Christmas Home Tour 2013 & DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

Christmas came and went, and now that we're relaxing in Ohio, Im catching up.
Here's a little look into some Christmas in our home this year.

Our Mantle.
I love decorating our mantle, I think I will always want to live in a house with a mantle.. it seems to serve as the decorating centerpiece, and its where I start decorating for every season, birthday, etc.. and the rest of the house just flows from here.

The lights are super old from World Market when we lived in Wilmingon
The tree felt garland... Target dollar spot, -- too much time was spent in  that section this season!
The paper book page chain was made by me

Pinecones, Little houses, Vintage Ball Jar Snowglobes, Rustic Frames, and Chalkboards

 

DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

I saw these done last year on a few blogs, and I knew I wanted to do my own this year.

 

Here's how I did it.

 

Supplies:

Large Ball jars/mason jars - Mine are vintage from the Goodwill under $1.00 each.

Epsom Salt - Dollar Tree $1.00

Miniature Deer - Michaels - $1.49 for 4 or 5

Bottle brush Trees - Michaels - @ 2.00 with 40% coupon.

Elmer's Glue - Dollar Tree

 

I first glued the trees all down and let them sit a while

Then poured in the Epsom salt making a little "hill" in one area.. (just the way I was pouring I guess)

Then I used tongs to lower the deer into the "snow"

That's It!

And they look so so pretty....



Almost every room had a little tree in it...

Even our room & Samantha's  it made the rooms so cozy.. even though our house is freezing.

 

Advent Calendar

This year.. Yet again inspired by pinterest, I created a really cool advent calendar.

I wrapped 25 little presents up, and then hung them by an old branch (used to be Andrew's mobile in his nursery) .. and added a few woodland creatures, and voila!

 

The kids.. well, Samantha .. loved picking out 1 present each day.. the presents were a mix of food, coloring books, little cars, card games, and little toys

 

The Gingerbread House.

 

This year, Samantha chose a really cool gingerbread house from Trader Joe's.

It was really easy.. and she did most of the decorating himself.





I did a few little festive things throughout the month..

Reindeer Sandwiches with Cookie Butter

And sharing our love of cookie butter also was shown in our teacher gifts this year. 

 

Santa Pancakes one morning were a big hit!

Especially his chocolate eyes.. of course..

 



 

Family Granola Gifts were given on Christmas Eve

 

And I wrapped all our presents.. most of them in brown paper this year..

It was cheap, easy and looked so wonderful all tucked under the tree.

Turkey Day

Turkey Day 2013

We hit the road on Wed around 2pm...

They forecasted a big big snowstorm, so I think that scared everyone

The roads were quite empty once we got going into our drive

We were all packed up & ready for whatever kind of road trip this was going to be..

Naps happened... thank goodness..

Sister too..

They both sailed through NY and Pennsylvania and a little of Ohio in dreamland.

We arrived safe and sound, without any stops, no pee breaks and tantrum FREE!!

It was a quick 3.5 hours.. record time too.

The kids were so happy to see Baka and Papa.

 

They had a little more snow than we did

I traveled out in my pj pants ... yes how classy..

but we needed some butt cream for the big guy.

 

These kids love being outside at my in-laws.. no matter what the weather.

Nothing will keep this girl out of the swing.. NOTHING....

 

Turkey Day

Samantha and Grace

Post Dinner Dance Party in the basement with their cool homemade stage.

Andrew didnt have any real turkey.. except this faux rice krispie turkey leg I made for dessert

He had fun playing and dancing with the girl cousins

This is all we got as far as a family pic.

I believe Samantha was having some sort of tantrum about something... she has a tough time at this age sharing herself with BOTH cousins.. she prefers the 7 year old ... naturally... but there were one too many crying outbursts.. ugh.. she needed a nap...

A little Croatian dance party....

It was a super fun turkey day...

 

 

The next day....she crashed and FINALLY took a nap...

She was much much better after she woke up.

While we were at Papa's ..Andrew got his first official haircut.. or scalping... as it looks

He'd never been to a real haircut place...I just always trimmed him since he has soooo much thick blonde hair.. So snip snip... and he was a new man

We loved our visit.

Both Mathew and I got to get out and see friends ... and do a little shopping,

And we'll be back in three short weeks for Christmas too!

The ride home was smooth sailing... we left on the Monday after turkey day... so again, hardly anyone traveling... It went by so quick and the kids were very very good yet again.

Mason Jar Granola Gifts

We're getting all crafty & christmasy over here..

I made this glitter ball jar and wasn't quite sure what to do with it..



I finally found my favorite granola recipe on Pinterest.. I had lost it and was fumbling trough cookbooks, old magazines, etc.. and I found one that sounded very similar...

 



I followed the recipe above, except I added Pepitas & Coconut and left out the Walnuts.

Baked for 25-30 min at 325 - stirring every 5 min or so.

I started filling a few ball jars.. and then decided to whip up a little thankful craft gift for our teachers and a few friends.

Samantha gave two to her teachers yesterday and they were so happy!

I like to remind her of the importance of being thankful for things in her life, and also to make her realize just why the heck do we celebrate Thanksgiving? .... I think she gets it.. My big girl.

ribbon, glitter, tags, bags.... I heart craft-time.

Samantha's First Field Trip Day

This morning Big Sister had her FIRST field trip.

First time on a big yellow school bus.

She was off to the Great Pumpkin Farm ...and Mama and Lil Guy had the morning to ourselves.

This is a little preview of next year I believe, when my big girl will be in the big K all day... (holding back tears...)

 

So Andrew and I headed to the grocery store... and since it was just us.. I treated him one of his favorite things to do... Open and close the freezer doors... we stood there for about 7 minutes.

We took a long stroll together

He is becoming the most precious little boy, something I feel so blessed about, and Im constantly looking up to God and thanking him. He's my total shadow. ALL DAY LONG... "Mama... Mama..."

He's coming into his own.

Finding creative ways to play

He plays so well by himself too, and he (we think) is pretty damn smart. Just the motor skills, and memory observation we've witnessed.

So lil brother went down for a nap, and Daddy was home working that day..

So I hurried up to the school to pick up my big girl..

 

The bus had just pulled in...

I walked towards the front of the bus when I heard a knock on the window.

There she was in the last seat, waving and grinning from ear to ear!

I was so relieved...

She had a great time she said.

I wish I could have been there! ... Or just watching somehow ... 

Big and Proud.

With a pumpkin in hand for her little brother



After her big morning, I took her to one of our favorite spots..

Panera...



 

We had a little cookie/smoothie/cupcake girls only date.

 

Can you tell she enjoyed herself?

I love one on one time with my kids.

And today I got to have both

Homemade Apple Cider

Homemade Apple Cider

 



Ingredients:

12 Macintosh Apples

1 Orange

1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar

4 Cinnamon Sticks

1 Whole Nutmeg

1/2 tbsp. cloves

1 tsp allspice

 

1. Chop Apples & Oranges into quarters.

 

2. Put all ingredients into stock pot and cover with water.

Bring to a boil and stir (while boiling for 1 hour)



This picture below are what the apple mixture looked like after 1 hour.

This is how I positioned the lid the entire time, not quite all the way covered.



3. After boiling for 1 hour, then simmer for 2 hours.

Your house will be smelling amazing at this point...

Mash the mixture with a potato masher & straing through a cheesecloth

Voila!

Homemade Apple Cider