:: Family Happenings - christmas tree shopping

We went to a Christmas Tree Farm near our house yesterday
and finally got our tree.
We usually just use our fake tree, but this year we decided to buy one.
The girls loved it!
Loved running around and looking for a tree.
We finally found a beautiful one and can't wait to decorate it.

:: Christmas - wooden state ornaments

These ornaments would be perfect as a Christmas gift

 or for part of the packaging outside of the Christmas gift.  

Love them.

I bought a few today for each state we've lived in and the year.

They're only $5 (and then you pay shipping).

I think they're going fast, so hurry and buy yours here off of GroopDealz!

Check out Morgan Hill Designs here.

:: Cyber Monday

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!
I had to work.  Boooo!
But I was able to spend the majority of the afternoon with my family, so I was definitely blessed.

And did you go Black Friday shopping?
I used to be into it, but the past few years I've had to work that day, so I don't really go anymore.
My sisters went shopping and then when I got home at noon, we went out and had pedicures done.
It was much needed.
I haven't had one in such a long time!




I'm a big fan of Cyber Monday.
I'd much rather shop while at home in my PJs.

Found any great deals today?
At Paper Coterie, everything on their site is 50% off today!
At Cardstore.com all cards are 75% off today!

What deals have you found?

:: Happy Thanksgiving!

I decided to hang this chalkboard in our kitchen and had Ava write just a 

few things that we are thankful for.  

I absolutely love her preschool handwriting . . . and that she's thankful for her hair.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and spend it with those you love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for!

:: Food - thanksgiving rolls

For Sunday dinner, we went to my sister's place and I told her I'd bring rolls.

Well, I wanted to try out a new roll recipe . . . just using food storage.

I found this recipe here from Everyday Food Storage and it was so delicious!

So if your assignment this Thanksgiving is to bring rolls, try this recipe.

You won't regret it!

Naomi’s Rolls

1/2 C. Sugar
1 Extra-Large Egg (2 T. Dry Egg Powder + 1/4 C. Water)
1 T. Shortening
1 C. Milk (3 T. Dry Powdered Milk + 1 C. Water)
1 t. Salt
4 1/2-5 C. Flour (enough to make a sticky dough) I usually do 1/4 to 1/2 Whole wheat flour
1 pkg yeast (2 1/2 t. yeast), softened in 1/2 C. lukewarm water

Beat sugar and egg. Scald milk; cool. Then add to sugar and egg. Stir in shortening, yeast, salt, flour. Let rise about 2-21/2 hours. Shape, cut, rise again about 1/2-1 hour. bak. (400, about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 16 good sized rolls. You may want to double the recipe, as these rolls disappear fast!  Oh, and if you use Dry Powdered Milk, then you don't have to scald the milk!)

And she also has a tutorial on how to make perfectly round rolls.

It's easy and so fast to do!

Also, my sis-in-law is having a week of giveaways on her health blog!
Check it out at Simply Healthful.
I really want to win this necklace here.

Gorgeous.

:: Thanksgiving - free printables

Source: thetomkatstudio.com via Amy on Pinterest

If I were hosting Thanksgiving this year,
 I'd definitely be using these free printables from the TomKat Studio.
  This just screams Thanksgiving!
Maybe someday . . . .

:: Christmas Cards

I wanted to have a relaxing December, so one of my goals was to have Christmas cards out by Dec.1st.  I have them and we'll see if they get sent out by then.

I usually procrastinate, so I'm pretty impressed with myself this year.

I bought these through Paper Coterie a few weeks ago when all cards were 50% off.

Plus I used some gift cards that I'd bought awhile from them that were 70% off.

Love their deals.

I'll let you know if they go back on sale.  

:: Books - classic babylit counting primer

So, I know it's only the beginning of November, but I wanted to get a headstart on Christmas gifts.

I've been eyeing these books for a few years now and have fallen in love.

We bought a few for Reese from here.
Reese will love them and although Ava already knows how to count, I'm sure she'll love them too!

:: Embrace the Camera 11.01.12

We had a fun Halloween evening last night!
And Reese gave me the best Halloween gift ever.
She wore the costume I made for her.
{She would scream when we tried to put it on her.
 But really, what's Snow White without the poisoned apple?}
And what a cute poisoned apple she was!
Ava loved being Snow White and she made many comments about
how she looks good with black hair.
Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!