Happy Holidays!

the anatomy of a gift wrap station

Xmas with L and B was a blast. They got me The Twilight Movie Companion amongst other things... fun! Kyle got Lego Batman for the PS3 so one guess as to what we have been doing. [so lazy] This is our first weekend home in forever and we are milking it.

We totally pigged out today but whatev. I was kind of in a blah mood today so I indulged. Back to the mini wheats and chicken tomorrow (which I actually don't mind, but you know).

Now... the anatomy of a gift wrap station!

First, a Christmas tree void of gifts. This clearly won't do.


Jack notices the lack of presents.


The Wrapping Station is set up! I sit in the middle of this where I can easily reach everything.


Wrapping Paper Container


Some of the gifts and stocking stuffers waiting to be wrapped.


Containers of bows, ribbons, gift bags, tissue paper, cards, tape, sharpies, etc.


I can't tell if he is impressed or frightened by the setup.


You can't assemble mass amounts of gifts without fuel. In bulk size.


Gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree!


It is full down there and much more lovely.

That wasn't even all of the gifts... we were still waiting on some to arrive in the mail. And I do not keep the stockings (with goodies inside) on the ground... Jack is a good dog, but that is very hard to resist... even for us of the human variety.

lv,
CH

Award Time

Dugout Daisy gave me a fun award! [I may have slightly altered the numbers to keep this in check =) ]

You have to pass it on to 3 other fabulous blogs in a post.

1. Life and Times of the Smiths
2. The Smithsonian
3. Why, Hello Darling!

You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

1. Diet Dr Pepper. I honestly probably account for 10% of their sales. This was particularly challenging when I live in NYC b/c it was so annoying trying to get them in anything other than a single serve bottle (if there was even that). The grocery store would only get in a couple of 12 packs a week and my roommate and I would be there to snatch them up. I actually "hide" a can or two in case of emergencies (IE: if we run out).

2. Planning & Preparation. I plan everything in advance and in detail and I love it. I have to do it. It is part of the fun to me. Along with that comes planning items such as calendars, planners, organizers, my PDA, etc. You should see my OneNote ; it is utilized!

3. Don't know if this would be considered a "fabulous" addiction, but if I am being honest about what I am addicted to.... lately I can't get enough info about anything and everything related to TTC and the what comes next [obviously]. I suppose this is related to addiction #2. It is all just so fun, exciting, and fascinating.

4. Books! I must have something to read at all times. Fiction, preferred. The bad side of this addiction is that books are surprisingly pricey and I need more bookshelves.

5. My computer - a.k.a. the internet - a.k.a. certain websites. I have daily rituals that involve my computer. I keep up and sync my calenders, follow up on my OneNotes, check into my fav websites, keep up with friends and family. That is why I am a laptop girl... I like being able to tote it all with me. If I am away and I leave my computer behind, one of the first things I do when I return is turn it back on and "check" things out.

You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your 3 winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

lv,
CH

busy with the anticipation of things to come

Oh my. I feel like a ton is going on right now, when in actuality I am busy with the anticipation of things to come.

Tomorrow evening is our Christmas with L and B, so yay! And they are bringing their puppy Millie over to play with Jack while we are out. (They are heading to El Paso for the holidays and it is a loooong car ride... the dogs are always extra sleepy the day after a play date and a sleepy puppy = a much nicer car ride.) Speaking of dogs... Jack just jumped up beside me on the couch (I am in the living room, not my office) and is giving me the "please play with me look". Awwww. Best. Dog. Ever.

Here is some super fun footage of Millie and Jack battling over who gets the bigger bone. They both had one that was appropriate to their size, but obviously both desired the bigger one. The end of this is hilarious. You can hear me cracking up during the video. Honestly, Jack gives Millie this soap opera-esque look. It is awesome. (Millie was a young puppy here.... she is bigger now. Remember, Jack is our dog and Millie belongs to friends of ours.)

We aren't leaving until the 23rd since we have some things we need to do here. We are going to stay through my birthday... the big 2-7! Eeek! That kind of sneaks up on you.

