it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

sorry I have been MIA lately! life has been busy! here is a quick look at what we have been up to the last few months...

fall burlap and fabric wreath, we kind of used the tutorial here using the foam tubing tip from here

ghost pancakes!

road trip to grandma's!

visit to the Tillamook factory! yum!

making cookies with grandma!

happy 28 to me!

best present = josi s kilpack's new book!

garden harvest!

silly lunch date at one of our favorite eateries: flour girls & dough boys!

field trip to the zoo!

this little man loves chess! and he's good too!

play dough thanksgiving pies!

my baby turns one!

 

miss sis lost her first tooth!

which brings us to today...

trying to stay on top of school amidst the holiday madness!

love this little corner of my home: snowflake garland, seasonal holiday book display, and our new family pictures in wrapped canvas!

this is the book we are currently reading--love this version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens!

new stockings this year! i was tired of the mismatched ones we had and needed a new one for miss hayley anyway. i made them from this pattern by the lovely & talented miss camille roskelley over at thimble blossoms. i LOVE how they turned out! i just need to figure where to hang them. I don't have a mantel of any sort...

and my kids love these easy christmas treats! we made them with cousins!

so glad the holiday season is here! it is such a wonderful time of year, where we can be reminded of love, serving others, being grateful and celebrating the birth of our Savior! everywhere i turn this season is filled with warm, happy traditions! i love, love, love it! 

until the next post...follow us on instagram (errsuz) where i will try to do a better job of keeping up with recent happenings!

happy holidays!!

happy birthday friend...

made this for my friend's birthday. ps i did not invent this. red velvet cake in a jar :) the recipe didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, so i'll have to keep searching for a better recipe. but the idea is super cute, definitely doing it again!

here's how to do it:

-you'll need cupcakes and frosting {you can use your fav recipe or buy, see my fav frosting below}

-cut the cupcakes in half

-grab a small canning jar {i recommend a half-pint size!! OR pint IF they are JUMBO cupcakes}

-layer cupcake and frosting until you reach the top

-screw on top  with cute fabric for flare, and tie a spoon on with bakers twine, ric rac or ribbon!

it's just a super cute way to say "happy birthday!"

frosting

1 lb. cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 lb. confectioners' sugar

In a bowl mix the first four ingredients on low speed with an electric mixer until combined. Add confectioners' sugar and mix just until smooth (don't whip!)

hope you have a happy weekend!

valentines day surprise...

so have you ever sold something on craigslist or the equivalent?! (in utah we use ksl.com classifieds) i absolutely love it! it's a great way to get a good deal, or make a little money instead of just taking stuff to di or goodwill (which is great too:). anywho...sold something this morning... and the guy gave me a flower too! for valentines day! how sweet is that!?!?

this RAOK, aka random act of kindness, reminded me of what we are doing for my gal friend's bday tomorrow! for her gift she asked us to each do some random act of kindness, inspired by this women. it's pretty cool. and there couldn't be a better day to do it then valentines day. 

so go out there and spread the love whoever reads this!! choose to make today a...

happy valentines day!!!

it was a good weekend and week...

we spent conference weekend here, and got to listen to the speakers in tranquil nature. it doesn't get better than that. i promise. especially with all the colors!

the fort...

mallows around the campfire...

candyland and popcorn...

cocoa...

dorky dog...

but this one is my fav...

i received these beauties from my sweet ma, pa, brothers and sister for my bday.

these came along with the flowers. mint chocolate truffles. my favorite. yum. the whole box is gone now.

my sister-in-law dropped off this cute bag full of fresh veggies out of her garden. very yummers.

met some friends for a birthday lunch. love them.

the hubby brought home take-out, cheesecake, pumpkin roll by josi kilpack, and a new camera bag, the besty in mustard from jototes for my bday...isn't he the best?!

it's my birthday.

twenty seven.

so far it's been an awesome day.

my good friend drove carpool this morning. thank you.
i treated myself to a cup of warm cocoa. in my pj's. and snuggled on the couch for some extra scripture studying this morning.
my son did his chores. before he left for school. without complaining.
got a letter. just for me. from my brother in the phillipines. love you jake
and it's only 9:22 am!