Our First Tree - part 2

And here is the finished tree - complete with a few presents already under the tree!

It was great to have several nice ornaments to add to the tree this year! Thanks mom for collecting ornaments over the years for me - they look great!

Our First Tree - part 1

We finally have our first Christmas tree up and decorated! It took a couple tree stands and a few days - but Christmas has fully arrived at our home. Above is a picture of how the tree looked last night - the tree stand was too big and the tree had a definite list to it.



The tree doesn't have a topper yet - that's because he commandeered the topper I originally got - a peacock with a great feather tail that matched our ornaments. Rocky found it before I had even taken it out of the Target bag. We decided it was easier to just let him have it rather than try to keep him from climbing the tree! Here you can see him with his new toy.

And here are some in progress decorating pictures...

Christmas Inspiration

Megan and I are headed out to Deck the Halls tomorrow morning and then on to Target, Pier1, Lane's and a couple of other places to pick up some great Christmas decorations and presents.

ps - Mark and I made a stop at Walmart this afternoon to pick up a tiny (well, not too tiny) Christmas tree. It doesn't quite fit in the first tree stand, but I'm determined to have it complete by tomorrow evening - look for posts then!

Top Chef

Do you love Top Chef as much as we do? Check out this website for the most in depth analysis of a reality show...ever. But seriously, it's a good read.

www.skilletdoux.com

I'm loving right now...

These cashmere gloves and matching scarf.

This frame from Bluefly.

These kate spade holiday plates. [The peppermint ones are cute too!]

Hedonia

Last night we went to Hedonia. It was a lot of fun and a great excuse to dress up! And, late night breakfast this year was great - the best I remember it being.

Today - we started our search for the perfect live Christmas tree. We haven't found anything yet - so far they're all too big for our little apartment, but we haven't given up! Mark promises that it will be up and decorated by next Sunday - complete with hot chocolate and popcorn while decorating! I'll post pictures once we find that perfect little tree.

Some New Recipes

Here are some new favorite recipes. Mark likes the green beans, not so much the German Chocolate Bundt Cake...which is too bad, because it's really good!

Paula Deen's Green Bean Casserole
2 tbsp butter [I changed this...it called for 1/3 C]
1/2 C diced onions [I used frozen]
1/2 C sliced fresh mushrooms [I definitely did not include these]
2 C sliced green beans [I used 2 cans]
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 can French-fried onion rings
Pinch House Seasoning [garlic powder, salt, pepper]
1 C grated Cheddar

Preheat oven to 350. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Saute the onions and mushrooms in the butter. Add the green beans, soup, onion rings, and house seasoning (to taste) to the onion mixture. Stir well. Pour into a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Bake 20 minutes, then top with cheese and bake for 10 more minutes, until the casserole is hot and the cheese is melted.

I brought this for the Reitmeier Thanksgiving celebration - and I think it was a hit! Super easy, and really yummy!

The Cake Doctor's German Chocolate Bundt Cake
1 package German Chocolate Cake mix
1 container coconut pecan frosting
1 C water
1/3 C vegetable oil
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. Pour all ingredients in a mixing bowl, blend with electric mixer on low for 1 min. Scrape the sides and mix on medium for 2 min. Pour into bundt pan and place in oven. Bake for 48-52 min. until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger. Cool on a wire rack in pan for 20 min and then on the wire rack out of the pan for 20 more min.

This cake is so moist and so good - and my favorite, only requires you to remember to buy 2 extra things at the grocery store! You should definitely try it out!

I also have Martha Stewart's banana bread on my list to make tomorrow - I'll let you know how it turns out. (Of course - it is not banana nut bread...Mark and his refusal to eat nuts sometimes makes things difficult!)

Any other new recipes I should try?

We Caved!

We've finally joined the blogging world. No promises on posting frequency...or what they'll be about - but, we're here! And Mark would like to add, unlike another blog, this one is and will forever be "Seeing Red."