Christmas Recap

Josh and I had a WONDERFUL Christmas! Seriously, it was so great! We started off the festivities by heading to Clarksville to see some of his family. I can't believe I didn't take pictures. It was really good getting to see them. We don't get to see them nearly enough. Then we headed to Alma to spend Christmas Eve with my parents, sister, Granny, and Chloe.

Yummy Pizza Parlor for dinner.

Christmas P.J.'s

Can't forget the Hog bling.

Chloe helping Granny open her presents.

Manly P.J.'s

The Girls.

All of the excitement zonked these two out.

Christmas Eve was full of food, presents, Christmas movies, etc. It was wonderful. And the best part was that it started snowing.

We woke up to a WHITE CHRISTMAS! How fun is that?!?!



It was so pretty.

Chloe got cold after she went outside to use the potty.

Sausage balls for breakfast...fabulous.

Getting ready to head to Aunt Ruby's

Love snow on the snow boots.

Here are 2 aunts, a cousin, a sister, a mom, and a granny.

A cousin, cousin, and a dad.

My cousin Grace trying on one of her princess outfits we got her. She's hilarious!

I was left out of this picture because no one told me that our Christmas p.j.s weren't really Christmas Day shirts. I slept in mine and these ladies didn't so they could dress like Granny. Oh well. It wouldn't have matched my pink snow boots anyway.

After lunch with my family we headed to Lamar to spend time with Josh's family. I'm so mad at myself for not taking pictures. I know they are going to think I don't like them. For whatever reason I just didn't think about it. I think it is because we were so relaxed that we were too lazy. It's Josh's fault though. I told him to remind me. :) We had a great time with all of them though.

Like I said we had a wonderful Christmas. And now let's bring on the new year.

Stay tuned for a picture of a new addition to our family. No, not a baby or a dog. I'm actually talking about my new sewing machine. :) After lots of research and bugging everyone I know I finally got one. More on that later...

Christmas Cupcakes

As most of you know I LOVE cupcakes. I think they are my favorite food. It's like a little piece of heaven in your mouth. Well several years ago I came across a recipe that is sooooo good. It's from Southern Living and any time I make these for people they are a huge hit. They can be a little annoying the first time you make them but once you get your own plan of attack lined out they aren't bad at all. They are called Choco Cupcakes. I've included a few pictures of the process and the recipe will follow.

Voila!

Choco Cupcakes

• one package chocolate cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/2 c vegetable oil
• 1 cup (6 oz) milk chocolate chips
• chocolate filing*
• butter cream frosting

Beat first four ingredients at low speed for 2 minutes then at medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon batter into lined muffin cups. Bake at 350* for 15 minutes (do not over bake). Remove from oven. Make a small indention in the center of each (I use a knife and rotate it so it makes a nice hole) hot cupcake. Spoon in 1-2 teaspoons chocolate filling*. Remove from pans, let cool completely, and add frosting.

Chocolate filling

• 1 cup (6 oz) milk chocolate chips
• 1.4 c. heavy whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp butter

Combine ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly until blended.

I'm serious, these cupcakes are wonderful and fun to decorate. I hope you enjoy them!!

OK and last but not least...I have LOVED getting such fun Christmas cards this season. I have arranged and rearranged my bulletin board to make sure I can see each person on there. I wanted to take a picture and share it with you.

And yes, that is a card from Dave Ramsey on the bottom. We got one because we attended Financial Peace University. I added it to the board as a reminded of how far Josh and I have come and to help keep us motivated to keep it up.

And when I got to my parent's house to update the blog I had another ADORABLE card in the mail. I didn't want you to miss out on it so I took a picture.

My aunt and uncle sent a card of their two grand babies who are two of the cutest babies I'v ever seen. I told Josh I hope that means we might have cute kids too. :)

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! I know you're a little spoiled to my 3 posts in 3 days but it will probably be a few days before I get back on here. See you soon!

Joy To The World

This past weekend Josh and I took some of our youth to Garvan Woodland Gardens to see their WONDERFUL Christmas lights. It is a walking tour so it was sure to be cold. We knew it was typically their busiest night of the season so we were prepared to wait in line. I should have worn warmer shoes. It was quite chilly while we waited.

Waiting in line. Check out the fogged up glasses.

Our first stop was for hot chocolate. They give this out for free! And you can roast marshmallows. How cool is that?! They have food items to buy to if you so desire.

The ring I told Josh I wanted for Christmas.

The fish in the pond.

The swan in the pond.

Not the best picture of us but I love the wreath and the wrapped present behind us.

I think my favorite part were all the chandeliers they had handing in the trees. I know this picture looks more like a tornado of lights but its not. They were so pretty.

How cute is this?!?!?

Awwwww.....

LOVED this as well! It was gorgeous!

N-B-C, I love you, Biggest Loser and Sing Off

They had lost of pretty flowers.

And do top it off a little village with a train.

If you haven't made the trip to Hot Springs to Garvan Gardens then I highly recommend it. I can't wait to go back in the spring to see all of the pretty flowers. I thinking seeing the Christmas lights though is going to be a new tradition. It is so worth the $5.50 (dont forget about the free hot chocolate). Plus they have shorter or longer trails if you aren't up for lots of walking. And if you're handicap or elderly they have golf carts they use to drive you around. Not to mention a lot of people brought their cute pets.

