Merry Christmas!

December 21, 2021

We are soaking in the moments here, friends! It's Christmas week and what better way to celebrate than to have our hearts and eyes peeled towards the magic of this season. The twinkle of lights adorning a tree. The boys singing (their own lyrics) to carols in the back of the car. The crinkles of lines forming around our eyes as we laugh together. Looking back on this year I am floored by the power in presence. Ironically that was my word for this year, and I really believe God moved in that to show me that His presence is what I cant live without. His presence is where I find my joy. And there's no better present we can give to anyone than His presence, His love spilling over, from being with Him.

Because of you, I know the path of life,
as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence.
At your right side I experience divine pleasures forevermore!

Psalm 16:11

We took last minute family pictures with our sweet friend, Taylor! To make sure we got our Christmas cards mailed in time I decided to try my hand at designing our cards this year. Admittedly, I'm still scarred by last year's hot mess postal service since some friends didn't get our cards till February... :)

This is the last post of the year! Come January we'll be diving into the Q4 book review, 2022 goals, and a year in review!!! In the meantime, I will be dreaming up fun things for next year in the Mexican sunshine (vacay here we come!!!).

Merry Christmas from my fam to you and yours. And... let's go blue!!!!!

XO, the Nowicki's

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Peppermint Marshmallows

December 16, 2021

I'm dreaming of a white...

....fluffy peppermint marshmallow. ;)

In my last post I mentioned I made these as favors for our small group Christmas and they did not disappoint! I subbed the peppermint extract for 1 drop peppermint essential oil and it was the perfect amount of fresh, mint flavor. These marshmallows are pretty simple to whip up and are a fun addition to any warm cup of cocoa/coffee/latte.

Peppermint Marshmallows

1½ cups water, divided

4 packets unflavored gelatin (each envelope is ¼ oz.)

2 ½ cups granulated sugar

1 ¼ cup light corn syrup

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 drop peppermint essential oil (or 1 tsp peppermint extract)

Few drops of red food coloring

½ cup powdered sugar

1) Grease a 9 x 13-inch jellyroll pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment and grease parchment.

2) In a stand-mixer bowl, add ¾ cup water. Sprinkle the gelatin on water and let sit for a few minutes to soften.

3) In a medium saucepan, combine the rest of the water, sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to boil over high heat. Once boiling, use a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 240 degrees. Remove it from heat.

4) Using a mixer on low speed and using the whisk attachment, mix the gelatin mixture. With the mixer on, pour the hot sugar mixture into the gelatin mixture. Pour down the side of the bowl to avoid splashes. Gradually increase the speed of the mixer to high and beat the mixture until stiff peaks form about 10-12 minutes. Add in vanilla and peppermint oil. Mix for an additional minute. The mixture should be cool, white and fluffy.

5) Pour the mixture into the prepared pan using a spatula. Smooth the top with a clean spatula. Add a few drops of red food coloring and using a butter knife, swirl the coloring on top. Let cool and firm up at room temperature, uncovered, overnight.

6) When ready to cut up, sift the confectioner’s sugar onto a working space. Turn over the marshmallow onto the sugar. Using a greased sharp knife, cut the marshmallows into squares. Roll again in powdered sugar.

** Can store marshmallows in a container for up to 1 week

Add marshmallows to warm beverage and "voila" an instant upgrade to a "cup-of-cheer"!

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Celebrating the Season

December 13, 2021

You can catch me, or any of my girlfriends for that matter, singing the line "it's the holiday season" in a deep, fabricated crooner voice for it's Christmas time!!!

When you feel a jolly moment rise up embrace your inner crooner and give that line a whirl. Maybe even add a little shoulder shrug. It's a real treat.

December is FUN.

There is so much festiveness I'd love to partake in, but I'm learning there's a line I have to draw so my heart isn't stretched to a point of stress. There’s a gift in slowing down and being present versus trying to do it all.

To keep my heart in check and not push me or my family into highspeed here are ways we are ringing in this month:

Cut-out cookie baking. Our favorite recipe is Santa-approved! The almond flavor is the KEY ingredient here. Tip: double the recipe for sharing!

Friend’s pajama party gift exchange. An annual tradition of wearing our jams & exchanging gifts. This year I'm making this homemade hot cocoa recipe and sending each friend home with a bag of peppermint marshmallows.

Cocoa & carols car ride. A family trip to see our local neighborhood lights while sipping warm drinks and singing to NSYNC or Michael Bublé Christmas albums ;)

Christmas character dinner. Showing up to the dinner table dressed as our best version of our fav Christmas characters. Most likely serving pb&j's or chicken nuggets.

Advent reading. Currently chewing on every word of Ann Voskamp’s book The Greatest Gift. She has a gift of storytelling and what better story to tell than Jesus’.

If you're reading and you feel anything but the Christmas spirit, I just want to say I see you. The world's been heavy since the beginning of time but we're all experiencing our own heavy here & now. I'll leave you with this spark of light that even in the darkest night the spirit of Christ cannot be diminished. His love is near.

The Ten commandments are more than God saying, 'Here is My Law for you'--they are God saying, 'Here is My Love for you.'
Here, I take you to be Mine, to be My treasured possession--have no other gods, no other lovers that woo you, that take your attention or affection, but Me. Here I give you My name, my very name to make you mine--do not use it in vain. Here, I long to spend time with you, holy time for you and Me--set apart the Sabbath day as holy time for you and Me. Here, I love you, bride--be united, not coveting or lying or stealing or murdering or cheating one another, but honoring and loving and living out of our love."
God knows we wander, and He woos again and again, all through the commandments: 'I am the Lord Your God.' You are mine, Make me yours. Am I yours? God gives the Ten commandments as more than Law--He gives them as a true commitment to love. God gives the Law because He wants there to be love.
Jesus, the Love who doesn't just die the death we deserved to die; He lives the love we've desired to live. God gives the commandments for us. God gives us the commitment of love at the top of Sinai, and He staggeringly keeps our commitment to love at the top of Calvary. --Ann Voskamp

God gives God and Jesus fulfills all the Law, all our love. This love story will never stop coming for you and me. Oh, the wonders of His love.

