Show Us Your Life ~ Favorite Holiday Recipes

Hey y'all!  Today (a little late) I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner to talk about our favorite Holiday recipes.

I don't know about you, but when I think of Holiday recipes, I immediately think about sweets!  Chocolate!!

One of the easiest and pretty yummy too, are the rolo pretzels. 

I've seen a couple of different recipes, but I always stick to the oven version.  Put a rolo onto a square pretzel and in a 350 degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes, and top with another square pretzel.  Easy!!

White Chocolate Christmas Party Mix!!  Oh my goodness!  This is a must for our family during the Holidays.  The recipe makes a ton, so I always make gifts for neighbors and everyone else (if there is any left).

You can find the recipe here.

Another chocolate favorite is Crockpot Candy!

Very easy and very good!  This is another great recipe that makes a perfect neighbor gift.  It makes a ton and it really is good!

You can find the recipe here.

I'm looking forward to seeing your recipes too!

Show Us Your Life ~ Favorite Picture Ideas

Hey y'all! Today we are showing off our favorite picture ideas.  

For me, the best pictures are snapshots.  There is nothing better than capturing a moment that you will forever remember.

I didn't have a professional photographer during/after the birth of my son.  Honestly, I didn't even think about it, but I will forever cherish this photo of the first time I saw my precious baby boy!

In 2010, we hired Cheryl Day Photography for our family pictures.  We met her at a local park.  She did a great job at capturing moments.  Nothing was planned.  We just went with it.  

I mean seriously, how precious is this picture! 

Priceless!  Look at their faces.

I will remember this feeling forever. 

 

I love outside pictures.  Mason was having so much fun finding little treasures on the beach. 

There are thousands of ideas for pictures, but it's all about capturing the memory, right?  Don't miss a moment and cherish your pictures forever!

Show Us Your Life ~ Organization Tips

Hey y'all!  Another one of my favorite topics is organizing.  I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for new ways to organize.  

Last year I posted about these shoe organizers.  We still have them up and use them everyday.  You can read more here.

I have a 'I love organization' board pinterest.  You can check it out here.

I have found so many ideas on Pinterest.  There are some talented and creative people out there and luckily they are sharing their ideas with us.  

I love this linen closet.  I feel most of the time I am organized, but the end result is not this pretty.  

 

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This blog  is amazing.  Lots of great ideas and they are all pretty!  

 

Organizing makes me happy!  I can't wait to check out your ideas!

Show Us Your Life ~ DIY Projects

Hey y'all!  Today we are talking about our DIY projects and linking up with Kelly's Korner.  I'm so excited.  This is one of my all time favorite topics.

I am definitely one of those people who say (when shopping and looking at magazines), I can make that myself.  Most of the time, it means, my husband can make it for us.  And, he normally will!  Yes, I'm a lucky girl! 

I just can't see paying $200 for something that I can make for $50 or less in some cases.  I'm not cheap.  Maybe I'm just frugal or is that the same thing? Either way, we get what we wanted, it looks great, and most of the time will be made to last! 

A great example was just a few months ago.  My husband asked me what I would like for my birthday.  I wanted some ledges/shelves I saw on the Pottery Barn website.  Well, of course they were very expensive, but it was the only ones I found that I really liked.

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And these are the ones my husband made.  He did a great job!  I love them! And guess what?  They only cost us $35.  

 

My diy chalkboard here.

Diy Cornice Board here.

I have to say, I love Pinterest and I have lots of ideas just waiting for me.  

My Pinterest DIY& Crafts board here.

One of my favorite projects that I haven't done yet is the moss letters.  Really the only reason I haven't yet is because I couldn't find a 'K' in the size I want.

You can find the Moss Letters tutorial here.

This is a great craft for Spring. 

I'm looking forward to seeing your DIY projects.  Thanks for visiting!

Show Us Your Life ~ Favorite Soup Recipe

Hey y'all!  We are starting off this COLD weekend with our favorite soup recipe.  Couldn't be a better time, right?!  Well, unless you live where it's warm, and if so, I don't want hear it!  HA!

One of my husband's favorite soups is Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana.  So, for his birthday this year, I found a copycat recipe here. 

There were several versions online, but I really liked this blog. She gave step by step instructions with wonderful pictures.  Here are the ingredients you will need: 

1 lb Italian Sausage (spicy if you prefer more heat)
5-7 slices of bacon
5 medium russet potatoes
2 c kale, chopped
1 c heavy whipping cream
1 qt water
2 cans of chicken broth
1/2 large onion
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper 

For cooking instructions, please click on her link above. 

Here are the Friday topics for the next few months at Kelly's Korner: I have a * next to the topics I'll discuss. Be sure to link up to your favorites too!

*January 18 - Favorite Soup recipes

January 25 - Adoption

February 1 - SINGLES DAY

*February 8 - DIY projects

*February 15 - Organization tips/ideas

*February 22 - Fav kid/family picture ideas

*March 1 - A day in the life

March 8 - Show us your grandkids/nieces/nephews

*March 15 - Favorite Vacation spots

*March 22 - Favorite Pinterest Ideas

*March 29 - Date Ideas

*April 5 - Favorite Kid books

*April 12 - Best workout/health tips

*April 19 - Favorite crafts for kids

April 26 - College girls/early 20's connection day

May 4 - Moms of teens

May 11 - Tips for Finding Jobs

May 18 - Kid clothing swap day

May 25 - Show us what you make/sell

Thanks so much for visiting!  I hope you have a great weekend!

Show Us Your Christmas Cards

Hey y'all! I'm linking up with Kelly again today to share our Christmas cards.  I thought it would be fun to show the past four years.  I love looking back to see how much we've changed.  Well, to see how much Mason has changed.  I just look older!  HA!

I never realized this until now, but apparently I like red and green.  I see a pattern in all of our cards.  I have a few places that I generally order from.  My first choice is Tiny Prints, second choice is Shutterfly and third is Snapfish.  It is really based on price and which one is the cutest!  Honestly, I try to spend no more than $40 on the cards and then you have to buy the postage.  That may not be a lot, but I think it's plenty to get a cute card.  

I really do love Christmas cards.  Giving and receiving, but I can definitely see a change in the number folks who send them out anymore.  Maybe due to the economy or maybe the season just gets so busy.  Either way, I hope to continue our tradition.  To me it's a part of the Christmas spirit.

 

From our family to yours ~ 

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Show Us Your Life ~ 2012 Christmas Tour of Homes

Hey y'all! Come on in!  I'm joining Kelly today in the Christmas tour of homes.

I'm taking you in the back door first.  I have a wreath coming in from the garage.

The outside of our home is pretty simple.  A natural arrangement on top of our milk jug, garland on the porch, and wreaths with red bows on the windows.

We also hung large ornaments from the front porch.  You can only see one in this picture, but we have 5 all together.  

Coming in the front door, in the foyer are just a few things.

Mason has his own tree too! Just a little fiber optic tree from Target.  He loves it! In the past two years, I have put his tree in his room, but not now.  He is into everything.  I'm afraid he would hurt himself with the hooks and probably destroy the tree. 

We usually alternate colors every year.  Sometimes red and gold, sometimes just all traditional ornaments (ones we have collected through the years) and this year, lime green and red.  I love it!  Call me old school or traditional (or maybe just plain simple), but to me Christmas isn't the same without red.  I guess we just like red.

I really wanted lime green mesh, but I couldn't find it anywhere.  I guess everyone else wanted some too!  So, I ended up with this ribbon instead.  I like it too, but the mesh is a lot thicker and puffy, so it helps fill in the gaps.  I got this ribbon from Michael's. 

We mixed in some of our traditional ornaments too.  Mason's hand print and picture from last year, along with a few others.  I'm loving the green sequin ornaments.  Those are from Big Lots. 

I only put hurricanes and each end of the mantle with our stockings in between.  We have our TV in the middle, so there is not a ton of room to play with.  

A few things on my new shelves.

I decided to decorate the top of the kitchen cabinets this year.  I only decorated one side.  The main reason is because everything is out of Mason's reach!  HA!  The two Santa's were made by Kevin's Grandmother and the other things are glass.  

I thought this sign was cute.  From Dollar Tree...  $1.00.  I bought two of them and put one outside.
 

