2015 Books

I've decided to recap all of the books I've read in 2015 today.

 

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and I love sharing some of my favorites here on this blog.

 

 

Fractured Not Broken

You can read all about it here but this book is real and life changing. It changed my outlook on the things I take for granted everyday.

 

 

 When In Doubt Add Butter

I read this book last month and it was such a fun read!

I am all for a book about love and add in a fun twist and I'm hooked :).

 

 

The Secrets of Midwives 

It's been awhile since I read this book but I remember finishing it in less than 3 days. There are so many secrets in this book that it keeps you coming back for more.

 

Liane Moriarty

I can't finish 2015 without mentioning her. I've read all of her books (well almost all) and I love every single one.

 

She is funny and witty, two things I love in books :).

 

You can see all of my recaps right here!

 

I am super excited about what 2016 will bring (lots of reading) and I can't wait to share it all with you!

Favorite Things Party: Favorite Organizational Tools



It's the last Favorite Things Link-Up of the year!! I can't believe we are this close to 2016...can you??

 

I'm linking up with Erika and Andrea!

 

Today we are sharing our favorite organizational tools and I will start with this one...



This was my Christmas present from Noah but I was able to design it :).

 

I chose the vertical layout and I think I'm really going to love it!

I love being organized and know what I am going to be doing that day...because I'm very forgetful!

 

 

My husband is super organized in areas I lack...like putting my shoes away or leaving clothes on the dresser (yikes!)

 

I am trying to do better in those areas because I love things being clean and organized.

 

I purchased these small flip top storage boxes to help declutter a few areas in our home. One place I use them most are for my nail polishes!

 

I am looking forward to see what everyone else uses to organize their home!

 

I am super excited about the new link-up next year :).

 

Happy Monday :)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of my readers and fellow blog friends. I started this blog almost a year ago and I love everything it created. It's a way for me to document our lives. A scrapbook :).

That being said I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

How I wish there was snow this morning but I will settle for warmer weather.

I am so thankful for what this day means....the day baby Jesus was born.

This day isn't about Santa, presents, or elves but celebrating the birthday of Jesus so many years ago.

I hope you have a blessed Christmas and spend it with the ones you love!

2 Days Before Christmas

We are so close...aren't we???

 

We are 2 days away and I feel as if I have so much to do but it will all get done, right?

 

Today I'm sharing about one of our Christmas traditions and a fun easy little treat!

 

We made our gingebread house last Wednesday. It took us about 15 minutes so it was quick :).

We didn't have enough little candies for the roof....

 

...and our "C" looks weak but I love it!!

 

Making a gingerbread house is something we will continue on in the years to come!

 

 

 

Now for pretzel treats :).

 

Supplies:

1 bag of snaps or mini pretzels

2 bag of kisses (any flavor you wish)

1 bag of peanut M&M's

 

 

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.

 

Lay out mini pretzels or "snaps" on a cookie sheet.

Unwrapping the kisses are the most tedious part. (I use 2 bags.) Usually it's something Noah & I tackle together but Saturday I was on my own.

 

Once the kisses are unwrapped place a kiss in the middle of each pretzel.

 

Then place the cookie sheet in the oven (once it's preheated) for 5 minutes.

I accidentally baked mine at 350 degrees so the kisses were a little melted but they still worked.

 

It is important to place a M&M on each kiss immediately after they come out of the oven so the kiss doesn't harden. I let them cool for about 2-3 hours and then you can bag them or place them on a festive plate!

 

For this particular batch I was making them for bible study as a Christmas gift. I bought festive bags & ribbon and found a printable on Pinterest.

 

 

 

You can find the printable here.

 

I think these treats are so easy to make and everyone loves them. You can use different flavored kisses or rolos and I used peanut M&M's but you could use any kind you want!

 

This gift was simple and cute at the same time!

 

Merry Christmas Eve Eve :).

Show & Tell Tuesday: Best Gift

It's the last Show & Tell Tuesday of the year and we are sharing the best gift we've ever received.

 

 Last Christmas Eve is by far my most memorable Christmas. Noah proposed before Christmas Eve mass and I will never forget it. I've been looking back on that day for awhile now and I love thinking back and knowing I had no clue what was coming :).

