On the 11th Day of Christmas: I started organizing with you!

On the 11th Day of Christmas, I started sharing some organization tips to help you get ready for the new year!

Beginning in January girls, we're getting organized.  My 52 Shades of Shay posts will be about organizing your desk, your closet, your photos, your scrapbook, your calendar, your pantry...YOUR LIFE!  I may have a lot of flaws (many!) but there's one thing I am...ORGANIZED.  And I want you to be too!

So, we're starting today with help from my good friend Erin Condren and we're organizing your day planner (at this point, my mother needs to really focus, the other day, I was telling her how we had 3 parties the first 5 days of January and then I asked her if she had a calendar and she said no...listen up mama!).  And this day planner business is totally a Shade of Shay (so this is a double-duty post!).

Right now, you're either totally clueless or totally excited...it all depends on if you know who Erin Condren is...

Collage courtesy of 4 You with Love

...Erin Condren is the queen of all things organized, whimsical, practical and FUN!  I could go on and on about how much I love her stuff...but today, I'm focusing on her Life Planners.  This is mine...

...I love, love, love mine!  Every year when mine arrives, I get giddy with excitement!  Now, you know me...my year runs August to July (because that's how my brain works...the beginning of school, will always be the beginning of the year in my head)...and the fabulous thing about Erin Condren is that you get to make your Life Planner fit your calendar year!  I picked the cover that includes photos but there are also some really pretty pre-designed covers you can chose from too.  Click here to see all of your options.

So, how is this planner a Shade of Shay?  Because my entire life is inside.  This is my right-hand man that keeps my family and me organized!  Take a peak inside...

...I had to show you blank pages in mine because I write so much personal info all over it!  I write down recipes, travel plans for clients, our personal finances, notes about what I'm going to bring to parties (food and such), reminders...everything is written in here!  I use Erin's special markers that don't bleed through and my book is full of color coded details (my travel clients' info is written in orange, Mix and Match Mama stuff is in blue, birthdays are in red, etc.).  I love that it has a "keep it together" folder for all of our party invites, it comes with reminder stickers, a ruler...so much!  This little planner can totally help get your life in order this 2014.

Here are my thoughts on day planners verses planners on electronic devises...

1. I'm already on my phone way too much, I don't need to be checking it even more often to see my schedule.

2. For some reason writing things down on paper makes me remember it more.

3. I love crossing things off in my planner once the task is accomplished...it's a feeling of productivity.

4. I like how this planner has folders to keep things like invites and such grouped together (my phone can't do that).

5. I can talk on my phone and go through my calendar at the same time (something Sheaffer and I do often as we're organizing our blogs).

6. There are note pages in the back of the planner where I keep Christmas lists, party ideas, recipe ideas, banking information...seriously, my entire life.  I love having those notes and lists right next to my calendar.

Everyone is different, but for me...this day planner keeps me super organized and together.  

To celebrate this Shade of Shay and our 11th Day of Christmas, we are giving away one $200 Erin Condren gift card and one $50 Erin Condren gift card.  Woohoo!!!  It's time to ORGANIZE!

To see everything Erin Condren, click here.   

We've had such a busy and full last few days!  A new Shull family tradition is participating in our church's Christmas Journey.  Andrew has done it several years but this was mine and the kids first time.  Christmas Journey is our church's drive-thru nativity.  It requires 1000 cast members from our church, live animals (like horses, camels, donkeys, etc), fire pits, huge sets that they start building Labor Day, very realistic costumes...it's amazing!  We had around 15,000 cars drive through in 4 nights.  My family participated the first 2 nights and it was really special...

Cutest.shepherd boy.ever.

And then this was Smith by the end of the night.  

You're constantly on stage (there are about 15 scenes with stages that each car drives by one at a time while listening to the Christmas message on a CD  that we've given them at the front gate).  At 8:20, Smith came up to me, lifted his arms and said, "I'm ready to go to sleep Mommy".  I picked him up and he went right to sleep.  So, I acted out my scene the remaining 40 minutes with sleeping Smith.  This was us walking back to the car.

