Happy Holidays!

Sorry for my absence from the blog world for several days. I felt like I was on my death bed on Christmas Eve and Christmas, slipping in and out of consciousness for family obligations between doses of Dayquil and hydrocodone.

The good news is I don't have strep throat, and I'm finally back up to full speed! The bad news (or maybe it is good news too) is I won't have time for any new posts because one of my best friends is getting married tomorrow so I'm going to be going nonstop the next two days.

I'm also trying this new thing called spontaneity and hitching a ride down to Dallas with my friend Brian for a few days of NYE celebrations. So until my life returns to normal (and I go back to work wah wah), cheers to making 2013 the best year ever friends!

So You're Saying You Want a Gorilla Cake...

When my friend Molly asked me to make a groom's cake for her wedding I thought to myself sure. No big deal. I did it for Chelsea's wedding how hard could Molly's groom's cake request be? Boy was I wrong. There was a collapse. There were tears. There was even a bloody nose.

Total. Baking. Disaster.

Molly's grand idea was to make a 3D gorilla cake wearing a Pitt State jersey. Luke is a pret-tay big fan, and played baseball there himself back in his golden years. I was actually really excited to attempt to make this cake since I'd never tried to make a 3D cake before.

My initial idea was to bake two separate 12 x 18" sheet cakes and then cut them into various sized circles to form the body of the gorilla. Why I didn't just use different sized circular cake pans to begin with I'm not sure. That would have been the smart thing to do...the easy thing to do. After baking, carving, stacking, and frosting the various carved circles I could tell there was going to be an eminent disaster. This cake was so unstable. If it did survive the initial day of baking I highly doubt it would have survived the trip back to KC so it is probably for the best that it collapsed about 2 minutes after the assembly was complete. 

The collapse was like a scene from a horror movie. Seriously. It was bloody. While I was simultaneously trying to save my dogs' lives (by keeping a pile of chocolate cake from plummeting to the floor), fighting back tears, and screaming for my mom...someone...anyone to come help me, I got a massive bloody nose. I mean honestly, what are the chances?!? I used to get them all the time when I was younger, but I haven't had one in years. I don't know if it was stress, dry weather, who knows! What I do know is I ended up with a kitchen floor covered in chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, blood, and two very happy dogs. Gross. 

After the incident, I decided to take a break from cake baking to make the rice krispie treats I was going to use to make the gorilla's head and limbs. This was much easier and relatively successful if I do say so myself.

I took a break for several hours to spend some time with the fam, and reconvened later that night...after I had settled down. This time I baked four separate cakes in circular pans and let them cool completely before attempting to stack, assemble, and carve. I stacked two of the four cakes that night, but had to wait until the next morning to add the final two layers. I've never claimed to be a night owl and baking until nearly 1:00 a.m. was too much! I think it was actually better that way because I froze the top two layers, and they were so easy to carve the next morning when they were cold. 

After the gorilla body was frosted with chocolate ganache
 (recipe at the end of this post), it was time to start
playing with fondant.

I've only worked with fondant a few times (and I've never actually made it myself...someday) so it is always a bit of an experiment, but I'm pretty happy with the finished product. I'm definitely not an expert, and there are a lot of seams showing, but considering the total mess I was left with after my first afternoon I'm pretty impressed with how this cake turned out. Just don't look too closely! ...and definitely don't look at this gorilla from behind...or the side....because he has a hunchback. Good enough right? I think the groom was impressed!

Chocolate Ganache

Two 12 oz. packages Ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate pieces

1 pint heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup milk

Heat heavy cream in microwave for 3 minutes. Add chocolate pieces and mix until smooth. Stir in vanilla. When cooled to room temperature, add butter and shortening. Mix well. With an electric mixer add the powdered sugar. If needed, add the milk and mix to smooth consistency.

FMS Photo a Day: December 15-21

Another week, another round of pictures! I feel like I've been absent from the blog world recently, but between a crazy week at work, lots of Christmas parties, and even a blind sort of date (that went surprisingly well) there hasn't been much time to sit at home on the computer! Busy busy busy. I love the holidays!

