All the Stockings Were Hung....

I really wish that I had a fireplace this time of year. Not just for the warmth, but for the Christmas decorating possibilities.

I wanted to create a wall of stockings this year. I really wish that I had a vinyl cutter, but I don't, so this was all done by hand and paint.

The kids helped me make it on Saturday night and then we hung a shelf and hung the stockings.

I love my little Christmas shelf. It even got the approval of my husband.

2010 Thanksgiving,Christmas, New Years Card

I have to start my post with an apology.

When I made my Christmas Cards, I ordered 20. Come to find out, I probably should have ordered 30-40. I did not have enough to send to all of the people that I wanted.

Trying to keep on budget I am not going to order anymore, so hopefully those of you who didn't receive one will accept my apology and enjoy what you can of it here on the blog.

This is what it looks like:

(Front)

(inside)

Now, since you probably can't read that small print inside the card, here is the text that was included:

Top 10 Things we are thankful for after 2010:

10.) Being an American. It may not be a perfect country with perfect leaders, but we sure are grateful for the freedom that we have to worship the way that we choose.

9.) Jobs. Not only are Eric and I both blessed to have jobs in this economy, but we both have jobs that we enjoy. Eric put it best when he said…’It is nice to have a job where it doesn’t matter if it is Monday or Friday.’

8.) Amazing Teachers. As our children get older, we are so thankful for all for all of the amazing teachers that our children know and learn from. Especially those who teach our children at church, they are heroes in our home.

7.) Good Health. Knock on Wood. After a scare with Marcus this year and a long visit to Primary Children’s Hospital, we are grateful for healthy bodies and amazing doctors.

6.) The Little Things. The success of a child’s prayer, comforting a child by making their ‘blanky flat’ at bed time, the blowing of kisses from Emma on her first day of school. Each of us have little things to appreciate this year.

5.) Family History. We have learned about so many of our ancestors stories this year and the examples that they have set. Eric and I are excited to take our first family names to the temple.

4.) The hard times. Because they've made us stronger and wiser, and the good times even better.

3.) Memories. From a trip to Sea World with the kids to the first alone trip for Tamber and Eric. There are so many wonderful memories that our family will cherish from 2010.

2.) Being able to laugh. Eric and I find ourselves laughing over the little things that our children do, whether it be Marcus trying out new phrases, scaling the fridge or Emma learning to pronounce new words or talking about her first ‘crush’. Our family loves to laugh and make each other laugh.

1.) All of You! This year would not have been so cherished without your influence in our family member’s lives. We have so many amazing family and friends that we could not have lived without in 2010. Thank You for everything you have done for us.

Thanksgiving Day Plan

I am making Thanksgiving Dinner for my small little family.

We did the same thing last year and it was a lot of fun.

I am thankful for the chance to try and master my Thanksgiving cooking with my small family before (in the future) having to cook under pressure for a larger crowd.

This is my Plan for Thanksgiving Dinner and Prep:

The Menu:

Breakfast:

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Appetizers:

Cheese ball/Crackers

Chips/Queso

Dinner:

Strawberry Pretzel Jell-O

Bacon Herb Turkey

Mashed Potatoes

Rolls

Stuffing (Stove Top)

Gravy

Green Beans

Dessert:

Apple Pie with Pecan Crumble

Pumpkin Pie

Ice Cream

Plan of Action:

The Timing is always my biggest problem. I always have a hard time getting everything done at the same time. I usually end up with something cold….Annoying. So, here is my schedule of how I will do it all without having an anxiety attack. Dinner will be around 3pm.

Wednesday:

Make Strawberry Pretzel Jell-O, Gravy, Apple Pie and Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.

Thursday:

7 am: Bake Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls/Eat Breakfast

Roast Pecans

9 am: Make turkey Herb Past

Take Turkey out of Fridge

Start Rolls

11:30 am: Put turkey in Oven

Appetizers Out

1:00 pm: Set Table

1:30 pm: Boil Potatoes

2 pm: Boil Green Beans

2:30 pm: Take Turkey Out

Mash Potatoes

Stuffing

Bake Rolls

5 pm: Desserts

Dollar Store Christmas Advent

This was a craft that we did at our ward's Super Saturday.

