The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 14

This is the last day of the blog challenge! And a fun topic to wrap things up, I think:

Oprah's Favorite Things (what I would want!)

Here's the thing about Oprah (and other rich-and-famous-types); they know about and have things that I would not even know existed if it weren't for, well, shows like Oprah's Favorite Things.  (or the Internet listing of items, as the case may be.)  That is what sort of baffles me; I don't think I could even dream some of that stuff up!  (exclusive access to the new VW 2012 design??  I mean, really, who lives that life but Oprah?)  Baffling.  Truly, truly baffling.

So after perusing this year's list to find out cool things what the [non-jet-setter] me has missed out on over the past year, this is what I would like, dear Oprah!

(for some reason I'm having trouble with uploading the pictures  - check out Oprah's at www.oprah.com!)


1.  The Sophia Satchel by Coach (I have been looking for a new purse - this one is oh-so-pretty!)
2.  Five-year Netflix Membership (because, hey, what am I going to do with all of this free time after dental school?)
3.  Le Creuset cookware (Okay, I must admit I already have 5 pieces of this ... but I would lo-oo-ove to round out my set!  I wonder if she would let me pick my color?)
4.  Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera (I've been thinking about taking a photography class this summer, and I think this would be just the addition, don't you?)


(*sigh*)


Well, a girl can dream, right?


I hope everyone had a great Monday!

The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 13

Okay, okay, so I never came back to write about the day 12 topic last night, which was Christmas Decorations.  (Maybe this was a little intentional.  I still don't have my tree up. So embarrassing.)

I will have to write on that later.  Moving on to Day 13 in the blog challenge is Favorite Cookie Recipe.  Yay!

Check out these lovelies from Southern Living's All-Time Favorite Cookie Recipes, published in 1995.  (I had to order this cookbook used on eBay a few years ago because it's out of print, and this recipe is so old that you can't even find it on their online database.  wowza.)

Double-Chocolate Sugar Cookies

(from Southern Living)

1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels, divided

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

Melt 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels in a heavy saucepan over low heat, reserving remaining morsels.  Set aside.

Beat butter at medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy; gradually adding 1 cup sugar, beating well.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla, mixing well.  Add melted morsels, mixing until blended.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well.  Stir in remaining chocolate morsels.

Shape dough into balls, 1 tablespoon at a time; roll balls in 1/2 cup sugar (I love to use colored sanding sugar for different holidays, parties, etc!  Makes it a little more festive, I think!).  Place on lightly greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.  (Cookies will be soft and will firm up as they cool.)  Remove to wire racks to cool.  

Yield:  4 1/2 dozen.

They are so delicious!  And you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge already, which is always a plus in my book.  :)

I plan on making these for my Sunday School Christmas party on Saturday, so check back for pictures then!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 11

What's the saying?  "A day late and a dollar short?"  That must be me today, because here I am playing catch-up!

Yesterday's blog challenge was about New Year's Resolutions.  I must admit that I am not really a new year's resolution type of gal; I guess I would consider myself more of an always resolution girl.  (Is that even a thing?)  I would like to think that I am always growing as a person, first and foremost as a child of God and in my walk with Him, but also as a daughter, friend, sister, dentist, communicator, leader, group member, etc.  I don't ever want to say, "oh, geez, I'll just do that next week" when there is an opportunity to do it now!  


I suppose I also avoid the "traditional" New Year's Resolutions because I am maybe a bit cynical about them.  Truly, I could say "I am going to keep my desk organized!! (la-de-da!)", but goodness knows that would never happen; I know myself!  I love to spreeeeeeeeeeeead out to study on the kitchen table, and I know where every single folder is (quite a feat - you have seen my piles).  It just doesn't work for me.  Not since Jr. High.  So I suppose at this point I don't even attempt something that I know I will break by February (isn't that the statistic?).  


Anywho, if you have a New Year's resolution, I say, go for it!  But start today.  Come January One you'll be a month fitter, more organized, or more whateverelse than all of those other resolution-ers!

The 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 10

Yaaaaay!

I lo-oo-ove Christmas carols, Christmas music, any holiday ditty or anything musical at all, really!  Need I remind you of my obsession with the baby grand back on day 3?

(ps - only a true southerner can take a one syllable word and make it three.  talent, friends, true talent.)

I'm sure you have guessed that today's topic is Favorite Christmas Songs.  Where, oh where to begin.

Of course, I grew up singing carols, all the time: at church, school, home, everywhere!  I still love them and love (in a little-girl-giddy kind of way) when I see them in the worship bulletin at church!


