All Aboard! The Polar Express (cookies!)

As I'm getting ready for the holidays, I promised my son that we'd have a Polar Express themed night...

you know...

Hot, Hot, - Hot Chocolate bar with all the toppings

Sleeping bags on the floor

Pjs on

and of course, you need snacks!

So I made...

Polar Express Cookies!!

Snowy, holiday steam trains

Silver sleigh bells

and of course,

a golden Polar Express ticket to ride

stamped "Believe"

 

Time to pop some popcorn and set up the hot chocolate!

 

 

 

Hand-decorated "PE" marshmallows with "Believe" flags...

 

Heavenly Peace

The older I get,

the more I enjoy the week following Christmas. 

The hustle and bustle is over.  The crazy crowds are beginning to die down. The parties have ended (at least until New Year's Eve!) and the guests are packed up to go home.  While some rush to pack away Christmas and move on, at our home, this is our time to cozy up on the sofa, turn on the lights, pour ourselves a steaming cup of coffee or brew a pot of tea and savor the seasonal splendors.

Do yourself a favor ~ don't rush through the season just because the day has come and gone.  This is the time to enjoy all of the things that you were too busy to get around to while you were preparing.  Watch those holiday DVDs that you skimmed through while cooking or wrapping.  Turn off the lights and plug in the tree lights and read a good book or leaf through a holiday magazine {let your mind file away ideas for NEXT year!)  Curl up with your sweetie and children and reflect on special holiday moments that you want to be sure to remember. 

This is the time to reflect, enjoy and relax as we move into a new year. 

So tonight, I plan to enjoy my Christmas decor {just a little longer!}, curl up with my favorite guys {my husband and son!}, have a warm mug of cocoa in front of my newest love!  One of my favorite presents!! 

and savor the Christmas season ~ just a little bit more :)

Elfin Magic

Christopher Pop-in-kins spent the Christmas season hiding in various spots in our house.  Like Elf on the Shelf, this little fella appears in children's homes and keeps a watch on their behavior, reporting back to Santa!  My son loves this tradition! 

Christopher left him small treats in our various advent calendars for him to find each morning...like this one:

And of course we had to get the Elf on the Shelf DVD, this year because my son's so into elves. 

So when it came time for baking, I had an idea!

These jolly North Pole Christmas elf cookies were perfect!   He loved their crooked little smiles and happy expressions! 

A simple and cute way to add a little elfin magic to any holiday celebration!

From my home to yours

From my home to yours...

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Today I'll be in the kitchen, finishing my baking...

immersed in flour, icing, and sprinkles!

I hope you're {nearly} ready, too :)

Home for the Holidays

We're just days away from Christmas! 

I've been so busy preparing at home, attending parties, finishing shopping, sending packages and cards, and baking ~ all the while trying to find those little blissful moments to soak it all in, that I've completely neglected all of you! 

Why is it that no matter how organized you set out to be, you always find yourself running ragged before a holiday??  (if it's just me, please don't tell me!!)

I switched up my decor this year to include some new pieces, including these pretty, glittery paper mache houses that light up!  (I'm a sucker for anything that sparkles and twinkles)  I love seeing their little, frosted windows all aglow. 

Enjoy these final days before Christmas! 

I hope you're more prepared and organized than I obviously am!

St. Nicholas Day

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there..."

A Visit from St Nicholas

by Clement C Moore

Every year on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, children leave their shoes, slippers or stockings out to find them filled with candies, nuts or fruit by St. Nicholas. Our son eagerly anticipates this annual tradition by leaving his slippers outside his bedroom door to wake to find them filled with a sweet card from St. Nick and special candies. 

The sweet card from St. Nick writes to tell our son that St. Nick's elf, Christopher-pop-in-kins reports that our son's been a good boy (so far!) this year and encourages him to keep up the good work! 

 

Glittering snowy sprinkles and glistening stars pepper the surrounding floor, leaving a magical trail from this special visit!  Chocolate coins, special hot cocoa mix, peppermints and other candies overflow from his cute little polar bear slippers.

It's an Old World tradition that keeps the religious focus on the Christian aspect of the holiday which is important to us. 

