While most of you have already seen these pictures from our Christmas card this year, I thought I would share these pictures anyway because I just love them so much! This little man melts my heart every day. We laugh because even when he is sleeping, we sit and scroll through pictures of him on the computer….to say we are obsessed would be an understatement! 
Happy 2013!!!!
I have had this recipe in the back of my recipe book for well over two years and decided it was finally time to give it a try. With the holidays coming up, I am always in need of new cookie recipes. This one reminds me of my favorite almond cookies from my days working at the local coffee shop, Bella Bru, while in high school. These little cookies are filled with tons of almond flavor and are perfect to enjoy with your morning coffee or as an after dinner treat!
Italian Almond Cookie
Ingredients:
3 egg whites
1 (16-oz) package Bob’s Red Mill Finely Ground Almond Meal
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced almonds
Powered sugar
Directions:
1. Beat egg whites until foamy in a large bowl. Stir in almond meal, sugar, almond extract and salt; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill.
2. Preheat oven to 300F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Press almonds with your fingers to break into smaller pieces. Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch crescents and roll in almonds; place on baking sheets.
3. Bake for 20 minutes for softer or 30 minutes for firmer cookies. Dust with powdered sugar.
One of the best things about the holidays is the time I get to spend with family….evenings cuddled together around the wood stove catching up on all the daily chatter. Seems like this just doesn’t happen as much as we would like, so I will treasure it when it does.
The best part about it is, the older I get the closer I become to each of them. I always loved my family but I can say there was a time when I was…well…less than enthused to be seen getting dropped off for school by my Dad in his work truck. Now days, I’ll ride shotgun in any car he comes to pick me up in — added bonus if my Mom is in it too because they, along with all my siblings, truly have become my best friends.
xoxo
As mentioned here, we enjoyed the city fireworks show as Ryan and I have done since 2003. It is always a great way to celebrate the holiday season and a fun time to get together with friends. Ryan enjoys spending each year perfecting his fireworks shots and this year were some of his best! 
Here was the great finale which lit up the entire beach with the bright flashes.
While this shot is more reminiscent of Halloween than Christmas, I loved the bright moon sitting above this house and had to capture it on the walk home. Once again, another great show and another memory down in the books!
xoxo
This beautiful picture was taken by the hubs during last Sunday’s firework show put on by the city every year. This fireworks show was one of our first dates back in 2003, so it always has a special place in our hearts.
xoxo
Ahhhhh…..Christmas. The sights. The sounds. The smells. All so pleasant to enjoy from the comfort of home. Dare to enter the mall or a store and you might be singing a different tune! But when all is said and done it really can be the most wonderful time of the year!
I have always dreamed of one day spending the entire month of December in New York. Of course, in my dream month in New York, I would have ice skating skills worthy of those cute skating outfits ala Blair Waldorf, endless money to spend at Bergdorfs, and of course time to enjoy a wonderful drink at the Plaza. So, for now, I will enjoy a glass of wine from my New York wine glass and call myself lucky. Lucky to have our health and lucky to be surrounded by such love. But don’t worry, I will still be stalking all those New York bloggers {The Glamouri, From Me-To You} and hoping for some good ol’ New York eye candy.
xoxo
There is nothing better than spending time with family during the holidays and this year was extra special because the whole family was able to make it home to celebrate Christmas, even my sister who is stationed at the Royal Air Force base in England. Because I only get to see my sister a few times a year, we decided to take advantage and I spent some time taking pictures while in Tahoe on Christmas morning.
SPACE
SPACE
I absolutely love this picture of Krissy throwing snow with the beautiful Tahoe trees in the background. Also, this one of her catching some air — all she needs is a board attached to those feet!
Krissy, I can’t wait for you to come back to the states and I hope you have a good trip back home!!! Thanks for the fun!!
This post just had too many possible titles, it was so hard to pick one: The Bull Strikes Again, Wacked, Another One Bites the Dust, Again?, or Man Down . But this is a little introduction to my dearly beloved “Bull”.
Over the years, Ryan has earned himself the nickname, “The Bull” . This name was the result of years of bull-like incidents such as breaking an ENTIRE box of my wine glasses during a move, snapping my kitchen scissors in half, tackling me (like a real one) without even meaning too, deciding that brut force is always easier than moving whatever is in the way, or even breaking several thick drinking glass while merely rinsing them out. Everytime one of these incidents occurs, Ryan comes to me with a pitiful face and says sorry and I am left with one less breakable thing in the house.
On Sunday, I spent the afternoon gently placing ornaments on our Christmas tree and listening to the 24 hours Christmas radio station. Ryan came in to help place the last few ornaments on the tree. I believe at ornament No. 6 of his total of 10, I heard the shatter and this poor guy was left splattered on the tile. I guess this snowman’s ornament days are over!
29/265 - Man Down
Our Footprints..... 