last week here in dallas we got our first taste of winter for the season. as an ohioan, this was nothing new to me. when we lived in mississippi when i was younger, we had an ice storm that was even worse than  what we just got here. however, since they dont get this weather very often here, the entire city shut down for what felt like a week (but was more around 4 days). these photos were captured the first morning after the storm. parker was outside playing in the sleet bright and early in the morning. FYI- the ground is covered in sleet, not snow. my mom kept thinking it was snow. lol

i know the holiday season is nearing an end, and most of you already decorated, but i thought i would share this anyway. i made this for my sister last week. i knew she needed a wreath and thought, why not make her a hand-made one that she could keep up past the holidays (being non-christmas colors). it was so easy to make, a little time consuming, but easy and cheap!

i bought the styrofoam wreath form at Michaels for 11$ however, i used the 50% off coupon on the site and got it for 5.50$. the ornaments i got from walmart. the little pink ones were 2.50$ a bunch and the black and white ones were 8$. i removed the topper from the ornaments and then hot glued them to the form. i started with the black and white ones and then filled in with the pink. there is no science to it. its pretty hard to mess up. it was so fun and easy to do. i see many more of these being made for the next holiday season! 

growing up, my favorite cookies my mom would make were Peanut Butter Blossoms. the problem was, she would only make them at Christmas time. she would make dozens and they were always the first gone. so naturally, they were the first cookies i made this holiday season on my own. plus, knowing how much these kids love peanut butter and cookies, i knew these were going to be hit.

i forgot to take pics of the ingredients and the first few steps, but i grabbed my camera for the important parts. here is the recipe straight from my mom! enjoy and comment below how yours turned out if you make them this year!

peanut butter blossom cookies

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
2 TBSP milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp salt
approx. 50 hersey kisses

preheat oven to 375 degrees
remove wrappers from kisses
beat shortening and peanut butter in mixing bowl
add sugar and brown sugar. beat until fluffy
add egg, milk, and vanilla. beat well
combine flour, baking soda and salt, gradually beat into peanut butter mixture
shape dough into 1" balls
roll balls into sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet
bake 8-10 minutes or until brown
place kiss on cookie and let set for 2 minutes
remove cookie from sheet to cooking rack
gobble up!