Stacey Yacula Studio

Images: Stacey Yacula Studio

Can I tell you just how much I love this artist?  She does amazing work.  Her ornaments are adorable and her little snowmen are so detailed and have such great personality.  I want every single one of her snowmen living on my mantel to enjoy all winter long.  Actually, I want one of everything in her store.  I might have to settle for one of her ornaments for the time being but I'll keep dreaming.

Thankful

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life.  

I'm thankful for the cold rainy day we're having in STL so that Ava and I could bake our cream cheese pumpkin muffins and snuggle with good books.  After her nap we're watching her newest obsession, Wall*E.  She loves that little robot.  I thankful for having a wonderful husband who puts up with my incredible moodiness lately.  Love you!  I thankful for getting to experience having Ava as my daughter.  I'm thankful God is blessing us with a son in February.  

The list goes on and on.  Let's just say I'm thankful.  Especially for the little moments like seeing Ava's eyes light up on the carousel for the first time.  She got to ride the one she wanted too...a dragon!

Have a great Thanksgiving with your families.  I'll be back again on Monday hopefully full of turkey and well rested!

Recipe: Herb Biscuits

Sometimes when planning a large menu like Thanksgiving, I forget to plan for things.  It happens.  This year it was the bread.  I would love to make rolls from scratch but this year I totally forgot so I'm going with plan B.  I don't even know if you can call this a recipe but I'm going with it.  I like these because they look fancy with very little work.

Herb Biscuits

1 can refrigerated biscuits (I prefer the Grands Buttermilk Flaky biscuits)

6 Tbsp.  melted butter

1 1/2 tsp. parsley or dill or whatever dried herbs suit your fancy

Dash of garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl combine melted butter, herbs and garlic powder.
3. Cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces and toss into the butter mixture.
4. After all biscuit pieces are thoroughly coated, place 3 pieces in each section of a muffin tin.  
5. Bake at 350 for 14-17 minutes.

Serve these right out of the oven and there's no need for butter since they're already drenched in it.  Each little muffin biscuit pulls apart into 3 little sections that are so so yummy.  Not to mention that it looks like you spent a long time whipping them up.  Enjoy!

The Gift of Reading

Being a self professed book junkie has been passed along to Ava.  We read at least 15 books a day and that's on a low day.  Last Christmas season I saw this idea on someone's blog and decided to do something similar for Ava this Christmas.  I wish I could remember whose blog I borrowed this from to give them credit but I didn't write it down.

On December 1st when Ella the Elf comes to stay at our house until Christmas, she will not show up empty handed.  She will bring with her a basket full of wrapped books. Each night before Ava goes to bed she will get to pick a book to unwrap and read together.  Now I realize that most normal people don't have 25 Christmas books at home but being a former 2nd and 4th grade teacher and ordering Scholastic books a lot means that I have just enough.  If you wanted to do this on a smaller scale with library books it wouldn't cost you a thing other than the wrapping paper.  My plan is to do this every year with the same books.  I don't think the kiddos will get sick of the books because they only come out once a year.  What better gift to give your kids than getting excited about reading.

On a side note, I'm making Ella the Elf this year for Ava.  I will be sure to post some pics of the little darling when I've finished making her.  Fingers crossed she turns out cute.  In my head she's adorable but we'll see how it translates from my head into fabric and felt!

Beautiful Books

Image Source: Anthropologie

Penguin does a great job of making their books attractive.  Their classics are beautiful and now they have a line of children's classics that are just as stunning.  It's hard to resist buying the set for my little one to enjoy down the road.  Who am I kidding?  They'd be for me to enjoy, the kid's 2 right now!

Anthropologie has them now.  Gotta love that store!

Adult Stocking Stuffer

A few years ago I gave my brother one of these as part of his Christmas present.  I know they are totally inappropriate but too funny not to buy.  Especially for my brother.  How can you not smile at a pooping reindeer?  They poop cola flavored jelly beans.  C'mon, that's funny!  While checking out at Joann Fabric the other day, they had a stack of them at the register.  I think they were $3.99.  I'm sure you could think of someone who would get a kick out of these.  I can think of several.  What does that say about my friends and family?? Hmmmmmm.

Recipe: Cranberry Orange Cookies

I am quite the sucker for all things citrus.  Throw in some fresh cranberries and these cookies were a must in our house.  They are sweet and tangy all at the same time.  These are also chewy cookies which is nice for a change.  Everyone in our house loves them.  I made some with the glaze and some without.  If you don't have time to make the glaze then just leave it off.  They still will disappear...quickly!  These would be a nice compliment to pumpkin pie and coffee after you've stuffed yourselves with turkey.  They look pretty and festive too.

Cranberry Orange Cookies

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups fresh cranberries, halved
•  
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
3. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
4. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

*Recipe from allrecipes.com