A few (other, non-carol) songs I love are:


- The Virgin's Lullaby from The Nativity Story Soundtrack.  Josh Gracin, the country artist, has also recorded this as a single.  I love the lyrics to this song:  "Sleep tonight; close your eyes.  Oh, child of mine, you bring the world love, glory divine!"  I cannot imagine how Mary felt holding her newborn and comforting him, yet at the same time knowing he never was and never truly, fully would be hers.  I am not a mother, but can only imagine the thousands of directions her thoughts must have been running.  The lyricist does a great job of capturing what I'm sure was the utter amazement of Joseph, the Magi, the angels, and Mary's gift.


- Born to Die by Shane and Shane.  These guys always have the coolest harmonies.  Tight and discordant, then dissolving perfectly.  Perfectly folksy.  All encompassing a perfect message.


- Go Tell it on the Mountain specifically as recorded by James Taylor.  Really, anything on his Christmas album, At Christmas.  I know, I know.  I'm such a nerd, but I could listen to him alllll day.


Okay, I just realized I could go on and on (and on and on . . . you get the idea!).  Therefore, I'm going to cut the list at three.  Essentially, any Christmas music is my favorite, my trick is just to avoid it until December.  Take it off the iPod, remove it from the "shuffle", whatever it takes!  That way, I'm not burnt out when Christmas comes.  Then, any and all is fair game (to the point of making my family crazy, but that is a story for another day.)


Happy Thursday!

The 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 9

On the 9th day of Christmas . . .

okay, no, just kidding, but I really did love singing that song when I was little!  Now I wish I knew all of the things.  I need to google that!  boy, do I digress.

Today's challenge is Favorite Holiday Recipe! Woo woo!  Riiiight up my alley!  


Boy, that just makes it hard, though.  What's a girl to bake on a holiday?  If you're me, and it's Christmas, probably 4 pies, 3 kinds of cookies, and 2 cakes.  (and I only wish I was kidding.)


Okay, to avoid having to choose a favorite dessert (which, if you've read for any length of time, you know would be impossible, since I have 4,732), I am opting for the "main dish" category.  Be prepared to wow your family and friends.


Our family skips the obligatory Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas ham.  Yep, go ahead and tar and feather us now.  We have beef tenderloin prepared like this twice a year - those two days.  It is deee-lish, my friends!  And soooo easy.  A nice change of pace when your budget limits you to cheerios and a turkey sandwich 363 days a year.  :)

Ridiculously Simple and Delicious Beef Tenderloin

(sorry I don't have pictures, I'll try to remember to take some at Christmas!)

You need:

1 beef tenderloin (you can buy it pretty inexpensively at Sam's, Costco, or at your grocery store if they have a discount card! Also a great way to save on filets - buy the whole thing and portion the filets yourself.)

Yellow Mustard

Cavender's All-Purpose Greek Seasoning

Lemon-Pepper Seasoning

instant-read meat thermometer

butter

1.  Preheat oven to 475.

2.  Trim the tenderloin.  (remove excess fat and the silverskin - the cartilaginous tissue that runs the length of the meat - it will not break down in cooking)  Weigh the tenderloin after trimming or give it a good eyeball guesstimate.

3.  Coat the tenderloin with yellow mustard.

4.  Coat tenderloin with Cavendar's and lemon-pepper seasonsings, forming a crust.

5.  Place on broiler pan.  (if you don't have one, fashion your own with a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and a cooling rack - works like a charm!)

6.  Pat top of tenderloin with butter - to your liking - there is no set amount on this, but try to do it evenly; the butter makes the crust oh-so-yummy!

7.  Bake until instant-read thermometer reads 135 for medium-rare, or to your desired doneness.  (Approximately 10 minutes per pound - which is why you weighed it after trimming!)

8.  Tent tenderloin with foil and let rest at least 15 minutes before slicing.

9.  Slice very thinly just prior to serving. (an electric knife is the way to go for this!)

Yum!  I am getting hungry just thinking about this.  So delicious and feeds a crowd - or just your family with lots of fabulous leftover steak sandwiches the few days following.

Let me know if you try it!

The 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 8

Hello, blog friends!  I am liking this frequent blogging thing.  It is a welcome study break.

Today's Challenge?

My Least Favorite Thing About the Holidays

Ewww.  NOT what I want to blog about!!

Unfortunately, this was pretty easy and didn't require much thought.  Even though I love the holiday season, it is definitely one of those times that I really, really miss the people who are not in my life any longer, mostly the ones that have passed away.  

I always think about my Granddaddy, who died just before I graduated from high school.

I see so much of him in me.

Hopefully his best qualities, not the ones that irritated the rest of us.

(But I'm sure some of the irritating ones, too.)

He was a physician, and not a week goes by that I don't wish I could tell him some story from school that I know only he would appreciate.

I think about my Pop, who died when I was in my 2nd year of college.

He was an amazingly great husband and loved his wife until the day he died.  

He taught his sons to be men.

(I pray that God will bless me with such a man some day.)

