Christmas Advent Calendar, Day 6: Go for a Sleigh Ride

Last Saturday following 24 hours of girl time (my annual holiday cookie party + a friend's Christmas tea), I headed to the lake cabin to meet Andi and the kids. Andi had taken Tory and Aden to the cabin the previous afternoon so I could do my girl thing in the Twin Cities and it all worked out so perfectly, I think we'll plan more of those weekends in the future! Love how Tory and Aden are now at ages where they're not so dependent on Mama.

Determined to make the most of the remainder of the weekend, Andi and I agreed to stay at the lake until Monday morning. Since we drove separately, he'd be able to drive straight to work Monday morning and I'd be able to take the kids back with me. Leaving Monday AM essentially gave us one extra day at the lake -- instead of driving home Sunday afternoon, we were able to spend the whole day doing something fun together.

I'd previously researched fun holiday happenings around the lake cabin and came across the annual Holiday Stroll in Amery, WI. The event touted sleigh rides, an appearance from Santa Claus and refreshments ... which sounded like the perfect low-key event for our advent calendar activity that day.

I always feel so lucky to have a small-town place like the cabin to off-set the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities. We pulled into Amery and Andi said, "Are you sure there's an event today?" There were only a small handful of people milling around mainstreet. We parked our car and noticed a craft and vendor fair happening in a nearby health & wellness center. There were also baked goods for sale with proceeds going to a fundraiser of some sort. No long lines or crazy entrance fees; just several dozen people gathered together to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

Shortly thereafter, a mens chorus began to sing Christmas carols and we listened while enjoying free hot chocolate and hot dogs. Tory, in particular, was awe-struck by the carolers. She's captivated by Christmas music this season, and sings "Jingle Bells" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" all day, everyday.

A bit later, a beautiful team of Clydesdale horses approached us pulling a "sleigh" of people. We hopped on for a trip around downtown Amery. The kids were absolutely thrilled by the horses and the ride altogether. Andi reminded Tory of her first sleigh ride at a similar event two years ago. It was bitterly cold that day; much different than this unseasonably warm December day.

Afterwards, we stopped by Ellie's Ice Cream and Coffee for a sweet treat. This little shop was so cute! I loved the old-fashioned bar stools perfectly sized for the kids. The four of us sat at the counter, ate ice cream, colored pictures and listened to the men's chorus sing once again as they caroled at downtown area businesses.

What a perfect way to spend a holiday afternoon!

50/52: A Weekly Photo Series

What an unusual December!

This weekend last year, we were ice fishing on Pipe Lake with the Ranger ... which means the ice was about 8" thick and strong enough to support snowmobiles and small vehicles. The kids had been wearing their snow suits to play outdoors for weeks by then. We didn't have a ton of snow on the ground, but enough to make it feel like Christmas was around the corner.

This year in Minnesota and Wisconsin, temperatures have been in the low 40's and there isn't a trace of snow on the ground. Any precipitation we've had has been rain, and the water level of the lake is so high most of our beach is underwater. In fact, the entire lake is still open (unfrozen) and we've been entertained by a flock of beautiful white swans in our bay by the cabin this fall. For several weekends now, we've watched them swimming and honking to their heart's content ... knowing one of these days the lake will freeze over and they'll fly South to a warmer destination.

Until then, what a sight to see ...

They're simply beautiful.

Christmas Advent Calendar, Day 5: Attend a Holiday Tea

For years, I've wanted to attend a holiday tea around Christmastime. It sounds like such a magical event -- wearing pretty dresses, sipping tea and eating tiny sandwiches over laughter and conversation with friends and family. There are several Christmas teas around the Twin Cities, but they typically fall over weekends when we're at the lake cabin. The logistics never seemed to work.

This year, I held my holiday cookie party on a Friday evening and coincidently, my longtime friend Val invited me to attend a holiday tea at her church the following day. The kids would already be at the cabin with Andi for the weekend, so the timing worked perfectly. I was so excited!

Saturday, I met Val at her church for a lovely women's holiday tea. Each hostess (including Val) festively decorated their table and attendees were encouraged to come see all the lovely displays, then stay for tea and a program afterwards. It was simply amazing to see all the creativity that went into this event! Each table (and their had to be at least 100 of them) was adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations. Not one looked alike; one gal hung glitzy chandelier candles above her table; another went rustic with wooden chargers and reindeer-stamped napkins. Some were tastefully simple and others were quite extravagant. I loved this one with floating flowers, greenery and cranberries in glass bowls.

Val's table was very elegant. She used her wedding china (how special!) and made each of her table guests a red holly wreath to take home. The meal was served buffet-style and everyone at our table shared in delightful conversation while we ate.

