Snow!

To say we got a little snow would be an understatement. We got DUMPED on with over a foot of snow. It took Ryan a good hour to shovel the drive.

Creme Brulee

Last year we gave my mom crème brulee for Christmas. We bought her the kitchen torch from Williams-Sonoma and a delicious mix from a food boutique by our house (you can also find it here on Amazon.)  Well, almost exactly a year later she finally put that thing to use; I think the idea of a blue flame blowing out of a hand held torch is a little intimidating for her. The crème brulee turned out perfect! Thick and creamy with a crunchy sugar coating. Mmmmm

Colorado Ballet

The Nutcracker

We joined some friends to see the The Nutcracker at the Denver Performing Arts Center.  It was lovely. The costumes, and the performances were both enchanting. I was thinking back to the last time I saw The Nutcracker and I believe it was when my little cousin Katelin would perform in it. She is now in college, so it has been awhile. Ryan and I both loved it.

4 years and counting...

Minnie Jackson's Fried Chicken

When we left Texas we also left the best fried chicken.  Have you read or seen the Help? The next best thing to our favorite spot in Texas is Minnie Jackson's fried chicken. Minnie fries up this chicken in the movie and so did we. It was well worth the calories!

1. Soak chicken in buttermilk.
2. In a double paper bag pour flour, salt, more salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne.
3. Put the chicken in the bag and shake it.
4. Fry in crisco in a cast iron skillet.

Gingerbread Lane

Gingerbread houses are a favorite tradition.  We do them every year, and year after year there is always a new technique, a new “material” used.  This year was no different.  The candy loot was exceptional to years past.  My friend Laura brought the cutest pearl balls, ornate cookies, and chocolate galore. I am pretty impressed with our handy work.

Thanksgiving

I completely skipped over Thanksgiving, and not because we are not thankful. We have so much to be thankful for!  For ONE, I am thankful we were able to spend the holiday with family. We all live so far apart and getting together doesn’t happen often enough. For TWO, I am thankful for the feast we enjoyed, it was superb! Everything was made from scratch, right down to the cranberry sauce. Ok so the marshmallows weren’t, but that just may be the only exception. For THREE, I am thankful for my wonderful husband, he is truly the best.  

Felt Wreath

Over the Thanksgiving holiday my sisters and I had to get our hands on something- in the means of a craft.  While the boys filled their time with shooting guns and watching football, us ladies shopped and worked away rolling felt into pretty little rosettes. The result: a lovely wreath to hang on my front door. Now our door looks a little more inviting. The how to on making these lovelies.

422: Deck the Halls

[so proud of myself, I made the pine wreath from our tree trimmings]

Parade of Lights

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…. The tree is decorated, the roof is twinkling with lights, and the festivities have begun. The streets downtown filled with spectators tonight.  We all froze together to watch the parade of lights sweep through the streets. The parade was an impressive hour long show of piping bands and festive floats.  

The Count Down Begins

 I love advent calendars! All types, from the paper chains to the victorian mansion the Griswold’s so adoringly counted down the last days until Christmas. In years past I've purchased the cheap candy ones sold at the super market. They are fun but the chocolate never really did it for me.  On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby I found this DIY advent calendar that you can fully stock with whatever treats you choose. It only seemed appropriate to pick up a box of hand-selected See’s Candies.