Merry Christmas!

 Hi, dear friends. I wanted to hop on and wish everyone a Merry Christmas while I'm having a little downtime this evening. Charlotte and I, along with my mom, got manicures yesterday, and it was so nice to treat ourselves. I haven't had a manicure in forever. I love having painted nails, especially at Christmastime.

 I started baking cookies today, and I'll bake a different one each day for the next three days to gift to friends and family for Christmas, and some to enjoy ourselves, of course. I'll be making gingerbread cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies, chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies (as pictured above), and white chocolate cranberry bars. Also, I still need to wrap all the gifts. I've yet to wrap anything!

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! May your days be peaceful, happy, and bright!

Our Christmas Wreath

 We usually buy a fresh, green wreath for Christmas, but since they've dried out so quickly the past few years, we decided to buy an artificial one this year. I think it's cute! I added the gingham ribbon to make it a bit more festive. Do you buy a fresh wreath or an artificial one?

December Sunset

The sky was so gorgeous a few evenings ago that I just had to run outside and snap a picture of this beautiful sunset. Hope you enjoy it! 

It's rained here all weekend, and I'm desperately missing the sun. We are staying in today and making chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies. I'll try to share those with you soon. They are a favorite here, and I make them every Christmas. Happy Sunday!

It's December

 

Happy December, friends! December really snuck up on me this year, but here it is. Our tree is up, and it's beginning to feel festive indeed. I feel that this season is so short and goes by too quickly, so I'm trying to be in the moment and enjoy every second of it. It's so dreary and foggy today, so I decided to brighten things up and switch on the outdoor Christmas lights by midday. Not my favorite kind of weather, but it will pass, and the lovely sunshine and blue skies will be back soon. How's the weather where you are? Have you had snow yet?

It's cranberry season, and I made my first batch of white chocolate cranberry bars this week, and needless to say, they only lasted two days. They are so good, and everyone loves them. I always gift these to friends and family every December, as everyone always looks forward to receiving them.

So what have I been up to lately: Watching lots and lots of Christmas movies and also Hidden Coastal Villages on Prime - I love that show! Christmas shopping - mostly online. Although we did go out for lunch yesterday, followed by a little shopping, which was so nice. We went to a few cute shops, as you can see in the first photo above, along with Williams Sonoma, which is one of my very favorite shops - I could spend hours in there! Homeschooling and the usual weekly karate classes for Charlotte. Spending lots of time in the kitchen cooking and baking. Walks outside almost every day when it's not raining, that is. Making and drinking several cups of hot tea every day, mostly elderberry and Earl Grey, and taking the time to sit quietly and enjoy them. And that's about it. What have you been up to? Please do tell me.

 Hope you are having a wonderful first weekend of December! Be sure to make time for yourself during this busy season - watch a movie, sit quietly and read a book, play a favorite game, take the time to make comforting, healthy meals for yourself and your family, take a walk, enjoy a nice coffee or cup of tea, or hot chocolate, it's Christmas after all. It's so important that we take care of ourselves and treat ourselves during this busy time of year. Here's to a season filled with contentment, joy, and peace.

 

Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie

 

Hi. I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday! The weather is perfect here today - mostly sunny and 67 degrees. Since Thanksgiving is just over a week away, I wanted to share our favorite pumpkin pie recipe. I've been making this recipe for years, and it turns out perfect every single time. The praline sauce really does make this pie. I actually made it today just because we love it so much. I hope you make it soon!

And sweet little Rosie patiently waiting next to her harness and leash for someone to take her for a walk. So off I go. Have a great day!

Apple and Cheddar Crisp Salad

 

Happy Monday! I have to say I'm not a fan of the new time change. I miss the daylight in the evenings, and since I'm not a morning person, I actually get less daylight now - no fun. But in a few weeks, we'll put up the Christmas tree, and all the lights will make the dark evenings bright and cozy. 

I really wanted to share this delicious salad I made for dinner last night. It's perfect for this time of year. It incorporates kale, apple, cheddar cheese, and almonds. It would also be nice to serve for Thanksgiving dinner, as it has all the cozy, fall vibes. I hope you make it soon!

Cozy Days

 Hi everyone! We've been having the most gorgeous weather lately. It's been sunny for days, and while the days have been a bit warm, it cools off nicely at night - perfect sleeping weather. Really, the perfect weather if you ask me. How's the weather where you are? 

Let's see... what have we been up to - homeschooling, lots of walks outside every opportunity we get, buying gorgeous dahlias from the farmers market, making lots of cappuccinos and cups of hot tea, decorating the porch for fall, taking a trip to the mountains over the weekend, and spending lots of time in the kitchen for me. It's honestly my happy place, and with so much going on in the world right now, I'm finding I want to spend even more time there. It's so relaxing and comforting to me. I made our favorite lasagna for dinner tonight, and a batch of pumpkin muffins with a cinnamon glaze for snacks and breakfast. They are perfect alongside a cup of coffee. I'm looking forward to having one in the morning! 

I have to admit I've already jumped on the Hallmark Christmas movie train. Hallmark began airing Christmas movies last Friday, and I couldn't wait to start watching. Although I'm not at all ready to decorate for Christmas anytime soon, I'm beginning to get excited about it. What about you? Are you beginning to think of Christmas, or are you in full fall mode?

Hope you are having a cozy day!