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on the ….mirror with care (we have no chimney). The tree went up last weekend, and the ornaments have been going up slowly over the past week. A few here, a few there. Henry is enjoying taking them off, so this process of decorating the tree could go on for a while. No broken ornaments yet, but I am not holding my breath.  Our little Elf Henry  is sure getting excited  for Christmas, if you couldn’t tell. We’ve been watching oodles & oodles of Christmas movies: Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch (both versions), While You Were Sleeping, Sleepless in Seattle, Family Man. I consider the last 3 Christmas movies because there is some element of Christmas in them. Chris disagrees, I think he thinks they are chick flicks and  my weak and often failed attempt to try to con him into watching them with me. I love them anyway. The three of us are currently huddled up next to a bowl of kettle corn watching the claymation version of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. A certain little person, who shall remain nameless, decided he wanted nothing to do with going to sleep tonight (it’s nearly 10 p.m.). 

Speaking of reindeer…

Let the kids know that we saw Santa’s Reindeer, and they are resting up (and getting lots and lots of training) to make sure they are ready to deliver everyones Christmas gifts. So be good and maybe he’ll stop by your house!

Regarding the Cookie Exchange (read the previous post if you missed it), I have 24 participants so far, so if you are interested in either sending in your favorite holiday recipe or if you just want the complete listing of recipes, e-mail me no later than December 14th and I’ll be sure to include you.

Just about finished with a holiday gift giving
idea and will post the pic and recipe on Sunday. AND the newest
addition to the MFCDC hasn’t arrived yet. Darn! Should be here next
week… will let you know the second it arrives!

We’ve been closely following the story of James & Kati Kim and were devastated to hear Wednesdays news. We don’t know them personally, but Kati & I are the same age and I am sure we can all relate to this story in some way. We are Mothers, we are Wives…it’s our worst nightmare. I just want to throw my arms around her and give her lots & lots of love. We are holding eachother a bit tighter & closer here, and hope you are, too.

Thank you all for your very nice comments about the Oreo Pops- I will be sure to pass them on to CAM! On to other things…These stacking santa dolls, I just LOVE them. I always forget that I have them until I pull them out of the Christmas box every year. Chris spent several years living in Russia and thats when our little Matryoshka doll collection started. When we first moved to Boston in ’99 we found this little santa set at a local shop. It was made in Russia & imported to the states. I love his beard, and well just about everything about him. I can’t wait to set him out & adore him over the Christmas Season.

Plans for the 2nd annual cookie exchange are underway  and I am getting very excited for it. Last year, I had about 30 gals come and they each brought 3 dozen cookies  and then kind of swapped all our cookies so everyone each left with a huge assortment. Everyone e-mailed me their recipes so when all was said & done, all the gals got everyone elses recipes. I was thinking about how I can incorporate this into my little blog world. Since you probably won’t be able to make it to my house (boo hoo), I was thinking- if you want to participate, you can e-mail me your favorite cookie recipe & I’ll add it in to all the ones I get from the cookie exchange and then e-mail you a complete list of the recipes. Or if you are already feeling the holiday burn-out and don’t want to dig up a recipe to send me, just send me your e-mail address and I’ll be sure to foward you all the recipes I get. I mean who wouldn’t want lots of holiday cookie recipes??

Projects, projects, projects….I FINALLY pulled out these vintage plates that I’ve been holding onto for a lot of years. I’m getting ready to make them into something fabulous for the shop. And this green star, well it’s not green anymore…it’s currently painted white and is on the verge of a major glittery holiday transformation!

Lastly, I will be taking a  little bit of a blogging break. Soo much to do around here. We have our first Christmas party on Friday night and the tree  & decorations are going up this weekend. My poor paper whites  need to be planted desperately or they will not bloom in time for Christmas (I can’t imagine a Christmas without the sweet smell of paper whites) PLUS on the drive home tonight I thought of some other holiday gift giving ideas that I want to share with you. So, this all means, no new posts from me over the next week. I will be back end of next week with lot’s to share.

