Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Yesterday most of the Northwest was covered in a blanket of powdery white. My hubby and I ventured out on foot to the grocery store so I could spend the afternoon making homemade Challah bread. It's such an easy bread to make, but you'll be sure to impress people with this golden braid. My favorite recipe is from the Betty Crocker's Cookbook Bridal Edition.

With blizzard warnings in affect over most of Western Washington, I'm staying home again instead of slip sliding around on the roads. So I'm getting cozy with a cup of tea, watching non-stop Christmas movies and probably working on my next knitting project.

I am going to be spending Christmas in Alaska this year, so I'll be taking a short break from blogging. Don't worry though...I'll be back in the new year!

Merry Christmas!

Time Savers

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I often find myself crashing into bed at the end of the day wondering where my day went. It's filled with working, shopping, wrapping, cleaning and packing. In the all the hurried-ness it's often hard to find any time to spare. The folks at 5min.com understand how busy our lives are and they have come to the rescue. With 5 minute long videos, you can learn anything from how to go green for the holidays, how to apply your makeup for the Christmas party, or how to cook the perfect Christmas dinner.

They cover topics other than the holidays as well. With 20 different categories you could learn something new every day of the year!

I love to read, but often it's hard to find the time to do it. DailyLit.com is a great solution. They email you short, customized installments of the book of your choice (they have over 800 titles to choose from). This means you can read it at your desk when you check your email, on your iphone as you ride the bus in to work, or pretty much whenever or where ever you want because it only takes a few moments of your time. Don't you just love technology!

Wordless Wednesday - What Your Favorite Christmas Movie?

(Photo courtesy of Teach With Movies)

Birthdays on the Brain

(Photo courtesy of 1-800-Flowers)

My husband's birthday is this weekend, and with not one but two birthday dinners to plan...I most definitely have birthdays on the brain. I came across this super cute flower arrangement on my of my favorite blogs, At Home At Home. Believe it or not, this flower cupcake is from 1-800 Flowers! I normally don't like carnations, but when they are bundled tightly like this I think it looks quite modern (not to mention they are easy on the pocketbook!).

If you're in the crafty mood, this is an easy gift you could make on your own. Head over to The Container Store had pick up one of their small Zig Zag Pots.

Then pick up a bundle of your favorite color of carnations and a package of birthday candles from your local grocery store. Make a sweet little birthday note to glue on a toothpick. Put it all together and you have a homemade birthday gift that they will be sure to love.

The Countdown Has Begun!

When I was growing up every day in December held a new surprise. A treasure. Sometimes small, sometimes big. These special treats were from our advent calendar. It was a snow covered house made out of paper boxes. Every day my sister and I would take turns opening the box for that day. Some days there would be a yummy piece of candy, and other days there would be the first clue to an intricate scavenger hunt leading to a holiday book or toy of some sort.

The advent calendar is special not only for the treats it brings, but also it's a daily reminder to have joy throughout the entire season. They originated from the German Lutherans who would count down the 24 days of Advent with a simple chalk mark. Now we are a bit more modern and detailed in our design. There are SO MANY creative options out there, but here are a few of my favorite advent calendars both to purchase or to create:

(Photo courtesy of Kaboose)

Santa's Advent Beard: A classic. Fill in Santa's beard with one cotton ball each day.

(Photo courtesy of Skip To My Lou)

Little Birdie Advent Calendar: A modern twist, and a fun DIY project.

(Photo courtesy of Target)

Gift Advent Calendar: A gift a day keeps the doctor away...

(Photo courtesy of Target)

Mirrored Advent Calendar: Add a little glamour to your day.

(Photo courtesy of Alpha Mom)

Paper Cup Advent Calendar: Now I realize this is a calendar for November using leftover Halloween candy, but use some red and green tissue paper and you're good to go for advent.

The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition

Tonight the streets of downtown Seattle are going to be filled with the sounds of carolers gathering to sing in The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition. Over 40 singing teams compete, and prizes are awarded for collecting the most donations, best and most original performances. The 22nd annual event raises funds by donation for the Pike Market Senior Center and the Downtown Food Bank. If you live in the Seattle area, come down to Westlake Center and Pine Street (between Third and Seventh Avenues) and celebrate the season at this unique and outrageously fun event.

Bring On The Christmas Decorations!

Back when I was decorating our home for fall, I talked about these simple glass containers. For October and November they were filled with pine cones, beaded mini pumpkins and leaves.

This weekend instead of crashing into a turkey induced coma, once we got home from a fun and family filled time at the cabin, I set my i pod to shuffle in the holiday genre and got to work decorating for Christmas. I slowly pulled my decorations out of their boxes as if I were opening up a treasure chest. Ever since I was a little girl I have loved decorating for the holidays, and that is something that has never changed.

The glass containers were actually the first thing I decorated. I filled them with an assortment of faux snow, crystals, faux cranberries, glitter stars, gold ornaments and beaded fruit. I have collected these items over the years, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Start with faux snow and ornaments, and then add whatever fits with your own personal decor.

Decor tip: If you're using large containers and don't have enough items to fill them with, twist up tissue paper and put it in the middle of the container. Surround the paper with your decorations until it's completely hidden. This will allow all of your decorations to be seen.

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

(Photo courtesy of Norman Rockwell)