We've heard about the birth of Jesus. We have learned all about Mary the virgin mother. But what we have yet to hear, is from the animals themselves!

Well you are in for a treat! In Sony Animation's NEW MOVIE The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free. And then, he goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey he teams up with Ruth, a loveable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become unlikely heroes in the greatest story ever told - the first Christmas.

Mariah Carey sings an incredible new song called Follow that Star. Fifth Harmony gives me goosebumps as they sing in it as well! The music is uplifting and makes you want to dance. Especially the song Life is Good!! Casting Crowns, Kelsea Bellarini are just a few others. I mean the music is incredible on it's own! The Star is the holiday Christmas event of the season!!

Tis the season to be jolly. I dunno about you but I love me some holidays...like, sumpin' fierce! My love language is gifts. I LOVE to make, create and give. One of my most favorite brands to use when baking in the kitchen is NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE. I know whatever I make it is guaranteed to be delish as it is a brand I have used since I was a kid! In fact I was in charge of making the Chocolate Chip Cookies as my recipe was the best!


Have you TRIED their hot cocoa?? It is the best and creamiest. My secretly fabulous hot cocoa consists of lots of whip cream and finely chopped candy canes on top. The powdery dust of the candy canes gives it an unbelievable flavor! Hellooooo holidays! The first things my kids ask for on snowy, cold and blustery days "Mama, can you make your cocoa?" They have no idea but we are doing a Polar Express night with their very own cocoa bar. They can choose their cocoa toppings. Curl up under a cozy blanket and watch one of our favorite Christmas movies!


My friends and neighbors are receiving my famous Christmas bark. I love the combination of milk chocolate and white chocolate combined together with chopped candy canes on top. And it is ridiculously easy!


I personally buy my Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips at Costco! As I said, NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE is the brand we have used since before I was even a thought! I use large mason jars and fill them in pantry so they are pretty! We never not have them on hand. I was THRILLED to find mini morsels which I plan on using for cookie decorating, as well as pancakes! For this bark recipe pick pick a chocolate flavor! I used semi-sweet for this recipe sometimes like to use dark as well! You will also need a large bag of white chocolate morsels. 

Take a large pot, fill 1/4 way with water. Place a metal bowl or glass bowl over top. Be sure water is not touching the bowl on the inside. This will burn your chocolate! Bring water to boil on high and dump in your morsels.

Mix until creamy and smooth. I used a disposable cookie sheet which is lined with parchment paper. Spread your chocolate out evenly and then place in the refrigerator while you start the next process!

Repeat the same steps as above, this time with the white chocolate. When the milk chocolate is cooled pour the white chocolate over top. Spread and sprinkle with finely chopped peppermint sticks. Something you can do for added flavor is using peppermint extract or even spearmint flavor the chocolate before spreading in the pan. You will want to do this after the chocolate is fully smooth. Refrigerate 1-2 hours. When fully solid you can either use your hands or a knife to break the bark into chunks. We place in colorful tins and mason jars we will deliver to our friends. 

I hope you can 'bake' someone's day this holiday! Look for a fun giveaway on Instagram! Do me a favor...click HERE <----- tell me WHAT I should make next!! This will act as an extra entry on the giveaway that is found on Instagram! You can follow my friends at NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE here on Facebook as well as click HERE for a coupon! I can't wait to hear what you think I should make! 

OH my word you guys...I love Hallmark! HAVE I told you that yet?! I realized that every single item is wrapped in a Hallmark wrapping of some sort! I cannot get enough and I love the simplicity of it. It is so easy my 5 year old can use it! Cuteness overload!

We shopped till we dropped. I bought myself a coloring book and we brought home something for Mr. Noah to cheer him up (we are infatuated with Itty Bitties!).



My kids love that they can choose wrapping paper to define THEIR personalities! I love that I can find my obsession in ribbon and bows. For real, it's a problem! Now with wrapping out of the way I can snuggle up on my couch with my peppermint bark coloring in my adult coloring book for a stress free holiday!

Wait...what was that? YOU want a stress free holiday too?! WELL...I bought 1 lucky reader a coloring book and pencils of their very own :) I will also be tossing in a little surprise in the form of coffee... <---- shoot I said too much! So sit back with your cocoa or cup of jo and color to your hearts content! HERE is the rules:

* You must be 18 years of age or older to win
* Open to U.S. residents only.
* Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter to enter! <---- it's so easy my 5 year old could do it!

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I am SO excited!! GUESS WHAT?!! It's time for our annual Ornament Swap!! The thing I love about this exchange is that people get super creative and put together some incredibly swag-tastic packages. Think outside of the ornament box...put together a movie theme: Elf ornament, Elf movie, Candy Canes, striped elf socks...White Christmas: snowglobe ornament, movie, white chocolate, knit scarf.

The key to an awesome gift exchange is to RESEARCH UP on your recipient! Get to know their likes and dislikes! Stalk their instagram, Pinterest, FB ----> whatever!!

