Moore Minutes

Gentle reminders of love: A Valentine Home

2012-02-08T17:30:00.001-07:00

The sweetest month of the year is February. It's a lighthearted reminder to celebrate love. Our home has gentle hints of the holiday.

Over our mantle is a GIANT wooden letter set of XO, the classic muuuah lovin' symbols. Each wooden letter has tons of sparkly sequins glued on! Umm, no. I didn't make it. Yes, I know I could make it. But I actually love to buy and to shop and to buy again. So instead of using all the patience I could gather (which isn't much) and attempting a CRAFT, I bought it on etsy! I'm not all that "crafty" afterall. ;)

I just love the way the GIANT X & O sparkle in the lamplight! The charming duo is easily visible from most areas in our home.

Simply stated but bright and bold!

The kids always anticipate the new words on the chalkboard for the changing seasons...

For the sweetest month the kids and I have been taking our usual meal classics and turning them sweeter...a pan of brownies created a fun afternoon! They were each able to cut fun shapes out and decorate their after school snacks.

The boys and I decorated brownies with the candy melt designs I previously made.

I made another warm, comfort classic in my {most loved} new lilac Le Creuset dishes. Our meal was chicken and heart-shaped biscuits.

The light lilac color is perfect for a February Valentine mood.

Our home has quiet accents of Valentine's Day,

almost subtle enough to miss...

I pulled some favorite marriage books off the bookcase and displayed them for February. Valentines, love, hearts, hugs, kisses, it's all celebrated in marriage right?

I recently knit a little coffee cozy,

just in time for Valentine's Day!

I'm still super pumped about this new knitting hobby!

I'm so happy about my knitting that you get to see ~~one million~~ a few photos of it!

Here's a tiny secret: it is a Valentine gift for Chris since he is the coffee drinker BUT obviously he won't want the pink heart on it sooo....I made a removable pink ball of yarn (in the shape of a heart!) and pinned it on. I will use it for future Valentine decor. Underneath is simply a big brown button instead.

To make your own heart shaped ball of yarn, cut your shape out of foam or cardboard and quickly wrap it in varied directions with your yarn. Tuck the loose ends, add a safety pin and decorate away with it!

I got a pack of brand new pencils for my favorite BOY in the world! They each hold a sweet message of PAIRS! Chris and I are just right for each other, the perfect lil pair and I wanted to show him that with this gift. He is the butter for my bread { awww lol } He still isn't supposed to be reading my blog, hopefully he isn't!

We are ready to make Valentines!

Lots of fun accessories to make cute Valentines sent with love...

We have a home full of boys so instead of heart-shaped doilies and lots of pink, the closest we get to Valentine style is LEGO games of knights fighting dragons and saving the fair maidens.

Romance with LEGO stuff.

And hearts made with boxing gloves! Titus actually was excited to show me how he made a heart shape with his fighting gloves. I made him "hold it right there!!" while I grabbed my camera.

My little heartbreaker

There's more:

I have previously shared our Valentine traditions like heart-shaped PB & J on past posts here: Valentine Traditions love lessons and a lunch of hearts

And you can view our Valentine home in past years here: A peek into our home on the sweetest day

and here: to lightly love

So we lightly celebrate love and use the quietness of slow winter February to soak up some warm comfort.

Sending YOU lots of love this Valentine's Day!

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This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

A lil bit of Valentine Sugar for the SWEETEST MONTH

2012-02-06T07:49:00.004-07:00

I've been putting my HOUSEWIFE on and spending some sweet time in the kitchen making pretty sugars for Valentine's Day. I recently attended a Girls Jammie and Cookie Exchange Valentine Party! How cool is that?! I'm a party-lover and that concept is brilliant. I've never heard of a pajama exchange before and it is an extra fun idea for girls. I'm sharing with you some of the cookies I brought along. I came home with SO many delicious treats, cookies, and a cozy pair of pink jammies too. Valentine's Day pampering for sure.

I took classic, round, crackle-topped, sugar-covered, peanut butter bites and topped them with
M & Ms. Topping with the various pink candies is such a quick way to transform a classic cookie into a festive treat.

Cute as a button!

I used the bowl of leftover M&Ms to make tiny baby treats of candy for friends.

One of my all-time favorite cookies are Cherry Chocolate Kisses. If you're a forever reader of my blog, I'm sure you've seen them here before. For Valentine's Day I pushed a chocolate heart into the middle of the cherry goodness instead of the traditional chocolate kiss.

Same cookie, different holiday. ;)

For Cherry Chocolate Kiss cookie recipe SEE previous post HERE.

I amped up the pink food coloring to yield HOT PINK cookies...some sassy and sophisticated glam for these little bites.

I was excited to try a new cookie this year as well:
Butter Almond Shortbread with Raspberry Jam

Valentine Thumbprint Cookies
(adapted from Better Homes and Gardens)
Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream together butter and white sugar until smooth. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Mix in flour until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Make a small hole in the center of each ball, using your thumb and finger, and fill the hole with preserves.
Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet.

Before baking, do a double thumbprint to form an adorable sweet heart of raspberry jam.

Just a little bit of sugar in your cup of tea...

The last sweet treat is a sophisticated dessert that would fit perfectly for a romantic Valentine's Night dinner: Rich Chocolate Kahlua Tart. I immediately stole this recipe from one of my {most loved} baking websites, Bake at 350.

I poured sprinkles of gold over the top to make it super special, because this dessert deserves to have extra sparkles. It is extremely rich and one bite is satisfying enough!

For more Valentine sweet treats, view archives below:

Oreo Truffles

Contemporary Hearts Chocolate Mousse

Buttermilk Syrup XO pancakes

archives

little loves

tea time

sugar

hearts

Happy Sweetest Month!

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Homemade GIANT-SIZED personalized FORTUNE COOKIES

2012-02-01T17:32:00.006-07:00

For Valentine's Day I'm making some fun stuff for my lover. My kids are pretty spoiled and usually get all the surprises, but I like to focus more on my husband for the 14th of February each year. Chris is an avid reader of my blog (love that!) but I made him cross-his-heart-and-hope-to-die that he wouldn't read this post.

I recently discovered super cool GIANT-sized fortune cookies that can be ordered online. A few day ago, I actually ordered and shipped some to loved ones because I was crazy about them. Later that night while I was in bed I thought to myself, "Self! You can totally make those!". So the next morning I woke up and decided to make some for Christopher!

HOW TO MAKE SUPERSIZED PERSONALIZED FORTUNE COOKIES:

1) First I cut long strips of paper and penned some secret fortunes for my lover. Every cookie he opens will have a good prediction for his future, that's guaranteed. ;)

See the secret fortune hidden inside?

2) Next I found a solid recipe for homemade fortune cookies and followed it precisely.
*Please note: If you are making giant-sized cookies, you must DOUBLE the recipe*

Homemade Fortune Cookies

via AllRecipes.com

Ingredients                     1 egg white
                     1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
                     1 pinch salt
                     1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
                     1/4 cup white sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a cookie sheet. Write fortunes on strips of paper about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Generously grease 2 cookie sheets.
Mix the egg white and vanilla until foamy but not stiff. Sift the flour, salt, and sugar and blend into the egg white mixture.
Place teaspoonfuls of the batter at least 4 inches apart on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Tilt the sheet to move the batter into round shapes about 3 inches in diameter. Be careful to make batter as round and even as possible. Do not make too many, because the cookie have to be really hot to form them and once they cool it is too late. Start with 2 or 3 to a sheet and see how many you can do.
Bake for 5 minutes or until cookie has turned a golden color 1/2 inch wide around the outer edge of the circle. The center will remain pale. While one sheet is baking, prepare the other.
Remove from oven and quickly move cookie with a wide spatula and place upside down on a wooden board. Quickly place the fortune on the cookie, close to the middle and fold the cookie in half. Place the folded edge across the rim of a measuring cup and pull the pointed edges down, one on the inside of the cup and one on the outside. Place folded cookies into the cups of a muffin tin or egg carton to hold their shape until firm.

