Letter from Santa

I don't care how old my kids get, 

Santa still stops by our house on Christmas Eve.

I can't even imagine how embarrassing it would be 

for jolly old St. Nick to slide down our chimney and not have a treat waiting for him.

This year we are leaving him all smiles...

Cute Christmas mini bottles of Coca-cola

 and White Fudge covered Oreos that we made grin with a tube of red icing...

Christmas is a magical time for kids young and old. 

Safeway is keeping the spirit alive with their Letters from Santa Program.

Simply go to www.safeway.com/santa, answer a few simple questions about the letter's recipient and you will instantly receive a PDF letter from Santa, on North Pole stationery, personalized and addressed to whoever you would like.

 It is their free gift to you and once you submit the information for your letter, 

you will even receive coupons from Coke, Oreo and Redbox.  

So much fun!

Spread some holiday cheer and SMILE.
Happy, Happy Holidays

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Albertsons Stores. The opinions and text are all mine.

Teddy Graham Santas

With the Holidays approaching,
National Adoption Day on November 21st couldn't come at a better time!
Our family has been blessed with two.

My husband's brother and sister have both adopted children
and we couldn't even fathom our family without them.

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending the day with my 5 year old nephew Dash,
and what a treat it was.
It has been awhile since I spent the day with a pre-schooler
but I knew I needed a fun activity to keep him occupied.
I was excited because he's a kid after my own heart - artistic, curious and eager.
In minutes with just a few ingredients,
Dash and I had created a new family tradition...
Teddy Graham Santas.




With a new box of Honey Maid Teddy Grahams
and supplies from my junk baking supply drawer,
we got to work.

The fun shaped crackers really unlocked our imaginations.  
We used Cinnamon for these but they are available in six delicious flavors, 
including honey, chocolatey chip and the new Teddy Birthday Cake flavor.

We dressed our Teddy Graham Santas with red tubed icing...


and did some eating...

then added white icing beards, black icing boots, used edible markers to accent his eyes
and topped him off with a gumdrop hat (cut in half through the middle).

Ho, Ho, Ho
Oh What Fun!


We then dressed some of the Teddys to go out in the snow with hats, sweaters and mittens...

and served them with a little milk.

and Dash made his infamous,
whipped cream snowman...


which didn't work so well but tasted amazing!

I love how our family has evolved over the years through
marriages, births and 2 very special adoptions.
It is wonderful to create memories and keep traditions alive.

Honey Maid recognizes and celebrates that while the makeup and day-to-day lives of families have evolved, the idea and importance of wholesome family connections remains the same. 
From their classic grahams to Teddy Grahams, Honey Maid’s wholesome products are made with whole grains and real honey, without high fructose corn syrup or artificial colors, and are wholesome snacks families can agree on for any occasion.
I am thrilled to add our Teddy Graham Santas to The Murphy Family Christmas Tradition List.

Take a look at this video for more ideas from Honey Maid 

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

skiptomylou projectinspired  2cuptuesday

Deck the Dining Halls! Christmas Place Cards

It seems that once Halloween is upon us, you blink and it's Christmas.
One of my biggest dilemmas is
Who exactly is coming to Christmas dinner?
and more importantly, where will they sit?


Well I've got a card for that!


There's a chair for Rudolf's friend Comet...




Santa's got a seat for Tiny Tim...

and a Tabletop Tree 

for all the Whos in Whoville...

Deck the Dining Halls in 

my Etsy Shop.

projectinspired

A Cocktail with a lot of Cheer!

I made my Christmas Cheer Cocktail with Pomegranate/Sweet’N Low simple syrup as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars #SweetNLowStars

2, 4, 6, 8

Who do we appreciate?

Everyone - it's Christmas and time for a Cheer-ful, Festive Cocktail!

Santa got out his Pom(egranate) Pom(egranate)s 

to whip up a spirited beverage

Easy to make for a party or to have for a quiet night by the tree.

Just like most people that like to cheer,

it's bubbly, pretty and fun!

It starts with a touch of Pomegranate Simple Syrup 

poured over pomegranate seeds in a champagne glass..

then topped with Rose´ Sparkling Wine.

To make the simple syrup:

(enough for 4 cocktails)

Combine 1/4 cup pomegranate juice and 5 packets of Sweet'N Low in a small saucepan,

simmer on the stove until sweetener is dissolved and it reduces slightly.

Allow to cool and keep in refrigerator until you ready to use.

Wishing you a sweet and cheerful holiday!

For lots more fun with Sweet'N Low join them on their Facebook Page.

tidymom shabbynest linkpartypalooza  sundayshowcase projectinspired

Got Teenagers? I hope you've Got Milk

This post is brought to you by got milk? Drink to a brighter future.

I've got 2 very active teenagers.

Between school, sports and friends,

 they are busy and constantly hungry or thirsty when they're home.

I try to stock the kitchen with simple, healthy items that are easy to grab on the go.

Things that are full of nutrients and protein, to fuel them up and keep them going.

They guzzle milk by the gallon, always have and I hope they always will.

Along with the nutritional benefits of being full of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D , 

it helps keep their bones and teeth strong, aids in better sleep and prevents the risk of cavities. 

Evidently my children are far too "busy" to get a glass for their milk.

I try not to nag too much, 

I want them to drink milk, a lot of milk... 

but really, right out of the container?!

Now that I've Got Milk,
why not make it so they each get their own?

If they are going to drink right from the jug,
at least they won't be spreading germs.

Fun cow stickers make it clear -
smart MOO-ve, don't you think?

I printed up a "heard" so I'm always ready.

With the holidays upon us and a special guest scheduled to arrive, 

I didn't want any confusion about the "owner" of his milk..

Santa, this one is for you!

If "chronic carton chugging" is an issue in your house,

 I've got printable labels ready for you too!

Click on links below.

Milk Cow Labels

Printable Santa Stickers

These print perfectly on sheets of twelve 2.5" circle stickers

(available at most office supply stores or Paper Source)

or they can be printed on card stock and cut out with a circle punch, 

then attach to milk as a tag.

For more information and ideas join 

Got Milk? on Facebook

bloomdesigns tidymom shabbynest linkpartypalooza projectinspired

Claus Straws...the perfect seasonal sipper

Our traditional Christmas Eve gift  

just got a little more festive...

We love to drop off ice cold bottled milk and homemade cookies.

 Either our friends can enjoy themselves, or to leave out for Old Saint Nick.

The addition of "Claus Straws" makes it all the more fun.

 But they aren't just for Christmas Eve, 

they are perfect for all your seasonal sipping...

Everything tastes better through a straw!

(Claus Straws are in my Etsy Shop)

bloomsdesigns Project Inspired, homework sundayshowcase