Pieces of Home >>>

My sweet boy got me an ipod for christmas. This is my first apple product. Im a bit behind the times, as always.  So Im having so much fun with the hipstomatic camera and instagram.  Ive been wanting to use them for a looooonnnnngggg time now!  We cant afford iphones yet, so this was the next best thing.  It does just about everything an iphone would except make calls!  Im excited to use it as my music player when I go back to work.  And I actually downloaded my facebook and twitter to it, so Ive hardly been on the computer the past few days, except to post a blog.  Although Im still engaging alot in the online world, at least Im not sitting at my computer desk, big step!  Im kind of wanting to ween myself off of it all a bit.  Anywho, Im super duper excited about it and having fun with the photos! 

my dreamcatcher xmas ornament from Lune Vintage.  ill hang in my window year round though.

yesterday i baked tons of cookies.  one set was lemon sugar cookies, yum!

my sweet adorable violet.  how could you not want to kiss all over that face!

finally cold enough to break out my Mountain Girl Clothing leg warmer collection!

pretty pretty bella rosa.

adoring this photo filter.

homeade potato veggie soup from my friend jonny.  today will be day 3 of having it for lunch, so yummy!

ha ha, bella was spying on my while i was baking.  she was trying to be all sneaky.

snuggles with my v-girl.

new moon candle lighting, visioning the days ahead with a warm welcome.

Today is christmas eve.  I will spend my day baking for loved ones, and later spending time with loved ones.  I plan to keep my house calm, with relaxing music and warmth from the oven.  It rained last night so our firewood is to damp to build a fire.  I think Im a bit addicted to fire now.  And I cant wait to spend time with my family tomorrow.  I sure will be missing my daddy.  Although he hated christmas and didnt even come last year, so it wont be my first year without him around.  But it sure will be different this year.  I love you mom and dad!!!

PEACE,
Laura

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins >>>

This morning I talked to both my Nanna and my bestie on the phone and they were both baking pies today for Thanksgiving.  As I walked back into my house after I hung up the phone (I have to talk on our porch b/c our reception is so bad inside the house) - I decided to stop my 'work' plans and throw them to the wind for a while.  I turned on Christmas music and played in the kitchen instead.  I flipped through my recipe books until I found something that looked yummy, and that I also happened to have all of the ingredients for right in my pantry.  I was for sure I was going to be out of luck with the hunt, but to my surprise, I found a winner!  I made oatmeal applesauce muffins with cherries.
The recipe come from Tosca Reno's Eat Clean Diet cookbook.  

<<< ingredients >>>

1 cup dry old-fashioned oatmeal flakes
1 cup unsweetened applesause
1/2 cup skim, soy, rice or almond milk
2 egg whites, beaten
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 dried cherries
1/4 cup raisins

*since I was using what i had on hand, I used organic unbleached white flour, rice milk, olive oil and cherries only + I added a handful of chopped walnuts, but, shhhhh - dont tell my husband!  I also sprinkled a little raw cane sugar on top for a little added sweetness - oh, and I used organic applesause with cinnamon.  I wanted to make a bit more than it asked for so I added one more 1/2 of all ingredients*


Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs, flax and oil.  In another bowl mix all dry ingredients.  Then stir the two bowls together until just blended.  Add to your muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Happy holiday baking!

PEACE,
Laura

Christmas Part 1

I just threw on my Joni Mitchell vinyl to sing to while I post this X mas blog!
Always reminds me of singing with my mom.
Perfect album for this time of year.

Joni Mitchell
"Blue"

go get it!

So, one more stocking and Im done! Yes, it is christmas eve! They have taken me forever to finish!
Two of my favorite ornaments. I made the sequin one in school, I must of been in about 2nd grade? The horse my mom painted, I just love it. Among so many others, every other ornament I have is my FAVORITE! They are all meaningful, mostly handmade, family ornaments. I wouldnt have it any other way!
It is so hard to get a good picture in my house of my tree, it is so dark in my house!
These adorable little yellow shoes are my 2009 ornament from Anthropologie. James started a tradition where I get to get one ornament from there every year! So, this is my second one! I love them so much. They were the first one I saw and said, this! This is the one I want!
Wow, my house turned Christmasy all of a sudden! James parents got us that funny santa claus! he has shades on and is holding an electric guitar, its suppose to be the guy from ZZ Top! Too funny! I put my christmas cards up on the dresser, Ive never done that before! And the presents doubled over the last day or so since I started wrapping them! There are only two store bought items down there!
Some details of James presents to me, I think its so cute when he takes the time to write me notes and draw pictures!
Look at this cute little sewing machine he drew! He is so excited to give me this present! He even wrapped it in some of my material from my craft room!
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Today I am printing last minute calendar orders!

And I am about to attempt the Pumpkin Roll! Im kind of nervous!
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I am one of the sponsers this month on FRECKLED NEST and she is having her monthly giveaway! So much good stuff this time, go check out her blog and enter the giveaway!


And dont forget to enter my GIVEAWAY if you havent already! I think I am going to end it on Christmas! I will present the winner most likely the next day!


I have so much to share, but I am going to break up all of this Christmas Craziness in a few blogs, so that is all for now!

Ill post later about some of the most amazing gifts that James and I exchanged last night!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Peace,
laura