Dear Santa...

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I know there was that time with the gum... and I didn't mean for her to get stuck there for hours... but I swear, I really have been good ;)

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Did your Christmas letters ever look like that? You would be surprised what mine would say... find those here from the lovely stationery goodness created by Delphine. I also love these journals and this paperweight and this letterpress calendar.

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Now, write those letters soon, so you can get those requests in!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Delphine via bedlamofbeefy)

Winter Soup

Nothing warms you up better than a bowl of hot soup on a wintry day. Here are some of my favorites:

Chicken soup. Love the chunky veggies. Recipe here.
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Farmhouse Chowder. One of my all-time favs. Recipe here.

The colors are so vivid in this Chunky Turkey Vegetable Soup. Recipe here.

Always good to stick to a classic. Tomato Soup...yum. Recipe here.

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Find more yummy recipes in the winter soup section here. (Can you tell I check out this website a lot?)

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Martha)

Holiday Goodies

I like to cook, but even more, I like to bake. One of the best things about the holidays are the yummy treats you get to make. This is a recipe for a Linzer cookie sandwich with cherry or raspberry jam filling. I made these for a Valentine's party a while ago, but cut out hearts in the middle instead. I love the powdered sugar with the tree--so cute. These are great to make because they taste so good, but aren't really heavy, so it is a nice addition to all the other sugary or chocolate stuff we eat during Christmas.

But... if only chocolate will do, this recipe is really yummy, and perfect for any chocolate craving. The name says it all: Outrageous Chocolate Cookies :) Find it here.

Happy holiday baking!
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{Melissa}
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(pics via Martha)

Christmas Movie List

One of my favorite things to do during any break is watch movies. And the best part about this break? Christmas movies. I looooove Christmas, and Christmas movies are the best. This is a list of my must-watch list:

1. White Christmas
2. It's a Wonderful Life
3. Christmas in Connecticut
4. The Holiday
5. The Grinch
6. Little Women
7. Polar Express
8. The Family Stone
9. Christmas Vacation {family tradition :)}
10. Meet Me in St. Louis

Lots of oldies mixed in with traditional goodies. What is one of your favorites? I think White Christmas is my favorite. There is just something about the end scene where they are all singing that always makes me cry. (I know, cheesy...)

It's a holiday movie marathon tonight, so I''ll be up late. Only 6 more days until Christmas!

{Melissa}

(picture of Christmas in Connecticut)

Gift Guide Part Two

Remember all of my woeful stories about finals? Well...I am finally done! Now I can do some fun stuff over the holidays. One of my favorite things is to be crafty, so for this gift guide, I wanted to post about some of my favoirte crafty gifts.

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Don't you love the headband? At first you'd think it wouldn't turn out cute, but it looks really cool. I also love the other ideas, creating a montage of red and white candy jars, or making candles out of vintage tea cups (here's the how-to). I would love some of those as a gift.

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I am officially settling down in my bed to read a book that finally isn't required reading, so I will see you tomorrow for another post :)

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Martha and Country Living)

Gift Guide Part One

Looking for gift ideas still? Here is part one of some of my favorites. I love new cooking stuff, even if I don't always use it ;) These ideas are all about monogramming. Nothing says you've put thought into a gift like personalizing something. Put someone's initals on an apron, linen dishtowels, or have Williams-Sonoma make personal goodie packaging for the cook that loves to give away their creations.

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I am one final away from freedom! I am (almost) a happy student on vacation!

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Have a good time Christmas shopping!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Country Living, Martha, and Williams-Sonoma)

Stockings & Pajamas

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I love getting new pajamas the night before Christmas. It gives you something to look forward to, and something new to snuggle up in. I love the top picture with the red striped pajamas and the long wool stocking. There are so many variations of stockings, you can't really go wrong. I posted two other ideas I thought were cute. I love the idea of a red and white stocking, and the last pic uses scarves to make theirs.

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I woke up to more snow on the ground, which is great, except for the driving. I love it anyways.

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Have a good Tuesday morning!

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{Melissa}

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(pics via Martha and Better Homes and Gardens)