Merry White Christmas and a Celebration of 100!

This post is coming to you a date late!  That is because I have been in the land of no Internet the past couple of days-Woodbury, Tennessee.  We were supposed to drive home last night but ended up staying an extra night because of the weather.  It was great, though, because we had more time to spend with cousins, play games, and eat more fudge. :) We are back home now after a wonderful Christmas with both of our families. I honestly can't remember the last time it snowed on Christmas.  At my mom's house it started snowing Christmas Eve and we were convinced we were going to wake up to a white Christmas.  This is what we saw in the morning:

This snow might not seem impressive, especially to my lovely friends of northern persuasion, but it kept snowing throughout the day and was beautiful to this southern girl's eyes! Here are a few shots from Christmas Eve and Day:

 

 I had to show you all one of the most special gifts this Christmas.  Stacey's friend's grandma took photos of our family, transferred them to fabric, and made a photo quilt and was Stacey's gift to Mom.  It was beautiful, full of memories, and so special.  Mom loved it and I know she will treasure it for years to come.  If you click on the photo you can enlarge it and see some of the individual photos.

We watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on Christmas Eve which was one of my Dad's favorite movies.  He sure was missed this Christmas but I think that he would be proud to know that we were happy and spent time together as a family.  We miss you so much, Daddy. 

We also spent time at Chris' grandparents' house which is always a blast.  We ate too much food, played games, and stayed warm and cozy inside while it was cold and snowy outside.  We decided to stay here another night so we could drive home in the daylight.

As I said, we are home, in our warm pjs, and snuggled in for a couple of nights to ourselves.  We have had a wonderful holiday and are so thankful for so many people who bless our lives.

In other news, this is my 100th post to "What's Up Buttercup?"!

It is pretty exciting.  I never knew when I started blogging this summer that I would love it so much.  I love being able to share my loves, disappointments, and joys with those who read it.  That leads me to another important point-THANK YOU to those of you out there who visit and read.  I'm so glad you aren't tired of my ramblings and whims.  I love being able to connect to you in some way and isn't this a fun way to do it?  So here's to the next 100 and I hope they're some good ones!:)

Christmas Cheer?

A rainy, gloomy day like this one needs a little Christmas cheer!  I am off work today and have decided that I can't stay in the house any longer.  I have done enough housework that I think I can leave with a clean (mostly) conscience.  I am headed off to the mall for a little window shopping and to possibly spend some birthday money.  (Yes, mom, I know you are in shock that I still have birthday money.)  Then we're headed to Johnny Carino's tonight for mine and Chris' birthday dinner!  We've decided on something different for our birthday treats rather than cake or cupcakes.  Check in later and see what we chose!  Happy Tuesday!  Hope it's not so gloomy where you are!

It's Time to Bake!

If you know me at all, you know I love to bake!  You also know that I love chocolate.  Sooooo give me the chance and I will bake something chocolate! Here's my chance...we are having a cookie swap on Saturday.  I needed to bake 6 dozen cookies!  Really, this is my kind of challenge.  I'm revealing to you today the Deen/Hughes Chocolate Cherry Christmas Cookie.:)  OK, yes, this recipe is really Paula Deen's.  It is her chocolate gooey butter cookies recipe.  However, I added a couple of ingredients which make them special and make them "Christmasy".  I love them and I just hope everyone else does!  Here's the recipe:

1 block cream cheese, softened

1 stick of butter, softened

1 egg, room temp

1 t. vanilla

1 box chocolate cake mix

1/2 bag white chocolate chips

1 cup candied cherries, chopped

Oh yes, did I mention that there are candied cherries in these cookies?  Surprise!  They are the kind of cherries that are normally in fruit cakes. (yuck)  I decided to try it, though, to add a little touch of red for Christmas.  Think-chocolate covered cherry.  I really like them in the cookie and think they give them a little flair.  If you don't like them-leave them out!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix butter and cream cheese together with mixer.  Mix the egg in and then the vanilla.  Add the cake mix, a little at a time, until incorporated.  Don't overmix.  Fold in the white chocolate chips and candied cherries.  Chill dough for 2 hours.  Form tablespoon-sized balls of dough and put 1-1 1/2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.  I use a little cookie scoop which works really well.  Bake for 10-12 minutes-cookies should still be shiny on the top.  They should stay gooey!!

   Aren't they pretty?  I made them "Christmasy" but there could be tons of variations such as adding peanut butter chips, Andes mint chips, or nuts instead of white chocolate and cherries.  Let me know if you try them!

The Living Christmas Tree

The Living Christmas Tree is something that Chris and I have wanted to see for a few years and finally got the chance last night.  The production was excellent, with a good storyline and great reminders of what Christmas really means.  The best way to describe this event is in photos, so here goes:

Jesus' birth

Everyone coming to see and worship Jesus

Jesus is raised from the dead.  They portrayed Jesus' death on the cross which was really moving.  However, it felt like a time when I didn't want to take pictures.

The "Living" Christmas Tree

Part of the finale

I just loved the giant, sparkly snowflake.:)

We went with great friends.  

Yes, even Elvis showed up at The Living Christmas Tree.:)

Friends made it even better!

Almost There

Today is Thursday and I had my first comprehensive final exam out of four to complete my third semester of nursing school!  Three more finals to go and then I'm free for one whole month!  Do you know what else that means?  I have one measly little semester of school left.  ONE!  I sincerely won't know what to do when I can come home without something to read, study, or write!

One thing that makes me impatient right now is that I can hardly even think about Christmas until my tests are done.  I have wanted to get excited about it and actually do a little decorating, but there's too much school to do.  I love decorating for Christmas.  We do have our own stash of Christmas decor lost somewhere in the storage unit.  With our limited space right now, though, there would be nowhere to put it!  I will placate myself now, however, by envisioning us next Christmas, back on our own, with our own tree, ornaments, and stockings.  For now, here are a few of my favorite things:

Opryland Hotel

My husband-he is one of my favorite things.

My Bailey-boy is excited about Christmas.

 I love love love Christmas in New York City.  I was able to go during Christmastime a couple of years ago. Wonderful!

I'm ready to make some new Christmas memories this year!  We are volunteering with our church small group to participate in Habitat for Humanity on Saturday.  Man it's gonna be cold.  Feels good to be giving, though.  Then on Sunday we are going to see The Living Christmas Tree!  It's a tradition here in Knoxville (probably in other cities too) that we have not been able to attend yet.  So excited about that.  Next Saturday is pancakes with Santa a a cookie swap!  Whew-that calendar sure does fill up fast.  Be looking for new photos!

Advent

I LOVE December!!  It's such a great month filled with twinkle lights, Christmas trees, and never-ending festivities!  It just also happens to be the birthday month of two special someones I know.:)  I love that I woke up to snow today.  Yes, snow!  What an excellent way to start December.  It didn't really stick but was pretty to watch (as I sat in the dentist chair and then had a test to take this afternoon).  That wasn't a particularly fun way to start the month.  Oh well.  The whole month is ahead to me!  Anyway, I just wanted to remind myself on this day one of December to take it easy, take it slow, and focus on the important things in life-not presents or Christmas trees.