Silence...

Just not right...

I have overdue posts to make but I'm having a hard time writing posts about joyful things going on in our lives when families are living their worst nightmare.  When I saw the news reports on Friday all I could do was sit and stare, in disbelief, with tears streaming down my face.  Those innocent little babies, the amazing, brave, teachers.  I have no words.

 

On Tuesday, December 18th, there will be a blogger day of silence. We will post the button and that's it. Please try to not post anything else that day if possible.

We are also raising money that will go to an organization in the memory of this tragedy. The organization is called  The Newtown Family Youth and Family Services. Here is the official description of the support service we are donating to:

"Newtown Youth and Family Services, Inc. is a licensed, non-profit, mental health clinic and youth services bureau dedicated to helping children and families achieve their highest potential. NYFS provides programs, services, activities, counseling, support groups and education throughout the Greater Newtown area.
ANY DONATIONS MADE TO NEWTOWN YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES WILL BE DONATED DIRECTLY TO THOSE EFFECTED BY THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING."

Please visit THIS PAGE to make your donation.

We can't imagine how they must be feeling, especially this close to the holidays. We would love for you to spread the word on your own blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let's make a difference and use blogging in a positive way. Thank you in advance for participating.

Love,
The Blog World

p.s. If you would like to, copy-paste and re post any part of this, please do. Share on.



With that being said, my posts will return on Wednesday. 

All my love,

Bre

SCENTS!

Oh my, the scents in the house right now are AH-MAZE!  Chestnut and Clove candle (believe me, it's scrumptious and makes the house smell like Christmas), beer bread baking in the oven (what? beer and bread together? Don't mind if I do), and wild rice soup simmering on the stove stop. Yes, get in my belly. More details to come on the bread and soup! 

Hope you're all having a beautiful night!

Weekend in photos...

This post is going to be light on text and heavy on the photos, so here we go...

This one is actually from a wedding we went to two weekends ago, the quality is terrible but I like that it looks I have two heads:)

 There's a park near us that does something every year called Lights in the Park, it's an all volunteer even and all for charity.

We stopped by this house after, it was sweet ass!  It was synchronized to music and I WILL be going back there before the month is over. See Santa in the window? It was simply magical!
Schultz Family Lights

My grandma came into town over the weekend from Madison and we celebrated Xmas with her.  One of our gifts was a desktop skee-ball game. No music, no lights, and my 2 year old nephew was obsessed!  When Kyle would put it away Nolan would literally climb up him to get him to open it back up. It's the little things in life!

Good thing my sister and I got our shopping in on Saturday because Sunday we woke up to SNOW and lots of it.

Shovel much?

Our legless dog.

It is such a pain to drive in but oh so beautiful.

 I hope you all have a great week and a magical holiday season!

Work happy hour...

I don't think I've mentioned on here that I work from home.  It is AMAZING of course but the one con is that you don't get to hang out with your co-workers and it can get a bit lonely at times.  The company I work for has employees all over the world so us MN people attempt to get together for a happy hour every once in awhile.  This was the first HH that I was able to attend and I am so glad that I did.  It felt so good to talk with my co-workers on a personal level instead of just going about our business and dealing with crazy busy schedules.  The happy hour this evening consisted of 5 women and one man.  He kept right up with the constant conversation us ladies were having and here is the best part...

He abruptly said he had to take off, I thought it was a bit strange at first but when us ladies asked for the tab we figured out the reason behind his quick departure.  He had paid for the entire tab.  How's that for spreading Christmas cheer?  I am a strong believer that the holiday season really does have an impact on people's actions.  The best part was that he did not want to be thanked, he didn't want to make a big deal about it, he simply made his get a way and didn't say a word only leaving it to the waiter to tell us that our tab had already been paid.  He made this very nice gesture after we had all had been talking about the family our team was "adopting" for Christmas and I truly believe he just wanted to do "more".  To him I'm sure it was pocket change but it was an unnecessary gesture that was so very much appreciated. 

So my dear followers, during this holiday season and always, lets remember how so very lucky we are and lets think of all the people that have much, much less than we do. 