And then this is my sweet little villager.  Love my girl.

On Saturday morning, we got up and headed to the mall to meet the family!

I love how they stood there for such a long time chatting.  They're so sweet together :).

Their favorite part of the weekend...having their balloon animals made!  They have played and played and played with these things!

My girl and me at Starbucks...the perfect way to end the day.

And now, on to our Elf Buddy...

...underwear humor is a big deal at our house.  My kids thought this was hysterical!  And it was so simple for me to do!

It's Monday...Christmas is 9 days away!  Here are your daily deals...there is still time (especially if you're buying something for New Years Eve!).

 This is Gap's Deal!  Click here to shop.

Loft has 40% off all sale items!  Click here.

J Crew has 30% off site wide!  Click here.

And you still have time for free delivery at Nordstrom by Christmas Eve!  Shop their sales too by clicking here.

Happy shopping sales!

And this recipe is the perfect marriage between coffee and chocolate.  Whoopie Pies are simple to make but they look amazing...and they are always, always the first things to go when I take them to a party.  Click here to see my Chocolate Cappuccino Whoopie Pie recipe (and Meal Planning Monday is there too!!).

Happy Monday!  Tomorrow is our HUGE 12th Day of Christmas!!!  Sheaffer and I are so excited!  

And the winner of the Origami Owl giveaway is Mary Rood!  Congrats Mary!  Please email Sheaffer at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com.

On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas: I wrapped presents galore and gave away jewelry! 

On the 3rd Day of Christmas: I went for a carriage ride and spent all of my awesome Gap cash!

On the 4th Day of Christmas: I talked to you about...so many fun and festive things!
On the 5th Day of Christmas: I told you how to have your own Jammy Cocoa Christmas! 

On the 6th Day of Christmas: We had a snow day and ate lots of yummy goodies!
On the 7th Day of Christmas: I hosted a recipe exchange!
On the 8th Day of Christmas: We met Santa Claus!
On the 9th Day of Christmas: I told you how to hang those Christmas cards!
On the 10th Day of Christmas: I helped you with your men!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew Recipe with Tomatoes, Olives, and Chiles

This Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew with Tomatoes, Olives, and Chiles can be perfect for anyone who's eating Paleo.

I have a couple of friends who have embraced the Paleo Diet, so I've been learning more about it.  Happily, there's a lot of overlap between my South Beach Diet way of eating and Paleo, so it's not that much of a stretch for me to try to feature recipes occasionally that will work for my Paleo friends.  What *can* be challenging is that everyone who does Paleo seems to have their own rules about what they can or can't eat!  That's why when I redesigned my blog and added the new row of tabs to categorize the recipes by more diet types, I made a tab that says Can be Paleo.  Under that tab you'll find recipes that most Paleo eaters will be able to enjoy, like this Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew with Tomatoes, Olives, and Chiles.  And even if you're not eating Paleo, I bet you'll still like this a lot if you like Southwestern flavors!

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Recipe for Low-Sugar Gluten-Free Cranberry Apple Crisp

This festive Cranberry Apple Crisp is made with low-calorie natural sweeteners and it's gluten-free!

Today's my birthday (and if you check that post you can tell it's kind of a significant one), so I'm skipping Meatless Monday this week and going straight to dessert with this delicious recipe for  Low-Sugar and Gluten-Free Cranberry Apple Crisp!   The inspiration for the recipe was a huge bag of cranberries I bought to make my favorite Fresh Cranberry Salsa for Thanksgiving, and I was frankly surprised at how much I loved the combination of fresh cranberries and apples.  I had to make this a couple of times to get it just right, and I might have even loved it a little too much (apple crisp for lunch, mmmm.)  I've never been that much of a fresh cranberry fan, so even if you might think cranberries are not really your thing, be open minded about this one!