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Rocky Mountain National Park

December 7, 2021

If you've never hiked a national park please do yourself a favor and make it a goal to experience one. There's beauty all around us if we have eyes to see it, I truly believe that. But, let me just say the songwriter of America the Beautiful wasn't fabricating the line "purple mountain majesties." The rocky mountains are stunning. And to top it off we had a dusting of snow on the trails so I was basically transported to Narnia and loving every second of it (besides almost slipping on the ice).

On our trip we did the Emerald Lake hike which leads to 3 gorgeous lakes along a 3.6 mile trail. The next day we booked a horseback ride, through the local YMCA camp, and got to explore a different side of the park. We even galloped! My inner kid was reliving my days of watching Little House on the Prairie (Laura Ingles wannabe, anyone?).

Exploring nature, being present, frozen pizza & wine, laughter and game nights, being still and undistracted.. this trip was good for my soul. XO

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Jack is 5!

November 19, 2021

There's something about becoming age 5 that is a sweet farewell to the toddler years. We celebrated the birthday boy with a Super Mario themed party at home with the most rare sunny + 60 degree November day. To Jack his birthday party is the highlight of his year. I'm sure that's true for most kiddos, but Jack loves to plan his party details far in advance. I wonder where he gets that from? ;)

Per a newer tradition we did our Q&A for Jack's birthday interview! I love recording these as voice memos to hear how his little voice will grow as he does.

Jack's 5th Birthday Interview

FAVORITE COLOR: Teal
FAVORITE ANIMAL: Tiger
FAVORITE BOOK: The Good Egg
FAVORITE THING TO WATCH: Mini Force
FAVORITE THING TO WEAR: *accidentally skipped this question.. whoops!*
FAVORITE GAME: Super Mario Smash Bros
FAVORITE SONG: Pen and Paper
FAVORITE BREAKFAST: Bacon and scrambled eggs
FAVORITE SNACK: Goldfish
FAVORITE FRUIT: Cherries
FAVORITE TREAT: White chocolate
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT: I don't have one
FAVORITE THING TO DO OUTSIDE: Play in the sprinkler during summertime
FAVORITE THING TO DO INSIDE: Playing in my playroom
FAVORITE TOY: Sonic figures
FAVORITE STUFFED ANIMAL: Chocolate Bear
FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Winter
FAVORITE BEST FRIEND: Aiden
I AM REALLY GOOD AT: Playing my video games
WHERE I WANT TO GO ON VACATION: Disney World
WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP: Motorcycle Racer
WHAT WE DID ON MY BIRTHDAY: "Ate birthday breakfast, went to school, went to Nini's, then went to Grandpa Thomas', I got presents open, and for dinner we went to Sideline's Italian!

Now for the next fun, festivities in our home: Christmas!!!!

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Holiday Home Favorites

November 1, 2021

You know that saying "the early bird gets the worm"? Well, I'm the bird this year. All these swirling rumors/possible truths of shipping delays and stock shortages have got me on alert to act now versus waiting till we get closer to the holiday season.

My eye has been drawn to simplicity. Think greenery, cozy throw blankets, festive pillows and bedding, twinkle lights and the smell of pine. A home that is inviting and full of 'comfy, cozy are we' vibes.

Here's what I've got my eye on and some inspiration I'm drooling over.

One. Classic Christmas ribbon adorning green wreaths. Big, pretty bows for the win!

Two. I am jazzed to be adding vanilla to my oil arsenal this season. Hello 'Vanilla Bean Marshmallow' without all the toxins + artificial fragrance of the candle.

Three. I'm looking to spruce up our mantle's garland with some copper bells and mix in different types of faux greenery to give it some lush volume.

Four. Last year we got Jack this mini tree for his room so this year I bought one for Peter's room, too.

Five. How fun are these plastic plates!!

Six. Flannel bedding for the coziest night's sleep.

The weather has got me feeling like there's more to squeeze out of fall, but once we hostJack's birthday party I'm going into Mrs. Claus mode. Fa la la la la ;)

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Saugatuck

October 19, 2021

Sweet, sweet Saugatuck. I don't know if I could love another Michigan lake town more than this one. It's got Stars Hallow vibes everywhere you look:

Park with a gazebo? Check.

Delicious local coffee shop? Check.

Old homes with lots of charm? Check.

Walkable town with cute shops? Check.

Bed and breakfasts on every corner? Pretty much.

I kid you not people. I wouldn't be surprised if Luke and Lorelai were hiding out somewhere. ;)

Stay

We rented through AirBNB an adorable farmhouse with an awesome screened in porch. Perfect for game nights and morning chats. You can't go wrong with staying at a B&B, too. Mark and I stayed at the Wickwood Inn before and loved it.

Eat

Saugatuck has a variety of yummy local restaurants. A couple of my favorites are...

Uncommon Roasters- Local coffee shop that houses a lot of their own products (beans, syrups, etc). I'm not a PSL girl, but I do love their version. Their hot chocolate and homemade cookies are J + P approved.

Wick's Park Bar & Grille- Lovely patio seating that's kid friendly.

Explore

This area has options of fun all year round. I'm not sure if I love summer or fall better here. Both are just the best because each season brings something new. This time around we made sure to visit a local brewery, Virtue cider. We watched the sunset at the famous Oval Beach. Got on our game on at the bowling alley per Jack's request. Biked near the river. And walked around town to window shop and make a pit stop at the playground.