honeysuckle & heart

the long winter

Sorry I haven't been blogging lately.

But really I'm not sorry. I've been having so much more fun living life with friends and family, and I haven't pulled myself away to blog. No pictures snapped, no recipes recorded - but lots of memories are logged away in my head and many feasts have been eaten.

....books were read // carols sung // a children's Christmas program made us laugh // a whole two weeks of vacation time spent with my husband // big plans are being made by our brothers // sleepovers at our parents made us feel like kids again // zach's homemade whipped cream on hot chocolates // candles and twinkle lights everywhere....

It was all about renewing our spirits for the new year.

Also, less blogging has meant more time to follow through: meeting up with friends (like this sweet girl and my childhood friend), eating healthier, exercising, and games (Settlers, anyone?).

I hope you understand, sweet friends. I like writing when I am inspired, intrigued, or excited. But right now, those feelings are on the back burner as I'm needing a little more rest, renewal and simplicity. So, even though the holidays are over and the long winter looms ahead, I'm hanging on to the little bits of joy that I gained and letting the blog be for awhile.

I hope the holidays made you ready for a marvelous 2011!
xo.

decking the halls

I love when our house is decorated for Christmas and the routine of turning the lights on each night when I get home from work. Last year, I posted about my ceramic Christmas trees and favorite ornaments. This year, I thought I would show you some of Zach's favorite things about the tree.

First - he adds our Christmas cards and some photos of our ski trip to the tree in strategic spots. Second - the two mittens (that came with Starbucks gift cards a few years ago) are placed on the branches to make the tree look like it has arms. It makes us smile!

Since this was our first year with a mantle, I bought a nativity set on ebay. It was always my job as a kid to take care of decorating the mantles, and I loved taking out each of the pieces of the nativity set and placing them carefully on display. There are a lot of different sets to choose from, but this one was classic, simple, and white (my favorites).

Happy Christmas!

a few Christmas tips

Last night I watched Sarah's Holiday Party on HGTV, where my favorite designer threw a holiday party in her house for 200 people. I have a total girl crush on her - and all her ideas are practical, simple and stunning. The party was taped a few years ago, but I love picking up some of her tips and using them in my home - and maybe you will too.

Here's what I liked:

"Presentation is key when serving food for a holiday party. A few kale leaves add a hit of color to this cheese platter, while vegetables served out of glass vases are an unexpected yet elegant touch." The cheese and flower shops she visited looked amazing, and I love the simplicity of the white dishes.

"Frasier fir is my Christmas tree of choice. Unlike other species with long, sharp needles, Frasier fir's short, soft needles allow ornaments to really stand out." I would love to get a real Christmas tree next year, although right now it isn't practical since we're gone visiting family for much of the holiday. I'm sure I would be overwhelmed with the choices, but I like the practicality of Sarah's tree suggestion. We currently have loads of ornaments from when we were kids, which I love, but I think adding some white, silver and gold would look nice instead of so much red & green.

"I do simple things. Lots of candles. A tree where literally the branches have so many ornaments on them that they start to sag under the weight. But I don't go visiting those Christmas stores in the middle of July. My favourite ornaments are the simplest, the ones that come in boxes of twelve from Loblaws, Canadian Tire, Sears, you name it. I don't do swags and garlands and things are impossible to put up and a nightmare to take down." I loved the simplicity of her mantle decorations, and lighting candles is my favorite thing during the winter when it gets dark at 5:30 each night.

"Less is more. Buy fewer gifts for each person, but make sure they are good quality and will become keepsakes instead of temporary amusement." Amen.

"Try using something unusual for a tree skirt, like IKEA sheepskins for a soft, white glow under the tree." We've used a plaid tablecloth from Meijer as our tree skirt, and it is time for an update. The next time we head over to IKEA, I'm definitely picking some of these up for our house.

our christmas cookies

It snowed all weekend, and Zach was busy finishing up a big tax return for December 15th. While he worked, I made a few batches of cookies from a recipe his mom gave me. The icing is meant to be painted onto each cookie with a watercolor paintbrush - so fun! (Plus, this seems a lot easier to me than using frosting).

Soft and Painted Christmas Cookies

Dough:

1 c. butter, softened
1½ c. confectioner’s sugar
1 egg
1½ t. vanilla
2½ c. flour
1¼ t. salt
3¾ t. baking powder

Painter’s Icing:

1 c. confectioner’s sugar
2 T. water
1 T. light karo syrup
½ t. almond extract

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour, salt, and baking powder. Divide dough in half. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Lightly flour the dough and roll out as normal. Cut shapes and bake at 375°F for 5-6 minutes.

Cool 2 minutes before removing from pan. Once completely cool, brush on painter’s icing with small paintbrushes. Allow icing to harden, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (The cookies will soften as the icing soaks into them.)

NOTE: It is better to go on the low end of the cooking time, so cookies don't get brown edges (see below). Also, when rolling out the dough, avoid making the cookies too thin.

a little too crunchy for our taste - anyone else want them? :)

currently reading:

During the first big snow last weekend, we spent a couple of days cozied up inside reading. Zach is making his way through the Harry Potter series after seeing the most recent movie (I am stoked that he is finally reading the books!). I picked one of the classics I had never read - Tess of the D'ubervilles. To be honest, I had no expectations for this book, and it has been a surprising, heart-wrenching story so far.

I'm almost to the end and I can't wait to see what happens.

my christmas indulgence

A few years ago, a parent gave me a box of these cookies for a Christmas teacher gift with a note of encouragement attached - best. parent. ever.

Now, I stock up on them for the few weeks that Trader Joe's stocks them and give them away as hostess gifts and to our family. Of course, a few boxes get consumed at home each year because they are so delicious!

If you are looking for a thoughtful, easy-on-the-wallet gift ($4) with cute packaging - add some of these to your shopping cart.

terrariums and cloches

from unruly things

Although terrariums are a big trend in home design, I think their vintage and industrial appeal gives them lasting power. The scientist in me is loving each little combination of green and glass. Terrariums are functional, beautiful, and earthy. I have a large one in my classroom filled with coleus, but my Christmas break project is to add one to my house. Terrain, Anthropologie's sister store, is featuring some of the best terrarium supplies (+ they have a free shipping).