It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

 We are officially on Christmas break starting today!  Hooray!!!!

 It's finally starting to look more like Christmas time around here! 

 Keeping things easy and simple is my motto this year!

I got this cute tree from Trader Joes & I had this empty storage container that I filled with moss
and some other little pretties.

 Then I searched the house for other empty containers that I could fill with holiday pretties!

I always love opening those Christmas boxes

its seems I always forget what I have tucked away

in those boxes.

 We have always had a real tree, but this year we decided to get a fake tree instead.
My nephew is allergic to trees and since he likes to hang out over here during break, we decided best to not have a real tree. I have to say I do like the ease & that the lights are already strung.

Chewy agrees too!

& I do have my little live mini tree.

          So it's all good!



A Christmas List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous
"Fear less, hope more;
Eat less, chew more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, love more;
And all good things will be yours."

Elizabeth

A little Christmas Poem....

The Gospel Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
There once was a shining Christmas tree
Standing out where all could see.
Its brilliance captured every eye
And seemed to cheer each passer by.
"The lights are so bright," they would say
And hesitate to walk away.
The tree stood proud ablaze with light
For every light was burning bright.
Then one bulb was heard to say
"I’m tired of burning night and day;
I think I’ll just go out and take a rest
For I’m too tired to do my best;
Besides I am so very small
I doubt if I’d be missed at all."
Then a child lovingly touched the light,
"Look, mother, this one shines so very bright.
I think of all the lights upon the tree
This one looks the best to me."
"Oh my goodness," said the light
"I almost dimmed right out of sight.
I thought perhaps no one would care
If I failed to shine my share."
With that a glorious brilliance came
For every light had felt the same.
Our Gospel, like this Christmas tree,
With little lights which are you and me,
We each have a space that we must fill
With love, and lessons and good will.
Let’s keep our tree ablaze with light,
With testimonies burning bright.
For our Gospel is a living tree
That lights the way to eternity.
Anonymous


Wishing you all a lovely day!

Elizabeth

Addicted to Bundt Cakes!

I have been wanting to get a bundt cake pan for a while and I had seen some cute ones at Target,

 but I had always seemed to talk myself out of it.

But finally....

 I took the leap....

and spent the 11.99

& I got myself this cute bundt pan!

{what a bargain!}

Which now started my new addiction...

Bundt cakes!

This was my first try.

I used the recipe that came with the pan.

It was a yummy chocolate and vanilla marbled cake!

The next try was ...

Lemon

and here we have it.... Lemon with a yummy lemon glaze.

simple

& so pretty!

I think for my next lemon one, I will try the lemon extract for the cake part.

I used fresh lemons and I think it could of been

a bit more lemony, but the fresh lemons worked great for the

glaze!

yummo with coffee for breakfast!

I just love how it slices up so easy!

A slice with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of glaze on top

maybe some fresh berries 

and you have yourself an easy dessert that could serve many.

Oh the possibilities :]

 

And then chocolate!

mmmmm!

This one came out pretty good, wish it was a little more chocolatey though.

I'm in search for some good recipes.

 so....

If you know of any delish recipes for bundt cakes, I'd love to hear!

I think pumpkin is calling out for the next try!

Have a lovely day!

Elizabeth

                                             

Simple, delish, and yummy gift idea

I had been looking for an easy granola recipe that was simple and tasty!
In my search I found one that I think is great, easy, healthy, kid tested and yumminess approved!
It is a great base that you can change up and put your favorite ingredients to your liking.

Simple, easy and oh so pretty!
My mother-in-law and her two sisters came to visit and I made this little gift for them to take home
in just a little over an hour. Seriously the recipe is that easy!

I found it here at this wonderful cooking blog Barbara Bakes.  It's a great base recipe to this yummy granola.
You can really add whatever goodies you like. Like for the Very Berry Granola I used a Trader Joes mix that had dried blueberries,cherries,cranberries and raisins and then added sliced almonds and  chopped pecans but still used the base of the recipe.  It's also gluten free so if you have anybody on your list who can't eat wheat.

I also had to make a batch of her favorite.....
Chocolate Chip Scones. Recipe here.

Made up some quick tags and got some simple brown bags.

and filled with the yummy treats!

Not only very simple but easy on the budget!

This year lots of this tasty treat will be givin' out!

and the extras!!! A great snack for the family!

My sons favorite snack!

I have been very slow getting the decorations out. We have not even got our tree up yet!
Trying not to rush though! Want to enjoy !

Wishing you all a great week!

Elizabeth

It's been awhile!

 Boy  has it been awhile since my last post....
I've taken a little break... still working on that balance thing....
I can't believe it's already December ! The leaves are falling in droves around here. I love to watch the changing colors and all the beauty that fall brings....  Seems so quickly we are switching gears and the hustle
and bustle of holiday season begins.....

 We have a huge pine tree and it is dropping these pretty little flowers...
The're like a little wooden rose.....

 So I've been collecting these little pretties.....

 and I found the perfect thing to add them to....

Our advent Wreath......

This season may we

Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.

 "Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. By reflection and prayer, by reading and meditation, we can make our hearts a place where a blessing of peace would desire to abide and where the birth of the Prince of Peace might take place.
                                                                                         Take Time to be Aware  .....       Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 196           

Life is a constant Advent season: we are continually waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfill. Hope, struggle, fear, expectation and fulfillment are all part of our Advent experience.

May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives."
 Take Time to be Aware .....  CONNECTIONS, 11-28-93

Elizabeth

A neat link for some advent reflections...   http://www.appleseeds.org/Christmas-quotes.htm