Just a Blink » seasonal

Tis the Season for Cookies!

Jessica — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:13:49 +0000

Annual Cookie Day

I get together every year with my mom, sisters-in-law (and their mothers), and my mother-in-law to bake. We call it Cookie Day.

But really, it is a day each year to connect with one another. Some of us bake, others do projects to help them get ready for Christmas (like addressing Christmas cards), and still others nurse their crying babies…ehem.

It is a time to connect, create and celebrate during an otherwise busy season.

What I remember and cherish about Cookie Day:

Smelling cookies baking and candles burning (thankfully, not cookies burning!)
Feeling fresh, cold air hit my face, as the patio door opens to let out bakers cooling their warm treats
Tasting chicken salad sandwiches, white wine and a lot of nibbles of “that pieces is broken I might as well eat it now” cookies
Listening to Christmas carols and a lot of conversation
Seeing community and love being built by generations of women working side-by-side

Oh, yes, I did find the time to get the new-to-me work bench set-up (phase one – still more organizing and cuteness to come) in the garage. SO, Pete can finally park in the garage!

Love,

Jess

This post was linked up with The Preacher’s Wife for her “How We Christmas” blog post party.

Signs of Summer

Jessica — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:55:47 +0000

Around Here Lately…

Summer in Minnesota is a frenzy of outdoor relaxation, family activities and work projects.

Walks in Grammy's garden

S'mores and then some more S'mores!

Handy-work in the garage! New shelves Neat Pete designed and built to help get ready for the twins! They could also be bunks

Not-From-Scratch Valentine Desserts

Jessica — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 04:42:56 +0000

Who says delicious desserts have to be a labor of love?

I’d rather spend more time loving than laboring.

Here are two quick and easy Valentine treats.

Sherbet “Pie”

Scoop pink sherbet into a pre-made graham cracker crust mini-shell. (Keebler makes them)
Dollop cold whip cream on top
Garnish with a conversation heart
Freeze until ready to serve

Grown-Up Raspberry Chocolate Sundae

Run warm water over the bottom of a pre-made ice cream cup for 5-10 seconds
Remove contents of ice cream cup onto a plate by squishing it out (carefully pinching the bottom of the cup until it slops out)
Place one Oreo cookie “side” on top of the ice cream to form a crust ledge
Cover in fresh raspberries
Drizzle with chocolate sauce

Valentine Cards :: Baby Clothes Pockets

Jessica — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:22:49 +0000

This month, as many of you know, I am sorting, purging and prettying my bedroom closet. My process is super slow.

So slow in fact, that while side-tracking my cleaning efforts with a much over due ‘pouring over photos by the millions’ (on my closet floor), my heels made my butt go numb from sitting on top of my feet for so long. You, know the feeling, don’t even pretend you don’t.

Well, such a trip down memory lane & a good haulin’ out of old baby clothes scraps…inspired some simple, cheap and cute Valentine cards.

1. Cut little pockets out of worn out baby and toddler clothing. Items with stains and tears are not okay the giveaway pile. Why not turn them into crafts?

2. Find a photo. Use your kids’ photos, their little faces are sure to melt the hearts of everyone. Cut out a person outline, if desired.

Me, circa 2000

3. Glue on pockets, add stickers and fill with candy or photos.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Jessica — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:45:36 +0000

…at least that is what the song says, right?

Summer, in all it’s sandy glory, is pretty wonderful too.

Here are some wonderful things from this time of the year, in no particular order.

1. Felt snowflakes; I made a garland of white lights and a variety of gray snow flake ornaments for over the sliding glass door.

2. Milk and Cookies; Is that patio furniture still in plain sight? Why yes it is. BBQ, anyone?

3. Handmade Gifts; Great Aunt Mary Jo and her friend Diane made a set for Molly’s doll crib; Wool socks so colorful and warm…from who else? Julie, my knitter friend and co-worker.

4. Bundled Children; I think Molly and Ry look like such a great team as they slide down our backyard together on a sled.

5. Warm Cozy Nights; That don’t start until 9-something because Ry, 4, just has to push the limits by getting out of bed…every night.

It is a wonderful season. Thank you all that have been so loving at Christmas and throughout the year!

Christmastime

Jessica — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:09:27 +0000

Advent Begins

Molly under the tree at Grammy Kris and fil Phil's house.

Christmas is coming! I have been totally relaxed about Christmas this year. I was going to follow a Count-Down-Calender to be super organized and unstressed. Turns out I don’t like actually following rules, directions or other people’s list (no matter how brilliant they are) when it come to the Holidays.

We strung a couple bunches of white twinkle lights along our front landscaping bushes, donated to Toys for Tots and broke out the iPod full of carols (mostly contemporary stylings which have been so fun to listen to in the car). More plans to come but for now we are enjoying a calm but spirited energy leading up to Christmas.

This season I want to start the tradition of lighting Advent candles and reading from the Bible about the birth of Christ. I have so much to celebrate about in the remembrance of Jesus!

Here is tonight’s first reading about HOPE!

Bible, Book of Isaiah, Chapter 60, Verses 2-3

2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.

3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Applicious I

Jessica — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:00:34 +0000

Making caramel apples was more fun than eating them. Time with friends and candy corn was time well spent.

Ryan and his friend Jack. Really, two peas in a pod.

We used mini yogurt pretzels, sunflower seeds and candy corn to embellish our caramel apples.

Nora and my daughter Molly. Two peas in a basket.

Nora making apples with her Papa Chris and Mama Dawn.

Bin-style candy corn vs. Brach's bagged candy corn. It was a draw! Both types were yummy. Which do you prefer? Could you tell them apart in a blind taste test?