"I'm dreaming of...

 

a white Christmas!"-

 

and something tells me, with two snows already this season...

 

we might just have one!!

 

I think Odie is even dreaming of a white Christmas!

(or maybe what treats he'll find in his stocking on Christmas morning!)

How about you, are you "dreaming of a white Christmas" too?

love & blessings,

Jill

Scenes from the "Baking of Christmas Cheer"

 

Act I :

"Christmas Pretzels"

 

 

 

something salty + something sweet = something simply delicious!

Preheat oven to 350

place pretzel squares on baking sheet, top with unwrapped chocolate kiss,

bake 1-2 minutes (until kiss begins to melt), remove from oven,

top with m&m pushed gently down in the center of chocolate kiss, 

chill in refrigerator until set.

 

Act II :

"Dreamy Chocolate Cookies"

 

soooooo incredibly yummy!!! Truly dreamy!!

21/4 cup all purpose flour                       1 cup brown sugar

               1/2 cup cocoa                                3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. baking soda                                    1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt                                   2 large eggs

1 cup margarine softened                     2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

-combine flour, cocoa, baking soda & salt in small bowl.

-beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar & vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy.

-beat in eggs for about 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

-gradually beat in flour mixture

-stir in chocolate chips, & drop by rounded Tbsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet

-bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until cookies "puff"

 

Act III :

"Wrapping It Up"

and now off to deliver a bit of  "Christmas Cheer"!

 Happy Monday!

love & blessings,

Jill

Oh Christmas tree {plates}...

 

a new addition to our family room Christmas mantel...

 

beginning with two old plates that just seemed to need a little "extra something"...

 

and after receiving a simple dose of  "extra something"...

 

became the Oh Christmas tree plates!...

(well, the Jingle Belling- Oh Christmas tree- Oh what fun it is to remake your old plates- plates!)

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Many Blessings,

Jill

"Christmas & Cinnamon Cake"

 

just kinda goes together...

like "peas & carrots",

only in my opinion- much better and way more yummy!!

 

This is one of our family's favorites! (year-round)

Cinnamon cake! 

* just click the picture and enlarge to desired size then print- & enjoy!

Oh, don't you just love the delightful smell of cinnamon baking at Christmastime?

Happy Baking!

Love & Blessings,

Jill

p.s. I'm sharing this recipe with Edie's "Christmas sweet treats" party at Life in Grace!

pop-over, there are lots of delicious sweet treats to be found there!

It's beginning to look * a little * like...

 

Christmas!!

 we have begun a little "decking-of-the-halls"...

 

slowly working away...

while filled with great joy & excitement

as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all...

the birth of our Saviour !

Oh! it truly IS the most wonderful time of the year!!-

Busy!- but, wonderful!!

Happy weekend to you!

Many Blessings,

Jill

Just ANOTHER {really} random Monday...

 

I can't believe Thanksgiving is already here!!- THIS week!

I'm not sure I'm ready!  Are you? 

 

We have another birthday in the house this week!!

My Thanksgiving baby- Princess #1! 

 

Winston is getting so big!

Have you seen the movie "Marley & Me"?-

Winston IS "Marley & Me part 2"!

He is such a sweet dog- BUT, ALWAYS. HAS. SOMETHING. IN. HIS. MOUTH.!-

which always leads to something torn apart!

 

I made a little "scrappy-chic" tassel from a few fabric strips,

tied together with a pretty velvet ribbon and a vintage rhinestone pin,

then hung with a loop of burlap.

 

I also made a trip to the E.R. with precious little Princess #2-

Bless her sweet heart, not the birthday present she had in mind,

a head full of stitches- she has been so brave! (and I have been worried sick!)

 

and this horse gives new meaning to a "mud bath"!-

clearly he just took one! (he used to be white!)

 

Sunday night dessert was pumpkin pie!

recipe can be found here (and I still make it the "wrong" way)

Speaking of pie, the American Pie Council and Crisco found that people who liked

certain pies described themselves in the same words. Here are some popular pies-

and the traits of people who love them!

Apple- independent, realistic, & compassionate

Pecan- thoughtful & analytical

Chocolate- loving

Pumpkin- funny & independent

What's your favorite pie?

I like them all!- and I like how that describes me! :)

Guess that goes to show you, sometimes too much of a good thing IS a good thing!

Happy Monday!

Many Blessings,

Jill

To top it off...

 

I just love to add a little extra something special to cupcakes ...

 

like a simple "cupcake topper"!

1. punch desired shape using a paper punch

2. draw (or print) your design of choice

3. add a little color with paint (or glitter would be awesome too!)

4. punch another shape from coordinating paper and adhere to first shape

 

5. place a dab of hot glue to the back of shapes and add stick

6. place another punched shape to the back to cover the glue and stick 

(AND because it's always nice to look pretty from behind too :)!)

 

7. add a little ribbon 

 

8. then place atop your yummy cupcake and enjoy!

 

 off to Princess #2's class

to help celebrate her 9th birthday today!

Oh happy day indeed!

Many Blessings,

Jill

Just another random Monday...

 

It's supposed to storm today...

from the looks of the sky this morning, I'd say it probably will-

 

I feel like Elvis today in my "blue-suede-shoes"...

(thank you Target!)

 

I get to play in these today!!!- and I'm SO excited!!

(it's been a long time!)

 

We have a birthday in the house this week!

Oh, how I love birthday weeks!!

 

and I'm making this for dinner tonight!-

super easy! super yummy!

Happy {random} Monday!

love & blessings!

Jill

"Southern Snow"

 

A.K.A. Cotton!

 

fields and fields of beautiful cotton!

one of my very favorite things during this time of the year...

driving by the fields just bursting with glowing white blossoms!

 

 simply breathtaking!!

 

 "There is beauty all around...

often we need only open our hearts

that our eyes may see."

Wishing you a beauty-filled day!

Many Blessings,

Jill

Good news for girls!!

EVERY girl is a princess, the daughter of a King...

the greatest King who created and rules over everything! 

Isn't that good news?!!

(Psalm 47:2, Psalm 103:19)

 

I decided to create a little something bearing this good news for Princess #1...

 

a little "thoughtful gift"...

 

hung in her room with another simple hoop I created for her...

my prayer is that she will always remember,

on good days and not so good days,

just how very special she is and that God will always love her.

She is God's little princess!

(Psalm 139:13-14)

 

that is also my prayer for ALL girls!

Isn't that just a wonderful thought to treasure in our hearts always?!

We are His little princess'! {no matter our size or age :)!}

Happy Monday!

love & blessings!

Jill

On looking back...

 (Dundee the horse- Princess #1's very  favorite!)

 "Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone;

and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come.

Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering." -unknown

Happy Monday!

Blessings!

Jill