DIY Holiday

One of the things that I love about the holidays is the number of DIY gifts and home decor that can be made. I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

For the last three years I have handmade all of mine and P's Christmas cards. I use my scrapbooking supplies and holiday embellishments from Michaels or AC Moore (craft stores). I love doing this because none of the cards are ever the same and they differ so much each year. Here are a few examples from previous years:

Last year I picked up some plain, craft ornaments from Paper Source like these:

I coated each ornament with scrapbooking paper and Modge Podge to create these:

Ornament covered in seasonal paper

Used a blue & white vintage paper with Penn State ribbon

Homemade and personalized ornaments would  make a great gift. I liked the look of the decorated ornament so much that I cut off the string and put them in vase for a year round decoration on our entry table:

Ornaments in vase to the right

Close up of ornaments in vase

This year I’ve seen a lot of the homemade ornament wreaths on different blogs and Pinterest and am one trip to the craft store away from making one for our front door. They seem so easy to make, i.e. foam ring, glue gun, and round glass ornaments in your favorite colors. 

The supplies

LOVE the finished product

What’s your favorite DIY holiday project or craft?

PS: My super crafty, DIY-er cousin recently started a blog. Check her out here. Love ya girl!

Holiday Traditions

Now that the holiday season has officially begun, I thought I'd share some of my favorite traditions with P and our families.

Since P and I moved in together 4.5 years ago, one of our favorite traditions has been to buy our Christmas tree a few days after Thanksgiving. Once we get it home, P strings the lights and I prep the ornaments. Then we order Thai food and hang ornaments until the food arrives. It's nice to enjoy our decorated tree together while eating yummy takeout. I always cherish this time we carve out before the holiday chaos and fun begins.

P and I officially started dating on December 17th, 2004. To celebrate we usually go to dinner and seek out a festive show or activity in the city. In the past we've gone to the National Christmas tree lighting, the Nutcracker, and the Christmas Carol. This year I'm looking forward to listening to the Washington Chorus at the Kennedy Center.

At the National Christmas Tree in DC

For the past few years, P and I have traditionally celebrated Christmas day in Ohio with his family. Then we usually see my mom, sisters, and my dad & Sheila over the two weeks following Christmas and the New Year. While it admittedly took some getting used to, I love our extended celebrations!

P and I at Stan Hywet in Ohio

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

The Concerns of Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling, a.k.a Kelly Kapoor on The Office, recently wrote a book - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? You must buy this book. It is as funny and entertaining as the episodes of The Office she writes. It was an easy read and I guarantee you will laugh out loud more than once. I read the whole thing in ONE day. Her anecdotes are funny and relatable. The book would make a great gift for a sister, daughter, friend, or any fan of The Office. You should also check out her blog.

Since I probably won't post before the holiday, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving with family and friends!

My oh Pie!

Last weekend I was catching up on some of my favorite blogs, including this one. I don't remember exactly how I first came across Leslie's blog but I've been hooked ever since. She shares a lot of great fashion and beauty tips and has a fun style and personality. Last week she asked her readers for help with pie recipes for the Thanksgiving dinner she'll be hosting this year. I had successfully baked P's Grandma Elsie's Derby pie a few weeks ago and thought I'd pass it along to Leslie. Well thanks to a random number generator and a little bit of luck (she received over 80 recipes!), Leslie will be baking Grandma Elsie's pie this weekend. Her hubby and a few friends will choose the best pie which will be served next week and the winner gets a little prize. Even if the pie isn't chosen, I'm happy that others will be able to taste the deliciousness of this chocolate, bourbon-laced - yes, BOURBON - pie!

Want to taste it yourself? Here's the recipe, courtesy of Grandma Elsie:

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3/4 white caro syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp bourbon
9 inch pie shell

Directions
1. Cream butter and sugar gradually
2. Add beaten eggs, syrup, and vanilla
3. Add chocolate chips, nuts, and bourbon. Stir well
4. Pour into unbaked pie shell
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes
6. Let cook on rack
7. Rewarm to serve

*Disclaimer: I do not know the actual origin of this recipe, but it's the one Grandma Elsie has used to make pies for many holidays. There are lots of other derby pie variations available.

"You're a Natural"

I would have never guessed someone would use this phrase to describe me with a baby, but according to Aubrey, I am! And there's no way my bestie would say that just to be nice. =) While I may not have changed any diapers I handled spit up like a pro. I also mastered keeping her asleep (after Aubrey did the hard work) while holding her. I loved every minute I spent with Taylor and Aubrey last Friday and am so excited to go back again soon. I may even offer to change a diaper.

Look who loves her Auntie Em

Working the camera in an ultra cute pink outfit 

Dear old State

In light of this weeks developing tragic news at Penn State, I have decided to write a brief post reflecting on my personal thoughts and feelings. Penn State has played too significant of a role in my life for me to remain silent.

Like most Penn Staters I have been struggling with many emotions this week and am still processing the horrific events that have unfolded. I'm heartbroken and angry that innocent boys had to endure such unthinkable acts. I'm saddened and disappointed by the inactions of University leaders who I've respected. I'm supportive of the difficult decisions being made this week. I'm hopeful that the Penn State community will use this time of regrowth to raise awareness about child abuse and continue to succeed with honor. I'm proud of the efforts by students and alumni to show their solidarity against the tragedy and help the school move forward.

Despite all of emotions, I am still and always will be proud to be a Penn State Nittany Lion. I am still and always will be loyal to dear old State. And when I've become so numb with sadness and anger after listening to the news, reading articles and browsing Facebook statuses, I turn to a familiar song for consolation....

For the glory of old State,

For her founders strong and great,

For the future that we wait,

Raise the song, raise the song.

Sing our love and loyalty,

Sing our hopes that bright and free,

Rest O Mother dear with thee,

All with thee, all with thee.

When we stood at childhood's gate,

Shapeless in the hands of fate,

Thou didst mold us dear old State,

Dear old State, dear old State.

May no act of ours bring shame,

To one heart that loves thy name,

May our lives but swell thy fame,

Dear old State, dear old State.

WE ARE still PENN STATE!

Eastern Market

Yesterday was a perfect fall day in DC, the sky was clear and the air was crisp. My older sister Meredith came down to the city and we spent the day exploring Eastern Market. P and I had been before but never early enough in the day to experience the flea market and full extent of vendors.

Image from world wide web

As the website states, the Eastern Market was first built in 1813. After a fire destroyed much of the market area in 2007, the Capitol Hill community unanimously agreed the market must be rebuilt and it was reopened in 2009. It continues to thrive on the weekends and it is a great place to pick up locally grown foods and peruse the vendor tables selling everything from jewelry and scarves to children's toys and antique mirrors. Food trucks line the streets around the market and food vendors selling pickles, donuts on sticks, and roasted nuts are sprinkled throughout the market.

Vendors along the sidewalk
Image from the world wide web

Meredith and I enjoyed lunch at Matchbox on 8th Street before heading over to the market which is located off of 7th Street just one block away from the Eastern Market metro stop.. In just a few hours we covered the flea market, vendors, and South Hall Market. We loved seeing the goods sold by the varying vendors and the bright colors of the fresh produce. I'm so glad Meredith was able to come to DC and experience one of the city's oldest weekend traditions.

Enjoying the market with Mere

Hope you all had a beautiful fall weekend!

Happy Birthday Meredith!!

Today is my older sister's birthday and I'm so excited to get to celebrate with her tonight and tomorrow. She is one of my closest friends and I'm so grateful to have her in my life. Happy Birthday Meredith!

Meredith and I in DC a few years ago