A Tradition

This morning we went downtown with my mom and Mckenna to the 8th floor of Macy's for their annual Christmas walk through story. I have been going to this with my family for as long as I can remember. As always it was adorable. It was Jackson's first time and he was mesmerized. I think they both loved it.

Pausing

I am making an extra effort this season to save room in my days for some of the most important holiday moments...

~ Snuggling up with my two favorite people and reading stacks of Christmas books

~ Sitting by the fire

~ Drinking peppermint tea

~ Taking a long bath

~ Sleep

I have noticed it is making all the planning, sewing, shopping, and baking all the more joyful.

Christmas Shopping

Peppermint Bark Also = Happiness and Christmas Spirit

I should begin this post by stating (since I'm mapping out the path to happiness and Christmas spirit) that while one day of being stranded at home does indeed create happiness and Christmas spirit... two days of being stranded at home creates more of a feeling of claustrophobia.

Moving right along.

So on Sunday afternoon, once we finally got plowed out, I decided to venture out to get all the ingredients to make peppermint bark. I've never made it before but it sounded like just what I needed. Unfortunately (or actually fortunately as it turned out) when I went to make it, I learned that tinfoil is a must have in the making of successful peppermint bark. So I scrapped my plan to make it and instead read by the fire. This being reason #1 why it turned out to be so fortunate. Reason #2 being that the very next day Soulmama was featuring this recipe for peppermint bark on her blog and after inspecting the ingredients I realized it sounded like an even better recipe then the one I found (it calls for cream... everything is better with cream). So I ditched my recipe and last night I made this one. And let me just say that anyone needing a dose of happiness or Christmas spirit only need eat a piece (or 10) of this delicious treat. I ate my way through many moments today including ripping my pants, spilling my tea, and having to be a single parent for most of the evening.

Truly, it is a Christmas miracle.


Peppermint Bark

17 ounces good-quality white chocolate, finely chopped
30 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed (about 6 ounces)
7 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12 x 9-inch rectangle on foil. Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water. Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.

Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.

Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F. Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.

Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges. Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Chill in airtight container.) Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

A Little More About The Bee Ornaments

Last winter I saw these here and knew I needed to make them. She gives good instructions on her blog. The only thing I would add is to be sure and use old pots, spoons, etc as it is really hard to get the wax off.

They were really easy though. And they made the house smell so good.

Later this week I'm going to give beeswax hand salve a try.

I'm hoping to become an experienced beeswax crafter by the time we get our own bees...

Blizzard = Happiness and Chirstmas Makings

Today we had one of the biggest snowstorms ever... and one of the best snowstorms ever. We were completely stranded at home for the day.



And it was wonderful. We stayed in our pajamas all day... with Christmas music playing and a fire to keep us warm.



We spent almost the entire day making gifts and getting ready for Christmas. I'm not sure I've ever had so much fun while simultaneously being so productive.



We did a lot of sewing and even finished some of those projects.



We made 4 dozen more gingerbread cookies.



And these beautiful beeswax ornaments.



Grace and Jackson took a break to go brave the elements. Ryan and I couldn't believe they lasted as long as they did.



But then they got right back to being little elves.



Now, if I could just order about 10 more blizzards I think I'd be all set.

Some of Our Favorite Books This Winter...

"Country Angel Christmas" by Tomie de Paola (So sweet)
"You Can Do It, Sam" by Amy Hest (I could read this book all day... I just love mama bear)
"The Little Fir Tree" by Jim Lamarche (I sometimes tear up at this one)
"Drummer Boy" by Loren Long (And this one... dang I swore I would never be one of those)
"Bear's First Christmas" by Robert Kinerk (absolutely beautiful pictures and heart warming story)

Our Advent Calendar

When I was growing up, advent was such a special time for us. My mom had this wonderful homemade advent calendar that my sister and I absolutely loved. It had pockets for different symbols/animals and each day you would hang one on the "tree" and read a little verse for each picture.



My mom recently found our old advent calendar and I got really excited thinking we would start using it for our family. But when it arrived I realized that 1) it was pretty worn and would need some repair, and 2) all but one of the verses was missing (which ended up being okay as after I read it I realized that they wouldn't have been quite right for our family anyway). So I decided instead to make my own using our old calendar as inspiration.



I wanted to focus on the season and nature as much as family and togetherness- as well as trying to invoke an overall sense of gratitude. For each picture there is a small saying that relates to that picture. For example for the mitten we read, "With the season of advent also comes the season of winter. We delight as snow transforms everything around us into a world of sparkling white. We may pause to catch a snowflake on our tongue, or make an angel in the fresh powdery snow. As we hang this mitten on the tree today let us remember all of the wonderful gifts that come with winter. Let us also be grateful for our mittens, hats, and all our warm clothes that make it possible for us to be outside enjoying nature during this
cold season."



For a few of the days I also added an activity or a little surprise. When we hung up the moon I wrote "As the moon and stars shine down on a snow covered earth they create a magical glowing light. Before you go to bed tonight look out the window and see if they are out. They shine throughout the night as you lie snuggled in your bed. For a special bedtime surprise go look upstairs in your room." and then I gave them the jammies I made them.



I'm not sure it will be finished this year. It is a work in progress as I am basically finishing it as we go. But that's okay. Even if I don't get around to finishing all of it- it will still provide us with a delightful way to savor our days during this busy holiday season.

Her Light

Last week Grace (along with the other preschoolers and kindergartners at her school) got to partake in an Advent Spiral. It was such a beautiful little celebration and so touching to watch as a parent. Each child takes their turn walking through a spiral of fresh evergreen branches until they reach the center where they light their own candle from an already lit one, and then place it on a star along the spiral path. When all the children are finished the spiral is glowing with apple filled candles.

She was so proud as she bravely carried her candle to it's star. Everyone told me to bring Kleenex- which I didn't understand at all and I didn't do- but I should have. As one parent put it, "as you watch your child walk through the spiral sometimes you can get a glimpse of how they walk through life." And as I watched Grace circle around, smile on her face and so sure-footed, I did feel as though I was in fact getting just a little glimpse.

Funny how such little things can make you feel so proud as a parent.

Makin'

Last night, inspired by the jammies I made them and our advent calendar (more on that soon), we made gingerbread cookies. It made a really small (but yummy) batch so we will have to double or triple the recipe next time.

Gingerbread Cookies

1 and 1/2 cups of flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp ginger (next time I'm going to try adding just a pinch extra)
1 tsp cinnamon (here too)
1/3 cup butter, chopped (I did add about three extra tablespoons of butter)
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp male syrup
1 egg yolk, beaten

Sift flour, baking soda, salt and spices into a large bowl. Rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Stir in sugar, syrup and egg yolk and mix to a firm dough. Knead lightly. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350. Roll dough and cut out gingerbread men. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Leave on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

Saturday's Snow and Today's Adventure

This Saturday may have been one of the most beautiful winter days I've ever experienced. It was snowing these big fluffy flakes and the light was so magical- sunny, but with a light overcast- making for this pale yellowy pink sparkling light. It was impossible to stay inside.

The plow came through so Grace and Jackson have a new "mountain" to climb. And as Grace says, "it's such a good view from up there... you can see for miles."

Today the two of them set off for their mountain, backpack, stuffed animals and all.

Precious.

Pretty Much

the best concert ever.
Such a fun date too with Katie and Kris.
Bradstreet for drinks and dinner,
Mason Jennings at First Ave,
topped off with cheese plate and entertaining chefs at Travail.
A great night.

Gingerbread Jams

A Surprise...

For this weekend. Can't wait.

My Little Elves