this is our happily ever after

Christmas Eve Tradition

From the time I was a wee little girl until I was married I remember my Mom giving me new pajamas every Christmas Eve....and they were always in the same box.  Which is kinda brilliant, because it made it easy to set it apart.  

This year I've decided to start a new tradition with Karsten: The Christmas Eve Box.  I found this cute, heavy duty box at Home Goods (favorite place ever!) for a few bucks and I hope it will last for many Christmas Eve's to come!  

Note--I have always loved the kraft paper look and have used it for years....it's just the trendy thing now, which I love!  

Inside the box are new jammies, 2 books (one is a Thomas book and underneath is a Christmas Story book told from the perspective of the animals in the stable), and a dino stuffed animal that I picked up at the Natural History Museum yesterday!   

As the years go by the footie pajamas will be replaced with big boy pjs and stuffed animals  will disappear, but I hope to always used this box for the boy who I will always call my baby!

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Tonight we're headed to my Aunt and Uncle's for our annual Christmas Eve dinner of lasagna and tamales. This box will go with us and K can open it there when it's time to get his jammies on.  

to elf...or not to elf?

Happy Day After Thanksgiving!  As some call it, Black Friday...I do wonder however if it should continue to be called Black Friday when many stores opened on Thanksgiving...I have such a huge problem with that, but that's another soapbox... for never.  This morning, I did score 60% off a coat for Karsten at Carters and 60% off + 25% off of frames and a few needed things at Michael's.  There are some great deals out there, but not much we need!  

Now to what this blog post is really about...to elf (on the shelf) or not to elf (on the shelf)?  I'll be honest, I really went back and forth on whether to add this to our Christmas tradition or not.

I think it's a cute concept.

Kids totally dig it.  

The elf is adorable.

It creates excitement for the season.

It's a great way to get your kids to behave, or to scare them into behaving.

I even read a great blog post last year about how a Christian family incoorporates the elf into the real REASON FOR THE SEASON!  

However....we've decided that the Moore family will not be partaking in the elf on the shelf tradition.  Please know there is seriously no judgment on those who make this a part of their Christmas season...it's just not for us.  

For one thing...I'm desperately seeking simplification in my life.  Having to remember to move an elf around the house every night (or heaven help me...create scenes for the elf) just seems like one thing that I don't need to add to my already too long list!  

Trust me...we are not scrooges...in fact we're adding three new, simple traditions for Karsten this year.  He's old enough to get "it" and certainly teachable enough to begin learning that Christmas is a time for giving in celebration of Christ's birthday.  We've already been sorting through his toys and clothes and making piles for Baby Sean, my cousin's baby.  In his precious little voice K will say "Give to baby Sean?" We're also going to be buying a few things to send to our World Vision child, Edison (who is Karsten's age).

I'll be sharing our new traditions soon, but one of them is based on the ebook Truth in the Tinsel that I purchased yesterday. Scroll to the bottom of the Truth is in the Tinsel link to see a video of what's it's all about!  The Mom Creative reviewed it yesterday and it's exactly what I had been looking for. I purchased the additional ornament add on because I don't think K is quite old enough to make the craft ornaments...so this year we'll just color an ornament each day and hang them on the tree in his playroom. I LOVE that there is Scripture each day that we'll read and then we can talk about it as he colors the ornament.  I plan on dating and keeping his ornaments each year to see how his coloring/craftiness improves with age :)

So, there may be no elf excitement in the Moore house, but there will certainly be some Jesus excitement and that's exactly what we're going for!

 

Easter Bunny Cake

Karsten and I had a playgroup Easter party to go to yesterday morning and it dawned on me Sunday that I should make an Easter Bunny cake.  I have many memories of my Mom, brother, and I making this cake nearly every Easter growing up.  It's simple, cute, and kids and adults love it. 

You'll need 1 boxed cake mix (I used vanilla), 1 container of white frosting (I like the whipped frosting by Betty Crocker), 2 round cake pans, 1 large sheet pan, jelly beans, sprinkles, black licorice, and any other assorted candy you want to use.  Although I didn't use coconut yesterday (because it was serving a crowd comprised mostly of  young children) I've always covered the cake with coconut which makes the bunny look furry...that and I LOVE all things coconut! 

