This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine. Get your home ready for this holiday season by adding in some new Home Decor from Dollar General. Where you can get quality home goods at a great price! Years ago, I fell in love with this super fun old dresser that was re-painted and distressed in a pretty milky blue … [Read more...]
Radio Flyer: 100 years of America’s Little Red Wagon
This holiday season, gift your loved ones this fabulous keepsake Radio Flyer: 100 years of America’s Little Red Wagon book which chronicles the history of this classic brand for the first time. With the holidays creeping closer and closer and ideas for gifts getting harder and harder (and let me tell you I am 100% in the boat with you especially as my kids get bigger … [Read more...]
Cranberry Moscow Mule
Try this Cranberry Moscow Mule at your next holiday gathering or girls night in. The ginger-cranberry combination gives this old drink some new pizazz! One of my favorite drinks ever is a Moscow Mule, they are just so ginger-y and lime-y and perfect! Over Thanksgiving weekend I wanted to jazz them up for the holidays because we all know that once Thanksgiving ends … [Read more...]
Elf Movie Spaghetti Recipe Gift Idea
This Elf Movie Spaghetti Recipe Gift Idea is just perfect for gifting to friends and family this holiday season. It makes the perfect Family Movie night gift box! If you love the movie Elf as much as I do, then you will get this gift idea right away! I thought this would be such a fun idea to send out to our little cousins for the holidays (minus our little baby cuz … [Read more...]
Cherry Chip Loaf inspired by 12 Dates of Christmas
This Cherry Chip Loaf is incredibly moist and full of flavor thanks to the maraschino cherries and cherry chips. It's the perfect holiday treat to share with friends! If you enjoy watching Christmas movies as much as we do (especially the kind put on by ABC Family and the like) then you have to watch one of our favorites, 12 Dates of Christmas. I know, I know...so corny! … [Read more...]
Easy 3 Ingredient Oreo Cookie Balls
If you are looking for a delicious and easy to make holiday treat, these Oreo Cookie Balls are a must make! They are a winner every time! You guys!! I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I don't think I have ever shared this recipe with you!?! I looked all though my recipe archives and didn't see it anywhere....say whaaat?! Well, that's about to change starting today! Can … [Read more...]
Radio Flyer Customizable Book Gift Box
This Radio Flyer Customizable Book Gift Box is the perfect personalized holiday gift for all the sweet boys and girls in your life. If you are in need of a great gift idea for a child, may I highly suggest putting together a reading box as a fun holiday surprise? I have done these in the past years (like this Rudolph Gift Box here!) for my nieces and nephews and … [Read more...]
Easy Hot Chocolate Bar Gift Idea
I hope your New Year has started out wonderfully! We spent NYE at a friend's party and were out until 1 am(!!!!) I cannot believe all my kids stayed up that late and no one was grumpy or mean, I guess it helps to have 17 children from ages 3-14 to play with to keep everyone in good spirits! ;-) Yesterday we spent hanging out at home, recuperating and relaxing, and I got to … [Read more...]
2016 Fall Family Photos
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends! I hope you all had the most wonderful and magical holidays ever and were able to spend lots of time with your loved ones! I can never quite believe how quickly the holidays go by. Starting with Thanksgiving and on, it just seems like each year the days fly by faster than the last. We were lucky to have the kids home for an … [Read more...]
Silhouette Travel Mug Teacher Gift Idea
Happy Christmas Eve Eve!! I know half of you have little ones finishing up their last day of school before winter break today and the other half of you already have your kids out of school and you are currently ON winter break right now (bless you all) so this post probably won't help you in the Teacher Christmas Gifts department. Buuuut, I figured I'd share it anyway as … [Read more...]
Gift Idea: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Family Movie Night
You guys are not going to believe how on top of Christmas package mailing I am this year!!! You would be so proud of me! I'm a going-to-the-post-office fiend these days, it's pretty amazing actually. I have a couple more packages I need to send out and then it's just the Christmas cards (which I have already stuffed, stamped, and addressed)!!! Can someone give me a high … [Read more...]
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Popcorn Mix
Today I wanted to share a super cute and very tasty recipe that I created and was also featured over at the gorgeous Victoria Lee magazine for their December issue which was out earlier this month. One of my absolute favorite things to do with my family over the holidays is to snuggle everyone up for a fun family read aloud or movie night (see my other posts about that … [Read more...]
In Omnia Paratus: The Ultimate Gilmore Girls Fan Ornament
If you are a Gilmore Girls freak, like me, than today is your lucky day! Because I am sharing the how-to for the coolest flippin' ornament your eyes will ever see. It is the perfect gift idea for the Gilmore Girls fans out there who will definitely want one hanging on their Christmas tree this year!! Expressions Vinyl is having a little Christmas Ornament contest (and I'd … [Read more...]