But you don't need to be religious to keep this tradition alive.  We explain to our son that St. Nicholas (St. Nick/Santa) visits before Christmas in order to check in on how he's behaving and to scope out where to leave the presents!  It's a wonderful prelude to the hoopla of Christmas and stretches out the anticipation (the funnest part!) just a little bit longer!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Backward, turn backward, O Time, in your flight,

Make me a child again just for tonight!

~Elizabeth Akers Allen

As any child can tell you,

Christmas is magic.

The sights and sounds, the sweet fragrant smells, the anticipation, the joy...

everything seems more alive, brighter, and vibrant.

And what is more magical than a visit to see Santa, himself!

Each year our little family looks forward to an annual tradition of going to see Santa in our little town.  The main street trees covered in tiny white lights.  The walkways lined in white, candle lit luminaries.  Firepits on each street corner to warm your hands.  Carriage and sleigh rides through the street as you shop.  Store-front windows festively decorated with their lovely wares on display.  Vibrant fireworks filling the night sky with explosive color and thunderous sound.  Cups of steaming hot cocoa and sweet sugar cookies to munch as you wait your turn in the seemingly never-ending line to see the Big Guy ~ SANTA!

Ready to see Santa!

It's thrilling even for me, as an adult! 

For my young son, the anticipation is almost too much to bear!

Shopping during the holidays can be so much fun, especially in a small town main street instead of overcrowded malls.  You can take a break from the over-heated stores to venture out into the brisk evening air amidst all of the twinkling tree lights lining the sidewalk.

The cheery store-front window displays are always a delight to behold.

Little eyes filled with wonder and longing at all of the precious treasures within!

A little ice cream parlor beckons us in for a sweet treat.

Always seize the moment

to stop during the hustle and bustle

to let little ones take it all in.

The world seems so fast-paced and overwhelming to children.

Taking time to listen to them, and let them savor the moment is so important.

It helps them feel secure and valued...

and it gives you both a chance to make some extra special memories together!

Horse-drawn sleigh ride throughout the town...

Jingle all the way...

But the highlight of the night is, of course,

a visit with Santa!

Whispering all of the wishes that a little heart can hold...

ever hopeful...

a little timid...

with sparkling eyes filled with wonder!

My wish for you during this busy Christmas season,

as you ready your home for guests and festivities,

is that you take a break, if even for a moment - to savor the magic,

the splendor,

the sights, sounds and smells,

and let Christmas joy fill your heart and home this season.

May your days be merry and bright :)

Holiday Planning

There are two things you should know about me: 

1.  I'm a born planner 

and

2.  I adore the holidays

I know, I know - you don't even want to think about back-to-school let alone Christmas. 
Believe me, I completely and wholeheartedly understand.

BUT...

Planning ahead makes life SO much simpler!

Maybe it's due to working full-time and being stretched for time, but I always try to plan ahead. 

My friends and family jokingly call it seasonal schizophrenia,

 but it's not uncommon for me to be shopping and planning for events and holidays

months in advance. 

With a preschooler and a career, I have to stayed organized!

First, take assessment.

Dig out last year's Christmas photos and for 30 minutes, reflect on what worked well for your family - what needs improvement?  Were you too stretched for time?  Didn't budget well? 

Well the good news is that it's still early enough for you to develop a plan for this holiday season!

Second, make a plan.

I've found that keeping a holiday journal can be so helpful.

Your journal can be as ornate or simplistic as you'd like.

In it, you can keep a record of everything to keep you on track:

• Calculator
• Budget (for gifts, cards, wrappings)
• Shopping lists (sizes, wish lists, fav. items)
•  Calendar (events, when to ship gifts, send cards, party plans, cleaning)
• Recipes (tried-and-true and wanting to try)
• Decorating ideas
• Record of last year's decor (what to purchase, where it's stored, how it was laid out)

etc..

There are many websites to help you set a plan for everything from budgeting

to cleaning schedules so your house is picture perfect. 

I've found that it's so much easier to do things when you set goals for yourself.  

Summer is the perfect time to off-season shop for the holidays. 

