Holiday Joy: shopping, clothing and a recipe for young chefs
There are 52 days remaining between now and a new year…so let’s keep focusing on holiday joy with a shopping trip, what clothing I wore and a fun recipe for young chefs.
You just cannot stop smiling when you hug a gnome! Right? So let’s get started….
Come with Leigh Ann and me as we jump into the car and head out to our favorite mall in San Antonio.
We began at Pottery Barn in The Shops at La Cantera. If someone brought the meals, I would be happy to live here!!
We found so many great gift items and fun decorations. See our favorites in this slideshow…..
THE CLOTHING
I love to dress seasonal and festive when shopping this time of year, but the heat in our area presents…a challenge.
Yes, layering is a must, but then as you warm up, you either have to carry extra baggage around the mall or return to the car.
This faux suede top from Chico’s has been in my closet for years and usually comes out this time of year. It is lightweight and I can wear it and feel seasonal and not have to return to the car with a jacket.
Of course, you cannot go wrong wearing red right now!!
AN EASY, TASTY, SEASONAL RECIPE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Leigh Ann has been so great to provide me with recipes while my kitchen is down (Almost finished, should have pictures soon!)
I am looking forward to making ACORN BITES with grandchildren! Here is what we need…..
Peanut Butter- Chocolate Acorn Cookies
Ingredients:
Nutter Butter Bites
Hershey’s Kisses
Your Choice: Store bought or homemade chocolate frosting
Mini-Chocolate Chips (I need to keep these on hand. They are in so many recipes!)
Directions:
Use the chocolate frosting to adhere a Hershey’s Kiss to the top of a Nutter Butter Bite. Place a few spoonfuls of the icing into a plastic sandwich bag and snip the end of the bag with scissors.
Then put a dab of frosting onto the other side of the Nutter Butter Bite. Place a mini chocolate chip over the frosting to create the acorn’s stem. Place them in the refrigerator for a little while to set.
Note: I plan to gather some acorns from a neighborhood walk and have them nearby to show the children what we are going for and what they are.
I grew this red oak from special acorns from out first family home…which was on Larchmont Street, so I call it the Larchmont Tree.
I am amazed at how big it is now.
My husband’s grandmother was in the Garden Club for that area of town and she grew the original tree, as well as, many red oaks up and down the street.
So these Acorn Bites will be a lesson about growing trees and family history!
DON’T FORGET
All recipes for the Holiday Recipe Contest must be submitted by November 13…That’s Friday, y’all!!! So easy to enter! The prize box for two of you will include:holiday tea towels, a holiday apron, holiday spatula and beauty items! It is a fun box!! Enter today!
HOLIDAY SHOPPING IS FULL ON!
Make sure you use these links for your shopping…I gave ideas from Pottery Barn today…more coming every day! Thanks so much for being here…and always…
KEEP SMILING!
Nordstrom Rack Black Friday Deals
MY COMPLEXION LOVES CHAMONIX…KEEPING ME YOUTHFUL! Currently, running a FALL SPECIAL, BUY TWO, GET TWO FREE!
All natural, plant-cell technology skincare
By Pamela Lutrell
Ah yes, Pottery Barn! I have to travel quite a distance to get to one of those stores, but it is always so worth it! I’m always inspired when I go into those stores and will probably be shopping there when I find my new home just for a different look! Cute cookies….I have great memories of baking and cooking with my grandsons when they were little! This is such a cute idea and I’m sure yours are going to love putting them together. We are big peanut butter fans in my family and I have to incorporate peanut butter into the Christmas goodie baking each year in some form! I like your scarf that you’re wearing here! And I love the story of the oak tree….how wonderful to be able to share that with the little ones and tie it into a yummy recipe! Great idea!!
I am such a peanut butter fan…so I can get really excited about this recipe. Thanks Karen…have a lovely day!
I love your oak tree story! How lucky you are to have that living family history in your yard. I love the simple beauty of acorns and have a mason jar of them on my coffee table. Scandinavians call the little gnome a tomten. Aren’t they cute? Lots of DIY’s onlune for them. I plan to make some.
Thanks for sharing on the gnomes, Lily! Love that you are going to make them!
Do love the story about your Grandmother and its wonderful memory you have to share with her great-great grandchildren. As to the recipe; how cute and appropriate. Now that my grandchildren are older; one of our favourite to make are Xmas Mice where the body is a cocktail (stemmed) maraschino cherry dipped in melted chocolate, its head is a hershey-kiss, ears are slivered almonds and eyes are candied. (‘Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse’.) I also add a piece of holly to them using just red and green (prepared) gel icing to make them a little more festive.
-Brenda-
I have a friend who has three holiday gnomes-one for her, one for her husband & one for their son. She posted a picture of them yesterday & said she couldn’t resist getting them out early because they make her smile. Thanks for sharing the Pottery Barn finds. I love the Festive Cat mugs & the napkins. When paper products were in short supply at the beginning of the pandemic, I started using cloth napkins & realized they made my meals seem special.
I love this…would love to see a picture!
One of the reasons I included cloth napkins is that I also have returned to using them and very happy with it. Thanks for sharing Becky!
Consider it done. Recipe included together with another one that may give you a smile. ☺ -Brenda-
Thank you!! Can’t wait!
I was there yesterday (Pottery Barn) and yes I could live there too. One can’t help but feel festive and holiday-ish after a visit and a purchase or two….pillows, table settings…..it’s all there!
I was there yesterday (Pottery Barn) and yes I could live there too. One can’t help but feel festive and holiday-ish after a visit and a purchase or two….pillows, table settings…..it’s all there!