I'll leave you with these sweet little pictures of our baby...I don't love the quality of the pics but this girl is so precious.

She thinks the tree skirt is her new bed...

Yep, sleepy time.

In Awe...

While driving home from a wedding this weekend and in mid conversation Kyle shouted "Oh my Gosh, look at that TREE!" His sudden burst of excitement startled me at first but when I looked to my left I saw the most beautiful thing.  I had no idea this tree existed and the minute I saw it brought a strange feeling of peace over me.  From the highway we were on it didn't look like the tree belonged to any one's house so I immediately started searching this mystery tree online when we got home.  To my surprise, there are a lot of people that already know about it!  I'll quit my rambling but I will say, these pictures I found online do not do it justice.  If you live in the Twin Cities you HAVE to take a drive to see it. 

 Here's an article about it that was in the newspaper a few years ago.

25 Days of Christmas, yes PLEASE!

I knew it was going to be a good day when I woke up this morning, turned the TV on and

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (so awesomely corny) on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas was JUST starting.  How's that for perfect timing?  Click here for the schedule.

Now for a few of my holiday and cold weather favorites...



Glitter Purse - Slippers - Body Wrap - Elf - Nsync Holiday CD





Glitter Purse- I actually got this purse in gold and I was obsessed with it the minute I saw it.  It's perfect for the holiday season and full of GLITTER!

Merry's Liqueur- This stuff is tasty in coffee or just on the rocks, whatever you desire (or depending on the amount of stress the holidays have brought into your life.)

Slippers- If it were socially acceptable to walk around in public in your slippers I would rock these babies all over town.  

Lavender Body Wrap- This little piece of heaven is great for sore muscles or just to help you warm up on a chilly winter night.

Elf- Ah yes, one of the best holiday movies.  "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"  Duh!

Nsync Holiday CD-  Ok people, this CD was released in 1998.  No joke, it has been my favorite holiday CD since then.  Note: The link above will bring you to the MP3 digital version.  Ready to put on your ipod in minutes! 

It was a crazy busy weekend so this girl needs some shut eye.  Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Good for the heart and soul...

A local radio station here does something every year called "Christmas Wish".  This is the description of it from their website...
"Every year, 101.3 KDWB finds local families, individuals, and
organizations in need of help during the holiday season. For nearly 20 years, KDWB has provided clothing, food, gasoline, car repairs, appliances, and so much more to people in and around the Twin Cities area. These are people who, through no fault of their own, but because of a death, job loss, injury, illness or other unforeseen matter have found themselves in need during the Holiday Season."

The link I've included below is one of the wishes that was honored today and guess what?!  It is one of my mom's co-workers, a fellow nurse!  Instead of explaining what happened I'll let you listen for yourself...:)

Click here for a little holiday cheer!

How freaking amazing is that?! 

Easy Enchiladas

This recipe is an absolute favorite of ours.  Whenever I ask Kyle if he has any cravings for dinner this is usually what he requests.  There are only 5 ingredients and I love that I don't have to bring an ingredient list with me to the store. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
• 8-10 tortillas, I get the fajita size tortillas (8")
• 1 can red or green enchilada sauce-I've tried both and don't usually notice a huge difference
• 1  8 oz package of cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese

Directions:

• Brown ground beef or ground turkey
• Soften cream cheese in microwave and stir in half of the enchilada sauce
• Stir browned meat into the cream cheese and enchilada sauce mixture
• Place mixture in tortilla and fold (see picture), the amount of mixture I put in my enchiladas varies depending on how many I want to make.  I usually put about 3 spoonfuls and am able to make 8 enchiladas
• Spread remaining enchilada sauce over assembled enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese
• Bake for 17 minutes or until cheese is melted

Optional: Mix in refried beans, or after baking top with sour cream, salsa, or Cholula if you're into heat:)

If you try this recipe let me know if you love it as much as we do!

Mason jars, glitter, Christmas scents, oh my!

Lets be honest here, the Christmas decorations in this house went up before Thanksgiving.  I blame it on the snow we received, as soon as that first real snow fall hit, Christmas music was on in my car and I was hurrying home to deck the halls!  

