Anyone else’s mouth watering? I am going to attempt this for Christmas Eve! Thank you Abbey of The Butter Half for sharing this recipe!
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Salted Caramel Gingerbread Cake with Orange Buttercream
December 21, 2015
Gingerbread Granola Recipe
December 20, 2015
I’ve got two gingerbread recipes coming up for you from my favorite flavor experts! Today, Lauren of Love Lola is sharing a breakfast special for Christmas week!
Every year, I always seem to find myself scrambling last minute to finish all of my Christmas shopping. One day I will learn not to procrastinate ;). Until then, I depend on easy last minute recipes that also make great gifts, like this gingerbread granola. Put it in a mason jar, and tie it up with string and a gift tag and you’ve got a delicious gift in no time!
Gingerbread Granola Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cups oats
1 cup coconut flakes
3/4 cup pecans, raw and chopped
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
pinch of cloves
pinch of cardamom
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract
1 cup cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, coconut flakes, pecans, flaxseed, quinoa, salt and spices.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract and coconut oil.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, and stir until the oats are fully coated.
5. Transfer to a large baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
6. Remove from the oven and transfer to a bowl to allow the granola to cool. Once fully cooled, add the cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Hope you enjoy!
Keep up with Lauren here: BLOG | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | FACEBOOK
IHOD’s Fave Things + A few Surprises.
December 18, 2015
And just like that we are one week away from Christmas.
My eyes are crossed and my shirt is backwards from the mayhem of the month, but I am getting the Christmas snow flutters nonetheless.
As some of you have seen, I have been featuring some favorite shops throughout the month over on instagram and facebook that are small businesses favorites. Sharing the round up today with some surprise discount codes as well!
“Surviving on Grace & Coffee” tumblers from Transforming Beauty. Pretty much my life motto. (Their shop is closed until after Christmas, but get on their waiting list!)
Ruby Pear Drop Earrings I wore to the nutcracker from Margaret Elizabeth. Free shipping on all orders till Christmas! (Dress is from ASOS (sold out but similar here), purse via Madewell – also 25% off)
Bon Bon hat from Gigi Pip. Super soft and cozy. Giving away THREE right here.
Mother-daughter fitness sets from Albion Fit. 15% off your purchase with code inhonorxalbion15 until Jan. 5th.
Triple layer initials necklace by Barberry + Lace. I put my children’s first name initials on this one. 10% off your oder with code IHODXBL through the end of the year.
Furry boot cuffs from Royal Scout and Co. you can insert in shoes or the end of your coat sleeves! 15% off your order with code “royalinhonorofdesign”
Steamline luggage – the best there is! 10% off with code HOD10.
Waterproof lined makeup bags by Prezzemolo. (And dry shampoo for dark hair by Elizabeth and James!) Take 30% off through the 19th with code IHOD30.
Super soft sheets and cableknit throw from Boll and Branch. $35 off $150 with code HONORDESIGN.
Teething necklaces from Little Teethease. Rocco’s current fix for sore gums! Use code Merry20 for 20% off your purchase.
These chocolates are not only fun to play with, but are all the flavors and combos I dream about! From Maggie Louise Confections. (You can order till the 21st for Christmas delivery!)
Hope you can take advantage of these steals and support these small businesses. Enjoy the weekend and if you are stepping outside your home, good luck out there! It’s a zoo! 😉
x, Anna
Recently – December Edition
December 17, 2015
These last few months all seem to blur together. Maybe it’s the having a new baby thing, or maybe it’s the holidays. I just continue to hold onto my hat and snap away in hopes that someday I will remember some of the days and hours that make up that golden portion of my memory….
{boys rompers from Rags to Raches}
{I think this may be the end of the double sink bath. For obvious reasons.}
{gingerbread decorating with her gal pal Harper}
{My sister Angela’s birthday celebration.}
{The trains are loved again.}
{They all go a little coo-coo over horses. Me included.}
I am choosing to block out the nasty flu bug that hit our house and demanded my sainthood. I am sure you all don’t need the details on that.
Thankful for these moments though that carry us through the tough ones. Those marshmallows that float on top of the cocoa that just make all of the difference you know? I know, ignore my strange metaphors.
x, Anna
A little Christmas Home Tour
December 15, 2015
I didn’t really deck the halls all at once this year. Each day we have added a little more here and there which has been a great way to anticipate Christmas…
{visual signs that little boys live here.}
{Pom throw, patterned throw, pillows, rug}
Stringing up lights and adding the smell of pine just sets the tone for the feeling that something great is coming. My little Veronica has been dutifully attending her advent chain, and all of them anxiously counting down the days till we are reunited with my big family. It’s a magical time of year when you have children who bubble over with excitement over every mention of anything Christmas.
{antler pillow // print}
Gabe and I have never been so excited for the 25th. (We say this every year.) And considering we were all knocked down with the flu last week, I am crossing my fingers for good health. To be honest, it has been some of the most challenging weeks of the year, but I have noticed that in order to appreciate what you have, sometimes you have to be forced to be still. I had to cancel plans, let go of my ideas of how Christmas should be, and simply accept. All I really need to focus on is bringing my family close together, celebrate the gift of each other, and the faith that brings us together each Christmas.
{after spotting a eucalyptus wreath for $150, I decided to just make my own greenery wreaths. A little wire can go a long way.}
As another year approaches I always start to think through the direction of all areas of my life and where it is headed. We will see what January spits out;) Thanks to each of you who visit here each day. I appreciate you so much.
P.S. A little more of our home for Christmas here.
We survived family pics.
December 9, 2015
Every year I have minor anxiety over Christmas pictures.
Does everyone have two shoes on?
Is that peanut butter on your shirt?
Please don’t take out your hair bow!
Hand out of your pockets….
You know the drill.
So one year after tears from more than the children, I decided we wouldn’t do Christmas cards at all. Well, don’t worry Scrooge didn’t return this year, but I realized some of my favorite family pictures are when we are all relaxed in our own environment. I decided we would take pics in our living room where the kids felt comfortable. I was able to find a bunch of good choices from The Children’s Place for cute outfits I know they will use over and over. Veronica got her “swirly twirly dress” and the boys kept their shirts on. Which means, the comfortable knit sweaters did the trick. Rocco requested overalls and a reindeer hat. I don’t know what he was thinking, but you know, I obliged.
I usually do the run around to seventy-two stores trying to find decent, non-stained, maybe somewhat co-ordinated, but not too christmas-y looks for the kiddos, but not this year. It was an easy, under an hour, one stop success.
Not sure which photo we will end up using to snail mail, but I loved the natural smiles that came from this shoot. It was another weekend day enjoying being all together, Gabe being really good at making his kids laugh, and my talented friend snapping away. There were of course still occasional tears, (because it wouldn’t be family pics without them!) but all in all, three cheers and a glass of champagne!
Outfit Details:
Gabriel: Crew Sweater, Playground Pants, Nitro Sneaker
Veronica: Dress (sold out but similar), Tights, Shoes
Max: Crew Sweater, Chino Pants, Hiker boots
Rocco: Reindeer Hat, Overalls
*Photos by Chelsey Heidorn, post in partnership with The Children’s Place, and all thoughts are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.
Christmas Dinner Menu & Place Settings
December 7, 2015
I put together a Thanksgiving menu that turned out a little traditional, a little non-traditional, and a good collection of favorite foods. I am sharing this menu today as a Christmas Dinner Menu idea for those of you who may be hosting. We will be having many of these when we gather around my mother’s table on the 25th. So here are food and table ideas from our kitchen this year:) VIEW FULL POST
The IHOD Print Shop:
