Update in Photos

This Christmas break, I am trying to clean/organize a few things...including my phone. So, I had a bunch of random photos on my phone from things that have gone on in the past few months so I thought I would share with all of you. My sister-in-law did this awhile back and I thought I would do the same. :)

1. A few months ago Kristin and I had a craft day and we decided to make pillows. This orange damask pillow was one of the ones I made to go on our big bay window. I bought the material at Hobby Lobby and stuffed it with polyester stuffing. Note to self: pillow forms are much better! More expensive...but it keeps the pillow from getting lumpy!

2. This is the second pillow I made that day. I sewed it out of burlap, painted on it, and then stuffed it and closed it shut. This pillow now serves as a throw pillow for our bed. I love it! Only next time, I wouldn't rush the painting. I can see about five different things I would change.

3. This is gourmet hot cocoa from Christmas in Fair Park (Paris). This nice gentlemen sold to to me for $1 instead of $2...and it was delicious! Hot cocoa with hazelnut, whip cream, a candy cane and sprinkles. YUM!

4. This is a picture I took with Santa when he came to visit Justiss Elementary.

5. Well, I am sure you are wondering why I have a picture of Corn King hams on here. Yes, it is weird...but these hams were apart of a huge project I took on at our church in December. I headed up our annual Christmas basket ministry. It was a LOT of work and I am pretty sure there were some people who didn't think I could do it. BUT, I did and we ended up handing out about 100 baskets in one day. :) This was the brand of ham that I ordered from Wal-Mart to go with the baskets. Overall, the project was a huge success and I am glad I could do something to give back this holiday season.

6. Those two beauties are my Aunt Misty and puppy Kate. I rode with Misty to Greenville one day to pick up Kate from the pound. When Misty and I walked into the pound it stunk something terrible!!! Plus, it was very sad to see all of those lonely animals. Kate jumped/rolled out of her box to greet us and Misty knew that was the puppy for them. She is adorable and I am glad they did something for puppy humanity. When Grayson (Misty's son) saw her he said it was the best Christmas gift ever!

7.  Chocolate Chip (Pecan) Cookie Pie- I decided that for Christmas I would make a few recipes that I have pinned on Pinterest. I pin things all the time and never make them so I thought this would be a good opportunity to test a few out. This one turned out great and was super easy to make. If you know me at all, you know I am not very good at baking...so if I say it's easy..then it REALLY is!

• 1 unbaked pie shell
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels (plus additional chips for drizzle)
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Beat the eggs, on high, until foamy.  Beat in the flour and then both sugars.  Beat in the butter.  (I usually have a few small specks of butter left in the batter- this is fine and the pie will turn out great.)  Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.  Spoon into the pie crust and bake for 55-60 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.

For the topping:
Melt 1/4 cup chocolate chips.  Add about a 1/2 teaspoon oil.  Stir and pour into a zipper bag.  Cut off a tiny corner and drizzle over the pie.

Optional:
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

8. Parmesan Chipotle Corn- Well this recipe I made up all by myself. I talked to Kim about making some food for Christmas, and this recipe somehow popped into my head. I LOVED it and got a lot of compliments so I am pretty proud of myself. Try it sometime! It's super easy!

• 3 cans White Chipotle Corn (strained)
• 8oz. sour cream
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan
• 4 tbs. of chopped cilantro
• 2 tbs. butter
• salt and pepper to taste

Mix it all together and warm in the microwave for 3-5 minutes.

9. This is a picture of the Hanley men with a shirt that I had made for them for Christmas. It says, "I once thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken. ~Hanley Family Motto~" What I should have put on it was the Hanley MEN motto. Anytime we are at dinner it is me against the three of them. I guess Kim as just learned to smile and watch...but for some reason I am still in battle mode. So, we have been joking about this quote for awhile and I kept telling them I was going to have a shirt with this quote put on it...and I did! I think the guys really liked it. Thanks T-Shirt Shoppe! You did an awesome job!