Here are a few snapshots of my favorites this year...

Glitter, glitter, lots of glitter

Dancing glitter reindeer - Reindeer ornament

(The dancing reindeer is available online but it's a bit misleading.  The price it shows is for one reindeer not the whole set.)

 The glitter tree is also from JCPenney but it is not on their website.

One of my favorite things about the holidays are the SCENTS!  I spent about 30 minutes in Bath and Body Works trying to pick out the perfect scent and I am SO happy with my pick.  Little hint: B&BW has 2/$20 on their 3 wick candles quite often  so wait for that deal to come around again if it's not going on now!

White Barn Chestnut and Clove Candle

Boy was I pleasantly surprised with the adorable table runners Target had! There were two that I loved and if it weren't for my niece telling me she liked this one better I probably would have brought both home with me. Snowflake table runner



Candle holder - Redneck wine glass
 ( I got my redneck wine glass from a vintage sale but you can find them online at the link provided or even make your own with a candle holder and mason jar!)

  I plan on making a couple of holiday decorations this year so stay tuned for how-tos!

Thanksgiving 2012

Our Thanksgiving was everything I hoped it would be.  Full of family, food, tasty drinks, and the chaos of kids running around.  I’m so thankful that we have been able to spend time with both families on holidays every year.  We even got to sneak in a nap before going to my parent’s house, WIN!  I wish I would have taken more pictures but to capture all the funny, emotional, candid moments I would have to have my camera glued to my hands.(How would I drink my martini if I did that?!)  

Tear worthy moment:  My mom had all of us pick a family members name out of a bag and then we had to say something we were thankful for about that person.  After a few moans and groans from us "kids" we obliged and did what would make mom happy.  I am SO glad we did.  It was so sweet to hear what everyone had to say about one another.  My brother in law is a jokester and I figured he would make his into something comical but to my surprise the things he said about Kyle were completely heartfelt and almost brought me to tears.  Now here are the photos I was able to capture...

Pilgrim hat cookies made by Dez

Blake!

  


It was 60 degrees in the afternoon on Thanksgiving, by the time it was dark it was snowing!

Time for the siblings to pick a name for Christmas (notice my niece wearing Gma's apron-cute!)



 KEY LIME PIE MARTINIS!  I wish I could share with you what is in the mystery bottle but even we don't know.  My mom's friend makes these at the supper club that she owns and it's a secret recipe. 

 


Little piece of heaven



Us girls with our mom and our martinis

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving, now bring on Christmas!

I am SO thankful on this Thanksgiving Eve!

I am SO excited for the holiday festivities to finally kick off.  Tonight we will come together with FRIENDS to enjoy Thanksgiving Eve and have a few cocktails.  We’re going start out at a local restaurant for their half priced pasta and wine night.  Two things I am very thankful for ;)

 Tomorrow it’s lots of FAMILY time.  We will head to Kyle’s mom’s house at 11 for lunch.  Let me tell you, that is not a house you want to go to while being on a diet.  His mom and his sister are VERY good cooks. After spending some time there we will run to the grocery store to pick up the mashed potatoes I ORDERED.  I’m so ashamed to admit that but I wanted this holiday to be stress free and I could just see myself ending up with lumpy mashed potatoes and not having time to correct them.  So it is what it is and it will be just fine.  My mom is a nurse and is obviously not always guaranteed holidays off (someone has to help deliver those holiday babes:) so we don’t have to be to my parents’ house until later in the afternoon.  We just might be able to fit in a post turkey nap before heading over there.  Whoop whoop!  Our time there is spent eating, watching football, drinking wine/beer/key lime pie martinis, sneaking in a cat nap on the couch, and looking at the Black Friday ads and planning the shopping that will ensue that night.  (Let me just make it clear that we are not the crazy shoppers that get nasty, push and shove, or stay out all night.  We simply go for a few good deals and just for the fun of it)  We also have a moment where we all say what we are thankful for.  I love this part because everyone usually says something other than family and friends which we all already know we are so very thankful for.  For example, two years ago my nephew said he was thankful for Hungry Hungry Hippo.  See what I mean?  It’s the bestJ 

 It is going to be one busy day but it will be spent with my favorite people and I am SO PUMPED! Tonight,  I will say a little prayer that my parent’s oven makes it through the day (yes, their oven actually broke ON Thanksgiving awhile back. Thank goodness for good neighbors that let you use their oven!) 

