Rule #77: It’s the most wonderful time of the year (and it’s the busiest, busiest freaking time of the year).
I don’t know about you, but this holiday season has been absolutely crazy for us this year. It seems like we can’t catch our breath. It’s a constant (very fun) rotation of parties, white elephants, dinners, dishes to bring, gifts to buy, oops-we-forgot-that-gift, Santa pictures, RSVPs, etc., etc., etc. You get the idea. It’s all been a great time, but I’m feeling more overwhelmed this season that ever before. I feel like I’m Buddy the Elf running on coffee fumes juggling everything the Grinch stole from the Who’s down in Whoville while singing White Christmas on 34th Street. Okay, I had a little too much fun with that sentence.
One thing I have enjoyed in the midst of all the crazy is putting together some yummy charcuterie boards for friends and family. I’ll do a quick rundown of the things on each board pictured.
Wensleydale Creamery Cheese with Blueberries | Marcona Almonds | Honey Goat Cheese | Parmesan Whisps | 3 kinds of salami: peppered, red chile, and ‘regular’ | Buttered Pecans | Drunken Goat Cheese | Irish Cheddar | H-E-B- Fiesta Mix | Brie | Gloucester Cheese | Table Grapes | Rosemary Garnish
Smoked Gouda | Parmesan Whisps | 3 kinds of salami (same as above) | Drunken Goat (again because it’s amazing) | Brie (again because duh) | Table Grapes | Rosemary Garnish
This little Christmas Cookie (my niece called her Brookie Cookie the other day, and I’m pretty sure it’s a nickname for life now) is just a treat. She’s an easy, go-with-the-flow kinda gal. She’s become my wearable sidekick on all our errands. I tried every kind of wrap and gadget I could, but this little number is the one that finally did the trick. I could enter a rodeo competition with how fast I can get this thing on and off. [If that little Christmas headband isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever seen, you’re cotton-headed-ninny-muggins.]
I’ve also been having WAY too much fun getting bows for this adorable head. Baby Bling bows are fantastic, but I’ve also fallen in love with some on Amazon. I mean, my motto is, “No bow, no go!” So, little girl better have some good bows. Someone called her a boy the other day (I had forgotten one in the chaos of getting Corey to school), and I almost spent my Christmas in prison I was so angry. So, no more forgetting a bow. Ever. Again. Anyways, here are my faves so far:
Buffalo Plaid Collection (10 for $20)
Everyday Collection (10 for $15)
I mean, look at that face. She deserves ALL THE BOWS, right?!
I found this awesome free download for Polar Express tickets to hopefully sway Corey to the Nice List. He had a pretend ticket for a while (that was really just a white, rectangular sticker), but he lost it. His little heart was crushed, so I figured ole Elmyra the Elf on the Shelf could come to his rescue. Fingers crossed it has an impact on home boy’s decision-making skills these next few days. Threenagers are ROUGH, y’all.
I had a ton of questions about this setup on my Insta Stories. We hang our Christmas cards on some heavy-duty ribbon that wraps our kitchen cabinet doors. We use clear mailing tape to secure the ribbon to the back of the cabinet doors, and we use mailing tape to attach the cards to the ribbon. We’ve tried regular Scotch tape, but it didn’t hold. And holy bananas was it frustrating trying to assemble dinner while dodging falling Christmas cards.
H-E-B needs to be sainted. Like… whoever invented H-E-B is my friggin hero. They always pull through in every department, but especially their floral department. Look at these flowers, y’all! So cheap, so festive, and so making my Grinchy heart grow a little more.
My hair stylist snapped this super artsy fartsy picture of my hair the last time she worked her magic. She’s my hero. I have to tell you, it’s so annoying when that weird brown color pokes through every now and then. Everyone knows I’m a natural blonde. Sometimes, my hair just needs to be reminded of that. Like, every 5-6 weeks or so.
Jon Boy and I got to party it up with some friends a couple of weekends ago. It was so great for all of us to be kid free and out in public together. It’s hilarious how much of a novelty that is these days!
A friend posted this on Facebook last week, and it’s seriously got me in the good feels. I absolutely love it.
That’s all for now folks. May the Prime Shipping Gods and Target checkout lines be ever in your favor.