Christmas Traditions New & Old

We create new traditions every year. Elf on a Shelf is a fairly new one for us. We have had George for three years now and it is getting far more complicated but interesting every year. 

There have been letters taken to Santa via George. He brings letters back. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty. He really deserves a buddy! ♥ 
Enter Flat George drawn by Mama and colored by Landon. They have been together since the day he was made. There has been some discussion on laminating Flat George. We wonder if he will be able to breathe? It's getting complicated people, complicated! 

Festive Memory Gift Wrapping Idea

Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite things to do at Christmas. I love beautiful wrap to the simple craft paper wrap. My nephews are getting these on their gifts this year. ♥

Thanksgiving Specialities 2011

NO PUMPKIN PIE! That's right! Pumpkin pie was replaced by pumpkin spice cupcakes this year. And it was not a mistake. Everyone LOVED♥ them!

Bacon wrapped green beans with a soy marinade. BIG HIT! HUGE!!
This picture was taken just before I popped them in the oven to bake until bacon was crisp! Yum!

I ♥ Christmas

This is our little tree we put in the living room every year. It was suppose to be MY tree. Decorated with beautiful glass ornaments placed just so. Well, I realized everyone gets to enjoy this tree on a daily basis, because it is in our main living area. So I gave in last year and let the kids help and I am so glad I did. A perfect tree is one decorated by sweet little hands with love. Landon loves to decorate the tree so he is placing all of the ornaments this year. Last year he made the star for the top out of construction paper. My kids know nothing else. They love to decorate the tree with all of the ornaments we have made throughout the years. I always thought you had to buy the "baby's first Christmas" ornament. Until Landon came along that is what we did.  He has a handmade first ornament and I love it! Every year it is a walk down memory lane for us all. Our tree in the family room is the prettiest tree I have ever seen every year!! Full of our handmade ornaments from all of the years past. I ♥ it!

My ornament from this year so far is this one...We are still working on a few. 

Merry Christmas! 

Brown Sugar Apple Pie

I have to mention that I have no recipe for this pie. I always just make up my apple pie.  It was AMAZING!!!

Toasted Coconut Cream Tart

I made a simple sugar cookie crust in a tart pan.
Coconut Cream Filling has Coconut  Milk , Half and half, Eggs, Sugar and Coconut.
Topping is all Whipping Cream sweetened a bit with sugar.
And top it off with toasted coconut!
Divine!

Delicious French Toast made with homemade bread!! YUM

Just slice, dip in egg mixture and pan fry with a bit of oil.

Plate the French Toast with Real Butter and Syrup

Enjoy! This bread is dense enough to not get soggy after the egg wash.
It captures the egg, milk, cinnamon and vanilla just on the outer crust.
Delicious!
Perfect for the Holidays!

Cousins ♥ being together!

These boys have so much fun when they are together! It's hard to get them to be still for a photo. So you just have to take what you can get. Love them!!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

So Festive for the Christmas Season!

Yes, It's White and YES, it is a grain but.........OMGoodness!

Why must I do these horrible temptations to myself? Sour Dough?? I can not answer that question. I just love to bake and experiment with new recipes. I also made my Paleo Banana Nut Muffins. And I ate 2 of them slathered in butter. Plus a little tiny piece or this. PMS!!

Sweetie Cakes

Seriously Crazy Good!!

I came up with these in the kitchen today. I started making two other kinds of energy balls which I will show later. BUT then I just took off on my own and came up with these delicious healthy treats. I love it when that happens! Enjoy!

Can't Have these in the House!

They don't last long anyway!

Loving the Summer Tomatoes

Delicious Creation

Roasted Pork Loin

In my dutch oven I sauteed each side of the tenderloin pieces until golden brown in coconut oil.

I then added sliced onion, garlic, bbq sauce, salt and pepper.

Place in oven with lid on at 300 degrees for 4-5 hours.

The house smelled wonderful!

I served with my favorite veggie blend of the week

Sauteed cabbage, onion, kale and turkey bacon in coconut oil. Just until tender. I still like a crunch.

Fabulous!