He called me "sister gal'.

(Oh, I would love to hear that one more time.)

I think about my dear friend Adam.  And Mr. James.  And Mama Watson.  And countless others.  

I think about friends that I miss, relationships that I have not nurtured the way that I should have, and of course, around the new year always think back on the year that has passed and learn from it without having any regrets as to how I lived it. 

sigh

Goodness, this is not the lighthearted post you logged on for, now was it!  Back to cheerier things tomorrow!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

The 12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 7

Happy [belated] Thanksgiving everyone!  I've been away for a few days!  I had a wonderful time away from Memphis with my family, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones, too.

Today's blog challenge?  Crafts and DIY's!  Oh, this just tickles my fancy, as we say in the south!

I've already mentioned Christmas cookies back on day one.  I think most people do that one, so I'll just breeze on by.  Soooo much fun, though!

One of my favorite activities (that also makes a great gift) is sewing!  I know, I know, I sound like your grandma.  But you can make some really amazing things after you learn the basics! It just takes a little time, a little creativity and some cute fabric!

Just an example:  one year my mom and I ran across some super-cute aprons that we knew would make great gifts for her lunch bunch.  They were somewhere in the neighborhood of $45 (I've forgotten exactly how much now) - whoa mama!  That would have been almost $300 for the group, no thank you!  Plus, the fabric was just so-so, it was the style we loved more than anything.  So what did we do?  Go straight to the fabric store, spend about $75 on supplies, and made 8 aprons, cuter than the first.  Yes, that's less than $10 each.  Not to mention that they were super cute, everyone loved them, and we had a ball making them!  Too bad Mom has all of the pictures. (I have got to get better at this picture thing ...)

Another sewing project I've conquered?  Custom bedding.  Yes, this one took about a weekend and much more patience, but if you have time off around the holidays (and family members who will help you) it is the perfect thing to do - you can get exactly what you want!

Not the greatest (iPhone) photo, but you get the idea!  It has inspired me to start making my bed every day.  In my 20's.  Now that says something.  

The things you can make are endless ... my hangup is usually finding the fabric I want for a particular project.  I wish I had more time to be crafty, artsy, use the right side of my brain, etc, but dental school doesn't allow much any time for that. (sigh.)

What do you DIY?

The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 3

Today's topic?

The Best/Most Meaningful Gift You've Ever Received

Oh my gosh, this is hard.  "Santa" always did (and still does!) the most amazing job of finding gifts that they he knew Wade and I would love.

Maybe the best approach is a top 5?  Although, I'm sure I will still leave some things out!

5. Christmas 1990 - 95? - Anything and everything American Girl 

I was obsessed.  I probably circled everything in the catalog for Santa to bring.  Mind you, this was back in the day when there were only 3 American Girls:  Kirstin, Samantha, and Molly.

Molly was my first American Girl.  She is very, um, well loved.

I have saved all of my dolls (and the boxes and boxes of their belongings) in the hopes that I will have a daughter one day that can play with them.

4.  Christmas '89? '90? - Gameboy

Oh, soooo many memories!  Wade and I spent so many hours on car trips playing Tetris against each other.  Remember that you had the cord, but then you had to turn them on at the same time, too?  I wish I still had my Gameboy.

3. Christmas 2009 - Wusthof Knives

For someone as obsessed with cooking as I am, this was an awesome gift.  Five new knives.  So sharp and slice so cleanly.  Ahhhh.  They rock.

2.  Christmas 2008 - Willow Tree Nativity Scene

I had been admiring this throughout our last minute Christmas shopping.  I was shocked to find it under the tree Christmas morning!  It has been fun to start collecting things to decorate "my" home.

1.  Christmas 2000 - Baby Grand Piano

You might be thinking this takes the top spot just out of sheer size, but you would be wrong.  I took my first piano lesson when I was 4 years old and continued through high school.  Needless to say, the piano have always been a huge part of my life!  I used to go to lovingly admire other people's baby grands and the grand piano at church, and my parents used to tell me that, if I kept it up (playing, that is), I could probably have one some day.  Fast forward to December 2000:  Mom started acting strange one afternoon on Christmas break, telling me she wanted to "go ahead and take the tree down." (The pretty one in the front room, not the handmade ornament, colored light one.)  I don't even remember the absurd reason why.  I helped her clean up the living room, rearrange the furniture, etc just as the white truck pulled up from Amro Music!  Of course, as obsessed as I was, I caught on immediately.  The piano came with a big red bow.  You know, like the kind some kids get on their car on their 16th birthday.

Best. Present. Ever.  

Over the past 7 years of college and dental school it is safe to say that my skills have regressed.  I still play every time I go home and get a chance and am really looking forward to the day that I have my own home so the piano can come to Memphis with me! (soon.  hopefully very, very soon.) 

