I MISS YOU...already.

I MISS IT ALREADY! Christmas, that is. Such a beautiful festive and jolly time of the year! From the moment we enter to November, until the New Year wishes fade from memory, I'm celebrating! I even talked Josh into one last drive around town to soak in the lights & sounds of Christmas. And of couse, we had to get some Starbucks to top off the night...They had already stopped serving the Egg Nog Latte's, so we settled for Pumpkin Spice. I made sure our outside lights were on...and savored the twinkling lights on our lovely little tree!

We started our family celebrations on Christmas Eve with my Family. Dinner & Gifts, and lots of poking fun at one another...that's just how my family rolls! Thenewest addition to my mom's family is little Miss Molly, the fluffiest and most hyper dog on the planet...ain't she a cutie pie? I brought Red Velvet Cake Balls...that I drizzled with White Chocolate. I also made Arkansas Trash for munching (white chocolate covered pretzels & Golden Graham cereal)!

On Christmas morning, we celebrated by ourselves. Enjoying Cinnamon Rolls & Egg Nog for breakfast. So...what did I get???? **drumroll** A new flatscreen TV...AND my latest craving...a PINK coach purse. Le sigh. ;-) We ended the Christmas day with dinner & family time with my in-laws. It's always relaxing and fun time to just enjoy each others company...I love it!

For Josh's gift, I picked out a new suit for him. He's been begging for one for quite some time, so I took the plunge and found the perfect one! Then, I set to work organizing a short romantic getaway. I printed off our hotel reservations, stuffed it in an envelope and handed it to him after all the gifts were opened!

I reserved a romance package at a Hilton Resort on the Branson Landing. The Landing is a cute little resort on the river walk, with cobblestone & lights, music, and a water show! The Landing has been a place of many memories for us...it's where we first held hands...a whopping 6 days after we started dating!

Lots of shopping, relaxing, and watching TV ensued. We enjoyed House and Law & Order with sparkling wine to boot! We also enjoyed seeing Sherlock Holmes at the IMAX. What an awesome movie...

Okay, so a little tid bit...The Ann Taylor Loft store in town was going out of business...so I racked up a couple of goodies that were 50% off...CRAZINESS! Don't worry, almost all the shopping was for hubby, since it was after all a trip all for his enjoyment!!! ;-)

Now, we have entered the last day of 2009...and this morning Starbucks drink was on the HOUSE...what a way to end the year! I'm banking on some R&R Tonight, complete with a movie on my new screen. Maybe, just maybe, I'll talk Josh into one more spin to look at lights, too...

All in all Christmas 2009 was fairy tale classic, and filled with all the fun romance and surprises that a girl could ask for. We have been blessed immensely...and I look forward to 2010!!!


Thank you so much for all your kind comments on our Christmas card. I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas....and HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!

Egg Nog & Cheer!

[our 2009 Christmas card designed by the Hubster]

The greatest thing I could have ever asked for was given to me this year. We are together, celebrating as husband and wife! And we have the love of Jesus...the greatest gift of all!

So bring on the Egg Nog, I'm ready to celebrate!

Making A List and Checking It Twice...

Thought I'd join the gift ideas train for Christmas 2009!!

1] A Sephora Gift Card...what girl wouldn't want one of these?? Sephora has everything from lip gloss to lotion from foundation to blush. Something for any girl!




2] Godiva. Bundle up some chocolates and one of these fantastic candles...**happy sigh** I know I wouldn't mind unwrapping this come Christmas morn!



3] Coach. The title says it all...



4] Charlie Brown Collector DVD Set. I love me some Charlie Brown and Snoopy...been watching it since I was just a wee pup. And I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. ;-)

5] Euphoria by Calvin Klein! I've been wearing Calvin Klein since my early teens. But my mom gave me this scent for my last birthday, and I love it. It's my "go to" scent! I already own my bottle, but couldn't help but recommend it for others!

What are yall's Christmas wishes or gift ideas??

Girly Stuff!!!!

Mmmm...kay. I have a make-up obsession with Maybelline Stiletto.....



Remember when I posted about Maybelline Stiletto Mascara (you can read more here)?? Well, I'm still gushing about it. I wear it every single day...it is my "go to" product that makes me feel pretty. So when I realized they came out with a Stiletto Eye liner...well I was super happy!!!! If you are looking for that perfect eyeliner that is EASY to put on...I'm a klutz when it comes to eye liner...check it out here!

Besides mascara my other absolute must have lotion is by Burt's Bee's. I use the buttermilk lotion...for my face!!! It's the only lotion that I have found that doesn't clog pores/cause itchy irritations. I have very sensitive skin, so when I found this...it would like balm to a chapped soul. Haha!!

Currently I'm on the lookout for two things: A good shampoo & conditioner and Blush. I'm not happy with either blushes that I've tried. In the past I have used Estee Cover Girl, and Maybelline. A trip to Sephora may be in order... **smile**

What's your favorite beauty product??

PS. I was not asked to do reviews on these products...and I didn't get anything for them. I truly just adore these products and thought I'd share... ;-)

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???

Blog Header & Business Logos

Are you in need of a new blog header? Or perhaps you need a new business design? We happen to offer graphic design at reasonable rates. If interested, just e-mail us at: joshandheatherpedersen@gmail.com

Current Portfolio:

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.