Christmas and Chairs

Christmas this year was with my family in Nashville. Two weeks before Christmas we finally finished our hardwood floors, put our doors back on, and were slowly taking loads over to the house to start the process of moving in.

First load... Christmas decorations :) This is just one of the many reasons I have the greatest husband in the world.

Here's our tree before any ornaments were on it. I could stare at this all day long.

Since we only had a few weeks before Christmas, I only put up a few things. Since my pinterest-inspired wreath was on the front door, I decided to put our Christmas wreath on the door to the porch.

My one food contribution to the Family Christmas was going to be cookies. JT and I love these and good thing Marcy (my MIL) showed me the easiest recipe!

- Buy peanut butter cookie mix (where you only add water, eggs, & oil)
- Mix the dough
- Roll 1 inch balls in pure sugar
- Place on a cookie sheet and bake according to package
- Once removed from the oven, let cool for 3 minutes and then pace a kiss on top!
- To harden the chocolate, stick the tray in the freezer for a few minutes
- Enjoy! YUM-O.

 

For the last 7 months we've been eating at a coffee table and sofa. We sold our old table and chairs before we moved from Dallas and have been looking for the perfect set to stay in our family for years to come. Something sturdy that will last up to the wear and tear of many parties, family dinners, work space, etc. We found our table at Crate and Barrel and wanted to find chairs that we could mix-match. Ikea had the perfect grey/brown slim chairs we were looking for. 

Our family all pitched in and gave us our table for Christmas. What a blessing. Crate and Barrel delivered it in one piece and now all we were waiting for was chairs. In saving money with Ikea, you are required to assemble the furniture yourself. After Christmas, we took a day trip up to Cincinnati, bought our chairs, drove home and assembled them. After just a few hours, we were finished and we finally had our table and chairs! 

And here's the final product! (The love seat did not stay in the dining room... it now is where the Christmas tree stood)

We had a wonderful Christmas with my side of the family and absolutely adored my little nephew every minute. I can't lie... he was the highlight of everyone's trip :)

One afternoon we went on a walk and took some family pictures... JT and I couldn't take a serious shot... we had too much fun!

One of the best family pictures we've taken in a while. Merry Christmas everyone!

Read more...

Merry Christmas from Louisville

Today we celebrate Christmas in Nashville, TN where my brother Charlie and his wife, Kate, and baby Emmett are the hosts this year. We're so thankful for all that 2011 has brought our family: new jobs, new school, new city, new house... our lives are full and we are blessed.

This Christmas, we take time to remember Christ's birth and eagerly await his return during this season of advent, the Latin word for "coming". We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

jt & macy

Read more...

100 Days till...

The most wonderful time of the year. That's right people, my favorite holiday of the entire calendar year is quickly approaching...

CHRISTMAS!!!

Can you believe it's only 100 days away! Let the count down begin!

But on another note... where did the year go? Soon we'll be traveling to see family, going to more parties than we planned, and reminiscing about all that happened in 2010.

Before we start thinking too far down the road, let's remember what today has brought and make the most of the next 100 before us. Which will be easy for me because that just means I'll be all the more excited with anticipation over the next 100 days. Yeah for Christmas!

Read more...

He is Risen!

I love Easter. Each year something specific sticks out to me in a new way. No, it wasn't the Easter eggs or the wonderful food or even being with family. It was the overwhelming joy that Christ has Risen from the grave and He has conquered sin and death! I've heard those words my entire life, but this year they rang clearer than ever. Just think about that... He has conquered sin and death... I can barely even wrap my mind around that, and still it brings me to my knees in praise and thanksgiving. That God would send His son to pay the penalty for my sin is unfathomable. Oh, what love he has for me and for you!

Easter is a time to celebrate our Savior and celebrate in the midst of friends and family. JT and I enjoyed lunch with my parents and 15 or more friends of our's. The food was delicious and thanks to Paula Deen, I've found a new favorite recipe of cookies: Thumbprint Cookies. See below for the recipe!


My friend said that the cookies tasted like facy pop-tarts. She's right! They're great with coffee or as a light dessert.

Paula Deen's Tumbprint Cookies:

3 sticks butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2 egg yolks
3 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Any tart preserve (I used Raspberry Preserves, yum!)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks. Sift flour and salt; blend into butter mixture. Add vanilla. Chill dough thoroughly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Make indentation in center of each with thumb; fill with preserves (jelly or pecan halves will also work). Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove to rack to finish cooling. Theese keep well in a tightly closed container.
Enjoy!

Read more...

Valentines #2

So this year we celebrated our 2nd Valentines as a married couple. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner for two at Macaroni Grill and then went to see Taken. We had a wondeful night spending quality "date-time" together and were so happy to celebrate another reason for being with our best friend and lifetime love.

Read more...