Favorite Photo Friday - "Christmas 2012"

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday... it just went by so quickly!
I did not have the opportunity to take too many photos, but I wanted to post the few that I did manage to snap.
Let's start with my Iphone photos from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Top Row: The girls in front of the tree on Christmas Eve
Middle: Some of the gifts on Christmas Morning
Bottom: Reagan playing her new LeapPad 2, The family playing apples to apples before bed, and some of the goodies we drank and ate on Christmas.

I did bring out the big camera on Christmas Morning, but it was quite chaotic with wrapping paper flying off faster than you could imagine, toys all over the place, etc...... but the joy on their faces is undeniable.

I think they were both in a state of shock over the dream house!!


They also received matching scooters for their American Girl Dolls.....


Although Reags had other ideas for hers.
She thought it was for her to ride:)


Nick was at his Dad's this year for Christmas Eve and first thing Christmas Morning. We alternate each year. He arrived just after lunch and got to open his pile of presents. As he gets older, his Christmas list is getting smaller. He only put one thing on his list this year and was pretty excited when he opened it. He has an iPhone, but it is maxing out on memory and he wanted the new Itouch 5th Generation.....so that is what Santa brought him, along with some accessories and new clothes!

My family has been here with us since Monday and they left yesterday to head back to Rhode Island. They took Nick along with them so he could enjoy the holiday break with cousin Eddie. Later today we are heading up to The Cape to see the other side of our family.... we will get Nick on our way home!

I really have not had much time to play online, so these photos are nothing fancy, but wanted to share a glimpse of our holiday with y'all!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and a Happy New Year!!
See you all in 2013!

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Sunday Snapshot- "Merry Christmas"

{Front Cover}


{Front Flap}


{Part 1 of Inside Spread)


{Part 2 of Inside Spread}


{Back of Card}

From our family to yours, we wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Enjoy every minute of this joyous season.
~Blessings to all~

**Special thanks to my friend Launa and her daughter Kendra who made Reagan's vintage inspired headpiece. You can check out her beautiful creations by visiting mylavenderandlinen.com I have also had a few questions about the girls outfits in this series...... dresses were from Persnickety and the boots were from Joyfolie. Two more companies I LOVE!!!


Make sure you pop on over to my friend Stef's blog to see more Sunday Snapshots.

A Sweet Holiday Treat

Just in case you need a last minute cookie recipe for the holidays, I thought I would share one of my favorites!
I have posted this one quite a few years back, but figured it was worth posting again.
They are like a little piece of heaven on a plate:)

Ricotta Cookies

1/4 lb butter
1/4 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup of Sugar
1 Egg
2 Cups of Sifted Flour
1/2 tsp of Salt
1/2 tsp of Baking Powder

Mix Butter and Ricotta, Add Vanilla
Gradually add Sugar
Mix in Egg
Sift Flour, Salt, and Baking Powder and gradually add to the mixture.
Makes 36 Cookies
Bake in a 350 Degree Oven for 10 minutes

You can add holiday sprinkles, or your favorite icing.
We chose to make a lemon glaze and used red sprinkles.

Lemon Glaze:
1/3 cup of butter
2 cups of confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
a little lemon zest
1 TBSP of Lemon Juice
2 TBSP of Hot Water

Melt the butter in a saucepan, then add the sugar and the rest of the ingredients, if it is too thick add a little more water. Keep stirring and drizzle over the cookies when they come out of the oven.


These are good when paired with coffee, or a good dessert wine:)
Isn't that the most adorable wine bottle holder/chiller?
It was a gift from Pat's Mom and it is perfect for the holidays.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Favorite Photo Friday - "It's Almost Christmas"

These final days leading up to Christmas, although hectic, are usually the most fun.


The girls are as anxious as can be as they anticipate the big day!


Monday morning I finished up my Christmas cards, Tuesday I picked up the last few gifts I needed, Wednesday I built one giant Barbie Dream House and wrapped all of the gifts.


This might be a first for me......
I am usually scrambling until Christmas Eve, but somehow I finished ahead of schedule this year
and now I can actually enjoy the next few days with my family.


The only thing left on my "to do" list is to bake and cook all of our food for our holiday meals!

We already have our bag of special reindeer food to spread on the lawn before we go to bed on Christmas Eve but we still need some cookies for Santa. That is going to be our priority today when the girls get home from school.

Today is their last day and then we are officially on Christmas holiday....HOORAY!
Happy Holidays Everyone....enjoy your weekend!

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Favorite Photo Friday - Getting Into the Holiday Spirit

A little later than normal, but we finally started bringing those boxes out of the basement to spread some holiday cheer.


In our house we have Marshmallows with a "splash" of hot chocolate:))

Next up on the list of to do's.... a visit to Santa and some baking!

Hope everyone has a fabulous and fun filled weekend!!!
And just in case you missed The Sweet and Sassy bundle earlier this week, it will be up until midnight tonight!
Make sure you stop back bright and early Monday morning for the GRAND FINALE of "Fill Their Stockings"..... you will NOT want to miss it!

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I Can Almost Feel the Sand at My Toes.......

Do you remember the blog post I did a little over a week ago where the girls were cooking up a "very special recipe"?

That recipe got me named as one of the top five finalists for the free seat to the Savvy Workshop in Alys Beach!!

The finalists were selected by the Savvy Speakers and now they are leaving it in the hands of others to choose who gets to go for free.

The only thing standing between me and that beach are a few votes!!!
Click the button below and you will be guided to the blog where you can vote in the upper righthand corner of the screen.
Check the box next to "Lisa" and I might just get to dip my toes in the sand this February while learning from some seriously talented child and family photographers!!!

Thank you to everyone who heard the big news last night on facebook and already cast their votes and also helped to spread the word!
You all are the best and if I get to go, I promise, I will "bring you along" with me....... through my lens of course:)