Oh What Fun It Is To...Take Family Christmas Photos!

For the first time ever, in the history of our little family, we were unable to take our Christmas photo with every family member. Our oldest is in another county going to college and this year we just couldn't manage to get everyone in the same place long enough. So instead we took everyone's photo separately and just put them all on the same card. What a genius idea! Apparently people do this all the time. Ha ha!
Of course, we had to take many, many photos so everyone would be happy. Some were cute.

Some were funny.

Some were downright goofy!

And my husband and I couldn't be left out of the fun.

Our oldest? The one away at college? Well, hers turned out just fine! So it went directly on the card.

She may not have been able to come home for the Christmas card, but she IS coming home for Christmas! And Christmas Eve! I am so thankful that all my sweet babies will be under the same roof on these very special days. And I hope yours are as well! Hugs, Taniya

Baking For Christmas!

Hi Everyone! This week, and actually most of this month, has been spent baking. Which I love! I look so forward to this time of year because I love baking, love shopping for that special gift for those I love, and decorating the house and Christmas tree with my family is an amazing time as well! But today I'm going to write about all this yummy-ness going on around here. First I made
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
These are just such a simple recipe and everyone loves them so I like to include them on the plates I give away.

Next I made a batch of fruit bars. This time I made APRICOT FRUIT BARS. Usually I have to make many more batches of these lovely things because everyone eats them before I can plate enough of them to give them away! Ha ha!

And who doesn't love SNICKERDOODLES?

We also made two pans of fudge, one regular and one PEPPERMINT CHOCOLATE FUDGE.

But the regular got eaten so fast I only got a photo of the peppermint! Lastly, we made PEPPERMINT BARK.

I still have more baking to do and will continue until Christmas Day with the grand finale being Christmas dinner with ham and all the lovely side dishes that go so well together. If anyone is interested, I'll be posting recipes of these fun Christmas cookies and desserts soon! Until then may your days be merry and bright...and full of good food! And may your stove look like this.

Kisses, Taniya

Gold Canyon Candle Party

I know all of you have heard of Tupperware parties, right? And maybe some of you have even been to some sort of jewelry party or maybe Mary Kay. But a CANDLE party? Well, I had never been to a candle party. Had never known of such a thing...until I heard of this Gold Canyon Candle party a friend of mine was hosting. I walked in and the whole house was full of amazing scents! Her counters were covered with samples in categories like "masculine" and "fruity", and there was a whole group that smelled like my favorite...FOOD! Not food like steak and potatoes, oh no, but Toasted Coconut Macaroon and Toffee Drizzled Popcorn! Oh yeah! There were so many I liked I couldn't decide on just one. So I didn't. I bought three! And they have arrived so I can show you.

This giant one is Salted Caramel. I can't even tell you how yummy this is! I could just lick it, but I won't! Next, I got tea lights in Brown Sugar Cookie.

I light just one of these teeny things and BAM! it smells like I've been baking all day. Quite lovely. Now number three you might think is a bit strange. It was in the "Masculine" section but reminded me of growing up in Orange County with our horses because this scent is called Leather.

It smells like saddles and bridles and cowboy boots and is just great! Kinda funny they're all brown. Hee hee! I have already decided that if I go to another Gold Canyon party I'm going to get some summery scents like Sparkling Apricot or Ginger Lime. So if you haven't ever heard of this company and want to check them out, they have a website.
Here's to a brown sugar cookie scented day! See you next time. Taniya