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Slow Cooker Fall Favorites

I just got back from a pumpkin patch field trip with sixty kindergarteners. In the rain. I wish I could say that I planned ahead and plugged something in so I could happily (and maybe a bit smugly?) report that, "we came home to a hearty bowl full of wholesome goodness that warmed us right up."

oh how I wish I could say that.

But I can't. We came home instead to soggy tuna and rice cakes.

But you? You can totally plan ahead. These are fantastic fall slow cooker recipes that will keep your tummies full, your house warm and cozy, your family happy, and your budget in check.

Beverages

Holiday (non-alcoholic) Punch (although "Holiday" is in the title, I've been making this a lot. Wednesdays can totally be the new Holiday.)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (yummers)
Chai Tea Latte (I don't actually like this so much, but my mother-in-law loves it, and so do her friends.)

Appetizers

Brie with Balsamic Apricot Topping (just made this again on Saturday, and have been requested to make it on Thursday for my friend Jennifer's jewelry party. Oh! anyone want to buy jewelry? I think there might be an online form.)
Sundried Tomato Dip (one of the very first things I made during my challenge)
Cream Cheese, Sausage, and Rotel Dip (AKA Mommy Crack)
Pizza Fondue (liquid pizza)
Fancy Cheese Fondue

Main Courses

Apricot Chicken (the kids LOVE this)
Pomegranate Beef (from Karina's Kitchen, the Gluten Free Goddess. She is wonderful.)
Pizza Soup (because you need more liquid pizza)
Cowboy Stew (from Headless Mom)
Pasta Fagioli (copy cat(ish) from the Olive Garden. We eat this monthly.)
Coq au Vin (red wine for purple, white wine for not-purple)
Azorean Stew (from Sean at Hedonia)
Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup (I get the nicest thank you notes about this one)
Java Roast (doesn't taste like coffee. I promise.)
Chile Verde (I make this for guests. Often.)
Margarita Chicken (from Alanna, of Kitchen Parade)
Mongolian Beef (lots of ingredients, but totally worth it)
Korean Ribs (from Stefania, of City Mama)
Orange Apricot Pork Chops (a favorite with kids)
Cranberry Pork Tenderloin (my little buddy Austin's review is priceless on this one)
Asian Peanut Butter Pork (mmm. peanut butter.)
Sausage Vegetable Medley (we eat this an awful lot. super easy.)
Autumn Sausage Casserole (C. Beth reminded me to add this!)
Jamaican Pumpkin Soup (amazingly delicious)

Desserts

Cheesecake (I was crazily ecstatic at how this turned out. I think the neighbors could hear my squealing)
Crustless Pumpkin Pie (exactly what it sounds like!)
Apple Crisp (the people in the audience at GMA liked this)
Peach (or whatever fruit you'd like) Pie (I had canned peaches in the house)
Pumpkin Pie Dip (fondue-y)
5 Layer Brownies (use a small slow cooker for this, or your middle won't set)
Pound Cake (I can't believe I ate the whole thing)
Rice Krispies Treats (the kids can do this alone. while I nap. It's a good thing.)
Caramel Apples (great surprise as an after school snack)
Brownie-in-a-Mug (So. Much. Fun.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The holidays are coming! My books make excellent gifts! :-)

Slow Cooker Stuffing with Apple and Sausage Recipe

This is it, the time we've all been waiting for. The weather is cooler, we can wear baggy sweaters, put on elastic waist pants, and eat.

Really eat.

it's your patriotic duty, you know.

We're having a bunch of people over for Thanksgiving. I'm not sure how many---somewhere between 24 and 33. It's a wide range.

we really shouldn't talk about it too much.

I might hyperventilate.

But! there will be lots of food. And? a rocking stuffing that has both sausage and apples.

I'm a giver.

The Ingredients.

serves 8 (at least)

12 cups dried bread cubes (I used brown rice bread.)

