whirling

Oh this season, it has been whirling by and it feels at times that I don't have much to show for it. I haven't unpacked all of the decorations and lights and probably won't, no gift guides or cookie baking weekends or big holiday parties. The elf has been left on the same shelf multiple times to the frustration of my seven year old son who so desperately wants to keep believing a little longer.

I did finally get the kids set up on a salt dough ornament activity last week after the craziest morning that had already pushed me to my limit. I soldiered on though because they were all so excited and had my camera out to share about the morning here on the blog. I turned my back for a minute and the baby took a giant bite of dough, started gagging and projectile vomited all over my pretty crafting table and everyone's masterpieces…three times.

I know how incredibly funny that is -  but it was pretty frustrating at the time…I often hate how annoyed I get when my big dreamy expectations of what the holidays are suppose to look like aren't met. I wish I was better at shrugging it off and laughing and embracing but it's not always easy for me, I am still learning.

This morning we woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow and news that the last day of school for the year had been cancelled so we all ran around outside for a good while soaking it in before heading into the warm house for hot cocoa and breakfast. I've resorted to the fact that I won't get to all the christmas crafting tutorials I had lined up, or the handmade gifts sitting on my desk. But this weekend my little girl is dancing in her first ballet at just three years old and, wow that will be magical for sure!

I don't want to miss it. I don't want to let my expectations of what Christmas is suppose to look like interfere with what Christmas is. I know that two thousand years ago a baby was born in a dirty stable to a mother who had no idea what to expect - and when hope and life is laid in your hands sometimes it doesn't look perfect or easy or how you want it to. I don't want to miss the whirling reality that Jesus came to earth and brought within himself the kind of love that I can't fathom but only accept as a beautiful gift.

So this season I am choosing to try to be present and to do the things on my list with a little more joy than feels possible and to see the magic and wonder in the eyes of my children just a little longer…I am going to leave the salt dough ornaments for another year though.

I will be back in 2014 to share more of our life in this place online that I love - I hope you have a wonderful holiday season my friends and know that even if it doesn't all look perfect it is full of hope and life and more love than you can fathom and it's all still worth it! Merry Christmas! xoxo

Target hacker

Chris and I did a little Target hacking this past weekend to one of the super popular tin Joy signs that everyone seems to have grabbed lighting fast this year. I liked the brown faux bois pattern but it just wasn't totally me. We thought about spray painting it red or covering it with Christmas fabric but in the end I used some of the Orla Kiely wallpaper scraps we have left over from our old place, and I kind of love the results. I might even leave it up after the holidays!

I had Chris take it apart for me, it took a little brute force and a few of the bulbs went out so if you are planning to do something similar make sure to do one letter at a time. I simply traced the letters, cut them out with scissors and used an exacto knife to create holes for the lights. It's really not perfect but with a little clear Mod Podge it's doing the trick in our living room right now patiently waiting for some more decorations to join it.

I have been slower than usual getting things out this year but enjoying the season nonetheless. Wishing for some snow and soaking in my busy bunch as much as I can. What about you are you all decorated for Christmas already or taking it slow like me? Hope you're having a great week! xoxo

perler bead oven ornaments

I saw this pin on Pinterest awhile back and was super intrigued by the idea of melting perler beads in the oven. The pin isn't in English and even translated, a bit confusing so I decided to experiment and see if we could find a way to make our own ornaments with cookie cutters and beads this year.

We tried a few times but finally found that heating the oven to 250 degrees was the right temp to not completely melt and distort the look of the beads. I placed the cookie cutters on parchment paper after giving them a quick spray with cooking oil. The kids helped put a single layer in the bottom of each and I used a skewer to arrange them a bit (this tool was key and so helpful when I figured it out) it takes a bit of patience to cover the bottom.

I baked them for about 50 minutes in the oven (make sure they look like they are melted and stuck together) and then let them cool. Popped them out of the cookie cutters and added some bakers twine to the tops before displaying on the tree.