While everyone else is shopping for back-to-school,

look online for great deals on holiday items! 

Want to try out a particular craft or idea that you've seen on Pinterest? 

Now is the ideal time to find those ideas you've been aching to try,

 buy the materials and get to work!

Love handmade items but you're not crafty?
Summer and fall are the seasons for craft festivals,
 tag/yard/garage sales, and outdoor markets of all kinds.
Check out sites like Etsy to commission artisans to create those unique,
handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items
that your friends and family will cherish and adore.

Want an adorable photography card of your family this year?

Good photographers get booked well in advance.

This is a great time to book early.

If you're taking the photos yourself, start gathering ideas for location/outfits/poses.

With a little pre-planning now, you'll find that your holidays can be much less stressful,

much more enjoyable and a whole lot more fun!!

Glad Tidings

I've been soaking up every blessed minute of this Christmas season ~ this is what life is all about...rejoicing in life's simple pleasures, indulging in all that we love, surrounded with our family and friends, fondly remembering year's past while hopefully looking to the New Year ahead :)

Christmas 2010 was filled with sweetness and joy in our household.  Pure bliss! 

For Christmas time is magical ~ the lights, the sounds, the sweet smells, the smiling faces, the unexpected surprises all adorably wrapped up and waiting to be opened.   I don't care how old I get, I always feel like a child again at Christmas. 

People often ask me why I go through so much hassle ~ as if turning our home into a Christmas wonderland for the joy of my son can be considered work!  

To the naysayers, I ask what could possibly be more important 

than bringing happiness to a little one?!?  

Seeing those little eyes light up ~ the excitement, the anticipation....truly nothing on this earth is anywhere near as important! 

 

I decorate inside and out...trees in nearly every room.  Little seasonal splendors tucked into virtually every nook and cranny ~ holidays soaps and towels in the bathrooms, candy cane holders for guests to take home a treat (or two), holiday DVDs, Christmas books, freshly baked cookies and treats, holiday candles in peppermint, Christmas Cookies, pine and sparkling cinnamon, fresh greenery, cheery snowmen, warm cozy throws...

Our home gets turned into Christmasland 

each and every December.  

And I wouldn't have it any other way :)

A giant Santa airblown in our front yard.

~ Sharing Christmas Love ~

On Christmas Eve, I finished up my baking, 

carefully wrapping up boxes of cookies 

to give as tasty & thoughtful little gifts for neighbors, friends and family.

A variety of delicious handmade cookies tucked into darling gingerbread boxes.

Who wouldn't like to receive a box of homemade Christmas cookies?!?

Then my son and I made our annual perfectly imperfect gingerbread house,

getting messy and sticky with icing and candies,

laughing and sharing memories together :)

And we finished up the afternoon baking his cookies for Santa.

What sweet memories in the making...

learning at my hand just as I did from my mom.

Both of us wearing our matching gingerbread aprons.

The special Santa plate and key we put out each year.

My husband went outside to light the traditional white paper bag 

luminaries that line our walkway, 

and turn on our Christmas lights...

while my son sprinkled reindeer food (oats and Christmas sugars) on the lawn.

An early gift on Christmas Eve!

It's a tradition to open one early gift on Christmas Eve,

A Frosty the Snowman,

a Frosty recordable storybook,

and new Christmas pjs!

Once the little guy is tucked into bed,

it's time for Christmas magic to begin!!

Christmas morning bounty waiting to be discovered!

Wrapping paper flying

discarded boxes and bows

A piping hot pot of coffee brewing,

fresh cinnamon rolls baking away in the oven...

Ahhh, Christmas morning!!!

I love every blessed second of it!!!!

Entertaining special company throughout the day,

playing with our new treasures...

watching favorite Christmas specials and movies.

It makes all of the planning & all of the prep 

SO worth it!

For dinner, I made a savory beef roast,

with succulent herb-roasted seasonal vegetables,

and homemade melt-in-your-mouth buttery-softened dinner rolls.

I hope your Christmas was filled with wonder and delight,

and I wish all of you 

a joyous, prosperous, and healthy

2011!