8 ounces ground pork or turkey sausage, browned and drained

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 1/2 cups chopped Granny Smith apples (no need to peel)

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 1/2 cups diced celery

1 1/2 teaspoons rubbed sage

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup chicken broth, plus an additional 1/4 cup if desired

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker (or larger if you have one). Cut the bread into 1/2 inch cubes and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping once, or until the bread is golden brown and toasty. While the bread is toasting, brown the sausage on the stovetop and drain. Toss the bread cubes and sausage together in your slow cooker, and pour in the melted butter.

Add apples, vegetables, and seasonings. Use two large spoons to toss the ingredients and disperse the spices. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth, and stir gently to coat bread and veggies with broth. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours. When the bread is browned on the top and edges, and the vegetables are tender, your stuffing is done. Stir well, and keep on the warm setting until meal time.

Add an additional 1/4 cup of broth before serving and stir again if you'd like added moisture.

The Verdict.

This was the first time I've  made a stuffing with sausage, and I loved it. I liked the savory, smoky bits strewn throughout the bread cubes, and I loved the way the spices all worked well together. 

 gobble gobble gobble.

Utilizing your slow cookers this Thanksgiving, or any other big honking family Holiday:

Plan ahead. Make your meal plan a week or so before the event, and purchase non-perishable food.

I'm serving:

cranberry sauce

mashed potatoes with cream cheese and sour cream

traditional stuffing

cornbread stuffing

(or maybe I'll combine the two and add the sausage and apples from this one? not quite sure. I'm leaning that way though...)

candied sweet potatoes

sweet and sour caramelized onions

dijon brussels sprouts

we're doing turkey in the oven and ham on the bbq

dessert is being brought. If I was making it, I'd do crustless pumpkin pie and ice cream.

need more? crockpot holiday food 

I will do as much as humanly possible in the next few days to keep Thursday from being beyond bonkers.

I suggest making cranberry sauce as early as Monday, chopping all vegetables and keeping them in sealed plastic bags on Tuesday, you can boil potatoes, sweet potatoes early, make dessert a day or 2 ahead of time, etc.

and delegate!

I'm *very* lucky in that Adam enjoys being in the kitchen (probably more than I do!), and likes to chop onions and vegetables. (I'm not ever going to be a person to have a zen moment while chopping onions. It's just not who I am.) 

I also make sure the house is clean days before having company. I've always stuck to my Daily 7, and then just kick it up a notch a few days before expecting a houseful of people. The last thing you need to worry about on a Holiday is whether or not the toilet is clean!

and my last tip? Get 3 large rubbermaid garbage cans, and put them in the middle of the living room. Plop a kid into each one and don't let them out until the event is over.

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA! :-)

What are your make-ahead secrets for a stress-free (or lesser) Holiday meal?

two quick giveaways, a new recipe on the way!

How was your Thanksgiving? We had a great day. The food was perfect, the kids behaved, and all of the relatives got along.

win win win.

We're pretty much recovered, and the kids have begun decorating for Christmas. There is a garland of kid-cut snowflakes hanging over my head. I'm pretty sure our living room will never look like it was taken from the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog.

but it's perfect. I love it.

I do have a new slow cooker recipe to post----I made this chocolate creme concoction with a layer of ganache on top. IT'S WONDERFUL.

but the pictures are on the desktop, which is in the room where the baby is napping. And I'm not going to disturb that scenario for anything.

anything!

In the meantime, I've got two giveaways to share with you in honor of Cyber Monday. 

1) an Olay 7-in-1 review is up on Totally Together Reviews because I'm getting so old I now need an anti-aging moisturizer. And! Olay is giving away a $100 Visa giftcard just for reading all about it.

2) I'm done holiday shopping, thanks to Uncommon Goods. I fell in love with this catalog even before they decided to give me free products to host a giveaway. That's up on Totally Together Reviews, too.

Do you have  a turkey carcass in the house? (I type the word carcass way too often. It's kind of morbid.)

you should make turkey and wild rice soup! or turkey stew!

I will write about the crockpot chocolate pots de creme as soon as I can. 

maybe after the well-baby check up.

or clarinet lessons.

or the PTA silent auction meeting.

oh, that reminds me. Does anyone have any good ideas for silent auction items? Or how to best organize a silent auction? Or how to best not lose your mind while trying to organize a silent auction?