I don't have any photos of the preparation because everything moves very fast so the fortunes could get folded in before the cookies set and harden.

4) Instead of making many normal sized cookies as in the recipe above, I made GIANT cookies. My husband supersizes everything so he needed GIANT fortune cookies! To make giant cookies simply pour the batter into the middle of a cookie sheet and rotate the sheet until the batter is about 6-8 inches in circumference.

5) Once the cookies are complete, let set, dry, harden, and cool for a few hours or overnight.

6) Decorate your finished cookies! You could dip the edges in caramel or chocolate and dip in sprinkles. Or what I did was melt candy coating and put it in a pastry bag. I then piped on shapes and words onto the cookie to customize it.

Ta Da!

If you're like me, you'll realize it's quite entertaining (housewives are easily amused) to make different shapes with the leftover red candy coating.

I've actually showed ideas on how to use abstract melted chocolate shapes before on a previous Valentine Day dessert post HERE.

I will save these shapes and pop them off the wax paper to use in some way on Valentine's Day. Maybe I will place them on top of a big bowl of breakfast oatmeal...

Okay, back to topic. The finished GIANT fortune cookies!

To give you an idea just how big these are, I put one on a stack of love books. Each cookies is about 4-6 inches long.

It adds intrigue to have secret, hidden messages folded inside a classic fun food. Discovering and reading our fortunes have always been one of those few-second delights that we get to experience in life. Meaningless, light fun that glitter our days.

Love and relationships are kindled by wonder, mystery, and dreams for the future. Fortune cookies are the perfect fit.

I love this guy,

can't get enough of him.

Lucky in love,

that's my fortune.

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Personal-Care Bathroom Organization & Fresh Homemade Soap Lovin

2012-01-27T16:26:00.002-07:00

Organization (not to be confused with cleaning) has always been a big passion of mine ever since I was a little girl. I would organize for FUN everywhere I went. I've shared a tiny bit of organization here and here and here and here on this lil blog and I'm hoping to share more this year.

In our master bathroom I've used a categorized box system for years that works very well for me! Against all organizational advice, I don't have ANYTHING labeled in my bathroom. Umm, wow and oops. This organization system for my personal care items is more raw and homemade instead of professionally polished. But it has worked so well, that I haven't changed a thing!

Okay, this is the system I've used for years and I double love it. On the inside of my cabinet you'll see boxes holding products. (Behind the boxes is just extra inventory). Each box serves a purpose. I have a box of anti-aging products, a box of morning and night cleaning routine products, a hand & foot care box, a hair care box, etc, etc. The most important thing I've found with organizing bathroom self-care supplies is that it is key to keep products that are used AT THE SAME TIME together...in the SAME SPOT.

Let's pull a couple of the boxes out so I can show you examples. To hold my supplies, I re-use all those sturdy, pretty boxes that make up and perfume gift sets come in. Of course, you can easily buy baskets, bins, or tupperwares for a cleaner more polished look, but I really like those free pretty boxes!

Everything is designed to be instantly grabbed with one quick movement. No more opening and closing drawers one thousand times. Grab a box, put it on the counter, use the products, put the box back. Hello simple.

This is my most-used box. It holds the products I use for my DAILY cleansing routine. I just pull it out and set it on the counter each morning and evening. Box it up and put it away when I'm done. So easy and everything stays organized forever and ever. {wink}

This is my anti-aging box. Anytime I want to do a skin care routine for preventive maintenance, I easily pull out this box and it has everything I need.

This box isn't used as often but it is hand and foot care items. You can also store nail polish with these supplies. And while you're staring at my favorite hand lotion, let me explain! ;) I love, love, love times a thousand L'Occitane Shea Butter hand lotion. It is better than anything else. I'm not the only one who feels this way. Every 7 seconds, someone around the world buys this hand lotion. It is worth every pretty copper penny.

I have every topic and category for personal-care in BOXES!

I've always said that if something is not pretty I don't keep it. This applies to things behind closed doors as well. After I return from a trip to Sam's Club, I take the inventory of supplies out of the commercial packaging and line my shelves. Not only is it prettier (big points there), but the supplies are easier to access which will keep cabinets neater.

On the bottom shelf is our first aid area. I have a pull out drawer instead of a box since there are too many supplies to keep in one box. I also use a glass cube for the more commonly needed first aid supplies.

I also keep this clear travel bag in my bathroom cabinet. It is the correct size for airline travel. I keep it stocked so when we leave for any vacation I can just grab and go.

As I've mentioned, I use quite an eclectic collection of organizational boxes for my bathroom. This basket was a gift from my parents when they arrived home from a coastal vacation one year. I use it to store our extra toothbrushes. Toothbrushes need to be replaced EVERY MONTH to keep the family sanitary. Keeping a bundled supply in this basket makes it easy for everyone to grab a new toothbrush when needed.

Because I use Q Tips and cotton balls with nearly every box, I keep them out all the time for easy access. I store them in this beautiful goblet vase. Chris gave me flowers in this vase for my 19th birthday and I've used it for this purpose ever since!

In summary:

If you're already over organizational ideas on just waiting for the PRETTY stuff, I have something FRESH and exciting to share...

SOAP.

Who knew?

I've never gone so crazy over body soap as I have recently. Last year I did a homemade soap giveaway. I also shared more about this soap over the holiday season. My friend makes incredible homemade soap. I was instantly sold on how pretty is was but after I used it I was sold on how AMAZING it was compared to typical store bought soap. I will not be using store bought soap any longer! Seriously. This homemade stuff makes us feel so fresh and clean! Chris was instantly sold on it too. It is much healthier for our skin too because of the ingredients it is made with. I am not getting paid or compensated to say this. This is NOT a sponsored post. I just love this stuff.

Sarah makes a large variety of scents. I bought a collection from her. It is extra fun because when we need a new bar of soap I get to pick out whatever I want out of my jar! It's these little things that make life happy.

Just peek in the jar and choose a scent...

Citrus and Oatmeal...

It seems silly, but pretty little things and fun choices make life brighter. My soap bar jar makes me smile. We live in such a monotonous society sometimes. We all shop at the same retail locations and buy the same stuff. We go through the same motions, at the same time, and it robs us of our purpose and joy. If you try to change just a few tiny things in your everyday life, you will create YOUR OWN life, with YOUR OWN identity and life will never be boring.

Handmade soap in every bathroom...

See more scent varieties at Sarah Lee's Soap Blog.

Fresh homemade soap is one of my new FAVORITE THINGS!

If you use homemade soap, I would love to hear from you! It's a little thing that has made a big difference in my life. To see more about the soap I use, visit Sarah Lee's Soap Blog.

That's a wrap on

bathroom self-care organization

and fresh homeamde soap heaven.

If you have any other orderly ideas to share, please do!

Order is so under rated.

It we gather a few minutes to organize,

we save TIME.

With order, we are able to be 100% more effective with our daily tasks,

giving us more time to do what we love.

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This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

Now the ground is white...A one-horse open sleigh ride

2012-01-23T20:15:00.011-07:00

photo via AllAspen.com

This is part 3 of a 3 part post. Please read part 1 and part 2 for more details on snow days in Aspen, CO.

This year I wanted to find a

timeless,

classic,

old fashioned

winter charm family activity.

So I searched and googled and then...

Umm, hello sleigh ride!

In Aspen, Colorado, we finished off our vacation with a traditional old-fashioned sleigh ride.

"Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh...over fields we go, laughing all the way..."

The boys took some time to greet the gentle yet powerful animals. Horses are incredible! The boys picked out their favorite horses and waited with anticipation to see which horse would pull their sleigh and what his name would be.

