3-1= 2

We're missing a child this week.  After a fabulous Christmas in Kentucky, we headed home with only two carseats in the middle row, instead of three.  Maddox was invited to stay a few extra days with GranJan, Papa, and Auntie Jourdan and she heartily accepted.  I haven't even caught her on the phone for more than a few seconds these past few days; she's been having the time of her life!  I have to say, it is odd without one of your children around even though having Henry and Harper here leaves plenty to do!  I miss my little helper and all of her funny faces and quirky sayings.  The upside of the situation is that I have found time to do some major cleaning and purging of a few rooms in our house.  Over the last few nights, I have cleaned out Maddy's closet, under her bed (ugh) and re-organized the play room.  Let's see what the big girl says when she gets home this afternoon.  Can't wait to see her!

 The play room shelves were a complete disaster when we left for Christmas.  Now, there is a sense of organization!

 I created a little office space for myself on the opposite side of the play room for my new Matilda Jane Clothing business.  Sent a few emails down here today while the babies played contently.  Genius!

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To-Die-For Tiramisu

I'm going to go ahead and make a big statement here.  This is quite possibly the best tiramisu you'll ever have and I will also predict it is the easiest you'll ever whip up.  No ladyfingers to find (or make, ugh), no baking in the oven.  Just a coffee pot and a mixer is all you'll need.  Perfect for a small holiday gathering.  I made mine this morning and will savor it with my husband tonight after the kiddos hit the hay.  Enjoy!

 You'll need:
3/4 cup of egg substitute (I researched this the safety of uncooked egg substitute here and found it to be perfectly safe (unless you're pregnant- sorry friends!).
1 cup espresso or strong coffee, cooled 
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp Kahlua (could also use brandy or cognac or you could eliminate alcohol entirely)
8 oz Mascarpone cheese Mascarpone is an Italian sweet cream cheese that you can usually find this time of year with other hard and soft cheeses in your local deli.  It is oh-so-yummy.
2 tbsp cocoa 
1 package Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies (I use these instead of ladyfingers and think they're the best!)

 

Step 1:  Combine eggs, 1 tbsp espresso, sugar, and Kahlua into large bowl and beat 2-3 minutes.  Add Mascarpone and beat 3-5 minutes more.  (Should look like the picture above when it's done).

 Step 2:  Quickly dip each Milano cookie into remaining coffee and layer on the bottom of a small serving dish.  I use three cookies per ramekin.

 

Step 3: Spread Mascarpone mixture on top of cookies and sprinkle with cocoa.  Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Serves 6. 

A New Spin on Christmas

I love decorating for any season or holiday but inevitably, decking the halls for Christmas is a bit different when there are two 13 month-old children in the house. I began thinking about these must-do changes a few months ago when my best friend and I took a trip to the Country Living Fair in Atlanta and saw dozens of vendor booths with amazing holiday ideas. Oh, that gorgeous Christmas pillow with hand-sewn ribbons and jewels? Yeah, that would be destroyed in five minutes in my house. Those glass ornaments? Shattered. That one-of-a-kind ribbon? Torn right off the tree. I began to regain hope when I stopped at a vendor who sold mostly vintage paper products and suddenly the ideas began to flow. What if I could substitute paper for glass this year? Between that and the conviction that decorating could be done on the cheap and with existing items and outdoor flora and fauna, I have to say I am pretty pleased with how it all turned out. (My wallet is happy too).


Our mantle all decorated for Christmas. I lieu of typical greenery, I chose a neutral color scheme.


Right next to some old skates I picked up at the thrift store a few years ago, I added some season
appropriate vintage flash cards.



This one helped mommy decorate the Christmas tree last week. Since we went to all paper, I let her choose ten of her favorite Christmas ornaments to adorn her own small tree in her bedroom.



Found old-fashioned word and trivia cards at The Fair. In case you're interested, rococo means fancy style of ornamentation with curves and shell work. Who knew?

Couldn't pass these up!



I've been putting magazines in this old tool box for the past few years, but decided that it would look nice as my table centerpiece this Christmas.



Had to have this ornament, circa 1985, out somewhere in the house. Actually a real flip book, I used to look at this for hours as a kid.



Didn't want to pack away all the "Baby's First Christmas" ornaments either, so I rounded them all up into a vase.


Gained some further holiday inspiration with two friends, Stephanie and Serrine, on a Historic Inns Tour a few days ago and had fun too!


Came home from the tour and made this. My dying mums were replaced with greenery found in my own backyard. Pine, boxwood, holly, and magnolia leaves (okay, I had to ask the neighbors for those) are all arranged right in the dirt. Serrine promises they'll stay fresh for weeks!


What new ideas are you incorporating in your holiday decorating this year?