperER!

Of all these new toys, Avery is still smitten with a partially deflated balloon. Figures.

Mommy getting her present.

This was the best gift by far! Matted and framed drawing of Hankey the Christmas Poo circa 1990-something by yours truly. Thanks Mom, good times, good times. This guy lives behind our powder room commode now, where he should have been all along!

Onto New Years!

New Years Eve was a shopping marathon with one of my besties followed by drinking champagne and watching the Snooki Ball Drop. (I hope none of you wasted your countdown on that nonsense.) I don't have any pictures or good stories by I did want to share my list of resolutions for 2011.

1. Go Vegetarian
2. Get Fit
3. Get Organized
4. Buy more local and handmade
5. Wake up early
6. Wear sunscreen everyday
7. Take a vitamin everyday
8. Plan every day ahead
9. Eat cleaner
10. Become a hopeless optimist

So far the optimist thing isn't working out. It's just that time...just that womanly time. But annnyyywayys, I'm excited about eating a cleaner, vegetarian diet and I'll be sure to post all of the awesome veggie recipes I try! Happy 2011 everyone! 

Rum Balls

Just like every year, I began this holiday season with grand visions of mountainous piles of yummy baked confections and just like every year, I failed! There's always next year I suppose. I did, however, manage to whip up these yummy rum balls that I have been craving since forever! If I had a house party to go to on New Year's Eve, I would be giving these bad boys as a hostess gift. 

Recipe:

1 cup toasted finely chopped walnuts

2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 cup rum

To toast walnuts: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes.

Mix all of the ingredients together and form into balls. Dip in chocolate, powdered sugar, nuts, etc. 

The farther ahead you make these, the better they'll be. Kind of like good chili!

Have a wonderful Christmas,

Free Pattern: 15-Minute Gift Bag

Time for my first freebie! I saw something similar to these at Tarjay and knew that they would be so fast and easy to make. They are the perfect size for gifts in a jar or a mug full of hot chocolate mix. Use a glue gun to attach cute shapes. I'm imagining little dots, a bird silhouette or a simple Christmas tree!  >>Download here<< 

*I recommend using felt off the bolt since it's sturdier.

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Christmas Knot Dress

I have always loved looking at cute little knot dresses and am so stoked that I finally got to make one!

All of the coordinating fabric is from the Michael Miller Christmas Spice Collection. I bought a fat quarter of every print in the collection--I just love it! The rest may get used in a lap quilt for next year. 

Love her big smile! A stranger told me the other day that she smiles with her eyes--She really does. <3

Hair bow rebellion!

Goofing around with her best bud.

I had to share this one. I feel like it really personifies their relationship! 

She's been taking a step here and there the last couple of days so watch out world!

Chocolate Covered Cranberry Goodness!

So um, when did it become December and why is it so cold? This Florida girl would like to return there as soon as humanly possible! I loathe standing in the cold wind trying to buckle babies, all of the sickies, the sun setting at 4:30...I especially dislike being stuck indoors with a stir crazy preschooler. My goal this winter is to do some sort of activity with Sawyer everyday and I will do my best to write about the cool ones!

Since we've been watching Christmas movies almost every night, I decided to try a twist on my favorite movie night treat and replace the chocolate-covered raisin with the chocolate-smothered cranberry!

       You will need:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate
• Bag of sweetened cranberries
• Parchment paper
• 1 very eager little helper

Melt chocolate in the microwave or a double boiler. 

Have helper add cranberries and coat them with chocolate.

Fish out the coated cranberries, letting the excess drip off and lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let them cool in the fridge for about half an hour. 

By this time your eager little helper will have mutated into this:

But you'll have a yummy, edible treat!

They would make a great gift too!

Ashley

Christmas Tree Pillows

It seems like the only time of year that our house is well decorated is Christmas. That's ok because I can only stand keeping little grabbers off of everything for so long! Here's a one evening project--Felt Christmas Tree Pillows! I used our existing couch pillows for the form and will just rip a seam to extract them when the time comes. (July, perhaps?)

I simply cut two felt squares and added  the Christmas Tree applique. Then I sewed them wrong-sides together at three sides leaving about a 1.5 inches for fringe. I added the pillow and stitched along the top seam. Lastly, I finished the edges with pinking shears. 

Makes a perfect cheerio-eating station for cute babies! 

Thanksgiving Dinner Skirt

I haven't been able to get much sewing done since Avery's been born. Her room is right across from the office/craft room and the poor child is startled awake by the slightest creak. I finally broke down and brought my machine as well as my mess into the dining room. We may not be able to eat in there for a while but at least the creative hole in my heart is being filled! ;-)

In other news...

I'm beginning to work my way to some of the many fab patterns over at Burda Style and I had been eyeing this number for a while. I love the pleats and the fact that it only took about an hour and a half from start to finish.

And I look super sophisticated. (Sophisticated people always say super)

I actually made Avery's skirt way before she was born. I wasn't even pregnant yet as a matter of fact. Wishful thinking maybe?

Sawyer had on pants from the same fabric as my skirt but he was just to wild to get a picture. At least I got one of that cute faux smile of his. <3

Ashley