Tis the Season

I love this time of year.

It combines all my most favorite things: tradition, cold weather, the Spirit, family and good food.

I wait for Christmas all year long, just like I did when I was a little 6-year-old girl. If you ask my mom (or even Lane), there's some aspects about me that never grew up (my impatience for Christmas and my fit-throwing).

I love that my kids are just as excited as I am.

Every morning and evening my children sit in awe in front of the Christmas tree.



Notice how I ran short on my strand of lights there at the top? I wanted to redo the whole tree and normally I would, but seeing as this baby in utero is kind of bossy, I was forced to take a break (swollen feet, legs and contractions lent itself to a little relaxation).



I put a few wrapped presents under the tree a few night ago and this only adds to the mystery and excitement. They can't wait to open them. And I love seeing the looks on their faces as my children (who can't read) guess which present is for who.

A few nights ago, as a perused the Pottery Barn catalog (and dreamt) my eye was caught by the decoration behind the advertised display.

The staircase garland. So easy. So simple.

So doable with materials I had in the house.

Of course, I had to improvise with strands of icicle lights (that I merely wrapped around the larger wire and secured with the decorative muslin strips). But, in the end, I like the look of the icicle garland better than the simple string of lights in the magazine.

Also new this year to our decor? A fire.



First year we've had the ceramic logs in there ... a fire coming straight from the gas pipe looks a wee bit strange.

I'm in love.

And what would be the holidays without an insanely busy schedule?

Last week was hectic, next week I'm in charge of a Christmas party for the women in my church and last night I hosted Bunco.

I whipped up these little beauties for the occasion.

Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake Bits (formed into dice, usually the are round and the top is decorated with mini chocolate chips). Mmm. Mmm. Mmmmm.

Want the recipe? I'm in the holiday mood! Ask and I'll e-mail. You heard me. Voluntary recipe giving.