Simple October

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year



Hello, friends.
We have been busy holiday-ing it up over here.
Baking more cookies, cinnamon rolls, and homemade caramels.
Visiting family.
Playing with favorite new toys.
Soaking in all these moments together.

I hope you are having the most wonderful holidays.

Do you write out new years resolutions?
If so, what are you thinking about for 2013?
My thoughts are still running wild but I will write them down........soon.

Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Cookie Swap 2012

Have you been to a cookie swap?
They are amazing, right?
I love hosting them and yet I found myself "not that into it" this year.
What?!?
Not sure what is going on with me this Christmas season.
Forcing the merriment is not my normal.
But I pulled myself together and hosted a super fun (even if I say so myself) party.

We have a "most creative packaging" award (prize).
It's fun to see all the different styles and how everyone gets creative.
The cookies and sweet treats were all amazing.

It was somewhat bittersweet knowing this was the last cookie swap I would host here.
Makes me glad I decided to host one, even with my lacking Christmas spirit.



























 
Our prizes. We had a tie for our most creative packaging award.
I made the gold dots on the mug using this great sharpie mug art tutorial from the sweetest occasion. I'm not sure how long it stayed on but it was fun to make.
I also made the homemade marshmallows with homemade hot cocoa mix that is sitting in the mug.
 
Can you believe Christmas is almost here?!
Yesterday, the boy's gift from their Nana and Grandpa arrived in a great big box.
They have no idea what's inside but I am dying for Christmas morning.
They are going to flip!
 
 


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Weekending

It's my new catch phrase, "weekending".
Just off the top of my head, a one-word description of what the weekend is all about.
Being with family, being still, soaking up life. Weekending.

Everything is better here because David finished another semester of law school last week.
When he is home with us, all is right in the world.

We took the boys out to a local soccer field. They love being able to run.
There was a game on one of the fields near where we were.
One of our boys was very determined to join them in their game.
Luckily, we were far enough away that he didn't even get close enough to interrupt.
He's just so social. I love that about him.
Our other boy....shy. I love that about him.































What is your favorite thing to do while weekending?

 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Candy Cane Cookies

Hello, friends!
Christmas is upon us and all the festivities that accompany the season.
Baking cookies and treats to hand deliver to friends is one of the ways we spread Christmas cheer.
Seeing their faces light up at the realization that you thought of them is my favorite.

I have many cookie recipes but these are what I call my signature Christmas cookies.
I mean my mom makes them and I'm sure plenty of other people make them, but I call them mine.
Ha! Silly, I know.

My grandma Jeannette used to make them every year.
I wish I knew how many batches she made to feed every one and how early she started her baking. Her freezer was always filled with tins of cookies that she had carefully hand crafted.
She always had every one's favorite and that must have been no easy task as my family is quite large.
They make me think of her and how amazing and wonderful she was.
I miss her terribly sometimes.
Smells trigger my memory the most and I have shed many tears in the grocery store from a wave of nostalgia.

Memories are tricky that way.
They always catch you off guard.

Maybe you will make new family traditions with these or at the very least you will not regret making them. For they are wonderful and taste like Christmas magic.



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Candy Cane Cookies

1 c. butter, soft
1 c. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt

Cream the butter and powdered sugar together. Add the egg and extracts and mix.
Mix in the flour and salt to make the dough.
Divide the dough in half. Add 1/2 tsp. red food coloring to one half and mix well.
Leave the other half white. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours.
After dough is chilled, roll 1 tsp. of each color dough into a 4" long rope.
Twist. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and curve the top to form the candy cane.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 9 minutes or just until the edges turn a light brown.
Frost with buttercream frosting and sprinkle with crushed candy canes or red sugar crystals.
(the crushed candy canes are my favorite)

Buttercream Frosting

1 lb. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. butter, soft

Beat all ingredients together until smooth. Enjoy!

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Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie or tradition that you love?
I would love to hear from you.

Happy Thursday!


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

A big HELLO

Hello, friends!
Our Story is now blogging here at Simple October.
I am thrilled that you decided to join me here where I share little bits of me.
Random moments, thoughts, events.

This fabulous post is really so I can test out the new blog and start getting things set up here.
For now I will share our Christmas tree. It's cozy, small, and twinkle lights are always romantic and inviting to me. I love them.

Stop by anytime, I'll be posting like normal in no time.
Btw, are you ready for Christmas? It's less than 2 weeks away. Eek!