Happy Cyber Monday!


[If you read my site regularly through a feedreader or through email, you'll notice that I've enabled a shortened feed. I'm not happy about this. I HATE shortened feeds. I've done this because my site content has been taken directly from the feed and posted on other sites without my permission. The quickest and easiest way to keep content from being stolen is to no longer publish a full feed. The good news is that everything is still up on the website, and is only a click away.  I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience, and greatly appreciate your support.]

On the 13th Day of Christmas: We rested...

After our super fun 12 Days of Christmas, we have decided to rest for today.  No worries though!  I'll be back tomorrow with family pics and more.  And for dinner tonight?  Smith's favorite meal...my Pizza Pasta Casserole.  Your family will love it too!

And tonight on NBC...

...my husband and I will be watching my boyfriend's Christmas special.  It's complicated...but it works for my family ;).

See you tomorrow!

XOXO

Turkey and White Bean Chili with Chocolate

This delicious chili recipe uses lean ground turkey, white (or pinto) beans, ancho chile powder, and cocoa powder.

(Updated with better photos and step-by-step instructions, December 2013. This recipe was first posted in 2007 when I was excited about an article in the Deseret News that spotlighted my blog and mentioned some other food blogs too.  Utah is having an unusually cold winter this year, so it seemed like the perfect time to make this chili again and update the photos!)

I wasn't the biggest fan of ground turkey when I first tried this recipe, but it's low in fat and healthy and it's really grown on me through the years.  I'm glad that back in 2007 when I saw a recipe in The Bon Appetit Cookbook for chili that used white beans, ground turkey, and just a taste of unsweetened cocoa powder, I was game to give it a try. This recipe is a bit spicy with very generous amount of ground Ancho chile powder, some regular chili powder, a little ground Chipotle chile, plus dried oregano, ground cumin, and cocoa powder for that hint of chocolate that makes it so good.   (You can certainly use a bit less of the spicy chili powders, which I would recommend if you're making it for kids.)  Here in Utah we're hoping for some warmer weather, but I have some of this in the freezer for those remaining cold days I know are still coming.

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The One Where I Send You Elsewhere

Well, hello there! 

Happy You've Practically Made It Through Tuesday Which Means That It's Almost Wednesday, And That Means That The Week Is Pretty Much Over Since No One Really Does Any Work After Noon on Thursdays Anyhow Day!

Grab a cup of coffee, or hot chocolate, or a shot of tequilla, or whatever it is that you like to drink, and enjoy!

1) Zesty Pork Chop recipe over at Smithfield.com

2) Michelle Stern has her new website up and running: What's Cooking With Kids!

3) Amy Green at Simply Sugar & Gluten Free has a bunch of stuff lined up this week to help with planning your Thanksgiving dinner.

4) Shirley at GFE (gluten free easily) has her famous No-Roll Pie Crust recipe up and is giving away copies of my cookbook and the Spunky Coconut cookbook.

5) Speaking of Thanksgiving, here's a round-up of Slow Cooker Holiday Food and a write-up on how to have an allergen-free (aware?) holiday meal that I did last year.

6) If you live in the SF area, Sheryl, from Breaking Bread Blog has a fantastic compilation of Bay Area GF restaurants/foods for T-Day
Also, if you are in the Bay Area, I'm going to be at the Livermore Library on Sunday the 14th at 2pm for a book talk. And crustless pumpkin pie!

7) and! I have a bunch of books to give away over on Totally Together Reviews to help with your Holiday meal(s).

I hope you're having a great whatever-day-it-is!

Recipe for Spicy Sausage, Lentil, and Tomato Soup

This Spicy Sausage, Lentil, and Tomato Soup may be my favorite lentil soup ever!

(For Phase One Fridays I feature Phase One Recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this delicious Spicy Sausage, Lentil, and Tomato Soup has hot turkey Italian sausage, one of my favorite ingredients to use in soup.  I first made this when there was snow on the ground and it's another snowy day in Salt Lake, so I think it's time to make this again!)