After you've baked your cakes (2 round cakes) according to the package directions, remove them from the pans, and let them cool completely.  Then cut one of the round cakes as shown below, making 2 ears, and 1 bowtie.

Place the ears and bowtie in the correct spots

Next, frost the cake and decorate.  When I use coconut I will take a small amount of it, add red food coloring, and use that for the pink of the bunny's ears.  Today I just used pink sprinkles. 

 

Lenten Fast

Brian has done a Lenten fast the past few years. He loosely bases his fast on the Orthodox fast and has fasted desserts, alcohol, junk food, and a lot of meat over the past few years.  Because I'm the cook, and he's a great hubby, he always eats what I make for dinner.  So, while he was fasting if I made something with meat for dinner, he ate it. 

This year will be a bit different because I'm fasting as well.  This is my first fast ever and to be perfectly honest I'm a little stressed about it, but I know it will help me to abide in Him.  In a traditional fast, Sundays are exempt, but instead of not fasting on Sunday's we've decided to mark out a few days on the calendar where we can break the fast.   Our anniversary and Brian's birthday will be two of these days.

We're not doing a specific fast, like the Daniel Fast, for many reasons....one of which is that we'll be fasting for 40 days, not 21 days.  During our fast we'll be cutting out

• excess sugar (this will be the hardest for me) in things like cookies, candy, sweets, and treats. 
• meat (though I may make fish a couple of times a week to make sure we're getting enough protein)
• alcohol (beer, wine, liquor)

I will be cutting down on caffeine and the rest of the time I'll be drinking water.  We've also decided that we're not going to be so rigid that it inconviences other people.  Brian has a lot of work lunches coming up in the next weeks and if bbq is served he'll eat it, just not as much.  We are not going to be legalistic about it...this is more of a time to place more discipline in our lives and cut out excess in our lives so that we can draw more closely to God...not to make sure that we're following a bunch of rules. 

One of my reasons for doing this fast is my health.  I've noticed the pounds adding up, I'm feeling frumpy, and I'm addicted to sugar.  So, along with closely monitoring my diet I will also be walking everyday for a minimum of 20 minutes.  **If I tell myself it's only 20 minutes I get myself outside and then inevitably walk for at least 30-45 minutes** 

Fasting isn't just about depriving ourselves of things it's about replacing bad things with good things and good things with better things. 

Another goal of mine during this fast is to carve out a minimum of 30 minutes everyday to write and pray.  Basically, I'll replace time playing on pinterest, blogs, etc with time where I'm writing and talking to God.  The writing will be done in my journal and much of it will be reflecting on what I'm reading and studying. I hope to be able to share some with you.

This fast will take abiding in Christ to a whole new level and for that I'm excited...I would love to know if you plan on fasting anything during this Lenten season.  Please let me know I'm not alone!  Leave me a comment...I could use the encouragment.  I also plan on putting our weekly menus here so you can see what we're eating.  Maybe I'll even get some new favorite recipes out of it!

Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup

I almost always have simple syrup in my fridge.  Simple syrup is a pretty name for sugar water.  You bring a cup of water to a boil add in a cup of sugar, stir until the sugar is dissolved, and use to sweeten tea, coffee, fruit, etc.  I almost always use it to sweeten tea.

To make Meyer Lemon Simple Syrup you'll need

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup juice from  Meyer Lemons (2-3 lemons)

1 cup of sugar

Bring water and lemon juice just to a boil.  Stir in sugar until dissolved. 

Pour into iced tea to sweeten.  Pour into bubbling spring water to add a light and sweet lemon flavor.  Pour over fruit to sweeten. 

Store in fridge for up to a week.  I store it in this glass bottle I bought at Marshall's for a few dollars. 

