Beautiful Homes in Sandy Springs

These homes are simply lovely. However, you probably won't find me living in most of them. They're fun to look at none the less. :)

The well-manicured lawn is simply stunning. 

Reminds me of a castle...

Pardon the quality, the angle, and the unfocused picture. This stunning home is on a busy road so I couldn't stop and take a picture. The most striking aspect of the home? Check out the sweeping steps. 

This is my dream home. Or one of them. I simply ADORE red brick with black shutters. 

What I made with a whole bag of glue sticks

HEADBANDS!!!! (and hair pieces) I made 5 each for my sister and sister-in-law as well as several hair pieces for baby Reece Dillon and one for each of the girls in my primary class (4). It took a lot of time, but it was great to be doing something with my hands. And as I bonus I got several seasons of Sabrina the Teenage Witch in.

The first 5 were for Abby. I promise they look better in person. Some like #3 look horrendous in my opinion, but I blame it on the camera angle.

These next 5 were for Melanie Reece.

Sorry for the blur!

These were for Reece Dillon. My mom made the crocheted flower in the middle.

And these next 4 were for my primary class. Sorry for the blurry picture! It is so hard to tell if it is blury with our camera.

Although this was a fun experiment, I am tired of wrapping fabric upon itself. I need another cheap crafty hobby. Ideas?  I know I'll keep making cards (see previous post), but any other ideas out there? I don't have a sewing machine, fyi.

Christmas food

Like I said in my last post, it just isn't Christmas without delicious and special food. My sister Kellie said something a few days before Christmas that struck a chord. It was essentially this: How wonderful it is to be "poor" college students. When you have money you can afford to buy things like Gruyere and feta cheese, bacon, english muffins, and pecans, let alone red bell peppers on a regular basis. But because those are things we regularly do without they become special and meaningful.

She has a point. I remember growing up quite happy despite a smaller income due to my Dad's schooling and I was oblivious to such details. Christmas breakfast for a while consisted of bacon and/or sausage, hash browns, english muffins or popovers, special eggs (recipe follows), and OJ from a carton! Oh the joy! But gradually those items became more common for everyday breakfast. For the past couple years our family has had pecan rolls with hot chocolate because THAT is certainly not something we will have everyday.

Trust me, they're divine. And although David and I didn't make them for ourselves this year we had bacon, special eggs, english muffins, and carton OJ. Like Kellie said, it felt so special.

Pardon the picture. Currently that looks kinda nasty, but it tasted delicious. 

I also made various neighbor gifts. (I apologize if you didn't get something and you're our neighbor...I sort of ran out of steam and quit making unnecessary food... :) )

I made mini Challah's. One recipe which normally makes two large braids made five small ones. 

Mini braids

One recipe makes 2 large braids. 

I also made Pumpkin butter from this recipe. 

It was delicious. I used apple cider instead of apple juice and added the full amount of sugar, if not a tad more. :) 

I also splurged big time and made toffee (MUST use Ghirardelli chocolate and pecans AND almonds.) 

I needed at least one thing to truly remind me of home. It was the first time I made it without the supervision of my dad, the traditional candy maker in our home. Just thinking about toffee conjures up very powerful and happy memories. As well as mournful memories of only being allowed a few pieces... 

I also redeemed myself with a gorgeous, if I do say so myself, pecan pie. Remember this post? Yeah. 

And last but not least David and I needed something green to go along with our Christmas eve dinner so I bought brussels sprouts! They are one of my favorite vegetables, especially roasted.

Essentially you drizzle them with butter, add plenty of salt, and roast at 400 degrees until they are slightly crispy. Yum!

And here is the recipe for our special eggs. I think it originally came from a good family friend. It's not exact...it's a scrambled egg recipe for crying out loud!

Woodfield’s special eggs

There is no exact recipe, so just go with your gut/ preferences. For 6 people. Listed below is approx. amount.

10-12 eggs beaten with a splash of milk/cream

4 T butter

¼ cup red bell pepper, diced

1/3 cup green onions, sliced thin

3 oz or so of feta cheese

Sauté bell pepper and green onions in butter until soft. Add eggs and DON’T STIR for several minutes until the first layer of eggs are completely cooked. Cook on medium-low. While they cooking, crumble the feta cheese over the top. Gradually start stirring and scrambling the eggs. Salt and pepper liberally. 

Christmas in Atlanta

Being away from (immediate) family during Christmas time was rough--I won't lie, sugar coat, or give you a perfect picture--but prayers were answered and Christmas day was wonderful. David did a great time cheering me up and reminding me that the cloud over my heart was simply missing my family and all of their traditions. I realized a few things about myself: a) Traditions help me feel Christmasy. b) focusing on Christ is what it is all about, and by doing so my heart is lifted c) I want to GIVE more d) without traditional Christmas food or at least good food, my life is dismal and e) receiving packages and letters makes me as happy as a 4 year old on Christmas. Behold my Christmas card wall (fridge).

Aunt Barbara and Uncle Herald also helped kindle my Christmas spirit (although I doubt they knew it at the time). They are truly an amazing blessing to David and I. My life is changed because of them. They took us to see How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Fox Theater. For you Utah people--it is the equivalent of Capitol Theater. It was a funny musical and the Grinch did a great job both mimicking Jim Carry as well as using his own interpretations. The Fox is only 3 blocks away from our apartment.