Frosty the Snowman Popcorn Mix Recipe
Oh man, if you follow me on Instagram (find me here!) you know we are living up the feel good coziness that is December. The holiday spirit is in full swing in our home. We started December off with a bang yesterday with our Advent Calendar (we do this Experience Advent every year) and we also started our Book Advent (using a whole bunch of our favorite books I shared in … [Read more...]
Felt Hedgehog Ornament Tutorial
I'm so excited to share with you the cutest little ornament that Eloise made for the tree this year! It is so so cute and just screams Eloise! :-) If you remember, I first shared this over at Skip to My Lou for the Bake Craft Sew series and today I'm bringing the tutorial home! As you may already know, my kids love to create with me and do all the things crafty, bakey, and … [Read more...]
Skip to My Lou: Bake Craft Sew 2016
Hey friends! Today I'm over at Skip to My Lou as part of the Bake Craft Sew Series sharing this super cute tutorial for … [Read more...]
Christmas Cookie Party In a Box Gift Idea
With only a few more days until Christmas, it is now crunch time in the gifts department. But I've got your back! If you are in need of a fun Christmas gift idea for your neighbor, coach, teacher, friend, or even a family member may I suggest this super cute and totally adorable Christmas Cookie Party In a Box Gift Idea! The best thing about this gift is that you are … [Read more...]
Recipe: Hershey’s Kisses Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hershey Company. All opinions are 100% mine. I love holiday traditions and cookie baking is a definite must in our family every year. During our annual cookie baking extravaganza over the weekend, we had so much fun decorating each these crazy adorable Hershey's Kisses Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies, it really was … [Read more...]
Christmas with the Kranks Caramel Cream Pie Recipe
Oh you guys. You have no idea how much my family loves Christmas movies. A lot!!! And not just watching Christmas movies over and over and over again but how we loooove to make the food from Christmas movies!! Love Actually? Awesome movie. Want to make the Banoffee pie mentioned? Well, you can find the recipe here. The Grinch that Stole Christmas? Another fav. We do a … [Read more...]
Hershey’s Kisses Santa Hat Clothespins
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hershey Company for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. Omgoodness, you guys! Have you been to Target lately? The littles and I went over the weekend and we found the cutest holiday themed Hershey's Kisses chocolates with the foil made to look like Santa hats!! Utterly adorable and of course they went right into our … [Read more...]
DIY Yoga Mat Sling Tutorial
Hi lovely friends! I shared this post over at Skip To My Lou last month and today I am bringing it home! If you practice yoga or have a friend or family member who does you are going to love this fantastic handmade gift idea! The tutorial I am sharing for this DIY Yoga Mat Sling is a quick and simple one and it will get lots of use on the way to class. As a bonus, it also … [Read more...]
Hershey’s Kisses Reindeer Cups
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hershey Company for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine. In our household, we cannot get enough of crafts and creating! I just love that my littles love to make things with their hands and minds, it is so fun to set them up and watch them go. During the holidays we tend to get a little out of control, it's such a … [Read more...]
Reindeer Sandwiches
Happy December 1st, friends!! With only 25 days until Christmas I thought I would share a fun little holiday themed lunch Oliver and I made together the other day…the cutest little Reindeer Sandwiches inspired by Rudolph himself! :-) … [Read more...]
Hershey’s Kisses Stuffed Coconut Macaroons Recipe
This post brought to you by The Hershey Company. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Smashed Peas and Carrots. Every year my family sits down together and decides which recipes we are going to make over the holidays. The list starts off long and seems to grow every year because we are always finding new recipes we want to try or ones we want to create. … [Read more...]
How to Savor Time with Your Family This Holiday Season
Hi friends! With the holiday season coming up, I thought I would share with you one of our favorite ways to connect with our children and bond as a family. We try to savor time with our family during the busy and often rushed holidays by picking out one night a week on our calendar and designating it a Family Movie Night but not with just any movies…holiday themed movies! … [Read more...]
Operation Christmas Child Gift Ideas
Every year around this time my littles and I participate in Operation Christmas Child, which is the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, it uses gift-filled shoeboxes to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. It is awesome. We have been participating since Noah was 1…so for about 7 years now, WOW!!! It is truly one of our … [Read more...]
5 Timesaving Kitchen Tips for the Holiday Season
Hi friends!!! I feel like so many people get stressed out this time of year especially when it revolves around the kitchen and baking and prepping for Thanksgiving and Christmas (and yes, even Halloween!) that I wanted to share how I keep myself sane. A little checklist I run through in my head around this time every year. To keep it smooth sailing. Because saving time … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas 2014
Merry Christmas a day early, friends!! I just wanted to pop in before I take a little vacation from the 'ol blog to spend some time with my family this holiday season and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! … [Read more...]
