Goodbye 2012.

Oh 2012, you were a tricky year. A wonderfully hard year full of some difficult circumstances, but a faith-growing year, nonetheless. A year where my amazing hubby finished well a long and tiring 4-year Master's degree. A year where I was pregnant with our third sweet little one - and where we found ourselves with some serious complications and very unforeseen events surrounding this precious little one. Where our faith was mightily tested as it grew thin and weary. A year where I got sicker than I've ever been. And ended up hospitalized with the doctors very concerned about my health, as they didn't know what was wrong with me.

These few events stick out in my mind very vividly. But what also sticks out in my mind very vividly is God and His grace to my family. God's grace given through His Word, through my husband, through our amazing church family and friends, and through our family. How He never left our side through those hard circumstances. And how there were tons and tons of wonderful, joyful circumstances throughout the year also.

This year I grew in so many areas (and of course still have a lot of growing to do ;)). My sweet little (big!) family is healthy and well. Our sweet little girl is growing and thriving. And is absolutely adorable ;) My 5 year old is in school and loving it. My 22 month old is so incredibly cute with his daily antics ;) I have a wonderful marriage that is continuing to grow. My hubby has two great jobs.  I have a little online shop that I love to make things for. And a blog that I love to update here and there. We are beyond blessed in so many ways. And I am truly thankful.

As I write this post, I am overwhelmed with joy over my sweet almost 2 year old who is parading around in his Thomas the Train costume. For my 5 year old who is so excited to be playing with a little Matchbox truck that has real lights that turn on. For my sweet 4 month old who is peacefully asleep on my hubby's chest as he is getting some work done on his laptop.

I am excited for 2013. I am excited to see what God has for our family. For my hubby. For my sweet babies. For me. For this blog. For my shop.

Thank you for reading. I truly enjoy blogging here :) See you next year! ;)

merry christmas!

"In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Don't be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today, a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.' Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all!' " - Luke 2:8-14

*Image is from a vintage Christmas card I purchased here.

Recap: A Very Merry Ornament Exchange

Happy Christmas Eve! Several weeks ago, I hosted a Very Merry Ornament Exchange via the blog. I was so excited when I got a ton of response (I must admit I was kind of afraid no one would want to do it ;))! Thank you to those who participated and took time during the busy holiday season to create two ornaments, pack and ship them off to someone they've never even met ;) 

It was such a fun little activity and I am happy to say that I definitely plan on doing this again next year! :) A few of the participants also sent me an ornament or a picture of the ornament - Thank you Amy, Cheryl, Julie, Claire, and Susan!! :)

I am also working on developing another type of exchange, a lovely paper exchange, if you will. Details in the next several weeks.

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve! We are busy making cookies, drinking wassail, singing, snuggling and reading the Christmas story at our home today :)

Food: Pecan Butter-Crunch Popcorn

I had this popcorn several years ago in a cooking class hosted by a very gifted cook at our church. It was amaaaazzzing. I was looking for a fun and yummy (and easy!) recipe to make for a few gifts and remembered this recipe the other day and made some. And then made some more. And more. ;) This popcorn is so good and is perfect to put in a tin and give as a gift :)

Pecan Butter-Crunch Popcorn - adapted slightly from Mary Kathryn's recipe

25 cups popped popcorn (1 cup of kernels)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
1-1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
5 Tbsp. light corn syrup
10 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1-1/4 tsp. coarse salt (I use sea salt)
3/4 tsp. baking soda

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Put popcorn in a large bowl (I used two!). Cook butter, sugar, corn syrup and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a gentle simmer, about four minutes. Stop stirring and continue cooking until mixture lightens in color. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda. Stir for about 2 minutes.

Pour sugar mixture over popcorn and stir to coat. Sprinkle in the toasted pecans as you are stirring to evenly distribute.

Transfer to rimmed baking sheets lined with parchment paper. I used two large baking sheets.  Pat popcorn mixture down so that it is in a single layer. Bake, stirring every 20 minutes, until almost dry - about 1 hour. Let cool. Break chunks apart and store in an airtight container (if you have any left to store ;)).

no words.

For the past several days, it's been quiet here on the blog. And on FB. I've been answering emails and posting a few random Instagrams. I'm still (like most everyone) very much at a loss for words over last week's tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut. 

I've been praying. A lot. Praying for the families and those affected by this. And hugging my precious little ones extra tight. Savoring each moment. Truly savoring even the difficulties this past week has brought, having three sick little ones at the same time. Savoring being up for several hours each night tending to these little ones. Knowing that these little ones are a gift from God, and being grateful that I can care for them.

Hug your loved ones extra tight. Love on and be kind to complete strangers you encounter during your day - because (not to be cliché), you never know what someone is going through, especially during the holiday season.

food: black bean salsa

I made this super yummy salsa the other night for a Christmas party. It's easy to make, and it makes a lot. Perfect for a get-together. Or if you are having a major bean and fresh veggie craving ;).

Black Bean Salsa

1 (14.5 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14.5 oz) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14.5 oz) can whole kernel corn

1 can white shoepeg corn

1/2 red pepper, chopped

1/2 red onion, finely diced

2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

1 small bottle (12 oz.) Zesty Italian Dressing

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

12.12.12

sending out some goodies.

Packaging up some more goodies from the shop :) I will be closing my shop later this week until after Christmas. Shop now and use coupon code holidaymerry30 at checkout to receive 30% off of your entire order! :)

working on: a rainbow quilt

I recently began this super fun rainbow quilt using these quilt squares. It's coming along quite nicely :) The quilt top itself is pretty much done (which is the easy part!), now onto layering it, actually quilting (will be machine quilting, not hand quilting. Ha!) it, and putting trim on :) Hoping to have it done soon to be able to snuggle under on chilly evenings (although it's been in the 70s here lately! ;)). 

a wedding book

I recently had the privilege to put together this custom wedding book for a person whose bestest friend is getting married at the end of this month. How sweet and thoughtful that she wanted to have a guest book made for her friend! I thoroughly enjoyed working on it and am super happy with how it turned out :)

currently.