what Christmas is to me part 2:

Christmas lights: For some reason they really get me in the Christmas mood. There's just something about sitting on the couch after you have decorated the tree and just taking the beauty of the lights all in. They definitely make the tree look all the better! 
P.S. Sorry about the boket shot. It's not all that great, i'm still experimenting! :) 

ornaments: I absolutely love ornaments! So many of them have such stories behind them, especially this one in the photo above! Would you like to hear it?........
I was in about second grade( we weren't home-schooled  at the time). The teacher blew the whistle for all of us to come in from recess. And as I was running past a picnic table I saw this little guy sitting on it all alone! I quickly snatched him up and took him home. And we've had him ever since... broken mitten, nose, scarf and all...TRUE STORY. :)
How do I still remember this so vividly...good question!
 

snow-covered rooftops: I really don't have much to say about this them, haha! I just think that they are so pretty! 
                                                                                                                                 

  frost: I'm always to excited for the first frost! You all have probably noticed that has already hit pretty hard here! This morning they said that it was -10 degrees this morning! Frost is so pretty! It is truly amazing to me how it can look so perfect!

P.S. I seriously need to change my header, I know! :P I'll try to get on that soon!

What is winter to you???

-ella joy

what Christmas is to me (part 1)

A cup of hot steaming tea: To make it even better, throw in a blanket and a book...now, my friend, you're speaking my language! ;)

Everyone has their own drink that is soothing to them. For me it's tea, and for many others, it's coffee. But I've decided that I'm not going to be a big coffee-addict. Not that I have nothing against coffee drinkers, I actually think that I'm addicted to Star Bucks my self! But I'm not going to be the type of person who drinks like 5 cups every morning. So, I'll stick to my Black Tangerine Zinger tea, thank you very much...

 Warm Sweet Potato Bread: It might sound a bit odd "Sweet Potato Bread", but once I took that first bite I wasn't going back! We made some yesterday and I came up with the idea to add the white frosting. And I'm glad that I did cause it made the photos look all the better...and yummier!

Here's the recipe...
Sweet Potato Pound Cake: 
Nonstick baking spray with flour
3 cups all-purpose flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt 
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 
11/2 cups granulated sugar 
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
2 cups leftover mashed sweet potatoes(or you can use canned)
4 large eggs, at room temp.
3/4 cup chopped pecans 

Preheat oven to 325 F. 

I've decided that I'm going to make a couple different parts to this post because there are just too many things to post about during this very special time of year!

Can you believe that it's already the eighth? Only 17 more days people! Aaaahhh! Can . not . wait!

Have a fantastic day!

-ella joy