A pretty fun little project for the kids to do - Pinterest win I would say!

I am still working on my little bottle brush trees - I haven't had many free hands the past few days - little Zeb is sick and has literally the worst, most persistent diaper rash I have ever dealt with. We are talking up every hour or two in the night even screaming in pain. Anyone out there with any tips on treating the worst sort of rash this tired Mommy would be so appreciative I feel like I have tried it all!

Hope you guys have a great Friday...I can't believe we only have four more days until Christmas! I will be back with more tree pictures I promise!

dyeing my vintage bottle brush trees

Well now that's addicting. Good grief did I have fun dipping a few of those white trees into some pink dye this afternoon. This took about half an hour during which I was also picking up the place...I am officially a bottle brush tree addict! Next up glitter, glue and gems - do not think I am beyond putting my real swarovski crystals on these babies...

If you are following along on my tree journey (he he) then here is what I did today to make them pink. I simply put hot tap water into a Pyrex with a bit of liquid Rit dye (fuchsia) and stirred. Then I poured some of the dye into two tall glasses and turned the trees upside down in each letting them sit anywhere from 1 minute to about 15 minutes...rinsed with cool water and set them to dry!

bleaching my vintage bottle brush trees

Oh how I have wanted to do this for so long! I bought a big bag of vintage bottle brush trees a few years ago for a couple of dollars at the thrift store and have imagined them in white ever since. After seeing many tutorials around recently I finally got the guts to go for it this morning and am loving the results so far!

I simply put them in a bath of water with a generous splash of bleach and let them soak, using some tongs to stir them every now and then. At about fifteen minutes I took those two light green ones out because I loved the color they turned but the rest stayed put for about an hour and a half until they were all creamy white. I rinsed them in water and set them on a tray to dry.

Later in the week I will share how I decide to decorate them...I have plenty of glitter and beads ready for a quiet moment to play!

Christmas Instagrams

Just a few little instagram peeks from our Christmas week. We had a wonderful time celebrating with family! I hope you all had an incredible holiday I will be back soon with more to share!!

Braided Almond Bread :: A Christmas Tradition

I met my husband over a decade ago and there are so many things that stand out in my mind about that special time. I have always been quite the sentimental soul, and so it was a delight to spent time getting to know him, as well as his amazing family, hearing about all the different traditions he grew up with.

One of the most special traditions I soon learned was his Mom's secret recipe for Braided Almond Bread. Made only at Christmas-time, loaf after loaf of this incredible pastry was passed out to loved ones and neighbors and enjoyed with their family over Christmas breakfast each year. The first time I sampled it myself, my sweet husband along with his brother got a hold of the recipe and made a huge braided heart version for me for our first valentines day as a couple. I knew this bread was something special. Something to evoke that strong sense of love and affection. I have enjoyed this almond bread every single Christmas morning since and I can tell you it truly does make our family Christmas complete.

This past week my dear Mother in law, Paula, generously offered up her secrets and I had the great honor of spending an afternoon in her kitchen making almond bread for the first time. I also learned a bit more about her heart through the simple act of loving her family through this tradition that she started over thirty years ago.

The dough is made ahead of time and left to rest in the refrigerator over night (or two) before rolling it out and baking. Paula has learned through trial and error many tips over the years. She almost always makes a double batch and when rolling the dough out leaves any remaining in the fridge to stay cool. The longer you work the pastry the harder it will be to braid effectively later.

When you're ready to bake, roll the dough into roughly a 10"x16" rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread evenly half of the can of almond filling leaving a small edge, sprinkle generously with brown sugar then cinnamon and lastly the chopped walnuts.

Roll the pastry into a long tube and carefully pull the edge up and around and finish by turning the roll so the seam is underneath. Slice in half lengthwise and pinch the top end together.

Braid the bread working quickly top over bottom and then transfer to a generously greased cookie sheet. The greased cookie sheet is a real key to keeping the almond filling from sticking badly to the sheet. Bake at 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes until a soft golden brown.