P.s. I can’t wait to share the newest addition to the MFCDC (Moore Family Christmas Decoration Collection)! You are going to absolutely love and will insist on one for yourself, I guarantee!

I can’t believe it’s DECEMBER!!

Move over Thanksgiving (okay you’ve already officially moved over) it’s time to break out the holiday  goodness (yummy treats that is). I fear I will not be posting any wholesome dinner recipes for this holiday season, as I have soo many delicious sweet recipes I want to share, but I will try my hardest!

My dear friend Betsey taught me how to make these scrumptious Oreo Pops last weekend. She learned how to make these from her husbands "Crazy Aunt Mary". I have heard many, many stories about crazy Aunt Mary, but I must say this. She has totally redeemed herself with this genius little recipe. Thank you CAM (Crazy Aunt Mary)! These are so simple to make and would make darling gifts for your friends & neighbors this Christmas Season. It’s also a perfect treat for kids to help make, too!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 package of "Double Stuf Oreo Cookies" (they must be double-stuf or they won’t work)
• 1 package of melting chocolate (these are sold in bags & they look like giant chocolate chips)
• 1 package of sucker sticks*
• 1 package of small cellophane bags*
• Candy/Decorations for outside of the pops. Any candy works- crushed peppermint sticks, coconut,  toffee, candy bits, etc.,.

* The melting chocolate, sucker sticks, small cellophane bags and decorations are all available at cake/candy supply stores.

Directions:

1. Place one sucker stick directly through the center of the Oreo (through the white fillling in the middle) and stop just before it comes out the other end. You may need to gently press the cookie together after the stick has gone through. Continue this step for as many oreo pops as you want to make.
2. Place the oreo pops onto a cookie sheet that has been lined with wax paper. Place in the refridgerator to cool for 15-20 minutes. By cooling the cookies, it aids in helping the chocolate stick to the cookies easier.
3. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate according to package directions. Place the chocolate in a glass liquid measuring cup or other tall container (it makes it easier for dipping).
4. Remove the Oreo’s from the refridgerator and dip each Oreo into the chocolate, just covering the Oreo. You may need to use a spoon to make sure it is evenly covered, shaking off the excess chocolate into the container. Place back onto the wax paper to dry. 
5. Have your decorations close at hand because it only takes about 30 seconds before the chocolate starts to dry. I would suggest dipping 2-3 cookies, adding the decorations and then continuing to dip the remaining cookies. 
6. Once all the cookies have been dipped & have their decorations, place back into the refridgerator to cool (make sure the dipped cookies are on the wax paper). They only need to cool for about 10 minutes before they can be wrapped in their cellophane bags and tied with ribbon. If you live in an area where it’s warm, you may want to store these in the refridgerator. Otherwise, they will last fine at room temperature.

I know it sounds like a lot of directions- but they are so very simple and can be made rather quickly. The chocolate can be purchased in a variety of colors, red, green, white, which make these pops perfect for any holiday.

EDITED: I’ve received many e-mails as to the size of the sticks & bags, so here goes. The sucker sticks are 6"x 5/32" and the bags are 2.5" x1" x 6". Hope this helps!

I have an abundance of sucker sticks & cellophane bags and am happy to sell them to you at cost if you don’t live near a cake/candy supply store or simply don’t feel like tracking them down. If you are interested, e-mail me at Morganautumnmoore@yahoo.com   SOLD OUT

Enjoy!!

Aside from being grateful for the annual feast that is Thanksgiving, I am grateful that Henry is still young enough that he will wear a little turkey hat made by his Mama (thanks for the inspiration PBKids!)

I hope you all get to eat lots of pumpkin pie, green bean cassarole, yammies with mallows and all the other delicious delights that are Thanksgiving. We all truely do have so much to be grateful for.

May all your turkey coma’s be light.

xoxo

Up for Sale: 2 Sets of Childrens Soft Blocks. Each set contains 18 different fabrics. Each fabric panel measures approx. 4" x 4". These overstuffed A-B-C blocks would be a wonderful gift for any little darling in your life.

