Christmas Confetti Cake Batter Cookies

Two posts in one day, whaaaa?

This was too good/easy not to share. Seriously 6 ingredient cookies! 

Christmas Confetti Cake Batter Cookies

Ingredients:

*box of white cake mix

*1/3 cup of vegetable oil

*2 large eggs

*1/2 tsp of vanilla

*1 tsp baking powder

*1 cup of sprinkles

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. Get your baking sheets ready with parchment paper.

Mix together the cake mix and baking powder in one bowl. Beat the eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla in another small bowl. Gently mix the wet ingredients with the dry until completely mixed. Stir in the sprinkles but don't mix too much otherwise the sprinkles will dye the cookies. 

Drop one inch balls onto the sheets and bake for 9 minutes without letting the cookies brown. Let cool and enjoy!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

I am in full fledged, bursting at the seams excited for Christmas. Not to say it hasn't been stress-less, there's definitely been a few crazy moments. I went to not one but TWO malls today and both were nuts. But it's all done and I'm so excited. This is my favourite time, I want to soak up every relaxing, excited minute!

A few things that have been happening around here:

SNOW! Granted it's gone already but it was so lovely and magical while it was here. Leigh and I got up early on Friday and went to the states to pick up some things from the border and we had a lovely sleigh ride. Okay a lovely SUV ride, but still. It felt very Christmassy and I could not stop singing this song.

While there was still snow on the ground, we took Layla for a walk around Lafarge Lake. Before you even say anything, yes, my dog has a Christmas sweater. She has grown a lot since last Christmas so apparently she needed a new one. And yes, I'm a little jealous of it and wish it came in my size/shape.

My super sweet client got me my very own nutcracker! I am seriously so excited about this, I've always wanted a nutcracker but I couldn't bring myself to buy one for some reason. I love him! Her husband was laughing when I opened it because I was so excited. And she got me my favourite Dunkin Donuts coffee but in Christmas flavour! I am so lucky to have such amazing clients. I am enjoying being off for Christmas but I actually really miss them!

This probably isn't much of a surprise, I clearly have a paper straw addiction. I just love how festive they make beverages feel. PS I'm not so cool that I only drink out of mason jars, I seriously break like all glasses so I pretty much only have mason jars left and for 6 bucks a dozen they are affordable :-P Alsooo because I broke all my wine glasses my sweet friend Hilary bought me stemless ones! Love you Hilary Poo!

Believe it or not, I didn't put out ALL my decorations this year. I normally put lights above my cabinets and really go all out and this year I just went more simple, except I brought a little festiveness into our bedroom. The best part is, I plugged the lights/mini tree into a plug that switches on with the light switch by the bedroom door so you can turn it on super easily. I just LOVE the coloured lights, they remind me of happy memories of past Christmases. PS these fell down immediately and Leigh fixed it with nails lol.

I JUST finished all my wrapping. There is nothing like wrapping presents, I love to put on a classic Christmas movie and have a festive drink (see above) and wrap my little heart out. But I am so glad I am done! Speaking of wrapping, I have certain criteria for wrapping paper. I always hold out for the good stuff. I love red/green/white because it matches my decor. I always run out of a few every year but I always add a few every year too. I know. I'm crazy.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas Eve Eve! 

Downtown Christmas Adventure

The other night my Mom and I had a downtown date night. We had a little pit stop to make, and while we were doing that, we saw TWO Toys for Tots buses crammed with toys. Santa and Mrs. Claus and some elves were unloading it! Such a heartwarming sight to see.

Our first stop was the Christmas Market! Neither of us had ever been before. We got apple cider right off the bat. You can keep the mugs or return them and get your deposit back. We returned them because we each have like four thousand mugs already.

We were starving when we got there, so we got this flat bread pizza type thing made in a wood pizza oven with carmelized onions and Gruyère cheese. Sooo delicious.

We also got a fondue dessert. Mine was strawberries and cream puffs. Mom's was strawberries and bananas. It was one of the best things I've ever eaten in my entire life.

