For Unto Us.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

We all gathered around my grandmother's living room last night. My dad had prepared a nativity program and each child had a part to play. It is one of the highlights of the year. My red-head, who happens to have the most fiery personality I've met, insisted upon being a super hero rather than a shepherd for the second year in a row. He wanted his stuffed cougar to play baby Jesus. My two-year-old niece, who was playing the Angel Gabriel, shouted "Hallelujah" instead of the lines she was supposed to repeat. My nephews took the scripture about the wisemen "falling to the ground" literally and looked as if they died at the foot of Mary and Joseph. A comedy of errors, I suppose. And the adults were all giggling through it.

My mother was talking to my daughter a few nights ago. Quizzing her with question on school, friends and life. She asked my 5-year-old, "What is your favorite Christmas story? Frosty? Rudolph?" My sweet daughter said, "No. My favorite is the one about Mary and her little baby, Jesus." That's my favorite too, sweet daughter.

Wishing you all peace, joy and family during the holidays. Hoping that we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas and what is really important.

Paper Whites.

I've never been very good at growing plants inside. In fact, I've never come close to succeeding. I was praying that this little bulb would grow into a flower before I posted about this project; I wanted to show you how pretty the blooms were. It worked! My pretty little paper white flower is thriving. (Which means that anyone can grow these things!)

While at Thanksgiving Point, we were able to plant one of these bulbs in a cute little tin can. Touted as an easy neighbor gift idea, and I'm all about ease during the holidays. Now that I see how easy they are to grow, this may just be what my neighbors receive next year.

And that bulb was only planted 1.5 weeks before the first picture! Can you believe that gorgeous bloom was already on display? My husband and I were always amazed to wake up each morning and see how big the plant was. It grows so quickly.

Super Easy How-To:

Gather a container. (A clean can. A pot. Anything will do.) Cover the bottom with an inch or so of rocks. Then, fill the can or pot with potting soil, leaving the top inch empty. Place your paper white (or amaryllis) in the soil. Make sure it is right-side up and that it is only covered with soil to the bulb's widest point. Place some pretty moss on top of the soil, around the bulb.

Now you get to be creative! Decorate the can/pot however you please. We used burlap, berries and some other pretty leaves and twigs.

Turned out rather cute, don't you think? I've got an inclining to grow more, now. Perhaps an Amaryllis next?

Weekend Highlights and Lowlights.

• Husband aced his finals. Woot! Many more semesters to go...
• Built our first snowman of the year. Had a pretty wimpy snowfall thus far. Hoping you Californians share some of your overabundance of moisture with us!
• Parents flew in from Hawaii and sister from Nebraska. Missing our brothers in Colorado and Virginia. But I'll take what family time I can get. I hate that we all live so far away from each other!
• Husband and I spent 4 hours last night wrapping presents, eating chocolate and watching Christmas specials on TV. Shopping is done, presents are wrapped, food is prepped. I'm finally ready.
• Mourning the loss of Provo's beautiful tabernacle. I grew up going there. Sang in concerts more times than I can count. Attended live nativities, played on the beautiful spiral staircases, watched my children crawl over the benches. I've been touched and changed by inspiring speakers. It is part of my history. Part of my ancestry. I cried as I watched it burn. Even if they rebuild, it will not be the same. You can't replicate the smells, the 1800's charm. I will miss it.

Giveaway: Green Grass Stamps.

My sweet friend and co-worker, Tammy, owns one of the cutest stamp companies around: Green Grass Stamps! They are deeply etched, rubber stamps. Super high quality and her designs are some of my favorite around. Tammy is delightful and sweet; a pleaser to work with and order from. The packaging is SO darling. I should have taken a picture of it! You will love it when it arrives in your mailbox.

I love stamps that seem to do your work for you. Tammy's new Christmas stamps do just that! The big bow is a new favorite stamp. It adds a dramatic pop of color. I can see using it for gifts all year long.

Tammy is going to giveaway some of her stamps to one Sherbet Blossom reader! Woot!

Please comment on this post by 11pm MST on Tuesday, December 21st to enter.


For extra entries: (A new comment for each entry must be left for these extras to count.)
• Tweet, Facebook or Blog about and link back to this giveaway.
• Follow Green Grass stamps with Google Friend Connect or Facebook


The winner will be announced on December 21st. Good luck!

