Christmas Morning

 

 

Christmas Eve Peak

    Here is a little peak into my Christmas Eve!

 

     Christmas Eve has always been a bigger deal than Christmas day in my family. As always, we gathered at my grandma's house for a few hours of visiting, eating delicious food and opening presents. My grandma has a great Santa costume, and when I was young my dad or uncle would dress up as Santa, knock on the door and hand out presents. It was always the highlight of the evening, and I counted down to it the minute Christmas Eve arrived. 

     Of course the first Christmas in which I discovered the illusion was pretty devastating. But once I was in on it, it became just as fun to watch Amber and Mitch get excited for Santa. Now Mitch (my brother) is nine, and is still clinging on to the idea of Santa. Although he still believes (we think...he may just be playing along to get more presents), both my uncle and step-dad are tired of dressing up and playing Santa. So, until another baby comes around in our family, Santa is taking a break.

    

Pepparkakor Cookies

  

   And just like that, Christmas is over. The holidays can feel like a marathon, especially now that Christmas stuff starts rolling out around October. This long, drawn out build up eventually leads to one day...and it goes so fast! 

This Christmas was a good one. Lots of delicious food, family and puppy snuggle time.  One of my favorite things about Christmas is baking cookies with my mom, grandma and sister Every year we get together and bake loads of cookies to give to family and friends. Without a doubt, my favorite cookies are pepparkakor. They are a Swedish ginger cookie, and my grandma makes them every year. It wouldn't be Christmas without them! I especially like to eat them with a cup of coffee.  Although Christmas is over, these cookies are amazing anytime of the year!

   

   This recipe comes from my great-grandma, Astrid Lovestrand, who came to the US from Sweden in 1930. Despite never having met her aunt and uncle, she and her baby girl left Sweden to live with them in Yakima, Washington. The YWCA helped her travel across the country, where she married my great-grandpa and had eight (!!!) children. Her story is pretty amazing, and was published in a book called New Land, New Lives: Scandinavian Immigrants to the Pacific Northwest.

PEPPARKAKOR
Swedish ginger cookies

1 Cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoons grated ginger
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 tablespoons water
3 1/4 flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoons cloves

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg. Add orange peel, corn syrup, and water. Mix well. Sift together dry ingredients. stir into creamed mixture. Chill for 2 hours. On lightly floured surface toll to 1/8 inch. Cut with your favorite shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 375 degrees. 8-10 minutes.

Merry Christmas!

   image via pinterest

  I am now home for Christmas, and I had the intention of updating as the Christmas weekend progressed. But when I got home, I realized I forgot my camera cord, and am unable to download any pictures. So, watch out for lots of cookie recipes and Christmas pictures. Until then, I hope you all have a great holiday!

Claw Foot Tubs

 All images via pinterest.

     If you follow me on Pinterest, you may have noticed I have gone a little claw foot tub crazy. I just love 'em! In my future dream house (We all have one of those...right? Not just me?) a claw foot tub will be my first request. I'm not a huge bath person, but the thought of a huge claw foot tub filled with bubbles is pretty dang inviting. Whoever took the last picture, with a little table for a drink and a fireplace nearby had the right idea.

Puppy love

    Sweatshirt: TNA (from Aritzia)

Skirt: Lily White (from Nordstrom)

 Tights: Hue (from Macy's)

Shoes: Aldo

Scarf: Urban Outfitters

Watch: Betsey Johnson

   So, there's a problem with this puppy. It's too adorable. I just want to squeeze her...probably harder than I should. Tommy and I puppy sat for Amber on Friday night (shhh, don't tell my landlords). We had a lot of fun snuggling on the couch, going for a walk and playing with her toys. I was pretty sad to see that little wiggly pup go. But Christmas is in just a few days (ahhh!), so I will get to see her again.

   I can't believe Christmas is getting so close. Although, work has definitely gotten busier and has been a lot stranger than usual. The large amount of short-tempered and demanding customers is a good indicator on how close Christmas is. I can sympathize in a lot of ways, the holidays are stressful. And while cheer and good tidings are everywhere...it's exhausting!

   So everybody, please take a deep breath. Buy some nice, modest presents. Eat some good food, and enjoy the company of others. If we let the holidays get the best of us, then really...what's the point?

How To Be Alone

I just had to share this video. Not only is it sweet, but it is filled with good advice. I highly enjoy alone time every now and then. It can be very peaceful, therapeutic and soothing. After all, we are all ultimately alone. And that's okay.

Guest Post- Tom and Jerry Batter

  Happy Sunday!

  Today I'm guest posting over at A Cup of Subtle Tea on how to make Tom and Jerry batter. You should go check it out, and if you've never made a Tom and Jerry, I highly recommend doing so! It's the perfect drink for a lazy Sunday.

Little Leia

 
 My sister got an American Bulldog puppy a few days ago...and holy dinosaurs in space. This little girl is adorable. Her name is Leia...as in princess Leia. She was the smallest of the litter, and all she wants to do is lay in your lap and snuggle.

   I just had to include this picture. Somebody obviously knows they shouldn't be going potty inside! What a guilty look!