It's My Life

The holidays are among us. Personally, at this time in my life, I love the holidays!  I have spent the past several weeks decorating my home trying to make it look as festive and cozy as possible for my family and loved ones.  However, if I am being super honest, I have not always appreciated this time of year. There was a point in my life when I was getting divorced and my father was dying of lung cancer that I honestly dreaded this time of year. I do not think I am alone. For many people, the time between November and January is a very difficult time to get through. Some may call it the bah humbugs or seasonal depression, or even just a funky ole mood but it is common to encounter someone with the Christmas Blues whose goal is just to survive the holidays.  There is something very emotional about the holiday season. It could be simply societal pressure of purchasing gifts and spreading ourselves too thin.  Maybe it is that a new year is upon us and star...

Cookies. I think we all might have a touch of Cookie Monster in us when it comes to our love of cookies. I mean, really, who does not love cookies? One of my favorite holiday traditions is an old fashioned cookie exchanges. You bring in a couple dozen cookies and swap with your friends. You leave with a sampling of cookies; maybe an old favorite or maybe even something new. My cookie of the year is a Lemon Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread. The red cranberries and the green pistachio's just look like Christmas in a cookie.  The lemon just gives the cookie an extra pop of flavor. Lemon Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies 2 1/3 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup unsalted pistachio's coarsely chopped 1 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped zest from 1 lemon Mix the flour and salt together in a separate bowl. In your mixer beast the butter until smoo...

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening, In the lane, snow is glistening, A beautiful site, We're happy tonight.  Walking in a winter wonderland. I am not sure about your neighborhood but my neighborhood had two unseasonably warm days that allowed us to be outside like it was mid-fall and not looming winter. I was even able to decorate my front door for Christmas. My newly painted front door wanted a new wreath. So, I had to give it one. I wanted a white wreath. Not the kind that use to be green but has been painted white to look like snow. I wanted all white.  I found a few online for a lot more than I wanted to pay and I started to get discouraged. Then I called Michael's and inquired if they had any white wreaths. Lucky me, they did! The finishing touch for this wreath is a red bird. My Husband is a Louisville Cardinal so he thinks I made the choice for him. My Grandma use to decorate with birds every year. Some will be reminded of her. {Myself include...

It has been a few days since I posted. I have been busy celebrating the Christmas Holiday. Miss Medical Student arrived her via Frontier airlines late Monday. Since then we have really pushed ourselves. Tuesday we had The Short Chics Christmas party at her day care. Then we spent the rest of the day finishing our shopping. The Short Chic making her craft project at the Christmas party. Relay race game to help Frosty get his parts! Oh and another game: "Santa where is your sled?" The Short Chic loved this game and was so into it! Wednesday, we baked. Finally! I baked!! Take a look at some of the yummy treats we have to share with our loved ones. Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes with Peanut Buttercream frosting Sugar cookies.  Oreo Truffles Pinwheels. This were inspired off of Pinterest. I am not going to lie, I had a very hard time getting them to look right. Thursday, why does yesterday seem so long ago? Maybe because I have no...