Lately + Christmas + Snowed In

Well it seems like Thanksgiving flew right by us this year, almost like we skipped it and moved right on to Christmas. Anyone else agree? With that being said, we started decorating the house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving this year, and I have been adding the finishing touches over the last few days. Right now we are in the middle of a winter storm that is moving through the area, you can hear the ice hitting the ground as we speak. School has been cancelled for tomorrow, and we plan to be "snowed" in for the next couple of days. There is nothing better than snow around Christmas time, it's almost magical. Tonight we cranked up the heat, put on our pajamas, and sipped homemade hot chocolate. Perfect weather for a cozy night in!

Merry Christmas + 1 Year Blog Anniversary

Merry Christmas everyone. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday with your families. I know I am. Snow is in the forecast so I am really keeping my fingers crossed for a white Christmas, especially for the kids. There is something magical about snow + Christmas. It reminds me of my childhood. As I write this blog post in my warm and cozy home, it reminds me of all of the blessings God has given my family this year.

Yesterday was my one year blog anniversary. I was going to write about it yesterday but couldnt find the time. I cannot believe a year has gone by already. Blogging has been a wonderful experience for me. After starting my blog last year, I began to read other blogs. So much inspiration and talented people out there. I feel like I have made friends with people I have never met before just by reading their blogs. I am still working on my food photography and my writing. Hopefully by this time next year Sara's House will be even better. Happy holidays from my family to yours.

An Early Christmas Gift

Anyone who knows me can tell you how much I love my Starbucks coffee each morning. During the colder months I will have a grande white chocolate mocha. During the Summer I enjoy a grande mocha frappuchino. The funny thing is I had never really liked coffee until about a year ago. I was headed to work, super exhausted, and I thought coffee might do the trick. It did and since then I have been hooked. The closest Starbucks is about twenty miles away so I cant really justify going all that way for coffee. Well I can...........but I won't.

Anyways, my point is Allen and the kids got me the Verismo 580 system by Starbucks. It was an early Christmas present. This machine is awesome and super easy to use. I have been making my own white chocolate mocha lattes over the last few days. I am no barista, but I am improving. Today I made the first latte that tasted exactly like Starbucks. Allen has even started to drink coffee. He likes the caramel brulee lattes. This machine is something our whole family can enjoy. I made hot chocolate for the kids with it. Awesome I'm telling you.....awesome. The price is very reasonable too.

Now I can enjoy my lattes at home each morning without ever having to leave my home. Go to your local Starbucks and see for yourself. It would make a great Christmas gift.

Elf on the Shelf | Homeade Gifts

Our elf, Sparkle Shine, has been having quite a time at the Webb house. She had a sleepover in the living room with a few of her barbie friends on her first night with us. Since then she has become more and more mischievous with each passing day. Today she propped herself right on my cookbooks and watched as we made cookies. Sparkle Shine is quite the character and the kids enjoy her very much. Quite entertaining. I dont know who has more fun, the kids or the parents. I have had a blast with Elf on the Shelf. It was worth every penny to watch the kids faces light up with anticipation to see what she has done next.

I love homeade gifts. Today we made a few things to give to our family and friends. First we made cookies and placed them in pretty little packages. Then we wanted to do something for Koko, my parents dog. So we placed a few dog treats and a rubber ball in cellophane packaging tied with a ribbon. The ball lasted about five minutes before he tore it to pieces. He devoured the dog treats. We delivered all of the cookies. Those were a big success as well. Who doesnt love marshmallow crinkle cookies? We ate about a dozen while making them. Personalizing a gift makes it a bit more special. More meaningful. Have a great night everyone. God bless you all.

Walnut + Chocolate Truffles

Tomorrow the kids are having their Christmas parties at school and I wanted to make something special for their teachers. Just as a little thank you for everything they do. I made walnut chocolate truffles and put them in holiday treat boxes. They are in the fridge and ready to go. These are rich and decadent and super easy to make.


Walnut + Chocolate Truffles
recipe adapted from Ina Garten's Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles

1/2 cup heavy cream
3 ounces of good bittersweet chocolate chips
3 ounces of good semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoons grand marnier liqueur
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Place the chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it boils. Immediately pour the hot cream through a fine meshed sieve into the bowl with the chocolate chips.With a wire whisk, slowly stir the cream and chocolates together until the chocolate is completely melted. Whisk in the grand marnier, espresso powder, and vanilla. Cover and chill for 45 minutes to an hour until pliable but firm enough to scoop.

With a 1 inch ice cream scoop, make dollops of the chocolate mixture and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes, until firm enough to roll into balls. Roll the chocolate in the chopped walnuts and chill again. Truffles are best when they're allowed to set overnight in the refrigerator.

