Believe {it's magical}

I just got done watching The Polar Express with my Max and I honestly felt like I was watching it for the first time. The Magic of Christmas through your child's eyes is a blessing in life that I cannot explain.  I have been left speechless, moved and overcome with joy many times this season and while I have always loved Christmas, there is a new magic that is involved in the season this year.

I was not able to post pictures of my Christmas mantle this year but this ornament is on it.  My son is too young to understand his first Christmas, but it sums up MY first Christmas as a mother perfectly.  I want him to Believe.  I want him to know the magic.  He will know the REAL meaning of CHRISTmas but he will also know the red and green and jingle bell-y meaning of Christmas too.  

This Christmas, believe.  No matter how old, believe.   

Merry Christmas to all.

The Evans Family

Soft Ginger Cookies {a recipe}

My friend asked for a good ginger cookie recipe so I dug through some things and pulled out my favorite.  And then was inspired to make them! Super easy and soooo delish!  And your house smells quite amazing while baking them!

SOFT GINGER COOKIES

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside. 

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. 

Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. 

Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Mine are gifts so I jarred them up with a ribbon and a cute tag.  Homemade gifts are the best!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas {love, max}

Mr. Max had an impromptu shoot this morning.  While on a shoot for another family, I suddenly realize that I have not taken a single picture for Max's first Christmas!  I've been so busy with other families that I forgot about the Little Mr.!!  

Thankfully they were kind enough to let me borrow some of their time (and clothes!) and get a few in of Max.  Hopefully I manage to get some Christmas Cards out.  If not, consider this your e-card.  How festive, right?  

I'll get cards out.

Tradition {old and new}

Growing up Christmas was a very festive time for my family.  One tradition I remember most is us all piling in our station wagon, kids in the WAYYY IN THE BACKKK as we would call it, and eat cookies and drink hot wassail or chocolate while we looked at Christmas lights in the neighborhood.

Tonight we are carrying on that tradition with Max.  I remember having a ton of different varieties homemade cookies on our outing as a kid. I am now pretty sure my mom was the cookie queen because after one set of cookies I am done.  I also think our neighborhood traded cookie trays a lot.  So, since I am the only one who even thinks about giving homemade goodies where we live I have decided to simplify things a bit.

We are taking Hot Chocolate Ornaments and some super cute cupcakes I will post later.


HOT CHOCOLATE ORNAMENTS:

All you do is add your hot water!  The ornaments are plastic and can handle the heat.  If given as a gift, just add a tag saying "just add water" so the recipient knows.  So easy, so cute and many memories to come.

Tradition of New?  Max now has an Elf on his shelf.  His name is Buddy.

YAY!!

Honeysuckle {2011 color of the year}

And I had JUST made the comment that I will be adding more pink into my decor/life!  I new I was right!  I will definitely be using this color in ALL it's fabulous shades.

For my brides.. I expect to see this in your flowers, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses or even your shoes!  What a great color to mix with greens, browns, grey... oh the vibrant possibilities.

I am so loving this! Ready for spring now!  Or a great party... maybe I will throw one.

Tootles!

*sources: PANTONE

A touch of Class {brah-vo!!}

YES YES YES YES YES!  This woman has got it!  

We are in a lazy world of wearing pj's to go shopping, hair not even brushed, slippers on feet, sweats to dinner.... I am annoyed by it all. 

And then I come across this bit of fashion omg-that-is-amazing navy blue yummyness and I have to yell BRAVO!!  High pony down to stiletto heel...She makes me want to move to one of my ten dream houses, this one would be the loft in NYC, and enter back into the corporate world full steam.  

So please everyone, take this as a lesson in class and a bit of inspiration to put a little effort into how you look.  It matters.  It really does.

Cheers to you trench wearing, boot rocking, tights done way right, lady on your BB.  I dedicate this dose of fashion perfection to you.. and then go paint my nails a lovely shade of navy in your honor.

Max's Tree {christmas joy}

It's been awhile!  Life is busy and good and being a mommy fills my heart.  The little things mean so much more now!

Today Max and I went and picked out his Christmas tree.  We bundled up and drove to the tree lot and I held him as we walked rosy cheeked in the freezing cold through the trees until he smiled the biggest at the one he wanted.  It brought a tear to my eye and I loved every minute of our little mother/son outing.

Christmas sparkles so much more when you have a child.

Merry Christmas season!

Beach Shrimp {a recipe}

Beach Shrimp

3 lb unpeeled large raw shrimp
1 (16 oz) bottle Italian dressing
1 1/2 Tbsp. freshly ground pepper
2 garlc cloves, pressed
2 lemons, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup butter, cut up

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375.  Place first 4 ingredients in a baking dish, tossing to coat. 

Squeeze juice from lemons over mixture adding lemon halves to the dish.  Sprinkle with parsley and dot with butter. 

Bake for 25 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes.  Serve warm.


We are obsessed with these!  I usually serve them with ranch red potatoes.  Pour yourself a glass of white wine and expect no leftovers.

A cozy fall mantle {autumn nesting}

This is the fourth day of rain here and today the remnants of a tropical storm are passing directly overhead, leaving much wind and more storms.  It is very cozy and very fallish.  Hot spiced cider is almost a requirement. So while the pups do alot of this...

I do alot of this...

And for those who are only interested in Mad Max, never fear.  He is scheduled to have a shoot with mommy in the very near future.  I just hope I can get a few shots without formula flying out of his mouth in them.  We are THAT cute these days.   We smell even better. 

Tootles and Happy Fall!

Max Smiles {on purpose}

REAL SMILES!  not because he has gas {this child is always popping popcorn} or because he is 'working on something'.  He is smiling just because he is happy!! 

He is also trying to talk.  I never thought about learning to make a noise being so physically hard, but he has to put his whole body into it.  He twists and turns and curls his tongue and then... 'YYYAAAKK'   He is also learning he doesn't have to cry to make noise.  Sometimes when he wants to  talk he will start to cry and end it in a squeek.  Practice makes perfect though and we will be singing songs in no time.

May we all have smiles as big as Mr. Max's today.