Remove from oven and slide off of sheet immediately onto a cutting board to cool. At this point you can cut it into serving size slices or package however you choose. Paula has found that this bread freezes wonderfully so after slicing she likes to slide the bread onto a well greased piece of tinfoil and wrap it tightly before transferring to the freezer. It can then easily be reheated in a warm oven when ready to serve.

My prayer as a young Mother would be that I too would be able to foster these sorts of family traditions in my own home. Thank you Paula for taking the time to pass on this heritage to me it was truly a blessing to be loved so well in your kitchen this week! And I know I speak for all of your kids young and old we love enjoying this bread each year on Christmas morning it's such a special tradition!!

May you all have a wonderful Christmas soaking in the warmth of all the season has to offer. And thank you all for your continual love and kindness as I share my heart in this space. I am so deeply blessed by you!

Paula's Braided Almond Bread 

1 pkg. yeast ( 2 1/4 tsp)
1/4 C. warm water


1/4 C.   Milk (room temp)                          

1           Egg (room temp.)                     
1/2 C.   Butter (1 cube...soft/room temp.)                              
2 C.      Bread Flour  

Almond Filling  (SOLO brand in can)

Brown Sugar   

Cinnamon                                                         

Chopped Walnuts

Directions:

1.  Mix yeast into warm water in mixing bowl.
2.  Add milk, egg, butter and flour.
3.  Using  bread hook, knead until dough cleans bowl. 
4.  Refrigerate overnight in covered bowl.
5.  Roll out on lightly floured surface to approx. 1/4 inch thick rectangle.
6.  Spread with 1/2 can of almond filling (not paste), sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon, then chopped walnuts to cover in proportions that you choose.  

7.   Roll lengthwise so you have a long narrow roll...then place the end of roll on the work surface...and cut roll in 1/2 lengthwise so you have two long sections that reveal the fillings.
8.  Starting at the top...pinch the ends together and then braid the 2 sections together.
9.  Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray. Bake 350 degrees...35-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean from center of braid.
10. When you remove from oven, quickly slide bread onto a cutting board and slice into serving pieces and then onto serving dish. Clean pan while warm before the filling hardens and is hard to remove.

      HINT:  If you want to serve the bread later...it freezes great.  Spray generously sized piece of heavy aluminum foil with non-stick spray. Then slide sliced almond bread onto it to cool.  When completely cooled, fold foil over the top and bottom of bread and then bring up sides of foil and fold them down the center of bread.  This way, when reheated...no filling will spill into your oven...and cause a mess.  At this point you can freeze or hold over until the next morning.  Reheat until bread is warm.

peppermint marshmallows

This season I have especially been loving the peppermint chocolate combination...honestly I enjoy it every single year, it is just so good and so Christmasy! I love to make homemade marshmallows for our mugs of hot chocolate so I thought it would be super fun to try making some peppermint marshmallows this year too. They turned out super yummy and really pretty and it has lead me to experiment with other flavors, but that is for another post. :)

I thought it would be fun to share the recipe this afternoon - these could be a special last minute handmade gift to whip together if your still looking for something to bring to the neighbors or a sweet friend. In fact a dear friend of mine sent me a mug filled with homemade almond flavored marshmallows and cookies earlier in the week and I enjoyed them while wrapping presents. (Thanks Polly!) It really is the perfect little something to bless just about anybody!

Peppermint Marshmallows:

• 4 envelopes unflavored gelatin (3 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons)
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 to 1 Tbs peppermint extract (your preference)
• confectioners’ sugar

Line the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray, set aside.
Put granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 3/4 cup water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cook, without stirring, until mixture registers 238 degrees on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage).

Meanwhile, put 3/4 cup cold water into the bowl of an electric mixer; sprinkle with gelatin. Let soften 5 minutes. Attach bowl with gelatin to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. With mixer on low speed, beat hot syrup into gelatin mixture. Gradually raise speed to high; beat until mixture is very stiff, about 10 minutes. Beat in peppermint for another minute.
Pour into prepared dish, and smooth with an offset spatula.