Meet Ben.

The powerful horse that pulled us gently through the snow powder.

The bells were the most charming of all!

Their light jingle made a merry path

with every step of the way.

Cameron loves horses.

Everything had to be JUST RIGHT before we took off...

Lots of warm blankets layered on the black sleigh

to provide extra comfort for little toes.

Finally time to bounce into the sleigh!

Cuddle close and hold fast loves.

Scarves,
down coats,
thick blankets,
hats pulled tightly over heads...

only our noses are exposed to greet
the icy winter.

"Dashing through the snow..."

in a one horse open sleigh..."

"Over fields we go"

"Now the ground is white...

go it while you're young...

and sing this sleighing song!"

"Jingle bells,

jingle bells,

jingle all the way...

O what fun it is to ride

in a one-horse open sleigh"

Hot chocolate followed our ride,

warming us up from the inside out.

Bye beautiful horse

and thank you for pulling us over

the snowy white hills.

I thrive on experiencing these charmed moments

with the ones that make my heart laugh over and over again.

I love my family truly, madly, deeply (said in true 90s lyrics).

Our sleigh ride was magic. All my days I spend with my family is magic, whether it's washing dishes together or painting the town red.

This is part 3 of a 3 part post. Please read part 1 and part 2 for more details on snow days in Aspen, CO.

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Family SNOW morning in Aspen, CO with hot chocolate on a stick

2012-01-17T17:21:00.004-07:00

This is part 2 of a 3 part post. Please read part 1 for more details on Aspen, CO. Part 3 (the sleigh ride) is coming soon!

During the holidays our family took a vacation to Aspen, Colorado and LIVED some winter wonderland moments for a few days. On this particular day, we enjoyed some SNOW TIME fun...

Bundled up with layers of long johns,

down feathers,

and wrapped scarves...

White streets are one of my favorite things about snow days!

It feels as if the world has stopped,

traffic mellows,

and there are no barriers.

We can just run and play everywhere!

And who are those 3 boys in the street anyways?!

They look too tall to be my kids...

We spent a morning in Aspen just BEING.

No itinerary, no paid amusement,

just the five of us in an open park in Aspen,

with SO many snowflakes!

I couldn't get enough of this "pinch me!!" view.

God is the coolest artist I know and it makes me so excited!

I adore this view! The flawless blue sky traced the outline of a grand tree,

with clusters of pinecones huddled on branches.

Amazingly beautiful.

The big snow covered trees were so proud and welcoming too.

Kotah found his way inside a tree's branches.

Then the boy STUFF happened.

Past the outer branches of these majestic trees is a SECRET giant playground

formed of a maze of branches.

The branches enticed my little people...of course.

Up, up, up...

The boys climbed so high,

making this Mama's heart dance a little faster.

Champion forest tree climbers, booyah.

Meanwhile, Chris is as chill as he always is.

In any ordinary instance, this photo would look staged.

But it's all legit loves! ;)

This is the family where the Mr. always carries his guitar everywhere and plays it anywhere

and the Mrs. always carries her camera everywhere and snaps it anywhere.

Because of that...perfect shot!

These photos of Chris with his guitar make me smile inside out.

It's just SO HIM!

He quietly plays that thing anytime, anywhere.

There could be complete chaos next to him

and he would still look like this...

so chill and calm.

"I'll smile when you hand me my camera back...pretty please."

...but there's no one else I'd rather be with.

Fresh balls of snow

perfectly formed in glove-covered hands

With three boys and a fierce Daddy...

watch out..

Brrr

Kotah

Cameron

The anticipation of hot chocolate

eagerly plays in young minds after a day in the cold snow.

Fingers wrapped around a big steaming mug of chocolate

thaw through icy mittens

warming us up from fingertips to toes.

Jingle bell songs and hot chocolate

I've recently found a little treasure that I've mentioned already before!

Ticket Kitchen offers incredible hot chocolate on a stick!

The concept is simply adorable yet sophisticated,

fun yet full of quality.

Squares of flavored chocolate sit at the bottom of individual sticks.

Easily stir the chocolate stick into a big mug of hot water or hot milk.

Salted Caramel is my favorite!

The possibilities for these unique hot chocolate sticks are endless.

They are perfect for entertaining, party favors, and gifts.

I shared ideas previously here on how to use them for gifts.

Ticket Kitchen's hot chocolate on a stick are a new favorite of mine!

I just double love these adorable things. ;)

For more hot chocolate ideas,

visit a past post for a simple hot chocolate bar at home after a day of sledding:

Our family day in the Aspen mountains was a memory keeper.

Classic recreation of snowball fights, guitar songs, and hot chocolate sipping

remains timeless for a reason...

it works.

It makes families close and it makes hearts happy.

This is part 2 of a 3 part post. Please read part 1 for more details on Aspen, CO. Part 3 (the sleigh ride) is coming soon!

The government makes me say that I was compensated for this post but all thoughts and opinions are my own and always will be!

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Fresh Wintertime Home Decorating

2012-01-12T08:15:00.020-07:00

In the stillness of the winter, our little heart patters for peace after the excess pleasure of the holidays. The winter months following Christmas bow humbly beneath other celebrated months and breathe quiet simplicity and fresh starts into our lives.

We all organize, set goals, and create a fresh canvas to create another masterpiece new year. It's an opportunity for each of us to make our house that winter snow painting of a cozy home of comfort!

Time is reset to a refreshing word: BEGINNING.

passions of making a house a home rest around these walls

Wintertime is the season of baking in a toasty kitchen

with the oven heat and sugar smells warming little spirits

White chili, traditional chili, hot chili, mild chili...

just please pass the chili and a square of cornbread too!

Paperwhites standing in full bloom

in the breakfast sunshine

And new paperwhite bulbs peeking out,

ready for their waltz with winter.

My sweet best friend surprised me

with this candle with a wick made of wood!

It crackles as it burns, sounding like a real deal fire.

Ice skates and felted snowballs

Snow covered pinecones
circled into a wreath

This mild winter has me

wishing for sparkling snow

and a winter wonderland.

A giant pinecone plays peek a boo

Chalkboard messages

A huddle of live greens stand out

during the months of brown landscapes

A jar of fresh handmade soaps by Sarah on the bathtub

ready for a fresh new year!

Fun, bold striped mittens tied around a lamp

And what really matters...

anthropologie sweater pattern candles

on pedestals

(just like they deserve!) ;)

And one of my very favorite things!

...you all know it by now!

you better...

please fill my arms with lots of

cozy

warm

soft

furry

snuggles.

Because soft cozies rates almost as high as diamonds.

My always showcased UGG pillow!

Double love it.

Titus working hard on a table full of home school stuff

while Mama ~~teaches~~ take pictures for her blog.

My Pottery Barn heaven cloud that my parents spoiled me with for Christmas!

Currently reading on this heaven cloud...

And with this

cartful of winter snuggles,

we are ready for sledding days

and fireside game nights!

Pier 1 sweater pillows stuffed in a cart...

My newest pastime is knitting.

I keep my knitting supplies in an

antique water bucket

right next to my heaven cloud bean bag.

This is just SO perfection. ;)

super soft knit hat I made
for my favorite guy for Christmas

However, instead of knitting or other cool stuff,

I spend so much time...being Facebook crazy

(and blogs and pinterest and...everything else online).

Go ahead, say I have no life.

Say it's a useless waste of time.

I still love it.

So there.

That's a wrap on winter in our

home sweet home.

For more:

Cozy Textures of winter

Winter Whites and Fresh Starts

Decorating with Wintertime Cozies

Snuggle up

and be blessed!