Tutorial: Make a Wine Bag in 10 Minutes
Today I thought I'd bring home another super easy yet fun to make tutorial I did as part of the Riley Blake Project Design Team! Today I will be teaching you how to make a fabulous Wine Bag, and it will only take you 10 minutes…10 MINUTES!!! So fast you could crank out quite a few in less than an hour and have an array of pretty packaged hostess gifts to bring to all … [Read more...]
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Party!
Yesterday we had our "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" book and movie party after school. It was so much fun! We read the book first and then watched the movie with a few fun Grinch-y snacks. I have to say I just love watching this Dr. Seuss movie during the holidays, it brings back so many great memories of my childhood and catching it on TV on a random weeknight in … [Read more...]
How to Make: Dried Orange Slices
I made a bunch of Dried Orange Slices for decorating some gifts this year and I love the look of them. I think it's so fun to add a little something colorful to brown paper packages and as a bonus, since I added twine to these dried orange slices, they also work as an ornaments for the tree too! … [Read more...]
Gift Idea: Hot Cocoa To Go Gift Bags
Need a fun gift to give this holiday season? How about Hot Cocoa To Go Gift Bags! Filled with hot cocoa mix-ins and a few packets of hot cocoa. The perfect pick me up on a cold winter's day! … [Read more...]
How to Make: Tissue Paper Snowflakes
This is a sponsored post for the Elmer’s “Crafty Mamas” Blogger Crew. I have received compensation for this post, but the ideas and opinions are , as always, 100% my own! Last week the littles and I were in the mood to make a fun winter-y craft on Ellie's day off from preschool. For some reason, I'd rather make winter crafts then too many Christmas crafts as winter is a … [Read more...]
Gift Idea: DIY Hot Cocoa Kit
With chilly days ahead of us what could be more fun then sending someone you love a Hot Cocoa Kit in the mail? Everything you need to enjoy a warm cup of hot cocoa is packaged up in a pretty box…perfect for snuggling up to a good Christmas movie on tv, a favorite book (maybe as part of your book advent!), or relaxing on the couch after you decorated your tree! … [Read more...]
Huge List of Books to Use for a Christmas Book Advent
December is upon us which means we are at the beginning of our Christmas Book Advent again. This is such a fun tradition we do every year and I can't believe I have never talked about it here! Basically, I wrap up 25 of our favorite Christmas-y or winter themed books and each night we unwrap one and read it next to our Christmas tree. It really is that easy. If you don't … [Read more...]
2 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
The one nice thing about the weather getting colder already is that I get to whip up yet another batch of our favorite Hot Cocoa Mix. It's super yummy and soooo easy to make and the bonus? It only needs two ingredients! It's so easy to make even my littles can do it. Mmmm, I think I need a warm mug of it stat! … [Read more...]
Our 2013 Christmas Card and Some Family Photos
Here is a peek at our family Christmas card from this past Christmas 2013! I have to tell you, I am always so happy that I spent the time and effort to get our Christmas cards finished and printed every year. No matter how crazy that time of year can be, it really is nice to look back through the years and see how much my littles have changed and our family has grown. Of … [Read more...]
A Christmas-ing We Go!
Last weekend we thought we should take advantage of the warmer temps (yes, that would be 40 degree weather folks...this past weekend we were lucky to hit the 20's and that's without windchill!) and go cut down our Christmas tree!We found a new to us tree farm and I think this one might be my new favorite place to go every year! It was family run, very mom and pop, and so … [Read more...]
TUTORIAL: Paper Rosette Gift Name Tags
I was asked by Joann's to be a part of their Papercrafted Christmas campaign that they are co-hosting with Die Cuts With a View (DCWV). Me and 11 other bloggers are sharing some fun ideas on how to craft with DCWV scrapbook paper and embellishments this month. How fun! With Christmas literally weeks away, and the fact that I have gift wrapping on the brain, I thought I … [Read more...]
TUTORIAL: Toilet Paper Tube Advent Calendar
This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cottonelle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CottonelleHoliday http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. Can you believe it is December already? That means only 4 weeks until Christmas!!! Well, 23 days to be exact, whoa momma! With holiday parties and cookie exchanges coming up on … [Read more...]
Christmas Party Tablescape
At the end of November my church held it's first ever Ladies Advent Tea to help prepare our hearts for the Christmas season. My lovely friend Carrianne (you may remember the amazing job she did on our family's Christmas pictures last year here!) asked me if I wanted to host a table with her...and by host I mean decorate ;-) Umm, yeah! Y'all know how much I love to throw … [Read more...]