With 13 days off work, and at least 5 days at home at my parent's house, I'm sure I will be able to come up with some interesting posts...or at least have some funny stories to share! Let me tell you, I've only been back here for about an hour and my mom and Mandy have already gotten into an argument. Apparently my cat's and Mandy's cat's sleeping arrangements are cause for a heated exchange. Someone even stormed out of the house. Oh the drama. At least I know the crazy cat lady gene runs in my family...

Anyways, without further ado, my week in pictures from December 15-21:

December 15: Outdoors - Perfect weather for a cozy sweater and boots. 

December 16: Something You Made - One of the many plates of cookies
and rice krispie treats that Alex and I slaved away on all Sunday afternoon. 

December 17: On the Floor - Evie is obsessed with playing with ribbon
while I am trying to wrap Christmas presents. So cute! I heart her!

December 18: Makes You Feel Merry - margaritas, Mexican food, and
meeting with my book club all made me feel very merry on Tuesday night!

December 19: Something Beginning with 'S' - nothing like a little early
morning stair master workout to get the blood flowing...and to work off
the previous night's Mexican and margaritas!

December 20: Weather - the first snowstorm of the season! It looked pretty,
but I wasn't a fan of being without power all day or my usual hour long
commute taking over two hours. No fun at all.

December 21: Tree - the pretty Christmas tree at my parent's house.
Have I mentioned that I LOVE Christmas?!?

Holiday Baking Extravaganza

A bit delayed (crazy week at work), but on Sunday my friend Alex and I had a baking extravaganza! Nothing like a solid 5 hours of baking to make you forget your recent break-up. Seamus who? We were machines! Not gonna lie, after Sunday even I was sick of baking. Hard to believe, I know. 

On the menu were Cherry Almond Ornament Cookies, Chocolaty Caramel Thumbprints, Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats, and more sugar cookies.

Doesn't she look just like Little Suzy Homemaker in her pearls and apron??  Too cute! Also,
notice the ENORMOUS plate of sugar cookies that we had to frost. Luckily, we enlisted
the help of Alex's amazing husband, Nathan so we weren't decorating well into the night!

Since I didn't help much with the cherry almond ornament cookies I will try to convince Alex to post a how-to on her blog over at Allie Inbetween. Seeing as I've already devoted an entire post to sugar cookies and royal frosting, and I'm pretty sure everyone can handle rice krispie treats, lets focus on the chocolaty caramel thumbprints. These things were divine. 

Chocolaty Caramel Thumbprints

1 egg
1/2 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 T milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp salt
16 vanilla caramels, unwrapped
3 T whipping cream
1 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 tsp shortening

Alex and I came across the recipe on Better Homes & Garden's All-Time Favorite Christmas Cookies list. The recipe looked a bit intimidating since there were several different steps, but it was actually relatively simple.

Making the dough was pretty self-explanatory. I would caution the recipe advised chilling the dough for at least two hours before rolling into balls, coating in egg whites, and covering with chopped pecans. You know how impatient I am so clearly I didn't follow the instructions. Hey I had a birthday dinner to get to!  If you decide to make these I highly suggest following the instructions and chilling for at least two hours because my hands were covered in gooey chocolate dough by the time I was done. The recipe said it would make 36 cookies, but I definitely only ended up with around 26. I'm not sure if this was due to me making abnormally large cookies (I swear they were 1 inch) or because half the dough ended up on my hands. Either way, if you actually need 36 cookies I suggest doubling the recipe.

Also, because the dough is coated in egg whites, even after baking, the dough will still appear glossy and may look a little gooey/raw. To avoid overcooking, gently tap the edges of the cookies when they come out of the oven, and if they feel firm they are probably done. My thumbprints puffed up slightly when they were baked so I used the back of a tablespoon to make deeper indentations before spooning the melted caramel into the center of the cookies.

Alex and I were a bit pressed for time so instead of heating the chocolate in a saucepan over low heat we cheated a little and used the microwave. I despise heating chocolate anyways because it seems like I always end up burning it.

I'm pretty sure I could have eaten all of these by myself. Yum!

I absolutely loved these cookies, and they look so fancy. I will most certainly be adding them to my holiday go-to recipes in future years. What are some of your favorite holiday cookie recipes?