                  

Ham and Swiss Sandwiches

My mom has been making these sandwiches for awhile and after seeing how people just go crazy over them I have started making them too.  I recently made 2 dozen of them for a Sunday football get together we had and they were the first thing gone. People can't just have one.  I can promise you, you will not be disappointed!

Makes 1 dozen

Ingredients:

• One dozen rolls-I use Kings Hawaiian Rolls but any dinner size rolls will do.
• Swiss cheese slices-I use a half slice of cheese for each sandwich
• 1 package of ham-any deli sliced style will do

Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
• 1 Tbsp. mustard
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Melt butter and mix in all other sauce ingredients 
• Spoon sauce over assembled sandwiches (ham and swiss cheese). 
• Cover with foil and bake for 17-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and tops are slightly crispy. (I've regfrigerated these overnight and baked the next day and they turn out just as good)

**Friendly little tip-make sure you have a mirror handy when eating these, those poppy seeds will be all up in your teeth but it's SO worth it:)

Happy Halloween!

I figured this was the perfect day to post pictures from the fall and Halloween activities we had over the weekend.  First off, a 19.5 acre corn maze!



Welcome sign at the Corn Maze, this year they were honoring Minnesota military families.  Anything that honors military personnel has a special place in our hearts!



                                          

                                                    CORN!

 

Our friends Mike and Becky came too!



Now for the good stuff...COSTUMES!  (Forgot my camera so used my phone=crappy quality on the pics but you get the idea:)

                   



The Ladies



The Men

                                                

"BUD" Lightyear

How scary is that devil?!

 

 "Work it Smoochie!"



  The candy is ready and I'm impatiently  patiently waiting for the trick or treaters to start ringin' the doorbell.  I might even try to keep my eyes uncovered through an entire scary movie tonight;)  Hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!



Baby Shower Favors

My mom had asked me if I had any ideas for baby shower favors and I immediately started brainstorming.  I ended up with the flower boxes below.  I purchased the boxes and flowers from Michaels.  The flowers came in a bunch and I just pulled them off their stems. 

There was a small stem left after pulling the flower off so I stuck that through the top of the box and then used my hot glue gun to put little dots of glue on the petals to make sure the flower was secure on the box.  I added the raffia because I had it on hand but you could do without or even use some pretty ribbon.  I filled the boxes with tissue paper, travel size lotions from Bath and Body Works in scents of Sweet Pea and Pink Chiffon (baby was a girl:)), and also some candy.  If you buy the supplies for these at full price it can get a little spendy but both Michaels and Bath and Body Works always have coupons so check online for printable versions of them before heading out!



Bedazzled Pumpkins

This post doesn't need much explaining. They're just BEDAZZLED pumpkins, they're easy, and the mini ones are so cute even when they aren't decorated!

These are the supplies I used, all from Michael's Arts and Crafts Store:

• Glitter
• Sequins
• Sequin Pins
• Gems
• Ribbon
• Elmer's Glue
• Hot glue gun
• Paint brush

                                                                        
Glitter Pumpkin:  "Paint" Elmer's Glue on pumpkin one section at a time using any sort of paint brush. I just used the Crayola brand paint brushes.   Sprinkle glitter on glued section.  Gently shake off any loose glitter and continue with the rest of the pumpkin. Let dry!

Sequin Pumpkin: This could not have been easier.  With the sequins and sequin pins all you do is stick the pin through the sequin and secure onto pumpkin.

Rhinestone Pumpkin: I used my hot glue gun for this one to be sure the gems would stay.  Make any design you choose!  My friend made the pumpkin with the spider web.  It surprisingly didn't take her very long and she started by using a Sharpie to draw the web and then glued and placed the gems accordingly.

Ribbon Pumpkin: Used my hot glue gun for this one too but you could probably get away with using Elmer's if you let it dry well enough.  Just wrap the ribbon and glue!

HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!