French Farmhouse Christmas

I had the good fortune of stumbling across this lovely blog {Dreamy Whites}

 a few years back and have been crazy about it ever since!

You can probably guess what I’m drawn to….

the white, simple, cozy décor.

It’s just so refreshing…

The fabulous woman behind the blog, the design, and the online shop is Maria Carr.

She lives on a Horse Ranch in Northern California {that is dreamy} with her husband and five children.

She homeschools her kids and still finds time for what she loves…

French Farmhouse Antiques

Here are some of her Christmas pieces for sale in her online shop which you can view & purchase {here}.

Enjoy!

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{All Images Via: Dreamy Whites ~ French Farmhouse Christmas}

Letter’s to Santa

The magic has begun…..

Our home has been decorated since the day after Thanksgiving.

By husband is still attempting to install a couple more lights,

don’t worry we aren’t the Griswold’s but we do like lights.

In fact, for the past week we have been taking walks as soon as it

gets dark to view all the Christmas Lights in the surrounding neighborhoods.

We are fortunate to live around the block from a neighborhood

that decorates to the max with a fabulous display of Christmas Lights.

This neighborhood is as wonderful as Disneyland!

A cup of hot chocolate and a little fresh air, can put anyone in the holiday spirit.

And of course, our Elf on The Shelf has returned!

Yes, we are Elf people.

In fact we have had our boy Elf, Aubrey {yes, I know} for 3 years now.

This past Saturday, with all of the rain I took the kids to the mall in

hopes to visit with Santa.

The line of course was too long, so we visited a few stores in preparation

for our annual letters to Santa.

In Pottery Barn Kids, we stumbled upon the Author of The Elf of the Shelf.

Chandra Bell was signing books and delivering them straight from Santa,

of course, Miss Madeline hoped that Aubrey could have a friend.

Cutie has now joined our family…….

{yes, she is cute!}

With all of this holiday activity, it was the perfect time to

create our Christmas Lists/Letters to Santa.

A couple years ago, we actually received a reply back from the “Jolly old Elf”.

{Thanks Mr. Santa at the post office for answering my children’s letter!}

Traditionally I hand write the letters via what the kid’s dictate to me,

but this year I came upon this inexpensive find at Target.

It was a great find that was easy to fill out.

The Santa Lists are a tri-fold card in which you list the good things they have done

over the year, then the second section is the actual lists.

Four envelopes and four letters were in the package that was under $4.00.

A great way to make a list for family members as well as,

placing in the mail to The North Pole.

I found this gem near the holiday boxed cards.

Fingers crossed that we are lucky enough to receive a response from Santa…..

but then again the kids might just have to wait to see what actually comes on

Christmas Morning!

“Santa Claus is coming to town”.

A “Moment” with my Older Boys…

I recently had one of those {rare} moments that I think we all share as mothers….

maybe even as parents.

I watched my boys walk into school together after dropping them off at the side gate.

Ryan paused and waited for Seth as he got his backpack placed properly on his shoulders.

They walked into school, side-by-side, chatting and sharing what appeared to be a quiet laugh.

The sun glistened upon them showing off their auburn hair…

you could clearly tell they were brothers.

As I watched them….

for only mere seconds {as I had to keep moving with cars behind me},

I had that “moment” I just mentioned.

It was as if time slowed down and I was able to be completely present and focused on my boys.

I gazed at my children from someone else’s eyes….

not as their mother who was concerned about them getting to school on time,

or the crazy woman I was a bit earlier as I frantically packed their lunches

and prepared four different varieties of breakfast…

I was outside of my body, looking in at my boys from someone else’s vantage point

{perhaps from my subconscious}.

As I drove off, I prayed that God would imprint that precious image of them into my brain.

That He would help me remember their innocence and sweetness at that very moment.

That I could soak it all in and marinade in that feeling of being truly present.

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Life has a way of consuming us and passing by too quickly.

Memories seem to get muddled and blend together.

It gets harder and harder to remember specific details of ordinary days

and special events as the days and years pass.

So, I hold on tightly to what I can…

to those everyday, routine moments that flash before my eyes.

I pray….

and silently BEG that they will stay little longer….

that I can continue to hold them in my arms…

carry them around…

tickle them…

gobble them up with my kisses…

and encourage them with my gentle words.

That they will always look up to me and be proud that I am their mama.

That they won’t shy away from my kisses good-bye and my prayers as they drift off into sleep.

That they will always look at me with love in their eyes

as they tell me I am the best mama in the whole world….

I’m holding on…

and grasping tightly to what I can.

Trying hard to remember to breathe it all in…

and be ever so present so I don’t miss these moments…

Miss Dixie’s Sweet Cream Ball

Next week I have a wonderful girls night to attend.

My friend puts on a “Favorite Things” party for her friends.

It is a wonderful night… it definitely puts you in the Christmas spirit

{details, to follow after the event, don’t want to spoil favorite thing…shhh!}

Usually there is a large turn out.

A few of us offer to help with the appetizers.

My easy go to, and a huge crowd-pleaser is:

“Miss Dixie’s Sweet Cream Cheese Ball.”

{I know its not the actual picture as it is in preparation for next week.}

 This dessert tastes like Heaven, well if Heaven could be consumed.

This recipe was passed down by a lovely lady that is part family in my book,

Debbie Rock aka, “Miss Dixie” as I believe she must have some

“Southern Roots” somewhere in her lineage {smile wink}.

She has taught me a thing or two about entertaining.

This happens to be one her recipes that she has taken a liking to along the way.

Here is the recipe:

{Please don’t judge in regards to what goes in this magnificent ball}.

Caution!!

If anyone asks whats in it, don’t tell, as no one’s thighs need to know!!

Ingredients:

{Again keep to yourself and close your eyes}

* 8 ounces of block cream cheese-I use 1/3 less to feel better about it

* 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened

*1/4 teaspoon vanilla

* 3/4 cup powdered sugar

* 2 tablespoons brown sugar

* 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

* 3/4 pecans

Mix together all ingredients except for the pecans.

Mold into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap.

Place in the fridge for 2 hours.

When you are ready to serve, take it out and roll the ball in the pecans.

Serve with chocolate, regular, or mini graham crackers.

I love to place this beauty on one of these:

{Photo via Anthropologie}

Along side some of these refreshments:

{Photos via Pinterest}

Now that looks fabulous!

{I need to have a party!}

Enjoy!

Some {Simply} Favorites

Polyvore is such a great site!

Many of you have fallen in love with Pinterest, just like we have.

This is another site worth taking a moment to browse through.

You can really be creative in piecing together your favorite styles and brands of clothing,

as well as decorator items.

It is free to set up an account and there are what seems like

hundreds of templates to get you started!

Once you create a set you can pin it on Pinterest or even post to your personal blog,

as we have here.

Since today is a rainy day in Southern California,

it is the perfect day to stay indoors and create something that’s beautiful and uniquely you.

We would love to see what you come up with!

Email us anytime or leave us a comment with your display name

to Polyvore so we can start to follow you!

 

Some {Simply} Favorites