Christmas Wrap-up, a move and a hair cut

My Christmas this year was so great and I hope yours was as well! My mom and I went to a Christmas Eve candle-lighting service at a local church nearby and it was so moving. We did get cracked up though because the preacher was talking about how back in Joseph and Mary's day, they of course waited to consummate the marriage until after the wedding ceremony. But he accidentally said "constipated" and I thought we were going to DIE! It was hilarious. But we managed to keep it under control. I think even Jesus Himself probably had a little laugh over that one.

I wanted to include a pic of my living room with my white tree. Nevermind the bottom of the tree where I ran out of ribbon.  Ignore that, shall we? ;) Next year, I will prepare better! 

















Lately, I've been on an Italian kick ever since getting Teresa's Skinny Italian cookbook. SO many good recipes in there and so I invited my family over 2 days before Christmas and I made them spaghetti. My mom visited Italy earlier this year and brought me back this apron below, so of course I busted it out that night for them. I don't have a drop of Italian in me, but I can make some jam up spaghetti!

 

My mom's Christmas Day lunch was amaze-zing as always. But of course I forgot to take a picture of her spread. But I did manage to take a pic of the sweet potato salad that I made -recipe courtesy of The Dough Will Rise Again. The only difference is that I used dried cranberries instead of cherries because I had them on hand. It added some great color to the table because if you think about it - stuffing, turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes....they are all so bland in color! So this popped on the table and it tasted delicious. Thanks Christina/Crist for the recipe!

Last but not least, last night I said goodbye to my bestest friend in the world. (on the left) I have known her since we were babies and she is the mom to the sweetest kids in the world. I will miss her like crazy. But fortunately..she is just moving to Charleston! Have I ever said no to a road trip to Charleston? I don't think so. I will miss our mid-week lunches though. Sigh. 





















Totally unrelated though - I got bangs yesterday! (see above) I was so nervous and my stomach was in knots. So far I really like them but it's definitely going to take some getting used to! I wanted to do this in the winter time because I doubt I can rock them in the summer. It's so hot here and sweaty bangs stuck to your forehead is NOT a hot look.

I hope you all have a Happy New Year! I will be doing a 2011 wrap up post soon.