Family Traditions & Swedish Pancakes

This Christmas was the year I decided we needed to start some sort of family tradition. We kept it simple. Here's a glimpse into our night.

Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and Swedish meatballs for dinner. Kyle (and therefore Callie***) is Swedish so I thought that was appropriate. Family recipe at the end of this post.



Callie enjoyed a Swedish pancake, and meatballs! In her Christmas pajamas, I might add.



So did Kyle. He especially liked the meatballs. And the Swedish sparkling pear juice. Thank goodness Ikea is only 10 minutes away for one-stop shopping!



Next, we read the Christmas story together.



And then...presents! You all know what I got for Christmas (actually, it was our gift to each other). Callie got lots of fun stuff from "Santa." A cream corduroy dress, a light blue shirt, a new bib (pictured, the wipeable kind which we LOVE), a wooden baking set complete with wooden chocolate chip cookies (which I forgot about that night and found it the next day under the tree), and new Mustela Dermo-Cleanse (it's simply the best baby soap).



And then dessert!



I would like to add more family traditions to our Christmas celebration. However, this year was busy (is December ever NOT busy?) so maybe next year. Maybe I should add a new tradition every year. That's not quite as overwhelming.

A few other things I want to do in the next few Christmases, but didn't quite get to this year are: Have special Christmas dishes. Get a nativity set. A prettier Christmas tree. Watch The Nativity Story together. Oh, and put a small tree or lights in the kids' rooms, that would be fun in a few years.

I'll leave you with this:

Recipe for Swedish Pancakes
3 c milk
3 eggs
1/2 t salt
2 T oil
3 T sugar
1 1/2 c flour

Blend in blender. Fry one at a time in butter. Serve with lingonberries and powdered sugar. May be frozen and reheated.

***Did you know there is another Callie ______ (insert our last name) we are related to? A relative of Kyle's in Sweden...he actually went to Sweden and met her while we were in college. Just a random fact that I thought was fun! We didn't purposely name her Callie after the Swedish Callie, but thought it was more confirmation that we had chosen the right name when we realized it.

21

On December 22nd, my brother turned 21!

Every year, we sing We Wish You a Merry Birthday to Wesley and wrap his presents in Christmas paper. This year he got candy-cane candles.

Merry Birthday, Wesley!

Merry Christmas!

May you have a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the birth of a tiny baby that came to save the world.

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Gift Idea

Here's a unique Christmas gift idea. Samaritan's Purse is an online gift catalog where you can give gifts to people around the world that are in need. Some gift ideas that stood out to me:

You can feed a hungry baby (or nursing mother) for a week or more. As a nursing mother myself, I'm quite drawn to this one. It is sad to imagine a mother nursing her baby without any food herself.

Or buy fresh water wells and water filters for people who don't have clean water. I'm super picky about funny-tasting water, and can't imagine the unclean water some people have to drink. It puts my picky-ness to shame.

And even little things like life-saving mosquito nets (if you've ever slept in the jungle, you will have a new appreciation for this item).

Or, you can just give to what's needed most. You can click here for the online catalog or for more information. Just an idea to spread the true meaning of Christmas!

Where've You Been All My Life?

Thanks, Santa!

I really needed one of these.

You must have read this story on my blog. If only they would have made these sooner, it would have saved me from much frustration and even tears at times. You see, directions are not my strong suit.

Seriously, where have you been all my life?

Rizzle for the Sizzle

Your Prayers Please

Please pray for our dear friends John and Andrea. They got in a car accident last night and could really use your prayers. We don't know many details, but she ruptured her spleen and liver due to broken ribs, and had (successful) surgery this morning.

Thank you for your prayers, and please everyone drive safely.

Something Sweet

I hope everyone is staying sane this holiday season...we are trying our best to do so! December, what a crazy month.

I read an interesting article yesterday about Christians battling consumerism at Christmas time. It's funny to think how simple the first Christmas was...nothing fancy...in a manger...Christ came into the world in such humble circumstances.

How opposite of that the celebration of His birth has become. It's pretty ironic, don't you think? And I am just as guilty as anyone.

Just something to think about.



On to something sweet...I made Cinnamon Honey Butter.

Yum.

I just might have a new tradition.

Make some honey butter, toast some English muffins...and you have breakfast. And lunch. And maybe a snack, too. Can you tell what I've been eating lately? It's also good on sweet potatoes, toast, waffles, carrots, muffins, you name it. Another easy recipe.

And if you feel like giving some away (you might not, it's just that good), you can try to make it pretty.

Cinnamon Honey Butter Recipe:
2 sticks of butter (room temperature)
1 c honey
1 c powdered sugar
2 t cinnamon

Whip butter, and remaining ingredients, and beat again. Store in refrigerator.

And what does the baby do while I slave away in the kitchen? She tries to help...

...by tearing apart the cupboards...

...and maybe even crawling in them. Speaking of babies, Callie said the word hi. She loves to say hi and wave at everyone. And she "talks" on her toy cell phone, saying hi and just babbling.

She also started giving kisses to her baby. Could she be any more sweet?

Coming soon, a new series...10 Ways to Beautify Your Blog. Thanks for your encouragement regarding my idea of sharing my (limited knowledge) of blog design. I'm getting there!

An Urban Discovery

Maybe I'm a little late on this discovery, but I just found Urban Outfitter's has furniture. And it's actually affordable!

I love this Ikat-print chair. I would love to get a pair for our family room, only $325 each.

