Warmest Wishes

Sending love & warm wishes this holiday season.

We're off to Idaho for Christmas & our dear Katie's wedding and we're bringing the AZ sunshine with us.

Christmas Granola Love

This year for Christmas, Derek & I decided to give our bosses a little something different. Usually sweets are the popular thing to give, but I felt like something seasonal and healthy might be a good idea. I stumbled upon this recipe from Ina Garten and thought it sounded fabulous. Later that week while cleaning, I had FoodNetwork on, and the exact episode of the granola was on. I knew it was fate. This delicious and seasonal granola is great topped on yogurt, or our favorite way, mixed in with some mulit grain cheerios for breakfast in the morning. Feel free to take the printable recipe card I designed here & share the granola love.

Man Christmas List

Derek always cracks me up, so I thought I would share his Christmas list with you. And yes, that's a crossbow pistol & darts up there. Thanks to TV and the shows that make you laugh, but shake your head at the same time, he got this gift idea a couple months ago {Workaholics} On the show, the boys go on a "man trip" to hunt, but can't buy guns without a licence, so they decide on crossbows. Derek of course thought it was the coolest thing ever and was on the internet that night looking for his new toy. Thankfully, he has been very good this year, and since I am one of Santa's helpers as well, he might just see this under the tree. The other gifts are "usual's" for him; a track suit in leiu of PJ's, medical supplies, something with a remote control to play with for a few days, and a funny movie.

What do you get the man in your life for Christmas?

Forced Christmas List

Santa & his elves have already been too good to me this holiday season. I had an early shipment of Christmas a couple weeks ago fly in from Carlsbad, California where, my Mom {AkA Santa's Little Helper} showered us with gifts. I already received my gifts- pieces to my cherished nativity & a humidifier- from her and they have been put to good use. After that, another helper in Oakley, Idaho {AkA my Mother-in-Law} slipped a check in the mail for vaccuum. Again, being put to GREAT use. Who knew fresh vacuum lines could make one so happy? But, alas. There is one other elf. A sneaky one who actually lives with me. He has been begging me to drop hints for what I might want this holiday season, and all I could give him was food storage. Well, as you can imagine, that didn't go over well. So I settled on the last piece of my nativity, sparkly Toms, tickets to "Wicked" {coming to ASU in February} & "Tangled" on DVD. Let's see what Santa's 3rd & final little helper has in store for me this year.

Derek's Christmas wish list coming soon. Stay tuned- his will crack you up.

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Decking the Halls 2011

In the Smith home, we deck the halls, walls, shelves, and even the top of the fridge! Let me just tell you, I have been holding back this post because I wanted to seem "normal" and make it look like our house hasn't been decorated since the week before Thanksgiving. We are just a hop, skip, and jump away from Christmas day and I can't wait. We are heading to Idaho on Christmas Eve, enjoying the holiday, and then strapping in for a beautiful winter wedding for my sister-in-law & soon to be brother-in-law.

How are you spending the most wonderful time of year?

My Christmas List

Okay, okay. So I have been seeing lots of Christmas lists floating around blog land, and thought it was time to share my opinion.

Some, I find quite practical. For example, not to toot my own horn, but I asked for a vacuum, food storage, and a humidifier. Yep. You know you are an old married woman when those are your top three things you come up with for Christmas. I really, REALLY, had to think hard when Derek asked me what I would like. I find it quite comical when I see some Christmas list "ideas". Now, maybe I am being judgmental, but, are you for reals?! Do you really need a triple digit designer watch & bag? And, I know some of you are reading this thinking, "She is just jealous." Let me answer that for you, I'm not. I honestly believe that Christmas is a time to be with family, enjoy the Spirit you feel during the season, and cherishing and remembering the reason we celebrate. A few years ago, my Mom asked us around the Christmas Eve dinner table, "If you could have the music, the decorations, the feeling, the Spirit, and family time, or all the gifts, what would you choose?" The honest reactions of a then 21, 19, and 14 year old: "The Spirit, feeling, family, and music." So what do I really want for Christmas this year?

Time with my busy husband. A night on the couch snuggling. Visits with family and friends. Sitting in the house with all the lights off by the glow of the Christmas tree reading Luke II. Getting ready each morning listening to Christmas music. Watching "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever". Singing the Christmas hymns in Sacrament meeting.