Set #1 (pictured at left)

 

Set #2

$28.00 per set $4.00 s&h

Holiday Pillows

Holiday Pillows are $22.00 plus $4.00 S&H.

Pillow #1 is made of 4 different fabrics and ribbon is used for the tree base. The pillow is made from a heavy fleece.

Pillow #2 is a green fleece with fabric and ribbon trees. (Similar to pillow #1) SOLD

Pillow #3 is a red fleece with red & green ribbons sewn onto it.

If you are interested in the blocks or pillows, e-mail me at Morganautumnmoore@yahoo.com and indicate block set 1 or 2 or which pillow you are interested in. Also I have some boy-themed blocks that have wonderful browns & blues that I’ll post up soon.

xoxo-

Goodness- there is a lot of great Christmas stuff out this year! I have been reading about everyones wonderful holiday stuff, so I thought I would share a few great finds. I have to tell you, my heart skipped a little beat when I saw those gorgeous tins! Where did I find these gems? Of all places, I found them at Joanns! AND they are on sale. Really good sale. Check them out- they had a good selection- but I think these were definately the winners in the bunch. I made a trip down to Walmart last weekend. I don’t usually go to Walmart. I think of myself as more of a Target gal, and the Walmart here is so far so it’s not worth it to go. However, they are one of the few places that carry the "King Leo" brand of peppermint sticks every Christmas, and it makes it worth the trip. They are these incredibly soft sticks that just about melt in your mouth! They remind me of those wedding/baby mints- you know what I am talking about? Those pastel-y ones? Anyway- I of course, could not avoid going to look through all the Christmas garb, and was so glad that I did. How darling is that little reindeer bell? I’m telling you. It’s cute. Even cuter in real life. Not fake life. And it’s Walmart, so that little guy was only $1.97. You can’t beat it. It would be very cute tied to the top of a present or hanging on ye olde Christmas tree. Its got a little hole punched out-  so it’d be a cinchy cinch! And the candles are just dreamy. They came in a set of 3 and are gorgeous all lit up.

On to shop news: Last weekend Etsy decided to upgrade their shop and it looks like they are having more problems than they anticipated. Hence the delay in the shop opening. I also wasn’t planning to sell Christmas stuff, but I’ve been bitten by the Christmas….elves? bug? reindeer? And been working away… so if Etsy is not up & running in the next day or so- I will start selling directly on the blog this weekend. Items will be first-come, first-serve. Hope everyone is having a  lovely day! 

Oh one  more thing. I have to share this hilarious picture. Chris got up early with Henry a few weeks ago  and when I got up & came out, this is what he was wearing:


The belt ON TOP of the pajamas… HILARIOUS. He looks like a little old man, his belly just popping over the belt. It makes me laugh so hard everytime I see it. So so funny-

Have a good day!

xoxo

I am long over-due for posting a recipe for you. This is a recipe for Baked Ziti that I have made countless times over the years and I know you will love. Whenever a girlfriend is having a baby- this is the meal that gets made. It’s increadibly easy and relatively quick to make. I originally found this recipe on the side of a cottage cheese container (can you believe it?) I normally double the recipe below and put it in a 13×9 inch pan. Also, this recipe freezes great. Just make it as called for and put in the freezer instead of the oven. This recipe has changed a bit over the years, but I think you’ll really like it. Let me know how it turns out if you decide to make it~

Baked Ziti
8 oz Ziti
1/2 lb extra lean ground turkey or beef (optional)
2 onions, chopped
1/2 Tbsp. garlic, diced
3 cups Spaghetti Sauce
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2-1 Cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 qt baking dish (9×9 pan) with non-stick cooking spray. Cook ziti according to package directions and set aside. In a medium sautee pan on medium heat, add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add meat and italian seasoning and cook until cooked throughout.  Add spaghetti sauce to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, parsley  & garlic powder. Mix thoroughly. Add Ziti to cottage cheese mixture. Spread 1/3 of meat mixture on the bottom of the pan. Spoon Ziti mixture into the pan and add remaining sauce to the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and add the cheese & cook another 4-5 minutes (with no foil), just long enough to melt the cheese. Enjoy!!

*The great thing about this recipe is that you can make a healthier version by using whole wheat pasta, non-fat cottage cheese, omitting the meat (I’ve made it this way and it’s just as good) and getting a low-calorie cheese. Either way- both are delicious!

I have this picture of Henry on my desktop and love being able to look at it everyday. We took this picture when we were in Boston. It was taken out on Route 2 near Concord. It’s a farm that we used to go to when we lived there. They have the most amazing selection of pumpkins, gourds, indian corn- you name it. You can pay .25 cents to get fish food and feed the little fish in a pond nearby. I love all these things about Fall… harvests, cornucopias, indian corn, corn husks… although I do have to admit this to you… I listened to some Christmas music today.  Egads! It was a bit strange. Especially because it’s been soo hot here. It was 90 degrees on Tuesday and so Henry & I biked over to the pool and had ourselves a swim. It doesn’t feel like Christmas when it’s this hot.. probably because it’s not Christmas. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet and I am getting way ahead of myself here. I am excited for Thanksgiving. We have some family that are driving down to see us this year (Thank you!) and we are looking forward to being able to stay home for this holiday. I love that even though Halloween is over, there is still an excuse to keep the pumpkins out. And who can beat the Macy’s day parade? (Chris…he can beat it. He’s not much of a parade man). I’m still kicking myself for all those years that we lived in Boston and never went down to NYC for Thanksgiving to see the parade. Oh well- luckily for me, I can just watch it from the comfort of my own home. Goodness- I’ve just realized Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks from today! Must start working on the menu! Have a wonderful weekend!  Now go make yourself some pasta and snuggle up to a good movie this weekend! xoxo~

Hi Friends! What a crazy week. Megan just left tonight, but we had a ball this week (including multiple trips down to Disneyland). The only good thing about Halloween being over is all the marvelous post-Halloween sales! I have my eyes on these gorgeous white pumpkins that say "B E W A R E" and should of snatched them up over the weekend, but will hopefully pick them up this week. (They’ve got to come down from 30% off to 50% off right??) I’ve  pulled all the Halloween stuff down. Chris said "Morgs, it’s time to break out the Wheat sheaf!" That’s about the extent of our Thanksgiving decorations. Do I just go straight for Christmas? Is it too soon? This year, I am bound to do all the fun holiday crafts & projects that I want to do.  No procrastinating here. I must get started now. On a side note, I think I’ve found my new favorite site for vintage holiday goods, it’s here.  Take a look around- they have very cute stuff. I want it all, but must restrain myself. I just love EVERYTHING Wendy Addision. She has such wonderful taste and so unique. You can see her stuff on the above link- just click her name on the left.

I’ve been feeling like I need to get back in the swing of things and start creating more. Then I remembered, hey I created something yesterday! I decided to whip this up last night and it is dreamy! A few months ago, my Mom forwarded me this link and I finally got a chance to check out the site yesterday and decided to make this  Body Scrub and a Lemon and Sugar soak for your hands & feet. I can’t mention it and not share the recipe with you, right? That wouldn’t be nice. Here you go!

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon Body Scrub

2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar 

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, making sure to mix everything well.

To
use, scrub all over your body when taking a shower or bath. Store in a
sealed container to prevent moisture from seeping in. Do not get water
in the container when you’re using it (unless you plan to use it all up
at once) because introducing water into the product can cause unwanted
bacterial growth. This has a 6 month shelf life!

Lemon Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup of sugar (or salt, if preferred)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Apply to hands or feet above the tub or sink. Scrub thoroughly for 2-3 minutes. When done, rinse briefly with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply your favorite moisturizer. This has a 1-2 week shelf life and needs to be kept refrigerated.

I chose to make these 2 out of all of the recipes, because these are item’s that most of us have on hand.  I just used an old lotion bottle and printed out the label on the computer.  Check out the site- lots & lots of great idea’s AND with Christmas right around the corner- they’d make great gifts! Enjoy!

