Sip and Dip Night with the Girls!

Lanie, Kimberly and I had our first annual "Sip & Dip" Friday night. What is a Sip & Dip you might ask? Beverage of your choice to sip on and lots of yummies to dip in chocolate and sprinkles! We dipped pretzel rods, marshmallows and spoons into white chocolate, chocolate. Sprinkles, crushed Skor candy bars, crushed peppermints. I can't wait to make goodie plates for my friends and neighbors.  xo - Em

Chocolatey goodness!

'Tis the season for baking! I love the holidays and all of the baking that comes with this time of year. I'm starting to get excited again for the holidays. The past few years have been difficult for my family, we've had our hearts broken with the unexpected passings of several loved ones. I know we aren't alone - but I've just been in a funk. Finding joy in the everyday things, let alone the bigger ones, has seemed pointless to me until recently. I haven't started decorating yet but will soon. Nearly all of the autumn pretties are put away for another year. I expect it will be looking a lot like Christmas in my house next weekend.

Following all of my bloggy friends is so much fun. I can't believe how many creative people there are who generously share with us via their blogs. I came across a yummylicious-recipe via http://www.sweetbakingsupply.com/blog/ and just had to give the recipe a whirl!

Here's how I spent my manic-Monday evening!

Zoey waited impatiently just outside the kitchen - hoping I'd let her in for a bite. Oh no!

These are filled cupcakes with chocolate ganache frosting (since ganache isn't very sweet I also frosted some with chocolate buttercream). Tim must have liked them because he ate three of them before I was done frosting them! Don't they look delish? I hope my co-workers like them - they are my unofficial test market. Check out Sweet Baking Supply - awesome blog. Have a fabulous day. I can't wait to find a new recipe to try for the holidays. xo - Em

Christmas spider

I've been on vacation from my day job this week but stopped in today for a few minutes to find a fun surprise in my mailbox. Handcrafted by Barb - who is Ms Craftylicious!

How fun! How sweet of Barbara to think of me! What's in the sparkly bag?

A lovely little spider and a sweet story about spiders wanting to be present for a visit from the Christ child. Miss Spider now hangs on my Christmas tree. Thank you Barb - you brightened my day.  xo - Em

Merry Christmas

I love the holidays - it's a magical time of year. This year here in the midwest Mother Nature gifted us with a beautiful blanket of snow. We had quite a storm but it was sure lovely to look at. Snowglobe snow - that's what I call it when it's snowing big, fluffy flakes. I had the week of Christmas off from work this year (yay for vacation time) and spent time decorating the house and tree, baking, shopping, wrapping and enjoying the season
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Ellie was watching the birds eat in the front yard but looked up for me to snap her picture. 

Out for a stroll in the snow.