"When the world hates you,
remember it hated me before it hated you." John15:18
it's all going to be okay.

I Celebrate the Day.

"the point

here is where you're finding me in the exact same place as New Year's Eve.

we're less than half as close as I want to be.

and the first time that opened your eyes

did you realize that you would be my savior?

and so this Christmas I'll compare to what I've felt in prior years.

that You have come to meet me here.

You were born so that I might really live.

to look back and think that this baby will one day save me.

And I, I celebrate the day that you were born to die

so that I could one day pray for you to save my life."

festival of lights & the circus.

These are backwards..
THE CIRCUS.

I had never been, so Kasey took me to the circus.

It was pretty spectacular.

I was definitely a fan of the elephants.

I hope they're nice to them..

And all the crazy stunts!

This is actually not a crystal ball.

it is a huge steal ball that has SEVEN motorcycle people inside!

Festival of Lights!

Mickey and Minnie lead the parade:]

And of course the grand finale was SANTA and fireworks!

AND we made a best friend for life.

her name is Bella and she is precious!

the christmas music and the cold..

have got me thinking...about cuddling, warm beverages, and baking...
while watching The Matrix this evening I came up with this version of a recipe that would taste delicious with a warm beverage and cuddling:]

BROWN SUGAR CINNAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTED COOKIES!
cookies:
1/2 cup & 3 tablespoons butter (softened)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour (divided)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (divided)
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
oven: 360
beat butter til creamy. beat in brown sugar. add egg and vanilla, beat. mix flour (lightly packed), baking soda and half (1/2 teaspoon)cinnamon and salt. gradually add dry mixture to butter mixture, beating well. roll portions into ball and roll balls in mixture of remaining cinnamon and granulated sugar. bake at 360 for about 8 minutes!
now for the frosting:
2 (8 once) packages of cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup butter (softened)
2 cups sifted powder sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
mix cream cheese and butter until creamy. mix in vanilla and gradually stir in powder sugar. refrigerate!
(NOTE: if you double the cookie dough part you make almost exactly enough cookies for all the frosting. or I guess you could half the frosting part but that's not as fun..)
FINALLY: after cookies have cooled ice them ! then grab your favorite cuddle buddy and warm beverage and enjoy:]!

this is mostly so I don't forget how badly I want to make these , but hopefully you enjoy it too:]

do you hear what I hear?

YEAH, it is Christmas music!

nope, it is NOT too early.

:]

(last year's christmas-pj-baking extravaganza!)

favorite.

I love polar bears:]

remember when it was summer?
and it was warm and sunny?
and I was (at least sorta) tan?
yeah, I am starting to forget too.

I realize being born and raised an Arizona kid
makes me NOT appreciate these things you call seasons.
THEY ARE ALL TOO COLD.
fall is too cold!
and they just get colder:[
I much prefer it HOT.