Afterwards, the large group of women gathered together for a program. We sang carols and listened to the story of Jesus. It was such an inspirational afternoon and the perfect way to enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Thanks so much to my friend Val for inviting me to take part in this special day!

Christmas Advent Calendar, Day 4: Host a Holiday Cookie Exchange!

Last Friday was one of my favorite days of the year -- Cookie Party Day! I've hosted a holiday cookie exchange for the past seven years and I simply cannot imagine a December without it. It's the best way to celebrate with all my girlfriends during the holiday season. Life gets so busy this time of year, so it's great to have a few hours together to talk, eat & drink, laugh and swap delicious cookies with one another.

This year, for the first time ever, I hosted my holiday cookie party on a Friday night. I thought it would be easier for my friends to sneak away for an evening, but I actually think it might've been more difficult. Lesson learned! Not to sound all puffy-chested about it, but everyone I invite typically attends the party (minus one, maybe) and this year I had three friends not able to make it. Even so, eight of my favorite ladies dropped by for a fantastic evening together.

Each year, I try to have a theme of the party or coordinate a fun activity. This year, I organized a taste testing and voting for best cookie(s). Everyone seemed a little apprehensive at first, I think because they were nervous about their dessert being tasted and rated in front of every else. But, it was truly all in good fun and I don't think anyone felt put on the spot.

I printed these free paper awards, and purchased small gifts for each winner in the following categories:

The Most Creative Cookie - Laura, White Chocolate Peppermint Oreos
The Best Tasting Cookie - Janie, Fresh Cranberry Lemon Cookies
The Most Festive Cookie - Mirjam, Spitzbuebe (a traditional Swiss cookie)
The Most Original Cookie - Jenny, Chocolate Peppermint Cookie
The Best All-Around Cookie - Tie: Sarah, Cranberry White Chocolate & Julie, Peanut Butter Blossoms

Well, technically the chocolate fudge won the "Best All-Around Cookie" prize but then Laura confessed: she'd purchased the fudge at Lund's (a local high-end grocery store) as a back-up for her white chocolate peppermint Oreos in case they were a flop. Turns out, they weren't -- she won most creative cookie as well (!!), but we all had a great chuckle over whether she should accept the award on behalf of the great bakers at Lunds anyway. They'd be so proud!

The cookie tasting turned out to be a really fun way to try everyone's cookies. I don't know if I've ever tried them all in the past since I usually gift my allotment to our neighbors in decorative Christmas tins. Plus, they all looked so lovely displayed on my dining room table.

Additionally, I served a meat and cheese platter, bruschetta, roasted shrimp, chocolate-stuffed raspberries, wine and this refreshing non-alcoholic cranberry spritzer which was a hit with everyone. My friend Val brought a brie en croute with red pepper jelly that was really delicious, too.

Such a fun night with great friends! I'm thankful for this holiday tradition which brings us all together.

More advent calendar activities to come ...

Christmas Advent Calendar, Day 3: Bake Christmas Cookies

Christmas and baking go hand-in-hand, so when Day 3 of our Christmas advent calendar said to "bake Christmas cookies" I headed straight to the kitchen. This year, I was determined to make a healthier cookie recipe my family and I could enjoy without the guilt. I've been trying to eat better since the end of September and I'd hate for the holidays to ruin all the progress I've made. I asked around for favorite "healthy" cookie recipes and looked on Pinterest to find the perfect one. Ultimately, I decided to make Chocolate Peppermint Macaroons and Gingersnap cookies to be served at my annual holiday cookie party.

Guess what?

They were a flop. Or technically, they were like hockey pucks. I'm not saying the actual recipes were bad, but something I did when baking them must've went terribly wrong. The chocolate peppermint macaroons were made of finely shredded coconut and cacao powder (among other things), but tasted like nothing. Weird texture; no flavor. They looked like reindeer poop, and I thought about calling them that before I eventually chucked them into the trash can. FAIL.

The gingersnaps looked fine out of the oven, but turned super hard after they cooled. I used almond flour and perhaps I over baked them? I followed the recipe though.

Sigh. At 10:30pm that night, after an entire afternoon baking cookies, I started over. I decided to make "regular" gingersnaps using butter, sugar, flour, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon and cloves ... and wouldn't you know it? They turned out perfectly the very first time.

I also made spritz cookies using the cookie press my mom gifted me a few years ago. I'd never made them before, and decided now (aka: 11:30pm that night) was the perfect time to try. The spritz cookie dough was super simple to throw together and came out easily once I got the hang of using the press.

At least I wouldn't be embarrassed to serve these cookies to my friends!