Today I woke up to snow on the ground, which makes me especially happy that I have some of this Spicy Sausage, Lentil, and Tomato Soup in the freezer.  I made this a couple of times to get the recipe just right, upping the the amount of spices, sausage, and tomatoes and decreasing the lentils in the final version, and this might be the best lentil soup I've ever made.  Of course, I love, love, love lentil soup, which isn't a bad thing at all since they're one of The World's Healthiest Foods.  If you're someone who's still undecided about lentils, I challenge you to try this soup and I'm betting you'll become a lentil fan!

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On the 12th Day of Christmas: It was Shay's Pajama Party with Sheaffer!

Today is the 12th Day of Christmas!!  Woohoo!  Sheaffer and I wanted to end our 12 Days celebrating with things we love at our Pajama Party!  We're  curled up in our cute PJ Salvage jammies, drinking cocoa with marshmallows (Sheaffer's may or may not have a splash of something "adult" in her cocoa...), listening to Buble sing Christmas carols and we're talking about how much we love this time of year.

First up, we're talking about our awesome giveaway!  We are giving away all of our favorite things to one lucky reader today!

One $50 Erin Condren gift card, a pair of mustache PJ Salvage pajamas, one solid colored blardigan, Vanilla Bean Noel lotion, a travel mug, The Holiday, a dress from Piper Street, Quick & Easy Christmas Cookbook, Stella & Dot Trinity Pendant, Michael Buble's Christmas CD, Taupe Fringe Scarf

Did you see all of that goodness?  A blardigan!  Pajamas!  A gift card to Erin Condren!  Our favorite movie, favorite CD, the best scarf EVER, and so much more! 

We just love you ladies so much and are so thankful that you come by to visit us every day!  Since it's a PJ party, we're not only cuddled up in the Blardigan watching The Holiday and discussing our love of Erin Condren...we're talking about holiday favorites too...

What's your favorite thing to eat on Christmas morning after you've opened gifts?

Sheaffer: A French Toast Casserole!

Me: Butterscotch Monkey Bread

At this point, we both recognize the fact that we operate best on Christmas Day when we're full of carbs and sugar.

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Sheaffer: The Holiday

Me: The Holiday

At this point, we discuss how Jude Law is just the cutest thing ever...and that he melts our hearts...especially when he "weeps" during the movie.

What do you typically eat on Christmas Eve for dinner?

Sheaffer: Mexican Food

Me: We have an appetizer party!

At this point, we discuss our love of food in general.  We both loooove a good meal...especially together.

What are you hoping Santa brings you this Christmas?

Sheaffer: Red Hunter Boots

Me: A furry vest

And since this is a PJ Party...I thought we should focus a moment more on those adorable pajamas we're giving away...

...they're flannel, they're cozy, they're whimsical, they're perfect.  I love, love, love these jammies!

I always ask each of my co-host the same set of 12 questions...let's see how Sheaffer answered...

1. What is your favorite cosmetic?

Lip gloss is the one make-up product I absolutely can't live without!   I like NARS Sweet Dreams, Mac Viva Glam, and the Nordstrom brand.  I always wear the same lipstick, but I rotate between these lip glosses.

2. What is your favorite beauty product (not makeup)?

This is an easy one. I swear by Revlon All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner.  I always had soft and shiny hair, but about 10 years ago it all of a sudden started getting dry and hard to manage.  The All Soft products were recommended to me, and I've been using them ever since.  They are kind of expensive, so I always buy them when it's But 2 Get 2 Free at Ulta.

3. What is your favorite TV show?

Right now the hubby and I are really in to Blacklist.  We LOVE James Spader.  But we also will always sit down to watch a Cosby Show episode if we catch one.  Claire Huxtable is my favorite tv mom ever!