The Greatest Workout EVER

Well what started out as a fabulous birthday weekend drastically took a turn for the worst when I was dumped on Saturday night just 20 short hours after my birthday. Cue the T. Swift breakup songs. Ironically I was watching Cinderella when it happened, but I won't get into that. Happily ever after my arse. 

Anyways, all the more reason to hit Move it Monday full force right?!? Let's talk about the fabulous beginning to my 27th birthday weekend, and not the part I'm trying to forget!

On Thursday night I dragged my friends, Alex and Mandy, to a new indoor trampoline park that just opened near my apartment for a little pre-birthday celebration. This place was ah-maze-ing. If you live in KC then you MUST check out Sky Zone. Seriously. No excuses. 

This place rocks. Except for the fact that you have to wear shoes that
absolutely give you cankles, but I'll get to that...

We decided to attend an hour-long Sky Robics class, and let me tell you, this class was INTENSE. The website says you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour, and that might not be an exaggeration.

Pre-workout...before I was a sweaty mess.

The first class you attend is only $6 (regularly $12), and it was worth every penny. You are forced to wear these horrid shoes that I swear no matter how skinny your legs are will make you look like you have little sausages for ankles.

The class starts with a "warm-up" which is about 5 minutes of bouncing forward and backward and side to side. Jumping jacks. Squat jumps. You name it. We did it. After the "warm-up" I was already winded, and I'm pretty sure my friends wanted to murder me. Luckily they were troopers and toughed it out for the remainder of the class.

After the warm-up we separated into groups of 4 (we only had 3 so the instructor who I swear was 12 years old joined our group which meant no slacking off) for about 30 minutes of circuits with 5 different rotations. The first was rouncing, which I would best describe as a galloping bounce. From there you moved to wall climbs. You literally had to run up a trampoline wall which was easier said then done. Then there were squats with a medicine ball bounce, walk out planks to push ups, and squat jumps. If that wasn't hard enough, next we moved to the foam pit.

If you've ever done gymnastics then I'm sure you are familiar with the foam pit. It was always the greatest part. It was the fun part, but boy was this the opposite of fun. We divided into 3 groups. The first group had to hop into the foam pit while the second group hit the trampolines for jumping jacks, and the third group was allowed to rest. The foam pit is where the torture happened. You had to run as fast as you could in a circle without touching the sides. Did I mention this was in a foam pit? Impossible. (I wish I would have gotten a picture. Maybe next time) Apparently there is some technique to it because the second time I acted like I was jumping hurdles, and it was much easier. I still thought my heart was going to explode, but it was definitely a work out!

We ended the class with about 10 minutes of core exercises which was so nice. Don't get me wrong. It was still challenging, but it was easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy compared to that foam pit. The good news is we all survived, and I'm here to tell the tale!

This class was definitely a nice change from my usual running/Lifetime group fitness routine, and I will definitely be back to attend other Sky Robics classes in the future. I need to be in tiptop shape for all those new male suitors knocking down my door ;) hah! Who wants to go with me??

FMS Photo a Day: December 8-14

Another week in pictures! If you like what you see, and want to see my other pictures, you can follow me on Instagram by clicking right here.

December 8: Someone You Love - Whilst everyone else is posting pictures
of their boyfriends, girlfriends, fiances, husbands, wives, and what-have-you,
don't mind me. Crazy Cat Lady right here...and proud! 

December 9: Out + About - Johnna's annual cookie/ornament exchange party.
There were so many amazing treats, and cute ornaments! I picked the
snowman, but then it was stolen by Alex so I ended up with the super cute shoe!

December 10: Under - love my little coffee/tea cup hanger under my cabinets.
I especially love it right now since it is spruced up with some cute X-mas ornaments.

December 11: Sweet - Normally I would have a picture of a cookie or cupcake,
or some other delicious baked good when given the opportunity, but remember
I'm trying to be healthy for the next three weeks!?! So instead you get a
picture of Greek yogurt, granola, blueberries, and walnuts. Borrrrrring.

December 12: Hat - Yes this is really a hat that was part of the Fall 2011
Cold Weather assortment at Payless.

December 13: Lights - Cute lights outside of SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza where
I had an early birthday dinner with my friends Mandy and Alex. Yum!