BE SURE if you join in, you abide by the deadline and SEND YOUR GIFTS!! It is no fun when you sign up, you send a gift and then you never receive one. Boo hiss. Don't be a cotton headed ninny muggins.

When you sign up, please update your profile. Tell the peeps what you dig yo. Write down your social media links...have FUN!!

I will link peeps up on the 27th of November. MAIL NO LATER THAN December 5th. <----- NO LATER! Got that?!! Please mark on the Elfster when your package has been mailed! Now who is excited?!! We will have a U.S. and Canada exchange!

For U.S. you will wanna click HERE!!

My Canadian friends...please click HERE!!


NOW...what are you waiting for?! Clickity click right up there ^ and be sure you help spread the word so we have a super rad Ornament swap. I LUUUUURVE to get crafty! I am debating if I will make mine or if I will go to Pier One (seriously Pier One and Crate & Barrel have the cutest ornaments of all times!) Don't forget to tell your fave colors and decor style in your Elfster profile!

May your stockings be stuffed and your tree be...er...fluffy!

Confession. I love Hallmark.

Like, when I say love...I mean "Hallmark holiday card" love! My husband makes fun of me because I can spend HOURS in a Hallmark store. AND whenever I am in charge of the remote, you can bet your biscuits I have Hallmark channel ON! SO...when I got asked to blog for them...I about cried! The lovefest has even been genetically passed down to my daughters! If they had to choose Ice cream or a trip to the Hallmark store...yep...they would choose Hallmark! My friends will even nod their heads in agreeance...I need a shirt that says "Hallmarks #1 fan"!


I love that Hallmark has something for literally everyone! My aunt {who is more like a big sister...I seriously love her to bits. She is one of my most favorite people on this entire planet!} LOVES all things Mickey and Minnie...I can find the cutest gifts for her there! IN FACT she is coming for Christmas and my girls are overly giddy to share their new lunchbox kit that came with cookie cutters, recipes and more! Today they pretended they were baking cakes and I let them mix flour, water and food coloring in a bowl...you would have thought they won the golden ticket to the chocolate factory!


We found holiday goodness galore while shopping! From stocking stuffers (Itty bitties are ALL the rage right now! I show them in the video!) to Peppermint Bark <---- my dad and I already devoured this!
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GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS?!! Oh yes, my friends! It is not only Friday but the start of our Scarf/Ornament swap! This year I have partnered up with my dear sweet friend Shawnee over at The Apronista Blog She is one incredibly amazing women and I sure hope I get her for MY swap partner!!

Christmas is my favorite holiday. The lights, the chill in the air. Mistletoe hung and stockings stuffed. Seriously bundle me up and call me toasty. I LOVE it!! We will be shutting down the sign ups on 11/30 and you MUST MAIL your package to your partner no later than December 5th. Please do not sign up if you cannot make this happen as it is simply un-jingle bell like, yo!

You can make or you can buy! You can put extra's in your package if you feel like it or you don't have to! I LOVE tinsel and I love wrapping and seriously let's have some fun! SO...who's with us?! Use the hashtag #Scornamentswap2014 to link up your pretty packages, shopping and whatever else!! We would LOVE to see them and get more ideas too!! Don't forget to follow SHAWNEE and MYSELF on Instagram!!

We recently had our Christmas photos taken by one of my dearest and closest friends. She is the sweetest and most kind person you will ever meet. Her laugh lingers in your mind hours later and she tells the best stories. Her creativity is insane. Really. Jane of all trades...well maybe I should say "Julie of all trades"!


Julie is the owner of Happenstance Photography. If you live in the Portland area, I cannot recommend her enough! She has been photographing my kids for the last 5 years and when I look around my home it truly makes me smile knowing my most favorite photos were taken by a close friend. She has a way with children and you would never know by looking at our photos that the Angry Elf sitting with Missy the Moose was giving us attitude the entire shoot! She is brilliant. I will share more of the pics from our shoot at the end of the tutorial she made! Go visit her Facebook page. Be sure to follow along! But for now. A tutorial for my Handmade/Homemade for the Holidays series. By my friend Julie!


Hi my name is Julie! This is a great way to commemorate your first tree for your child. First tree as a married couple. Or even just to create some super neat, fun and easy Christmas ornaments!

 GAH! That is the sound of excitement coming from me as one of my blogging besties is sharing today! I met her through a local blogger that we both follow and we connected and quickly became friends. I adore her so much and although we are opposite sides of the U.S. I feel super close to her. I love that I can turn to her and ask her anything...usually completely stupid and ridiculous and she is quick to help with a smile. She has a heart of gold and is a breath of fresh air! Without further ado...my friend...Kelsey!



Hey– Kelsey from the blog and shop Poofy Cheeks here! I am thrilled to be sharing one of my family’s favorite Christmas treats today! My husband grew up between Georgia and Florida so he calls these sugared peCANS and I grew up in Illinois so I call them sugared peCONS. They are an easy must-have in our home and the past few years I have put them in jars and gifted them to our neighbors around the holidays.