4. What is your favorite vacation destination?

Well, this is not really a vacation destination, but my favorite place on earth is my husband's families' ranch house.  I just love spending time their with my little family.  It's the perfect place to just be together and enjoy each other.

5. What is your favorite pair of shoes?

Well, the 2 most worn shoes in my closet right now are my Putty Callisto wedges and my Nude Patent Flats.  I also love my leopard flats.

6. What is your favorite nail polish?

OPI's cajun shrimp

7. What is your favorite chick-flick movie?

Steel Magnolias.  My junior year of high school my husband I and went on our first date, which happened to be to the Favorite's Dance for Valentine's Day.  After the dance we went back to his house, plopped down on a bean bag, and watched Steel Magnolias.  It's the reason our son's middle name is Jackson!

8. What is your favorite book?

I'm consistently amazed at how Jesus Calling can completely nail what you need to hear on certain days.

9. What is your favorite ice cream?

I love the Peppermint Dreyer's frozen yogurt.  It only comes out around Christmas time, and I always have to fight the urge to buy like 20 so I can have it throughout the year.  Of course I would also have to buy an extra freezer to keep all of it.  Details.

10. Who should star in a movie based on your life?

Let's go with Sandra Bullock.  And maybe afterwards she'll be my best friend.

11. What is your least favorite household chore?

Laundry fo sho.  I've been known to have to run a load 3x before finally moving it to the dryer.  And if we're going to be honest, there's a load in right now.  It needed to be moved about an hour ago, and yet I'm not getting up to move it.  Maybe tomorrow.

12. What is one fact about you most people don't know?

I LOATHE cotton.  It makes my skin crawl and my teeth hurt.  It's like nails on a chalkboard to me.  I literally just shivered thinking about it.

Thanks Sheaffer for being my co-host this month!!  I am beyond thrilled to spend December (and every month) with you!!  XOXO

To find more of Sheaffer, check out her fabulous blog Pinterest Told Me To and find her here too...

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Instagram

And our little Elf popped himself some popcorn and made himself at home...

What?  Doesn't your elf watch TV?

Gap has 40% off today!  

And there is still time (believe it or not) for your package to arrive by Christmas!

Among other sales, Loft has 50% off sweaters today!

J Crew is still 30% off your entire purchase!

And Nordstrom is still offering free delivery by Christmas Eve!

And on the 12th Day of Christmas...one final recipe for you!  (Who am I kidding?  I post recipes every single day....it's just your final recipe for the 12 days of Christmas!)

And of course, I ended with a bundt cake.  Because that's who I am.  I am the Bundt Cake Queen.

My Vanilla Bean Noel will be the hit of your Christmas dinner.  Simple, moist, and very yummy.  Happy eating!

And the Erin Condren winners from yesterday...
The $200 Grand Prize goes to:  Mallory Walsh!
The $50 prize goes to:  Jessica English!
Congratulations ladies!
E-mail Sheaffer at pinteresttoldmeto@yahoo.com, and we will get your prizes to you! 

That wraps up mine and Sheaffer's 12 Days of Christmas!  Thank you so much for participating with us!!  We have loved every single minute of it!!  We love you all so very much!!

And just to recap...
On the 1st Day of Christmas: I explained a lot to you and gave away a HUGE gift card!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas: I wrapped presents galore and gave away jewelry! 

On the 3rd Day of Christmas: I went for a carriage ride and spent all of my awesome Gap cash!

On the 4th Day of Christmas: I talked to you about...so many fun and festive things!
On the 5th Day of Christmas: I told you how to have your own Jammy Cocoa Christmas! 

On the 6th Day of Christmas: We had a snow day and ate lots of yummy goodies!
On the 7th Day of Christmas: I hosted a recipe exchange!
On the 8th Day of Christmas: We met Santa Claus!
On the 9th Day of Christmas: I told you how to hang those Christmas cards!
On the 10th Day of Christmas: I helped you with your men!
On the 11th Day of Christmas: I started organizing with you!

See you tomorrow!  The 12 Days of Christmas might be over but this mama still has stuff to say all December long!

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