Ladies that Dine Christmas Extravaganza!

I hosted the official "Ladies that Dine Christmas Extravaganza" on Monday night - you can tell by the pictures it was a very fun and crafty night. On the menu was broccoli soup, bruschetta and garlic bread, and mini pumpkin pies.





After we ate, we opened the gifts we made for each other. I made the rule a few months ago (to give advance warning), that we should make gifts for each other this year....I was met with resistance until the very end, but the Ladies stepped up to the plate and created some wonderful gifts:







It was like Christmas pooped all over my house, it was so festive!

Cookie machine!

In anticipation of my book club tomorrow and holiday parties this weekend, I spent last night baking away! I made multiple batches of spritz cookies (yum!) and a HUGE banana bread that's to die for. And I even cleaned up after myself after I made a mess!




I just realized I didn't take a picture of the final product. Whoops!


I'm in love with our little 3 foot tree...

Crafting away...

I told myself back in September that I need to start crafting things for Christmas. And while I've finished a few things, the heat is on for trying to complete gifts for the Ladies that Dine dinner next week! The girls weren't too thrilled when I mentioned we should make gifts instead of giving in to the consumer culture, so it'll be interesting to see what they come up with.

Alot of my favorite bloggers/websites are posting fun crafty ideas for the holidays. Hope some of them inspire you to make a homemade gift!

Fun felt stockings at What about Orange

Fun old-school, kindergarten inspired holiday decor at AlphaMom

Downloadable baking gift tags at Everylittlething. Too cute!

My ideal Holiday House (at Posie gets Cozy)

Happy crafting!!

Engaged!!

Yes my friends...most of you probably all know this, but Paul proposed to me the day after Thanksgiving, and I said yes! It was such a memorable event, and I (and Paul) are so happy! He proposed to me at the New York New York Hotel in Vegas, and the following day we went on a helicopter ride down to the Grand Canyon. It was beautiful, amazing, and exciting! Here are a few of my favorite pics from our trip. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!