Ingredients:

• 1 lb. pecan halves
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon rum extract
• 1/2 cup of white sugar
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• dash of nutmeg
• *parchment paper

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees
• In a medium bowl whisk together egg white, vanilla and rum extract. Add pecans and toss to coat.
• In an airtight container (or large ziploc) mix sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour pecans into the sugar mixture and shake until all the pecans are coated in the sugar mixture.
• Evenly spread pecans across a parchment lined baking sheet
• Bake for a total of one hour – tossing every 15 minutes.

Christmas is a very special time of year in our home. Growing up I have tons of Christmas memories and it was always a special and magical time of year. My parents created traditions that I have now carried on to my children, but in 2007 something happened that made Christmas as an adult very special. I gave birth to our first son on Christmas morning. This year our little Wyatt is going to be six years old! Where does the time go!?

It was Christmas Eve 2007 and my doctors had given me the due date of December 25th. After a huge prime rib dinner and presents at my parents house we sat around the table saying tonight must not be the night. Then my mom wanted us all to go for a walk around the block to look at Christmas lights. Since I was pregnant I had to go to the bathroom first and as I sat down I felt a large pop and called out ‘um guys’… Within seconds I had my husband, mom and dad standing at the bathroom door as I explained that I thought my water had just broke. When I thought it was safe I stood up but gravity let me know that my water really had just broke. My husband, mom and I loaded up in the car with the sparkling grape juice we hadn’t had a chance to drink and passed the bottle around the car on our drive to the hospital. We arrived around 11pm Christmas Eve and he was born at 5:56am on Christmas Day weighing 9 lbs 7 oz. While I was in labor Mike and I opened our presents for each other so the top left picture above is one of my favorites – I am having a contraction right in the middle of gift opening. Now each Christmas is more special than the last as I am flooded with Christmas memories and all of the memories we have made as a family.
Enjoy your holiday season!

Christmas is upon is. It fastly approaches. How nice would it be to have a little something extra to spend this season? Would you purchase for yourself or for someone else? How does a $70 Amazon gift card sound?! Pretty sweet right?! Well...I have teamed up with some friends and we all pooled funds together to help 1 lucky reader feel a little holly jolly!


You see these lovely ladies above?! We wanna wish you a very merry Christmas! Please be sure to stop by each host and say hello! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!


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I cannot EVEN begin to express how excited I am to have THE Annetta Bosakova on MY blog. Uh, you DO know WHO Annetta is! Right?! She is only one of the most expressive, inspiring photographers I have ever met. We became friends over the Instagram world. I can seriously stare at her pictures for hours! They feel like you have leaped into a story book. A perfect complete fairy tale you don't ever want to leave! She can make my big toe look like the most magical thing ever. No really...her eye for beauty is unbelievable! I feel very honored to have her here as my FIRST guest for the Handmade for the Holiday's series!! Please be sure to visit her on Facebook and Instagram. While your at it go ahead and drool over every single image on her website too!
                  
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Every year I want to decorate my house for the holidays. I want my presents to be like the ones you see on Pinterest. I want my house to be full of the holiday beauty, but then I think realistically. I don't want to be spending hours decorating, shopping for decorations and spending all that money on the perfect gift embellishment at Anthropology. I want to instead be spending that time with my family making memories, getting them better gifts that actually matter to them, and enjoying the holidays myself without the loaded amount of stress. This year I did decide to have Pinterest worthy wrapped gifts, but without spending large sums of cash or time and I would like to share with you how I am doing it!

The best way to get the most out of the holidays is to look outdoors and to shop thrifty. That's what I did to get my Pinterest wrapped look for my gifts. Did you ever notice how many lace curtains Goodwill has in their fabric section? I did! I went out and bought 4 lace curtains to cut up into strips to make the pretty bows that will go on all my gifts and it only coast me $10. I will now have many upon many yards of lace, enough to make a lace garland or maybe two! I also went for a nice and relaxing drive around the neighborhood to forage for some fallen pinecones and came home with a trunk load. Those pinecones will now grace every gift I give this year. It cost me only a few gallons of gas!

Now for the fun part, making your own picture gift tags to go along with the lace bows and pinecones or however your gorgeous gift will look like.

You will need:
 - large gift tag  punch
 - desired images printed on photo paper
 - pretty scrapbook paper for the back of gift tag
 - glue stick
 - eyelets
 - string
 - scissors
 - hammer or eyelet & snap punch

How to:
Pick the images you want to use as gift tags. Align your images onto an 8x11 paper using an image editing program. (I put my images into Photoshop Elements and printed test pages until I had everything just right, took me two tries.) Once your pictures are printed, as shown in step two, you want to punch out all you pictures out. Then punch out the backs for your tags on pretty scrapbook paper. Step four has two steps in it, you want to glue the picture tag and the pretty scrapbook paper together so that your picture has a pretty back where you can write who the gift is for and whom it is from. The second step is hammering the eyelets or you can use the eyelet & snap punch. The last step is step five and all you have to do is string your desired string you want to use for the tag.

Now you have the perfect gift thats beautiful, thrifty with the perfect touch of nature to it. The best part is you can make it a craft party with your kids!