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Our Christmas Bucket List

We're calling today's blogging session "bougie blogger's lunch" i.e. I'm blogging, and Scarlett is enjoying her Angus Barn stuffed potatoes (for those not local to the Triangle, Angus Barn, to me, is the pinnacle birthday / Christmas decor restaurant). Leighton didn't like purees, neither does Scarlett, but Scarlett has been most smitten with these potatoes and the famous Angus Barn appetizer cheeses which consists of cheddar and blue cheese. I'm enjoying would-be-cold coffee, because it's noon, but my fave Cyber Monday purchase arrived from Amazon, and it has changed my morning to noon coffee game. It's this carafe but was just $19 over the weekend. All that to say, we're mission accomplished on laying out our December days via Our Christmas Bucket List. Order subject to change, but here's a rundown of 25 ways we'll be making this month merry. I started this last year in an effort to make every day count instead of running around asking myself what now? I hope it helps give you some ideas, too.

1. Make homemade ornaments. Could be anything, a kit from Michael's or the Dollar Tree. I got a set of two plastic clear ball ornaments from the Dollar Tree for you guessed it, $1. I painted the girl's hands white and stamped them on the ornament, Sharpie-ing and painting on little eyes, buttons, noses, hats, scarves and arms for a little snowman crew. Leighton did hers all on her own. Here we go!

2. Go see free Christmas lights. I feel like every town has a someone who goes all out. We're heading to Christmas Lights on Holt Road in Apex which can be best described as a mansion that literally stops traffic with its all lit up beauty. Details.

3. Eat a candy cane. Added a bag of teeny tiny ones to our grocery order this week. Easy as that. 

4. Pizza party and a Christmas movie. The pizza is frozen, our fave is Screamin' Sicilian Supreme, and the movie will be whatever Leighton picks. We eat the pizza at the coffee table is the treat, barricading off our little party area from our dog, Bentley. Once the girls are fast asleep, Hank and I will watch Christmas Vacation and split a bottle of wine. 

5. Festive ice cream. The Christmas flavors are here, and the search is on for the candy cane ice cream that has the tiny crunchy candy cane bits in it. I’m going to check out our local shop Fresh in Apex who rolled out their whole crew of very merry flavors including candy cane, holiday sugar cookie, gingerbread and frozen hot chocolate.  

6. Santa brunch. A tradition our clubhouse puts on. Santa in a mask and cranberry crusted chicken with champagne sauce, we're here for it. 

7. Write THE Christmas list and mail it. This one is not edible haha. Our town has a real cute Santa's mailbox they put outside of Town Hall. Leighton will write her list out, and we'll cruise on over to make the drop. I already got a sneak peek as the other night she saw Santa and told him she would like a Barbie Dream ... and he interrupted her and said ... House, and Leighton said, no a Barbie Dream Plane, and Santa replied, "because when the house isn't good enough." I was dying ... Still am as I type this ... Scarlett is eyeing the Little People Disney Princess Parade.

8. Cut out paper snowflakes. Hang in window. Instant never-gets-old charm. 

9. Cart and cocoa. I'm going to make hot chocolate in the above mentioned carafe, a tiny traveling cocoa bar too with cups and mini marshmallows, grab the blankets, see the neighborhood lights by way of golf cart, stop midway in a cute garden to pour the cocoa, then finish out the light tour with warm hands and warm hearts. This one could totally transfer to a car or just a hot cocoa night. 

10. Mail holiday cards. Leighton helps with the stuffing and stamps thus a holiday activity was born.

11. Make snow. Ariel did this at Leighton's birthday party this year (my guess is Elsa taught her how), and it was simply baking soda, super cold water and a little magic followed by an outdoor snow fight.

12 - 13. Surprises. Holding two spots for surprises. Last year I did a CHARM IT necklace and a few charms, this year I'm thinking some Dollar Tree fun, because I saw so many cute things there like light-up necklaces, plastic nutcrackers, solar-powered Santa and the likes. 

14. Welcome an elf. It’s not a day you can predict. And never say never! That’s all I’ll say about that. 

15. Be in a Christmas program. Leighton’s class puts together a Christmas program at school that we’ll get a link to enjoy. Featuring songs like “Up on the Housetop,” “I’m a Little Santa,” “Away in a Manger,” “Jesus is Savior” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” there’s sure to be a good at-home dress rehearsal. 

16. Nights of Lights at Dix Park. We usually bounce around the Triangle going to this and that, this year we'll still be bouncing but in our car for this drive-thru light show. Details.

17. Chick-fil-A and the Nutcracker. A tradition with Leighton and her cousin Millie where in pre-COVID times they would dine fancy and then head to the high school ballet. For year three of this tradition, we're grabbing Chic-fil-A take in, watching the Nutcracker on TV and snacking on popcorn - still in our red matching All She Wrote Notes "Merry Christmas Y'all" long sleeves.