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This post is linked to: Jennifer Rizzo Refresh Your Room, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

glitter rains over my heart

2012-01-11T13:26:00.003-07:00

Glittering confetti of compassion

rained over my heart

because of YOU.

via Pinterest

A sincere thank you to every single one of YOU who reached out in love to me this week in regards to my previous post. I am humbled and overwhelmed with the gentle human love I've been given and the support coming into my life in big waves! Raw compassion is a treasure. I'm thankful for PEOPLE. I have been wrapped with the warmest blanket of care and it has given my spirit rest. Your prayers and kind words are worth a closet full of Uggs to this girl!

hearts all over the world
previous post sharing similar sentiments

You have each inspired me to reach out in love to others when they need it! It's those simple acts that we often forget to do that could make all the difference and YOU have reminded me to reach out the next time I see a human in need. One friend of mine inspired me beyond words! Stacey, (who blogs loveliness HERE) and is also a neighbor in my little Colorado town, is a woman with a full heart of clear diamonds. She went one thousand steps beyond and started a daily prayer journal for me. She has committed to pray daily for me until I have overcome this personal thorn. I am speechless, humbled, and opened raw with emotion because of this selfless act she is doing. She has demonstrated love in the most beautiful way.

Those who reached out to me in so many ways this week reminded me that even though I am just a small girl in this little-big world, human compassion is alive, and we are never alone.

lissyelle
via Pinterest

but God is big.

May God be doubly good to you,

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I need a thousand tiny miracles: getting naked with my soul

2012-01-09T13:00:00.002-07:00

As a girl, I kept a diary with a silver clamp and a tiny key. I stashed the key in a top secret hiding place and tucked my diary under my blankets. I've always needed a channel to use my voice, to be heard, to release my heart's words. Back then, it was a secret and quiet audience...just myself, using a diary...with a lock and key. Now, in true spirit of our current generation, my platform is my blog. There is no lock and there is no key. My audience is everyone and the secrets are none. I am an open book.

My real life is exposed by choice.

This is me, my life unveiled.

me 2010

Sometimes along this blessed path of life, we have hellish barriers that bind us, preventing us from moving forward. These barriers threaten to destroy all the beautiful things we usually experience. I have a thorn in my side that I have shared about in a previous post here. I am a happy girl, that is true. But I am a happy girl with a burden I keep compartmentalized in it's own box. I rarely open this box unless forced.

This quiet health condition I carry gives me many physical issues. I have lived with my burden for a long time but the threats it is currently shoving in my face are requiring me to take new action. My issues could be corrected if I do what it takes. You all know I usually love to share beautiful things here on Moore Minutes. Well, this isn't pretty. It's ugly. One of the side effects of my health issue is causing me to lose a lot of hair.   I have always had a LOT of hair too. I never in a million trillion years thought I would be sharing this here for everyone to read, but life is funny and I feel strongly that I am meant to write this post. Rapid hair loss is a humbling experience for a woman.   I twirl my fingers through strands of my hair and cry dry tears.

It's just hair.

Just hair.

Just hair.

I silently repeat those words to myself over and over and over again. But I remain attached to my vanity and the comfort it brings so the hair loss still sinks my spirit.

But then Jesus whispers to me and says...

source

So I chin up and carry on. I am still knee-deep in the middle of this, just as I was the first time I shared this on my blog a long time ago. I have no happy ending yet. But it is a journey, a process that I learn more about every single day.

This is real life.
This is authentic humanness...
open vulnerability.

A lot of days I doubt. Hope and healing aren't tangible. But then part of me awakens and I see some light fighting to peek through the door.

source

What I really want to ask is if you'll pray for me,

pretty please.

I would sincerely appreciate it.

And if you don't pray,

throw a thousand wishes into the big sky for me to catch.

But I do prefer the prayers. ;)

It is Well, With my Soul

old hymn penned by Horatio Spafford in the 1800s

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
 when sorrows like sea billows roll; 
 whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 
 It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul, 
 it is well, it is well with my soul. 

 ...though trials should come, 
 let this blest assurance control, 
 that Christ has regarded my helpless estate... 


 And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, 
 the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; 
 the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, 
 even so, it is well with my soul.

source

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Our year of Family Vacations and TIPS too!

2012-01-06T15:52:00.006-07:00

At the beginning of last year, Chris and I made a resolution to make more memories traveling together as a family. Chris ~~is a workaholic~~ provides well for us and most of his time is spent in the office. (I actually LOVE his strong work ethic!) ;) However, we still found a way to accomplish our goal! Instead of lonnnng refreshing family vacations, we took a ~~few~~ a TON of short weekend getaways. We also took advantage of every holiday weekend. Chris is still on his little smartphone and laptop doing business on our vacations, but it works for us! Taking mini getaways is also helpful for families because it doesn't interrupt kids' school and extra activities.

source unknown, please advise

When our kids were this little, we started a luggage collection for each of them from Pottery Barn Fairfax luggage collection. We slowly added new pieces to their collections until they had the complete set. I strongly recommend this to any family with kids! It has helped keep our vacation packing and traveling very organized and simple. Organization is KEY to successful family vacations.

look at my cuties!!

2006

With this luggage, each child has different bags for different needs: snacks in the small bags, toys in the duffle bags, and clothing in the suitcases. We don't usually take EVERY luggage piece on all our vacations, but they are all still helpful when we need them.

Pottery Barn Fairfax luggage

Each boy gets a different color and their names are embroidered onto each piece. This is also helpful in staying organized.

We followed the same color pattern with sleeping bags. These warm sleeping bags from LLBean also have their names monogrammed on. We've had these for years and they have held up so well!

LL Bean

I've put together a quick list of travel tips before taking off on your next family vacation!
For more info on finding treasure spots to dine while on vacation, see this previous post.

Chris and I feel it is important to show our boys the area RIGHT around and near us so they can understand where we live, and grasp the history and geography of it. Integrating learning with travel is also a priority for us! I was raised traveling and learning a lot and I want the same for my boys! The more they experience the land where they're being raised, the more they can identify with it as theirs.

Because of this, we traveled a lot in our home state of Colorado, in Utah, and also in Arizona, the state Chris and I were raised.

To kick off the year, we went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and visited Garden of the gods, the Air Force Academy, the Olympic Training Center, and Focus on the Family headquarters.

Later that spring, we took a road trip to Arizona to spend Easter with my grandparents. The boys just adore them and look forward to visits to their home sweet home! It was a cozy place to spend Easter. On our way there and back, we made a lot of memorable stops. We traveled through Indian land, touring Monument Valley and also Montezuma's Castle Indian ruins. But our favorite stop was at the GRAND CANYON!! It was the boys' first time to see it and I will remember it forever. It was such an exciting family time. We surprised them by taking them on a helicopter over the canyon! It was an experience of a lifetime for each of us!

For Memorial Day, my other set of grandparents came to visit our family. I'm so appreciative that they make the long road trips to come see us all! The boys get giddy anticipating their visits. We took a day trip to a neighboring town, Glenwood Springs, via AMTRAK train!

For our anniversary, instead of just the two of us escaping, we took the whole family of FIVE to Aspen, Colorado, for a western, horseback riding adventure. We loved every second, experiencing life as cowboys on a sprawling mountain ranch.

One of the best trips of the year was a weekend trip to Park City, Utah! Park City is my new lover. I want to marry it and live there forever. It is beautiful and full of my interests! Chris and my brother had a long distance rifle shooting competition there (which I shared about here) and we also attended an INCREDIBLE table styling main street event (which I shared about here). Aside from those events, we took the super fun alpine slide down the mountain, we did a zip line, and we watched talented athletes train for the Olympics. This is where the 2002 Olympic Games took place. This vacation ROCKED. Seriously.

In midsummer for Father's Day, we took a couple traditional camping trips and got dusty. No shopping malls or nice hotels, just tents and fire smoke. The boys kinda sorta like this type of thing.

