gift

I'm visiting a friend at her new house tomorrow and didn't want to show up empty handed.

I found this little bin at Target

 and stuffed it with this pink paper filler I had

 

I made some simple sugar cookies and dyed half blue.  I individually wrapped them in little cellophane treat bags I had.

 

placed them in the bin

 

then replaced that blah blue ribbon with fuschia

 

and there is even room for the card

 

Now I have a sweet treat to bring.  My favorite gifts to receive are the edible kind and I love to give them as well.  What do you bring for housewarming or hostess gifts?

 

movie cookies

We saw the Descendents this weekend.  It was sad and funny and touching and troubling.  A great movie and I'd highly recommend it. 

Movie snacks are expensive and not always so good.  We decided before hand that we wanted to get some popcorn but there would have to be some sweet treats too.

We had M&Ms and we are on a bit of a peanut butter cookie kick over here lately so...

Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
recipe from cooking during stolen moments


Peanut Butter M & M Cookies

• 1/2 c. butter or margarine
• 3/4 c. peanut butter (I prefer to use chunky in baked goods, but you can use your favorite.)
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 t. vanilla
• 1 c. flour
• 3/4 t. baking soda
• 1 c. M & M’s

1. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, peanut butter and sugars until creamy and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until well combined.
2. Add the flour and baking soda and beat just until combined, being careful not to over mix. By hand, stir in the M & M’s.
3. Using a rounded tablespoonful of dough, drop balls of dough onto cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes. (15 minutes for softer cookies; 18 minutes for crunchier cookies.)

So, the hubby and I headed to the movies with homemade cookies.  We shared a small popcorn and I even remembered to bring tissues!

Feeling all Christmassy

This morning I opened the front door and saw this.

The sun was pouring in and my front door with its swag looked so pretty.  I have always loved the holiday season and this has been a wonderful one.  We went to chop down our own Christmas tree for the first time.

 I've really enjoyed decorating for the holidays this year.  As our house has come together more and more I've had a better sense of what I wanted to add for our Christmas decor and the house feels so cozy.  I'm afraid I'll be talking myself into leaving them up as long as possible.  I've already been thinking about how I could maybe leave some of them up as "winter" decor for a while. 

We have been able to get together with friends and family to celebrate.   Look at these cookies my amazing friend made this weekend.

Now look closer at those snowflakes.  No two are the same, she is just incredible!

Now we've got less than a week until Christmas.  I've got just a few things left to do and we are really looking forward to having time with family.  Our little guy is just old enough to happily point out Santa and although he knows what a present is and is happy to receive them he is more than happy to hand them out as well.  I'm imagining some serious shock and delight on Christmas morning when he sees what Santa has brought him.  Watching him will be the best gift we could get. 

Hope everyone has been enjoying this season and you are done with your to do list or nearly there!

You are due some house tour this week so I'll get to work and give you another room or two.  Happy Monday before Christmas!