18. Popcorn party and a Christmas movie. The same as number four but with popcorn, and the movie will be whatever Leighton picks, again. We eat the popcorn at the coffee table is the treat, barricading off our little party area from our dog, Bentley. Once the girls are fast asleep, Hank and I will watch Four Christmases this time (loveee some Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon in this one, Hank likes it too; Scored the DVD on Amazon for $3.99, because I was paying to rent it every year) and split a bottle of wine. 

19. Get a cute gingerbread man cookie. Love scouting out a cute bakery that bakes up actual gingerbread man cookies. Some options I'm going to look into Monuts in Durham (where I got a peep of their gingerbread cookies wearing masks). 

20. Crafts with dad. Hank always googles up something cute like a handprint wreath or tree craft that's been on a mug, canvas or ornament, and that I surely cherish. This year it's sure to be double the fun with two little girlies. I get out of the house for a bit while they make it happen.

21. A Very Bestie Christmas + Christmas Golf Cart Parade. Double header! It's year 16 of A Very Bestie Christmas with my bestie May, a tradition we've been up to since we were roommates in college. It's all fun, part Mexican fiesta, part gift exchange. This year we're pairing it with my neighborhood's Christmas golf cart parade. 

22. Fieldstream Farm Festival of Lights. We usually bounce around the Triangle going to this and that, this year we'll still be bouncing but in our car for this second drive-thru light show. Details.

23. Make cookies for Santa. Because, gotta have them.

24. Dipmas + Read The Night Before Christmas. Another double header ... Dipmas answers what's for dinner on Christmas Eve, dips! And the best bedtime story of all on this eve, The Night Before Christmas. Goal is to definitely enjoy church service on this day too, from home with candles (!) I'm thinking.

25. HBD Jesus. Be sure to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus at some point today. 

And that's a wrap! Each of these are written on a piece of paper and placed in the above advent calendar drawers, from Hobby Lobby, decorated at home. Every morning Leighton gets so excited to open a drawer, and see what the day will bring. DM me on Instagram @sayecheese with your ideas, I'd love to hear them. Merry, merry.

Other ideas: 

Build a gingerbread house. You can find a kit pretty darn cheap, and it's easy entertainment. 

Christmas book marathon. Pretty simple, read as many Christmas books to the girls as they can stand outside of the usual bedtime story time. My dad got the girls this book that's too much of a party for bedtime, has the words with all the most popular Christmas carol music to go with it, so this would be a good time to sing it.

Welcome Back Self

Wow. Since I last posted Leighton turned four, we've experienced a global pandemic and had our second little girlie, Scarlett Love. You can catch up on the last four years - oh my goodness - over on Instagram, I'm @sayecheese. I always loved this little space, feels nice to be back ... ish, I think mostly for times when my Instagram caption would be so long it'd flow into the comments, but we will see.

I Wuf These

From a visit to my favorite coffee shop, Thanks a Latte, to a wedding in downtown Raleigh, this weekend was brimming with a few of my faves. My mom came to visit too, and after church on Sunday, I said mom, we HAVE to swing by the Waggin' Tails pop up in Raleigh. She was so down. The owner, Caroline, and I met last year through our Carolina roots. She actually (!!!) covered my maternity leave and by covered I mean she gave me the best. gift. ever. (i.e. uninterrupted time getting to know Leighton). And!? We became friends. Oh life, you are too sweet.

Waggin' Tails radiates happy - ask Bentley (Hey, B!). It's really nicely made bandanas and bowties. I love supporting fellow entrepreneurs, local delights and Carolina alumni - Waggin' Tails is all of that. You know it's a good thing when you have some of something and love it so much, you're still wanting more. Bentley ohhhs and ahhhs over his Stars, Stripes and Shades (pictured above), Donut Worry, Bark Happy, Pinata Pawty and Beggin' for Brunch bandanas (pictured below).

He's still begging for Sprinkled With Love (pictured above), In My Mind and all of them really. How cute are the names, too!? Go get lost on the Waggin' Tails site for a bit because you (and your pup!) won't regret it.

Recipe: Chicken in the Garden

Someone made a rendition of this casserole during our first few weeks of life with Leighton. It was memorable and easy enough to make again so here we are. We switched up the recipe a bit and made it our own. This can easily be made vegetarian if that's your thing, too. It's a weekday goodie and is leftover worthy if you're in need of some next-day lunch.

Ingredients 

2 yellow squash, sliced (no need to peel)
2 bunches broccoli (cut off and use the florets, minimal stems)
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 rotisserie chicken, cleaned and chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons sugar
20 ritz crackers, crushed (about 3/4 cup)

Directions

In a small skillet, add one tablespoon of butter over medium heat until melted. Add the chopped sweet onion. Saute for 10 minutes or so until slightly browned and soft - caramelized onions are the goal. In a separate large skillet, add the squash, broccoli and carrots. Fill the pan a quarter of the way with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 8-10 minutes or until tender (stab with a fork test). Drain well. Remove skillet from heat. Add the caramelized onions to this large skillet of garden vegetables. Chicken too. Stir in cheese and next three ingredients. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11 x 7 baking dish. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in a separate bowl. Stir together melted butter and crushed crackers. Sprinkle evenly over top of casserole. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Enjoy!