Congrats to Jinny Newlin!

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
Stamps: Green Grass Stamps (Warm Winter Wishes)
Ink:  Colorbox
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink

MERRY
Stamps: Green Grass Stamps (Made with Love), Wplus9 (Tag)
Ink: Colorbox
Cardstock: Neenah

A VERY JOLLY HOLIDAY
Stamps: Green Grass Stamps (A Very Jolly Holiday)
Ink: Colorbox
Punch, Ribbon: Stampin' Up
Cardstock, Patterned Paper, Rick Rack Die: Papertrey Ink

A Bullet List.

I've been running like crazy this month; this way and that. I had great plans for each of these bullet points to get their own post. But, with the pace this month has already set, I realized that a bullet list is the only way to go.

• I never did finish my advent calendar on time. (Am making this one.) It is almost done, and will be tucked neatly into our Christmas box for next year. My mother came through and saved the day, as always. She made the kiddos a darling advent featuring mittens hung on a clothes line. Each mitten is filled with treats or an activity. She also has big dates, such as birthdays or when family members from out-of-town arrive, highlighted with darling little flags.

• December is always a busy month in my line of work. Press day is press day for the magazine, regardless of the holidays. Companies want to revamp their identity for the new year. Packaging changes, blogs want a new look and Christmas card orders keep me hoping. I'm down to my last few custom design orders before Christmas. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

• I've been my church's activities committee co-chair for a while. The other committee chair, along with all our committee members and I have been busy, busy preparing for our Christmas party. A lot of time was put into the decor, advertising, food and program. It went without a hitch, but we are very glad to be done with it.

• I was overly involved in high school. I kept myself far too busy. (I haven't changed much, have I?) I was a senior class officer and we have just started planning our 10-year reunion. I can't believe it's that time already! Facebook is making finding our classmates a rather easy task. I don't know how student councils did it pre-social media times.

 • Heber Valley Railroad invited me and my family on the Polar Express. We had fun spending the evening together. If you want to go, you can get $5 off coach tickets on December 14, 15 and 16 by calling the train directly at 435-654-5601 and ask for the “Utah Blogger” discount.

• No release for Wplus9 this month. Dawn was kind enough to give the design team the month off. However, we'll be back with another fantastic release in January!

• Am nursing my sick family. I'm the only one left standing. Daughter is starting to recover from the flu just as the three boys start to show the symptoms. I've always prided myself in an abnormally strong immune system, but I don't think to odds are in my favor. I'm hoping my turn isn't over Christmas.

• Am giving myself the permission to post sparingly from now until New Years. Please excuse me as I may only pop in once or twice a week. My husband is on Christmas vacation and my parents are flying in from Hawaii. I need some quality family time.

Giveaway: Thanksgiving Point Annual Family Pass!

I wish every state had a Thanksgiving Point. I am so lucky to live near it. I've lived next door since its beginning and have spent more hours than can be counted on their grounds. My engagement pictures were shot in its beautiful gardens. I've eaten way too many ice cream cones in the ice cream parlor and have attended wedding after wedding in their beautiful rooms. My brother's wedding brunch was in Thanksgiving Point's Rose Room and the food was spectacular. We bought a season pass last year and I've taken my kids to enjoy the gardens, farm and dinosaur museum every week since. We love it.

I am so thrilled about today's giveaway. Beyond thrilled, actually. You Utahans do not want to miss out on this! Thanksgiving Point would like to give one of you a ANNUAL FAMILY PASS! That's a $175 value! 

Please comment on this post by Monday, December 20th to enter.


For extra entries: (A new comment for each entry must be left for these extras to count.)
• Tweet, Facebook or Blog about and link back to this giveaway.
• Follow Thanksgiving Point on Facebook or Twitter
• Follow Sherbet Blossom with Google Friend Connect or Facebook

The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on December 21st. Good luck!

Congrats TamiKate!

DISCLAIMER: I was given a Annual Family Pass for attending a bloggers event at Thanksgiving Point, but I am not being paid for this post. I purchased my own annual pass last year. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

Daunting Deadline.