Nativity scene... Way up high!  Out of the reach of little hands. 

That's about it!  Thanks so much for visiting.  See you soon!

Show Us Your Life ~ Side Dishes

Hey y'all!  Today is all about side dishes at Kelly's Korner.  Just as Kelly mentioned.  I feel like we have the same side dish ALL THE TIME.  Veggie and carb.  I have recently discovered, through my friend Melinda, a yummy green bean side dish.

The Pioneer Woman's fresh green beans.  These are so good, but I have to be honest and say I did change the recipe up a bit.  

 

Here is the her recipe (you will need to go to her site for the instructions):  

1 lb green beans
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons bacon grease (can substitute 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil)
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt (can substitute regular table salt; use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon)
Ground black pepper

As she suggested, I substituted butter instead of bacon grease.  We never have real bacon so I would never have bacon grease.  I have used frozen and fresh green beans and they are both yummy!  There is something about the chicken stock that gives the beans such good flavor and of course, if you use the bacon grease, well, that is even more flavor.  

Another one of my 'go to' side dishes is roasted vegetables.  You can use whatever you have and is in season.  I use red potatoes and carrots a lot.  Just throw your veggies on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and maybe even some garlic powder, toss them around to make sure they are evenly coated.  Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes (some veggies take shorter or longer times).  Roasted veggies are so flavorful!  

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm looking forward to checking out your recipes too!  

Show Us Your Life ~ Crockpotalooza

Hey y'all!  We have a new schedule of topics for the rest of October.  Thanks to Kelly's Korner we can link up our recipes and search for new ones! YAY!

Oct 12 - Crockpotalooza 2

Oct 19 - Favorite charities/non-profits

Oct 26 - Halloween costumes

I'm excited about today's topic, Crock Pot Recipes. Honestly, I don't use my crock pot very much, but I would like to.  Who doesn't like one pot meals?  I am on board with making my life easier these days.

I don't have a personal recipe to share, but I found a recipe that I would like to try.  

Homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce.  YUMMY!  Apples are in season now and this would be a great time to make this recipe.  I found this recipe here.  

There are several recipes out there for crockpot applesauce.  This just happened to be the one I came to first.

I'm looking forward to seeing those recipes.  Enjoy!

Show Us Your Life Schedule

Hey y'all!  I hope you have had a great week.  Glad tomorrow is Friday?  Yep, me too!  So, just a quick update on the Show Us Your Life series.  I haven't participated in the last couple of weeks, well, because, I didn't have much to talk about on the particular subjects.

The following is the schedule for September and one day in October.

Sept 7- Adult birthday party ideas

Sept 14 - Show us your fav beauty products
Sept 21 - Show us your SINGLES!!!!!

Sept 28 - Direct Sales Day

Oct 6 - Tailgate food

Unfortunately, I will not participate in these either.  I don't sell anything and we don't tailgate.  We are more basketball than football anyway.  Not that you can't tailgate for basketball, but it's more popular for football.  

If you missed any of these topics or would like to check back for updates, head on over to Kelly's Korner. 

Show Us Your Life ~ What you make or sell

Hey y'all!  Happy Labor Day!  Do you have big plans for today (this weekend)?  Nope! Not us.  We're just hanging around the house, getting ready for our anniversary trip.  YAY!

So, the 'home series' of Show Us Your Life at Kelly's Korner blog is over for the moment, but we are continuing to share different things in our life.  Today is 'What You Make or Sell'.  I do neither, but I love to support local small businesses.

I would like to introduce you to My Kid's Laundry.  Mason has several shirts from this shop and they are all custom.  It's super neat to be able to custom design (with Sandy's help) a t-shirt for a party, first day of school, his favorite character, or just because. 

 

The most recent purchase was for Mason's third birthday.  We had a 'bug themed' party.  Super cute!

 

This past Winter, we got him a snowman shirt.  We got so many compliments on this shirt. 

For Christmas, Santa brought Mason a shirt with his favorite character....Winnie The Pooh!  He was in love!

Mason also had several bibs from My Kid's Laundry.  These bibs are excellent!  Very absorbent with chenille backing and wash perfectly!  And last forever.