Just wanted to wish you all a very, Merry Christmas!  I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating Christ's birth!  

Christmas Card Ornaments {tutorial}

It's Christmas Eve and my house is almost ready for our Christmas Eve celebration with my inlaws.  We are hosting this year, and I think everything is in order.  Cookies are in the oven as I write, and I only have one other chili to make for our Chili Bar.  So, I am taking a deserved break and blogging before I forget.  Because you might just want to do this as you unwind from Christmas. . . before you put your Christmas decorations away until next year.  

This is a really easy paper ornament that you can use with your favorite card-stock (variety or all the same) or your Christmas cards.  I chose to do one with my Christmas cards from this year and last year.  It will probably take about 2 cards to get all  6 circles punched.  You can use a circle or a scallop punch.  But, if you don't have a punch or a circle cutter, find a lid in the size you like and trace them and then cut it out.  It's a bit more work, but it works.  You will also need some glue, bakers twine (or some sort of string), and two buttons per ornament.

  Step 1: Punch out circles where you want them.  I made sure I got one with the year on it.

 Step 2: Cut a piece of string about 3 times the length of your circles (enough to fold in half, and still be enough for a loop to hang on the tree).  Thread it through the button.  Set aside for now.

 Step 3: Fold each circle in half and glue sides together.  Don't use a ton of glue because it will leak out the sides.  Before you glue the first side and the last side, put your sting in the middle of the folds.  Pull string up, so button lies flesh with the bottom of the ornament.  Glue it shut.  Thread the last button through the string, tie to button and then tie towards the end of the string to make a loop, for hanging.

 Ta-da!  You have an ornament!!!

 It looks so pretty hanging from the tree!!! (this one was last years').

I hope you have a Merry Christmas!!!!!

5 days until Christmas {And a freebie!}

Christmas is 5 (dare I say short?) days away!  Part of me feels very bittersweet, because I love how my house is decorated, I love the traditions, I love family time.  I do not look forward to packing everything back up into boxes. . . I dread that.  Anybody else feel that way, too?

I have been spending a lot of time creating for Christmas this year.  The teachers gifts are finished and have already been given.  (are you following me on instagram?)

I made these.  Twice.

I have gone to 2 craft nights and a third, that I just had to turn down because I needed to slow down a bit.  It was a good choice.  I am getting really good at saying no.  This year has been really good for me.

I caught a cold.  I secretly  blame the TK'er.  He had a cold and snuggled with me.  It's only natural that I should catch it, right?  Thankfully, it was short lived and am almost 100 percent better.

I have drank far too many gingerbread lattes this season. . . my body might go into shock after Christmas when all my favorite drinks dissapear.

I worked on an awesome tutorial for you to do with this year's Christmas card before you throw them away.  I hope to have that up for you in the next couple of days.

Tonight we started a new tradition.  My 5 year old has been asking to go on a scavenger hunt and then I found all these links to Christmas Light Scavenger Hunts!  What a great idea!  I totally thank Pinterest for the inspiration.  And, I can completely see this tradition lasting for years accompanied by hot cocoa and fresh baked cookies. . . when the kids are older and can handle that before heading to bed.  For the first year, we had a blast!  The kids had fun. . . the parents had fun.  It was a win-win.  Did I mention, this new tradition doesn't cost a dime.  

This year, I just printed out one I found on Pinterest, but added to it as we walked around.  I made this one when we got back, so I would have it for next year, but thought maybe you might want to do it, too.  I think next year, we might count how many reindeer we can find and see who can find the most. . . maybe even a prize for the winner?

So, here's another Christmas gift, from me to you. . . click here to get the Scavenger Hunt and start your own family fun night now.

What family traditions do you and your family do?  Did you try this one?  How did it go?  I would love to hear from you!

Spreading Christmas Cheer {freebie}

It's the week before Christmas and we've got a Christmas program and then a Christmas party. . . having a kid in school is keeping me very busy!  For his party, we made Smores kits with Peeps Christmas trees. . . festive, right?  I think that everyone needs an excuse to have some S'mores. . . it's fun!  I whipped up a quick treat topper for the tops of the snack bags that I put the treat in.

I uploaded my file to Office Max's website and picked up my copies this morning!  Super easy.  I had them printed on cardstock, for a sturdier fold.  I am super excited about how they turned out!  Ethan was so excited. . . mostly for the S'mores. . . but he's 5.  :)  These treat toppers were made to match the width of a sandwich bag or snack bag, so you could really just fill them up with any treat you wanted.  

I am super happy with the end product!  I can't wait to give them away. . . If I can just keep Ethan out of the peeps!  

Here's the link to the topper.  Please download and use for your own personal use.  Thanks! Enjoy the last few days before Christmas! 

Download Treat Topper here

A yummy treat without all the work: Cinnamon Roll Muffins

My family loves cinnamon rolls.  When I say love, it really should be in all caps, bold, and maybe up the size a bit.  Sunday mornings are always Pillsbury or previously homemade so my husband can get them in the oven and I don't have to worry about it.  Ethan gets very concerned as Sunday draws near if we don't have any in the fridge.  We all aren't that big on breakfast, but know we need to eat, so muffins, scones, and quick bread usually around, but often the biggest hit when it resembles a cinnamon roll of some sort.  I think that's why this recipe caught my eye.

mmmm.  cream cheese frosting.  cinnamon and brown sugar.   NO YEAST.  

yep.

these babies don't take hours to make.  You can wait to the last minute and in about 30 minutes (start to finish) you can have a wonderful breakfast. . . or dessert.  Or even a treat for your Christmas brunch at Bible Study (totally speaking from experience here!).  

I took a huge risk making these last night and not trying them until I got to Bible Study.  But, they were good.  Even better this afternoon when I had one for an afternoon snack and heated it in the microwave. . . warm cinnamon rolls are always the best!  

Are you ready to run to your pantry and check your pantry for the ingredients?  No worries. . . they are all things that you can easily find in your pantry.  

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

adapted from Recipegirl

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/3 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1 lg. egg beaten slightly

1/4 cup melted butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Swirl:

2 tbsp. packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Note:  I didn't measure this part at all.  

Frosting:

2 oz cream cheese, at room temp

3/4 tbsp butter, room temp

splash of milk (to get desired consistency)

3/4 tbsp powdered sugar (I didn't measure this either)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line your favorite muffin tin.  I used mini muffins.  

In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients .  Slowly add milk and egg, butter and vanilla.  Stir until just combined.  Mix in swirl ingredients and gently stir them into the batter. . . remember not to over stir your mix.  

Bake for about 20-30 minutes (less for mini, more for regular sized muffins).  

Mix together frosting and spread over your muffins once they have cooled.  

In honor of National Cookie Day

I was completely ready to take on part 3 in my Advent/Christmas Traditions series until I opened my Bloglovin' Feed and saw that today is National Cookie Day.  Of course, everything must be put on hold, because. . . well, because it's COOKIES!  You know me and cookies!  (and if you are new to the blog and haven't figured out, I love cookies!).  In fact, I have a whole page designated to cookies and it's cookie relative, the bar.  So, in honor of National Cookie Day. . . because cookies really are that Awesome, I give you my favorites (as of now).

Favorite Chocolate Chip: Smitten Kitchen Favorite recipe.  I make these all.the.time.  It has become my go-to recipe and I keep them stocked in the freezer ready to go on a moments notice.  They are that good! They also have a controversial history. . . you will have to read it on the smitten kitchen post.

Favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip:  These cookies have just a hint of orange zest that make the flavor unique, as well as addicting.

Favorite Snickerdoodle: The Chewy one. This one just melts in your mouth with it's soft and chewy bite.  Also, very addictive!

Favorite White Chocolate Chip: Cranberry Hooty Creeks.  This recipe takes me back to my first year of MOPS with every bite!  These are great to do gifts in a jar because you know they are going to be awesome!

Favorite Peanut Butter: Snickers Peanut Butter.  Because anything with Snickers in it is just that much better!

Favorite Bar Cookie: My go-to!  Sometimes you just aren't in the mood for the effort and time of a good cookie.  These are super quick, just a few ingredients, and taste heavenly! 

What's your favorite recipe?  And What recipe would you like to see me make next?