Meyer Lemons are a cross between an orange and a lemon and less acidic than a regular lemon! 

glimpses of Christmas 2012

This Christmas season was different than most.  I didn't have my tree up until Dec. 21st or decorated until the 22nd.  I use decorated very loosely...as in maybe 20 ornaments total.  I have ornaments I always put on my tree...that is until this year.  It wasn't that I wasn't in the Christmas spirit, I was.  It's just that to me Christmas is about so much more than the perfect tree, decked halls, and stockings overflowing with gifts.  It's all about celebrating Christ's birth with those I love most...Brian, Karsten, and my parents....sadly my brother couldn't make it to TX this year because of job responsibilities.  We missed you bratty!

Out of 5 Christmas rubbermaid boxes I maybe used a total of 2 to decorate the house.  After a creatively busy Fall I just wanted to keep things simple.  My favorite decorations with little to no fluff.  I plan on going through each and every rubbermaid in the next week and getting rid of a lot of stuff I just don't have an attachment to. Don't we all have stuff that we put out because we have it...not because we love it? 

My nativity bought by my Mom in Bethlehem sat on the table in our entry way under the crosses that are always there. 

my favorite thing ever...catching Christmas tree bokeh!

Everyone had a stocking...I even bought my parent's one each, the cowboy boot is my Mom's...too cute!

fresh flowers

our Christmas card from last year and this year (framed) and a JOY that I didn't sell

an old wire tree that I bought several years ago in St. Charles, MO...it's perfect for old glass ornaments and was probably my favorite decoration this year.  I'm going to be looking for more ornaments to add next year and an old vintage star.

My parent's arrived at our house late Saturday the 22nd.  Dad enjoyed a few rounds of golf and Mom cooked and enjoyed time with Karsten. 

The night before Christmas we began the tradition of assembling the toys to go under the tree!  My parents were reminiscing about the times they stayed up doing the same for my brother and I. 

This was Karsten's "big" gift...oh, that we may always only have to spend $35 for his "big gift". 

His eyes lit up the next morning when he saw it and he played with it immediately...and off and on for the rest of the day.  Between the race track and Elmo's he was beside himself!

baby Elmo had breakfast with us..

and after breakfast he noticed that his stocking held a bigger Elmo (which he has slept with every night since Cmas)

I truly think that his favorite gift was his Elmo backpack.  He immediately knew what it was, wanted us to put it on, and walked to the front door.  He was ready to somewhere with his backpack.  I love that he loves it, but man does it make him look big!

he also received lots of books...the poor kid doesn't have a chance...his Momma is a book lover and teacher at heart!

He began to get the hang of choosing a gift and opening it...although still on 12/28 there are 3 wrapped gifts under the tree with his name.  He's just like me....likes to stretch Cmas out!

oh, how I wish this photo weren't blurry...but I still love it so much.  Karsten was so happy and moving around so much on Christmas that this photo pretty much sums his day up....happy and blurry!

Karsten's first Texas A&M tshirt...along with the Aggie war hymn sung by Brian!

After opening gifts, taking a nap, opening more gifts, and playing, Karsten proudly wore his backpack to the backyard where he moved soil from one pot to the other pot.

On Christmas night we went to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner and hang out time.  Michael and Emily did a great job keeping Karsten entertained.

Karsten loves their puppy, Penny, who is so sweet and calm.

Then Karsten, Michael, and my Aunt Sherry watched The Snowman movie on youtube

We had such a Merry Christmas.  I received Project Life Baby Edition and albums and page protectors for my 2013 PL album.  It's all I wanted...well that and cowboy boots, but I'll need to save my money for those.  We refused to go into debt over Christmas and we stuck to our guns...keeping Christmas simple is really the best way. 

 

 

BLT Pasta Salad--a great summertime recipe

In the summertime I like to have a few really easy recipes each week.  This is one that everyone loves and could certainly be used as a side with some grilled chicken or burgers. 

Download BLT Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

¾ cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream

¼ t. garlic powder

2 T. BBQ sauce

16 oz. rotini pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled

1 small container grape tomatoes, halved

1 lb. bacon, cooked to very crispy and cooled, chopped

A few handfuls of lettuce or mixed greens

Directions:

Mix mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, and BBQ sauce together.  Mix with cooked and cooled pasta.  Carefully mix in tomatoes and bacon.  Place some greens on each plate and serve pasta on top. 

