December 5 - 9

December 5

My younger brother mid-jump. While on skates. 'Cause he's cool like that.

December 6

Bubbles in the ice.

December 7

I strung lights around my ceiling bookshelf. :)

December 8

Uh, excuse me, kitty. I'm kinda trying to put my skate on here...

December 9

So, one of my brothers told me that my feather hair flower looked like an African Jumping Spider.

Yes, this is the same brother who told me it looked like a tarantula died in my hair the last time I wore it.

Somehow, I'm getting the vibe he doesn't really like it... ;D

My Secret to Perfect Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies!

It's snowing, the Christmas decorations are strewn all over the place and it's time to take a break and bake!  I have a few secrets up my sleeve when it comes to the beloved Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie.  Just two simple revisions make all the difference!

Stick around and find out how to make your own celebrity status chocolate chips cookie!

 YUM!   

In my world, everyone knows the Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe by heart because we grew up using this recipe and so have my kids and so will theirs!  Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies have been a comforting tradition in our family and over the years I discovered two easy steps to tweak this otherwise perfect recipe for a better cookie.  Let me know what you think!

 THE FAMILY SECRET 

• Replace the shortening with a combination of 1/2 butter (softened) and half shortening.

• Toast pecans for 5 minutes at 400 degrees on a cookie sheet for a toasted nutty crunch, rough chop and add to dough.

Years ago, The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten shared a brilliant suggestion on one of her Food Network episodes.  When adding nuts to a cookie recipe, always toast them first.  The flavor of toasted nuts in a cookie knock them outta the ballpark!  I always use pecans in my cookies recipes, their flavor is such a good compliment in baking.

Just two small changes make stacks of thick, chewy chocolate chip cookies with a richer, deeper taste.  Try this, you'll like it!

Last but not least...

Bake a few dozen cookies this weekend and share a delicious gift! 

Fill a wide mouth canning jar with your thick, chewy Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies and make some people happy today.  Who wouldn't love that??

  Bake & Take Cookie Jars!


Rebecca

How to Keep Spirits Bright This Holiday Season!

Not everyone loves this time of year, it can be a struggle for many!

I'd like to show you how you can brighten your mind, body and living space with essential oils during the crazy Holiday season and beyond. 

What's so great about Essential Oils anyway?

Essential oils are Nature, in one of it's most powerful forms and one of the greatest untapped resources of the world.  Because essential oils are carbon based, our bodies recognize this and readily welcome their chemistry vs. synthetic drugs that confuse and upset our bodies natural rhythms.  If possible, always welcome natural solutions into your life first and foremost, it's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your loved ones!

Diffuse! * Diffuse! * Diffuse!

The idea behind diffusing essential oils is to release their molecules into the air.  The beauty of diffusing?  Everyone in the room is receiving the benefits of breathing in minute particles of whatever essential oil you're diffusing!  

Cranky partner?  Get your stealth on and diffuse one of the following Happy Blends!

Blend #1:  1 drop Bergamot, 1 drop Grapefruit, 1 drop Clary Sage, 1 drop Wild Orange, 3 drops Frankincense

Blend #2:  3 drops Grapefruit, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Ylang Ylang

Blend #3:  4 drops Lavender, 4 drops Bergamot

You can even hit the road with your essential oils!  Put 1 drop of your favorite "happy" oil on a cotton balls and wedge into your air vent.  Got kids?  Wedge a cotton ball into rear vents with a drop of Lavender or doTERRA Balance blend!  Works like a charm for harmonious Holiday road trips :)

A Cup of Heaven...

Treat your senses to an aromatic, essential oil infused, beautiful cup of tea.  It's important during the hustle and bustle of the Holidays to slow down just long enough for a treat like this, not to mention boost your immunity!

Add 2 drops of On Guard blend, 1 drop of Lemon essential oil and honey to taste to a cup of very warm water.

Stir with a cinnamon stick and sip slowly.  Inhale the steam for added benefits!  Wonderful remedy for the kids too, they love it!

Don't forget to share the gift of your time and talents with your loved ones, lose yourself in service to others!  

• Make some All Purpose Healing Salve to share!
• Custom blend some of your favorite essential oil blends for others to enjoy!  Try these EO Sticks!
• Sew up some cuddly Handwarmers from an old wool sweater and scent them with warming Cinnamon Bark essential oil!
• Make a bundle of Lovely Lavender Dry Balls from cotton socks!

May Your Days Be Merry & Bright this Holiday Season...

...Much Love!

Rebecca

Daybook 35

Outside my window- It's getting dark.

I am thinking about- There was a lot of laundry this week. I've got the last of seven loads in the dryer. *faint surprised cheer* ;)

From the kitchen- So far this week we haven't had to do any *real* cooking- just re-making leftovers from the weekend. :)

I am creating- I did the tinsel & lights on our Christmas tree- and then the others helped with the ornaments.

I am reading- I haven't done any reading so far this week...

I am hearing- Mollie is playing Christmas carols on the piano.

I am planning- We're re-watching The Lord of the Rings this week. Tonight we're watching The Two Towers. :)

I am wearing- Well, Amanda and I did it again. We both woke up and felt instinctively that today was a red shirt and plaid skirt sort of day... :D

My hair is- Slightly curly (leftover from yesterday's rag curls), and pinned up with about a million bobby pins.

Around the house- We went ice skating this afternoon. Morgan, Lilia and I skated all over the lake, and then the wind was against us all the way home...

December 1, 2, 3 & 4

December 1

Hockey.

December 2

Over the weekend, there were about 14 kids under the age of 8 in the house. :)

December 3

Decorating our 10 foot tall Christmas tree! :D

December 4

We went skating.

November 28, 29 & 30

November 28

Jet trail.

November 29

Mum made pretty soap.

November 30

Eight player Halo = Crazy fun. :D 

DIY Holiday ICE Lanterns + Scent Trick!

Holiday ICE Lantern

It's the first day of December...let the Holidays begin!

I ran across this lovely idea this morning, so pretty and so easy I just had to share it with you!  I'll let you in on a little scenting secret in a moment but first, a big thank you to the very creative Susan at Oh My! Creative.  Please see her blog for the detailed tutorial!

You will need a 2 liter plastic bottle and a 24 oz plastic bottle.

1.  Add your greenery and colorful accents (boxwood & cranberries here), fill with water leaving room for expansion as the water freezes.

2.  Put some masking tape to work, securing and centering the bottles while freezing.

3.  After a good freeze, add some hot water to the center bottle to loosen, pull the bottle out.  Run hot water on the outside of lantern to loose the 2 liter bottle.  Susan has a few tips to share, as this step can be a little tricky she says.

How to Scent an ICE Lantern...

Take a chunky candle, preferable white or beige (to reflect light), burn a flame for 30 minutes before setting down into the lantern!  What you're trying to accomplish here is to create a deep indentation for wax to pool ~ this is where you'll add your essential oil to create a beautifully scented centerpiece for the table or front porch!

Now carefully lower the candle down into the lantern.  I use a set of tongs for this...I can't be trusted not to burn myself when the opportunity is presented!  Thank goodness for the Lavender in my life :)

Add 2 drops of doTERRA Holiday Joy Blend or, 

...a bit of our beloved Faux Williams Sonoma Store Scent...

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

...a perfect fit for your beautiful Holiday creation!  

Rebecca