Well, there are officially 2 1/2 hours of Halloween left. We just polished off some chili and are debating which creepy Halloween movie to watch. It looks like it’s going to be "Lady in White",  which I absolutely adore- until the last half of the movie when "Mona" from Who’s the Boss enters the picture…she’s not scary? Why is she in this movie? I am very tired and not sure I can make it through it  (we had a very fun and tiring day at Disneyland today), but nothing will be happening before sharing this GLORIOUS Halloween picture with all of you. My dear friend Patricia is a genius when it comes to Halloween costumes. She always has the best costumes and this year was no exception. I mean, WHO goes as " The wheel from the Price is Right?" I’ll tell you who, Patricia does! I  can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard because of the awesomeness of this genius costume. Has it ever been done before?? I doubt it- and that’s what makes Patricia soo amazing. It looks just like the real deal! Other favorite previous Patricia costumes include her & her cousin Heidi going as "Seigfried & Roy". I think they did a spray tan or something because they were very orange and had the best white spandex-y jumpsuits with sparkles on them- complete with large fluffy hair and a hula-hoop with paper flames taped to it (a.k.a ring of fire). They also went as Ari & Oozie from "The Royal Tennenbaums"- which was great with their tight black curly wigs. All that I am trying to say- is Patrica- you are BRILLIANT! Wish I could be in NYC with you and maybe be a contestant or SOMETHING?? Maybe I could be a contestant podium with a $1 as my bid…I think I am on to something.  Did anyone else hear the news that Bob Barker has decided to retire after being on the air for 50 years? Oh so fitting for Patricia to honor Bob in this way  : )

P.s. Hadleigh- great job on being a very orange Bob Barker; Brenda & Melissa- your costumes couldn’t be more perfect!

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!

Tonight we had our church Trunk-or-Treat where kids go trick or treating out of everyones trunks (which people had completely decked out). It was a lot of fun and there were so many great costumes.

I worked on Henrys costume last night and got it finished up this afternoon. His costume was made from a hodge-podge of things. I made his hat and his vest as well as his "Pirates Booty" bag (a pirates gotta have a place to put his booty, no?). His bag was made from a red & white striped thrifted shirt which I also cut up to use as a sash to go around his waist. We purchased his shirt and pants (both from the girls clearance department) and the tights, our good friends found for us! Aluminum foil sword was complimets of Henry’s Aunte Megan. So there you have it. I think he was definately the cutest little pirate there! Argh!

 

I felt like such a Mom working on his costume and
loved every minute of it- knowing it probably will mean more to me,
than it ever will to him. But I was happy to do it. I have such vivid,
fond memories of my Mom laboring (okay slaving!) making all of our
costumes when we were small. Once I was the Queen of Hearts and had
these big read satin hearts sewn all over a big fluffy skirt. I am
hoping I can carry on the tradition.

Thursday was a very good mail-day because this little gem finally arrived:

One of the main reasons I purchased the book was because I wanted to learn more about creating this:

It’s a Rice Table and such a great alternative
to having a sand box, because you can have it in the house.  So one
day, maybe just maybe, you’ll see one of these cute little rice tables
in our house! Anyway, it’s got some fun, unique idea’s…

On a side note, I’ve been wanting to mention a great movie that we saw when we were in Boston back in September. The Illusionist
with Edward Norton. It was so so good and I haven’t been able to stop
thinking about it (or Edward Norton..just kidding…not really) since I
saw it.  Ironically enough, Edward was in Chris’ office last week and
they actually had a conversation! Want to hear all about it?

Chris: Can I offer you gentleman a beverage?
Edward Norton: No, Thanks.

HA HA! True Story! I was instant messaging with Chris during this:

Me: So is he a little guy?
Chris: No, he’s about my height
Me: What’s he wearing? Is he wearing all black?
Chris: He’s wearing jeans,  a long sleeve shirt, a five o’clock shadow and spikey hair, probably to make him look taller….

Anyway- hope you are all having a lovely
weekend!! Definately go see that movie if you get a chance. It’s very
romantic and the way it was shot/filmed, is just incredible.