9 Months Later...

Christmastime is here!

And I couldn't be more excited to enjoy all that December brings. Our family of five is busier than ever, and this month, just looking at the calendar is enough to wear me out! But the holiday season is well under way at our house and I can't resist the urge to share it all with you.

Nine months have passed since the last time I sat down to write a post...

(9 months!! Sheesh!)

And while I don't feel that I have to explain why I took a break from blogging, I do feel like I want to explain. There have been a lot of changes for my family, and even some changes just for me!

That post will have to wait though. There's so much holiday cheer to focus on right now, and the business of it all (so very busy!) means that it will, no doubt, fly by. 2012 will be here before we know it and there will be plenty of time to chat about my new ventures and what's been happening with us when the New Year rolls around.

That being said, I have a new post to share! It's just...not all here...on this blog.

It's over at Girl Power Hour.

Because I have been asked to be their new Home blogger!

My first post went live this morning and I would love it if you would check it out. I'm sharing my three favorite "go-to" gifts to make for family and friends for Christmas.

Here's a little peek to entice you:

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You know how the saying goes…'tis better to give, than to receive. I grew up hearing this, and it’s now what I strive to instill in my children as they grow up. The beauty of it is that, it’s true! I have three, favorite “go-to” gifts that I make during the holidays to give to family, friends, neighbors, my children’s teachers…anyone that holds a special place in our hearts. Simply put, they are Hot Chocolate, Pecans, and Candles. But, like almost everything at Christmastime, these are all dressed up!

The first, and most loved by my little ones: Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

It couldn’t be easier to make and it looks so pretty in a glass jar.

Mix together the hot cocoa powder of your choice, mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed candy canes. Decorate the jar with pretty ribbon and the heating instructions, and you have a very sweet gift that will warm up your loved ones on a cold, wintry day!

To see the complete Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe, click here.

To continue reading and see my two other favorite gifts to make, click here and head over to GirlPowerHour.com.

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And one last thing...

to those of you who have been here from the start, those of you who showed up while I was gone, and everyone in between...

thanks for sticking around and waiting!

It means the world to me.

* Thank you *

Green With Envy...

I'm not sure if it's because St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, or if it's the promise of spring that is so close, I can feel it...

but either way, I find lately that I am drawn to green in a way that I have never quite been before.

I have slowly, but steadily been adding the crisp color of apple green into my decor and I love the fresh feeling that it brings to spaces that are starting to feel a little ho-hum and boring, and I'm wondering if maybe green should make it's way into our home as a stronger statement.

For inspiration, I went to Houzz, and this is what I found:

Twenty photos that draw me in and make me crave green in a big, bad way.

From light and bright, to bold and intense, green has the ability to be
calm and relaxing or bold and energetic.

I could happily exist in any one of these spaces...

what about you?

All of this inspiration prompted me to put together a green mantle just in time for St. Patrick's Day. It isn't a holiday mantel, by any stretch of the imagination, but more of a subtle reminder.

And, as it turns out, a great way to bring a little bit of that promise of spring to the inside of our home!

L . O . V . E .

Our Valentine's Day...in pictures...

Before the kids got home from school, I put out fresh flowers in colors of red, pink and coral...

And baked and frosted the pinkest cupcakes I could create!

As soon as they got home, they started going through all of their Valentine's from friends and classmates. So many cards and treats...


A present from Mom and Dad for our three little Valentine's...


On the menu for dinner:

Food that was pink, red, or heart shaped. Or a combination of them all!

Strawberry Hearts dipped in pink, Cherry yogurt...


and Heart shaped pizza...

We even drank pink milk...

The Hot Pink Cupcakes were the perfect Valentine's dessert...

The kids and I had a great time together!

The only thing missing was Will.

But, being an airline family, we're used to having to celebrate holidays after the fact.

We'll have our Valentine's Date Night this Saturday, and I can't wait!


I hope your Valentine's Day was just as fun, and more importantly, was filled with lots of

L . O . V . E .