Dutch speculaas are thin, crisp cookies flavored much like German pfeffernüsse. They're typically baked for St. Nicholas' Day on December 5th or 6th and are, traditionally, stamped with images from the life of St. Nicholas on the front. It turns out that I really like traditional Christmas cookies from this part of Europe, with their strong spices and unique textures! I…
When I discovered that I could make tiny marshmallows for my hot cocoa, I knew I had to make each of my Essentials kids (in the homeschool class I tutor each week) a jar as part of my end-of-the-year-slash-Christmas gift to them. And when I came across these tiny whisks, I knew they'd be the perfect addition. So…
Nothing says Christmas like fruitcake, which is often approached one of two ways: either as the treat that no one really likes or as one soaked in as much alcohol as possible. I've avoided fruitcake so far in this series, but for the past year I've been wondering if there was such thing as fruitcake cookies. I…
As a mom, I can often use the reminder that the simplest crafts are the ones that my girls enjoy the most, and this one is no exception. Yesterday afternoon during quiet time, I pulled out the pipe cleaners and pony beads and asked my 5 year old if she could make candy canes. What…
With early sunsets and cold evenings, we enjoy family movie night a little more often in December, and I’m already making lists of which movies we’ll be watching from this year’s 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family. I absolutely love Polar Express, and watching it together is one of our annual Christmas traditions, but we also…
I'm really wishing I'd posted this idea yesterday just to be "punny," but I unfortunately didn't even think of that until this very moment! I love skeleton keys, and we bought a set from Pottery Barn several years ago for my office. But as we've been redoing the loft to serve as a homeschool room / office…
Our master closet has been a nursery for as long as we've lived in this house (even though Jackson has never actually slept in there!), and we have two large Ikea wardrobes in our bedroom instead. The one downside of these wardrobes is that they often leave our clothes smelling stale. I'm not sure what…
I first "met" Melissa Beaver through Instagram. I love the way she captures the every day moments of motherhood and her commitment to intentional community. She is also an incredible artist and owner of The Lovely Words, an Etsy shop featuring her prints and Scripture memory cards. I asked Melissa if she'd be interested in creating a…
The following post is from Jason & Jennifer Bruce of New Season Design: Here's a gift idea that's cute, easy, and fun! These printable Christmas candy bar wrappers are also inexpensive, so you could make a whole basket full to share with friends, family, teachers, neighbors, etc. or use them as Christmas party favors. As…
My mom is the queen of wreaths. Three years ago she made these beautiful hanging pinecones for her front door, but two years ago she was preparing to move and last year she was living in Florida (where pinecones just don't quite fit...), so she hasn't made a Christmas wreath since. But this year...this year…