A huge travel highlight was our houseboat trip on Lake Powell! Thankfully this vacation was longer than just a weekend. ;) Chris and I were born and raised here and it will always be HOME. (I've shared about a previous trip there here) These incredible houseboat experiences are compliments of two incredible people that we are blessed to know! I will be sharing a lot more about this summertime vacation and these friends in an upcoming post! Our time spent on the lake were some of our most loved moments of the year. The peace found there is unlike any other. Our entire family agrees that there is no place like Lake Powell, there is no place like home.

Ohhh, that's not all! We have been a giant traveling machine! To see BEAutiful photos and details of other vacations in 2011, you can visit these following links. I have entire blog posts dedicated to a collection of other favorite travel we did in 2011!

click on any link below to see details

- Our *once in a lifetime date* to Outstanding in the Field: A Restaurant without Walls in Vail, Colorado

- Fall Colors in breathtaking Telluride, Colorado

- Thanksgiving R & R in Gateway, Colorado

- Aspen Holiday kickoff (part I) and snow day (part II) and sleigh ride (part III)

When the vacations are over and bags unpacked, collecting memories in jars is the perfect way to hang onto vacations for always. To make your own Vacations in a Jar, see this previous post.

Okay lovers. That is a wrap for this family on wheels 2011. I think Chris and I accomplished our goal. Maybe just a tad overboard...just a bit...but I have a crazy habit of that anyways. ;) But time and experiences are the most valuable of all, and looking back, we are thankful that we made these times for each other and our aDORable boys.

Because before long, our little people go from these little guys...to much bigger guys. :( So, as I always say: make every minute COUNT.

2006

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This post is linked to: House of Grace Best of, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

The Best of MooreMinutes 2011: YOUR favorites in Review

2012-01-04T08:02:00.010-07:00

This post is a highlighted summary of the most read, most pinned on Pinterest, and most popular posts from my lil ole blog in 2011! I am a passionate believer of living authentically, doing what we love, and doing what empowers us!

source

Through the seasons on Moore Minutes...

The year started off with a bunco party and a dinner of mashed potatoes in martini glasses: Mashtinis! With over 26 toppings, guests were able to create any style of mashed potato dinner their little heart's desired. We served Greek, Spanish, Garden, Meat Lovers, Classic, and more.

Click here for more details on Mashtinis

In the late winter I shared each of our boys 3 bedroom transformations. Every room reflects their own personality and personal style. We created a Game and Book Mix bedroom, a Vintage Urban bedroom, and a Natural Eco-Friendly bedroom.

Click here for details on

Cameron's Game and Book Mix bedroom

This Vintage Urban room was by far one of the most popular things of mine pinned on Pinterest this year and also was the most viewed post of the three bedrooms.

Click here for details on

Kotah's Vintage Urban bedroom

Click here for details on

Titus' Natural Eco-Friendly bedroom

The first party of the year was actually the best as well! Titus turned 7 and we celebrated with a Hocus Pocus Magic party with homemade classic treats like oreos, twinkies, and donuts.

Click here for details on the Magic Party

In the spring I hosted a Girlfriend's Neapolitan party for my mom. Full of pastels and dainty loves, this post was a favorite of mine for 2011! I also served a special six layer cake of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate.

click here for details on the Neapolitan Party

We took a family drive to the mountains as the warm sun started to peek out for a new season to share a Mother's Day picnic brunch. I packed delicate romance and carried it into the rustic mountains.

click here for details on Mountain Brunch Picnic

After my birthday, I shared a bit of my inner reflections and put together a

REVERSE bucket list.

Try one! They're fun!

Click here for details on 30 Things I've Done Bucket List

I added a lot of USA spirit to my blog in the middle of summer. This post shares 3 EASY patriotic ideas.

Click here for details on 3 patriotic ideas to create

In FULL summertime, we celebrated the 4th with an All American Backyard BBQ.

Click here for details on American Backyard BBQ

The American BBQ post was quickly followed by good stuff about

Backyard Luscious Berry Pies.

Click here for details on Backyard Luscious Pies

Before the sunshine of summer ended, Dakotah received a special surprise BIRTHDAY visit from the ice cream truck!

Click here for details on Surprise Ice Cream Truck birthday

Chris and I were able to attend an Outstanding in the Field event. It was one of our most memorable dates we have ever had!

Click here for details on Outstanding in the Field

I shared more reflections from my heart this fall with our personal story of "Secret Whispers from a Teen Mom".

Click here for details on Secret Whispers of a Teen Mom

For Thanksgiving we made turkey dinner bread boats for the kids!

Click here for more details on turkey dinner bread boats.

I also made over our table with plaid and wood dishes for the cozy holiday.

Click here for details on the Plaid and Wood Thanksgiving table

Christmastime brought a LOT of posts because it is my absolute favorite time of the year! I decorated a Merry Little Mantel along with a lot of other holiday decor.

Click here for details on our Merry Little Mantel

...and click here for full holiday home tour

And finally, the grand finale of every year is Christmas DAY! We had a little escape on a Christmas Day Wonderland at my parent's home sweet home.

Click here for details on Christmas Day Wonderland

And that's a wrap on

Moore Minutes 2011!

You can also see YOUR favorites in 2010 here!

Whatever energizes you,

Whatever makes you sing,

Whatever makes your heart pitter-patter,

Whatever accelerates you toward success,

These are the passions worth investing time in.

source unknown, please advise

A true, warm thanks to EACH of you

for sharing in our lives and reading this blog.

You brighten my heart all the time.

I always appreciate your support.

DIY New Year's Tinsel Garland and thoughts on being PRESENT this year

2011-12-30T19:23:00.003-07:00

Hello happy time of glamorous sparkles, shiny everything, confetti sprinkles, bubbles of champagne, glitter toes, and new goals. I have a super easy garland to create that can be added to your home or your New Year's Eve party.

DIY Tinsel Garland

in 3 easy steps!

1) Buy some classic tinsel {on clearance!!} 

2)Divide it into sections and easily tie each section onto a long shiny ribbon

3) Embellish with anything! 

I used antique watch faces,

but you can use strings of sequins, glitter stars, 

 felted balls, sparkly pom poms, or anything else to make it YOURS.  

I tied real antique watch faces

into my shiny tinsel garland

Celebrate.

We all have so much to celebrate no matter what our story is or where we are in life. There is beauty all around us, and dreams at the tips of our fingers. Every year we wonder if this is the year
to realize those goals and to have the perfect life we want. We don't fully give life our best because we are always waiting to live, waiting for a new year and a new start, waiting for the bad to pass and the good to come. It's been said that the best is yet to come. But the best is NOW if we grab it.

I am one of those who has waited to live in a lot of areas. True, there are many ways that I embrace life and love every single second. Yet, there are other areas that I am paralyzed, stuck...just waiting to live. You all know that I feel deeply burdened with my physical weight issues. I have failed to fully experience my life completely because of this. In my mind, I have a mental list of everything I want to do "when I lose weight". My single goal this year, my solid resolution is to give life my best, in ALL areas, not just the areas that are already sparkly and pretty.

Minutes, hours, days, years, and LIFE disappear from our grasp when we fail to OWN them and be present. I am going to choose to gather all my minutes this year and experience each one instead of waiting for everything to be perfect. Whether I'm overweight, underweight, or the perfect weight I just want to LIVE each moment. What a sad waste to throw away time, our most precious resource just because we *wish* things were better.

Instead, we should be celebrating every day like it's New Year's! Dancing.kissing.laughing. Because life really is that cool. It's always a fresh start and a new time whenever you make a choice within to START OVER.

So my challenge to YOU is to glitter your life, make your moments sparkle, drink champagne from a fancy glass and celebrate because YOU ARE HERE...in this life...RIGHT NOW...and that is pretty special.