Or maybe these

or this velvet tufted headboard would be perfect in our guest room, only $300!

And this couch is only $575!

Who knew?

Cutest Kitchen Ever

Sold at a Target store near you. And Santa, don't forget the toy cupcake set and toy stand mixer.

Oh, to be a little girl!

Host A Christmas Party, Semi-Homemade Style

This time of year, who has time to slave away in the kitchen?

I don't.

I used to think that cooking from boxes and using store-bought foods was cheating.

Well, I still feel a little guilty about it if I'm honest with myself.

But then I tell myself that it's more about the people than the food...right? And it saves so much time. And then there's the fact that when it's coming from my kitchen, at least I know that it will turn out (I like to experiment a little too much, so you never know).

In my opinion, the word Semi-Homemade sounds much better than store-bought, doesn't it? Thanks to Sandra Lee.



So in honor of saving time, here's a few semi-homemade ideas from a party we hosted last weekend.

Cupcakes...gotta love funfetti frosting! Semi-homemade idea tip: put the (store-bought) frosting in a ziplock bag, cut off the corner, and pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes. Top with fun sprinkles!



My new favorite dessert to make - brownies frosted with nutella, and topped with hazelnuts. I think I got the idea from Giada (oh, how I miss you). Sounds fancy, but it's super easy. I baked these in a muffin tin, but a brownie pan works just as well!



Meatballs with marinara. I love my crockpot!



Hawaiian bread with spinach dip, too easy. Thanks to Traci from the great idea.



And a party favorite around here, Amanda's cowboy salsa! I can't get enough of this stuff! Speaking of Amanda, she's just about ready to have baby number four, a boy after three girls (but we love little girls around here). You can pray for her if you think of it; she's been having a hard time sleeping at night. I can't imagine how you could ever sleep with three kids and one on the way, not to mention a husband on tour. And I thought it was hard to sleep with one kid.



Any other easy and fun ideas? I would love to hear them!

And on a random note, I am really loving this stuff. In fact, I am drinking it right now. Amanda, you might be able to use some coffee to stay awake. They say one cup is okay. :)



Now for those Christmas parties, if deciding what to wear was as easy as deciding what to cook...

O Christmas Tree

I just might have to do this next year. Anyone with a toddler would understand. Not a bad idea!

Totally unrelated (but related to the title of this post), can someone please tell me why we sing a song to a Christmas tree?

Image credit Elle Interior

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's December and officially Christmas time (well, if you asked the stores, they would probably say that September was officially the start of Christmas)!

Is it just me, or is December also officially the busiest (and most stressful) month of the year? I'm feeling my stress level rising as I think of all of the things I have to (want to?) do.

I think part of my stress is the pressure I put on myself for everything to be, well, perfect. For instance, a "perfect" family picture for our Christmas cards (not going to happen), or the "perfect" gift for everyone that no one will return (probably not going to happen either?). :) I need to keep my sights on the reason for the season.

We already received our first Christmas gift last weekend! Aren't these stockings amazing? Grandma knitted them for us. Well, there's more of a story to it.

Kyle's grandmother knitted one for all of her grandchildren, and her sisters also knitted them for their grandchildren. So essentially, all of the cousins have a stocking with their name on it (I hope I have my facts right).

So, since Kyle's grandmother has passed away, Kyle's mom decided to carry on the tradition, and taught herself to knit so Callie and I could also have a stocking that matches Kyle's! However, I reminded her that we want to have a big family, and she may have to knit quite a few more. :)

I wonder if this means that some day I will need to learn to knit (a scary thought).

Aren't they cute? I'm really excited to discover on Christmas morning what Santa will fill our stockings with this year! Don't read the following statement if you read this blog and still believe in Santa... I have never been the "stocking-filler" before, if you know what I mean. I must be getting old.

The other night, I was drooling over this chair from Restoration Hardware. Isn't it gorgeous? And looks so comfortable, I think I would want to curl up and stay on it for the rest of the month.

Of course with a price tag of $2995, I shouldn't even be looking! So I was shopping at a thrift store the other day (my new pastime in which I've been finding amazing deals for house stuff), and just happened to find this:

Not quite the same level of comfort, but a similar look anyway! I love the classic look of wingback chairs; you may remember my attempt at reupholstering one! And I like the tufted buttons look too.

Speaking of attemps, we have been attempting many house projects. One of them was our fireplace/mantle.

Here is the before:

And the after:

We painted white the oak mantel, which I think made a huge difference. We also removed and spray painted black the (90's looking) brass plate with this. And last, Kyle and his dad took out that (also 90's looking) can light and put in one of these. Oh, and we also painted the wall and wood trim (wall is Benjamin Moore's Hot Spring Stones and the white is Behr's Swan Wing).

Our next project (we're halfway through): the kitchen.

Merry Christmas!

Over The River...

and through the woods...



...to grandmother's house we go.



If you come to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving, you will get a chocolate turkey.



You will eat at a pretty table.



And someone just might take your picture...

...while you play lots of games (this one's called Sheep's Head).



You might swing on a tire swing.



And eat lots of Turkey (does this picture not look like it's straight from the set of Desperate Housewives?)





But if you are a little grouchy and super tired, you might have to miss "Baby's 1st Thanksgiving" like this little girl who ended up taking a nap instead of eating her sweet potatoes and turkey (thanks for the cute bib, Aunt Kiley)!



But don't be sad when we have to leave Grandma's house....



...because we will come back soon for Christmas (except it will be a new house)!