JOY to the world! the Lord has come.



For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

{Isaiah 9:6}

 

And the angel said to her,

Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor

with God. And behold,

you will conceive in your womb

and bear a son, and

you shall call his name 

Jesus.

{Luke 1:30-31}

 

 

And being found in human form, he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death

on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and

bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth

{Philippians 2:8-10}

High Five for Friday

Linking up with Lauren from From My Grey Desk today. Everyday this week has felt like Friday. It’s been pretty awesome actually.

 

 

 

We did Secret Santa this week in my office, so throughout the week I was sneaking presents over to the person I had and having things magically appear on my desk when I turned my back. It was so fun! It felt like Christmas came early. The person who had me clearly knows I have a baking obsession – here is my new mini muffin/cupcake pan with reusable silicone liners.

 

This week, like this season is general, revolved around eating. Snacked on these sweet and tangy jalapeno peppers. They are amazing atop a cracker with cream cheese.

 

Wednesday we had our party for the high school small group I lead. 10 teenage girls, cookie dough, Just Dance 3, Quelf (hilarious board game), a jar of onion dip and a bag of potato chips. That pretty much sums up our night.

 

My new rose gold watch from the Red Circle Boutique (aka Target). Wore it yesterday with a fitted plaid button down under a dark grey cashmere sweater. This this may be my Christmas outfit this year.

Lastly, the enormous Christmas tree in the student lobby of my work. It is at least 11 feet tall and just gorgeous.

Fabulous Friday

Weekly update.

 

So, if you haven't noticed, I've been MIA this week.

 

I have a bad habit of taking on more than I can handle. If you can believe it, a few months ago I thought I would post every day in December. I was going to call it Daily December (creative, I know). But truth is there is just way too much fun stuff going on this month! Too many dinners with friends, too much baking Christmas goodies, hours spent enjoying a cozy fire, gallons of gas used driving around looking at lights, way too much being merry at holiday parties - and hardly any time preparing blog posts.

 

So here are a few mini updates for you....

  

 Next week I am guest posting on Chelsea's Culinary Indulgence. She has a cute series set up, The 12 Days of Christmas Treats. The series started today with Spiced Eggnog Donuts (yum!) and will continue through Christmas day. Be sure to check it out to see all the fun treats that are planned. I will be posting on the 20th with a decadently rich, holiday chocolate treat.

 

Yesterday I got my ornament from the HenningLove Christmas Ornament Swap. I was so excited to get something in the mail I almost ripped it open right away. But then I remembered, I am a blogger. So I must first document with pictures. That post is coming next week, December 19th.
 

 

Also, next week I will be sharing some home-made gift ideas. Perfect for your palate and budget. Expect to see soup mixes in jars and sweet breads in snowflake ceramic baking dishes.  

 

20 more days... {w/ crafts}

hello friends.

Can you believe Christmas is less than 3 weeks away? Positively insane. Today I am guest posting over at Wannabe Green. I'm sharing some fun Christmas ornaments I made, like the ones here:

November Resolutions

You know those things you talk about doing but never actually do? You’ve tried time and time again, but somehow each time you always fall a little bit short. Yet no matter how many times you’ve tried (and failed) you keep at it, each time saying, “This time will be different. This time I will actually accomplish my goal.”

 Well folks, I’m here to tell you, this time will be different. This year, I am going to accomplish my goal: complete my Christmas shopping before December. I say it each and every year. And not because I am one of those super-organized people who like to have everything done ahead of time. Believe me, I’m not. When it comes to work, yes sometimes most of the time. But in my day to day life I am a last minute, put makeup on in the car, buy the gift on the way to the party type of gal.

No, I set this goal each year because I know finishing my shopping early would hugely de-stress my life. Let me explain, I am horrible at getting gifts for people. Every once in a while I will come up with a great gift idea. Usually at the most inopportune time, like smack dab in the middle between the person’s birthday and Christmas. But most of the time I am at a complete loss for what to get people. It seriously stresses me out. 

Last year I did not even come close to accomplishing my goal. In large part because I was so busy planning my husband’s surprise birthday party and my bestie’s bachelorette party. It was a very busy time of year...

 But this year, I am giving myself a deadline. I can do it… right?

Source: itswrittenonthewalls.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest