$100 Red Barn Candle Co Christmas Giveaway!

You are in for a treat today my friends!

I am hosting my own *HUGE* Red Barn Candle Co giveaway.

HUGE,

did I mention HUGE?!?

All items are out of the shop.

Should you win, shipping is on me.

Giveaway is worth $100!

Yay!

I have been SO excited about sharing some fabulous goodies with you.

Are you ready?

It is a BIG one.

Seriously.

Christmas candles, decor and gifts as well!

Vintage inspired velvet jingle bell mini wreath.

Large, 16 ounce spiced pumpkin candle.

Silver fleur de lis earrings.

2, 8 ounce candles.

{Dickens Christmas and Buttermint}

Handmade cabochon ring.

Handmade brown velvet, vintage inspired, rosette necklace.

Please note:

*You MUST be a follower of Red Barn Candle Company Blog to enter*

As a bonus, feel free to share this giveaway on your blog and/or facebook,

come back here and let me know,

and your name will go in THREE times just for doing so!

Yay for sharing!

So, basically, you can get your name in FOUR times.

Pretty good odds if you ask me!

Thank you in advance my friends!

I am so thankful for ALL of my readers,

 and can't thank each of you enough for your support!

Simply leave a comment below to enter the drawing.

*Winner will be chosen Wednesday, December 14th, and announced here on my blog*

Good luck my friends!
Linking here.

What I Wore

I have been searching for a brown coat for awhile now.

Years ago, the hubs gave me a black pea coat for Christmas,

that I wear all winter long. With EVERYTHING.

However, I have wanted to add a brown coat to my wardrobe as well.

I have just never found one that I was in LOVE with.

Imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon this brown coat!
It's the little things in life that make me happy!

Found at Target for $50 marked down to $25.

Ummm, yes, please!

So I treated myself and purchased it.

So.glad.I.did.

It got much cooler this week and I have worn it everyday!

Scarf: FOUGHT for at our annual Christmas girls night years ago.

Seriously,

there may or may not have been name calling involved.

{ALL in good fun, of course}

Every year we have a chinese Christmas gift exchange.

SO FUN!

Jeans: Don't remember I have had them so long!

Seriously.

I am loving this coat.

Thankful I get to be warm and stylish,

{at the same time} ;)

I am still NOT comfortable at ALL doing these posts.

Yet, I continue to do them,

in hopes of one day being comfortable in front of the camera.

Plus, so many of the ladies who link up have fabulous outfits!

Such great inspiration for the "rest of us"

Does it get easier the more you do it?

*Don't forget, I will be having a SUPER BIG Christmas giveaway here on my blog*

Christmas candles, as well as gift items!

Over $50 worth of goodies and shipping is on me!

So, be sure and check back!

Linking here.

Cake Mix Christmas Cookies

For as long as I can remember,

we have enjoyed cake mix cookies in our family!

The kids love to help make them.

They are very easy and delicious as well.

When I was asked to bring cookies for teacher appreciation

{to my daughters school}

I knew right away, these would be the perfect treat!

I found this "holiday party chip" cake mix at Target.

The.Best.Store.Ever.

If you read my blog, you know I am in LOVE with this store!

Moving on....

Beat two eggs with a fork. Add 1/3 cup of vegetable oil.

Add your cake mix.

Stir by hand.

I prefer to use a rubber spatula.

{Do not use electric mixer}

I found these lovely holiday sprinkles,

at, where else, you guessed it. Target.

Can you say dollar bin?

LOVE it! :)

Use a teaspoon and scoop your cookies onto your cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or so.

When done, transfer them to wire rack.

Sprinkle with your sugar while still warm.

I think it is a nice festive touch.

That is it folks.

So simple!

Also, for my readers and those of you who are new here,

I will be hosting my own {RBCC} giveaway soon.

So, be sure to check back, you won't want to miss this one!

Gift items AND Christmas candles.

All for FREE for one lucky winner!

Yay! :)

Linking here.

Much To Be Thankful For

God.

My children, husband and family.
Mama and Sister.
Granny and Grandpa.

Life.

Health.

Love.

Friends.

Forgivness.

Honesty.

Good {meaningful} conversations.

Patience.

Laughter.

Tears.

Loss,

that prompts reflection.

{Inside and Out}
.....................................................................

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
FULL of many blessings,
Laughter.
Love.
Happiness.
Joy.
Memories,
that you too, are thankful for.
......................................................................

I am thankful to each and every one of you.
Thank you for your support through this little blog journey of mine.
Your kindess means the world to me.
{HUGS}

What I Wore

 
 A few weeks back sister was in from Austin.

We went out to Mom's {the farm}

and took ALOT of photos.

These were a few she snapped,

after we finished our family photos.
Which I plan on sharing soon!

 

 

Mustard shirt: Target

Floral shirt: Target

Headband: Made by me

 

 

Being silly and laughing together.

Talking in our own language.

ALL we do when we are together.

We seem to forget everyone else is around,

and get lost in our own sister world.

I love her so much!

Linking here.

I Am "Blank" Because

I am weird because.....

I have to sleep with my 1970's huge, super warm tiger blanket.

Even in the summer.

Seriously.

I wash my hands 100 times a day.

I love to go thrifting with the hubs. Alot!

I wake up everyday at 5:30am and 95% of the time, cannot go back to sleep.

I would rather be at home, with my family, than anywhere else on earth.

My children have never stayed with a "babysitter"

ONLY family members. Granny's and Aunt's.

I only like to vacation to the beach!

I hope to live in {and restore} on old farmhouse one day with my family.

I restart the dryer to avoid foling clothes.

Like 12 times. Maybe more!

Any and every "mouth noise" drives me up the wall!

If I wear makeup, I HAVE to wash it off as soon as I get home.

I have to sleep with my hair down.

I bathe my kids in Germ X every.single.time after we have been out in public.

I don't like to pay full price for anything.

I don't like fast food.



I am a bad friend because.....

I get busy with life, and forget to return phone calls and messages.

I get consumed with my family life and being a mom.

I intend to "set up" dinner dates and girls nights but things happen.

Life happens.

Then months {and even years} go by.

I am a good friend because.....

I am trustworthy.

I love my friends like family.

I will always listen.

I will always have a shoulder to cry on.

I will make you laugh until you cry. Then we both cry.

I am sad because.....

Life has been hard lately.

Our family cat has gone missing.

My Mama's good friend is terminally ill.

My children are growing way to fast.

I want time to slow down. And, it won't.

I miss one of my closest friends who passed away from breast cancer.

I want to hear her voice and most of all her laugh.

Her boys have to enter another holiday season without their Mommy.

She was taken far too soon.

And, I will never know why.

I am happy because.....

It is fall break.

My family is happy and healthy.

{The greatest blessing of all}

No early bedtimes this week!

Lot's of family movie nights with buttery popcorn.

Granny's turkey and dressing is only 2 days away!

I am 90% done with my Christmas shopping. Yay!

My family will be spending time together for the next week.

We will be decorating for Christmas,

 while sipping hot chocolate,

and listening to Christmas music.

I had a lovely girls shopping outing today.

I am sipping on my candycane hot tea as I type this post!

 

Holiday Craft Fair

Hello friends!

My super sweet blog friend Ashley is hosting a Christmas Craft Fair.

You can visit her lovely blog {The Vanilla Tulip} to check it out.

This Christmas I know I am making and/or purchasing handmade items for gifts.

NOTHING says I love you like homemade.

And, it is such a great way to promote and give back to fellow shop owners,

who make such wonderful handmade items!

So, check it out!

I also will be having a giveaway there!

One FREE Creme Brulee mason jar candle.

{With free shipping}
Candle will arrive to you just like this.
To keep for yourself or ready for giftgiving!

Creme Brulee has been my #1 seller for years now.

It is a WONDERFUL blen of rich buttery vanilla with a hint of cinnamon.

Perfect for any time of year.

Please note: You must be a follower of The Vanilla Tulip and Red Barn Candle Co. to enter.
Be sure and leave Ashley a comment on her blog to get your name in the drawing!

So, hop on over to The Vanilla Tulip for all kinds of goodness today!

You will be happy you did!

Have a fabulous Friday friends! :)

Our Drive Home

Two years ago, we moved to the country.

We love it so much.

So nice and peaceful.

We get to see these big beautiful trees everyday.

{Going to and from town}

..........................................

The kids get so excited when the leaves begin to change colors.

EVEN more excited once they start to fall,

EVEN more excited once they begin blowing around like crazy!

Autumn, the year's last and loveliest smile.

{Love this}

Toffee Candy

Hi there friends!

I have been making Christmas candles all week {again}

Got to love this time of year!

I am having a Christmas candle boutique in our home on Saturday.

I am SO excited about it.

Although not looking forward to house cleaning,

ALL day Friday!

I host a Christmas boutique ever year.

It gives my customers a chance to get a jump on holiday shopping.

I prepare snacks and treats as a thank you for all of my sweet customers!

Tonight, my little man helped me make toffee candy that I will freeze,

and then thaw to serve on Saturday!

It is so easy and yummy to {a family favorite this time of year}

So, I thought you might enjoy it!

You will need:

1 stick of butter

1 cup of brown sugar

1 bag chocolate chips

1/2 cup pecans

Saltine crackers
and....
a cute little guy to help out! ;)

Preheat over to 350.

Cover jelly roll pan with saltines {1 single layer}

Melt butter in pan on stove, add brown sugar.

Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes or so.

Pour over crackers.

Bake for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and pour bag of chocolate chips on top.

Spread evenly and then sprinle pecans on top.

Pop in freezer for 10 minutes or so.

Take out and break into pieces.

Store in airtight container.

Yum!

So simple and yummy too.

This is a great Christmas treat for neighbors or teachers.

Just put in a cute tin and tie with a bow,

they are sure to love it!

Linking here.

Granny's Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

 

Hello friends.

I am SO excited to share a great recipe with you today!

Once you try it, I promise you will use it for years to come.

            However, before I share the recipe, I will share a little more with you about myself.

My Mom raised my little sister and I on HER own,

after divorcing my "father" when I was 5 years old. Sister was 1 1/2 at the time.

Soon after, we moved away from the small town I was born and raised in.

Mama needed to finish her college degree.

{Hence moving to a bigger town}

This was a hard adjustment for all of us.

Through the years, we always came home to visit family and friends.

My Mama's parents {Granny and Grandpa}

have practically been like "parents" to my sister and myself.

I love them so very much.

They are a HUGE light in our lives.

My children know them as Granny and Grandpa.

Their door is ALWAYS open.

And, there is always something cooking in Granny's kitchen.

 Upon stepping onto the front porch and knocking on the screen door,

I always knew what was cooking on the stove.

Today I would like to share with you one of my favorite recipes,

it has literally been cooked for generations at Granny's house!

You will need:

4 boneless skinless chicken breast

{Granny uses a whole chicken}

however, in our home we love chicken breasts.

2-3 cans chicken broth

1 large onion

8 celery stalks {Chop 4, set aside}

2 cups of chopped carrots

Palmfull of WHOLE allspice {key ingredient} :)

Palmfull of salt

1 large bag of wide egg noodles

Throw 4 celery stalks and onion {cut in half} into large pan.

Pour 2 cans of chicken broth into pan.

Throw in your chicken breasts.

Add your spices and salt.

Cook for 1 hour or until chicken is done.

Take out cooked onion, celery and allspice.

These items are used for "flavoring"

The hubs always likes me to put the cooked onion and celery in a bowl.

He uses it in his soup, however, you can discard at this point if you wish.

Throw in your chopped carrots and celery.

Boil until tender.

Take out your chicken and chop into bite size pieces.

Throw it back into the pot.

Using another pan, boil your egg noodles according to pkg. directions.

I do NOT add these to my broth {in the big soup pot} as they tend to get soggy.

I keep them in a seperate pan until individual soup bowls are made.

Enjoy!

The is a GREAT and EASY go to chicken noodle soup recipe.

I make it year 'round but especially in the fall and winter.

It also works WONDERS for the common cold.

Seriously, try it, you won't be sorry!

Linking here.

Why I Love Him

Because after a LONG day. Night. WEEK,

of Christmas candle making,

I finally sit down to craft and snuggle with the kids.

And,

he comes around the corner,

with a huge grin,

and a cup of this.

My first cup of holiday hot chocolate this season.

Who could ask for anything more?

I am one lucky wife and Mama.
So blessed.