Nothing Sadder Than Waking Xmas Morning and Being an Adult!

I long for the days that I couldn't sleep because I was so freaking excited for Christmas morning.  Growing up is not what I once thought it would be. Me and my sister would both be so giddy all night, giggling.  We'd wake up as early as 2 am, sneak out and open our stockings.  My mom (I mean Santa) would always bring us a note pad and pens so we could write notes to each other and play MASH.  My mom is just as bad as we are and would often wake up and come watch us open our stockings.  Then the three of us would stare at the clock and anxiously await 5 am so we could wake up dad.  This year we sent my niece in to jump on Papa's head.  Ha ha, she was so scared.  We were not scared of waking up dad on Christmas, we waited long enough.

Hunter, my cutie nephew!

My mom ordered me this super cute ornament set; it's tools.

Alison and I just loved this dress (PUKE)!

She's so cute.  I love my Chloe:)  In line waiting for Santa.

Flawless pic!  A fake smile, but she learned it from her Aunt Aunts.

Aunt Aunts cuddling with Landon, the newest addition. 

Chloe looks so excited (or not.)

Chloe and her momsky, opening stockings.  Al-Bal and I did a stocking for each other.

The older cousins (well the second to oldest group).  I'm glad they like each other.  Not everyone fights like me and Nathan (my cousin who is 9 days younger than me).  We always come around though, eventually.

Because I was missing Ty Ty's Xmas eve dinner where his uncle makes twice baked potatoes every year, I talked mom into making me twice baked tators.  Well of course I helped.

Ty Ty's mom got me the cutest owl things.  Wine tastes so much better when you're drinking out of a cute glass.

Although I struggled to get in the Xmas spirit this year, I still loved it of course.  There is nothing better than having an excuse to see your family. In fact, I felt like my family was a lot more loving and excited to see each other this year.  It was the first year without my Grandma Hughley and happily my grandpa and my mom hung in there and enjoyed themselves.  My grandma would want us to celebrate and have a good family bonding experience.

And to leave you with a random question.  Why is there catnip in the children's tea?

I Love Coming Home

This is a post about coming home from work, being home in general and being a Pacific Northwest lover.

Garrett's Popcorn at Home?

Have you ever stood in line for an hour to buy Garrett's popcorn in Chicago? Well, my besties and I wen to Chicago and we did just that.  Their famous mix is cheese and caramel corn, aka "the Chicago mix".  It was surprisingly, finger staining, delicious.  I was at Costco last night and there this was.  It's not Garrett's but it is exactly that mix.  Kind of exciting.  

 My Amazing Nieces and Nephews!

Chloe is holding my newest nephew, Landon. He's the tiniest thing I've ever seen. It was quite funny, shortly after this Landon farted.  Chloe was grossed out so she proceeded to move him over and set him down on the couch.  She wanted nothing to do with him.  So hilarious, especially due to the fact that this girl farts on me all the time.

 Xmas card from my school, GO HUSKIES.

Okay, they probably wanted a donation.  But, this card is freaking cute! I am very proud of the school I received my education from.

 Early Xmas Gifts

Well, I didn't in fact know this was a gift.  It was inconspicuous and I was expecting other packages. I opened this package, come to find out it was one of my Xmas gifts from Ty Ty.  It is a perfect gift, but I'm pretending I don't remember what it was:)  I mean really, he should'nt be getting gifts sent to my house!  I got another Xmas gift but it was addressed to Daught Daughts Lomas, which was clearly from my besties, Renee and Mike.  Ha ha.  I haven't opened it, even though I really want to.

GLAM BAG

As you may know I do Birchbox, Petit Amuse and Glam Bag. I'm here to tell you, do Glam Bag. It is amazing every single month.  You get full size cosmetics every times.  I think I've received two per month.  Look at this amazing stuff: lip gloss, eye liner, eye shadow, highlight sheets and a base coat something rather.

 Gourmet Foods

Still trying to figure out what to do with this vinegar that I received in a Petit Amuese a couple of months back. Help please...

So totally random post, but you know how I can be.   Miss blogging with you all.  I think I'm back on the bandwagon.

Ornament Swap = Owls Galore

I was lucky enough to take part in this amazing Ornament Swap put on by Tutus and Tea Parties. Go check out all of the swap posts here.

My swap partner was Kim from A Vintage Fairy and she hit the nail on the head with my gifty gifts.  I LOVE OWLS.

First of all, she did a bad ass job wrapping this. The whole thing was coated in tape! Ha ha, it was a blast trying to get it open.  My excitement was high, so I was fumbling around.

A homemade owl ornament, a super cute owl necklace and a felted owl pair ornament. This girl is amazing!

Thank you so much Kim!!  These are so me.  I love swaps!

X-mas Ideas, Grilled Cheese and Movie Quotes

X-Mas Ideas

Whiskey Advent Calendar - $237.84

Malibu Rum Filled Candy - $4.99

Pickle Candy Canes - $6

Bi-Curious George - $13.95

My Delicious Night

Mike, look at this!  It is such refreshing sight to bring light to the evil black death thought that goes through my head way too many times.

The most expensive, cult wine I've ever seen. That's a $2000 bottle of wine.

We went to an amazing restaurant called Pomegranate. I've never been or heard of it. It was very cute and amazing. They even gave out fireball candies like Wing Dome as an end of the meal mint.

White cheddar grilled cheese and tomato soup, how much more American can I get:)

Prepping For the Stache' Bash

Could I have picked a more perfect sized bowl?

You must have a mimosa while baking, Alicia Rule #16.

Ready for the oven my cupcake friends.

What I Love About Al-Bal (That's My Sis)

I love people that can keep up with me on movie quotes.  It shows that you have the same likes for sure.  My bestie, Mike has a made a huge effort to get a lot better about movie quotes ; I love him for that!  My sis Alison and my redneck cousin Nathan are the best at knowing my movie quotes. Also, I must mention Crystal, who I met through Daylon.  She's seen a lot of he B-films that I love, House of Yes, Pumpkin.  We can definitely go back and forth on movie quotes.

Christmas Chocolate Molding

Back in August my friend Chelsea and I took a chocolate molding class.  We were both a little nervous about it but it turned out to be pretty easy, super fun and then delicious when it was time to eat our creations.   I decided I was going to get the supplies to do this at home and throw a chocolate molding party for my friends around the holidays.  I've been slowly picking up supplies, and today I placed my final order.  I can't wait to get my friends together to create delicious treats that can be simply enjoyed or cutely packaged up and given away as gifts.

Supplies

Molds

Owl sucker mold; you know I had to get this one.

The various Christmas themed molds that I ordered.

Melting Chocolate -- Unless you are a true chocolate maker you need to make sure you get the temper-free chocolate melts; it's the same melts that are used for cake pops.  All you must do then is melt down in order to get into the dispensers and then keep on a warm water bath so it doesn't harden.

Bada Bing Bada Boom - Most people who try this can't tell the difference between  this melt and high end tempered chocolates.  I purchased dark, milk and white chocolate.  The white can be mixed with coloring to make any color under under the sun.

Tools and Accessories

Oil Based Chocolate Coloring - I'll probably have to  pick up some more Christmas-y colors.

Sugar Based Metallic Dust - This makes your piece look amazing and festive.  

Sucker Sticks

Chocolate Dispenser.  You fill up several of these so a whole group of people can be working.  You cut different shapes/widths on the cap to control the flow of the chocolate that you are adding to the mold.

Luckily I already have an electric skillet, this serves as the warm water bath.

From Last Time

What holiday baking, crafts or present making do you do each year?  Are you planning anything new this season?