Decorative Lace Trim Christmas Trees-TUTORIAL
Today I thought I would share my first official Christmas craft of the season with y'all, yahooo! Ever since Thanksgiving weekend my house has been transforming into a sparklier and more glittery version of it's old boring self every day :-) I adore the holidays as most of you probably do too. It's a season full of hope, and joy, and blessings and I just love all of … [Read more...]
DIY Christmas Cards and Kraft Paper Envelopes-TUTORIAL
Today I wanted to share with you an easy way to create your very own holiday cards. Maybe you need some simple yet festive blank cards on hand for Thank Yous? Or how great would these be to write a little note and add a gift card for all the hard-working teachers out there...postal workers, the newspaper delivery person, or any deliver person for that matter! The kind … [Read more...]
Unplugging.
Since Christmas is in just a few short days, I think I'm going to unplug from the internet world for a little bit. I'll be back next week sometime, promise. But before I go let me wish each of you a very Merry Christmas (and a Happy Hannukah as that is occurring right now too!) surrounded by those that you love and hopefully some good food too! My three little elves … [Read more...]
Holiday Cornflake Wreaths-RECIPE
One of my favorite holiday treats to make (and eat!) this time of year are Holiday Cornflake Wreaths. Maybe you make them too? Oh man, they are so good. We made these every Christmas when I was little and now I make them with my littles :-) Making them is a great activity for the preschool set too as they can help you pour the cereal, count out the marshmallows and of … [Read more...]
Ginger Kids and Ornaments.
Just ten days until Christmas, is that right? Well, we continue to be knee deep in Christmas activities that are keeping sweet little hands busy and sweet little faces full of big smiles, how about you? Last year I found these ginormous Gingerbread men, you might remember them from this post here. Well, I went and bought them again, thank you Trader Joe's, and they … [Read more...]
Santa Disguise Photo Booth Props {Tutorial}
Earlier this fall I was asked by the lovely Stephanie Lynn of Under the Table and Dreaming to participate in a series that ran on her blog in November called Handmade Holidays featuring STYROFOAM™ brand foam. The series included 25 bloggers who were to create holiday projects using STYROFOAM™ brand foam products. I was excited to be asked to participate to say the least! … [Read more...]
An Experience Christmas Advent {Free Printable} and Recipe for Reindeer Food
I know it's December 6 (already! Happy Birthday Dad!) but I wanted to share our Christmas Advent with you this year because my littles have been loving it...and I figured if my kids love it then your kids may too. If you haven't started an Advent this season Do Not Worry! You still have plenty of time to jump in and if your kids are anywhere near mine in age (5, 3, 1) … [Read more...]
Sweets and Treats and Stocking Stuffers
Hi all! I just had two things I wanted to let you know about today... I was super honored to be asked to be a guest over at Made yesterday to contribute to Dana's Sweets and Treats Christmas Advent! If you haven't already heard, Dana is hosting 25 days of delicious Sweets and Treats every single day in December until Christmas, such a great idea as I love me some … [Read more...]
Cheery Christmas Stockings {Tutorial}
I was asked recently by Waverly to be a part of their 12 Waverly Bloggers of Christmas, how exciting!! I said yes of course, how could I not? If you head over to Waverly's Facebook page you will find 12 bloggers sharing how to create DIY holiday crafts using Waverly materials every other day or so. The series goes until December 23 so head on over to check it … [Read more...]
Candy Cane Bunting {Tutorial}
It's time to start decorating your home for the Christmas holiday and I thought what better than to post my Candy Cane Bunting that I shared last year over at Delish! This is really easy to put together and extremely festive for this time of year. All you need is some pretty red and white fabrics and a few other goodies to get started, enjoy! Candy Cane Garland (6) … [Read more...]
Pecan Pie {Recipe}
I've got another one of our favorite recipes we like to enjoy on Thanksgiving (and throughout the holiday season!) for you today. I don't know about you but I absolutely love pecan pie, there is just something about sweet, caramelized, crunchy pecans in pie form...delish! I love it straight up, no brownie bottom or chocolate pieces immersed in it please. This classic … [Read more...]
Christmas-sy Fun
So since Christmas is in just a few days, I will be bidding you adieu until after the gift un-wrapping frenzy has ended. Me and the fam will be spending some major quality time soaking in our last bits of Christmas fun before the Big day since me and the kids are officially on winter break. No preschool, no ballet, no story time, for reals! I'm seeing a movie day out in … [Read more...]
Scrappy Holiday Cards {An Easy Tutorial}
Eeep! This is the last week before Christmas..are ya ready? At this point most of you probably have your shopping done or at least very close to done and if you are doing a handmade holiday you probably have a good dent in your list of to-make's. I have a few more things to make for the kidlets and then I'll be set for Christmas day. I'm hoping for some long nap times … [Read more...]
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