Thursday, January 6, 2011

Snow and Hot Chocolate


Happy New Year!!!  I'm back and trying to get into the swing of things again after my little holiday break.  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!  I thoroughly enjoyed taking time to just relax, be with family, and slow down for a few weeks.

But, alas, it's time to get back to projects and to-do lists :)  I have started working on tweaking some things around the house...you know how it goes, it's the after you take down the Christmas decorations re-do!  Every year, after all of the Christmas decor is packed away, I feel the need to go around the house and infuse a little bit of new life into each of the rooms...this might just be a vase of fresh flowers added here and there, a fresh coat of paint for an old piece of furniture, or a little rearranging of furniture in some of the rooms...but it helps get me through the hum drum of the long, cold winter.  So I hope to have some things to share with you over the next few weeks!

In the meantime, here are a few pictures of my children playing in the abundance of snow that we had in the month of December...













We made homemade marshmallows for the first time over break...they turned out absolutely delicious and were quite easy to make.  I followed Alton Brown's recipe on the Food Network and was very happy with how they turned out...






My husband will be starting to install hardwood flooring in our family room this weekend, which we will paint {white or light grey, I'm still debating} like we did in Braden's room this past summer, so I am VERY excited about that!!  The house will be a mess in the process, but hopefully in a few weeks I will have a whole new look for my family room to share with all of you. 


Enjoy your weekend ahead!!!



Tracey

62 comments:

dreams on 34th street said...

Such precious faces...
Tracey, thanks for reminding me about the homemade marshmallows!
Happy New year!
~*Lynne*~

Rachel Noelle said...

Love your photos Tracey! Your kiddos are darling~ And congrats on getting your new floors soon!;) I cant wait to see how they look! Hugs, Rachel

French Farmhouse 425

Amy said...

Oh I know exactly what you mean,
I am wanting to freshen each room to start the new year off right.
Your pictures make me miss home so much this time of year.
Good luck with the floor install, I am so glad ours is over with. LOL
Happy New Year
Amy

Tracy is ... Loving Pretty Things said...

SOO excited for you, Trace!

I have a dream of painting our hard wood floors in our home....sigh.....maybe someday!!!

Can't wait to see how it ends - LOVE your snowy pics - and those marshmallows!!

mm.

xoxo

Becky C said...

Oh these photos of your kids are priceless. What fun! I'm am going to try the homemade marshmallows. I hear next week our highs will be in the 30s- cold for Louisiana.
Can't wait to see your floor, Tracey. Have fun :)
Blessings
Becky C

Annie Louise said...

Hi Tracey,
Your children look so blissful playing in the snow :) I bet the hot chocolate tasted especially good with the cold winter snow. Can't wait to see your updates.
Take care,
Jeanette

Air Kiss - Lara said...

Lovely pictures! I've missed your fresh and inspiring posts, but I am glad to hear you had a wonderful holiday season. Your homemade marshmallows look incredible and I love that mug. :)
Lara xx

Lisa said...

Happy New year, it's good to see you back! But your time was well spent, family is all that matters!

Be well,
Lisa

michelle said...

Beautiful pictures! The kids looked like they enjoyed the snow and the hot chocolate with the homemade marshmallows looks so good!

I am glad that you had a great holiday! Happy New Year!

Jacqueline said...

Dear Tracey,
Beautiful photographs of your children in the snow.
It's lovely to hear that you had a good Christmas and a well-earned break.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful 2011, filled with joy, happiness and many, many special moments. Thanks for all of your lovely comments and support throughout 2010. Here's to more blogging friendship in 2011. XXXX

It's me said...

Hi Tracey......nice to see that you are back !! happy new year......lovely post great pictures !! enjoy your day darling......love love Ria...xxxxxx......good luck with your diy project......xxxx...

Tricia - A Rosy Note said...

Oh, those marshmallows look yummy. I'll bet your cute little kids thought so too.

Good luck with your hardwood floors...I can't wait to see how pretty they look ♥

Ashley said...

I'm with you, when Christmas is over, I do some refreshing around the house and wait patiently for Spring :) Xoxoxo

Blondie's Journal said...

Your children look so sweet with their little red noses! I bet they really enjoyed those marshmallows!

Your floors are going to be gorgeous. A big project but so worth it. I can't wait to see your pictures!

Happy to hear your year has started out so great!

XO,
Jane

Julie said...

Your kids are so cute! :) I'm a little jealous about all that snow you have. It's pretty much been gray skies and rain here day after day after day.... Glad you enjoyed your holidays!

Brooke said...

