headed to the vet... {UPDATE}

mommy's baby

poor cole-nugget has something going on with his ears...

hoping to get him some relief at the vet this morning.

I'll keep you posted.

untill then...

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several hours later...

poor baby has a double ear infection. so sad.
I guess when a dog shakes his head its kinda like a baby pulling on his ears...
we wouldn't know that since we're not parents. boo.
I feel like I need a handbook.
The only reason we even knew anything was wrong is because he was shaking his head so violently that he busted the end of his ear open. (hence the band-aid).
Dr's orders are ear drops and lots of snuggles.
We can handle that.
Thanks for all the thoughts and well wishes.
::muah::

December 1st

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Yesterday bestie and I spent the whole day at her house crafting, playing, and eating yummy soup and grilled cheese. It was awesome. I love the time we get to spend together and I love that sweet boy.

We updated our shadow boxes for the month and decided to go with shimmery bells. Every time I look at it I think of my mom... she loves the story of the Polar Express. She read it to my brother and I when we were little and we've probably seen the movie a million times in the past 10 years. Every year she puts a bell in our stocking with a special note...her message is always the same...it's one of faith and trust.  

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see. 

Yall know I want to send you some bells too! :) and the piece of bakers twine so all you have to have is a frame... lucky you. I only had enough paper to punch out 3 sets, so email me fast! :)

pamela {dot} eaton {at} gmail.com

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also, and most importantly... today is the first day of Advent...

I'd love it if you took the time to watch this video and think about what Christmas means to you...

no pressure. just love.

Christmas Tree Cakepops!

Yall know I've got nothing but love for Bakerella!

read about the time when we first met and became instant friends HERE.

Anyway... just wanted to share the latest cakepops that have come outta my kitchen...

Christmas Trees!

I followed the basic steps...

bake a cake, let it cool, mix in 3/4ths can of cream cheese frosting, roll into cone shape, dip stick in melted chocolate, insert into pop, let harden, dip entire thing into candy melts (I buy the Hobby Lobby brand) and then for these specific pops, I used a tooth pick on the side to spike up the tree and give it a more rustic look, add a few sprinkles and a star while it's still wet. Enjoy!

Remember that candy corn wreath?

Well.... I re-made it for Christmas into a gumdrop wreath! 

Picked all the glue covered candy corn off...

re-wraped the form in white duck tape...

hot glued the 7 bags of spice gum drops 

(that were on sale for .67 cents a bag at Walgreens)...

and hung it up in the kitchen....

love, love, love it.

see the original candy corn wreath here...

Thanksgiving...

I've been away from my blog for about a week... don't worry, I'll be sure to catch you up this week. We've been enjoying a lot of family time, Thanksgiving, and I've been working a lot (BLACK FRIDAY) and entertaining guests. It's been a really great week!

I slacked on my blogging (and subsequently my thankful posts) for the past couple of weeks.... spent more time actually "doing" the things I'm thankful for than writing them down. Believe me there was lots of time spent with the hubs, friends, baking, crafting and just enjoying life. I am so thankful for everything we have and are able to do. We have such a blessed life and I am so thankful each and every day.

Today I'm sharing my favorite gingerbread cookie recipe...

I love, love, love this recipe and have made these, "boy cookies" as Jackson calls them, several times this season already.

• 3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-3/4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon shortening, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup and 1 teaspoon water
• 1/2 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside. 

In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. (I usually leave this overnight)

Preheat oven to 350. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch. 

Then I use this frosting to decorate...

• 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons milk
• 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

I got these mini cookie cutters from Target in a little multi pack... super cute! Love how the lightbulbs look!

Hope yall enjoy...