Celebrate!

I am very excited for Christmas this year. My oldest treasure really is getting into it! She knows it's all about the birth of Jesus and when we talk about why we celebrate Christmas she says "because Jesus was boring". Yes that is right boring, she really means born but I think it's so funny how she says boring! My youngest treasure really doesn't care as long as he has a truck he can play with! However he is enjoying the Christmas music that we listen to everyday! He loves to dance and sing!

We went caroling last night with our students in youth ministry and had a blast! This is something we do every year as a youth group and the students love it as much as our elderly that we sing to. With only 6 days to go we are preparing and getting anxious! Merry Christmas to all my friends! I pray it is one of the best Christmas' ever!

Jesus is the reason for the season!
~Court

On the 12th day of Christmas...

That is right, only 12 days to Christmas! Really can it be? Seems just like yesterday that it was Thanksgiving.
So far we have had a great Christmas season. My oldest treasure was in her school Christmas play and I must say she did a wonderful job. She quoted John 3:16 with her classmates and I was so proud! You would have thought she was the star of the play the way my husband and I were so excited! :-)

My house is warm and decorated for Christmas. Christmas presents are being wrapped and we are making precious memories with our little treasures!

Here is a picture of my Christmas mantel! I love the smell of fresh pine so I usually try to use it in my house somewhere when decorating. When I was a little girl my family always had a real Christmas tree. Since I like to put my tree up early and can honestly kill anything (even evergreens) I opt for an artificial tree! So I use natural and fresh decor in other parts of the house.



Here I used fresh pine, apples and pomegranates. The pine cones are cinnamon scented and as soon as you walk in the door you can smell them. This is a very simple and very inexpensive way to decorate! I love the fresh elements in my home.

Hope your Christmas season is as wonderful as mine. Tis the season to be jolly! :-)

Merry Christmas,

~Court

Glitter and Glitz...A few of my favorite things!

Well, well, well... Where have I been?  Missing in action for the past month! I really don't know what to say except for phew!!!! I have spent time with family for thanksgiving, braved black Friday, and spent a lot of time sitting in traffic!

However, in all the craziness of life I have managed to get a few Christmas decorations up.

This is my bright green and red Christmas tree. Sorry for the quality of pictures! My husband did get me a new camera but he is torturing me by making me wait till Christmas to open it. (It was one of our black Friday deals!)

The big red balls have been a craft that I have tackled. I saw them at our local small town boutique selling for $10.00 each. I am too frugal to pay that much for 1 Christmas ornament so I opted to make my own.

A Styrofoam ball, spray adhesive, and lots of glitter and viola... a beautiful addition to my tree. Don't tackle this project yourself unless you are ready for a mess!!!!

I am also in the process of stringing popcorn, for what I call my memory tree. Maybe eventually I will have time to show you the finished product! Remember the reason for the season. See you again soon!

~Court

Tis The Season...

Yes this is the season to be jolly but it is also our busiest season! I have been contemplating putting up our Christmas tree. I usually like to do this the day after thanksgiving but with all the hustle and bustle. I think I might just put it up early.

I like to celebrate Thanksgiving as it's own holiday without Christmas. Thanksgiving for us is a time of thankfulness and love. A time of remembering those around us and not taking them for granted.  I love my family they are my greatest treausure.

I hope all my friends and family have a wonderful Thanksgiving. That means you too!

~Court

Gifts Galore

It's been a very lazy November Saturday for me. As I sit here on pinterest, eating pretzels and left over halloween hersey chocolate, I have been gift inspired! Christmas is just around the corner and I have lots of homemade gifts I want to make.

 I love this scarf! For myself and others!

Homemade hot chocolate! Who doesn't like a little hot chocolate at Christmas time! And here is the perfect hot chocolate recipe!

This photo ornament is super cute!

I can't wait to get crafting. 

~Court



A Childhood Treasure

Seems like it has been forever since I have been able to post and it was only last week. It is most definitely the start of the holiday season! Busy, busy, busy. We have had several events and lots of company. Every time I have company I always like to fix something special. So I contacted my childhood best friend's mom, and got a recipe from her about two weeks ago. My mother and father-in-law came to visit one night last week and I made this delicious meal called chicken manicotti.

I remember the first time I had this dish. I had went to spend the night with my friend Kensley. Every weekend she was either at my house or I was at hers. We were inseparable.That night her mom made this pasta filled dish and I loved it. Kensley would call and invite me over whenever they had it thereafter. Her mom always was a wonderful cook. Her style of cooking was much more gourmet than my parents, who had a very southern style. Don't get me wrong my parents made wonderful meals growing up, but I loved going to their house to see what she made that was different. Kensley's home always smelled so good. Her mother had a way of making a home look beautiful. She just had that special touch. Even though Kensley and I are miles away from each other, I still consider her to be one of my best friends and we try to keep in touch as much as we can! I am very thankful for the childhood memories that I still  hold on to.

So, today I am going to share this recipe with you. It is so very simple and so very yummy. But beware, it is not a low fat dish!

Chicken Manicotti
Ingredients:
8 manicotti shells
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 Tbs. melted butter
4 ounce can mushrooms (undrained)
1 cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese

Cook shells until just barely tender with no salt, drain and set aside.

Mix soups with sour cream.
Mix half of the soup mix with chicken
Stuff shells with this mixture and place in a greased 9x13 pan.
Saute onion and butter, add mushrooms and remainder of soup mixture.
Spoon over shells and bake @ 350 for 15 min.
Top with cheese and bake 5 more min
*Recipe from Anita Culbertson

I do not stuff the shells. I slit them and then fill them and roll them back up. It saves me time. I also baked this with cheese on for the full 15 to 20 min. Here is a pic of my shells before sauce and cheese. Wish I had a picture of the finished product but I don't. So sorry! Needless to say there were no leftovers for us!

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as my family. I can guarantee it will be a treasure in your recipe box!
~Court

S'more Fun For Fall

Alot has happened for October. So far we have painted some pumpkins with polka dots!

Made a fall wreath (with inspiration from pinterest)!

 We also had a very relaxing fall break, even though I missed our youth bon fire because of being sick.The couples hayride for church is up and coming. It should be lots of fun. There will be a hayride (of course), bon fire, fun with friends, chili, hot dogs, and of course s'mores. Here is a picture of our cute little s'mores kit I made for this special night. My friends Connie is coordinating this event and she found flat marshmallows for roasting! Just layer grahams, chocolate, and the flat marshmallows in a cellophane bag. Tie with pretty ribbon and add a sweet tag! Perfect favor for your fall party!

Stay tuned for s'more fun! :-)

~Court