I am a little late getting in, but pinterest has officially consumed my life... the ideas are endless, and finally a way to keep up with them.  I made these last night from a recipe I found on pinterest... they are for a cookie/candy exchange Monday night... my perfect treat... salty, sweet, and of course, chocolate!

You can find this awesome recipe by clicking here...

No flash, please!

Much more pleasing to the eye with no flash, right? I see a section of lights out... oh well! I just thought I'd post. I take a photo of our tree every year, but didn't use to to know the no-flash secret. These days, I really don't like using a flash at all, unless I'm using it as a fill. Merry Christmas! Happy Photo-taking!

Choosing my Battles

I am suuuupeerrrr busy these days! Who isn't right? As a mom, I toe the line of enforcing what I say, and trying to choose my battles wisely. The current battle I decided against, was the battle of the shoes with Rylan.

(terrible pic, you can tell I had my focal spot in the top third of the pic from a photoshoot... oops) I had to document this "poor" child's shoes! He has been wearing these shoes looking like this for over a week now - yes, this is child number three with a tired, worn out mama! His other shoes we bought new at the beginning of the school year de-soled themselves, and he refuses to wear shoes he has to tie (and he had a very nice pair in his closet!), so he was actually wearing these!  I am too tired to fight the battle in the mornings, so I let him! Well, tonight I finally found him a similar pair of slip-ons so tomorrow the school can take him off the list of kids who need free stuff! :) Besides with a face like this.... who would notice his shoes, right?

photocredit: Mark Allen Smith 

Comfort Food

I had my first ever root canal today. I only put it off for about six years. So, on this rainy night, chicken noodle soup was the perfect choice. I am so glad my boys are big soup fans like mom.

I boiled two boneless, skinless chicken breast, shredded them, and added them to chicken broth, chopped celery and a chopped carrot. I then added one can of Cream of Chicken, and a bag of egg noodles. I heated it to boiling, and then simmered until the noodles were right. All three boys love it!

Happy December!

Cheesy Enchiladas

Got a really good deal on "Campbell's Cream of ... " Soups, and since football season is over and basketball season hasn't started yet for the boys, I actually had time to cook a meal!  These cheesy enchiladas were a cinch and a big hit with all three boys... which is a good night for me!

 

Deck the Halls 2011

We put up our tree on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. I am still missing a box of ornaments, but I’m sure I’ll find it eventually.  Tonight I got a few more decorations out, so it now feels like Christmastime around here!

I love this battery operated candle I picked up on the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby several months ago…

simple touches…

These are all the Santa pics since Bryce was born almost 12 years ago… I don’t really have a place for them.. I’m still contemplating if I’ll put them out or not… fun to look through, though!    

Dan helped Rylan make homemade paper-chain garland for our tree. Nothing better than homemade for the holidays.

 

I had fun slowing down the shutter speed of my camera …

  I made this rag garland a few years back. This empty shutter awaits its first Christmas card… photo Christmas cards, another favorite holiday decoration of mine!  

Thanksgiving 2011

We were so excited to have Grandma and Big Mark come visit us in Texas for the Thanksgiving Holiday. They arrived late Wednesday and on Thursday morning we got to work making our feast and watching parades and of course, football!

Bryce, Rylan, and I got to work Wednesday night making three pies and chopping celery and onions for the dressing. Look at that cutie with his dimples!

Rylan is a great helper with everything from baking to folding laundry!  Dad is our professional potato peeler .

Making the famous Green Bean Casserole, which my kids said was “actually good this year.”

Mom and I kinda’ like pictures ;)

The boys anxiously awaiting to be called to the table for the “feast!”

A day and a half of preparing the food for a meal that lasts for about 20 minutes… I wish we were more like the Europeans and lingered a little over a lovingly cooked meal. We went for a long walk after dinner. I treasure these family times!

We played “Nerts” for a while after dessert!