Oh yeah, all of you SEWERS please check out the post below. I've gotten some good advice so far and am looking for more!

Merry Christmas to all!

A Quick Hello

Hi blogging friends!! I know it has been over a week since I've blogged and I will do my best to be better about it. In fact, I have some pictures to post from my weekend so I will do that soon. Just wanted to stop in for a quick "hello" and to ask you a question. For all of you sewing enthusiasts I need your advice. I currently sew on a small, inexpensive machine. So far it has gotten the job done but I have run into a few snags along the way. I'm contemplating upgrading to a new machine and possibly one that also embroiders. I know a lot of those are OUTRAGEOUS and it would take me years to save for some of them. So...

• Should I get one that is less expensive just to try? I've seen some at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc. They also have some cheaper, older models at some local sewing stores.
• And if so, what if it compromises the sewing part of the machine? I want it to be good at both.
• Should I upgrade to a better sewing machine and just wait on the embroidery part? I'm still a beginner and have lots to learn. Although the things I do make I'd like to embroider.
• Should I keep using the one I have and save money and get a good one (and by this I plan on getting one that is used, not new)?
• I've been looking and researching the Brother brand and the Husqvarna/Viking brand? Any others I should check out?

OK, I know I have more readers than the comments I usually get so PLEASE if you sew help me! I love sewing and I want to do lots of it so I can get better and better (my classes start back in Jan). I just want to make wise decisions before I spend what little money I have on a machine.

Christmas Cheer

Hello!! First of all, Kelly, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. This really is my second post in one week. I know you're proud. I just wanted to share a few of our Christmas decorations on the blog. I say a "few" because we barely decorated at all this year. It's just hard to put anything up when you live in a tiny apartment...I mean love nest...but I decided to decorate with a few of my favorites. I apologize because the picture quality is bad. I took these in a hurry the other morning.

Here's my tree Holcombe Faye. I love this tree. Only he was too big for my apartment so I let me sister borrow him for the year. I miss him terribly but my mom got Josh and I a much smaller tree to help get us in the Christmas spirit.

Here's Wingo. Yes, I name my trees. He's so little and cute and I really like him. When we get Holcombe Faye back, Wingo will still make his debut somewhere in our house. I didn't mess with going all out on decorating him with ornaments or ribbon. Instead I just put a few of my favorite ornaments on him. And of course, I wrapped a few presents to put under there as well. I have a couple more that wouldn't fit so they are in the closet.

Presents

The Hibiscus ornament Josh and I got in Maui on our honeymoon.

One of my favorite ornaments. I'm sure you can imagine why I like it so much.

Kelly got me this ornament one year for Christmas and I love it. Reminds me of our trip we took to NYC. Such a fun time we had.

Josh and I got this ornament this year in Orange Beach, AL.

I bought this ornament in San Fran. I want to go back!



And last but not least my "B". I bought this from Restoration Hardware before Josh and I even got engaged. :)

No mantle so his had to do. Picture is awful...sorry.

These reindeer are new additions to the family. I apologize the table isn't even fully set and the reindeer still have their tags on them. They are just too cute and I couldn't leave them out.
OK, well that's the extent of our Christmas cheer. It's not much but it still makes me smile.

Last weekend I spent most of my Saturday working on addressing our Christmas cards. I wish I could send you all one but unfortunately that's not possible. So, instead, here's us (The Bazyk's) wishing you a Merry Christmas.

My friend, Tricia designed our card and did a GREAT job, if I do say so myself. She has an etsy shop where she sells holiday cards, etc. She also does blog designs. She is so easy to work with and can make whatever you want. I would like to send out a card for every occasion!!!! Thanks again, Tricia!

So Thankful

OK, so this Thanksgiving post is a little late but better late than never, right? Normally we celebrate the holiday with my mom's side of the family and Josh's mom's side of the family but this year we changed things up a bit. We decided to head to Tennessee to see my dad's family. Although we missed everyone here in Arkansas we had a WONDERFUL time while we were away. We stayed at my dad's brother's house while we were there. My Aunt Hansi is a great hostess and had everything just perfect upon our arrival. Thanksgiving morning we woke up and went to see my grandparents.

I went in my pjs. Looking good.

My mom and dad with my Nanny and Papa

I think you know who these two nuts are.

After visiting with them we headed back to my Aunt and Uncle's house so we could help her get the turkey out and prepped. My he was a BIG turkey.

Hansi and Josh with THE Turkey

Josh and his buddy

All ready to go!

I can't believe I didn't take a picture of him after he cooked in the oven for hours. He sure was pretty. And tasted even better.

Aunt Hansi, Mom, Nanny

Courtney and Josh. Check out the fire, Ahhhh...

Uncle Dale and Dad

HBJ

Here's one of the pretty tables all set. My cousin's wife Mary Beth and her mom did a great job on the arrangement. There was another smaller table that was super cute too. I can't BELIEVE I didn't take any pictures of my cousin, his wife and their ADORABLE little girl, Avery. I'm trying to talk Mary Beth into starting a blog and if she does I'll send you her way.

Seriously, A perfect holiday and we hope to do it again soon. Thanks for such a wonderful time!

Once we got back from our short road trip we,

Worked a puzzle and

celebrated my dad's birthday. What a great ending to a great weekend.

And for an added bonus look at these two hotties.