December 14: Something Green - Chicken Thai Noodle salad at Yard House
at my birthday/holiday lunch with my amazing co-workers. Sorry I'm obsessed
with food (hence the overload of food pictures this week). 

28 Things Before 28

When I was younger I used to think being 20 sounded so old. 25? That was basically middle aged. At 25, I thought I would have the world figured out. I would most definitely be married. I would have at least one kid (a girl, Mackenzie) and possibly a second (another girl, Kennedy). Your guess is as good as mine as to why those were my names of choice back then, but nonetheless I would be a grown up. 

Theta Bid Day Party 2005: Theme - Where You'll be in 10 Years.
This. Picture. Is. Terrifying.

Yet here I am turning 27 today, and I still feel like a little kid. When I'm sick, I call my mom to come take care of me. When something breaks or I need career advice, I have my dad on speed dial. When I go into a liquor store to buy Skinnygirl Margs I still get nervous because I feel like I shouldn't be old enough to buy alcohol. No joke. It also probably doesn't help that I look like a 12 year old, but that is beside the point...

Today I am 27. Am I married? No. Do I have kids? Absolutely not. Maybe my life hasn't played out like my 10 year old self had planned, but you know what? I'm totally fine with that...even happy that it hasn't! I am still much too self-centered to be married, let alone provide for a family (taking care of my cat is all the responsibility I need thank you very much). So in honor of my 27th birthday I am compiling a list of 28 things I want to do for me before I turn 28. 

1. buy a DSLR camera and take photography lessons
2. run 1,000 miles - might have done this in 2012 but didn't keep track
3. find a church to attend
4. go to a movie by myself - completed 1/20/13. Went and saw Les Miserables all by myself
5. learn to ski - completed 2/23/13. Skiied at Snow Creek in Weston, MO
6. make a budget that I actually stick to so I can save more money for a house - completed 2/14/13. Bought my first house and closed March 21st!
7. read 8 new novels - (1) The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan, (2) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, (3) Little Bee by Chris Cleave, (4) Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, (5) Someone Could Get Hurt by Drew Magary, (6) Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, (7) The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff, (8) Wild by Cheryl Strayed, (9) Power Moves by Karl Welzein, (10) The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian
8. take the GMAT
9. try 10 new restaurants - (1) Room 39, (2) The Majestic, (3) Brewbakers, (4) Salsa Grill, (5) Avelluto's, (6) The Beacon, (7) Chez Elle, (8) The Farmhouse, (9) Nara, (10) The Filling Station..and many more. I've been an overachiever with this one for sure. Of course...the goal with the food.
10. try 12 new recipes - (1) Chocolate Ganache, (2) Avocado Feta Dip, (3) Tomato Basil Soup, (4) Pineapple Lemonade Sangria, (5) Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas, (6) Blueberry Muffins, (7) Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes, (8) Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball, (8) Funfetti Cookie Cake
11. run a half marathon and beat my PR (1.56.28) OR run a full marathon and beat my PR (3:56:22) - Ran Rock the Parkway half marathon on 4/13/13 and finished in 1.48.59
12. complete a 365 photo a day challenge - completed 4/30/13
13. avoid fast food for an entire month - completed February 2012.
14. sing karaoke
15. take a trip to a state I’ve never been to
16. attempt to eat a Paleolithic or vegetarian (haven't decided which) diet for an entire month
17. learn to french braid
18. celebrate three unusual holidays - National Taco Day 10/4/13,
19. host a girl’s night every other month - Bachelorette watch party in January, Housewarming party in April,
20. only use reusable grocery bags
21. make my bed every day for a month - completed March 2013
22. get a promotion - completed 5/2/13
23. take a spinning class
24. buy a KitchenAid stand mixer - completed 12/26/12
25. send snail mail to one family member or friend each month - thank you note to Molly in January,
26. learn to knit
27. floss every other day
28. conquer my biggest fear - hold a snake
29. learn to shoot a gun

You will notice there are actually 29 things on the list. This is because I'm OCD and I will be super annoyed with myself if I only make it through #27, but I seriously do not know if I can complete #28. Snakes TERRIFY me...just ask my sisters or my friend, Marina. They used to hide plastic snakes in my shoes that would send me into hysterics. Even thinking about those creepy little things gives me the shivers.

