Christmas Home!

Welcome to my Christmas home

I have to laugh when I say that, because I don't really decorate that much, 

compared to others, my home feels like a ton of clutter...

like I have a really hard time waiting until Epiphany to put everything away,

I can't wait each year to clean it all up on New Years day! 

Then my heart feels at peace.

Am I the only one that feels like that?

here's our wreath.

Tom bought it from some kids selling door to door the first year we moved here

I hate it.

If wreaths were not so stinkin' much money, 

I'd get a simple one with red berries.

Every year I look at them, but the practical side of me

says, we don't really need a new wreath, ours is fine.

See?

Every year, this wreath teaches me humility.

(besides I'll put it away on New Years--haha)

 Stockings are hung by the fireplace with care

(no we don't use our fireplace...we should, but we don't know how)

The bench blocks little ones from playing inside

and breaking the doors

Tom's mom made those stockings, they are beautiful.

 Our nativity is up 

My parents gave this to us for a wedding gift

(our anniversary is Friday)

 Fake tree up

I think fake trees are ugly.

But, they are easy, that's for sure!

and in the dark, when the lights are on, who cares?

Hmmmm...not sure where those bottom ornaments went.....

I can make an educated guess who took them though

 My favorite ornaments, 

my babies at Christmas.

A baby at Christmas is such a blessing.

 (I blubbed their names out for the picture)

 Presents wrapped and under the tree!

 My favorite Christmas candle is "Sparkling Snow" Oh, it smells soooo good!

My grandmother made the little house, years ago, it holds my Christmas cards

(can you see Christine?)

It's even more special this year, since she passed away this past fall.

 Mistletoe!! 

For lots of extra kisses!

 My kitchen window...we actually have a lot more snow now...

 Our advent wreath and countdowns in the windows

I know, I know, there's that dang coffee again.

It's just so easy to have it for breakfast, 6 points done, no thinking 

 Advent wreath messed with a lot....

 Christmas cookies made...

 Christmas helpers in zipper jammies....

waiting patiently

Cookie Cutter Cookies

1 cup salted butter (2 sticks)

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 cups all purpose flour

3 Tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 400 degrees. 

Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla.

 Mix baking powder and flour in bowl.

 On low speed, gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture until combined.

 Add milk; beat until dough masses around beaters.

Divide dough in half or thirds (whatever you prefer).

 Lightly flour work surface and roll out dough to 1/3 inch thickness. Cut shapes.

Bake for 10 minutes.

 ( I usually bake them for 14, so I suppose it depends on your oven)

Cool and frost.

(I usually double this recipe)

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbs milk (or more depending on how thin you want your frosting)

 food coloring--divide the frosting and color whatever you want

Cream butter and shortening. Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. When all sugar has been mixed, icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat on high speed until light and fluffy.

Makes 3 cups.
Makes enough for cookie recipe to be doubled.

 This year, I baked the cookies the night before

 because my brother's family came to decorate and only had a couple hours to be here

 Busy kids

(football game in the background--go Vikes!)

 Lots of little helpers....

 My sister in law, Kris, made those peanut butter blossom cookie thingy's

My  kids LOVED them!

(I've never made them!)

They do have to be made with Hershey's Kisses,

 not those stupid fake chocolate stars!

 It was a busy day, this was the only picture I got of these two big helpers!

 Brett and Jedi

 Justin, my silly daughter, and Lexi

 My oldest daughter always ready with a smile!

 Cookies!!!!

 Come on over for some Christmas cookie masterpieces!

Just wanted to show you a picture of the girls

(in their pink!)