Our Weekend

Happy December everyone! Here are a few photos of how we spent our weekend. Enjoy and thanks so much for stopping by.

Friday Night + Day 29 + 30 of Thanks

We bought a few new Christmas items over the last couple of weeks. I didnt realize I had gotten this much stuff until I laid it out on the table tonight to organize it. We put our tree, decorated the fireplace, and had a little fun with our Elf on the Shelf . I will post pics of everything tomorrow. We are kicking off the holidays and December with cookie making, Christmas movies, a photo session, and a little more Christmas decorating. How will you be starting   December?
Day 29

I am thankful for the opportunity to travel to new places this year. It was such a great experience for our family.

Day 30

I am thankful for the courage God gave me to go after my dreams and do what makes me truly happy.

Mocha Chocolate Mousse

The holiday season has put me in a baking mood. Tonight before dinner I whipped up Mocha Chocolate Mousse, literally. I thought this would be a nice change from the pecan and pumpkin desserts we will be having on Thanksgiving. I served them in white ramekins topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Very festive. They were so light and airy, yet decadent. I actually licked my spoon when mine was all gone. The only thing I would change is the amount of espresso powder used. The recipe called for 1 tablespoon, which gives it a very strong flavor. I will only use a teaspoon full next time, but I do love how the espresso powder enhances the flavor of the chocolate. This dessert was a great way to end our evening at home with the kiddos. Have a wonderful night and thank you for stopping by to read my blog.

Mocha Chocolate Mousse
recipe adapted from Food Made Easy Desserts from Williams-Sonoma

10 oz semi sweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Put the chocolate into a double boiler and place it over barely simmering water. Heat, stirring often, until the chocolate melts. Scrape the melted chocolate into a large bowl and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment on medium-high speed, beat together  the cream, powdered sugar, espresso powder, and vanilla until firm peaks form.

Whisk about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the chocolate until smooth. Using a rubber spatula, fold the remaining whipped cream into the chocolate mixture. Divide the mousse between goblets or ramekins. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. Serve cold and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.

A Little Christmas Spirit + Day 15 Of Thanks

Normally I try to avoid the fast pace of the holiday season by enjoying Thanksgiving and then at the beginning of December I start thinking about Christmas. This year, however, is different. I am getting into the Christmas spirit rather early. Maybe it has something to do with all of the beautiful homes decorated for Christmas on Pinterest. The photo on the left is my favorite, and I am going to try and mimic some of the decor in my own home this year. Isn't it beautiful? This makes me want to get the tree and decorations down from the attic and start getting the house all decked out for the holidays today. My husband and I also became proactive about our Christmas shopping and already starting buying our gifts instead of waiting until the last minute like we usually do. Holiday stress of last minute shopping can definitely hinder ones spirit.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacations is my favorite holiday movie and I was lucky enough to find it at Target last week. Watching that movie while we put up our Christmas tree was a tradition in our house, so I cant wait to continue that with my children this year. Starbucks is already serving their coffee in their signature red cups. Another sign it is right around the corner. Potterybarn was having a sale on stockings with free shipping and free monogramming. I could not pass that up so I bought four of them for the kids. I found a few additions to add to our ornament collection, and I bought a new wreath for the front door.

There is just something about Christmas that is truly magical. It
brings out the generosity of the human spirit in us all.

Day 15

I am thankful for everything God has given our family. We are truly blessed this year. Someone has definitely been
watching over us.




Photos from Pinterest

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

There is nothing like waking up to the smell of fresh baked cinnamon rolls in the morning. I did not have the patient to wait until tomorrow morning, so I made them this afternoon. My kids devoured them when they arrived home from school. I have been wanting to make homeade cinnamon rolls for a few weeks, but I am finding myself short on time. I found a recipe on the internet that uses crescent rolls. Why have I never thought of this? It is pure genius. They were delicious and took only minutes to make. My family liked these so much I am going to make them for our Christmas Eve breakfast. Do you have a favorite recipe using crescent rolls? Thank you so much for stopping bye.

Chocolate Marshmallow Crinkle Cookies

I'm not much of a cookie eater, but these chocolate marshmallow crinkle cookies are pretty amazing. One bite of these and it  reminded me of baking cookies on Christmas Eve. It's funny how certain foods can bring back so many wonderful memories.  Very nostalgic. These cookies are a mix of a gooey fudge brownie, hints of marshmallow, and a cookie all in one. They are little drops of heaven in your mouth. Williams-Sonoma did not disappoint with these, they never do. These cookies would be perfect for a holiday cookie exchange party. Simple and pretty. Well what are you waiting for? Go buy some and see for yourself! You will not be disappointed.