Happy Holidays!

I hope this picture brings you as much joy as it brings me!

(Adam in his older sister's red velour v-neck shirt )

Merry Christmas everyone!

Merry Christmas!

I had every intention of doing Christmas cards this year, but we never ended up getting photos taken. I tried to find any picture of the two of us from this year that would work, but to no avail. But I wanted to send out warm holiday wishes to all of our family, friends and blog friends, so here is a blog card! I happen to LOVE the picture below, taken 2 Christmases ago by my friend Michelle.

Hope you have a relaxing, enjoyable Christmas!

Anne Boleyn

So I've missed a few weeks, but here are the latest pictures. This one is from before Thanksgiving at 27 weeks.

Adam took this one for me last week. I asked him to get a full body shot and this is what I ended up with. I guess my head isn't part of my body...

Oreo Bon Bons

I made Oreo Bon Bon's the other night for a party. It has been so long since I've made them and they are one of my favorite treats...especially around the holidays.

I got the recipe from a roommate of mine from Millersville, Andrea. Hi An, if you're reading this! She knew how much I loved Oreos (I used to eat a pack every few days. Gross, I know), so she made these for me during our goodbye dinner before I transferred out to BYU. They are rich and delicious, and even I have a hard time eating more than 1 or 2...but they are worth it!

I decided to try taking step-by-step pictures...not that this recipe is hard or anything, but I always like the sites where I can see what is going on, like Pioneer Woman or Bakerella. If you don't want to read my really awesome commentary, go ahead and scroll to the bottom of this post, and I'll have the recipe there for you to look at.

Here are the ingredients you need:
Double-Stuf Oreos (why you would get the regular ones is beyond me), a stick of Cream Cheese (8oz.), Vanilla, 1lb of Powdered Sugar and Instant Nonfat Dry Milk (ew). As you can see, I got the good brands of Oreos and Cream Cheese, but I don't think the other ingredients matter. Besides, what else do you use Nonfat Dry Milk for?!

First, you want to open the Oreos and set aside 12. You are going to grind these 12 into a powdery crumb-like state. I used the food processor part of my blender for this. If you are a poor college student, like I was when I first made these, you can place them in a Ziploc bag and stomp on them and smash them with a rolling pin. It's a great way to get out any aggression you may have. It should end up looking like this.
Then, you're going to take the rest of the Oreos and chop them into smaller pieces. The size is really up to you. I put a piece of foil on my cutting board for less mess (and to be used later).

Now, set both of your Oreo piles aside. For this next part, you will need some sort of mixer. A hand mixer will do in this case, or your trusty KitchenAid. Let's pause for a minute and marvel at my beautiful early Christmas present from Adam.
Aahhh, I'm in love. I've only been asking for one since my freshmen year of college and now it's finally mine! Anyway, back to the recipe. Throw in your stick of cream cheese.

Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

And 1 cup of that yummy looking nonfat dry milk.

Then run your mixer until its nice and creamy. And don't try any just yet. Believe me when I say, it's not good.
Next, you're going to slowly add in your powdered sugar, one cup at a time, letting it mix as you go, until you've added the whole 1 pound of it! It'll look something like this.

Now, you need the Oreos that you chopped into chunky pieces. You're going to mix those in until it looks like Oreo ice cream.

Here's where you can use that piece of foil from earlier. Throw it over the bowl and place it in the fridge for about 2 hours so it gets nice and firm. This is essential, or as my Mom's husband Cyle said "it just tastes like raw dough". Trust me here, it just needs to set a little.

After it's had time in the fridge to chill, take it out and shape them into bite sized balls. They're pretty rich, so you don't want them to be too big. Grab the Oreo powdery dust, and roll each bon bon until they're completely coated with the crumbs.

There you have it! Delicious Oreo Bon Bons! I think they're best served when they're still a bit cold. The recipe makes a lot more than what is pictured, but I saved these ones for us and took the rest to the party!

I promise they will be a hit! My Mom, after hearing Cyle's remarks (see above) when he prematurely tasted them, decided not to take them to her cookie exchange party. After they had set in the fridge, she finished making them and left them for the kids and their friends. Well, my sister Tali took them to her basketball practice and they were gone lickety-split! My Mom had many requests for the recipe from Tali's friends! I also won the Golden Spatula award at a ward baking contest with these bad boys!

Hope you enjoy!



Oreo Bon Bons

1 package Oreo's, divided
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 lb (16 oz) powdered sugar

Grind 12 Oreos to crumbs (if you don't have a food processor, just put them in a Ziploc bag and stomp on them or use a rolling pin); Coarsely chop 12 Oreo's. Set both aside.

On med speed, beat cream cheese, milk powder & vanilla until smooth. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Stir in chopped cookies. Cover; chill 2 hrs. Shape by tablespoonfuls into balls; roll in ground cookie crumbs.

Feeling Festive

Last year, Adam and I were just closing on our house and decided to take a last minute cruise over actual Christmas. We didn't decorate one bit for the holidays! Adam gave me several decorations from Anthropologie while we were on the cruise, but sadly I had to come home and put my pretty new things away. Well this year, I was so happy to see all the cute things he had got me!