First Day of school 2011

Where is Austin? His picture turned out fuzzy.And he wasn't too thrilled to have it taken. Crabby up to early boy! They are still all of my sweet babies! Love them all and I am so very proud of them!

I have never seen this!

Just sharing something Cool!

Paleo Banana Walnut Muffins

Been in the kitchen today coming up with a comfort food recipe. Here goes...Another Yummy Recipe without using flour or sugar. Enjoy!

Garden Basil Burgers

It"s all about the Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato!

Enough Said! =)

Paleo Raw Energy Bars

Yesterday I decided that I wanted to make some sort of Raw Energy Bar using my paleo snacks. So I threw this together. I didn't measure a thing, so today I got back in the kitchen and recreated this wonderful tasty delight! They are delicious! Try them and see.

My Paleo Pancakes!

There are no words to describe these...none! I am speechless!

White Elephant Emporium!

I great place to visit in Watertown ,Tennessee. Full of awesome photo opportunities! Had a blast!

Recipe for Brussel Sprouts and Bacon with Asparagus

This dish was amazing! I made enough for left overs and they were even better! It did not take long to prepare. Try it and let me know what you think =)

Paleo Morning Glory Muffins

I am currently on day 62 of a paleo lifestyle. It has changes my life. I feel great! No more grains, sugars, dairy or processed foods for this girl. I eat clean healthy whole foods. The wheat belly is going! I have found what works for my body and I will stick with it. It is doable and delicious!
I, as you know love to bake. I have continued baking in my 62 days because I LOVE doing it. I have not indulged in any of my baked goods. So I found some recipes on line and decided to try them out. They are YUMMY delicious. So I can share here along with all of my other lovely recipes. Enjoy!

Lovin' Summer

8th Grade Graduation...off to High School!

Water Fun!

Liepers Fork Tennessee

Missing Me??

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I have been so busy lately with the last days of school and now into full blown summer! The kids keep me going, going, going. I love it sort of =) I miss my quiet days to get myself organized. We have been doing tons of fun stuff. I have been taking lots of pictures, baking, cooking and more. All of the things I love to do!

TCAPS are OVER!! For Aubrey anyway....these made her day!

Aubrey's Favorite!

Flamin' Hot Chicks

Once again crafting for the Annual Easter Hat Parade!

This one was Landon's creation. With a little help from Mama and Aubrey. 

A Great Day!

Today was a great day.

I woke up not having one plan for the day.

That can sometimes be a good thing and sometimes a bad thing.

The kids were still sleeping at 6:30 duh...even Landon! I went to the park and had a beautiful early morning refreshing walk of 4 miles. It clears my head and makes me feel so good. I came home to find my little man up and ready for the day. We decided to go buy the stuff for his Easter parade hat.

We had one stop to make before we made it to Michael's craft store.

We were off to the West Nashville Organic Farmer's Market within 30 minutes.

With Aubrey and Landon in tow , we had some great finds.

Onions, Fresh Eggs, Radish and Salad Greens! 

Yum!

Off to Michael's we go! 

While at Michael's the clerk asked if we would like to do some free crafts. YES! So we all sat down and colored with the new Crayola Paper and Markers. This paper changes bright color when you apply the markers. Great Easter bunny idea! We also made chicks with Easter eggs , feathers and glue dots....I love glue dots! 

It was a fun and spontaneous outing.

The kids and I made it home and ate a great lunch.

Salad from the market with onion, radish, avocado and red beans.

I then decided to take Landon down to the river to skip rocks. It is such a beautiful day today! 90 degrees , breesy and sunny.

Skip rocks we did and got all muddy and wet!

He loved it! 

A bath was needed ASAP when we arrived home. 

We then glued his Easter hat together. Naming it HOT Chicks??? or Flamin' Chicks...only because of the Flames on the side of his hat.

We will be thinking about these names for a few days.

Not sure how school would like the names we picked out.????

I popped corn and we watched "Despicable Me" for afternoon quiet time.

I am tired now!

What a great day!

Now for a walk in the park with my wonderful man that just walked through the door after working all day! Bye

Beautiful Herbs

My Mom and Dad's Yard

Dogwoods in my Dad's Yard! so pretty. I love Spring!

Looking Great!