Uh oh...I found Christmas blog decor!

'Tis the season!  To sing songs about Jesus and chestnuts and bells that jingle!  And redecorate your blog of course.  Don't laugh but I spent a total of 4 hours messing around on my laptop finding my favorite font, picture, and background.  Granted I had a few interruptions, I rediscovered my long lost love of HTML/css and also the excellent reasons why I never made a go of it.  IT DRIVES YOU CRAZY.  So.  Enjoy!

Other than that, I have been busy decorating our home for the holidays as well as our church's gymnasium for our Ward party.  I was more of an idea person this year but I sure had fun spray painting all those sticks and cones (you can't tell right now, but I'm actually not sarcastic in the least bit!).  I was more than disappointed to arrive home after a mad chase for a lost cell phone and discover that some scoundrels had swiped my spray paint!?  I don't know what's up with those types of shenanigans in my nice & quiet little parking lot, totally uncharacteristic!  Just LET me find you twits tagging some poor tree...I'mma getcha!

Did I mention my tree fell down?  Completely lighted and decorated.  I was putting Boogiebear to sleep and I heard a sudden *thud* with some light tinkling.  My worst fears were confirmed as I walked slowly into the living room.  I stared contentiously at our lopsided tree and started to brainstorm ways to get it back up sans hubby.  Many sore muscles and a borrowed husband later, it once again stood all glowy and ridiculously lopsided in the corner.  Propped up with a stick.

Among other mundanity, I cut my hair myself yesterday.  I kinda wish I could show you a picture.  Imagine the above self portrait with hair parted down the middle.  I took two sections from either side up top and bundled them in front of my face.  Then I did the same for the lower part.  I don't really know what happened after that but Who Cares?  It's even and I don't have split ends from last year anymore!!

I'm gearing up for some fun early next week and this recipe is included in my edibly diabolical plans.

Yields 12-16 brownies
Ingredients:
1 pan of your favorite brownies, cooled and cut into desired size and shape (I used a round cutter)
12-16 small strawberries, cleaned and hulled
{vanilla-mascarpone buttercream (recipe below)}   <-----which I will not be using since I'm a lazy chef.
Mascarpone Buttercream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
2-1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Method:
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter and mascarpone cheese until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.  Add vanilla extract and salt.  Add 2-1/2 cups of sugar, half a cup at a time and continue beating until smooth.  Add more sugar, if needed to reach desired consistency and sweetness.
To assemble, pipe a ring of vanilla buttercream on top of each brownie.  Cut off the base of a strawberry so it is flat and place it upside down on each brownie, pushing slightly to secure in place.  Top the tip of the strawberry with a dot of buttercream to finish the Santa hat.

In between HTMLing and recipe plotting, I like to goof off in front of the tree with Boogie Jr.  I'm pretty sure he digs it, too.

On a much more serious note, we have a very special prayer request.  There is a little boy that we know whom was in an accident in his home at the beginning of this week.  He suffered a serious brain injury and is now at Duke with his mother by his bedside.  He is a bright little spirit that needs all the help he can get.  He went from worst case scenario to 'making it' and I have no doubt that all the loving prayers that were sent his way were answered as quickly as possible (!cheers to the team of nurses and doctors!).  Let's keep that up and maybe one more family can have a tear-free Christmas this year.

WE LOVE YOU, JOSIAH.

And whomever you are reading this?  Yeah we love you, too.  I hope you are safe and and sound this holiday season.  I pray that you may spread your love a little farther each and every day.  I know Heavenly Father will help you to do so if you only ask.  Keep yer heads up, readers!

"Only when we fix our gaze on the heavenly things do we begin to understand the eternities. Only with the help of Christ can we fully overcome tragedy. It is necessary to develop our faith in Him as the Redeemer of the world. He taught us: "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
--Carlos H. Amado, "Overcoming Adversity", Ensign, Nov. 1989, 29