awake from thy slumber, o blog of mine!

so, I think it's finally time that this little blog wakes up from it's winter hibernation (that's what we'll call the 'break' we took from blogging). not much to share at this current moment, but I hope to update at least once more this week with a recipe and a skirt turned dress. and I/we hope to update at least weekly from now on (whatever that means). :) for now, I will share a photo of my morning. coffee, strawberries, and a lemon poppyseed muffin. mmm. the lemon and strawberries welcome the springtime, as do I! :)



xo!

Candice

a little bit busy

yes. we've been swamped lately and have not taken the time to update our little blog. believe me, our days have been filled with plenty of goodies that we would LOVE to share with you, and as the time allows, I'm sure we will. but for now, I wanted to say a great big Happy New Year to anyone who might pass by. I hope the best for everyone in 2008 and am excited to see what the year holds. may we all take each day and make it the best ever.

we promise to 'be back' asap! thanks to the faithful few who check this. :)

xoxo!
candice

shortbread cookies

shew. another long day behind me. but before I bring it to a close, I wanted to share a piece of it with you. shortbread cookies. yum. one of the [several] types of cookies I make every Christmas season. today was their day. small story: I bought some cookie stamps years ago, without even the slightest intention of actually using them (they were on sale in a little shop I was in), I just got them because they were Christmas-y. :) inside the package they came in was a shortbread recipe. one year (it was 2001, I believe) I decided to use the stamp and the recipe. ever since, I've made them every year. super simple and super yummy (to me and mine, anyway). so, here we have it:



Shortbread Cookies


1 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour

cream the butter and sugar (I never cream for less than 3 minuets), add flour and mix well. form dough into 1 " balls. dust with flour. stamp if desired, or flatten with the bottom of a glass.

bake at 350 for 12-15 minuets, depending on the thickness of the cookie. remove, allow to cool (when warm, they're still a little soft. they get crispy after they cool).



happy Christmastime to all!!

xoxo!
candice

100 views and some good books too...

W now have over 100 profile views for our blog! I have no idea if that means we are popular or not but I'm sure happy about it. Especially since we have only been doing it for about a month and a half.

Anyways for the interested here is the recipe for the egg nog;

4 eggs, separate whites and yolks
1/2 cup sugar, divided in half
3 1/2 cups milk
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp nutmeg

beat eggs yolks with 1/4 cup sugar, set aside. Ina separate bowl beat egg whited until stiff and stir in remaining sugar. Pour yolks into whites and stir slowly mix in milk and nutmeg and add whipping cream. beat for about a minute. serve

I have this love for books. All sorts of books. So the library is my best friend. Of course I borrow a ton of crafting books. I do have a few that I own and a few that I want to buy. So here is a list of some books that I love and would whole-heartedly recommend.



Just got this book from the library and I am in love with it. Needless to say I have added much to my Christmas craft list from this book. I think I am going to have to pull a couple all nighters to get it all done before christmas.


Not only do I like the fact it is spiral bound I love all the stitches that it has in it. Learned a few new ones to put on some gifts this year.



pretty much learned to quilt on this book



Love this book. Very informative and very pretty.



I love the bags in this book.

I might have some more to add to this list at a later time.. Well I need to get back to work.

Happy Creating!
Ashley

lately in photos [sorta']

wow. forever since we've updated. apologies!! super super busy with this beautiful Christmas season upon us. :) here are a few photos from some of the things we've been busy with over the past few weeks or so (or just simply some of the things we've been enjoying).

almost gone coffee (in my current favorite mug!) alongside one of our handmade napkins from Thanksgiving (also a current favorite! love the way they turned out.)


handmade Christmas ornaments


candy canes in a milk glass vase (this year I'm lovin' the milk glass for Christmastime!)


the last bite of tollhouse pie (my first time making it, everyone loved it. too much chocolate for me tho!)


home made (by Ashley) eggnog. oh, so yummy! (and again, alongside one of our hand made Thanksgiving napkins)


ornament for a swap (another Ashley creation)


chocolate chip cookie dough (prepared and stored for later use)


and tonight, I made the first batch of no-bake cookies for this Christmas season. and, if you notice, our first set of Christmas napkins for this year are posing behind the cookies.


and! can't forget to share two of the ornaments we received in a swap we participated in. love this little owl, he's a cutie!


shew! and that's only a LITTLE of what we've been up to these past few weeks. :) many other sewing projects and Christmas gifts we're making. heaps of fun!

I hope to post some photos of the beautiful snow we have all around us right now. totally one of my favorite things about the winter season. :) hope you're all having a beautiful Christmastime so far. if you want specific recipes for photos I've posted, or instructions for the ornaments, please let us know.

xoxo!
candice