It's Advent time {Christmas Traditions, part 2}

I love seeing all my friend's posts on Facebook of their Elf doing all sorts of mischievously, creative things.  I love the creative excitement that it brings to each of their households.

Since at our house, we are striving to put the focus on Christ and not on Santa, his elves, or his reindeer.  I wanted to do something that when other kids are talking about their Elves, they will have a tradition to share.  Plus, it's a lot of fun and the kids get sooo excited!

At the beginning of Advent, we pull out our Little People Nativity and quickly hide Jesus. . . he doesn't show up until his birthday.  We are waiting on Jesus' arrival and we can't wait!  

We also hide Mary and Joseph and each morning, they can be found in different areas of the house until they finally make it to the stable on Christmas Eve.  Ethan is finally getting to the age when he remembers what we did the year before and reminds me. . . or wants to do it himself. 

In fact, last night I spent 20 minutes searching the house for our dear Mary and Joseph and could not find them to hide.  Ethan beat me to it and hid them for us!  I have some fun plans for tonight. . . and I'm pretty sure I made sure Mary and Joseph were kept unhidden when the kids went to bed. . .  I think. . . 

It's Advent Time!!!! {Chrsitmas Traditions, part 1}

I can't begin to describe the excitement that mounted as I was preparing for our family's celebration of Advent.  Seriously, I was just giddy!  It might have been that I got organized this year and had everything prepped before hand.  But, I think it mostly had to do with the fact that I absolutely LOVE the Christmas season.  

This year, I searched the pins on Pinterest for a fun way to display our advent calendar.  I wanted to make it appealing to the eye, but also bring some anticipation into the upcoming 24 days.  My first idea flopped, but I'm glad that it flopped because this happened (paper lunch bags are super cheap!).  We are on our third year of Truth in the Tinsel and really love it.  The paper bags were a super easy way to keep all my supplies together in one spot as well as add some decorations on my walls.  I'm not sure what I will do when I figure out what to hang above my dining room buffet, but for not this works great!

Inside each bag, I put a small chocolate for each of the boys, a clue card, and a ziplock with the ornament pieces that go with the theme for the day.  For example, yesterday was Jesus is the Light of the World, so the clue card had a candle on it, and the ornament template, tissue paper, and contact paper were put in the bag.  When we are done with our ornaments, they go on our little advent tree for display.

I love that the boys loved looking at their ornaments through the lights.  It was great!  We really enjoy the Truth in the Tinsel ebook. (obviously since we have been doing it for 3 years!).  Ethan is really into it this year.  Weston paid attention here and there, and may or may not have ran laps around the room while we did this (he was excited!).  Night 2 went way better.  I don't plan every night to be a labor intensive craft, like the ones above.  Partly, because my boys are almost 3 and 5 and some of the ornaments are more difficult.  Last year, they added printable ornaments that you can just color.  That took off a lot of the stress.  I do adapt some of ornaments to fit the ability of my boys.  But, we only do 2-3 crafty ones and the rest are printables that they will just cut out and color.  Sometimes, we may add extras to them, like on the day we do the sheep, they will color the printable ornament and then, we will glue pieces of cotton balls to make him fluffier.  

Weston had a blast painting the toilet paper tube for his crown.  We will be finishing this one up tomorrow.  If you'd like to follow us on instagram, you can see our journey through the advent.  My username is jolieklassen, come follow me.  (that just sounds weird. . . ).  

  If you are wondering if it is too late to start Truth in the Tinsel. . . it's not!  There's a plan for doing 10 days or you can just jump in and start where you want.  Don't let starting late hold you back from sharing advent with your family.  

Another really cool tradition is we give the boys 1 gift to share to kick off our advent season.  (sorry about the crooked picture. . . I want to get to bed).  This year, we gave them the book Santa are you for Real? by Harold Myra.  It is a cute story that talks about the real Santa Claus.  We strive to Christmas focused on Christ as much as possible, and so we don't really do the whole Santa thing.   I can't wait to share with you all about what we do instead of Elf on the Shelf!  Stay tuned!

Do you do Advent?  What are some of your family Christmas traditions?

