A Christmas Highlight

My niece Aimee and brother Mark introduced me to the pure excellence of the song Threw It On The Ground over Christmas.  Just one listen and me and the rest of the family was hooked.  Additionally, it's quite fun as you sing this song to mimic the hand gestures.  Just try it, you may become hooked too.

Merry Christmas 2011!

have yourself a merry little christmas~

let your heart be light!!

a very merry christmas to you and yours!



Hope

I was reminded that yesterday was winter solstice.  It only gets lighter from here on out!  This marks our second year as a family of observing advent together.  As a person who loves imagery and symbol I have thoroughly enjoyed gathering my little family together and practicing this tradition.  I can think of few better ways to experience God than in the candlelit faces of those I hold nearest and dearest.

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up." ~ Anne Lamott

"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." ~ Matthew 1:23

 Wishing you the hope of light and love today!

Friday's Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  I officially know it's winter when we have to roll up a towel to put by the attic door.  Brrrr!  Dear Lucky Pockets:  I know it must be hard to be the least admired of all the animals in this house, but could you please keep your midnight frolics down?  I don't particularly enjoy being woken up at 4a.m. by a hamster.  Thanks.  Dear Nathaniel Rateliff:  I had heard of you before I found out you are opening for Mumford and Sons, and had a feeling you were good.  However, now that I've taken a thorough listen I am sold.  Love this song.  Love these lyrics.  Dear Self:  Congrats on making a serious dent in the Christmas shopping, now to wrap it all.  And last to Mr. Veen:  I love you.  That's all.

Happy Friday Peeps!

Fridays Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  there is something undeniably magical about racing kiddie sized tractors through a field with you.   I love being goofy together!  Dear Grandma with the bun:  not only did you save my morning yesterday by rocking babies, but you also inspired me with your sweet and giving spirit.  Thank you.  Dear Thursday:  you included the following - a) locking my keys in the car b)  a nose bleed that lasted 30 minutes while at work c) dead car battery d)  wonderful news via email or  e) all of the above.  Dear Biebs:  the Christmas spirit is slowly filling my heart especially after seeing your latest video.  I heart you.  And last to Mr. Veen:  want to see who's better at getting out pumpkin guts tonight?  It's a date!

An Early Christmas Present!

Today I bought myself an awesome gift.  This gift is so good it actually will fulfill one of my bucket list items.  I was so excited after purchasing this gift that I did some crazy dancing the likes of which sincerly annoyed my pre-teen son. 

I bought tickets to see Mumford and Sons.

If you haven't heard of Mumford and Sons by now then I feel very sorry for you.  Their debut album 'Sigh no More' has been played, re-played, and memorized word for word  in my house.  Aside from their obvious musical talent the thing I love most about this band is the soul searching, haunting, and downright inspired quality of their musics lyrics.

For me listening to them is church



Inspiration found at 3:03.

Friday's Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  last night we watched this movie.  How did I forget to include it in my top favorite movies of 2010? In fact it might be my FAVORITE, FAVORITE!  Loved watching it with you last night.  Dear Jake:  this morning you walked into our room and said "I'm wondering if you guys are EVER going to get up - I mean because LOOK outside!".  I guess you're not used to me sleeping in until 8:30.  Dear sleeping in until 8:30:  you are GLORIOUS!  That's all.  Dear Tracy Chapman:  O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song and the quintessential song of Christmas Eve thanks for doing it justice.  And last to Mr. Veen:  tonight we will stay up as late as we need to putting together a Wii and generally being Santa, this season of life is so much fun!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Holiday Treats 2010

Maybe it's because I'm just a tiny bit ADD but I love finding new and interesting recipes even at Christmas!  Of course you can't mess with the standard classics like sugar cookies, fudge and gingerbread men, but the variety of Christmas goodies available is just too fun not to branch out and try something new.  I tend to gravitate towards making candy because it lasts a little bit longer (in theory) then cookies. 
This first recipe is one I found via one of my new favorite blogs Pioneer Woman.  It does take some patience to get to that elusive hard candy stage but other than that it's pretty easy and ohhh so delicious.  I love the version with dark chocolate and sea salt - yum!

Ingredients

• 16 ounces, weight Butter, Melted
• 16 ounces, weight Granulated Sugar
• 3 ounces, fluid Water
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 16 ounces, weight Chopped Topping: Toasted Nuts, Candy Canes, Sea Salt, Etc.
• 24 ounces, weight Tempered Dark Chocolate For Coating, Melted

Preparation Instructions

*Necessary Equipment: Candy Thermometer*
Combine butter, sugar, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
Cook over moderate heat, stirring gently, until candy thermometer registers 298 degrees.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla until well combined.
Pour the mixture onto a silicone baking mat or good parchment paper. Use a heatproof rubber spatula or offset spatula to spread quickly before the toffee sets. Spread thin.
Allow toffee to cool completely. Blot to remove excess oil from the surface. Coat surface with half of the melted chocolate and immediately sprinkle with topping.
When chocolate has totally set, carefully flip over (it’s okay if it falls apart a bit) and coat other side with the rest of the chocolate. Sprinkle on topping.
Allow to set, then break into bite-size pieces.
Store in an airtight container.

