Merry Christmas... Love, the Bradfords

So this year was a little crazy and we had  a lot going on, so sending out Christmas cards fell to the bottom of the to-do list, and consequently were never done. I'm not OCD about those kinds of things though. I think they are nice, but ultimately, they just end up in the trash anyway, so I'm OK with not sending them out. I figured anyone who is close to us will, most likely, see the blog and that will suffice. So to all our family, friends and loved ones...

Merry Christmas!

I hope your holidays were filled with love and the joy of the Lord!

Here are some pictures of our celebrations....

{Christmas Eve Morning Hot Coco with Minty Mallows- yum!}

Christmas Eve with the Bradfords

Jack and his cousin Ellya

Jack and JonJon at Christmas Eve with the Gillettes

All the cousins/2nd cousins on the Gillette side :-)

My sweet parents and siblings :-)

So Blessed!

Christmas Morning at the Bradfords

Opening Stockings with Auntie Jessa and Jovan

Loving his apples that were in his stocking from Grandma and Grandpa...literally ate them all morning. He wouldn't even eat the cinnamon rolls because he just wanted apple. ok.

Trying to figure out my Christmas present...new Canon camera lens!! love it! 

Breakfast anyone? Yum!! 

Christmas Dinner with the Gillettes!

Best brothers a girl could ever have. Love them.

Michael and JBug {and more playing with the new lens }

Loves Coco!!

Fighter Fighter Dog!!

We had such a fun Christmas! I'm a little bummed we didn't take any pics of opening presents at our house....we were too busy taking video of Jack! We are so blessed and love our families so much! We also love our Savior Jesus Christ and are so thankful for Him coming to Earth so that we might have life. 

Cookie Decorating!

The kids with Mia & Papa

Tis the season! Last week was filled with delicious treats and wonderful traditions! Every year the girls in the family get together for a baking day, and now that we have kids the best part is the cooking making/decorating! We had such a fun day and the kids LOVED every minute of it!  

{pre-cookie pictures}

Good thing New Year's is right around the corner...we'll be in need of some serious detoxing from all this sugar! So worth it though...right?

Warm and Cozy Family Rooms

Country Living

Seating Area
Salvaged chestnut floors and beams bring warmth to this grandly proportioned living room. Windows nearly floor-to-ceiling and French doors bathe the room in light from three sides. A mix of new upholstery (in chintz, crewel, seersucker), antique furniture, and a worn Oushak rug give this room lived-in comfort.





Country Living

Outdoors Meets Indoors
A mix of eclectic furnishings and vibrant sky- and meadow-inspired colors bring the airy room into comfortable scale. Rustic fabrics dress down formal wingback chairs and the camelback sofa. Tree-trunk end tables playfully contrast with a modern steel chair.




Country Living

Relaxed Luxury
A mix of practical and precious — upholstered ottomans and silk curtains, respectively — create a look that's lived-in yet luxurious. Many of the furnishings are new, but have the warm patina of age.




Country Living

French Country Living Room
A Montecito cottage living room that includes not only reds, but also turquoise blue and mustard yellow French bergères, and an 18th-century French coffee table, make it true French-country style.

If you'd like to seem more warm and cozy decorating ideas from Country Living magazine please go to:

Decorating Ideas for Living Rooms – How to Decorate a Living Room ...
Whether you call it a living room, family room, or den, this room is a place to ... Decorating and Home Improvement. Decorating Ideas for a Living Room

Country Living

Country Style Home Decor - Home Decorating Trends - Country Living
10 Decorating Trends to Try Right Now. Punch up your home with fun country trends from vegetables to farm animals...

Recipes for a New Year's Eve Buffet

New Year's Eve Buffet - CookingLight.com
Welcome the New Year in style with a grand appetizer buffet.





Holiday Appetizers - Thanksgiving Appetizers and Christmas ...
Holiday Appetizers from Country Living Magazine. Tasty dips, spreads, and finger foods perfect for entertaining any crowd.

Pigs in Blankets
Frozen pastry dough and all-beef hot dogs make up these crowd-pleasing bites.

Recipe: Pigs in Blankets






26 Recipes for a New Year's Buffet
Jan 2, 2010 ... 26 Recipes for a New Year's Buffet from Better Homes & Gardens.These main, vegetable, and starch dish recipes are great for buffet parties.

All I Really Want For Christmas

May God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
The warmth of Christmas, which is love;
The radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
The righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
The belief in Christmas, which is truth;
The all of Christmas, which is Christ.

God’s heart is to give, and He enjoys blessing us as we bless others. From my heart to yours Merry Christmas!

Christmas Dinner

Cajun Christmas Eve --This marvelous meal is full of spicy Louisiana flair. Gather family, invite friends, kick back, and relax—Cajun style.

Recipe:
Shrimp and Andouille Sausage With Asiago Grits (pictured)





Menus - Christmas Holiday Recipes - Photos - SouthernLiving.com
Holiday Dinner Party Menus.
Plan a get-together for any occasion with with these combinations of our favorite holiday foods.





The thought of spending all day cooking in the kitchen on Christmas doesn't thrill me. Which is why this year I'm thinking about trying this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis that was featured on her Christmas television special. I like the fact that it's a simple pot roast and not a standing rib roast that requires a bank loan to purchase!

Stracotto (Pot Roast) with Porcini Mushrooms Recipe : Giada De ...
Cooking Time 3 hrs and 57 mins
Food Network invites you to try this Stracotto (Pot Roast) with Porcini Mushrooms recipe from Giada De Laurentiis.