Girls Weekend in SLC

This past weekend we went to Salt Lake City for a girls weekend.  My mom, my mother-in-law, my daughter, and I all met and stayed in a hotel.  It was a picture perfect weekend.  It lightly snowed everyday.  We felt like we were in a movie!  The main reason for the trip was that we had tickets for the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert featuring Alfie Boe - our FAV!!!!

 

 We walked around City Creek and WE GOT TO MEET ALFIE at the book signing!!!  We talked to him, took pictures and he touched my hand!!!!  I was floating!!!!

SWOON!!!

 We got to play the Mormon Tabernacle organ.  It was one of the most exciting experiences of my life!  The lady giving the noon recital let a few people come up and play the organ.  It was amazing.

 A quick stop to the Western Nut Company for some goodies

 Then on to the Nauvoo Cafe for the WORLD'S BEST Turkey Pot Pie.  It really is to die for!

 The lights everywhere were spectacular!  Such a beautiful place - especially with the snow falling.

 Finally it was time for the concert we had been waiting for.  I can't even put it into words - it was AMAZING.  I don't think I took a breath during the whole thing.  Alfie Boe is FABULOUS!!  I didn't want it to end.

A Merry Front Porch

 Here is a peek at my Christmas-y front porch.  I made another burlap banner only aqua and red this time.  (click HERE for the tutorial).

 I first put the word "Merry" on my door and it confused my entire family.  They kept waiting for the "Christmas" part of the saying to show up.  When I explained it was just "Merry" they seemed disappointed.  So, I added the "be" and now it reads "Be Merry".  Confusion ended!

 I love changing what I hang in this old window every season!

 A fun little pillow made of different trims.

Happy Birthday Taylor Swift!

 December 13th is an exciting day in our home - Taylor Swift's Birthday!  Last year we threw an actual Birthday Party!  We invited all the Taylor fans we knew.

 

When the guests walked in they got a spritz of Taylor's perfume, Wonderstruck. 

 Next we made Taylor Swift Christmas Ornaments!

 

 

 

Everyone wrote a birthday message on the sliding glass door.  

 Then it was time to sing Happy Birthday (yes I am very cheesy).  We had cheesecake, Taylor's favorite :)

 Finally it was time for the funnest dance party ever!!

Keeping up with Richie the Elf

Richie the elf has for sure been busy!  He got into the rubber stamps and stamped a note.  The note said to look in the mirror.  Hmmmmm, why is Richie holding a red marker?  Oh!  Once we looked in the mirror we noticed we all had Rudolph noses!  (My 13 year old thought she had the world's largest zit....poor thing)

Then Richie was found sitting in one of the Christmas trees fishing for goldfish with a candy cane fishn' pole!

 We found Rapunzel tied to the mistletoe and Richie hanging from Rapunzel's long braid.  We think he has a crush on Rapunzel!  This confirms our suspicions :)

This appears to be a double date we happened upon one morning.  Here Richie is playing mini Uno cards with Merida, Flynn and Rapunzel.  Looks like Flynn and Rapunzel must be back together after the mistletoe incident!

 Flynn Rider is sooooo handsome!!

Ode to the Cookie Press & My Favorite Recipe

 Spritz cookies (or cookie gun cookies as we call them) have been a family tradition for over 50 years.  My mom grew up making these cookies, I grew up making these cookies, and now they are a favorite of my children.  I recently purchased this vintage Wear-Ever cookie gun - mint in the box!  It was very similar to the one my mother had when she was little.  I love just staring at the box :)

 

My first cookie gun was this white one from Kuhn Rikon.  I loved it.  It finally died from over use.  So I purchased the Wilton one.

 This Wilton one has not been my favorite.  Evey time I used it I would remind myself to be on the look out for a new one!  So this December I broke down and bought another Kuhn Rikon.  I was excited to have new discs: a snowman, candy cane and pumpkin!

Here is my favorite spritz cookie recipe.  It's buttery with a hint of almond.  I love making these cookies at Christmas but they are also fun at Valentine's Day and the perfect size for Tea Parties!

Amanda's Spritz Cookies

1 cup butter

3/4 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. (plus) Almond Extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix and use in your cookie press.  Top with colored sugar sprinkles.  Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

Eggnog Spritz Cookie Recipe

This is a recipe for Eggnog Cookies using a cookie press.  I only make them during the Christmas season so I look forward to them every year!  I don't like drinking eggnog, but I LOVE the flavor of eggnog!

Eggnog Spritz Cookies
1 cup butter
3/4 cups white sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. rum flavoring
1 tsp. ground nugmet
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix the above ingredients and use in your cookie press.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.

Eggnog Glaze:
OK, so I don't measure this part.  Make a glaze using powdered sugar and eggnog.  When it is to a nice glaze consistency, dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and dust with more nutmeg.  They are delicious!!!

Checking in with Richie the Elf

Richie our elf has been surprising, delighting, and entertaining our family!  Here are his latest antics:

Sippin' syrup with Rapunzel, Richie's latest crush :)

 

 Richie tucked in a doll bed (he was reading a book, but Sally took it)

 Tied up by those mean Lego guys (this one is all over the internet, maybe that's where Richie got it from!)

 Just chilaxin' in the freezer....and now wearing a blue scarf!

 Crape paper sabotage.  You can't see Richie in the photo, but he is all tangled up in the red crape paper.

We made Richie some tiny spritz cookies and left him a little cup of milk. 

 Every night there is a note by Richie from one of the children - it is sooooo cute!  My children wake up early every morning to try and be the first to spot him.  How we love Richie!!

Christmas Gift Idea

It's my favorite time of year at Bath & Body Works!  Time for Twisted Peppermint everything!  I decided these yummy soaps would make cute gifts for people in hubby's office and people at school.  So, I bought every soap they had (more than pictured here....yes, I am crazy!)

 

Then I bought these white dishcloths and sewed peppermint fabric and red ric rac on the bottom.  Super cute!

 I put them in cellophane bags and tied with a ribbon.  I would love to get this gift from someone - and I hope the recipients enjoy theirs!

Alpine Wonderland in the Making

I'm working on a quilt!  My friend and I decided instead of giving a Christmas gift to each other we would have a sewing day.  So we each ordered fabric from the Riley Blake Alpine Wonderland line, found a pattern, cut it all out & started sewing together.  So much fun!!!

 I found the pattern in Better Homes & Garden's Quilts & More Winter 2010.  I like our fabrics better than the ones pictured :)

 It's always fun to lay it out and try and figure out where all the colors should go.

 Here it is all pieced together.  Now I have to figure out what I want on the back.  I LOVE this pattern.  It is so much fun!

Best Cat Toy Ever!!

 

 

 While we were re-doing our bathroom I came across the perfect cat toy.  The toilet bolt caps!!  Marbles kept stealing them and batting them all over the house.  He would pick them up in his mouth and carry them everywhere.  I ended up going back to Lowe's and buying him his own to play with.  

 

You can find them in the toilet "fix-it" section at the home improvement store for around $2.  Perfect stocking stuffers for your cat!!