Christmas Card {Photo Shoot} 2013

There is honestly not a bad place to take pictures in Colorado. Every turn has a backdrop worthy of a magazine cover. Seriously.   So taking these with our tripod was pretty easy. And I'm so glad we did.   Henry turns a year next month.   I know. I can't believe it either.   While pictures can be difficult to orchestrate, hard to plan, and challenging to coordinate, they are always always worth it.

 

BBQ Bean and Sausage Skillet: A Recipe

Hello!

 

With all the holiday cooking coming up, I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe with you.

Just in case you get tired of turkey and mashed potatoes with stuffing.

{grin!}

 

This recipe has been a favorite of ours since we lived in Arkansas, over three years ago.

 

It is really robust and full of flavor.

It is saucy and filling. And I make it quite often.

 

Behold: the BBQ bean and sausage skillet.

: )

 

You will need:

 

brown sugar

an onion

ketchup

Worcestershire sauce

butter

2 cans of pinto beans

and a kielbasa sausage

{we prefer the skinless type for this recipe}

 

 

Start by giving your onion a rough chop.

 

Toss it in a skillet.

 

And make sure to add a heaping of butter.

I used our homemade unsalted butter, but any will do.

: )

 

Saute until the onion is clear and soft.

 

Chop your sausage thinly.

 

And drain your beans well.

 

Add to your skillet.

 

Make your sauce.

 

One cup of ketchup

 

1/2 cup brown sugar

 

and a tsp. of your Worcestershire sauce

- add to your skillet.

 

Heat until bubbling.

We like ours with brown rice.

 

It is like a twist on red beans and rice.

But completely different in flavor.

 

Thick, saucy, and tangy.

 We love it!

 

It is perfect for those nights when you need something really fast.

{and when you're tired of holiday turkey!}

: )

  Enjoy!  

Make it Fancy

When my parents left to head back to Arkansas, they left a gift for Harbor and Henry

with instructions to open it before December 1st.

We were super excited to see they had hand crafted an Advent calendar!

 

My mom up cycled drink containers, spray painted them, had my dad cut out a wooden tree stand,

painted the top with chalkboard paint for the count down, and assembled it all.

They placed a little treat in each day.

Harbor has had the best time opening the containers.

 

 

Harbor and I also did a little crafting ourselves last week and made each Cubbie from church a hot chocolate cup.  Harbor helped to put a real paper straw in each cup, and I made the tags.

 

Last week, Harbor made me laugh- and realize that he is slowly,

but surely growing up and leaving toddler hood behind.

 

I told him, that as a treat, he could pick a movie for us to watch together during Henry's lunchtime nap.  I was fully expecting Curious George or a recorded episode of Peg Plus Cat.

Nope-- he chose Star Wars- A New Hope.

 

It was a total moment for me- and I got a good laugh out of it.

: )

 

I dug out our annual Christmas pictures of Harbor with Santa and displayed them in our entry way.

Santa has always been just a fun character at our house- like Frosty or Rudolph. 

Santa doesn't bring gifts or come down our chimney, but we are totally fine with a picture.

: )

 

"Make it Fancy!" 

I hear this quite a bit from Harbor when it comes to making hot chocolate.

Around here, we like our drinks covered in sweet cream and sprinkles.

Fancy, hu!? 

: )

 

We've been snowed in for several days.

I'm happy being snowed in.  I love being home.

The kids and I have built many forts and constructed many towers this week.

 

And Henry's 1st Christmas tree is up!

He loves the lights- and commonly will wake up and play in his bed if the tree is plugged in, instead of wanting out right away.

 

And Harbor's little multi-lit tree is up in his room!

He has been requesting it for a night light.

He is such a sweet boy. I love this age!

 

Henry loves pulling the deco mesh out of the tree.

And I have decided to take pictures of him doing it instead of stopping him.

Ha!

 

But no amount of tree redecorating can get me down....

My handmade Christmas cards have been mailed!

 

All 200 of them are on their way to their new homes today.

Woo Hoo!

  Hope you have been snowed in at home like us! It is the best! : )

The Halls are Decked {Great Room/Dining Room}

Wow!  It is December, folks!

 

My parents left the day after Thanksgiving- and gave us a night out for a date- which was great.

It was our first date in about six months and much appreciated.

 

As soon as they left, I went into overdrive:

the tree and mantle were done in a single night.

The next day, I finished the living room and the kids' trees in their rooms.

 

And tonight, all 200 handmade Christmas cards are officially finished.

{Fa la la la la, la la la!!}

 

I love making my cards, so I'm honestly a bit sad they're done for another year,

but I'm excited to mail them out on Saturday.

 

I'm thinking of stuffing them into envelopes tonight while watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

 

Mmmmkay.

On to the Great Room, shall we.

: )

 

I decided to hang the stockings on the banister in the living room due to

"Sticky Fingers McCash" 

 {aka Henry!}

 being able to reach them. 

This is what I like to refer to as, "The Year of the Ba-bay" which means I have a baby bottom tree and no presents.

 

I love years like these.

In such a short amount of time kids grow up.

 

I do miss our house in Michigan-

that deep mahogany mantle, those honey wood floors, that rich curved banister.

But I love looking outside and seeing snow capped Rockies here.

 

Enjoy!

  I'll be back soon to share the rest of the house! But for now, I've got envelopes to stuff, lick, and stamp. {which makes me think of a Friends episode! Ha!}