Sunday, December 14, 2008

The BooMama Tour!

Welcome, friends, family and BooMama Guests! We are so delighted to open our doors to you this Christmas Season. Oh, what's that? You can't make it to the Open House because you are blog hopping in your PJs? Never fear...this is a virtual open house! Sit back, grab a cup of coffee and feel free to mingle. Leave the treats up to us. You'll get a snack at the end.
If you have visited our blog before, you are probably wondering what on earth is this? We are participating in the 2008 Boo Mama Christmas Tour of Homes. If you are new to our little blog sweet blog, perhaps via Boo Mama...welcome!
This little tour makes us happy for a couple of reasons, one being that you can come on in for a visit. The other is that my mom can now see the Christmas decor she likes to come over and see every year (she's nice like that). Now, she can see it from the comfort of her own home...that's right, she came home from St. David's yesterday and is recuperating nicely! What a wonderful Christmas blessing for us all! So, Mom....welcome back to our home, too!

Let's get started, shall we?


Come on in!


When you enter our home, my husband put together a little Christmas spirit on our entry way table. Yes, that's right-- David did it! He had the entry way last year and took it on again. Kuddos, Hubs!

Step on into the living area and have a seat. Yes, you're right: there are no presents under the tree, yet. We have little boys...and let's just leave it at that. Presents don't appear until Christmas Eve around these parts...for fear of mass destruction.


And following the Boo Mama guidelines, I have included my favorite holiday collection: Santa pictures of my boys. There's one for every year since they were born. This is my favorite spot in our house during the holiday season. The furniture in this photo is very sentimental and has been in my family for awhile. I am pretty sure that mirror is a bit older than me! This year I hung a wreath on it instead of my usual garland. Hope I won't get kicked out of the family for breaking that tradition. Here's a better view of my yearly keepsakes:

The tall one in the back is our oldest son as an infant meeting Santa in Lubbock. This year's photo was a little mug-shot-esque, but oh well. Makes for a good laugh down the road. The little Santa toy was mine when I was a child. I was a little mortified when I saw an identical one in an antique store recently. I'm not that old...am I?

Another favorite spot...the sign reads: Tiny Tots with Their Eyes all Aglow. These are the one-year photos of both of our boys. And these are the stockings Santa fills up. The ones on our mantel are actually metal and more of a pretty-pretty as we call them around here. A pretty-pretty can also be interpreted as a no-no.

This is our room. And our stockings...hung by the chimney with care. Actually, there's no real chimney here. This is a faux-fireplace from our previous home that was fireplace-free. It was just kind of fun to have, so I won't part with it!

A little extra fluff in for the dining room.

In the kitchen are my Christmas plates...which were only $1 each! I place them in front of the plates that sit in this plate rack year-round. It's some $3 Christmas cheer!

And onto another bargain...also in my kitchen, actually the breakfast area to be specific. The Dept. 56 Houses which I absolutely adore aren't exactly in our budget at this time, but I found some cheapies that sure bring a smile to my boys' faces. I buy a couple of these at Walgreens every year-- that's right...Walgreens! When I started buying them, they were only $5, this year they were $6.99. But that still can't be beat, if you ask me. The tree in the back corner was my mom's and she quit putting it out a few years ago (she's started scaling back the last few years). It was always one of my favorites as a child, so she gave it to me last year.

Here's a close-up of my crazy bargain village. Or as the boys call them..."the houses." They have even made friends with the Village people. Haha.

While we are still hanging around the kitchen...let's talk about that snack, shall we? We would love for you to try one of our favorite Christmas cookies that we have baked for the past few years...

Red & Green Pinwheels
And, of course, we will follow the rules and share the recipe! But, we can't take credit...we didn't invent the Red & Green Pinwheel. They came from an old issue of Taste of Home. I first saw them at a friend's house in Muleshoe and realized I had the same magazine. I baked them the next day and the rest is history!

Red & Green Pinwheels:
1 1/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup packed brown suger
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Red & green gel food coloring (try to find the red gel without the awful after-taste)
1 square (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Divide dough into fourths. Tint one portion red and one portion green. Leave one portion alone and add chocolate to fourth. Set aside these two portions (in the refrigerator) for another cookie (see below).
Divide the red and green portions in half. Roll out each portion between waxed paper into a 9 in. x 6 in. rectangle. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Remove waxed paper. Place one green rectangle over a red one and roll up tightly—jelly roll style. Chill at least two hours.
Unwrap and cut into 1/4 inch slices. Place one inch apart of ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.



The dough can also be used for Checkerboards, too:

Well, thanks a heap for stopping by our home. It was lovely having you. And to you and yours...Merry Christmas!

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love it all :-) you have a beautiful home, thanks for having us.

Ashley said...

Your home is so warm and cozy! I love "Tiny Tots with Their Eyes All Aglow...". So sweet. Come visit me at my house (blog)!

Cyndi said...

Your home is so cozy and pretty, I love your initial wreath on the fireplace. Merry Christmas.

Dena said...

Your home is beautiful and I'm so impressed that your hubby decorated the entry. He did awesome. Thanks for sharing!

Kristi said...