The spotlight is on 2012 and it is OUR time! Each of us who are living in 2012 get to OWN this year.

New Year's PARTY ideas:

Oreo sparkle Truffles

Sprinkle Cookie bowls

Clock goal charts

watch centerpiece

painted apples

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This post is linked to: Simply Sweet Home Inspired Room HomeStories Mantels, Holiday Home Link Parties TLC, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Organize and Decorate Everything, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

Our Christmas Day in Wonderland 2011

2011-12-28T18:05:00.006-07:00

2011

My parents only live 15 minutes from us, but our annual holiday stay at their home feels like a complete WORLD away! Every Christmas, it is as if we are magically moved to a weekend dreamland. Once we pull up their steep driveway on Christmas Eve, there is nothing else. No traffic. No dusting or laundry. No noise or rush. No deadlines to meet or paperwork to file. No math problems and school work. No errands or chores. The rush of life is instantly paused and daily life tasks are absolutely forgotten.

By recent tradition, we spend Christmas at my parent's home sweet home. My brother joins us as well. And our entire family stays the weekend at their house. It's our special Christmas getaway and each of us look forward to it!

I have a so many strong feelings about Christmas as I've shared often before. I hold those sentiments about this season close to my heart. So, check my previous post on why I adore this commercialized holiday of excess pleasure.

I am certain that the primary reason I simply LOVE Christmas is because of my parents. They have made every Christmas of mine magic. It didn't stop when Santa didn't tiptoe into our house, and it didn't stop when I moved out and got married. They have ALWAYS given me a dreamy holiday, every.single.year. of my life. I've observed their hard work and I appreciate their efforts. I know it doesn't "just happen". They create this winter wonderland for the entire family to savor each December. It means everything to me. Their efforts are worth it for this girl! I hold my holiday memories close, pushed close to my heart forever. These holiday experiences have colored my life with real, genuine beauty. So, I move forward and share that joy with my own family. I eagerly pass the glamorous holiday pleasure onto my own children, in hopes of making every moment of this brief time on earth count.

Little Stairsteps

My mom has their home appointed with a gentle amount of holiday charm throughout. Nostalgically comfortable but traditionally dignified decor is nestled in their rustic Colorado home.

Cozy mittens dangle over the fire.

A charming cluster of Christmas:

an updated Christmas village sits in the kitchen.

Our celebration kicked off with a Christmas Eve feast

at my Mom's gorgeous table.

The table was set using my Grandma's china

that has been passed down to my Mom.

Our Menu included a turkey, a ham, AND a prime rib!

I think we were sort of spoiled. ;)

My Mom prepared a large assortment of sides including
{perfect} mashed potatoes, an absolutely delicious blue cheese butternut squash,
stuffing, roasted green beans, and more.

I made a unique and fresh winter salad with

diced pears, avocados, and Roquefort cheese with candied pecans.

source

I also made mini cheese balls:

Savory cherry cheese truffles.

Lots of appetizers to last us the entire weekend too...

My mom and I both love to be little Betty Crockers

and Christmas is the perfect excuse to go cooking crazy.

Annnd...we will never be hungry again!

source

These are my incredible parents...I love them so much!

After our feast, we all gathered around and sang Christmas carols as Chris played guitar.

A basket of jingle bells for each of us as we sing.

The singing was going along normally...

Then somehow became a bit crazy...

The kids each get a new jammie set from us on Christmas Eve by tradition.

And this year my Mom surprised them with super cute holiday penguins.

She knitted each penguin a baby scarf!

LOVE it!

The excitement was high and heavy in the air for the boys. They all had trampolines on their toes as they weightlessly bounced around the house anticipating the next day. They are all snuggly in their new, clean jammies cuddling their new penguins.

We located Santa's location on the online Santa tracker

and it was followed by squeals and panic cries to hurry into bed!

To close the night, my brother Kyle and I always recite Luke 2

and then my Mom reads The Night Before Christmas to the boys.

The atmosphere is expectant, full of energy and giddy joy.

She has read this to them each Christmas Eve since they were little.

They sit still in absolute silent wonder, hanging onto every word she reads.

Finally, it is time to be tucked into bed downstairs in my Dad's toyroom

for the "long winter's night".

In the quiet hours of this highly anticipated night,

Santa touches down with silent tiptoes to leave surprises.

And rows of beautifully wrapped packages are secretly displayed

for little wide-eyed boys to discover in the morning!

Finally, Christmas morning arrives!

Umm...!!! Look who else got a big surprise snowball?!

Meee. :)

My parents surprised me with the heaven cloud I previously blogged about.

So happy!

I'm not the only one who loved my new gift.

These brief magical moments on Christmas morning are SERIOUSLY

my favorite times of the entire year!

I always soak up every second and love it SO much!!

This is my favorite day.

By far.

I have so many giddy memories of searching for packages

with my name on them on Christmas morning.

My boys do the same.

Balancing between shiny packages,

on a hunt for their names on the tag...

Choosing just the RIGHT gift to open first.

Let the fun begin!

The gift opening craze is interrupted by breakfast.

Mom is serving up the BACON!

You can read more about our Christmas breakfast traditions here.

Then it is back to gifts and lots of playing!

My mom, brother, and I had a contest to see who could give my Dad his eBay gift cards in the most creative way. Kyle did a mouse trap (pretty tricky!), I did a classic surprise ball, and my Mom made him a cozy hat and tied the cards on it.

My Dad said we all won.

Boring.

My mom still taking care of my Dad after all these years.

The entire day was spent with BOY toys!

We have so many LEGO sets, I'm afraid to walk barefoot.

Playing inside AND outside!

Off to try out the outside toys...

My brother spoiled my boys with REAL radio control cars...

not the toy ones, but the crazy real ones.

This is what my boys were doing all weekend.

Even Chris got one...

We also spent a lot of time devouring Christmas cookies

because my mom is always serving up some sort of goodness.

Her cookie tray filled with Almond Bars, Cappuccino Snickerdoodles, and Chocolate Gingers.

She is a cookie-baking goddess.

We spent the rest of the weekend listening to Christmas music

on old records

and playing with our new blessings

...and best of all, doing it all together!

I am so extremely thankful for this Christmas

and every one that we have been blessed with.

It's a true time of splendor that is

created especially for the grand finale of the year!

It is a celebration of the pleasures of life,

a dance of goodness,

and a rich sampling for our five senses.

And these words of this Christmas carol couldn't be more accurate:

"There's a happy feeling nothing in this world could buy...

These wonderful things are the things we'll remember all through our lives".

How true this is!

I hope you had the merriest of Christmases!

This post is linked to:Simply Sweet Home Inspired Room HomeStories Mantels, Holiday Home Link Parties TLC, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

Merry Christmas to All 2011: last minutes preparations and holiday blessings

2011-12-23T11:57:00.003-07:00

The whole big-little world is busy with last minute holiday preparations for our one day of magic. The unity is exciting and comforting. Lots of food to prepare and packages to wrap!

...these are a few of my favorite things!

We don't put out presents until the big day.

It's all a surprise for the boys.

These gifts are Christmas Eve gifts

and are the only gifts they get to see before Christmas morning!

Brown paper bags and yarn have been my "go to" this year.

I found these adorable elf printable tags!

The little elf helpers are so charming and just cute.

(*note: I cannot locate the source for these tags and I feel terrible. If anyone knows where to print these, pretty please let me know so I can add a link! Thank you)

Our home is full of anticipation.

We have wide-eyed boys just like Christmases past...

There are light attitudes and excited voices for the celebrated finale to our year.

My 11 year old, Cameron, wrote a beautiful poem this month. The boys were sending some Christmas love to one of my dearest friends and Cameron somehow wrote this poem in 15 minutes for her. He is AMAZING. I am just so proud of him and had to share! :) I didn't edit it or touch it. I love it so much.