Tory's been begging to make gingerbread man cookies this year, so we'll probably do that before Christmas Day. I've never made them before, so I might make sugar cookies and hope she doesn't notice the difference.

We did make a (paper) gingerbread man banner to hang as decoration for my holiday cookie party. I cut out gingerbread man shapes and she decorated them using stickers and markers. The banner turned out so cute! I think I'll leave it up all month long.

Bake Christmas cookies - check!

Christmas Advent Calendar, Day 2: Decorate for Christmas

A couple girlfriends and I were discussing the holidays the other day, and the topic of decorating for Christmas came up. Specifically, decorating the Christmas tree as a family. I think all (or most of us, at least) have this vision of a magical family evening where hot cocoa is sipped and memories are shared as ornaments are hung on the tree.

Let's face it - that just doesn't happen with small children. I mean, maybe it does for some people, but that has not been my experience in the four years since becoming a parent. I've learned to lower my expectations quite a bit in regards to holiday decorating.

Day 2 of our Christmas advent calendar this year was "decorate for Christmas," and I realistically knew this would take more than one day to accomplish. I have a lot of Christmas decorations and I also have two homes to decorate - our house in the Twin Cities and the lake cabin - so I started early and completed little by little over the span of several days. The whole process was kind of stressful to be honest, which is the opposite of how "the dream" is suppose to go. Completely re-decorating a living space while inviting young children to participate is a recipe for chaos. "Let It Go!," my girlfriends and I agreed, is the motto for success. It's okay if not everything goes as planned.

Andi doesn't like decorating for Christmas (and I don't force him to participate) so I probably won't have the happy memory of us all decorating the tree together. That's okay, though; I hope Tory (and someday, Aden) will enjoy decorating with me. Tory was excited about helping this year, and did so by hanging a few ornaments and placing the star on top of the tree. There was a fair amount of pouting mixed with moments of laughter and smiles, which is pretty reflective of our lives these days.

Decorating for Christmas at the cabin ...

It took me an entire afternoon to assemble the artificial Christmas tree in our living room at home, and another afternoon to string lights on its branches. On the third day, Tory helped decorate the tree with gold beads and ornaments. Andi came home from work that evening and said, "I'm guessing this is how your day went..." as he pointed to a cluster of beads hanging on one side of the tree. "Let It Go! Let It Go!" Tory had a clear vision of how she wanted the beads to be strung, so I let her do as she pleased (and adjusted them later when she was asleep).

I'm feeling major guilt over not putting up a "family" Christmas tree downstairs this year. The smaller artificial tree is where I typically hang our homemade and heartfelt ornaments. I just couldn't bring myself to devote another afternoon assembling (and eventually un-assembling a Christmas tree). "Let It Go!"

One decoration that's been a huge hit with the kids this year is the wooden nativity scene that Aden received as a baptismal present. Tory and Aden have spent many minutes this month playing with the characters in the manger.

Tory said to me one day as she played with the nativity set.

Tory: "Why do you only have one sheep in your Ranger?"

Me: "Manger ... it's called a manger."

Guess we've got some work to do around the ol' Christmas story!

Christmas Advent Calendar, Day 1: Open a Present

This holiday season, I've come up with a list of Christmas advent calendar ideas for our family to do together. I oscillate between feelings of love for the way these advent calendar activities get me into the holiday spirit and fear of disappointment when things don't go as planned. This year, I planned activities around our December calendar and tried to mix in easy ideas (i.e.: open a Christmas present) with new, more exciting events (i.e.: visit the Macy's Santaland display in downtown Minneapolis).

Day 1's activity was "open a Christmas present" for which I'd washed and wrapped up new holiday pajamas for the kids. I'll toot my own horn for being fairly organized this year by ordering these monogrammed pi's in July ... yes JULY. Rockstar mama-ing takes planning, yo.

The kids were beyond thrilled to open a gift under the Christmas tree. Tory'd been anxiously waiting to open her gift all day so when I gave the go-ahead following dinner that evening, she ripped the package open in a matter of seconds. Aden glanced around the room like "what's all the hullabaloo?," but quickly followed Tory's lead. He's her #1 fan these days, so anything Tory's excited about seems like a pretty good idea to him too.

Is there anything more adorable than a big ol' toddler belly? Gah, so cute! Aden looked like he was straight outta the movie Elf in his green and white stripes. Standing next to Tory, he seemed more Christmas-y.

I'd pulled our collection of children's Christmas books out of storage earlier in the day, so the kids and I sat in the rocking chair and read stories before bedtime. Andi snapped this picture of us curled up together, and I love it. This is my life, and I'm so thankful.

Happy holiday season! It's going to be a great month of celebration.