At the end, Jack is very dramatic about the whole thing.
Now... the anatomy of a gift wrap station!
That wasn't even all of the gifts... we were still waiting on some to arrive in the mail. And I do not keep the stockings (with goodies inside) on the ground... Jack is a good dog, but that is very hard to resist... even for us of the human variety.
love,
Kyle and Court
First, a Christmas tree void of gifts. This clearly won't do.
Jack notices the lack of presents.
The Wrapping Station is set up! I sit in the middle of this where I can easily reach everything.
Wrapping Paper Container
Some of the gifts and stocking stuffers waiting to be wrapped.
Containers of bows, ribbons, gift bags, tissue paper, cards, tape, sharpies, etc.
I can't tell if he is impressed or frightened by the setup.
You can't assemble mass amounts of gifts without fuel. In bulk size.
Gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree!
It is full down there and much more lovely.
Jack notices the lack of presents.
The Wrapping Station is set up! I sit in the middle of this where I can easily reach everything.
Wrapping Paper Container
Some of the gifts and stocking stuffers waiting to be wrapped.
Containers of bows, ribbons, gift bags, tissue paper, cards, tape, sharpies, etc.
I can't tell if he is impressed or frightened by the setup.
You can't assemble mass amounts of gifts without fuel. In bulk size.
Gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree!
It is full down there and much more lovely.
That wasn't even all of the gifts... we were still waiting on some to arrive in the mail. And I do not keep the stockings (with goodies inside) on the ground... Jack is a good dog, but that is very hard to resist... even for us of the human variety.
love,
Kyle and Court
Posting these a little late...
Classic Light Tangle
Tree Topper
Finished Tree!
Our Tree, located in the sitting area, a perfect spot for it!
Coming up next entry: Wrapping Gifts!
love,
K & C
The Bare Tree (well... I did already put on the topper)
Tree Skirt
Decorations!
Classic Light Tangle
Tree Topper
Finished Tree!
A "C" and "K" hidden in the tree
Tree Close-up!
Our Tree, located in the sitting area, a perfect spot for it!
Coming up next entry: Wrapping Gifts!
love,
K & C
I'm not kidding!
[our backyard:]
Baby, it's cold outside!
love,
K & C
[our backyard:]
Baby, it's cold outside!
love,
K & C
Kyle and I went to a Christmas party on Saturday at one of his coworkers which was a lot of fun. I made yummy red velvet cupcakes with a vanilla cream cheese frosting and oh my lord, they were amazing. I am putting the recipe down below. If you don't want to bother making the cake from scratch, just use a box mix BUT you should definitely make the frosting on your own... no container of cream cheese frosting can even come close to comparing!
Red Velvet Cake Recipe
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle (1 oz.) Red Food Color
1 tbsp. vanilla
Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt; set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl (you can use an electric mixer... I use my stand mixer) on medium/high for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Mix in sour cream, milk, food color, vanilla. Gradually beat beat in flour mixture on LOW just until blended. Do Not Overbeat.
Pour batter into greased pan (or muffin cups).
Bake in preheated oven at 350 F. for 35 - 40 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Completely cool before frosting.
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat 1 pkg. (8 oz) softened cream cheese, 4 tbsp. (half a stick) softened butter, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 2 tbsp. lemon juice (don't bother using fresh), and 1 tbsp. vanilla until smooth. (again, stand mixer is what I use) GRADUALLY beat in 1 pkg. (16 oz.) confectioner's sugar on medium until light and fluffy.
[I recommend clicking on the pictures, especially the closeup ones, to see more detail...]
I made 24 total. Note the toothpick in the background used to check if they were done.
love,
K & C
Red Velvet Cake Recipe
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle (1 oz.) Red Food Color
1 tbsp. vanilla
Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt; set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl (you can use an electric mixer... I use my stand mixer) on medium/high for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
Mix in sour cream, milk, food color, vanilla. Gradually beat beat in flour mixture on LOW just until blended. Do Not Overbeat.
Pour batter into greased pan (or muffin cups).
Bake in preheated oven at 350 F. for 35 - 40 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Completely cool before frosting.
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat 1 pkg. (8 oz) softened cream cheese, 4 tbsp. (half a stick) softened butter, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 2 tbsp. lemon juice (don't bother using fresh), and 1 tbsp. vanilla until smooth. (again, stand mixer is what I use) GRADUALLY beat in 1 pkg. (16 oz.) confectioner's sugar on medium until light and fluffy.
[I recommend clicking on the pictures, especially the closeup ones, to see more detail...]
Fresh from the oven...
Getting frosting and red sugar crystal sprinkles.
Star Tip!
Delightful.
I made 24 total. Note the toothpick in the background used to check if they were done.
Just as delicious in profile.
These were so moist and yummy.
Cupcake perfection.
love,K & C
Hello family and friends! All the little nuances in life are easily passed over. Let's share more often!
Feel free to leave comments!
love,
K & C
Feel free to leave comments!
love,
K & C