It's Christmas Time

There's a scent in the air,

Houses are appearing so fair,

It's Christmas time!

It's kind of cold,

The wind appears bold,

But it's Christmas time!

People, in any form,

Are trying to keep warm

It's Christmas time!

We're thinking of others,

Moms, Dads, brothers,

It's Christmas time!

Giving our friends something

they'll like,

Even if we can't make a it a bike,

For it's Christmas time!

Even after all's been sold,

And decor is in fold,

We have memories to hold,

And friends which still exist.

-C. Moore

age 11

It makes me smile every time I read it. And it is also the Christmas sentiments that I want to share with each of you this year. Thank you for reading and for commenting always.

I truly appreciate each one of you!

Have a magical Christmas,

from our home to yours.

Aspen 2011

"I bring you good tidings of great joy"
"For unto you is born this day...a Savior which is Christ the Lord."

This post is linked to: Simply Sweet Home Inspired Room HomeStories Mantels, Holiday Home Link Parties TLC, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

Our kickoff to the holidays vacation to Aspen, Colorado!

2011-12-22T10:13:00.006-07:00

This is a three part blog series. Please see PART 2 and PART 3 for more of our snowy adventures!

Our family took a "kickoff to Christmas" mini vacation to Aspen, Colorado, the first weekend of December. We had an incredible time and the atmosphere there instantly covered us all with the happy holiday spirit. We had snowball fights, trudged through the new snow, went shopping, ice skating, hot chocolate and fire place stops, and even a sleigh ride!

Shopping is my first love. I try to be a good person and like other stuff better but shopping always wins. Lucky me, my super cool husband loves shopping too (Thank you God). Christmas and window shopping the streets of Aspen is dreamy!

Every gorgeous building,

every stone street,

and every corner

was decked for Christmas.

The buildings in Aspen are

a postcard of history

and an art canvas for today.

The storefront windows were just stunning.

I didn't photograph all of them

but each window created a
dramatic and extravagant holiday scene.

Inside of this store was an antique safe.

The sales lady explained the fascinating history of it

to our family and we were captivated.

Little shoppers

As we were shopping

we spotted some GIANT mountain dogs.

Huge and intriguing!

We treated our patient little shoppers

to a small bite of sugar in the candy store.

My four boys SURPRISED me

with a BEFORE (!!!) Christmas gift.

Lucky Mama.

Kotah getting warmed up by a store's fireplace.

We took a warm winter lunch break

at cozy Little Annie's Eating house.

We enjoyed hot soup, baskets of popcorn,

and Shirly Temples for the boys.

Every table was set with red and white check cloths

and candlesticks.

Back to shopping!

I also wanted us to visit the renowned Little Nell Hotel for a hot chocolate break in their lounge. Sooo, we paid over $30 for 3 cups of hot chocolate (crazy big gasp)! Welcome to Aspen.

It was "special" hot chocolate though.

The chef adapted the recipe from a restaurant in Vienna, and uses their fine chocolate.

It is also made with fresh, homemade marshmallows and whip cream.

Divine.
Pure Luxury.

Giant mugs,

little sippers

This may have been some of my favorite moments of the vacation.

We all just relaxed for awhile in the Little Nell's lounge talking and hanging out.

{Thank you Chris for always giving your family forever memories}

We ended our day with ice skating!

The ice staking rink was absolutely beautiful with the

twinkling white lights.

Truly picture perfect.

But it was sooooo cold!

Cameron

Christopher

And we saw a lot of this...

Cameron

Kotah

We warmed up to a late night dinner in their burger shack.

The next day was for the boys! No more shopping. Santa and his reindeer did a quick touchdown in Basalt during our visit. The boys lined up with their little lists.

Cameron had socks on his list for Santa!??!

After whispering their Christmas wishes to the jolly old elf,

we joined in with the small town community celebration

in Basalt with cookies and festivities.

There were firepits scattered throughout the park

for people to roast hot dogs and make s'mores.

Christmas carols

and mountain Christmas trees...

Back in Aspen, we drove the quiet neighborhoods. We admired the beautiful homes and their holiday lights. We noticed a trend there was to light up the homes with spotlights instead of traditional Christmas lights. Then, the traditional Christmas lights were adoring every tree in the yards instead. It was so lovely.

On our last night, we gathered together for the annual tree lighting. Aspen's tree at the Sardy House is rumored to be the biggest living lit Christmas tree. Over $250,000 was invested in preparing the tree's lights! Umm wow. The tree has over 100,000 lights that are programmed to change colors, giving us all a spectacular show!

As the small crowd waited for the lights to be lit by a 4 time snowboard Olympian, we sang carols and huddled close.

Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance as well! It really appeared as if he had just touched down in his sleigh as he belted out loudly for all to hear: "ho, ho, ho...Merry Christmas!".

The moments were magical.

A small choir sang Handel's Messiah and it was breathtaking.

At this moment of Handel's Messiah, I actually felt as if I was just thrown right into the scene of a Christmas card perfect movie scene!

My heart was singing.

This was THE Holiday Experience! It was surreal and I will remember it for always.

I'm thankful of my little family of 5

who share these experiences with me.

I encourage YOU to seek out the season's magic.

Make it. Find it. Create it.

Wherever you are.

Next year, JUST before the Christmas season hits,

prepare a mini getaway to a place nearby

that will transport your family to live some holiday magic.

This is a three part blog series. Please see PART 2 and PART 3 for more of our snowy adventures!

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This post is linked to: Simply Sweet Home Inspired Room HomeStories Mantels, Holiday Home Link Parties TLC, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

Ideas for the best morning of the year: Christmas Breakfast!

2011-12-20T12:53:00.001-07:00

cranberry sugars

Christmas morning breakfast is the Grand Entrance to the best day of the year. It's that ONE morning of the year where the magic in the air takes us away from the everyday and into a storybook.

All my boys enjoying a Christmas morning breakfast

at my parent's home on a Christmas past.

Making breakfast special on Christmas morning is one of my loves.

Traditions are often used for this meal! We have a tradition of homemade cinnamon rolls with homemade cream cheese frosting on this breakfast. A lot of people share this tradition! I make them a day or two in advance and freeze until Christmas.

Another Christmas breakfast tradition I started when I got married

was taping hidden lotto tickets under our breakfast plates

for everyone to scratch off when they clean their plate.

Peek-a-boo!

lotto tickets waiting to be taped underneath breakfast plates

My mom prepares an egg casserole for Christmas morning.

It makes the house smell divine and is a super start to our day.

Serving breakfast casseroles is also a tradition that a lot of people share!

I found a gem on Pinterest with a resource of 34 Christmas breakfast casseroles!

...HERE.

Those are just a handful of our Christmas breakfast traditions.

I would LOVE to know some of yours!

Now I have some new ideas as you sit down to the table...

We had a December breakfast last week that

I think would be IDEAL for Christmas morning.

These baby crustless tarts were

dotted with RED & GREEN for the holiday.

Red Peppadews and green onions

I recently discovered Peppadew peppers at our local grocery store's fresh pepper and olive bar. They are from South Africa and have a mildly sweet flavor. These peppers are often served as appetizers, stuffed with goat cheese. I wanted to use them in our egg tarts to add some holiday color to our meal.

I made crustless tarts, but you can easily prepare them with a thin bottom crust as well. Mix 1 cup skim milk into 5-6 beaten eggs. Add chopped green onions, chopped Peppadew peppers, shredded Havarti cheese, a few drops of Green Tabasco, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Bake at 375 F until eggs are firm throughout.

Tarts are an excellent option for Christmas morning breakfast because they can be served at room temperature so you can prepare them ahead and save time in the kitchen on the best morning of the year!

Jam Pastry Straws make the perfect pair with egg tarts! I found these beautiful straws on....(you know it!)....Pinterest!