We left the market after that, and when we got outside there was literally hundreds of people in the lineup. Talk about good timing, we got there just as it was getting dark and there was like a two minute lineup. After that we went down Robson, which was lit up with amazing lights. I hadn't been there in ages and ages, probably since I worked downtown. We checked out the new Victoria's Secret store.

After doing a little bit of Christmas shopping, we went ice skating at Robson Square! 

I'm pretty sure she's just using this for the picture, she didn't actually need it. She let go right after I took this picture:

After ice skating, we were quite hungry, so we went to Chipotle for the first time. I've heard sooo much about Chipotle from American bloggers but I'd never tried it. It was seriously so good. Now I know why everyone is addicted! 

All in all it was such a fun Christmassy night! Thanks Mom!

Festive Weekend

Get ready because this is a whole lot of festive in one blog post! 

This weekend was so crazy! As usual December weekends tend to end up packed with fun events. I could barely wake up this morning. On Friday I had the afternoon off, and some spare time before I had a hair appointment, so I met up with my mother in law at Art Knapps, where we took a train ride with one of her daycare kids. .

Too old for this? Don't think so.

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Then, I went to my sis's work where she did my hair all pretty for Leigh's work Christmas party. 

I took a pic (and promptly added a filter because I wasn't wearing any makeup) but unfortunately for some reason this is the last pic of the night I took. I actually did my makeup pretty good so I'm kinda bummed I didn't capture it on camera! I even put on fake eyelashes all by myself!! With no injuries. I am quite proud of myself.

Saturday, we met up with the Sheppard side of the family for lunch at Milestones. Of course I forgot my camera but my Mom got a few pics. It was so nice to see everyone again.

After that, Leigh and I went out to Park Royal which is one of my all time favourite Christmassy places. They have such gorgeous decorations, including these drippy icicle lights and a GIANT tree.

We got cupcakes and did a little shopping, and then stopped at Coquitlam Centre for more shopping. (Still not done)

Sunday, I woke up early and went to my annual brunch date J and Nicky. This is our SEVENTH year of doing this. So awesome. This is the first year we did it, we do have a santa pic printed somewhere:

Annd this is this year (they printed the pic for us so this is scanned)

One of my absolute favourite traditions! The food is so delicious even though I do not eat my money's worth, I suck at buffets. Although the sushi chef did make me my favourite - cucumber rolls!

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J drove me so after lunch we did some MORE shopping (STILL not done) and then picked up my mother-in-law, Julie, for a Christmas play at a local church that has become an annual tradition with my family. It's such a great production, it always puts me in the best Christmas spirit.

Dora, me, Jenn, Mom, J and Julie

Soooo then....I had the task of getting Julie to Milestones for her surprise 60th birthday party. I told her that Leigh and his dad had gone out for dinner and then I pretended to get a voicemail from Milestones saying I'd left my debit card there the day before (can you believe that didn't tip her off? So not like me :-P) so J, playing along, offered to take me on the way home to pick it up. When we were in the parking lot, I suggested we go in for spinach dip. I brought her in where a ton of family and friends were waiting!

After a delicious dinner, we went back to my in laws for cake and wine.

Such a fantastic weekend!

New Traditions: A Christmas Eve Box

When I was growing up, every year we got to open one present on Christmas Eve and it was always new pyjamas to wear that night. I've never tried, but I'm pretty sure it would feel wrong to go to sleep on Christmas Eve NOT wearing new PJs.

pjs from first married Christmas

Leigh and I continued this tradition when we got married, which I love. Last year, I decided to add a new twist to our Christmas Eve tradition.

matching PJs last year

I made a Christmas box inspired from Pinterest. I just used a box I had laying around the house, and I put in our new panamas, our favourite Candy, a copy of Home Alone, and glass Coca Cola bottles. I think I probably put in some kind of treat for the dog as well.

When I was unpacking the decorations this year, I noticed that one of my boxes was looking a little worse for wear. All of our sentimental ornaments are placed in a separate box and not packed with the other decorations, I keep them in the house for safekeeping. I decided that I would get a box that could be used for Christmas ornaments AND our Christmas eve box. I got this one at Michaels and used a 40% off coupon.