What strikes me the most about this list is that every present is special to me because the giver really put thought into it and knew it would be meaningful.  (Okay, I'm not saying a Gameboy is "meaningful", but hours of fun with your brother sure is!!)  I try to do this when I buy gifts, but admit that I often fail in finding that "perfect" thing.  I guess every gift can't be perfect, but over the years, a few are certain to be remembered!

The 12 days of Christmas Blog Challenge - day 2

Day 2 (or 1b. in my case) of this Christmas-y blog challenge is "black Friday/general shopping tips and tricks".

My advice on black Friday?  Sleep in!!

I know, I know, I know, this is practically sacrilegious for some out there, but honestly, when you get up at 4 am most days, sleeping until 6 is a rare treat!  

Every year mom and I talk about getting up and going shopping.  For about 10 minutes.  This, of course, is always in the middle of all of our cooking and ramblings about life.  By the time the dishes are washed and the leftovers are in the fridge; however, we are have laughed that little talk off and set the coffeemaker for a more reasonable hour.

The point of my story?  Enjoy your day, however that may be.  If that is knocking somebody over the head in Target for that really adorable pump in size 8 at 4:09 am, go for it!! I will be cozy, warm and snuggly in my bed.  (And shopping at 11:00, when the really intense people have gone home.)

Happy shopping, everyone!

PS - if you have any really awesome finds or ideas for gifts, leave a comment!  (especially for my brother...he is the best gift giver.  so good, it's almost annoying.)

The 12 (...um...14...) days of Christmas Blog Challenge!

Oh, this looks like fun.  First, thanks to Chelsea for sharing her holiday traditions and introducing me to this little adventure.

Here are the topics:

Day 1: Christmas/Holiday traditions

Day 2: Black Friday/General Shopping Tips & Tricks

Day 3: Most meaningful gift/best gift you've received

Day 4: Tips/Tricks to a Budget Friendly holiday season

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie/TV Show Special

Day 6: Gift ideas (what do YOU want? We all have family/friends reading our blogs...so let them know!)

Day 7: Holiday Craft/DIY  (If you don't make anything, what do you WISH you could make?)

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the Holidays

Day 9: Favorite Holiday recipe

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs/Caroles

Day 11: New Year Resolutions

Day 12: Show us your decorations (indoor/outdoor)

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things: What item(s) would you want if you were in the audience?

Yesterday was Day 1, so I'm a little behind already.  Oops!  Better get started.

____________________________________________________________________

Our Christmas Traditions

Bowen holidays are best summed up by one word:  family.

I do not have a single memory of a Christmas or any other holiday, for that matter, that does not revolve 100% around my family:  immediate, extended and honorary.  

A great example - our Easter celebrations every year.  I wrote about it here.

At Christmas, Mom and I always bake hundreds of cookies.  We started this tradition when I was in college; we would have a "cookie drop-in" on a Sunday afternoon with my friends, mom's friends, and Mimi's friends.  As Mimi has aged and become unable to continue this tradition, we have kept baking cookies, but deliver them on pretty trays or platters as gifts instead of having people over.  I hope that one day we can resume our holiday get-together.

Sometimes we have helpers when we're decorating

Gracie, Christmas 2007

Will, Christmas 2008

As for Christmas morning, Mom and I are always up early baking (homemade cinnamon rolls - yum!!) getting a jumpstart on our ridiculously large meal and sharing mimosas.  Dad is always in charge of herding the dogs (yep, I said herding.  With Sooie thrown into the mix of their 5, it truly is herding, especially when meat prep starts happening in the kitchen.  He is a pro, though ...)

When Wade wakes up, he will pour a cup of coffee and (1) comment on the 9:30 mimosas and (2) ask us what time dinner will be.  This is when we feign defensiveness that he would question our cooking methods, rush us, etc, but we all love it! It is tradition, after all!  

When we've all had enough caffeine, the present opening begins.  Now that we're older, it is not so much about opening our own presents as it is about spending time together laughing and talking.  It is always a lot of fun to see what little surprises Santa brought, and also to see everyone's reactions as they open their presents.  

After the presents, Dad and Wade clean up while Mom and I hit the kitchen.  We never rush it, just cook and enjoy each other's company until the food is ready.  Always the same menu, plus (never minus) a few pies.

Some years there are additional family members or friends, some years it is just the four of us and Mimi.  Either way, it is perfect. Always.

At the end of the day, we are always way, way too full, and have shared so, so many memories.  

It's funny; reading back over this I think about all of the things that we do every year, like the Carols and Candlelight service at church, the Snow Village, decorating the tree ... I could go on and on ... that I did not write about!  Hopefully I will be able to write about those as they happen this year!

Wow, writing this has made me so excited for Thursday!!  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!