Wow, I SO love this time of year. I love love love my family and friends and am SO aware of how lucky I am to have them all in my life. AWESOME!

I am so starving right now even though I had a yummy dinner. (Grilled chicken and lots of Italian cut green beans, mmmmm.) Haha, that meal doesn't sound as tasty written out; it sounds boring and healthy, but trust me, it was gooood. I am a master at grilled chicken. A MASTER.

Alright... I have to tidy up and make cupcakes tomorrow in preparation of L & B coming over plus I need to go to bed simply so that I don't decide to late night snack.

Night!
lv,
CH

The tree...

Posting these a little late...

The Bare Tree (well... I did already put on the topper)

Tree Skirt

Decorations!

Classic Light Tangle

Tree Topper

Finished Tree!

A "C" and "K" hidden in the tree

Tree Close-up!

Our Tree, located in the sitting area, a perfect spot for it!

Yay!
lv,
CH

Snow! In Austin, TX!

I'm not kidding! [my backyard]

















Baby, it's cold outside!

lv,
CH

Cupcake Perfection

So Kyle and I went to a Christmas party last night at one of his coworkers which was a lot of fun. I made yummy red velvet cupcakes with a vanilla cream cheese frosting and oh my lord, they were amazing. I am putting the recipe down below. If you don't want to bother making the cake from scratch, just use a box mix BUT you should definitely make the frosting on your own... no container of cream cheese frosting can even come close to comparing!

Red Velvet Cake Recipe
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle (1 oz.) Red Food Color
1 tbsp. vanilla

Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt; set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl (you can use an electric mixer... I use my stand mixer) on medium/high for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Mix in sour cream, milk, food color, vanilla. Gradually beat beat in flour mixture on LOW just until blended. Do Not Overbeat.

Pour batter into greased pan (or muffin cups).

Bake in preheated oven at 350 F. for 35 - 40 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Completely cool before frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat 1 pkg. (8 oz) softened cream cheese, 4 tbsp. (half a stick) softened butter, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 2 tbsp. lemon juice (don't bother using fresh), and 1 tbsp. vanilla until smooth. (again, stand mixer is what I use) GRADUALLY beat in 1 pkg. (16 oz.) confectioner's sugar on medium until light and fluffy.

[I recommend clicking on the pictures, especially the closeup ones, to see more detail...]

Fresh from the oven...

Getting frosting and red sugar crystal sprinkles.

Star Tip!

Delightful.

I made 24 total. Note the toothpick in the background used to check if they were done.

Just as delicious in profile.

These were so moist and yummy.

Cupcake perfection.

lv,
CH

state of "kinda cluttered"

I am decorating the tree today! Woo! And we took our Christmas card photo so I will pick out a design for it today as well. I adore this time of year.

So we just got back home last night and my house is in that state of "kinda cluttered" that homes tend to get into from the hustle and bustle of first leaving for a trip and then the return. Ugh. Must. Force. Self. To. Clean.

Wow, I am SO cold right now and it is 71 degrees in this house so I shouldn't be as freezing as I am.

Anyway, tree pics later! And I want to see YOUR holiday decorations!

lv,
CH

Hey Hello Darling! You rock.

Mmmm, isn't Christmas time dreamy?

I am about to do lunch with my mom so I don't have a lot of time but I am feeling in high spirits and wanted to say =) .

Mr. CH and I are suppose to take our Christmas card photo tonight before heading back to Austin. I am debating about putting the Santa hat on Jack again. We have a fun idea for a pic... if it works out. Want a card but don't know if you are on The List? Send me a message with your addy and you will get one. =)

I also want to take a sec to gush about my bfffl, Hello Darling. I adore her. Literally. She is one of those people who honestly takes your breath away with her awesomeness. Obviously. I always adore her but I am feeling a particular surge of "Seriously, she doesn't have any idea how great and important she is to me" moment and I wanted to share! You RULE, cupcake!

lv,
CH