Of course we are just big kids, so if you have little kids, there are more ideas. Here's a whole list:

*new pajamas for the family

*santa hats

*a new Christmas movie

*favourite Christmas treats (ours are quality street and ovation sticks)

*hot chocolate and marshmallows

*new Christmas mugs

*popcorn

*pre-assembled cookie mix in a jar

*candy canes

*gingerbread men ready made to decorate

*a new Christmas book to read before bed

*a Santa Key

*Reindeer food to sprinkle on the lawn (oatmeal/sugar/glitter)

*A special ornament for the tree

*Christmas candle

*a new Christmas teddy to snuggle with

                                                       *treats for the dog or cat or a new stuffy

If anyone has any other ideas to include, post them here!

Holiday Coziness

It has been soooo cold here the past few days. Cold for Vancouver, that is. My car door was frozen shut for an entire day, I was crawling through the passenger door. I have been cranking the heat and the holiday tunes. And speaking of holiday tunes, I may have reprogrammed all the stations in Leigh's car to the Christmas station.

You know what makes me feel super warm and cozy? Christmas movies. We watched the Holiday the other day and how amazing is the little Rosehill cottage? I would love to spend a Christmassy weekend there. There are tons of pics on the internet so I decided to spread the warmth through the internets to you. 

And the coziest room in the whole movie? The little girls tent, of course!

I need this in my bedroom, as a permanent fixture. Hope you feel all warm and cozy inside now, and if not, there's always hot chocolate!

Holiday Kickoff Weekend

This weekend went by incredibly fast. And so did Monday.

You guys know that I try to be positive on my blog. I really don't believe on sending negative things out into the world. What you put out, you get back. But sometimes, you just have to be real. I am feeling a bit sad lately, even amongst the holiday joy.

Leigh's Dad and his brothers: Uncle Mike, far left, Uncle Dave, Steve (Leigh's Dad) and Uncle Paul

This past weeekend we lost another family member, on Leigh's side of the family. He was such a great man. When Leigh and I got engaged, his parents threw a barbeque so that the whole family could meet me. Naturally it was a ton of people, but Uncle Mike made me a photo album with the pictures from the party with all the names of everyone so I wouldn't forget. He made me feel so welcome in the family, if he liked you it was a pretty big deal because he was considered the head of the family. He made us the most beautiful box for our wedding with our photo, names and wedding date on it, which is where Leigh and I keep important things. He also "borrowed" two spoons from the golf course where we had our reception and hand engraved our names and wedding date on them. This type of sentimentality and thoughtfulness is rare in this world. He set an example for us and I plan to attempt to follow it.

Also on the weekend, I attended my bestie J's annual cookie exchange. It was a little early this year but it's fun because it's helping kick off the season. I made my caramel stuffed apple cider cookies again. I think they might be the most festive cookie ever. Except for things that are red and green and/or peppermint flavour.

There were so many good cookies!

When I got home, Leigh, Layla and I snuggled up on the couch and watched the Holiday. Perfect ending to the night. I'm not entirely sure how I got Leigh to watch it. I always say men are like woodland creatures, so you can't make sudden movements. If you just put your girly movie on, and get comfy on the couch with room for him and possibly a snack to increase chances, he might just come over and snuggle in. No guarantees.

We also had American Thanksgiving on Sunday with Leigh's family, which was really nice. His mom has all her decorations up so it really does feel like a holiday kick off. I brought her a poinsettia and she gave us advent calendars. We also have a December 1st tradition that we put on our Christmas pillowcases she made us.

By Monday morning, I was pretty tired from all this stuff. My sister called me and told me about a new split end treatment she wanted to try on my hair, so I beelined it over to the salon where she works in Maple Ridge, Salon Fifty-Five. 

My hair is soooo soft and pretty right now. And straight. And LONG lol. I have no idea when it got long again!

Anyways, that's it for today. Christmassy posts coming very soon.