Featured Recipe and Link up! My Home for the Holidays…

Happy Friday Ladies!

It feels SO great being back on a Friday with you! Today’s featured recipe on Women Living Well are these delicious (and SUPER EASY) “Rolo Turtles” …my children enjoy making these with me every Christmas.

I always get asked for the recipe and I have to snicker (no pun intended, hehe!) because they are just so simple.

I received an e-mail from a sweet reader asking me to post photos of my home decorated for Christmas. For those of you who may know me, you know that I-hands down-have the gift of hospitality. But decorating? Not.So.Much. It is SO frustrating, lol! I wish it came easy to me, but it just doesn’t. I’m just not good at it! However, I do not let this get the best of me…I believe in having a welcoming home, especially for the holidays… even if it doesn’t look as put together as I would like.

I try to add a little Christmas cheer around the entire house-I even string lights in the kids rooms. Oh, and our tree? Well- we leave that for the kids to decorate (I know I am making some of you cringe right now aren’t I?! lol!) But, they have so much fun doing it. The decorations go up only about 4 ft, but that is the beauty of it. I pass the tree and smile every day at how silly it looks, but am reminded that it was made out of my children’s love for this very special holiday.

Here we go..

My 3 blessings -I just added bows to the door knobs.

A candle centerpiece (Marshalls) for the entertainment center…and Christmas photos from the past.

The mantel with more Christmas photos from the past. *tear*

This photo is especially dear to me. Gabrielle, our second child, was born Dec 3, 2005 (Happy Birthday princess!) Named after the angel Gabrielle who brought great news…my winter baby. The hands of Santa are my husbands.

This is where all the action is! It may look clean now- but trust me, I refuse to get worked up over spaghetti sauce on the white linen. It happens. Tide works.

The Christmas pillows and throws are out again!

My new ones (Marshalls again-I don’t enjoy shopping, but I do love this store)

I switched out my every day coffee mugs for my Christmas ones. Would you know that I got these a few years ago at Marcs for $5 for an entire set (plates, bowls, etc) ?! I bought 2! They are Target brand…Oh how I love deals!

My door – I need to do more with this wreath, I know. But, I love the classic look with white lights.

I have little glass jars with ornaments around the house…oh and candles, lots of candles! This is an after school plate I set out for the kids. I am usually making dinner around now and love it when the kids come in and talk to me about their day. Food helps lure them in, lol. Todays topics? The funniest thing that happened today,  the nicest children in their classes, and how many teeth other children have lost (they keep track of other children’s teeth! hilarious!).

Here she is! Our beloved tree….lol. I told you I let my children decorate it!

Is this not precious?

Have your children ever made ornaments like this? I remember her bringing this one home and I thought to myself “That’s just a little big, hu!”  But, it has her hands…those sweet little preschool hands…

Our son was so excited when he made me this for Christmas 4 years ago…”It’s magic Mama! When you hold it up to the light it sparkles!” Yep. It’s a keeper.

I TOTALLY had to show this one off. This is Hallmarks VERY FIRST ornament!!! My mother in law gave this to me from her collection.

Thank you for letting me share with you my home for the holidays. I would LOVE to see yours! Please link up RECIPES AND HOLIDAY related posts for all of us to see!!!! Post as many as you wish…All I ask is that you place my button (located on the sidebar) to your posts. Tweet and FB away for more visitors!

I will begin next Friday featuring my favorite linked up posts of this week!