A Family Favorite: Danish Apple Cheesecake

Thanksgiving is upon us! In fact, we've already celebrated turkey day twice and are getting ready for the big day.  My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is the one in which we celebrate just as our little family.  We started doing this not long after we were married and it has been so much fun trying new recipes.  Usually, we do it and then decorate for Christmas, but this year we did it earlier and so that didn't happen. . . . bedtime did.  And, that's okay. . . really.  

But, one of my very favorite fall recipes is one that will look wonderful with on your dessert table, because there's always more than one, right?  This recipe is probably the recipe that someone calls, texts, or emails me for at least once a year, so I thought I would put on the blog (because I apparently haven't shared this with you yet) so that I can always find it and so can you.  

I know that pumpkin based desserts are kind of the spotlight of fall.  And I love me some pumpkin!  Really, I do. . . I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to it! But, sometimes you just need some apple. . . and cheesecake. . . and in this case, why not both?

 

The first step is to make your crust.  It's so yummy!  Combine your flour, sugar, and chopped almonds.  I just buy sliced almonds (it's a staple in my pantry) and chop them coarsely with my chopper. If you don't have almonds, walnuts work, too!

You can either do add your cold butter to your food processor or cut into pieces and take your fork to it for-ever.  I like to do it this way:  I freeze my butter, and then take my microplane and grate it.

It ends up looking so pretty and all curly like.  Then I take a fork and stir it together and eventually just get my fingers in and mix it all together by hand.  It's kind of messy on the hands, but it is well worth it!

Add almond extract (or vanilla).  This recipe is seriously adaptable. . . and so very delicious!

Pour it in the bottom of your springform pan.  Make sure you spray it down first because you don't want to have to dig your slices out afterwards. Pat it down flat.  Stick it in the fridge while you work on the filling and topping.

Cream your cream cheese filling until it is so soft and fluffy.

Spread it on the top of your crust. Stick it back in the fridge.

Cut those beautiful green granny smith apples (sorry, those are my favorites!).  I don't even bother taking the peel off.  I like the color that the green adds to it and isn't that where all the nutrients really are?  Toss it together with all the good stuff.

It should look like this.

Pour it over the top of your cheesecake filling and spread it around.

Doesn't that just look delicious!

Stick it in the oven and bake it.  You're house is going to smell amazingly.

Eat. . . it's delicious.  It's the best the first day, but it's still pretty amazing the next day. . . if it lasts.  

Danish Apple Cheesecake

Adapted from Taste of Home

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup chopped almonds (or walnuts)

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cold butter

1/4 tsp almond extract (or vanilla)

Filling:

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 egg, lightly beaten

Topping:

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tbs flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

4 cups thinly sliced apples

1/3 cup almond slices

Directions:

In a small bowl, combine flour, almonds, and sugar.  Grate cold butter in and combine with your fingers until crumbly.  Add extract.  Pour crumb mixture into bottom of a greased spring form pan and press down until nice and flat.   Refrigerate for 30 minutes. 

In another bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and cream of tartar until smooth.  Add egg.  Beat on low, until just combined.  Spread over crust.  

In a large bowl, combine apple slices, sugar, flour, and cinnamon.  Spoon over the filling.  Sprinkle with almonds.  

Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.  Cool for 10 minutes.  Run a knife around edge of pan to loosen.  Cool for 1 more hour.  Refrigerate overnight for a firmer cheesecake.  It's still super yummy if served when warm.  

Pajama-rama

First of all, I may (just maybe) be on a caffeine high.  I had a little over an hour of unexpected me time, so I went to get myself a latte from my favorite coffee shop (not Starbucks, btw) before heading to Ethan's class to help them make Pumpkin Pie for their Thanksgiving Feast. I am exhausted, yet I can't stop moving.  It's great for getting things done!  

Second of all, I finally finished round 1 of Pajamas.  It took me forever. . . not because they take a long time to sew (they don't), but because. . . I am easily distracted.  Seriously, distracted should be my middle name.  But, I finished and as soon as I get this post done, I am going to go cut out some big boy pajama pants so I can get those done in the next few days. . . I am highly motivated!  