Your home is gorgeous! Love the pictures and your fireplace. Christmas blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the visit. Your house is beautiful! Merry Christmas!

KarenW said...

I love your Christmas houses!

Anne said...

Great tour, especially the "tiny tots" sign... very cute!

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for letting us tour! I love your decorations. And when you said Muleshoe, did you mean Muleshoe,TX? If so, I grew up around that area!

Hope you have a great day!

Erika said...

Looks great!! Love the picures of Santa and the kids over the years!

Heather said...

I love the pinwheels! Your boys are adorable!

Lauren said...

It looks wonderful! I love the trees by your front door! And those cookies look delish! Thanks for letting us in!

Erin said...

Beautiful! The pinwheel cookies are so festive!

Melodie Norman Haas said...

The decorations are pretty but the cookies look oh so yummy! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

My dear daughter and family,
The tears are flowing. I am so thankful to all of you for letting me and dad come visit your home this year. I new I wouldn't make it over this season but knew you'd come through thinking of dear old mom. Your open house is great and David's entry is a masterpiece.
I'd like to thank all of your Belton and Muleshoe friends for the well wishes they have sent and the great food. We are having sheppard pie for supper this evening.
Love you all, Mom and Dad

The Young Life said...

hey there...your home is beautiful! maybe one of these days we will come see it in person...I will email you later, we are passing through later in the week on our way to New Olreans.
ttyl

Carrie said...

love it!!!

Anonymous said...

Both those cookies look delish! Thanks - I enjoyed the tour!

Manuela

the voice of melody said...

Your tree (and everything else) is beautiful! I like your village a lot and I think I have the same school.

Thanks for the red and green pinwheel recipe, they're perfect for Christmas and look delicious. :)

Nise' said...

The cookies look so much fun to make and eat! Lovely decorations. Thanks for having me.

LindaSue said...

What a charming house! Of course a fellow Texan would have cute ideas and a holiday village from Walgreen's sounds just smart to me! Merry Christmas.

Leslye said...

Your house is so festive and inviting! I felt like I was really touring your home with you walking in front of me showing me everything! So fun!

Keetha Broyles said...

I LOVE your house - - - I felt right at home here!!!

Merry Christmas

Mindy said...

a "pretty-pretty" I'm still laughing..

philben5 said...

Your home is beautiful!!! I love the color of your dining room. Wow
Blessings
Roxanne

Shellee said...

Everything looks lovely...Merry Christmas!

J Stolle said...

Thanks for sharing Kristi, just a mini replica of you and your family. I love the little tree your mom gave you...I have one just like it but only about six or seven inches tall. It is about 33 years old and received from a dear friend's dad who made it for me.

Spoke with your mom today, she was so pleased and almost teary to see the blog and all you have done to make her Christmas so special.
All our love to you and yours,
Cousin Janice and Great Aunt Mary

Becky said...

Everything looks so very festive Kristi! Lucky me...I got to see it first hand when I stopped by with Mom & MeeMaw! Although the pictures are wonderful, I must let people know that they only convey a SMALL portion of the happiness, warmth, and hospitality others feel when they step through your front door! You have been blessed with many special talents...happiest of holidays sweet friend :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing!

Best wishes to you and your family during this Holiday season.

jill said...

What a lovely holiday home! Thanks for sharing it ... and the recipe, too! Merry Christmas!

Heather said...

I love all of your decorations, I love your fireplace, I miss my brick fireplace!! Thanks for stopping by, your home is absolutely gorgeous!! Merry Christmas!!

Kristy said...

Beautiful home! LOVE all the red! Blessings.

JayCee said...

Love your "D" wreath over the fire place.

Tiffany said...

I love this tour! I am really in love with the fire place in your bed room.I didn't get to participate this year, but I always love visiting. Blessings and Happiest of Hollidays!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip about the Walgreens houses, Dept. 56 is out of my budget too;-) Thanks for the tour!

His Doorkeeper said...

Loved the tour of your warm, inviting home. Hubby did a good job of the entry! Loved the pictures of your son on the wall! So cute!

The cookies looked fab!

Blesssings to you and your family!

Michelle said...

Your home is beautiful...I love the faux fireplace in your bedroom. Merry Christmas!

The Pennington Point said...

Oh it all looks so wonderful! I love the suitcases under the table in the entryway and the wreath hanging in the center of the mirror. Everything is great, but it really got me when I read your mom's comment. How sweet. You are blessed! Lisa~

Lauren said...

What a cute idea!! Your house looks so wonderful!! I love love love all your Christmas decorations!! Merry merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!

Kelli said...

Thank you for having us over! Your home is very invited and I love your fireplace!
~Kelli

phillips phamily said...

Love your cookies. I just don't have the patience for that kind of work!

The colors in your dining room are great for the holidays! Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for sharing.

Joan said...

Your home is lovely!

Happy Holidays!

Michie said...

Thank you for the tour. Those cookies are cute!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tour - you have a lovely warm home. Love the entry table. Merry Christmas and God Bless!

Paula said...

What a wonderful cozy home you have! Thanks for sharing,
Paula from Idaho
http://bucketideasforchristmas.blogspot.com/