Weekend: NYE

Goodbye 2011, It's been a fun one.

Cheers to the New Year!!

Christmas Recap

It's almost the end of the year & it's Thursday. I realized my last few posts were a little Christmas blue-sy, so I apologize to my 4 readers. I'm back & better. I am now recovered,  rested, and back to the norm.

We had a wonderful Christmas & hope you did too. Hope Santa brought you everything you wanted & more! If not check out this article Weirdest Holiday Gifts and it might make you feel a little better.

Hate to bore you with pics, but since this is my blog journal and all here we go.

We attempted a first Christmas pic with a smiling pup in front of the tree. Lesson learned, bribery with treats does not work - but the attempt was entertaining.

I know I know, I'm aware we are getting a little obsessed with the pup.

Next up, our Annual Supper Club Adopt a Fam wrapping party. It's the third year we've sponsored a fam for Christmas and this years props go to the funny BBT. She did e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Thanks girlfriend, You're the best. Best gift by far this year: Usher Cologne.

Ribbon tieing lesson by Ansley Ghegan Interiors

App inspiration from Pinterest

Final Product! not a looker, but delic. Cream cheese, pesto, & roasted red peppers

Moving right along,

A little Santa List making family finance meeting {not kidding}

A Fun Engagement Celebration for the bride, Tina.

Note to friend readers: Need a copy of the group shot asap

Can you tell it was a fun party?!

Annual In Law Family Ski Trip to Deer Valley,

Montage

Man-Made Ginger Bread House. You could guess how many graham crackers were used? Oh just 20,000.



And Christmas with the fam,

Sibling shot 

Fam Shot

Last but not least, we have a new found Dog Lover. At first Lina was not a fan of her twin Finn but by day 5 they were best buds.

A perfect Christmas.

I promise I will not type that word for another 360 days. Or post 37 photos of Finn.

Christmas Aftermath

Hi. I'm losing it.

For starters, I cooked noodles on the stove last night {yep, so much for that detox smoothie!}, then continued on with nightly routine... I did notice the room getting warmer & also questioned why there was 'steam' all over the windows, but it never clicked to me I left BURNING noodles on the stove. Seriously!?

I got lucky. This is the only damage.

I googled how to remedy burnt pans & got a good laugh out of the recommendations:

1) make husband clean it, by hand, the old fashioned way, with a Brillo pad. when he comes to you a broken, penitent man ;) bandage up his blistered, aching hands and comfort him...

2) put an inch of water, and a 'small' load size worth of laundry detergent in the pan, and let simmer for half an hour or so. let cool naturally.

3) try some salt and ice in the pan - and swirl it around- as the ice melts, the salt reaction removes grain from the bottom of the pan -  

Of course I'll start with #1 :)  Any other suggestions from you savvy chefs?

Secondly, I woke this morning at 8:06AM. Talk about a human.tornado.rupture through the entire house. Our poor Pup. Obviously I needed the zzzzz's.

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All that being said, it's that time of year. The holiday aftermath.

We are all adjusting back to routines and a since of normalcy. Working hard to get our houses clean & back in order, closing out the calendar with parties, appointments & meetings and finishing the year strong - among many other things.

This was my first pin on Pinterest this morning & I found it to be quite fitting.

How True?

Hope you enjoy these last few days of 2011.

If you sleep in a little late or forget your boiling noodles almost burn your house down, it doesn't really matter- Life is Good. Better yet, Life is Great.

Back to the Grind...

Hi there! I am back at work. And it's painfully boring.

Hoping to do a lot of this....

and this....

recipe here

before this...

marthastewart.com

Hope you had a fabulous Holiday with your loved ones!

Merry Christmas! {a little early}

Hi. I'm off to hit the ski slopes with the in-laws for a few days & then return to spend Christmas with my fam.

Wishing you & your family a very Merry Christmas!

thesartorialist.blogspot

joannagoddard

portlandtopennies.blogspot

tandsdaybook.blogspot

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There is much to Celebrate.

How True?

{Our Tree 2011}

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

9 Days to Go....Are you ready?!

I absolutely love this time of year and one of my most fave traditions of all is Christmas Cards.

The husband has a hard time sending a card when we don't have kiddos {remember he doesn't like to be exposed}, but I think it's a great tradition and fun to look back on previous years.

There is nothing better than coming home from work and checking a full mailbox of cards & not bills! Anyone Agree?

Those that know me know I don't listen to him :) and of course we sent out a card...for the 3rd year in a row.

Merry Christmas!!

Side note: Tinyprints is amazing but I wish they gave you the option to change the cards wordage. AKA Merry Christmas not Happy Holidays! Mr. Chairman, are you taking note?!

Side note 2: Finney is twice this size now...they grow too quick!


I saw this quote yesterday and it was a great reminder of one of the reasons of the season.

Enjoy your Weekend!

Words of Wisdom: 11 things to know at 25-ish

Some words of wisdom for the start of the week.

Good advice even if we are older than 25.

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/features/25956-11-things-to-know-at-25ish

Enjoy!

4inspireddesign.com

A Weekend of Celebrations

It is Friday. Hellz Yea!

And we have so much to celebrate & be grateful for this weekend.

For starters, Baby Buzzell is here... And it's a BOY!!!! Congrats to Ma & Reg. So excited the Buzzell names lives on!!!

Next up, we will celebrate Tina & Kirk.  I have a feeling this party is going to get crazzzy. Marti, in honor of you, I plan on sipping this while I prep for your big night.

Image Here

Peppermint White Russians

from Pink Parsley

makes 2 drinks

·         2 oz Peppermint Mocha Kahlua

·         1 oz vodka

·         2 oz milk or cream

In a large glass or pitcher, combine all the ingredients and stir to combine.  Divide between small glasses and add ice to fill up the glass.  Serve.

optional:  crush peppermints or candy canes, wet the rim of the glass, and press into the candy. 

Delic, huh??

Lastly, I'm making some holiday treats and wrapping presents.

unknown - sorry!

Hope you get into the holiday spirit & enjoy yourself this weekend!

Gift Guide: Under $25

It's the 'giving' season. Are you shopped out yet?

Do you have 1,000 of those secret santa swaps for book club, wine club, chess club, supper club, you.name.it.club?

Not to be bah humbug because they really are fun, but it gets touch buying a gift when you don't know who is gonna get it. Throw the money limit on top of it {i know its more about the thought than the price tag, but you know what i mean} and I'm often stuck. Usually I revert back to the ole itunes or starbux gift card but i've learned this makes some people really really mad ! What's the deal with that?!

So, that being said, this year I've been on the hunt for cute $25 & under gifts and I was surprisingly impressed with all the goodness out there.

Here you go...

{1} {2}

These 2 layered together.

{3)

{4}

{5}

{6}

{7}

{8}

{9}

{10}

Let me know if you need my list !  *wink*

Practical Pins

I know I say it all the time so why not say it again - Pinterest is so flipping creative.

Here are some pins that make you wonder, why didn't I think of that?!

So Practical. Love it.

Enjoy..

Rake - Jewelry Holder

Easy Ribbon

For your next dinner party

For the OCD Cook...

Would love this.