Giant Stockings...

We had a fantastic weekend, filled to the brim with friends, family and a date day! After a small dinner party on Friday night with both of our parents...and feasting on White Sauce Enchiladas & Cheesecake, we were ready for a date day on Saturday!!!

Heading off to the city, we decided to finally watch the Blind Side. Wow....what an awesome movie!!! I just love Bullock's movies, so I was very excited to see this one, since I'd heard so much about it! And you wanna know something embarrassing?? I had absolutely no idea that Tim McGraw was in the movie. I just didn't recognize him! I probably wouldn't have even known until I read a review on the movie here AFTER we'd seen the movie. HA! Craziness.

After the movie, we enjoyed a large drive through light display that was filled with lots of of fun figures...lighted Ice Skaters, Golfing Pola Bears, and such. I could seriously drive around every night taking in lights and never get tired of it!! Dinner was at Mimi's Cafe over Baked French Onion Soup & giant muffins. Yummo!

Now, I'm just trying to figure out some fun surprises to stuff the hubby's stocking. He chose the stockings this year. Nice BIG, GIANT, Stockings. You'd think he's excited about getting gifts or something...

So, what kind of gifts do you look forward to getting in your stocking this year???

I'll be Home for Chocolate...

With all the festive goodness around me, I was in the mood for some creative baking... (imagine that!). So I looked up a few recipes that included pretzels...and decided on Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bars...DELISH!!!

• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, plus butter for pan
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup organic sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup bittersweet chips
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate bar, chopped
  
• 1 -1 1/2 Cups Pretzels, chopped

In a large bowl combine butters, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time until blended. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Bake in a greased casserole dish at 350 for 20-24 minutes.

We had a small dinner party for our parents tonight! I set the table to bring all the Christmas cheer into the meal as possible! I had a lot of fun...I'm already planning our next dinner party...I love making menus! Too fun! :D

Now, I just can't wait for tomorrow, all kinds of fun things planned!!! =)

Oh, the Joy!

Christmas Time is here...last night while enjoying my first ever cup of Caramel Brulee Latte from Starbucks...I was busy reciting the movie quote "Like Christmas In A Cup" in my head. The quote is from Andrew Paxton in The Proposal. Pretty much one of the best movie lines ever.

But, I digress... With most of our decorations up, I'm excited to make a couple final purchases to make our home a Christmas wonderland. I need a Tree Skirt, and a clear vase of sorts to keep fun goodies in! I'm also dying for my very own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Tell me I need one!!! ;-) And we still have to put the outside lights up!

I've been watching as many Christmas movies as I can possibly sneak in. This weekend we enjoyed The Christmas Choir with my bro and sis in law. I'd never heard of it before, but I thought it was very touching!

Christmas Movies Watched (To Date): Home Alone, The Christmas Choir, The Christmas Carol, Little Women, Christmas With the Kranks...and counting!

Looking forward to: A Charlie Brown Christmas, While You Were Sleeping, It's A Wonderful Life, Home Alone 2, Elf, The Holiday Affair, White Christmas...

Is there a good Christmas movie that I should add to my list? If so, please share!

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love. ~ Linus"

PS. I have never, ever seen A Christmas Story. I've been told that is unbelievable.

Just a few....

Are there even enough words to say how blessed and thankful I am
to be Mrs. Joshua Pedersen? To have his love, support, and understanding
every single day even when we don't always see eye to eye? Not that we would *ever* disagree....hahaha... ;-) I just love, love LOVE him!!!

There are not enough ways to express my gratitude for our friends and family who truly cared, who offered encouragement and support during our first months of marriage!! It truly is a treasure!

Last, but not least...I am thankful for the grace of God, for allowing me to live in America.
To live freely...and to pursue the "American Dream".

I could spend all day saying my thanks, but these are just a few...

Happy Thanksgiving Bloggy Friends!

Let's Go To The Hop!

Last weekend we visited with my parents in Missouri! After an exhaustive shopping spree, we were ready for a relaxing night at home. Since we were due for a date night, I thought it would be fun to throw together a themed date night...


We did a 50's theme dinner at home for two! I did my research, and settled on a few key items for entertainment: Scrabble, which was rumored to be invented in the 50's by an architect (how fitting!), a classic Spencer Tracy Film, and completed with a soda fountain menu!

With a Best of the 50's Rock music playing in the background, we had old fashioned cheeseburgers and strawberry shakes! I even used my soda fountain glasses that I had inherited from my grandmother. Not to mention the classic Fiesta that I have been collecting since a teenager!! ;-)

It was my first attempt at a themed date night at home. I think we should do it again real soon...I wonder what era we should choose next?

Have yall hosted a themed dinner? If so, what kind?