So I'm off! I've got exactly one year to complete 28 (maybe 29) things before my 28th birthday. 

Wish me luck!

Battling the Holiday Bulge

Leggings and I have a love/hate relationship these days.

I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. My jeans hadn't seen much action in over a month (leggings with long sweaters or dresses make up 98% of my fall/winter wardrobe) so when I decided to break out the ol' jeans Saturday night I had some massive anxiety. The good news? I could at least get them on. The bad news? I had to hop up and down several times and suck in as much as physically possible to get those babies buttoned. Even though I could get them on, there is absolutely no way I could have worn them anywhere I would be sitting for longer than 5 minutes...and I had love handles. Dang those stretchy leggings for making me think I was skinnier than I actually am.

Saturday was December 8th which means I still have to make it through THREE more weeks of birthday and Christmas festivities. Yikes! Apparently it isn't smart to eat whatever I want (and lets get one thing straight - what I want is sweets. Always. Never do I crave carrot sticks or lettuce or chicken breast).  Do people honestly crave healthy food?!? If you are one of those people I need to know your secret. Like immediately. 

In order to combat any additional weight gain and to avoid having to buy new jeans (I'm already a little strapped for cash this month with all my Christmas shopping), I'm taking the workouts up a notch this week. I'm also going to attempt to exhibit at least a wee bit of self control when it comes to the Christmas cookies. 

This week I'm shooting for 20 miles of running which doesn't seem too unreasonable. 4 days of running 5 miles or 5 days of running 4 miles is doable right? I'm also going to try to get in a few lunchtime workouts with my friend Alex. We came across an awesome FREE Nike Training Club app. Seriously this thing is ah-maze-ing. If you have an iPhone this app is a must. I honestly think this app is better than having a personal trainer.

The app lets you select whether you want to Get Lean, Get Toned, Get Strong, or Get Focused. If you select any of the first three options you can choose beginner (average 4-5 workouts a month), intermediate (average 2-3 workouts a week), or advanced (average 3-5+ workouts a week). After selecting your level, the app provides different 30 or 45 minute workouts. The workouts under Get Lean include a bit more cardio than the other two, and the proportion of strength training increases when you move to the Get Toned workouts, and then increases a little more when you move to Get Strong. Personally, I tend to focus on the intermediate Get Toned workouts, but any of the others that I've tried have been equally as amazing. I've only attempted to do an advanced workout one time and it definitely kicked my butt! The Get Focused workouts are 15 minutes long and focus on a particular area of the body (cardio, butt, arms, legs, back, core, shoulders, etc). Alex and I usually try to do a couple of the Get Focused workouts at lunch if we are planning to run after work.

Some of the options under the intermediate Get Toned goal.

Some of the options on the Get Focused goal.

The greatest part about this app is once you've started the workout, if you are unsure about how to complete any of the exercises you can click on the girl and an instructional video will play. These exercises are almost foolproof and require minimal equipment (most workouts only require a set of hand weights) so you could easily complete these at home if you do not have access to a gym. Just head to Wal-mart or Target and pick up a pair of 5-8 pound hand weights and you are good to go. 

Here's to a healthy, active week!

Check out Move it Monday over at the Domestic Wannabe!

Conquering Sugar Cookies and Royal Icing

Give me a cupcake or cake design to tackle, and I can get it done no problem, but sugar cookies and royal icing? Those were completely uncharted territory for me. That is, until yesterday.

I've been lusting over the fabulous cookies at One Preppy Cookie for months now. Seriously, everything she makes is so adorable. I was having major cookie envy so I decided my friend Johnna's annual cookie/ornament exchange party was the perfect excuse to finally bite the bullet and try it out for myself.