Next up is a recipe I actually made last year too and it was so delicious and easy I repeated it this year.  These are almost gone already - oops!:)

Oreo Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
• 2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refridgerator.

I love that you can customize these to whatever you want.  Next time I want to try them dipped in white chocolate with crushed up candy canes!

Last is a cookie recipe I found via the blog i am baker, that is an instant classic!  These are so easy and super good.  They are even a bit of a refreshing change to all the heavy chocolate posted above. :)  If a cookie can be called refreshing that is.....

Oatmeal Chocolate Cranberry Spice Cookies

*photo would be inserted here but blogger's not letting me right now*

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar*

1 1/2 cups whole oats*
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips*
*I used ultra fine bakers sugar, organic whole grain oats, and a high quality cocoa chocolate.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In medium bowl sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon,  and all spice.  In separate large bowl, cream together shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Combine well.
Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until just combined.  Then add oats, cranberries, and chocolate if you so desire.
Use 1/4 cup and scoop onto cookie sheet... you should get about 6 per sheet.
Bake for at least 8 minutes, but most likely will bake for 12 depending on your stove.

So there you have it  - my top three holiday treats of 2010!  I'm off to deliver more of these today because frankly I'd like my jeans to still fit after Christmas! 
Happy Monday everyone!  Hope this finds you enjoying the last few days before Christmas!

       

Wordless Wednesday: Favorite Christmas Things.....

DIY pom-pom garland!

A few weeks ago I was flipping through my latest issue of Bust magazine when I spied this super easy and adorable pom-pom garland project.  I'm not a big fan of complicated projects that end up taking days on end and costing just as much or more than going out and buying whatever it is your making.  Some people get off on that sort of thing, but not me.  I'm just happy to make something cute, simple, fast and cheap! 
This took my daughter Ella and I maybe 30 minutes and we each made one.  Here's what you'll need:

1.  Assorted pom-poms - you can choose different sizes and colors to your liking.
2.  Assorted beads - again choose sizes and colors you like.
3.  Thick thread (we used embroidery thread)
4.  Embroidery needle

Simply thread the pom-pom's and beads together in you desired pattern!  It's best to start with a pom-pom - that way it stays on without having to tie a knot in the end.

I had alot of fun with these!  They'd be cute so many different places (Christmas tree, decor for gift-giving, party decorations) but I especially like the way mine looks on the fireplace.....



 Ella got into it too and ended up putting her garland up in her room under her loft bed ~ cute!

Here's hoping you all have a warm and cozy Thursday!





Wordless Wednesday: Christmas outside my house....

p.s:  Jake had a wonderful 10th:)

O Christmas Tree

OMG - I totally got a fake tree this year!  Can you even believe it?  I live in Oregon - the land of the plentiful tree and  - yep I got a fakey.  And guess what?  I am LOVING my "plastic" tree!  Shhh - don't tell the neighbors!

So here's the thing.  I never thought I'd get one either.  I have been very staunch and even a bit judgmental in the past about artificial trees.  I am pretty romantic about the notion of going out and cutting one down, the whole "experience" and everything was something I felt needed to happen in order to make Christmas, well Christmas.  So what changed you ask?  Well,  I think mainly it's because I'm tired.  Or maybe it's because I have a relatively small living room in which to house a Christmas tree and I want a tall skinny one and it's next to impossible to find a tall tree that's skinny enough on the bottom to fit in my house.  So picky, and a bit tired.

Given the internal and external responses I've gotten about my choice to get an artificial tree this year I thought I'd do some research on the subject.  Turns out there's really no black and white answer on what's best for the environment.  Actually what's best is to buy a small tree, leave it in the house for a week or so and then plant it in your yard.  Hmmm - maybe I'll try that next time:)  But I did find this pro and con list that I found interesting and pretty true.  I guess the bottom line for me is that I enjoy my little tree, the kid's had just as much fun decorating it as the real one's, and I still get the lovely fresh pine smell from my live wreath above the mantle.   And I'm doing all sort's of other fun and crafty things with all my extra energy from not having to spend an entire weekend chopping a real one down.  yay!

Here's my pretty little tree:

 

"Do I contradict myself?  Very well then, I contradict myself.  I am large.  I contain multitudes..."  ~Walt Whitman

Announcement!  My amazingly awesome son Jake is double digits - 10 today!!  I love you kid - it's so fun to be your mom:)

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas inside my house.....