 

 

 

Noah you asking me to be with you forever is the BEST GIFT I could ever imagine.

 

That being said I cannot leave out the fact that Jesus is the reason for the seaon and a priceless GIFT. He died on the cross for us and he paid the ultimate price for our sins. My faith is one of my favorites gifts and I would love to share it with all of you!!

 

I wrote a post about my faith here & here :).

Shoot me an email with any questions:

blakewalke93@gmail.com

 

 

To see all of my 2015 Show & Tell posts click on each link:

Christmas Decorations

Service Work

A Day in the Life

First Job

Dinner Party

9/11

High School

Beauty Routine

Our Yard

Momfessionals Moment

Names

Favorite Vacation

Most Embarrassing Moment

Favorite Room

 

I did not post every Show & Tell Tuesday but in 2016 I vow to be better about that!

 

I can't wait to see what Andrea has in store for 2016!!

 

Weekend Wrap-Up: The Weekend before Christmas

There are 4 days. 4 days until Christmas. Are you ready?? I am I am but it has gone way to fast!!!

 

I am soaking up these last few days before Christmas...they are busy busy.

 

Last week I took an evening of reading and enjoying sitting by the Christmas tree.

 

I wish we could keep it up all year round!

 

 

 

Thursday evening Noah's parents were watching LJ so we headed over for some snuggle time. He loves seeing himself in the camera!

 

I love this boy :).

I cannot believe he will be a year old next week.

 

Friday I worked half day...Brittany & I had plans to finish up Christmas shopping. We made a little detour and went wedding dress shopping at a boutique that is closing at the end of the year. Her mom was able to be there and she did not expect to find anything...but she did!!!!!

 

 

You could tell on her face that it was THE ONE!

 

Britt I am oh so happy that you found the perfect dress but even more so that you have the perfect man to do life with!!

 

We finished out the day shopping and enoying girl time which is rare these days :).

 

 

Saturday we watched the 5th/6th grade boys play and then Noah headed to practice. I made treats for our Bible Study Christmas party and then we took an impromptu trip to Indy. We were going to the Colts game Sunday and needed to shop for barstools so we went up Saturday and stayed the night.

An eggnog latte and light reading for the way up.

 

We went to a few stores and I was worried we wouldn't find anything because....we've been looking for awhile. But we went to The World Market and we found them!!!!! We had to order online because they didn't have enough in store but we are so excited that we have that checked off our list!

(I am anyway, can you tell??)

 

We were in high spirits so we stopped at the mall and look what I found...Nordstrom!

I love shopping online especially at Nordstrom but I had never been in the actual store. Well we made that happen...I just wanted to walk through it :).

Noah picked dinner because he had to suffer through shopping so that was fine by me and I like pizza.

I had never ate here before and it was good!!

I loved the pizza and we had plenty to take home!

 

This tree was outside the restaurant and it was so pretty!

 

Sunday morning we slept it, had breakfast at the hotel, and then met up with friends for lunch.

We then headed to the Colts' game and Emilee needed her hair fixed (the wind was strong.)

Love this girl :).

 

 

It was cold yesterday!

Kent is our neighbor and they get married in July...we love these two :).

 

Across the stadium were these two....I think they are the cutest!!

Colts game 2015. 

 

 

The Colts were losing (I think) so we took silly selfies to pass the time.

 

 

Joe kept sending us funny pictures so we were sending some back :).

 

On the way home I saw this picture on FaceBook and had to laugh!

Noah makes my coffee every morning so it was fitting :).

 

We are so close to Christmas and this weekend was so fun and relaxing. Now if I can just slow down time these next few days!

 

 

Friday Favorites

I took a two day break this week but I'm back today with Friday Favorites :).

 

I'm linking up with Erika, Narci, & Andrea!

 

 

A shopping day with my bestie :).

 

 

 

This tunic has been on repeat in my closet :). I paired it with leggings and flats about a month ago when it was warmer. This week it was chilly so I threw on tights, a scarf, and boots.

 

 

Last September was my first Colts game...we go on Sunday this year. I don't think I'll be wearing shorts and a tee.....

...we can't wait to go!!

 

Short and sweet today :).

 

I can't believe we are one week away from Christmas!!!

 

Happy last minute shopping :).