I wanted to let you know your post was
so beautiful that it is featured on
WebGarden today. Our readers enjoy
getting ideas and inspiration. I hope
many will follow your blog after visiting.
Thanks for sharing your gardening talents!
~Brooke (CreativeCountryMom)
http://creativecountrymom.blogspot.com/
Here is the link to see your post....
http://www.facebook.com/pages/WebGarden/261885457648?ref=ts

Char said...

Oh you know they must have been so good, just look at those great smiles. Char

Amy Kinser said...

If you ever have a book or magazine or just about whatever else it could be, I will be the first in line to bring it home. You are an amazingly talented lady and I love reading any post you have. Even your cocoa looks amazing. :)

I do want to clarify that I know God has given you every gift and ability you have. He is the Potter and we are the clay. I just think you have done very well with what He has given you.

chateaudelille said...

Ive tried making marshmallow but they are never quite firm enough. I might try the recipe you used if i can get it. Fiona

Damaris said...

Just PRECIOUS!! And those marshmallows, YYUUMM!! XXOO, Damaris

Jeanne Oliver said...

I love when you share photos of your sweet children. That first photo is wonderful!!! Can't wait to see the floors.

Whimsey Creations said...

And I thought I was the only one who put away the Christmas decorations and then re-decorated LOLOLOL Somehow I just have to change things up a little for the new year!

Katy Noelle said...

Oh.my.goooooooodness! Those marshmallows and hot chocolate look like they could fix the whole world!

Tracey, at Christmas, it got more than a bit crazy and I've, just now, had a chance to go and see your posts from the middle of December (ish). You know, it's refreshing, inspiring and beautiful, still, in January! Cool!

Love and best wishes to you and your family, this next year!

Katy Noelle xo

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Tracey

Beautiful shots of the kiddies.. looks like that had a ball..

Wanted to wish you a wonderful New Year filled with love and happiness.. xxx Julie

Secret Garden Cottage said...

It looks like your kids are having a great time in the snow, Tracey... they're so adorable! Your pics look beautiful! That hot cocoa looks delicious... nothing better when it's coooold out! :)
Can't wait to see your new wood floors!
Enjoy the rest of your week, my friend!
xoxo,
Jo :)

Cindy Swanson said...

Home-made marshmallows? Who knew there was such a thing!
Tracey, your blog is so incredibly beautiful. Do you have a tumblr blog as well?

traci said...

the cocoa and marshmallows look amazing. perfect for these cold days. great snow photos. the kids looks so cute.

Country Dreaming said...

Very cute pictures--can't wait for our first real snow. A dusting doesn't count in my book!

Happy Friday to you.

melinda

The White Farmhouse said...

Homemade marshmallows?! Weeeell.... aren't you the industrious one! I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve. Your house is already so gorgeous! Your children are just beautiful. Love the last one's smile. That is just priceless!

Lili said...

The shots of your kiddos out enjoying the snow look like little L.L. Bean ads!! Oh and I have been making home made marshmallows too! I also have been craving fresh flowers in the house already, can't wait to see how you have infused your place with a few breaths of fresh air! xoxo ~Lili

Florence said...

Once you have had home made marshmallows it is hard to go back to the store bought. Enjoy! Florence

Inspiration i vitt said...

Hello dear friend, so nice children you have, lovely pictures of them. Hope the new year will take you on many fun experiences and new opportunities. So nice that you've had time off, you need to rest sometimes. Many many warm hugs to you Tracey / Ingela.

Bine Beldecor said...

Hello dear Tracey,
wishing you and your family a wonderful 2011 with joy and lots of happiness. The pictures of your kids are sooo lovely!
Warm hugs
Bine

Robynne's Nest said...

Tracey, your photography is brilliant (I'm starting to sound like a Brit) and your children just gorgeous! I too have always been restless to re-decorate/re-organize the house straight after xmas. (I always thought I was a bit nutty but every second blog I read...women are saying the same!) Even when living in Australia, I would be itchy scratchy to start a new project...so it can't be climate related for me. However with the miserable weather here in England and the fact that I'm in a rental is driving me crazy. Thank god for blogging..it helps a lot. Have already changed the look of my blog and will try to concentrate on improving my photography skills. Looking forward to seeing your home improvements! Robx

Yvonne - Frl.Klein said...

Dear Tracey, how are you?
Your photos are so great!
Your kids are so lovely and we like here hot chocolate too!
I wish you and your family a happy new year!
Big Hugs,
Yvonne

Privet and Holly said...

Inspiring pics, Tracey!
Just starting a photography
class and it's these types
of images that keep me
motivated. I may need to
whip up some marshmallows,
too ~ yum! Stay cozy!
xx Suzanne

Susan said...

Welcome back Tracey! Glad to hear you enjoyed your holidays. The hot cocoa & homemade marshallows look so inviting. Terrific pics of your children. I think your younger ones look the same age as mine (I have a 5 1/2 year boy and 3 1/2 year girl). Isn't the snow fun? Looking forward to seeing more of your projects this year.
- Susan

Morning T said...

