Christmas in Pictures (continued)

We have been playing around with the new camera. It didn't take long for me to realize that I need to spend some time with the manual. But for now, here are a few shots captured on "Auto".

(Below- homemade Christmas decorations made with ribbon, pinecones, and gold spray paint!)

Michael trying out his new "toy" with David.

A few days later, family from out-of-town come to visit. I also learned that it is very difficult to get good pictures of little ones. They move so fast!

December 27th was our 2 year anniversary! We postponed our celebration since we had guests, but still got a couple shot :)

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Christmas in Pictures

Christmas season 2011 seemed to come and go very quickly for us, as it may have for you too. But amidst the blur of Christmas lights and crazy mall crowds, we had a very blessed Christmas season.

A few highlights:

My Grandma turned 90!

 Christmas traditions. 

Spending time with a new little member of the family.

Ready for Christmas Eve party and Candlelight Church service. So thankful to finally celebrate Christmas with husband and family. 

And on Christmas day, opening presents like little kids. No shame.

Our new baby! Camera, that is :)

Samaritan's Purse Shoeboxes

You've probably heard of Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoeboxes. Just in case you haven't, here's the official link.See that girl on the left? That's my friend Leigh Ann, and she invited David and I go with a group from church to help with the shoeboxes.

So we spent a few hours going through shoeboxes- making sure there weren't any unallowed items in the boxes, like war items, items that can't be shipped internationally, etc etc.

It was so much fun and a really neat way to help out with this ministry. Even if it was just a little bit. As we opened the boxes to examine them, we also found lots of sweet letters that children had written to the child that will recieve the box. So sweet!

These are the countries where the shoeboxes processed in this building are sent. The boxes we examined on that particular day will go to the Congo. Pretty cool.

One part about this ministry that I love and appreciate is that the children around the world will not only receive a shoebox filled with Christmas gifts, but the boxes are delivered with the help of the local church in the respective countries, and discipleship classes are offered to the kids. So we can hope and pray that those boxes will bless the children much further than the toys inside their box.

If you've never packed a box, it is an awesome way to give over the holiday season. And it's not too late to build a box this year- click here for more info!

A Favorite Christmas Dessert

I have many favorite Christmas desserts. But one I look forward to making with Mom every year is classic "Fantasy Fudge". There are tons of variations out there, but we always do the classic dark chocolate with some walnuts sprinkled in. Yum.

So if you're looking for something simple and sweet, with a rich chocolate taste, this is the recipe for you!

Ingredients:
3 cups sugar

3/4 cup  butter or margarine

1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.)

1-1/2 pkg.  (12 squares) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped

1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme

1 cup  chopped PLANTERS Walnuts

1 tsp. vanilla

LINE 9-inch square pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

ADD chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add nuts and vanilla; mix well.

POUR into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.

Recipe Courtesy of Kraft Foods, found here. 

Christmas Tree Hunting & Favorite Christmas Movies

Last week, we went to the mountains to pick out a Christmas tree. One of my favorite Christmas traditions. So, after arriving at the tree farm of our choice, we rode up to the trees via hayride.  

 Crazy family facial expressions.

And even though it was quite chilly, we had to tough it out to find the perfect Christmas tree. 

And we finally found one, (see below) !

David was fascinated by this truck. This is the kind of thing you only see in the (US) South.

Then we stopped by the Mast General Store. Love the vintage signs. 

and all the candy!!!

 Fun fact: A few weeks ago, President Obama stopped in this very store!

The chocolate section of course.

This shirt describes me pretty well. hahaha

Have you ever tried a Moon Pie? I'm sure it's just a southern thing, maybe just in NC? We used to eat them a lot growning up. So we got one for David to try :)

 I'm linking up not just with Embrace the Camera, but also at Amber & Neely's Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge. 

Today, the theme is favorite holiday movies/TV specials! Here's some clips of my Christmas favorites! Enjoy!

Alvin & the Chipmunks

Please Christmas Don't be Late

The Grinch

Home Alone

Jingle All the Way

(Anybody remember this one?)

What are your Christmastime must-see movies?

What I’m Loving Wednesday

    

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Today I'm loving the cold(er) weather. Finally starting to feel like winter!

I found this nail polish on a super good deal, and I'm loving these two Christmasy colors.

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I'm usually pretty conservative with my nail colors, so I was hesitant about the gold at first. But I wanted something fun and Christmasy, and I must say, I really like it. And it actually looks more neutral on than I thought.

I'm also loving chai drinks- hot and cold. Have you ever tried it? If not, go to your local coffee shop and get one! If you're in the moutains or foothills of NC, hit up an Emerson's Coffee Shop. They have a drink called a "dirty hippie." Chai with a shot of espresso. SO good.

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I'm also loving these vintage-y Christmas pins.

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Happy Wednesday :)

Today I'm linkin' up @

What I'm Loving Wednesday and