This blog was born out of two things: 1) I hate facebook, so here is my answer while still being anti-facebook. 2) I love sharing my household tips, sewing ideas and cooking and I thought this would be the perfect medium to exchange ideas. Welcome and enjoy!
Well, we went to go see the real Santa Claus down at Crown Center. The real Santa Claus with the real beard, glasses and the halitosis breath. Yup, we heard a rumor that he was in town, so David needed to share his list, which consisted of a "Leapster, treats in my stocking and a present from you, Santa". Awe. This was Annie's first trip to Santa because last year we decided a nap was more important than a visit to Santa...for the sake of all involved.
It all started out with great fun in Santa's Playland. Annie and David were fired up going up and down the slides...
...and in and out of the Crayola house...
Then the moment arrived to
sit...
on...
Santa's...
lap:
Hmmm, would you say Annie isn't taking to the jolly old fella with the white beard? She took one look back behind her and it was over! Let's be honest, though: it made for good blogging material! Somehow this seems to be a common theme among our holidays. Here is a picture of her this past Easter:
A very similar composition, wouldn't you say? At least she looks cute in her dresses!
Well, I had to snap of few pictures of her screaming before I rescued both Santa and Annie and she recovered. It was a fun evening and it looks like Annie half-way forgives us for taking her to a strange man's lap.
Can't say I blame her...the kid has healthy boundaries.
I realize I haven't been blogging a whole lot, but that is because I have been in a sewing hell for the holidays. I will explain later, but lets just say I have been reduced to sweat shop labor. For those of you who have taken Servant's By Design, I am a base Harmonizer, not a Dreamer! I truly am suffering here.
ANYWAY! Here are some pictorial highlights of this glorious season!
We like to support the boy scout troops with our tree purchases. Our tree of choice: the Balsam Fur. I call it the "Poor Man's Frasier Fur" because it looks just like it (a bit brighter of a green) and its half the price. Just my style. Doesn't the tree look nice on the Mini? A little ho, ho, ho magic with the red mini and the green Christmas tree!
Yes, this is my husband cutting our tree with a miter saw. We got the tree in the stand and it was a bit too tall. A normal person would have used a hack saw, but not my man! Gotta love it.
David decorating the tree in a squatted position in order to maximize the speed in which he can get back to the box of ornaments. He is so excited these days that he just takes to running around the house. He can feel the anticipation in the air. So fun. I love this age.
"No, Annie, it's not a bracelet. Put it on the tree...go ahead...put it on the tree!"
David was a shepherd in his school's nativity play. Yes, I was the first time mother crying in the audience begging the other mothers to send me their pictures because I forgot my camera...and they pulled through for me! So sweet.
Remember the day it was like 2 degrees and it snowed? Well, that didn't stop my children. It was the first snow of the season and David had to make some snow angels. It was such a privilege to be out there with him. Have mercy it was freezing.
Doesn't Annie look like the Michelin tire guy/ um-pa lum-pa? Ok, so this snow suit was given to us...as in it was free and its for playing in the snow, mmm kay?!
If you can't tell by the title of this recipe gone hang-man, it is top secret and very scandalous how I got my hands on this little treasure. For those of you from Kansas City, this spinach dip is from a restaurant located on the Plaza, across the street from Fogo de Chao and next door to the Walking Company. Got the corner? Good. I am so certain this is the real deal recipe that I don't want to get in trouble for it; hence my encryption.
My mother-in-law got her hands on this recipe from one of the ladies she used to work with. The lady's husband worked at the aforementioned restaurant and said "I'll give it to you, but you can't share it with anyone". Uh, ok. She must have been half female because what rational woman doesn't share recipes? Pa-lease! Needless to say, Bestmom shared the goodness and now its on the world wide web.