It was an advent calendar made from a cookie sheet and matchboxes which were both found at the dollar store. I think the most expensive part was probably the magnets and scrapbook paper.

I think it turned out pretty cute. I will probably be putting a strip of paper with a scripture about Christ in each box as well as a 2 little candies (like tootsie rolls, jolly ranchers or small dove chocolates).

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

These are a favorite in my house...especially by me.

I love anything pumpkin, and I love anything breakfast. This one is a good combination.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Ingredients:
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash of ground ginger
Dash of ground cloves
1 cup milk
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 tbsp. vegetable oil or melted butter

Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and spices and stir with a fork to combine. Mix together the milk, pumpkin puree, egg and oil or butter in a liquid measuring cup. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk together just until combine. (The batter may still have a few lumps – that is okay.)

Preheat the oven to 200° F. Have an oven safe plate or serving dish ready. Heat a greased skillet or griddle over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add a 1/3 cup scoop of batter to the pan. Let cool until bubbles begin to form on the top surface. Carefully flip with a spatula and cook the second side until golden brown, a couple minutes more. Transfer the cooked pancake to the oven safe dish, and place in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the rest of the batter until it has all been cooked, regreasing the pan as needed. Serve with cinnamon sugar, maple syrup, and/or whipped cream.

Source: Originally from Martha Stewart.

To make it a little faster of a process, I pre-package the dry ingredients and write what the wet ingredients are. That way if I want to make them quickly before school for the kids I can.

Baby Chronicles

Every time I have a baby, I have good intentions of recording his/her growth.

I am determined this time to follow through.

I saw these cute pics on Young House Love, a blog that I LUV.

Don't you think it would be so much fun to do this for you baby's entire first year.

ps...she didn't have a different onsie on each time, just photoshop.

So-so

Every Year I try and think of a new way to display our 'thankfuls'.

And, like everything around my house right now, it got half way done.

I guess that is what pregnancy does to you....

gives you the motivation to start something and then you loose the energy when it is half done.

Here are some pictures of the 'ideal' or what I was trying to achieve.

Andy, this is how it ended up. Half done, but it works I guess.

As we have added more leaves it looks better, just not as great as Tatertots and Jello.

Menu Planning Monday

It's been a while I have been planning my menu...I guess that is what pregnancy does to ya, or me at least.

Here is to another attempt to stay on track :)

Monday - Grilled Ham (leftover ham) and Cheese Sandwiches on sourdough with Salad

Tuesday - Spaghetti, Salad and Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Chicken Enchiladas, Corn

Thursday - Taco Ring, Salad

Friday - Papa Murphey's Pizza

Saturday- Eat Out

Sunday- Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Bacon Herb Turkey

Last Thanksgiving I decided to try a new recipe. I can't remember where I got the recipe, but it turned out so good. I am going to be using the same recipe this year. Since I am only cooking for my small little family, I only cook a small Turkey Breast that is de-boned. It works out perfect for us. Even if you don't try this for Thanksgiving, please try it, it is DELICIOUS!

(this is not a photo of my turkey, just a random pic)

Bacon Herb Turkey

Ingredients:

• 3 strips thick-cut bacon
  
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
  
• 1 tablespoon freshly chopped sage leaves
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly chopped rosemary leaves
  
• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped oregano leaves
  
• 1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme leaves
  
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  
• 1 (5 1/2 to 6-pound) whole turkey breast, rinsed and patted dry
  

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a shallow roasting pan or baking dish with aluminum foil.

Cook the bacon in a medium skillet until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat separately. When the bacon has cooled, chop it finely and transfer to a small bowl. Add the garlic, sage, rosemary, oregano, thyme, butter, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Using a small spoon, mix thoroughly to combine and form a paste.

Using your fingertips, gently loosen the skin on both sides of the turkey breast so that it is separated from the flesh. Divide the herb paste in half and gently spread half between the skin and flesh on each side of the breast. Season the outside of the turkey breast with the remaining teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Brush the turkey all over with the reserved bacon fat. Place prepared turkey breast in the prepared pan and roast, uncovered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the deep portion of the breast registers 165 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 or 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 20 minutes before carving into thin slices. Serve with the pan drippings.