I also made our stockings this year. I bought the felt fabric last year, but never got around to making them. I think they're adorable and sooo inexpensive. I just bought a little felt, ribbon, bells and sequins. Then I got a stocking from the Dollar Store to use as a pattern. A little sewing and little hot glue and they're all done! I made them to match the colors already in my living room. I will probably add our names on them, but I was too antsy to get them up!




Don't mind some of the dying flowers!
I saw this sign last year on Anthro and was so excited when Adam got it for me for Christmas!




I think we went a little overboard on ornaments. But we were having so much fun! Plus, we only have 4 non-ball ornaments. I think perhaps we were overcompensating. I just love trees decorated with love.
My peacock tree skirt! I love it!

Thanksgiving Break

Yes, I'm just now getting around to blogging about the Turkey Break. We have been back from Pennsylvania since Sunday but I have been running around like mad, with a million things to do!

We had a really fun time visiting everyone in PA. My best friends from home threw me a surprise baby shower. I was so happy to be able to celebrate with them, since I knew they wouldn't be able to make it out here for a shower! Unfortunately, since it was a surprise, I let my hair air-dry and had the most unflattering outfit on that I now get to look at for years to come. So next time you're pregnant and your friends say that you all are "going out to lunch", be prepared!


I stole this picture from Facebook. Thanks Katy!

We had a song in high school that we requested at everryy dance. It happened to be "Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC, hence the awesome onesie Mary got me!


Shane, Jess and Tali. They are getting wayyy too old!
One of 30 pictures I tried to take of them in the restaurant.


I just didn't want to be in the picture because I wouldn't fit in with my blonde hair.
I was checking the lighting and background and Adam decided to model for me.
And after trying for 15 minutes to get a "nice" picture of the two of us, this is the best we got. We're not what you call photogenic that's for sure.

The Great Rocker Debate

I have been having the hardest time finding a rocker/glider for the nursery that is both modern AND affordable. I want something comfortable and something that will last. I imagine that beyond the whole late night nursing thing, I'll use this for storytime,etc. I have found several that I like, but just don't know if I love them! Here are few of my options:




I actually do love this green rocker, but I don't love the price. I was almost sold on it because we have a pretty decent gift card for Amazon that would make this one in my target price range, BUT then I saw that shipping is an extra $133.00. Yikes! But I like the look of it, the colors goes well with the room and it looks roomy and comfortable.





This rocker is from Walmart. I like the brown with the white piping, but don't really like the shape of the chair. It does look like it has good support however. I also like Walmart's site-to-store shipping option (read: free)!

Now here is the typical Eames rocker that I see in a lot of nurseries on the web. I love the look of it! However, I hear mixed reviews on the comfort level. And I have no idea where I can try one out locally. Anyone have an idea for me?! There's also the debate on whether or not you should get a knock-off. Ummm...knock-off all the way. The original company doesn't even make them like they did back in the Eames era anyway.


Then there are the two Ikea options. I have yet to try and sit in these, but I have read reviews from people that really like this option. I would paint or stain the wood and probably cover the cushions so that would cost a little extra. But at such an affordable price, it might be worth it.

I like the look of this one. I would also paint or stain the wood and cover the cushions on this one. But I have heard that it's not really a rocker...as in, it barely moves.

I've thought about getting one off of KSL or Craigslist and then recovering it, but the cost to reupholster is expensive so I might as well just get a new one. I wish I could DIY, but I have never attempted upholstery and don't really see it going very well. I can sew, but this would be a whole other ballgame. If anyone has any other suggestions or has experience with any of the ones I listed above I would love to hear from you!

Office Before/Afters

xHere it is...finally. We're still finishing up the little reading corner, so I'll have to show that another day. We got the wallpaper up...but please don't come examine closely. We definitely know what to do the next time we decide to wallpaper. Imperfections and all, I still love it.

SO glad to be rid of that green color. I love green, don't get me wrong. It's always been my favorite color. The nursery is even painted green. But not that green. The ENTIRE house, every room, every wall and every ceiling had this green slopped on it when we first moved in. And it's almost all gone. Just the laundry and our bathroom are left!

Here is our ugly bookshelf that we got from someone on KSL. All it needed was a little love, in the form of paint.


Upon examining this after picture, I see that someone moved/added some things on here, so it's not as pretty as it should be.

My clock! I decided to put black & white paper in the bigger frames and let the smaller frames have seasonal paper in it. I love how easy these are to switch out...you can do photos, paper, fabric, etc.
Ta-da! So glad to have that crossed off of our list. We're moving on to the nursery now!

Make Do & Mend

I've been on a sewing kick lately. I like the actual process of sewing just alright, but I LOVE the results. I love looking at something and knowing I actually made it myself. I made a dress for our little girl, one for my friend's baby (who is on her way as I type!), and I'm currently working on some Christmas projects for my nieces and nephews. Then I'll be moving on to the baby bedding...We'll see how that goes!? Here are some pics I took awhile back of the dresses.



Here is the pocket detail on the dress I made for our baby.

I just love the buttons and flutter sleeves on this dress. I think I want to make a dress with this pattern for us. It's adorable!