Now that we are past the Nancy Drew part of this post, onto the goodness! Be forewarned that before you dive into this recipe, know that it is restaurant quantity; therefore, have the tupperware ready! Or, better yet, have the mason jars ready and pass them out as holiday treats to your neighbors, kids' teachers, bring it to a party, etc, etc. Spread the holiday cheer while balancing out the sweets at the same time.
4.after the above is well incorporated and parmesan is melted, turn the heat off
5.add sour cream, Tabasco, spinach and artichoke hearts
6.sprinkle jack cheese on each serving and bake in the oven at 400 degrees until bubbly
7.dip thickens upon standing
Enjoy this dip (note: those of you in my community group, yes...this is what I served on Monday!) If you are feeling selfish and not wanting to share the gloriousness, it freezes really well. Bon appetite and remember...mum's the word!
For those of you who have a mac, you know only Photo Booth could create such a picture! Yes, it is true...I finally own a Mac. I have only been wanting one for about 3 years! My old laptop has 3 year-old finger grime from David all over the mouse, about 7 missing keys when he went "a-pluckin'" when he was 18 months and when it took (I'm not exaggerating) 10 minutes to open my i-tunes about a week ago, my head almost exploded. Lucky for me, Microcenter was running a sale on these suckers during my PC nervous breakdown, so MAMA GOT A MAC! It is so fast. It is so fun. It creates great pastime entertainment for me and my toddlers. Not to mention my blogging will step up a bit because it will not take 2 hours to upload pictures to my posts. The Lord has taught me great patience through my PC days. Amen.
I have finally found a boutique line of clothing that matches Annie Jane's spunky personality: Matilda Jane! (warning: website does NOT do these clothes justice!). I first spotted a little girl at our neighborhood carnival in one of these dresses and I literally stalked her until I spotted the label. I was able to go to my first trunk show a couple of weeks ago and got the pictured dress for Annie. It was like one of six dresses that I wanted for her, but I exhibited self-control (for the meantime!). The adult line (although not as large of a line) is equally adorable. There are several things on my Christmas list. Anyhow, I was going so bananas over this clothing line that the woman asked if I would want to host my own trunk show. Simple answer: YES! So, please come by for a drink and appetizers and check out this adorable clothing line. If you are a sister, daughter, aunt, grandma or friend of a girl/woman, you will have some one-of-a-kind Christmas options!
Tuesday, December 1st 6 to 8 PM, come and go as you please or stay the whole evening! My House! Free Shipping!
If you are not in the market for an adorable boutique piece, I would still LOVE for you to stop by and say hi. The girls will just be hanging out (no boys allowed!) sipping on some cider or pomegranate punch! Yea!
I don't post a lot of theological thoughts on this blog because my prayer is that God's glory is seen in my everyday...despite myself. However, this video is so spot on that I had to share it. My church has been going through the book of Mark for the past year, but for the past 4 weeks, we have done a mini-series on Idols of the Heart. Sigh...its been tough. Then I saw this video and it just touched a really sensitive part of my heart that has undergone heavy pruning. Thank God for men like Piper who understand the Gospel and can teach it to people like me.
We are trying to take advantage of these last mild days before the winter sets in, so last night we decided to introduce our children to the world of s'mores. Two children under the age of 3 with pointy skewers and a sticky mess of warmed marshmallows is always interesting, but we had fun. We went straight from the bonfire to the bathtub, needless to say!
Annie's first bite of s'more and she was loving it! She couldn't have been happier chomping on her monstrous treat. Is that not the most classic picture? Hilarious.
David was roasting and stuffing as masny marshmallows as he possibly could into his mouth before this dream night was over. Of course he kept saying "I wanna make more...for Annie". Sure you do, partner!
David had an interesting relationship with the fire. He was a bit of a fraidy cat about the whole thing, but I guess I don't mind him being timid around fires! However, for as afraid as he was, that's all he wanted to do: attempt to roast marshmallows. Now, they couldn't lite on fire...that would really send him over the edge, but he couldn't stand it if "nothing was happening" to the marshmallows at the same time. Oh first borns.
