LOVE THIS

I found this on Sarah's blog Note To Self and LOVE it. So true and fitting for the new year.

And Onto a New Year..

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday, D and I split our time between both parents this year so it was nice to see everyone. I wish we could have spent more time with both but alas back to the ol grindstone. I came back with some nice loot though and can't wait to use them. I got two fabulously green cast-iron dutch ovens and must make something in them this week. I am still making plans for new years, but that is a party I always love. I am thinking something a little like this:

images via 

Peace Joy and Love

Image via exPress-o 

Wishing you merriment with candy canes and evergreens, Santa Claus and pretty things. Heres hoping you all have a happy holiday and a wonderful weekend with friends and family. Here are some dreamy and wintery links for the weekend:

A fun fabulous meal

Dear Santa wish list

Snowy rooftops

Pretty fairy lights

The best Santa pictures

Fabulously lit up homes 

Lovely things for holiday guests

Christmas decor and goodies

Dreamy winter scenes 

Happy Friday

Happy Friday all hope you have fun party plans this weekend. D and I are going t one on saturday an I thought I would leave you with some holiday inspiration.
Enjoy:

love these vintage inspired champaign glasses

Home Alone house for sale

Party dress

Met art print

sparkle

Festivity

Cup of Jo Holiday Gift Guide 

Cookies

Stalkings via pinterest

Holiday Treats

These amazing cookies are decorated by Joycelyn of KUIDAORE

As the holidays near, so does the baking and I am no exception. I love giving food and treats as gifts because it is something you took the time to make. The last two Christmases I made my parents elaborate holiday packages with chocolate-covered caramel apples, mint truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, and more cookies than I can name. My favorite holiday cookie to make is the classic gingerbread.

Ginger Bread Cookies:

3 cups all purpose flower
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp all spice
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup buter softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup light molasses
1 Tbs cider vinegar

Stir together the flower, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, all spice, and salt. In a large bowl beat together the butter, and sugar till creamy, then add the egg, molasses, and vinegar. Gradually add the flower mixture until well blended.
Divide the dough into 3 equal portions, cover and chill for 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 350

Role out dough to 1/4- inch on to a lightly flowered surface. with flowered cutters cut out what ever shapes you like. Place shapes 1 inch apart on a lightly greased sheet pan and bake for 7-9 min.

I decorate mine with royal icing and sugar for snowflake cookies (try these for a twist).

For the Men

1: Wallace & Barnes Shetland Sutherland sweater |  2: iPad 2 |  3: Dodo iPad case |  4: Fleece-lined lodge moccasins |  5: Invicta Men's Chronograph Leather Watch |  6: Leather flask |  7: Steve Job's Biography

Decorating the Holiday

A bit of Pinterest inspiration for holiday fun:

How do you decorate for the holiday? Do you do it differently each year, or do you have favorite decorations collected after years of holidays past. My family has always used old colected favorites for the holiday mixing in new ideas with old pieces. My mom made our stockings forever ago and they have always been my favorite, but in recant years has retired them in favor of newer ones (might try to persuade her otherwise).