Top things we love about the winter

The boys chose to have a camp out in the living room Friday, so while playing games and watching movies we made a little list. ;o) (my favorite)

Top things we love about winter

Parker

1. Christmas


2. Snow


3. building snowmen


4. sledding


5. fire in the woodburner


6. hot chocolate

Payton

1. Christmas


2. Jesus's b-day


3. sledding


4. making snowmen


5. watching it snow


6. hot chocolate

Daddy

1. fresh snow


2. breath in the cold air


3. the stillness


4. snowdays


5. when it ends

Mom

1. slippers


2. corn bag


3. indoor fires


4. hot chocolate


5. watching it snow


6. warm bowl of soup

Here is a link to one of my favorite soup recipes.http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipes/rachael-ray-30-minute-meals/Toasted-Orzo-Chicken-Soup I have discovered that lemon rind in chicken types of soup is the bomb! And also that I heart Orzo.

Christmas break part two

Here is the second thing Parker had on his list to do. He wanted to make something from his cooking papa (mama) video game. We made Fried Gyoza's. They were soooo good!

We made our homemade Empagnada dough for the Gyoza's. It is funny every culture has some kind of version of this.

Ice Hill

Parker made a list of things he wanted to do over Christmas break. One of which was to go sledding. We didn't have alot of snow but thought we would give it the best shot we could. So off we went to the local snow hill. We were pleasantly surprised to find the snow hill open and vacant! Mind you everytime we have ever been to the hill it has been packed. So we took advantage of the time and played until our heart was content. It was much fun! Here are some shots of our adventure.

cheese tree

We started a tradition when the boys were really small of making a cheese tree to take to both of our Christmas gatherings that we go to. This is one that has stuck over the years.
Here is a list of the supplies.
1. styrofoam cone (from Michaels)
2.cocktail toothpicks
3. head of romaine lettuce
4. cheese cut into whatever shape you want
5.star fruit
6. two very cute little boys (you can sub adults for the boys but you lose the cute factor)
You cover the cone with romaine lettuce pinned down by the toothpicks and then have the children start pushing the cheese pieces around to cover the lettuce. We attached the star fruit to the top with another toothpick.

Christmas break

Izzy may weigh more than Park now. she's huge!

Parker just hanging out with his pup.

Decorating for Christmas/Random photos from around the house

I have fallen in love with milk glass. I have a great source in town. I have more luck there than at goodwill or salvation army. I picked up each piece for no more than $2.00. They are versatile pieces. I have been known to use them to serve my hummus or guacamole in.

My table has seen better days. Years of family meals have taken it's toll on the poor thing. One of these days I am going to get up enough guts and paint it. I love all the diy blogs with info on furniture painting. Those folks are so brave!
I promised some seasonal pictures of what I do to the hutch to add festivity. So here you go. This is what I created this year.

Every year my husband buys me a snow globe and I display my collection in the hutch.

Last year The kids made those adorable felt gingerbread houses, pipe cleaner trees, and snowmen. They had there own space to be displayed.