Everything Happens For a Reason...

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 14

Day 14: Oprah's Favorite Things

Oh, I just love me some Oprah! I cannot even fathom that this is her last season, much less, the last Favorite Things show. What will the world do without a daily dose of Oprah?

Here are a few {several} of my Favorite Things...

{one}

Ipad by Apple

{two}

Classic Sparkles UGG Australia Boots

I think the silver and black boots are really cute!

{three}

Hope in a Jar by Philosophy

I love a good moisturizer and Oprah says it's the best!

{four}

Herb Savor by Prepara

I am definitely ordering one of these. I love fresh herbs!

{five}

Le Creuset Cookware

I really want one of these...I think it would be great for yummy soups!

{six}

Miraclebody Jeans by Miraclesuit

These jeans are supposed to make you look 10 pounds thinner...who doesn't want that?

{seven}

Jessica Leigh Diamond Earrings by Dana Rebecca Designs

Gorgeous!!!

{eight}

The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

This book is filled with little inspirational stories.

{nine}

Volkswagon 2012 Beetle

When I turned 16, my parents bought me a brand new Beetle Convertible and then I got another new one a few years ago...I just love them! I cannot wait to see what the new Beetle looks like in May 2011!

{ten}

Beecher's "World's Best" Mac 'N' Cheese

I love mac n cheese!

{eleven}

Cashmere Cable Sweater and Cashmere Cable Throw by Ralph Lauren

I love Ralph Lauren!

{twelve}

Elfa Customizable Closet System from the Container Store

I have a closet organizer already but who couldn't use more organization...right?

{thirteen}

Judith Ripka Eclipse Earrings

Stunning!

{fourteen}

Philip Stein 25th Anniversary "Oprah" Watch

I love the pink one with diamonds!

{fifteen}

Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera

Love a good camera!

{sixteen}

Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas Cruise

We always cruise with Royal Caribbean and I can't wait to see this ship!

{seventeen}

Tory Tote and Reva Ballerina Flat by Tory Burch

I love Tory Burch flats!!!

{eighteen}

A Course in Weight Loss by Marianna Williamson

That's it ya'll! Eighteen of Tasha's Favorite Things!

I got all of the pictures and information from Oprah.com

Have a great day ya'll!

Tasha

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 13

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

I have several cookie recipes but I just love these cookies. Every time I make them people go crazy for them.

Paula Deen's Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1 {8-ounce} brick cream cheese, room temperature

1 stick butter, at room temperature

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 {18-ounce} box moist chocolate cake mix

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioners' sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

I finished my Christmas Ribbon Wreath a few minutes ago and I am very excited to show it to you!

I feel like it took me forever to make but I think it turned out great!

Tasha

Christmas Sock Swap

good morning, ya'll!!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Tennessee!

I just wanted to remind all my sweet blogging friends that today is the last day to sign up for Olivia and Leslie's Christmas Sock Swap! Make sure that you go and check out their blogs!

I am participating in the sock swap and would love to see you participate too!

To participate you must do the following (today):

{one}

{two}

To sign up, please email Olivia at

simplysunshineanddaisys.livkit@gmail.com

In your email please include:

Christmas Sock Swap in the subject line

Your first and last name

Your mailing address

Your blog address

{three}

Christmas Sock Swap partners will be notified Tuesday, December 7th by email with their partner's name and mailing address.

{four}

Spending limit is $15, purchase a cute pair of Christmas socks and fill them with small Christmas goodies.

{five}

All socks must be mailed by Wednesday, December 15th.

{six}

All participants with blogs, grab and post our button on your sidebar until the Christmas Sock Swap is over.

Tasha

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Christmas Blog Challenge Catch Up: Day 5-12

Hey Ya'll!

Did you all think I went missing? I didn't! I have just been very busy. I can't believe it has been a week and a half since I blogged. I hope everyone had a wonderFULL Thanksgiving! I stuffed my belly and I hope you did, too. The past week has been very busy and full of activities. It's the end of the semester and I am definitely very excited about that. I cannot wait till Christmas break.

Guess what? East Tennessee received its first snow for the season yesterday! It started snowing yesterday and hasn't stopped yet. It is supposed to snow all night and all day tomorrow. I love snow but not when it messes with my plans...unless that is school, of course!

I apologize for the long post that is coming but I have missed a lot of the Christmas Blogging Challenge and I must catch up!

Day 5: Favorite Holiday Movie
I love, love, love Holiday movies and could never, ever narrow it down to just one! I picked a few of my favorites to share with you...My all-time favorite...

I plan on watching this movie tonight...I love it!!!
a few more of my fav's...

Now, I want to go watch all of these!

Day 6: Gift Ideas
I have really only asked for one thing this year and that is....

The Cuisinart 16-cup food processor from Williams-Sonoma(I have a pretty good idea that this is what my parents are getting me)

I would love to have an Ipad...

but I know that I do not need one. I have a Macbook and an Ipod touch so I think I can live without it!

The only other thing I really want is these adorable Ugg Boots...

Day 8: Least favorite thing about the holidays

TRAFFIC!!!!

Day 9: Favorite Holiday Recipe

I have several favorite holiday recipes but I love this one because the kids love to help me make it...

Oreo Balls

Ingredients:
1 package regular size Oreo cookies, crushed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 package white almond bark1 package chocolate almond bark

Directions:

1. Using a blender or a hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together

2. Roll into walnut size

3. Chill for an hour

4. Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark

5. Stick a toothpick in the oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark

6. Allow to harden on wax paper, takes about 15 minute

7. While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate almond bark

8. When oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate and white almond bark using a sandwich bag with a tiny hold cut in the corner

I love making these every year with the kiddos!

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs

I am loving this Christmas album by the cast of Glee right now!

Day 11: New Year's Resolutions

1. To live each day to the fullest!

2. To get more organized!

3. To finish school!

Day 12: Holiday Decorations

I have been spending the last few days finishing up our decorations and I am almost there! I still have the outside to do. We do not put a lot of decorations up outside because we live in the woods, so no one sees them but us. I do put lighted garland up around the front door and wreaths on the doors. I, also, decorate the mailbox.

Here is our Christmas Tree...

I really love decorating the tree and have been working on it for a few days!

A few other decorations around the house...

I made two wreaths this year. The first one is made of burlap and I just love it. It is hanging on my new wreath holder that I purchased at a cute little store downtown. The other wreath is a ribbon wreath, like the one I made for Halloween. I am still working on it and should have it finished by tomorrow.

The burlap wreath...