They also took us to see The Forgotten Carols, which was great, by the way. Aunt Barbara also came to one of my performances which truly touched my soul! My parents never missed a performance, if they could help it. To me, that was a way they told me they loved me. Aunt Barbara doing the same made me feel so happy and grateful for her. Not only that, but she allowed me to make and bring two REQUIRED dishes I MUST eat (according to my unrealistic expectations...) during the holidays to Christmas dinner: Pecan pie and Sweet potatoes. See the next post. Our Christmas dinner was amazing. Prime rib cooked in a Green Egg? Yes please. 

David and I also went to see a movie (The Muppets) on Christmas Eve per tradition. It was down right hilarious. We haven't been to a movie theater since Last Christmas Eve when we saw Tangled with my family. It felt really special. Realization f) It feels like Christmas when you do things and eat things as a family that are not typical. 

For example, David gave me an early Christmas present of a block of Gruyere cheese! He knows I simply adore grilled cheese sandwiches made with Gruyere and so he surprised me one afternoon close to Christmas with a sandwich! He is definitely a good husband, girls. Do I hear a song in the background? The one sung in Enchanted..."That's how you know...he loves you!" 

I told him to take pictures

Decorations at my apartment felt a bit lack luster compared my memories of home. One, I know was because there was no place to put anything. Having a mantle is on my wish list. But I am slowly building my stockpile. :) 

On top of our tree is a cookie cutter. We didn't have anything else... I smile because my parents did the same thing except my dad made a card board star and covered it in tin foil on their first Christmas. It tops their tree to this day. :) 

And this year we got some more beautiful decorations by David's Mom and my Mom and Dad. 

I LOVE Willow Tree. Last year we got Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus and this year we received a shepherd and a sheep. 

On top of our mantle for many years has been Swedish Christmas Elves. I took mine when I got married and this year we have a new elf to welcome into the family. (The big guy on the left)

So, looking back, Christmas was wonderful this year. Christmas Day truly was Merry and Bright, made all the better because it fell on a Sunday. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas cards

I only had the time, energy, (and paper) to make Christmas cards for my very immediate family. But to you all who are reading this blog, just know that I made a spirit card just for you. :)

They took awhile, but it was really fun having something to do and show my love for my family. I'm not a scrapbooker, but it certainly is a fun, albeit expensive hobby.

Love you! Merry Christmas!

Pumpkin Pie Fiasco

This is the story of a pumpkin pie whose short life was tragic indeed. It started out with the filling, for this pumpkin pie was going to be special. It was no ordinary pie, but a chiffon pumpkin pie, and one that used gelatin to set up. My Grandma Woodfield makes this pie EVERY year for Thanksgiving and when I was asked to bring a pumpkin pie I knew just the one to make to bring a bit of home to the table.

Tragedy #1: It pumpkin mixture wouldn't get thick. I started freaking out. Big time.

Tragedy #2: The delicious butter pie crust was ruined. See the following story: It all started when I was trying lift the foil carrying the pie weights (all I had was rice) out of the pie.

Yes, the foil ripped and the rice came cascading onto the floor, stove, and, yes, pie crust. Freaking out again. BIG time. Calmed myself down enough to think logically enough that the quickest way to get rid of rice out of the pie crust is to pour the rice OUT of the pie crust. Well, it turned out that such thinking was not quite logical because not only did the rice come out of the pie crust, but the pie crust came out of the pan. Sigh. Yes, you read that right. Sorry, no picture. Cue tears. 

Tragedy #3: It was 10:00 at night. 

David, the dragon slayer that he is tried his best to mend the situation. I'm reminded of my dad when I was 6 or so during halloween.  Some stupid teenager knocked my perfect carved pumpkin off of the railing creating mashed pumpkin.  My dad the hero picked up the pieces and glued them back together for me. Or toothpicked them back together... but through my 6 year old eyes everything was better and my pumpkin was resurrected. 

HOWEVER, putting the pie crust back together only somewhat calmed my soul. I think it had something to do with the fact that I was a not so innocent 24 year old. But, it helped get me off the floor. :) * 

David picked up the pie crust and put it back in the pan. What an embarrassing sight. I made that? I wanted to disown the crust. It's really misshapen, and dare I say it...UGLY. On a happy note most of the rice is gone. As David carefully tried to spoon the rice out of the crust I pessimistically pointed out that there was rice on the bottom of the pan. 

Alas. It can not be salvaged. 

Tragedy #4: It is 10:30. 

What is a poor distressed husband to do? Go to the grocery store and pick up a pie crust mix. He is a wonderful dragon slayer, if you ask me. I dried my tears, made the crust, put it in the oven while following the directions EXACTLY and low and behold Tragedy #5: 

It would have been funny if I wasn't devastated. 

Tragedy #6: My pumpkin pie filling was now COMPLETELY SET and the crust still had to cool. 

But despite all 6 tragedies, I suppose it all worked out and my pie still looked beautiful, if not unconventional. 

Those are leaves, not fish. 

End of story. 

*Have you ever seen Julie and Julia when Julie sits and cries on the floor after flipping the tressed chicken onto the floor spilling the stuffing? Picture that... I LOVE that movie.