Christmas- Family of Three!

Our first Christmas was perfect. We celebrated as a family of three back home in California. We gave Carter a few little brain toys since he is grabbing for everything now. We exchanged our gifts and then the rest of the day we got ready to host some friends for a mid day meal at our home. Being military means you have family wherever you are. We celebrated with some old friends (a year of friendship is considered old friends in the military world) and also some who are brand new to the area. It was such a sweet time.

Excuse the top of our tree. This mother of a four month old never went to go get anything to make a bow. We got into town the Saturday before Christmas and my main goal was to not leave the house after that road trip. So I grab all the ribbons off of our gifts and made a "tree topper", if you can even call it that ;)

Carter loved the wrapping paper and was a wonderful host to all of his guests! I love my smiling baby boy!

Christmas Dinner Planning!

 Christmas is two days away and I'm still wrapping gifts. Stay at home wife fail. The rest of my day will be dedicated to finishing gifts, grocery shopping, and prepping for Christmas Day meal. I'm promising myself.

We plan on having just a few of our friends over (you never know what the actual number will be when you are planning with guys). I have decided on a simple dinner..ok compared to what I normally try to plan for Christmas Day. How did anyone plan Christmas before Pinterest? Ok, most of my dishes are what my family has cooked for years so, I don't feel like I'm fakin it till I make it too much. Here are a few very traditional…very boring…but makesmefeellikeimhome dishes that will be on the Bobo's serving platters this year!

Turkey

Last year, even though I had my mom and my mother in law at our house last year, I somehow missed the idea of thawing your turkey a few days before. Don't worry. I was on top of it this year. Plus this is exactly how my grandmother does her turkey, so now I can just have my handy dandy Mac by my side in the kitchen. 

Green Bean Casserole

I always, always use Campbell's recipe. It's just the best to me. The only thing different is I load up on the French Fried Onions on top. Like, who wants to see green beans when you take your first peak at at the green bean casserole?

Creamed Corn

Honestly, I don't use this recipe only because I don't follow any recipe (I just needed a picture). Canned sweet corned, canned or frozen creamed corn, butter and sugar……I think thats it. But its yummy and my husband loves my corn and requests this a lot.

Dressing

This is actually my before picture from Thanksgiving. Failed at the after, but you get the point. DRESSING IS MY FAVORITE THING EVER. And it better have lots of sage, like the first time I watched my mom make it, I thought she messed up big time. But its good and I love it and I only make it once a year. I should change that.

Pepper Jelly and Mini Toast

I so wish I had remembered to pick up some pepper jelly from a Mississippi boutique while I was home. Hopefully I can scrounge up something decent at the commissary today. I saw a bag of mini toast and knew I had to add some pepper jelly to this Christmas.

And finally…….

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler

I really am following the recipe on this one. Back home when we went to Lifegroups, one of my friends made THE BEST chocolate cobbler. I'm hoping this is just as good. Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream will help out the final outcome either way!

Hope you have a special, special Christmas. I have been so reminded what this Christmas is about this year. We have seen a new way of life here in San Diego and some things absolutely break my heart. I pray we open our eyes and our hearts to those in need this season and let it be a habit that doesn't go away after December 25th. Hold those you love as close to you as you can! May the next two days  (and many more after that) be filled with blessings and peace! 

Victoria

Busy Season

It's a busy season in the Bobo household. Finally wrapping up on organizing our home. Almost impossible in the middle of Christmas season. But it couldn't be a cozier time here! The weather is a little chilly. Way chillier than I expected. Most days, Rosie and I are huddled up by the space heater sewing or wrapping presents.

(It wasn't on at this point…What a smart dog ;) )

Oh and while I am on the topic of sewing….WHERE HAS THIS SKILL BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE?... I want to show you what I have made, but they are mostly family Christmas presents, so I can't post just yet! So much fun. And so handy. Nick and I have taken this whole week and made most of the Christmas presents that we are giving to our family! I'm ready for a slower time so I can make us some goodies as well.

Tomorrow, I'm going to meet a few blog ladies for my first blogger meet up! I will try to sneak a few pictures in to show next week! I am super excited to meet some girls from San Diego! I have already met one sweet blog friend, Katherine, who lives just North of San Diego. We had so much fun seeing Frozen on Monday and checking out a cute bakery in her neck of the woods! Definitely will be seeing her again, actually tomorrow to be exact! Go show her some love!

That's been my busy week! Now we are about to be off to Nick's work Christmas party! 

Victoria

Update: It's been a while!

Oh hey there.

I am honestly embarrassed about the length of time I have not blogged. It's just been BUSY. So since my last post, we have moved and settled into our condo by the beach! Yes, I can see sand from the front door! I can hear the waves and smell the salty air of the Pacifica Ocean. Rosie has a park across the street which I visit every morning with her in my pajamas. It's California. I can do that.

I've had some fun exploring the area the past few weeks. I've gotten to spend tons of time with Nick and we have finally found our routine. He is just the best. I'm glad I married him.

On Black Friday, we ventured into the mountains and visited a little town called Julian. Julian is known for their apple orchards (and apple pie, of course). It is absolutely the quaintest little town. We visited all the store in the downtown area. We left with Christmas potpouri and a whole apple pie.

I have never had a real tree for Christmas and this year I knew that was a tradition I wanted to start. Julian had a cute family owned Christmas tree farm that was perfect! It took us about 2 minutes to find our tree! It look perfect with my DIY tree skirt.

It took us a couple of days to get all set up for Christmas but we finally got there and I'm happy with it!

During my engagement, some precious ladies hosted a holiday shower for me. I got so many sweet things to decorate my house with for each season. One of the most special gifts that I received was BOXES of ornaments from Nick's sweet Mammie. These aren't just any ornaments. She has been collecting these Hallmark ornaments since Nick was born that she planned on giving him once he got married. Makes your heart melt. I have dozens and dozens. Sentimental things like this just fill my heart with joy. And this sweet woman didn't even tell Nick about them all these years. We will cherish these for years and years, and I know our future babies will enjoy them so much. The one pictured above is my favorite for obvious reasons. 

I realized I was just taking pictures of myself in most of these, so here ya go!

You can purchase this cute Advent Calendar here. I'll be using these every year! I just love them!

I didn't get to use my Christmas dishes last year, so these babies were out on the table on Thanksgiving! Now for napkins and a table runner! 

It's different here. Really different. And I get asked all the time where I am from. I sound like a little country bumpkin apparently. Did I tell you the movers called me Ellie May?

Well, there is my little update! God is blessing us so much and we are enjoying this new season with each other. I'll be back soon, I promise! ;)

Oh yes, and before I left MS, I was able to go to dinner with my family and get some good pictures! Now that I am 2,000 miles away, moments like this mean so much to me!

Happy Wednesday!

Victoria