The Holiday Season

Hello everyone,
     Don't get me wrong, I heart thanksgiving, but I have been ready for Christmas since October. Like seriously. Christmas is my most favorite and I go to the nines with this holiday. As I stated in my previous post, my house could safely pass for a Hallmark card. Ornaments from five generations adorn my tree. Lights outline every window. A whole collection of various snowmen have gladly taken up residence on the coffee table. Seven different Santas, six classic Christmas books, four sets of holiday coffee mugs, two sets of Christmas china, and a partridge in a pear tree. Not really, I don't quite know what a partridge is. But you get the picture. Christmas is my jam, and I get it for an entire month, so I'm soaking it all up. Ok, I have a question. How is it that I listen to Christmas music once a year for one month and remember every word and song, but I can't seem to remember geometry from last week? Priorities, I guess.

Time to break out those red
Starbucks cups

     Our thanksgiving was a different one this year. For the past five years it's only been the four of us for dinner, then out to the movies shortly afterwards. This year's dinner was entirely made from scratch. No Libby's pumpkin pie, no box mix stuffing, no canned cream of mushroom. Don't hear me wrong; I'm a huge fan of both flavor and convenience of all afore said, but my mama and I challenged our culinary skills to undertake thanksgiving from scratch. Two days and twelve hours later, a homemade thanksgiving was made. We were awfully curious to see if all the work would be worth it, or if we'd even notice a difference between the meals. Um...you can. I don't know if we can go back now. But reflecting on the recent twelve hour excursion, a box mix and a frozen pie crust is still quite scrumptious. All of the recipes we used were found on the highly acclaimed and delicious America's Test Kitchen . I highly recommend every single recipe for homey comfort food goodness!!
     I am going to the max with this Christmas season and I am going to be sharing with you all the ways I'm going to embracing the holidays ranging from decor to recipes. I have a couple of each already at the end of this post!!
     This holiday I'm really taking initiative to realize the things I love to do and to do them more frequently. I love baking, it brings me such a genuine joy that gets me all smiles whenever I get the chance. What better time to embrace that hobby than at Christmas time? I'll be D.I.Y-ing like nobody's business, decking my halls with boughs of holly, twinkling lights, and strings of cranberries and popcorn. Oh yes; cranberries and popcorn! I encourage you to take a look at this all too joyous season and do a whole bunch that truly makes this the most wonderful time of the year. And continue doing what you love even after the holiday, making every part of the year the most wonderful. Take this holiday to practice sincere joy and true happiness so you're all geared up for 2017. Make the most of this last month to make your hobbies habits and your personality character.
     So jam out to Mariah Carey on repeat, bake dozens of sugar cookies, Hallmark Store your house, and in the thick of it all embrace it. Don't take a single moment for granted.
     "And now," cried Max, "let the wild rumpus start."

- D.I.Y. Golden Ornaments -
Alright, if your a fan of all things glitter than this one is for you. This is such an easy project that takes no time at all, and results in four (or more if you're ambitious 😉) simple preppy ornaments adorned with a simple holiday message. These ornaments quickly became some of my favs and I'm sure you'll love them too after you see how effortless they are and how they make a lovely addition to any tree.
Materials:
• Four white clay ornaments (can be bought at Hobby Lobby)
• liquid Elmer's glue
• Gold glitter
• A thick paintbrush
• Painters tape
• Styrofoam plates
• Sharpie
Direction:
Place an ornament on a styrofoam plate and take a piece of painters tape. Tape the piece at an angle on the ornament (any way you'd like) and smooth out all bumps. Once tape is smoothly applied, apply a thin layer of glue across the bottom of the taped off section and spread even lay with your paintbrush. Then the fun part: the glitter ✨ Sprinkle the gold glitter over the glue until no more glue is visible and shake it off. I used the excess glitter on mine for the other ornaments you end up having enough to go around. Wait 10-15 to let glue completely dry before writing your holiday message. Once completely dried, grab your sharpie and write right above your gold space your fave holiday message. See, these are super easy no if deal projects that are great additions to your Christmas decorations and even great for gift ideas. Let me know in the comments below if you tried this out and what you thought!!

- Protein Energy Bites - 
     Energy bites are these fun sized bites of yummy and they are probably some of my favorite things to make because there are so many variations and SO EASY  once you have a base recipe. Lucky for you, I've whipped one up and I've even thrown in a couple of holiday energy bites.
Ingredient for Base Recipe:

This is the batter of the Mint Chocolate Chip
energy bites.

• 1 cup of oats (any type is fine, I used rolled oats)
• 1/2 cup of peanut butter (any nut butter substitute)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 scoops of Designer Whey Protein Powder ( the flavor of the protein powder depends on what other flavored you want to add in to the base recipe)
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients to a medium sized bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. I strongly suggest using your hands for this part, for they are the best tools in the kitchen. The consistency should resemble a sticky dough.

-GINGERBREAD ENERGY BITES-
Yields 10
Ingredients:
• Base recipe - for protein powder, use vanilla flavored
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Gingerbread
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp of cloves
Directions:
Combine all ingredients to a medium sized bowl and mix until
thoroughly combined. Again use those hands 🙌 After you have
your sticky dough, take a small portion and roll in between your
hands until a ball is formed. You should get about ten bites.

-MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP-
Yields 10
Ingredients:
•Base recipe - for protein powder use chocolate flavored
• 3 tbs Mini Dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 tsp Peppermint extract
Directions:
Combine all ingredients to a medium sized bowl until desired
dough-like consistency is formed. Grab a small portion and
begin rolling between your hands until a ball is formed.
Should get about ten.

These energy bites are a great addition to a breakfast, easy to grab on the go, and good little snacks to keep around. I  love these flavors because you know, it's the holiday season and why not. Try out this recipe and let me know what you thought either in the comments below or on my Instagram ( emma_surrett ). With the base recipe you can add in any flavor combos you want, that's why these bits are so addictive. They're crazy easy to make and dangerous to leave out.
     Hope you enjoy the recipe and ornament idea. If say it's beginning to lol a lot like Christmas around here. 🎄

XOXO - Em