Welcome back and happy new year to you Tracey! Your kiddos are precious and great photos.
Hugs~
T

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

What a face....got to love that..man I miss that age,enjoy every second cause one day you will wake up with a house full of adults...which is just as lovely but very different! Looking forward to seeing your family room...the kitchen is getting there,last thing to do next week is the new cabinets so should be done by mid month....at last! Enjoy your weekend,no pillow yet maybe today! xoxox

Leah C said...

Beautiful photos, adorable faces! A little dose of sunshine on this dreary grey winter day:) Homemade marshmallows? Never knew you could make your own!

High Street Cottage said...

Hi Tracey, What sweet photos of your children. And the marshmallows not only look pretty I bet they're yummy. I love Alton Brown. I will have to try that for a special treat. Can't wait to show you what I did with the pillow I got from your shop. I had company over on Sunday and they all loved it. xoxo tami

Jboo said...

Such adorable kiddos! Sounds like the projects are starting up! Can't wait to see the final results! Have a fun weekend!

Janet

AnthonyRosesShabHome said...

I'm glad your back I've missed your posts!

paperbird said...

my weekend goal is to make homemade marshmallows!

yours look so yummy tracey and what sweet faces. i love the first photograph- the coloring is gorgeous!

happy new year dear tracey!

LLH Designs said...

I love and appreciate every single thing about that first photo! Well done!

Blessings to you in 2011!
Linsey

Brandy said...

Beautiful pictures! Love the white stuff, wish we had some here. Thanks for the beautiful post.

Petie said...

The glove pic is BEAUTIFUL! Love reading your blog. Happy New Years!

classic • casual • home said...

Just found your beautiful blog. You are so talented!
Mary Ann

Blessedmom's Simple Home said...

Your children's photos are so sweet. Homemade marshmallows, that sounds yummy. I'm going to have to check that out.
Blessings,
Marcia

Sharon @ Roses and Rust said...

Your photos are amazing and the snow looks so deliciously welcome as we are sweltering here in South Africa. I have recently discovered your blog and am going through all your posts bit by bit. You should be very proud of your wonderful talents.
Regards
Sharon

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Hi Tracey,
Happy New Year!
Your family, gorgeous as ever.

Your floor will be lovely, both colors sound lovely, know you'll pick just the right one.
xo~Tracie

Ms. K @ Write On Thyme said...

Gorgeous children! Angels in snow. Have never tried marshmallows but saw someone recently do them in lavendar. Might have to combine the recipes! I have yet to take down my christmas decorations. Alas, this weekend. Looking forward to your new rooms of fresh energy!
Bonne annee!
Kirsten

hometown girl said...

nice to see you back :) your children are beautiful! susan

leslie said...

Lovely pics, especially the hot chocolate. Lots of snow in Connecticut yesterday and expecting more today. Hot chocolate is sounding very good.
leslie

Susan said...

Hi Tracey,
Thanks for your sweet comment on my winter whites. I was just perusing www.frenchbleuvintage.com store (Flea Market section) and saw the exact same Madonna and Child statue that I found at HomeGoods and painted white for Xmas. Are you still looking for another one? She's gold, but you can work your magic.
Have a great weekend!
- Susan

Barbara said...

I love those pink mittens AND the adorable smiling faces! :)

I had hardwood floors installed..but left them dark which is a great foil for my white and blue fabrics. Don't think I would do it if I had my family here all the time though...every spec shows up!

Rebecca said...

Hi Tracey
Glad you had a wonderful Christmas holiday, the pictures of your angels are so sweet.
Wishing you a blessed new year filled with love and happiness.
It sounds like you have your projects lined up as I have mine.
For me it is good to dive into them in January so I don't think about the long winter ahead of us.
Blessings my friend
Rebecca

Melissah said...

I'm an interior designer from Melbourne, Australia - I loved your blog, I found it very inspiring. This is all new to me but I have just set up my own blog
scrapbook-melissah.blogspot.com
You may like to check it out because I had so much fun doing it.
Thanks for providing me with such great entertainment!
Cheers
Melissah

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Your marshmallows look fantastic, Tracey! I must say that I've been missing your posts lately... :)

Alisa said...

Oh, your marshmallows look so yummie! I may need to make some!

The enchanted home said...

Tracey thanks so very much for your incredibly kind comments on my new blog! Means a lot coming from a pro like you..and I respect your opinion greatly since I think you have done a fabulous job...in fact just recommended you to a friend who is also going "blog crazy" as am I!
All the best and I will surely be back:)

Victoria said...

What a beautiful blog...tks for the marshmallow recipe will definitely give it a try.