To add the red marbling on top:

Immediately after pouring the marshmallow into the prepared dish dot with 12-15 drops of red food coloring. Use a skewer or chop stick to gently run through the color to make the swirls.

Set aside, uncovered, until firm overnight, cut into pieces using a greased pizza cutter and lots of confectioners' sugar to coat. Store in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware with extra powdered sugar to keep from sticking.

(recipe inspiration HERE)

Enjoy with hot cocoa or coffee!

I am off to continue preparing for the weekend. Less than 24 hours before guests start arriving and the festivities really get into full swing - I am trying to stay calm. How are you holding up?

december 20

The countdown is really on isn't it - only four more days until Christmas!!! We have been enjoying so much these last few days of the advent season as a family. I have several posts I am dying to share here but have been finding myself out and about running errands, and spending time with loved ones enjoying it all so much. It always feels good to come in at night absolutely exhausted and full from a day really well spent.

I promise to be back really soon but in the mean time here are a few links to posts I did last Christmas when I first started A Bit of Sunshine - I hope you are enjoying the countdown this week too!

doily printed wreath shirt

sequins paper chain necklace

Advent in the Heart and Home at GraceLaced

I had the honor of sharing another guest post this week this time over at GraceLaced. Ruth asked me to share about advent and what it means in our home. If you are interested in reading about how we celebrate the Christmas season you can visit me HERE today.

make something monday :: friendship tea

I remember making this tea when I was younger and packaging it in little bags for my friends and teachers at school. It has such a nostalgic smell and taste that always reminds me of Christmas.

Chris loves it too and remembers having it as a child and so I made up a big batch this year and we have been enjoying it for a few weeks now in the evening by the Christmas tree.

This recipe makes enough to package up for friends and neighbors as a simple and inexpensive gift as well as enjoy yourself!

Friendship Tea:

2 Cups powdered orange drink (such as Tang)
1 Cup powdered lemonade
1/2 Cup unsweetened instant tea
1/2 Cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon of cloves (heaping)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon (heaping)

Pour all of the ingredients in a big tupperware, add the lid and shake it up until mixed well. I usually add about two or three heaping spoonfuls of mix to a big mug of hot water but adjust the amount depending on how sweet you like it!

I hope you all have a wonderful day today - can you believe it's less than two weeks before Christmas?!

scalloped felt wreath

I have wanted to create one of these for quite a long time. After seeing several around blogesphere Rachel's being my most favorite, I finally had some time to raid my felt stash and get it done. Although I admit it took me several sittings to finish (my biggest tip for crafting with kids: be willing to start something you know you won't finish in the first or second sitting just do a little here and there and eventually it will get done!) i think it was worth it I love how it turned out. The colors are reading a little weird in the photo but it matches the green mirror in our entry.

 A tutorial isn't really necessary here but I will list the supplies I used:

- a foam wreath
- five 9x12 sheets of felt I bought mine HERE
- scissors
- fabritac glue or glue gun
- a card stock scallop template (I drew mine by hand)

I will mention that I used almost every square inch of felt from all five colors. And I got about twelve scallops out of each piece by folding each one in half the long way and then doing six scallops per side. I just glued the first one down and then layered each piece until I got back to the start and then tucked the last one under the first one. I finished with a white bow and that was about it!

I am sure this will get some good use for years to come!

Also I wanted to say a HUGE thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the sweet words and love you guys shared over our big news! I will confess that I was super nervous about posting about it...sometimes posting personal stuff is the hardest because I am not sure if anyone will actually care. (hows that for being vulnerable? :)) You all made me feel so good and your joy is truly helping me get even more excited over having a fourth baby and I am definitely looking forward to sharing more of the experience here too!

I hope you all have a wonderful day today and thanks as always for being a blessing to me!