These were my fabrics.  Some were from my stash, and others were from JoAnns.  Coupons and sales made these very inexpensive.  It was great!  I will definitely do this again.   Plus, I seriously cannot get enough of this boy's cuteness!  Weston's pajamas took some adjusting to do since he is a little guy, he needed between a 18 months and 2T.  But, when you sew your own, you can make sure they fit around the waist and are the perfect size.  Plus, there are some wonderfully cute fabrics out there!  

I made a mix of cotton and flannel, so that they will last the majority of the year. These Rock and Roll dinos were so much fun!

These one's might just be my favorite! 

I used a this pattern for this round of bottoms and found it to be very simple to use.  There are tutorials here, here, here, and here, and probably about a hundred other places.  I used a pattern because I tried using my own template based off Ethan's pajamas and there were a few flaws, so they became Weston's fourth pair (see below).

Obviously a little long in this picture, but hemming them up is really easy.  Also, ignore my one goof. . . it gives them character, right?

Have a great day!

Snickerdoodle Bread

If you follow me on Facebook or instagram, you have probably heard of my quest to find of cinnamon chips.  And, thanks to several of my very helpful friends (followers), I found the infamous chips at Walmart (which means, I stepped foot inside a walmart. . . something I don't like to do unless absolutely necessary. . . this WAS necessary).   So, thank you very much!  I bought 5 bags and plan on buying more next month and hoarding them in my freezer, bring them out periodically over the next 12 months.  I think it will work, right.  (I must say, I am not normally a hoarder, but when it comes to this recipe, and a few others, I will hoard in order to make them during the year.  You do what you have to do! 

 You see, 2 years ago, you could find these chips during the holidays at your local grocery store.  I bought 2 bags, not knowing how much I would LOVE the treats baked from them, including the recipe I am about to share with you.  Then, they disappeared from the shelves only to be brought back to select stores nationwide.  (I really think that needs to change. . . I am surprised more people haven't scoured shelves for them because this recipe is a KEEPER! 

Recipes for Snickerdoodle bread are all over Pinterest.  Most of them are pretty much the same recipe, but some changed it up a bit.  I liked one that used Sugar in the Raw instead of regular sugar for the topping.  It gave it more of a crunch, kind of like Panera's cinnamon crunch bagel (we are huge fans!).  But, if you don't have it available in your pantry, feel free to use regular sugar. . . It's still going to be awesome!

Snicker Doodle Quick Bread
adapted from various pins on Pinterest, like this one. 

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour, sifted
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream
1 pkg. Hershey's cinnamon chips
1 tbsp. flour
3 TBS sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Cream together butter, sugar, salt, and cinnamon until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and mix well.   Add vanilla and sour cream.  Mix well.  Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.  Then sift slowly into batter.  Do not over mix!  Combine cinnamon chips in a bowl with 1 tbsp flour.  Stir together and then pour into batter.  Stir with a spoon.  Spoon into 4 mini loaf pans.  Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and sprinkle over each loaf.  Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.  Cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from pan.

A love for washi!

I have been on the lookout for some great washi tape.  I wasn't overly impressed with the Smash brand, because two whole rolls stuck to the tape under it, when unrolling, leaving it basically useless.  So, I thought I would try some that I found over at Pick your Plum.  They had a great deal a while back and I loved the bright colors.  I have since found a bunch that I have been happy with and I am having sooo much fun!  

 I think the possibilities are pretty much endless with Washi Tape.  It definitely makes wrapping gifts so much fun (and colorful!).  Right now, I am having fun laying my tape down as a banner, with uneven ends and then running that paper through my Big Shot with an embossing folder.  I have even recently discovered that I can also use embossing folders made for the Cricut Cuttlebug. . . more options!  (I actually may have a slight addiction to using 40 percent off coupons on these things!)

This Washi was actually a paper pack/stack of adhesive sheets by WeRMemory keepers.  I was able to cut the pieces the desired width and go from there.  But, I loved the colors and patterns!  So, much fun!

I even made Halloween cards with some Halloween Washi that I found on sale at Michaels.  So much fun, right?  And so easy.

Have you ever played with Washi?  Have you pinned anything using Washi?  Go. . . visit Pinterest and look for fun Washi ideas and copy and past the link to the comments.

Happy Crafting.