...but the thing that I most like to bring out this time of year are my Balls.

I could have used any number of quotes from this awesome SNL skit for the title of this post... 

All these years later.. it is still hilarious! Balls jokes never get old ;)

Speaking of balls, the husband and I have a tradition we do around Christmas every year. 

(Late post- but better late than never.. right?)

We make oreos balls.. or if speaking fancy.. oreo truffles.

We did not come up with the recipe by any means but I will share it anyway!

The ratio is for every 1 package of oreos, you use 1 pkg (8oz) of cream cheese, softened.

Then you also need 2 bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips (dark, milk, white- your choice) or you can use chocolate almond bark (again, your choice). *we have tried both in the past- we tend to use chocolate chips because it is easier for us. But others have said almond bark melts better. Again- your choice.

Here is what we are using this year:

Use a food processor to finely grind your oreos into a "dust".

Then use a hand mixer or your kitchen-aid and mix the oreo dust and cream cheese together.

(at this time, I have seen some recipes add a dash of Kahlua, Bailey's, or rum to give it a kick!)

Use your hands (I find that this works best!) , a scoop, spoons- to make your oreo balls, sized roughly like a walnut, and place on wax paper. Chill your balls (ha!) in the fridge for around an hour to firm.

Melt your chocolate using a double boiler system- or some use the microwave- just as long as it's low heat and stir frequently to keep chocolate from thickening. Dip or drop the ball in to cover and use a toothpick or spoon to lift and let excess chocolate drip off. Place back on the wax paper to cool. 

While the chocolate is still wet, is the best time to decorate as well with 'opposite chocolate' (white on milk) drizzles, crushed oreos or peppermint, or sprinkles!

 From there, we usually let them sit out to dry and some pop them into the fridge again for 15-30 minutes to firm up!

And if we have extra chocolate-- we have thrown in pretzels or almonds (sprinkle a little sea salt too!) into the excess for extra yumminess!

Finished product picture taken from cinnybear because even though I tried taking pics during the process... I forgot to take one of the end result. HA

mmmmm...... no one can resist my schweddy  balls! ;)

Some other sites that probably have better directions are here, here, and here. 

xo jess xo

Christmas for Couples

Christmas is coming!

last year's Christmas tree

It's time to shop around and find that gift for your special someones. 

Starting with my sister and her husband and my brother and his wife. Technically, we do not "exchange" presents anymore. But I have not let this stop me from getting them a little couple gift. Nothing too expensive, but just a lil something because it's Christmas and a token of appreciation for my family. I like it. 

I have found many lists that say "for the ______ (enter specific adjective/adverb) couple" or many personalized presents; while these lists are great, I would rather something more general but still awesome. 

Here are some ideas for (what I think) are generic-ish awesome couple presents:

1. Board Games- I have gotten couples in my life board games for the past couple years. Who doesn't want to build up their collection? And we tend to end up playing them on the holiday itself! Board/card games that I am a fan of are: Apples to Apples, Buzzwords, Cards against Humanity, Scene It, Hedbanz, Taboo, and Balderdash. 
2. Ask family members for recipes or just put together a good collection of your own to share and make a " ______ Family Recipes". You can use a website like blurb.com (my favorite) to make a professional looking book or use zazzle.com to create a personalized binder that you can put recipes in.
3. Custom drawn home portrait. Not a huge fan of getting people picture frames or art since people's tastes are generally different or they may not really have a place for what you get them BUT I can not get over this idea of sending in a picture of your home and getting a custom drawn portrait back to hang in your home with pride. Some artists also let you customize it more, for an additional fee, to add your family/pets into the picture. There are a wide variety of options on etsy.com in multiple price ranges like here, here, and here.
4. Another personalized gift that I think is cute and functional is a customized address stamp. Someone wouldn't have to worry about what to do with this personalized present, it has a use besides being pretty. These can also be somewhat pricey.. but if remember, up to a point with a couple gift- you are basically getting two presents for one! (So $70 is like $35 pp which isn't terrible)
5. Something I am warming up to the idea of is matching pajamas. This is still a generic idea, but I understand it can get into a very specific type of couple and can be odd gifting with if you aren't parents giving your children christmas jammies. Definitely not for everyone. I will say, I was excited when I asked my husband if he would wear matching pajamas and he said "yea.. i like pajamas". Simple answer but a go! But when I then asked if he would think it was weird if my sister and her husband bought us matching pajamas for a Christmas present and his answer was "yea..."  So... maybe yes, maybe no?
6. Gift cards. Duh. Who doesn't like a gift card? Obviously generic, but of course I would tailor it to the person. My sister and her husband like Buffalo Wild Wings, done. They are working on home projects? Lowes or Menards gift card done. We like coffee- BAM- they got us a Starbucks gift card. 
7. Do they have a keurig? Maybe a cute little basket of K-cups. Such a simple gift- you already know they like it because they have one/buy k-cups- prices of said k-cups can add up, so sometimes people don't buy them as often. Easy and it becomes a nice, thoughtful gift.
8. .... a doormat. There are so many random doormats that range from funny to welcoming to personalized; it can fit a lot of different people! And who doesn't need a doormat? 
9.  a "cuddle kit" for two- cheesy for sure, but can be personalized to the couple and includes things that separately aren't necessarily great gifts but together make a genuinely nice gift.  Especially since last year, I bought this faux-fur blanket and it is my all time favorite blanket to grab and snuggle into.
10.  Sometimes when taking a trip, the husband and I would try and watch a movie together on his tab or something and would end up sharing headphones with one earphone a piece. I just found this- where you can each have headphones and link it up to one! Awesome sauce!

Now I am just deciding which of these I will use this year!
xo Jess xo

On The List

So as I said the other day... I am in the mood to get things done. When I finished the gallery wall, I immediately had started thinking of projects- BUT I was like "remember how long this ended up taking you? no need to rush onto the next thing!" So I just enjoyed it.. and am still enjoying it.  However, now I am ready for my next project! I am still deciding at this point and I want it to be something that is smaller and can be accomplished easier with the holidays coming up.

On the List (Bedroom edition):

1. New bedding/pillows 
2. Attempting to DIY a leaning floor mirror, like this, this , or this
3. Figuring out the his and her closet organization-- in a small closet.
4. Find a new rug

On the List (Living Room edition):

1. DIY rustic frame around a lovely Murphy Brown Quote
2. To find an industrial style bookshelf? Or new bookshelf? Or just hang shelves? Basically... anything with more shelving and item space/storage.
3. Improve blanket storage... maybe DIY blanket ladder? Or maybe I just need to go through blankets and donate what I don't want/need/use anymore? 
4. More art or wall decor in dining area
5. To find a new coffee table-- I LOVE industrial style coffee tables like this, this, this, and this

On the List (General):

1. We own a lot of dvds... which are located in two overflowing tubs... so definitely want/need to figure out some sort of movie storage.
2. Re-frame hallway art onto lighter frame for improved ease with hanging (and staying up).
3. Get rid of treadmill that is wasting space in our back area.
4. Get tubs/containers and organize back area of tools, crafts, wrapping paper, party goods, etc.

On the List (Holiday edition):

1. There is a possibility that if I work on Thanksgiving, we would not be going home. However, Tim's family would likely be stopping by at some point. So I would love to do a cute Thanksgiving/Fall centerpiece like this, this, or this!
2. Buy some new fall scented candles! Tim and I go through candles like crazy, so we are already in need of some new fall ones... and might as well get some winter-ish ones while we are at it.
3. Clean. Obviously.
4. Scour the clearance/sale racks for future fall decorations. At this time, Christmas stuff is already out and has been out for a bit truthfully. Time to look a bit through the clearance to see if there is anything I want fall-ish to slowly build up my personal collection of fall decor!

Now just to figure out what exactly what I want to do and.. do it! But just like the gallery wall, I am going for more long term and less quick fix- which means I will still be taking my time with it. :)

xo Jess xo