One of my favorite Christmas Traditions

This post is in partnership with Minted.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible! 

Isn't Christmastime the best?!  I just love the lights, the spirit, the magic and community that comes with Christmastime.  Last year, as you can imagine, was a rather crazy Christmas season as we were figuring out twins and toddler with new 'big brother' status.  We had a fabulous holiday(snowfall included!), but the one thing we didn't get to was sending out Christmas cards, and I was so sad that we didn't make that happen.  

A few days ago, I was looking through some family photos and found our Christmas cards from the past three years (last year was missing, of course).  I love having a record of how our family has changed from year to year.  And I really love being able to send them out to friends and family each year. 

One of the most challenging parts of ordering and sending out Christmas cards is choosing a design.  This year, I am partnering with Minted to make some gorgeous cards, and they have SO many amazing designs!  I mean, how do you even choose one? I think I had 20 tabs open at one point. 

Minted also has so many customizable options that I am a big fan of.  I am thrilled that they let you do text on the back (I am planning on doing a little family update on the back of ours), they have lots of paper choices including 100% recycled (super exciting for my inner environmentalist).  They will print the addresses you are sending cards to for free, which is such a time saver.  And, the designs are from independent artists, which I think is amazing.  Seriously, they are doing great things with Christmas cards.  I cannot wait to order ours! Getting ours in the mail is always a highlight of my Christmas season.

Now, leave a comment telling me which of the two following designs you like best for our card!  I always struggle to decide what to do.  I might have a winner, but want to see what you think, too!  And while you are at at it, check out Minted's amazing selection of Holiday cards! 

Option 1 (Blessed Christmas):  

Things I love: 

- The font.  I think it is classy and fits well with the photo.  

- I love that the photo takes up the entire card, but there is still some sort of holiday greeting from our family. 

- Those three little boys 

Things I am not sure about: 

- Do I want a text overlay?  Does it look too basic, when there are so many other options? 

Option 2 (Understated Pines):

Things I love:

- The leaves. It isn't a super Christmasy photo, so I thought the leaf watercolor on the card was a nice accent.  

- I love how simple the card is, but that it isn't plain (I will be adding all our names to the card at the bottom by 2018.  I just didn't do that here for privacy reasons).  

Things I am not sure about:

- Is it too simple for the photo?  Is the photo too small?  

Option 3 (Bountiful): 

Things I love: 

- The pretty watercolor! 

- the framing of our family photo. 

Things I am not sure about: 

- The text... I kind of wish it only said Merry Christmas, but you can't adjust that, from what I have been able to tell.  

- Is it too busy?  With all the foliage behind us, I worry it is too busy.  

***Minted also has a special running on their website for 15% off with the code MERRY and free shipping on orders over $100 with code FS100.  It runs until 11/20/18.  

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One of my favorite Christmas Traditions

*This post was done in collaboration with TinyPrints, but all the opinions and photos are my own.  Thanks for continuing to support the brands that make this blog possible! 

Christmas time has always been a magical time of year for me.  There is something very special about putting up the Christmas tree, stringing twinkle lights and pulling out the scarf and coat to go caroling (which I actually haven't done for years... I just like the idea of it).

One my favorite Christmas memories from my childhood was the Christmas cards that we received.  It was always fun to hear my mom talk about who this or that person was, and how she knew that person, and to see cards from friends and family.  We had a specific place that we would always hang Christmas cards, so anytime a new one would arrive, one of us kids would rush to get the tape and hang it up next to the other ones.  I loved watching the collection grow and was always a little sad to take them down after New Year's.

After we got married, it felt like so much work at the busiest time of the year, so I didn't do it.  And didn't do it.  And didn't do it.  Finally, when I was pregnant with Fox, I got my act together and we sent out this card to some close family and friends (and here is last year's card).  I was thrilled with the result and am so glad we did it. 

For me, there are a few great reasons to send out christmas cards: First, it gives me a reason to take family photos, which is always a pain, and hard to get done, but I treasure those photos.  And second, it felt like such a lovely gesture to send out a holiday greeting and something with part of you in it. Third, it definitely helps you stay connected to family and friends that you don't have occasion to see or connect with very often.  My parents had people that they had sent Christmas cards to for years, that they hadn't seen, and I thought that was really cool.  

I always get my cards from TinyPrints, and they do such a phenomenal job.  They have tons of interesting and fun options for customizing your card (like laser cut outs, custom foil work, and a year in review cards), the paper they use is really high quality, you can choose to have a pattern on the back of your card, they have envelope liners (I think there is something really classy about having a nice reverse side of your card and a pretty envelope) and they have even added the option of having them address your cards for you! 

They also have partnered with Baby2Baby that helps provide low-income babies with necessities of life, so for every holiday card, or birth announcement you buy from that collection, they donate some of the proceeds to Baby2Baby.  I really wanted to use a card from that collection, to support that mission, but couldn't find one that worked with our photos this year, but I think that is such an amazing way to give back at this time of year.  

The last two years, I have had so many photos that I liked of Fox (he is just the cutest with that little pull-along pony!), that I just had to do a card with multiple photos, so we chose this card, that felt so clean and modern.  We are so looking forward to sending out such a beautiful card to friends and family this year! 

TinyPrints also has a ton of gorgeous stationary that would make a great holiday gift or thank you notes for after Christmas (it is great if you order them with your Christmas cards, because then they are ready to go after Christmas).  I used to think it was a huge hassle to send out thank you cards, but now I realize what a gracious gesture that is, and I always try to send one after receiving a gift from someone, and love keeping a stack of pretty notecards on hand (slowly, slowly I am becoming an adult...).  I am pretty obsessed with the set I got this year.  I might ask Adam to put them in my stocking for me so I have something lovely to unwrap on Christmas morning.

All of TinyPrints Holiday cards are 50% off this week, so if you are in the market for some gorgeous Christmas cards, head on over and check them out!
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Our Christmas Trip to Salt Lake City

We spent a delightful Christmas in Salt Lake City with Adam's family!  We surprised his parents by flying out (I am working on a video about the surprise that will be coming shortly), and had a wonderful time seeing SLC.  

While we were there, we visited the Hogle Zoo, the Aquarium, the Leonardo museum (we saw the mummy display) and spent lots of time with family and friends! 

Fox was completely enamored with Adam's mom and loved spending time with Adam's dad!  It was darling and I was thrilled that he took such a liking to them both!   

Fox was also a terrific traveler, particularly on our trip home, where our flight arrived late, so we missed our connection by about a minute.  The woman at the airline rescheduled us for a flight about 45 minutes later and while we were waiting to board the new flight, they handed out free apple pie (we flew home on Christmas Day)!  That made all of us happy! 

Overall, we are SO glad we decided to go to Utah for the break!  I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and have wonderful plans for the New Year!  

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Orange and Almond Cinnamon Roll Wreath

A few weeks ago, I thought it would be fun to mix up a basic cinnamon roll recipe.  I love a good holiday treat (or ten)!  I have been on a huge orange kick, and just about everything in the last 2 months has had zest, or juice in it.  Obviously it was time to combine cinnamon rolls and orange flavor.  After an experimental batch, I finalized a delicious and soft cinnamon roll recipe with a slight crunch of finely chopped almonds and  a smooth sweet glaze to pour over the top.  I have two variations listed here for cooking.  You can cook it on a cookie sheet or you can cook it in a cake pan with a canning jar (an oven safe jar) in the middle, and then serve it with the glaze in the middle.  

Orange Almond Cinnamon Rolls:

makes two wreaths (one for you, and one for a friend! Or two to feed a crowd!)

Cinnamon Roll Dough:

adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe 

2 cups milk (I used whole milk)

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature 

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 tsp salt

1 Tbs instant yeast

2 eggs

5-7 cups all-purpose white flour

Heat the milk in the microwave until it is steaming.  Remove and pour into a large bowl or stand mixer.  Add the butter, sugar, salt and mix for a minute or two.  Add the instant yeast and mix.  Add the eggs and mix.  Add the first 2 cups of flour and mix until they are incorporated.  Mix in more flour 1/2 cup at a time until you have a slightly sticky dough.  You may only need 5 cups, and you may need all 7.  Grease a clean bowl and place the dough in the bowl.  Cover it with greased plastic wrap and let rise until it is doubled in size, probably about an hour.  

While the dough is rising, make the filling.  

Once the dough has doubled in size, remove it from the bowl and divide it into two equal parts.  Place 1 part back into the bowl and begin rolling out the other part on a lightly oiled countertop.  You can also use the palm of your hand to spread the dough into a rectangle.  Top with the 1/8 cup melted butter then liberally sprinkle the almond mixture over the dough.  

Carefully roll up the dough, making a tight roll filled with the almond mixture.  Carefully pinch the line where the end of the dough meets the roll to seal in the filling.  Place on a silicone lined rimmed cookie sheet (you can also put the whole thing in a cake pan after you have made the cuts in the roll.  See directions for that below). Take the roll and carefully form a ring out of it, gently pushing the two ends together so that it forms a wreath.  

Now to make the wreath (here is good visual explanation in case a verbal one is insufficient. I did mine slightly differently, but the principle is the same) Around the outside edge, take a pair of scissors and cut most of the way through the roll, exposing the  filling swirl on the inside.  Make incisions like this the whole way around the ring, being sure to cut the dough into even sections. Carefully twist each cinnamon roll piece about 25 degrees to the right to showcase the filling.  

If you prefer to cook it in a cake pan, so it looks more like a bundt cake, place the cut roll in a greased 9" cake pan and carefully put a glass canning jar in the middle.  These restrictions will cause the dough to rise up.  

Fill and roll the second part of dough that you set aside in the bowl. 

Let the rolls rise in their pans for about 30 minutes.   

Bake in the an oven preheated to 350°F for 25 - 35 minutes.  When the top is beginning to brown, pull the pan out of the oven to check and see how the center looks through the glass canning jar.  

Let cool for a few minutes.  While it is cooling, make the orange glaze (see recipe below).  If you have made your cinnamon rolls in a cake pan, you can put the orange glaze in a clean glass jar in the center of the cake to gift to friends.  

Filling: 

1/4 cup almonds, finely chopped

zest of one large navel orange

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1 cup brown sugar

pinch of cinnamon

1/4 cup melted butter

Turn your oven to the broiler, put your almonds in a cake pan or small square pan and toast them for 3-5 minutes until they are lightly toasted.  Put the almonds in a large bowl.  Add the orange zest, cloves, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Melt the butter in a separate bowl and set aside.  

Orange Glaze:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

3/4 cup orange juice

1 Tbs cornstarch

2 Tbs unsalted butter

Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.  Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a boil.  Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved into the water and a thin syrup has formed.  In a small separate bowl, combine the orange juice and cornstarch and whisk until they are combined and all the cornstarch lumps are gone.  Pour the orange juice mixture into the sugar syrup.  Simmer for about 6-8 minutes.  It should be relatively thick and sticky.  Add the butter, let it come back to a boil for about 30 seconds, then remove from the heat.  Let it cool slightly, then serve over the cinnamon rolls.  

(this one was made on a cookie sheet)

(This one was made in a cake pan with a jar in the middle)

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Homemade Andes Candies

If you follow me on Instagram, you have probably seen the photos that I have posted of the homemade Andes mints that I made as Christmas gifts!  I made about 600 candies and now the recipe is deeply ingrained in my brain and I wanted to share it with you!  I originally tried a healthier set as well that used coconut butter for the base, and those were pretty good, but for big batches, this way is MUCH easier.  So you if you are looking for a fun, homemade Christmas gift to take to friends and family, this is a great treat!

Homemade Andes Mints:
recipe adapted slightly from Ashlee Marie
makes 1 cookie sheet full of chocolate mints

24 oz dark chocolate (divided into 2 12oz portions)
12 oz dark green candy melts
4-6 drops mint extract or mint oil (mint extract will make the melts set up faster, so I would recommend the oil, but I used mint extract for all of mine, and it worked okay, you just have to work extra quickly!)

Start with two heat-safe bowls.  Fill one with 12oz of dark chocolate.  Fill the other with 12oz of candy melts.  Place the dark chocolate in an oven, preheated to the lowest setting (warm or 170°F).  Stir it every 2 minutes until it is melted.

While it is melting, line a rimmed cookie sheet with a sheet of wax paper or tin foil, lining it as best as you can so that it fits the corners well and lays flat.  Once the dark chocolate is melted, remove it from the oven and quickly pour it onto the cookie sheet, scraping the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Quickly spread the chocolate in an even layer across the cookie sheet, doing your best to get the chocolate as smooth as possible.  Bang the pan down on the counter to remove any bubbles from your chocolate.  Place in the refrigerator.  Set the bowl that had the chocolate in it aside for further use later.

Then, place the bowl of candy melts in the oven and stir every two minutes.

Keep close watch on your candy melts and on your chocolate in the fridge.  You want to pull your pan of chocolate out as soon as the chocolate loses its glossy look, and becomes matte.  Place it on the counter, and remove your candy melts from the oven.  Add 4 drops of mint oil to your candy melts and briefly stir.  Test to see if it is sufficiently minty (remember that there will be two layers of non-minty chocolate, so it should be decently strong).

With a clean rubber spatula, quickly pour the candy melts over the chocolate on the pan, and--as fast as you can--spread the melts out evenly over the chocolate layer, paying particular attention to getting the corners.  The chocolate may begin to melt and mix with the candy melts, but if you work quickly and gently, you can probably get it all layered before your chocolate starts melting.

Place your cookie sheet with the chocolate and mint layers back in the fridge, and fill your chocolate bowl that you set aside earlier with the remaining 12oz of dark chocolate and place it in the warm oven.  Stir every two minutes until it is melted.

Keep a close eye on your chocolate filled cookie sheet in the fridge, and as soon as it become matte, remove from the fridge.  Remove your bowl of chocolate from the oven and quickly pour it over the candy melt layer on the cookie sheet, and, with the spatula you used for the first batch of chocolate, quickly spread the chocolate in a smooth layer over the mint layer.

Return to the fridge and let it cool for 5-7 minutes.  Right as the top layer begins to turn matte, remove from the fridge.  Then, with a sharp knife, gently outline the mint shapes in the chocolate, cutting off the rounded edges and uneven corners, creating outlines of small, rectangular mints.  At this point, you don't have to cut all the way to the bottom layer (especially because you don't want to leave scratch marks in your pan).

Put the pan back in the refrigerator for 5 more minutes or so.  Then, once the chocolate has firmed up a bit, remove the pan from the fridge.  Pull the chocolate covered wax paper onto the counter or a cutting board and cut down through the outlines to separate the chocolates.  Refrigerate or freeze until you gift or eat them!  Enjoy!

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