Because of some fast-approaching design deadlines on my docket, the promised giveaway will be postponed until Monday. Still have high hopes of doing a weekend review post just in time for the next weekend to start. But I shouldn't make anymore promises. These deadlines are rather daunting.

In case I don't emerge from the design studio until Monday: happy weekending, ya'll!

image via flickr.

Mint Chocolate Brownies.

My husband is a mint-chocolate lover, and this recipe is dedicated to him.

This particular recipe was given to me by my college roommate, Casey, and is a favorite. Fudgy - but not TOO fudgy. The perfect brownies. The perfect treat to bring to a festive gathering. A definite crowd pleaser.

CASEY'S MINT CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
3/4 cup cocoa
2/3 cup plus 4 tbsp. shortening
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Melt cocoa and shortening in a bowl. (You can microwave or melt on the stovetop.) Mix in sugar, eggs and vanilla. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in 9x13" cake pan. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool completely.

MINT FROSTING

1/2 lb. powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. peppermint extract

green or red food coloring

1/4 cup butter

1 tbsp. light Karo syrup

1/2 tsp. vanilla

dash of salt

1/2-1 tbsp. milk, if needed 

CHOCOLATE FROSTING:

1/2 lb. powdered sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp vanilla

4 tbsp. butter

5 tbsp. boiling water

1/2-1 tbsp. milk, if needed 

Mix the ingredients for each frosting. Frost brownies first with mint frosting. Put into fridge for 10 minutes. Frost with chocolate frosting. Cut & enjoy.

*Brownies pictured below were made in a jelly roll pan. I was experimenting with making thinner brownies. They were still yummy, but this recipe is much better when cooked in a 9x13 dish.

Belated Birthday Wishes.

"Oh, Life!"

A frequent exasperation leaving my lips as of late. Life doesn't want to settle in our home. Uneventful days seem out of reach. It's an adventure, that's for sure. An adventure that I'm glad to be in with Jason.

He is my perfect fit. We thrive on each others' strengths. We carry each other when weak. We crave each others' company and live for our late-night chats.

Jason thrives on simplicity. He is the calm in our storm. He keeps me sane and helps me to handle it all. A breath of fresh air when I am suffocating in life's stuff.

Jason is an outdoors-man. An adventurer. A climber. A hiker. An explorer. If he sees a cave, we must stop the hike, climb to it and investigate. He dreams of living in the mountains on a ranch with horses. So glad that country-boy fell in love with this city-girl. (After 8.5 years of marriage, our roots seem to be melding. Idaho now feels like my second home and Jason is comfortable in traffic.)

Jason is an athlete. He is fantastic at sports; any sport. I don't know how he does it. Perhaps it is my lack of coordination that makes me awe at his natural abilities. His expertise is basketball. Boy, can that boy jump! Right over guys a foot taller. It's almost funny what polar opposites we are in the athletic regard. I'm glad he finds my lack of coordination amusing.

Jason is a chocoholic. A true, rich and dark chocolate lover. He is known for saying, "If it doesn't have chocolate, it isn't dessert." I like his thinking!

Jason is healthy, despite his chocolate addiction. Conscious of his body and what he puts in it. He cheers on my efforts to buy natural and whole. He snacks on fruit.

Jason is witty. A thick, dry humor. No one can get me giggling like him.

Jason is a hard worker. A doer. A completer. Dependable to the end. He sets goals and accomplishes them. Despite some personal challenges, he is top of his class. He has to put in more effort than most to get his grades, but he does it. He makes me proud.

Jason is gentle. Tender-hearted, soft-spoken, in-tune. He is the kindest soul I know. When his life gets hectic, he worries about me. He always puts himself last. A sweet husband. A true gentleman.

Jason loves me and I love him back. It doesn't get any better than that!

When I think of my marriage, my exasperated "Oh, Life!" changes to an exhilarated "Oh, Life!" Jason makes my life better. Jason gives me joy.

Happy Birthday, Babe! I love you!



Other News:
• Thanks to all who purchased the $1 Twelve Days download! It is still available! Click here to get one for yourself!
• Will be back before noon today with a chocolate recipe dedicated to my main squeeze.
• A weekend report coming soon. Our first December weekend was quite eventful!
• An exciting giveaway will be posted tomorrow!