Since I'd never really made sugar cookies before (unless you count the slice and bake variety from Pillsbury) I did a quick Google search for the best recipe. I ultimately decided to use one from allrecipes.com:

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

Playing with cookie cutters is so fun! Although I need a bigger collection...

makes 5 dozen

1 1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

I followed the recipe exactly, but now that I think about it, the cookies would have been even better with a little almond extract. Next time I make them I will substitute 1/2 tsp vanilla for 1/2 tsp almond instead. Also, the recipe said it makes 5 dozen cookies. I must have been baking abnormally large cookies because I only ended up with around 3 dozen. Whatever I'm still pretending mine only have 109 calories like the recipe says! :) 

I think the hardest part about making sugar cookies is you have to let the dough chill for at least an hour before you start rolling, cutting, and baking. Otherwise you end up with big, unrecognizable blobs after they've baked. I was working with limited cookie cutters so I made stars, snowflakes, trees, and penguins. I didn't have an oval or Easter egg shaped cookie cutter for the penguins so I got creative and used an oval tupperware. Yes I am unoriginal and copied the penguins that One Preppy Cookie had made, but they were way too cute not to make.  I don't know about you, but I am extremely impatient so once I get started on something I want it to be done right away. Between the chilling, rolling, and cutting, just baking sugar cookies is a pretty big time commitment, but they are worth it when you are finished. Yum!

I was just about baked out after rolling and cutting for several hours
so I called it a night and reconvened the next morning for decorating.

This is why I need a stand mixer. What a mess!

Since I'd also never attempted to make royal icing before, I scoured the Internet for recipes and videos on the best ways to use this icing. I decided on the following recipe from JoyofBaking.com:

Royal Icing Using Meringue Powder

4 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 teaspoon extract
1/2 - 3/4 cup warm water

I used vanilla extract in the frosting too, but I wish I would have used almond. The articles I read online said this icing dried out very quickly so I was a little nervous, but I just covered it with saran wrap when I wasn't using it and I didn't have any issues. I chose to use piping bags to outline my cookies and then I used a spoon to add frosting to the center and "flood" the cookies. This seemed to work out pretty well, but if anyone has any better ideas of how to do it please tell!

Call me crazy, but I find piping to be somewhat therapeutic! 

The stars, snowflakes, and trees were a breeze to decorate since I was only using one color, but the penguins were a little bit trickier. My patience was put to the test yet again because I had to wait for the first layer of icing to dry before I could add the eyes, nose, and feet.I didn't wait quite long enough on some of them and the penguin's eyes bled slightly. Oh well! You live and you learn!

The finished product!

This icing definitely doesn't taste as good as buttercream frosting, but you really can't deny the fact that is makes some pretty cookies! When it dries it has such a smooth, matte finish! I definitely need to keep practicing, but it was fun to try something new for a change!

FMS Photo a Day: December 1-7

Who made it through the first week of Fatmumslim's December Photo a Day Challenge with me? I've gotta be honest I cheated slightly one day. I was hunkered down inside work all day on Thursday so I used a picture I had taken a few months ago for the From Where You Live/Your Country prompt. I figured people would rather see a pretty picture of the Kansas sky instead of my boring little cube.  At least I posted a picture that day so I'm counting it! :)

Here are my pictures from the past week:

December 1: 8 o'clock - Seamus was a good sport and went with
me to the Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum. 

December 2: Peace - I had a hard time thinking of something for this prompt.
I was originally going to take a picture of an angel ornament on my tree, but
 there was a beautiful sunset Sunday night so I snapped a pic of that instead!

December 3: Something You Held - I was planning on having a productive
night after work on Monday wrapping all the presents I'd bought so far.
Unfortunately I bought everything except for tape. Fail.

December 4: Black + White - This was my attempt at being artsy haha. I joined
a book club with some of my girlfriends at work, and we had our December
meeting/happy hour on Tuesday to discuss The Friday Night Knitting Club.

December 5: Looking Up - I spent the night at my parent's house on
Wednesday night so I could use the mixer to bake some cupcakes for a
work Christmas party. I love seeing these two cuties when I'm home!

December 6: From Where You Live/Your Country - Here is my cheater
picture. At least it is pretty right?!?

December 7: Stars - I started baking sugar cookies for my friend Johnna's
annual cookie and ornament exchange party she is hosting on Sunday. Blog
post on decorating with royal icing coming later this week ;)

So there is my week in pictures! I also discovered a pretty fun free iPhone app this week for displaying photos a day in a calendar format called Project 365. I wish I had found this app several months ago because it is going to take a while to go back and add all my pictures. Maybe I'll save that project for a rainy day. Hope everyone is having fun with this challenge. Looks like there are some good prompts for this coming week!