peppermint bliss.

this Christmas was just fabulous!

as the kids are getting older, we've decided to make a few new traditions. it's been really fun.

the weekend started off with robert and I walking to our favorite little bakery in east nashville, Sweet 16!

fresh kosher cinnamon rolls and drew's brew's coffee!

this year we decided that on christmas eve we were going to walk down to the first franklin united methodist church.

walking 4 blocks...in the freezing cold.

normally shannon, my sister-in-love makes the dessert for Christmas eve, but this year I had the pleasure of making a "light christmas eve dessert" as our christmas eve meal is massive and there is never room for the dessert.

I make beignets! (french doughnuts!) i used the Cafe Du Monde's Recipe!

with some hot coffee, such a hit!

then of course my dad read the story and we opened our new christmas pajamas, and a book!

after indulging ourselves in the most fattening and sugary foods we all got into the hot tub then nestled into our new pajamas and cuddled into our beds.

despite my adult-hood, i still woke up at 6:30am ready to celebrate christmas.

my husband didn't agree and wanted to sleep in.

so i got up, made coffee and waited until 9 to wake up the rest of the siblings.

christmas morning!

~

after enjoying hot Costa Rican coffee from my sweet friend Jenny Deloach.

we opened our stockings!

filled with our "every year" underwear, hand picked godiva chocolates, socks, and much more!

then we enjoyed some of my mother's famous crepes!

complete with her fresh lemons, from her meyers-lemon tree inside our house!

i made homemade honey-butter.

top a crepe with honey-butter, lemon and raw sugar. oh my goodness!

then we opened gifts!

~

the next day we decided to keep the tradition's coming, we went to Pfunky Griddle!

You can go and get unlimited pancake batter and make the pancakes yourself!

blueberries, bananas, chocolate chips! they let your taste buds indulge!

robert + josh made a huge chocolate chip pancake!

oh and fabulous bottomless coffee!

my husband wasn't ready for the huge, Ellis feast and ended up passing out with our dog.

warm delights

i love the reverence of the morning.

the silence.

the birds outside my window.

when my feet first come out of the covers and touch the ground, and are frozen.

no filters of daily situations have crowded my vision.

i am so happy.

some of my best-loved days start off with 2 admired ladies.

once (or twice, if lucky) a week, we get together and just indulge and dream.

every time we gather there is some marvelous homemade treat, pancakes, scones, muffins, or some left over dessert from the night before.

this week it was Sarah's homemade rice flour apple pie!

then we always have coffee, and sometimes breakfast.

but the most fulfilling part of this ritual is the intimacy and love that is exchanged.

the dreams we have for our lives, traveling the world with our spouses and dogs.

what life changing things we are experiencing every day.

i usually get in my car to head home, i can be brought to tears by any little thing because i realize how blessed i am to have these women in my life.

i find myself being thankful.

Julia- strong, and independent, but soft spirited and sensitive to her surroundings.

motivated and determined, yet hopeful for things unsolved.

her heart reaches out to others in so countless courses of action.

she is a nomad deep down. but has settled, but soon she will rise and become a wanderer.

Sarah- sweet hearted and in a strategic way, inspires me.

the peace that surrounds her is surpassing to me.

as part of every year christmas tradition, my family admires the very thoroughly covered trees and bushed.

we went and were instantly put into the christmas spirit.

chocolate. lights. love. family.

christmas lights!

surprise my hubby + dad with their favorite banana pudding- even made little tart pans!

we went and took "backdrop" pictures at the Opryland Hotel with our dear friends, the Rhodes.

Saturday my parents offered to take robert + i to our favorite breakfast/lunch/dinner place in nashville! Marche!

a fabulous weekend! now to get ready for christmas!

my thoughts on christmas.

homemade strand of ornaments.

I cannot believe that it's christmas 2009 already. its like a jug of milk sitting on my doorstep, i must grasp it and enjoy it before it goes sour!

For most of us, this year has been a roller coaster of experience.

The economic fall has impacted almost everyone and some people more then others.

The burden hasn't just been financial, but emotional. People's dreams, plans, mindsets have all been altered.

In my opinion, this year's recession has resulted in a culture wide increase stress and apprehension.

homemade stockings: wizards doggy stocking

my homemade stocking.

The anticipation for the christmas season is for months in advance! Scented candles, indulging in sugary foods, wrapping paper, consumerism; but it is also a stressful and anxious time.

I love celebrations, as I am sure other's do to, family traditions, cherishing those holiday memories from the past. Along with the blissful memories, we build up a stress for preparation and expectations and fear of letdowns, and past family quarrels.

cut down our own trees and made ornaments!

All of us want christmas to mean something, to be memorable until it comes down to the "shop till you drop," spend spend spend, swiping your credit card over and over, road rage cause by traffic jams, long lines. We are usually just happy to "survive" it.

Americans spend 450 billion$ on christmas every year!

Why don't people use their already talents (reading, writing, creating, talking, eating, baking, crafting, eating) to make gifts; like when we were kids.

What if we gave all the money we spend on christmas to the lonely, thirsty, hungry, hurting, poor, needy?

But then "gift-giving" is also many people's love language.

so you find your balance.

be free to celebrate. :)

this picture doesn't do these little owl ornaments justice!
home made snowflakes for decorations! made with old sheet music!

~

recipe of the day!

healthy peanut butter doggy cookies!

(and people friendly! good healthy snack)

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 c. non-fat powdered milk

1 egg

1/3 c. raw sugar/honey/agave (whatever you prefer)

1 c. cold water

1/3 c. natural peanut butter

1/2 c. coconut oil/vegetable oil/saffleflower oil (whichever you prefer)

(may need more water)

oven to: 350

roll out and if you can find a dog bone cookie cutter its very easy!