Christmas in our Home, 2015


This year I was lucky enough to have my mom here with me to decorate for Christmas!! We had so much fun going to HomeGoods and Marshalls to find unique ornaments, garland, and candles. (I promise I'm not sponsored by TJX)

Christmas decorating has a fine line between perfectly placed festive decor and red/green clutter.  I love for every little space or corner to have a little Christmas cheer on it but I also try to step back and edit, asking myself "is that pretty or just messy looking?" 

With a toddler in the house, I decided to leave most of the special ornaments in their boxes and replaced them with felt or wooden ornaments.  I also looked specifically for dark red, dark green and cream decorations. Our stockings were my inspiration which were gifts from Paul's mom Sandy!

Below are more shots from around our main floor of the house!
{a few nativity figurines that Roswelle can play with - the three wise men are not pictured}
{last year with Santa}
{I love plaid, and I'm thinking I will buy more of it when Christmas items go on clearance}
{Nothing is more festive than a table ready for a dinner party}


I really wanted a wooden Christmas tree collar this year for under the tree.  There were a few at HomeGoods but I didn't get to the store in time before they were all scooped up! So this year I purchased some Christmas storage boxes that hide the cords and skirt and will be good for ornament storage.  

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

{all you need. target actually has everything, one and done!}

I posted on Instagram last week a preview of my homemade peppermint marshmallows.  I had seen them on another blog and decided it would be fun for the holidays.  I used Martha Stewart's recipe here: link (includes video!).  I have now made it 3 times and have it memorized; it is so simple!  Also since the recipe is just sugar, it cleans up well with water. The recipe is simple but I've included some tips I learned along the way.

As you know by now, I would normally never make something with these ingredients.  I refused to tell Paul what was in them and didn't even bother him to try them.  I am giving them out to friends and using them for a hot cocoa bar I'm putting together (more on that this week!).  I decided to let it go and just have fun with it.  I hope you do too! 

{a hand mixer would work, but a standing mixer is much easier}

{the recipe says to mix for 12 minutes, but I only mixed for 5-6 minutes or until thick & sticky}
{coat your spatula in pam or vegetable oil which will make spreading easier}
{I bought crushed peppermint candy at Target for the topping}
{let sit overnight for best results}
{line the pan with plastic wrap then use pam or oil to ensure the marshmallow will pop out easily}
{you can cut into square or get creative with small cookie cutters}s




{this sweet baby won't be getting close to these treats}
{sorry sweet pea}