These are extra simple to make.

Puff pastry spread with raspberry jam

with power sugar snowed over the top!

Visit the Pinterest link for the full HOW TO.

A little bit of holiday breakfast is served

on a cold December day.

These are just a handful of some of our

Christmas morning breakfast traditions,

and some new ideas too.

You can also see the fresh fruit and veggie wreaths

I posted earlier this month for holiday brunch table styling.

I would love to know some of YOUR

special traditions too.

Only a few more days until we ALL wake up

to our own special smells of holiday breakfasts.

Happy Christmastime!

Celebrations of the Christmas Cookie

2011-12-19T09:37:00.004-07:00

Christmas cookies are a favorite tradition in our family. The boys have all said it is one of their favorite things about this season. My mom started it. She is the BEST cookie maker in this little-big world! I started baking cookies with my Mom when I was little and I'm still placing tray after tray after tray in the oven!

image via Kate Spade

So I got my cookie-crazy superwoman on,

tied up an apron

and worked some magic.

Stacked with recipes

and ready to roll some dough...

So, my kitchen looked like this forever...

But we finally made it worth it with a table full of this...

The boys helped me bake and decorate cookies this year.

I made all of our traditional favorites

and tried a couple new recipes too!

These cinnamon roll COOKIES

are just too cute and absolutely delicious.

I found this recipe on one of my top favorite blogs

for creative desserts, Picky Palate.

This cookie idea is brilliant!

Roll your favorite sugar cookie dough out,

spread with butter, add cinnamon and brown sugar

and roll up just like SWEET ROLLS!

I'm pretty sure Santa will just eat them all up!

The other NEW cookies recipe I tried was from

the always amazing, Whipperberry.

These Red Velvet white chocolate chip cookies

are so SUPER easy!

They are made with a cake mix and you can't even tell!

These are just perfect if you're in a rush.

By the way, I found this absolutely adorable reindeer printable

from one of my favorite spots to find printables: EatDrinkChic.

Shhhh, this year Kotah had the sweetest idea to surprise Chris with his own special box of cookies. Chris always gets mad (like grrr!) when we give all the cookies away and there isn't a lot left for him. Kotah thought it would be fun to put a box of cookies under the surprise tree we made this year on Chris' nightstand. The box we used was one Chris has had since he was little. It has always been used to store his childhood ornaments in.

Traditions are comfort,

they're like having

a well-loved family quilt

wrapped around your heart.

I enjoy keeping tradition in our home sweet home

and adding in sprinkles of new things too.

Each year, I try a couple new cookie recipes

but of course, still make our "tried and trues".

Christmas Cookie Archives

click on any to be taken to that post:

Christmas books and cookies tradition

Christmas cookie overload

Peppermint Pleasures and Baby Blue Snowflakes

Peppermint Whoopie pies and more

Kids in the gingerbread kitchen

Gumdrop snowflake fun for kids

2 of our family favorite recipes to scratch into your recipe books:

Maple Frosties

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
1 teaspoon maple extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

FROSTING:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons milk
2 Tablespoons butter softened
1 teaspoon maple extract

Heat oven to 350. In large bowl combine brown sugar, shortening, maple, vanilla, and egg. Blend well. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cups. Level off. Mix flour and soda together in small bowl. Add to wet mixture. Mix until well blended. Drop by teaspoons, 2 in apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Don't overbake. Let rest for 1 minute before removing from sheets. Cool. Mix all frosting ingredients spread over cooled cookies.

Cherry Chocolate Kisses 

1 cup butter softened

1 cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

few drops of red food coloring

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

48 chocolate kisses unwrapped

Heat oven to 350 F.  In large bowl combine butter, powdered sugar, cherry juice, almond extract, and food coloring; blend well.  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.  Stir in flour and salt.  Add cherries, mix well.  Form dough into 1 inch balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.  Immediately top each cookie with a chocolate kiss.  Remove from cookie sheets. 

Our traditional gingerbread kitchen

So, we flour our hands, noses, shirts, and floor,

fill the sink with dishes,

pile the counters with butter and eggs,

and create a Christmas cookie wonderland...

because it only comes once a year.

"while vision of sugarplums

danced in their heads..."

This post is linked to: Centsational Girl Cookies, Simply Sweet Home Inspired Room HomeStories Mantels, Holiday Home Link Parties TLC, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design

a Christmas lesson, merry and bright, and a special tree for Daddy

2011-12-16T13:10:00.003-07:00

My dad surprised me with this frame with my favorite thing to say to my boys!

I'm crazy in love with my 4 boys. My husband and 3 sons make my heart full all.the.time. So Mamas, no matter what trials are in your face today, no matter how messy your house gets (you should see mine at the moment!) , no matter how rushed your mind is feeling, take a big breath of perspective and recognize the gift of your loved ones.

Christmas Eve 2009

One of my best friends recently had her first baby. She wrote, "what more could I possibly want for Christmas when I already received absolutely the best present already?". There is so much heart and wisdom behind her words. Those words she wrote blessed my spirit in the midst of my blank stares at my messy house. I was able to breathe and smile as I realized what treasures I had within arm's reach. My 4 boys are not replaceable. How foolish I can be sometimes when I exchange my time with them for extra check marks on my to do list. Thank you Kristen for your whispers of motherly wisdom. Your excitement over your brand new baby renewed my gratitude for my family.

Our gratitude could be for any family or loved ones, not just those in our homes. Never undervalue the importance of relationships. Our habitually selfish society can easily isolate us from true relationships and people, but what a lonely existence that is. Take time to love others always with even just a simple smile or a handful of encouraging words. (just another reason I love facebook by the way)

My boys have decked our halls with pure Christmas joy. It is so exciting to watch the little people celebrate December. Everything is created with passionate intention.

Kids breathe to life the magic of Christmas.

What a blessing that is!

They pulled out their holiday animals

and used my old bead garland to create

Santa and his reindeer!

love, love, love!

They even found a big present to put in the back of Santa's sleigh.

My biggest smiles of the season are because of things like this.

And... Santa remains "good old Santa Claus" in our home.

I embrace the commercialized jolly elf because

he represents excitement and the pleasure of both giving and receiving.

Santa also represents a spirit of wonder,

adding to the Joy of baby Jesus.

source unknown, please advise

Kotah even created an advent calendar JUST FOR ME!

He jumps out of bed every morning to watch me open my advent calendar.

The boys and I surprised Chris earlier this month with his own little nightstand tree! This activity was in one of the boys ADVENTure envelopes that I previously talked about. They were SO excited to show Chris! They each watched for him to come home that night through the front window.

We took a baby tree and snuggled it in a basket on Chris' nightstand.

We used blue ornaments because that is his favorite color.

The tree holds special ornaments of Chris' too:

a guitar representing his surprise gift I gave him on a Christmas past,

our special wedding ornament that we have from our first year of marriage,

ornaments he painted and made as a child,

and some of his own baby ornaments.

The boys topped his tree with a Popsicle stick nativity star they made.

Chris is a pretty popular guy in our home.

We all think the world of him.

And he is just so darn cute!

Men probably don't prefer to be called CUTE,

but it is what it is. ;)

Chris looking ~~cute~~ hot at a holiday party this season

He does cool things for his wife

like make our home

so merry and bright!

with every bulb being perfectly placed.

Thank you baby!

Needless to say, there has been a lot of holiday action in our home.

And I going to remind myself in the midst of the craze

of my sweet friend's words:

the greatest Christmas gift

is our loved ones.

This post is linked to: Simply Sweet Home Inspired Room HomeStories Mantels, Holiday Home Link Parties TLC, Under the Table & Dreamin, Think Pink Sundays, Seasonal Sundays, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, DIY Design, Works for Me Wednesday, Blue Cricket Design, Transformation Thursday, House of H, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up DIY by Design