Frobergs Farmer's Market

As much as I like going to the Bayou City Farmers Market the fact is, I don't make it there every week.  First, it's expensive.  Second, they only sell products grown locally, meaning that if the produce isn't in season here then they don't sell it.  Third, this time of year, when so much great produce is in season I can go to Frobergs in Alvin, TX and get homegrown produce for MUCH cheaper. 

Last week Karsten and I took our first summer trip to Frobergs.  I was on the hunt for fresh okra and they had it.  Random fact: I never had okra (other than fried) until I moved to Texas and bought it at a farm stand along the side of the road when I was with Aunt Gail years ago.  Now, I love it.  I prefer the small pods, sliced up and I love cooking the okra with peppers, onions, celery, and stewed tomatoes.  YUM!!!  The reason I needed okra this time was for gumbo...I like lots of okra in my gumbo. 

Here's what we found at Frobergs last week

Kirby cucumbers...I kind of want to try making pickles, but canning scares me.  Does anyone have a good refrigerator pickle recipe?

These baskets of bell peppers were $1...the peppers weren't perfect, but I chopped them up and put them in the freezer to use in soups, chili, etc in the winter. 

more peppers

okra

and for my friend Danice, fresh cream peas.  I bought some and made them tonight and thought of you :)

They also had fresh pinto beans and black eyed peas.  I need to stock up and get them in my freezer.

Tomatoes...not all homegrown, but the ones I bought were awesome...and no, this place isn't fancy but I like that

and this boy is cutting molars something fierce...he was very irritable in the cart until I gave him a squash to gnaw on, which he gnawed on the entire drive home

 

Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette

I've made this several times lately because beets are in season here in the South.  If you don't think you like beets I'd challenge you to give these a try.  They don't taste anything like pickled beets and they are so healthy for you. 

Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette  Download Roasted Beets with Orange Vinaigrette

6 medium beets (red, striped, yellow or other variety), trimmed of greens and washed well

Zest and juice of one orange

¼ cup olive oil    

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp maple syrup

Sea Salt and freshly ground pepper

Optional: thin slices of fennel

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Place beets on a baking sheet with sides or in a large, glass baking dish. Pour the orange juice, oil, maple syrup, and ¼ cup water over the beets and season with salt and pepper.  Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and roast the beets until they’re tender when pierced with a knife, 40-45 minutes.  Uncover and let the beets cool to room temperature.  Reserve cooking liquid.

3. Peel the beets (you may want to wear gloves to prevent staining) and quarter them.

4. Add orange zest to cooled cooking liquid and drizzle over peeled and quartered beets.   

5. Optional: sprinkle in some thinly sliced fennel

 

And if you happen to have beets with the greens still attached and looking vibrant here's a link to a recipe and article you could use with the greens.

Beet Greens Recipe from Simply Recipes

What to do with Beet Greens

weekend creative--heart banner

While perusing Pinterest, something I do on a daily basis I found an idea similar to this and I was inspired.  Someday I will make one for Karsten's bed, but he would totally pull it down and eat it at his age, so it will wait.  Because our bed is white beadboard I knew this would look adorable on it.  I chose blues, yellows, and greens instead of traditional Valentine colors...well, just because.  I will leave it up through Valentine's Day and then take it down and store it away until next year.  This is such an inexpensive craft and how fun would it be to sneak into your kids bedroom the night of Feb 13th and put this above their bed.  I made 9 hearts, I think odd numbers work better than even numbers for home decor items.  For a twin bed you would probably only need 5.   I've attached the Download Large heart

You'll need:

• scrapbook paper or even fabric
• scissors
• hole punch
• tape
• ribbon

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UPDATE: So, it was really cute on our bed, although Brian said it reminded him of they banners they hang above the streets in small towns in Mexico for fiestas.  Regardless, because we sleep with a ceiling fan on the heart banner made a small amount of noise during the night....so....I took it off the bed and placed it above our bathroom mirror.  Not as cute as above the bed, but still cute!