12 Days of Christmas Tags Printable.

Am guest posting over on my sweet friend, Kami's blog today. She asked me to share a dollar printable designed by yours truly. 12 Days of Christmas gift tags. Ready for printing and only $1!

Will be back soon with a delicious recipe, a weekend report and a tribute to my love. He turns 32 today. Wowza!

Giveaway: Communal.

In Utah, we are a bit limited in the really good restaurants arena. Recently, however, a pair of chefs decided to open some restaurants with truly good eats. I first fell in love with them when they opened Pizzaria 712. Stunning food. Both to the eyes and to the palette. I was in heaven while eating. The latest restaurant they've opened in my neck of the woods is called "Communal." It is gourmet home-cooking, comfort food. And the atmosphere is fantastic; cozy yet modern. Complete with a real communal table.

I was invited by Communal to come in for a tasting of its latest addition: breakfast. Yes, please. Breakfast is my favorite meal. And, their breakfast didn't disappoint. I, along with several other Utah bloggers, were able to sample almost everything on their menu. One thing majorly stands out in my mind: the granola. It was superb. I horded it. My poor blogging friends sitting next to me. I couldn't stop eating it. My only complaint? That they don't sell it in bulk. I would have taken a ginormous bag of it home. It was sweet yet tangy, served on some spectacular Greek yogurt with Utah's famous honey.

My mouth is watering just typing that.

The other food was good too. The muffin was tasty. The baked eggs were unique and rich. The French toast with baked apples was incredible. But, to me, the morning was all about the granola. I've already planned my next trip. I have to disclose...they gave me a $25 gift certificate for coming in. You know what I'll be buying with it.

Communal
102 N. University Ave.
Provo, UT 84601
801.373.8000


Open for breakfast starting tomorrow, November 30, 2010.
Tuesday-Friday: 7:30 am -10:30 am
Saturday Brunch: 8:00 am-1:00 pm

And, a big THANK YOU to my sweet friend, Lindsey for letting me use her pictures. She is an outstanding cook who is an equally great photographer. Check out her blog for more pictures. And, while you are there, stay a while. Her blog is a favorite of mine.

THE GRANOLA aka Heaven on Earth:

Would you like to win a $25 gift certificate? Please comment on this post by Monday, December 6th to enter.


For extra entries: (A new comment for each entry must be left for these extras to count.)


* Tweet, Facebook or Blog about and link back to this giveaway.


The winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 7th.

CONGRATS to Janey!

Birthday/HP Review & Pictures.

I had a wonderful birthday. What made my birthday even more fun this year? My sweet nephew was born! He is adorable, and I'm so proud to share my birthday with that cutie pie. I can't wait to see him in person.

My siblings surprised me with a Kindle. It has been in non-stop use since its arrival; such a perfect gift for me - a book lover. Speaking of books, I've updated my book-challenge list. Read 8 books in November. Favorite of which was "The Help." Also read "Frankenstein" for the first time ever. So creepy! And good!

We celebrated by seeing Harry Potter on opening night and eating at a new-found favorite restaurant, The Pie. Mmm. Harry Potter was incredible and our fellow movie-watchers were dressed to the hilt in wizard costumes. We saw it on the big IMAX screen. The movie brought me close to tears in the first 5-minutes, and the dang movie left me in tears at its end. (I hate leaving a movie with red eyes...) Be forewarned: this movie is quite dark. Depressing at times. Thrilling throughout. I loved it and consider it a must-see. I have no shame in declaring my Harry Potter fan-ship.

And for all you Utah locals, you MUST try eating a pizza at The Pie sometime. Yum! For dessert, try their hot cookie/melty ice cream dish. Even though we were full of veggie pizza, we had no problem downing the dessert.

The actual birthday, Tuesday, was pretty laid back at home. Husband made a crab dinner and bought a chocolate cake. Since his birthday is only 2 weeks after mine, we decided that this monster of a cake would be for both of us. 60-years collectively between us. We've been telling all our friends that "we are 60 years old." Somehow, I was left alone in blowing out the 60 candles, and blew out all but one. Does that mean bad luck for me? Or him?

I dined at another amazing local restaurant on Saturday with some blogging buddies and am going to be hosting a giveaway for a gift certificate. Check back in a couple hours. You do not want to miss this giveaway!

A slew of birthday pictures for your enjoyment: