Christ Is Born. For You.

It's been years since I feel like I've had a very cohesive thought to put together, but today I finally felt the urge to really write something down. Thanks to anyone still out here, who's willing to follow along.

For me, there are two different categories of Christmas songs - there is the first category; that is the fun, festive, lighthearted songs about the season and all the fun they bring. I love these songs, and play them regularly after Thanksgiving.

Then there is the second category. These songs have been known to leave me standing alone in my kitchen, with hands lifted in surrender and hot tears streaming down my face. They challenge me to have peace, even in a place of turmoil, when nothing seems to go right. They promise hope, when I feel that the world around me is unraveling. They speak of love when I feel abandoned. They tell me to rejoice, when I am struggling with deep hurts.

To me, these songs are worshipful and holy. I am more careful and purposeful when I listen to these songs. They are not just air-fillers while I am baking cookies. They are the very heart of the Gospel message.

They bring me to a place, year after year, where I acknowledge that I have very little control, that the world around me is not as it should be, and that in the midst of all of that, God loved me, and you, so much, that he sent Jesus, who humbled himself, took the lowly form of a baby, and allowed himself to be born in a cave. The magnitude of his sacrifice moves me to such a deeply raw and emotional place. Especially during difficult times; times of loss, unmet expectations, uncertainty and frustration. These songs point me towards the harder moments of following Christ.

A weary world rejoices. (Oh Holy Night)

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight

(O Come, O Come Emmanuel - especially by For King and Country)

O come, bitter and broken

Come with fears unspoken

Come, taste of His perfect love

(O, Come All You Unfaithful by Sovereign Grace Music - really their whole album, Heaven Has Come)

The Christmas season can be such an emotionally overwhelming time. It can seem like no matter how hard we try, we get caught up in the busyness of the season. It can bring out our more difficult emotions and sadnesses. It can make losses feel stronger. It can cause unresolved situations to weigh heavier.

But these songs about a long awaited Savior, someone who promises to walk with me through the struggles, to whom I can lament without fear of shame - is the true message of Christmas.

Christ is born. For us.

Festive Cranberry Orange Loaf

I've made this cranberry orange loaf for all the fall/winter holidays for the past couple years, and realized that I've never actually posted it on here.

So today, without further ado, I will be sharing this delicious tart and sweet treat with you.

Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

1 tbsp orange zest (about an orange and a half)

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sunflower oil

1/2 cup orange juice

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 - 1 1/2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen are both perfectly fine)

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp orange juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F/175 C and grease a 9x5 inch (23x13 cm) loaf pan.

2. In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3. In a small/medium bowl combine the sugar and orange zest using a fork. It'll turn your sugar a light yellow color. Set aside.

4. Attach a large mixing bowl to your stand mixer as well as the paddle attachment. Pour into the bowl the buttermilk, oil, orange juice, eggs and vanilla. Mix on a low speed until fully combined.

5. Keep the mixer going. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the sugar/zest mixture. Continue mixing until you get a nice smooth consistency.

6. Finally add in the cranberries, mix until just combined.

7. Pour batter into your prepped loaf pan. Bake for 70-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. You should check on it after about 55-60 minutes of baking, and tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top of it to protect the top from getting too brown.

8. Remove from oven, and allow to fully chill. 

9. Before serving, using a whisk, combine powdered sugar and orange juice, and pour over the loaf. It's as beautiful as it is festive!

+ If you'd like, this is a great dessert to make ahead and freeze. Do this before you glaze it. To freeze, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap, and then again in aluminum foil. It can stay in the freezer for at least a week, probably 2. (I haven't tried it that long, but cake freezes very well.) If you decide to freeze your loaf, remove it from the freezer a few hours before you intend to serve it. Once you're ready to serve it, make the glaze and pour it on top.

Shopping Small Christmas Gift Guide

I really love shopping small. There is a whimsy and character to things that are produced in smaller batches. The products are usually of a higher quality, and made from materials that are better for our planet. Shopping small means that you're not helping a CEO buy another mansion or yacht, you're helping a small business owner support their family. Also, they are more likely to put their money back into their community as well - creating a positive cycle. Online shopping has revolutionized our access to goods, and we are able to buy things from small shops around the world. Next week is "Shop Small Saturday", therefore there is no better time! So, here are some of my favorite ideas for shopping small this Christmas season!
(I haven't been compensated by any of these shops, nor have they asked for these reviews. These are just some of my favorite products I've tried and/or admired for quite some time.)

For the chef in your life - 

Cook Eat Slovenia

This cookbook was just released, and I am thrilled to have one in my possession! It's by Špela Vodovc, who is a native of the Slovene capital Ljubljana. It's a compilation of Slovene recipes, sorted by season. Slovene cuisine is not very well known, however thanks to Ana Roš - a Slovene chef named best female chef in the world - it's becoming more renowned. With this cookbook you will help your most beloved chef be "in the know" about this up and coming trend.

Meater

This digital meat thermometer is so cool! My parents got one for Dan earlier in the year. It connects to an app on your phone, where you set the temperature you want to cook your meat to, and then it tells you the temperature of your meat, and approximately how much longer it needs to cook. So cool!

For your littlest loves -

Etsy

Last year, my go-to place for unique baby toys was Etsy. Just write key words in the search bar, find a shop with good ratings, and order away!

For toddlers in your life -

Indigo Jamm Toys 

We bought our youngest the Indigo Jamm doll house and camper for her birthday, and followed it up with the princess carriage for Christmas. The toys are ethically produced, and made from a renewable material, rubberwood. I love their colors (bright, but not offensive to the eyes), and I love that the doll house is for 18 mo+, while the other peg dolls are 12 mo+ - a rare find in the doll world! They have a wide range of peg doll toys, as well as imaginative play toys, like kitchen sets, tea sets, a doll high chair, etc. as well as ride-on toys.

Tender Leaf Toys

 Sadly, I came across this toy company after spending what we'd agreed on for Christmas gifts this year, so I'll be keeping it in my back pocket for birthdays and next year. I am completely in love with their doll house (3+), and am hoping that our youngest continues to enjoy playing with hers, so we can get her this one to add to her playing.  

The toys from this company are also ethically produced, and made from rubberwood. Again, I love the colors and aesthetics of their toys!

Olli Ella

I've saved the best for last (for this category)! These Dinkum Dolls are ridiculously precious! I love that they come in such a variety of skin tones and hair color - representation is so important, especially when it comes to modeling behavior to children. We purchased Poppet (the one on the far left) for our little peanut for Christmas, as well as an extra outfit. Grandma and Grandpa bought a second outfit and a "luggy" (wheeled basket) for her to take her treasures with her wherever she goes. This company also has the most adorable wicker doll pram the world has seen! <3

For your bigger kids - 

Loog Guitars

This is what we plan on getting or oldest kiddo for his 6th birthday in February. These guitars have 3 strings, are perfect for small hands, and easily transition the child to a regular guitar once they're big enough. The one pictured is for kids 3+, and then they have an electric one for kids 8+. These loog guitars come with a book to help the kids learn the basics, and there is access to an app that helps teach them as well. It is meant to be easily self-taught or with the help of a parent. Oh! And they have the coolest colors! Rock on!!

KiwiCo

A KiwiCo subscription would be a FANTASTIC gift for anyone, but especially for your budding scientist or engineer. These crates are sorted by age, and really are age-appropriate regarding their instructions and required skill sets. I love that they are educational as well as fun!

For your jewelry lovers - 

Grace Personalized

I received a ring like this one with my kiddos' names on it last year from this jewelry maker. It is beautiful, and although delicate has held up really well, too!

Le Papier Studio

I follow this jewelry maker on Instagram, and their pieces are just so feminine and intricate! 

For your favorite baker - 

Valek Rolling Pins

These embossing rolling pins are so fun! They have ones for all different holidays, with different patterns, and well, they are just really beautiful! 

For those "family" gifts - 

Simple Nic Personalized Portraits

This is my friend from college and super talented artist, Nic. She created this beautiful portrait of Anne Shirley for our little girl's nursery! She takes orders for personalized portraits, and they are just adorable!  You can order them through her Etsy shop, or find her on Instagram.

For those unique ornaments - 

House of Worry Dolls

I found this artist when I was looking for Anne of Green Gables dolls - she makes clothespin dolls and ornaments, and they are just darling!! She also does also do personalized "family" ornaments, however I believe her deadline for this Christmas has passed. You could always get a head-start on next year! :) All I can say is, "As you wish...!"

For your eco-conscious friend - 

Bee's Wrap

We've used these single-use-plastic-alternative food storage wraps for two years now, and they are fantastic! They are great  for lids on bowls of leftovers, for keeping cheese fresh once it's open, and even for bread!

And there you have it! My recommendations for shopping small this holiday season. What are your favorite places to find unique gifts from local artists, or other small(er) business owners?

An Attitude of Thankfulness

Decorating our Christmas tree always makes me thankful.

We have "filler" ornaments, sure, but the majority of our ornaments hold special meaning for us.  When we travel, we often buy an ornament to commemorate it.  Additionally, in our now nearly 8 years of marriage, we have been through quite a few milestones - not to mention the ones from before that.  Many of which are immortalized in the form of ornaments.

Every year, as we search through the crumpled paper towel sheets we use to protect this precious cargo, I am reminded of so many - good, but also sometimes hard - things that the Lord has brought us through.  We, as missionaries literally live off of the generosity of others - and thankfulness is the overarching emotion I feel.  Especially this time of year.  These ornament are tangible reminders of that.

Here are some of the ornaments that hold special meaning.

1. Baby's First Christmas Ornaments 

There will never be a day that I won't get teary pulling these out! Those teeny-tiny fingers and toes... I can't even stand it!  I even made sure that when we made these, I made an extra, so that if/when the kiddos ever want one for their trees when they're adults... I can still have mine.  #momwin

These ornaments make me so thankful for the little lives God has entrusted to us!  

2. Felt Cupcake

This ornament.  This was the year that finances were so tight, that these handmade felt cupcake ornaments were the only gifts we could afford to give.  I'm thankful for this year.  This was our first year as a married couple.  This was the year of Arby's chocolate turnover dates, Ramen noodles, no health insurance, not being sure if we had enough gas in the car to run errands, getting signed up to bring food to an event - and then not having enough to make dinner for us... It taught us to economize, to appreciate what we have, and enjoy the REAL spirit of Christmas.

3. Travel Ornaments  

I am so thankful for the ability to travel, and see new places.  These ornaments remind me of all the fun family memories we've shared.

4. White House Ornaments

My dad's dad, my Gramps used to buy my mom these ornaments that the White House Society puts out every year - and then when I got married, he did for us too.  In 2016, I lost three of my grandparents - one of them being my Gramps.  Dan's grandma also passed away that year.  Aidan, our 2 year-old (at the time) attended 3 funerals that year - and was an absolute dream.  I was a pall-bearer in my Gran's funeral.  When Gran passed away, we put together pictures for the reception afterwards, and numbered them for the slideshow.

3 months later, we were putting together a slideshow for Gramps' funeral.  The next number in the slideshow would've been 12, but I was looking at a picture that was already numbered 13, and was wondering where I went wrong with the numbering, when I realized - I hadn't gotten it wrong, it was just still numbered from Gran's funeral.  

After they passed, my mom continued the tradition.  Every year, when I take them out, I am thankful for my extended family, and the time we had together.

5. The Coolest Ornament

One year, I sent my mom a random picture of an ornament that I LOVED.  Somehow she found it, and I got it for Christmas that year! It's an urchin and a spindle - it's amazingly fragile and beautiful, and somehow made it across the ocean.

I'm so thankful for a mama who knows my heart.

6. Coffee

Coffee.  I'm not even kidding.  I'm thankful for coffee.  

7. My Oldest Home

Hungary.  

8. My Last Home

USA - Jacksonville.

9. My Current, and Beloved Home

Slovenia.  I love it here so much!  It has felt like home since the moment we got here.  I am so thankful that we get to live and thrive in Slovenia.

This is from when we went hiking a couple months after we moved here. <3

10.  The Person With Whom I Will Be Home No Matter What

I am so thankful for Dan.  So many of the wonderful things in my life are because of who I get to spend that life with.  

So, this holiday season, I encourage you to take the time to reminisce over the moments that your ornaments represent.  When you think about those memories, take the time to thank God for the good... and also the hard things He's brought you through.  Often times we wouldn't get to the happy memories, if it weren't for the tough ones.

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookie

Sing with me, "It's the most wonderful time of the year..."

The time of the year I bake cookies, and reacquaint myself with the oven.  Kidding.  Sort of.

Our littlest Peanut is fighting her first cold, so unfortunately she and I couldn't go pick out a Christmas tree.  I wanted to make sure that when the boys got back, it felt as Christmassy and festive as possible, so I baked some yummy cookies. I wanted to try a new cookie, and found a recipe for Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies.  I'd never made shortbread before, and was excited at the short ingredients list - all of which I already had!  They turned out very tasty, and were a rounding success with the boys!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3/4 cups sugar (1/4 for cranberries, 1/2 cup for dough)

2 1/2 cups flour (spooned and leveled, not scooped)

1 cup unsalted butter (cubed and cold)

1-2 tsp vanilla extract (the original called for almond, which would be great too, I'm sure.  All I had was vanilla, and it worked really well!)

The zest of one orange

1-2 tbs fresh squeezed orange juice

Extra sugar in a a bowl for coating

Directions:

1. Pulse together the dried cranberries and 1/4 cup sugar in a food processor, until it breaks up the dried cranberries.

2. Combine flour and remaining sugar in a bowl.  Set aside.

3. Use a pastry cutter (or two forks) to cut in cold butter, until you get fine crumbs.

4. Stir in extract, cranberry mixture, orange zest and juice.

5. Knead dough with your hands, until it comes together into a ball.

6. Form into a log, about 2 inches in diameter.

7. Refrigerate for 2 hours.  (Or up to 72 hours.)  (Or do what I did - use half now, and half later.)

8. Preheat oven to 325 F (163 C).  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Take the dough log out of the fridge, and cut into 1/4 inch slices.  Roll slices in the sugar in the bowl (making sure to get both sides and the edges.)

9. Place on baking sheet, about an inch apart.  (They don't expand much, but I'm notorious for cookies sticking together, so I was over-cautious.)

10. Bake for 12-15 minutes.  It's important not to over-bake them.  I baked them for about 13 minutes.

11. Let them completely cool on the pan before handling them.  

Ta-da!!

The original post says they are good for 3 days when kept in an air tight container, or for 3 months in the freezer.  That makes them perfect to bake ahead for the Christmas season.

These are definitely making the final cut for cookies for neighbors and friends!  Scrumptious!

Minimalist Christmas Decor

Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

I enjoy elaborate Christmas decorations as much as the next person (honestly, you should see my mom's house - it's amazing!!!), but my personal style is a little (okay, a lot) simpler than hers.

It's due to a few factors, one - I just like it, two - with recently moving, and not having our own place for quite some time, we just haven't accumulated that many non-Christmas-tree type of decorations.  I DO have a fair amount of Christmas tree decorations, which are very special to me, and I am thankful to report, that they all made it across the ocean, and not a single one broke!

So, here is our "minimalist" Christmas decor this year.

The stockings are from Target

The Nativity is Willow Tree

The felt winter pillow cases are from the Budapest Christmas market

The very very cool mountain pillow is from here in Slovenia.

The candle holder is something my dad found us at the flea market

My mom made the table runner

We decided to do different metallic wrapping papers this year, and I love how simple it is, and yet festive!

I just used different branches and garland on top of the cabinets, and loved how it looked.

I love displaying our Christmas cards from years past - unfortunately this years' hasn't arrived in the mail yet (international shipping and all), but I like how it ended up looking on the back of the couch.

We've been using a galvanized tub for our tree for a couple years now, and I just love it!!

The green and white quilt on the teal chair was a gift from a dear family that has "adopted" us.  It's from the Target Magnolia Hearth and Hand collection.