Well, we are down to the final hours.  As I write this, Christmas will be here in less than 48 hours.  Will I get it ALL done?  Probably NOT! haha

My house is a MESS.  For the first Christmas in years, we have family coming to spend Christmas at our house, and some are even staying the night!  So that means I have the added pressure of  extra cleaning on top of my already long to do list!

I didn’t get ALL of the baking done (I always plan for WAY too much).

We decorated Butter Cookies

Every year I try out a new cookie recipe or two.  This year Raspberry Filled Butter Cookies and Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies were the new kids on the block and both received high praises and I’m sure will make appearances again!

We made and gifted lots of Christmas Tree Peppermint Bark

Christmas tree Peppermint barkas well as  Cinnamon Honey Butter and Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Cinnamon Honey Butter and Pound Cake

I used my favorite Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes in a bag to make things a little easier, for some Chocolate Chip and Gingerbread Cookies.  Seriously those mixes are so yummy and taste like homemade!  I always have several in my pantry!

It’s not the holidays with out Red Velvet Truffles {cake balls}.  I just decorated in red and green for a more festive look!  These are, by far, one of my husbands VERY favorite treats!

Today I plan to try my hand at Kristan’s cute snowman cupcakes.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I will be serving many dishes I can make ahead of time.  Some of the recipes I will share after the holidays, and some I linked to.

Christmas Dinner Menu

Italian Beef

Cheese Potatoes

Cheese Straws

Green Bean Casserole

Gigi Salad


Christmas Appetizers

Bacon Wrapped Jalepaneos

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Garlic Chicken Puffs

Vegetable Tray

Rye Bread Dip


Christmas Breakfast Menu

Gooey Butter Cake

Praline French Toast

Weekend Brunch Egg & Sausage Casserole

Crunchy Coated Bacon

I know many of us try to be “one of those mom’s” who can pull it ALL off………but reality is, it usually doesn’t happen that way.   So I didn’t bake EVERY SINGLE incredible recipe I saw this year, we didn’t go caroling or drive thru Santa’s Magical Kingdom, I didn’t send out Christmas cards (first time ever), and I seriously doubt I’ll get my toes painted the new pretty OPI red Ali’s Big Break that we bought, and my guests will not care if there are dust bunnies under the cabinets.

It’s ok if I can’t do it all. My family will love everything I did make, Santa’s Magical Kingdom will be up thru New Years, I can say Merry Christmas via facebook, email and skype,  I wear boots or slippers everyday so no one see’s my toes any way and most importantly, we will all be together and healthy for Christmas!

Melissa shares How to Find Peace during the holidays.


Are YOU ready? Are YOU letting some things “go”?


PLEASE NOTE I’M LOVIN’ IT WILL BE TAKING A HOLIDAY BREAK AND WILL RETURN ON DEC 30th