Christmas Stockings

This year I decided that everyone in the Shaulis family needed a new stocking... We were using our traditional beloved ones of old, and the new additions to the family were using mix matched ones! This Christmas season I took on the task of seamstress and got started... I am not the most accomplished on a sewing machine, but I get the job done... Just a few broken needles and a few exposed seams! I made an outline of our old stockings and added a few more inches to challenge the family stocking stuffer to up her game!

Artisan Bread

 Artisan Bread in less than 5 minutes a day? YES! They were not lying! This recipe changed the way I will make bread forever! No more kneading, no more bread machines, and no more planning ahead for fresh oven baked bread!!!

Italian Artisan Loaf

These people are genius! Co-authors Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois created a basic recipe for all kinds of artisan breads! From french baguettes to cinnamon rolls, this simple 4 ingredient recipe does the trick! 5 min prep time, 2 hour rise time, then put the dough into a loosely sealed container in the fridge and you will have bread dough ready for the making! 90 minute proofing before baking... I'm not sure I am sold on the title of the book, but the master recipe is genius!

Buy The Book! Barnes&Noble Link : "Artisan Bread In Less than 5 Minutes a Day"

 ~MASTER RECIPE~
1.5 TBSP Active Dry Yeast
1.5 TBSP Kosher Salt
3 Cups Lukewarm Water
6.5 Cups All Purpose Flour

• Mix until all dry ingredients have been incorporated and cover with a wet paper towel for 2 hours... 
• Form into loaf 
• 90 minutes to proof
• Slash with sharp knife
• Place in the oven on 450 Degrees F for 35-45min

(Specific Instructions)
Bake on Pizza Stone
Put a metal pan below the stone
Place bread on the stone
Pour hot water into the pan below (Immediately close the oven door to hold in the steam for good crust to crumb ratio)

Cinnamon Rolls with White Chocolate Drizzle

Simple Artisan Loaf (Great for Paninis)

Boston's 1st Christmas!

 My baby boy is now 10 and a half months, and it was quite an exciting Christmas for the whole family! He got everything on his and Mommy's wishlist! TOYS GALORE!!!

Melissa & Doug Wooden Sushi Play set

At the end of the day I think we are more than blessed!

Aw.. The smell of the season!

The smell of Christmas fills my... Closet! One more month, one more month! Day after Thanksgiving this babies are being spread abroad! I picked these scented pine cones up at Joanna's Crafts and Supplies for $3! Can't beat it!

Organization, I think so... No more ugly boxes!

Little Organization in the Kitchen! 

Homemade Relaxation!

My New Best Friend~ Neck Wrap!

I wanted something warm and relaxing, now that winter is among us! So I decided to sew a neck wrap, I used dry split peas for the stuffing and just a piece of scrap fabric. Maybe one or two minutes in the microwave and it stays relaxing warm around my neck for 30min!!! I am in love!

Feeling a Little Creative...

Feather Owl Pillow DIY

I found myself with some extra fabric and I thought why not make a little something for my baby boy! When Boston was born I was obsessed with everything owls... So that became the theme of his nursery and basically him. Now every time he sees an owl, he can't help but recognize and grin! This put a very big smile on his lil chubby face! 

THE STEP BY STEP

(PS I am not a seamstress)

#1 Choose fabric and gather supplies (sewing machine, scissors, fabric, stuffing, and marker)

#2 Lay out 1/2 yard fabric pretty sides facing each other

#3 Draw an owl outline, doesn't have to be perfect! 

#4 Cut out pattern 

#5 Cut round white eyes, nose, and wings. I used scraps on everything! 

#6 Sew them on to one side of the cut out pattern

#7 Flip pattern sides together and sew together (Leave a small hole on the bottom for stuffing)

#8 After you stuff your owl, pin the hole together and sew shut. (I sewed a bean bag in the bottom of mine for weight and stability)

And there you go!!! 

The Details...

 Mr. & Mrs. Alex Parke

 Bridal Gown- McDaniel Furs and Bridal Boutique

Venue Harvest Assembly in Fair Play, Missouri

 Winter Wonderland Wedding

 Guest Book Sign In

 Rehearsal Dinner Centerpieces

 Reception Tables 

 Place Settings- Smartyhadaparty.com

 Small Guest Tables

 Wedding Cakes by Staci Mauck

 Communion Table

 Guest Sign In and Gift Table

 Runner and Stage

 Unity Sand Table

 Beverage Station

 Wedding Party Table

 Crystal Gem Bridal Bouquet

 Reception

 A1 Limousine Service

The Start...

The Wedding... 

I will share my finds, steals, and buys.

Starting with The Photographer: David Coleman @ dcolemanphotography.com

By far the best purchase we have ever made. Spending hours of planning and perfecting, paid off when we received our photographs. We reminisce of all of our wedding memories often, and love to look back at all the photos telling the perfect detailed story of our big day!  

The First of Many...

I am away from my home computer right now and it is killing me. I want to BLOG! I finally accepted the challenge of my older brother to start a blog. So here I am. There is more to come...