Congratulations Katie M. from Standpipe & Sprinkles for winning the wonderful giveaway from Diana Meredith Designs! You can contact Diana through her facebook to receive your $10 credit to her etsy shop! For the rest of you, make sure to check it out, still. Diana really has some beautiful creations!

Happy New Year!

Like I said yesterday, I'm so excited for 2013. Because Clark and I decided it is going to be "our year", we thought it only appropriate we stay up until midnight. We're paying for it this morning, since Michael woke up promptly around 6:30... and we didn't really get to bed until 1am. Woo hoo!

It wasn't too difficult staying up since Michael decided he wanted to be up until 11pm. He went to bed around seven or so, but then around 8:30pm woke up screaming and would not be consoled. So we moved into the living room, offered him some "juice" (water), and let him stay awake until it was easy to put him to sleep without screams. I think there's a molar to blame.

I've decided that, for now, I need to keep my resolutions private. While I desperately want to share with y'all what exactly I have in mind for 2013, I'm giving it some time. If I put it all in writing immediately and want to hold myself accountable to numerous things, I will put an overwhelming amount of pressure on myself and end up caving in a matter of days, weeks... maybe months. But I wanted to share one thing with you.


This verse is Proverbs 19:21. It is my verse for 2013.

Normally I stick to Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.:

But this year I needed something that was a little more personal. I'm not saying that knowing God has wonderful things already mapped out for me isn't comforting. I just needed a verse that took in to account the fact that I can still make plans.

Maybe this makes me a little selfish... but I'm only human. I want to know that I can make plans to my heart's content that revolve around God, and know that the plans that are meant to be will be-- because the Lord's purpose will prevail.

Happy New Year! What are your New Year's resolutions?

I am SO ready for 2013!

2012 hasn't been awful, but 2011 and 2012 definitely had more bumps in the road than I ever could have predicted. They weren't exactly as I envisioned they would be... but, then, what year has been?

Our Christmas vacation was wonderful. We got some much needed time with my side of the family. I always know when we have a wonderful time because I don't have a TON of pictures. This means that I was so distracted with the family-wonderful-togetherness that I forgot all about pictures. But, here are some that I did capture....











We felt so blessed to have a white Christmas and Michael got to experience play-time in the snow (which he loved). He screamed every time Papa or Dada tried to bring him inside from playing. He loves being too cold over being too hot, so it only makes sense he loves playing in the snow.

I haven't laid out my New Year's Resolutions yet. I'm struggling a little bit, if I'm being honest. Every year starts out with so many expectations and high hopes and then December 31st rolls around and I tend to feel like I failed because I didn't "stick to the plan".

I think this year I'm making resolutions sweet and simple, and remembering to focus on what's important. After all, I don't want to start the New Year worrying about new recipes, cleaning the house, or keeping up with the world. I'd rather greet the New Year cuddling with my babies and focusing on how wonderfully blessed I am.

I have a roof over my head, food on my table, wonderful family, the sweetest pets, encouraging friends, and the love of Christ. How could I wish for more?

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you start the New Year in a way that's the best for you.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the winner of the Diana Meredith Designs giveaway! If you haven't entered yet, today's your last chance!

This is the best thing I made this season. Seriously. Clark ate so many he made himself sick. And I definitely couldn't resist "taste testing" a few before handing them out to friends.

So, if you're on a diet, or a chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-fiend... I wouldn't suggest making these... because you may end up eating them all.

Ingredients:

- 2.5 C flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 C butter at room temperature
- 3/4 C sugar
- 3/4 C brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/3 C milk (I used skim)
- 1 C mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
*As you will see in the pictures, I used the regular semi-sweet morsels and used the seasonal! It does make them a bit harder to make, and not as many chocolate chips in each truffle, but I wanted to be festive!*
- Package of candi-quick coating
*I do think dark chocolate works the best, but I could only find milk chocolate at our grocery store.*

Directions:

- Beat the butter and sugars together with a hand held or standing mixer. Add the vanilla and milk.
- Add your dry ingredients (flour and salt) and mix until well combined.
- Mix in your chocolate chips.

- Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Roll as many cookie-dough balls as you can. Make them with about 1 tbsp each (although mine got bigger as the process went on).

- Put them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. When you're getting ready to take them out, prepare/melt your candy coating.

- Use a fork and drop each ball into the bowl with your candy coating and then remove them and return them to the wax paper. Repeat this process until they are all done. Let them set before moving them.

- Once you make them, these will stay in the fridge in an air-tight container for a good week. I found they were a HUGE hit to give away to friends!
*These had been sitting in the fridge for a couple days before I finally got to taking pictures-- and it was late at night, yet it still looks SO delicious!*

Don't forget to enter the Diana Meredith Designs giveaway going on until New Year's Eve!


Have a Happy Christmas Eve! Remember the reason for the season.


This recipe came from Love and Olive Oil.

I needed something to give to the grandparents this year without breaking the bank. Let's face it, if you have a big family you can't ALWAYS buy everyone something. That's not the reason for the season, and homemade gifts tend to have way more meaning.

So, to spoil the surprise, we made handprint ornaments with Michael's hand. This isn't the best one (pictured above), but the best one was finished after the pictures were taken.

These are easy and if your kids are older it's a fun activity to do together for the holidays (or any time of year, for that matter)!

"Ingredients":

- 1/2 C flour
- 1/2 C salt
- 1/4 C water

Paints for decorating
Paint brushes
String/Ribbon to hang it



Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 200.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.
*Note: If you use wax paper, it will stick to the back of the ornaments to a degree. This is OK and easy to fix "loose strands". It makes the back of the ornament appear smoother!*
- Mix the dough until well combined/formed. Roll it out and press hand print into the dough. Cut around the hand in the same shape, or in a circle if you want to do it differently-- it's up to you!
- Make sure to put a hole in the dough for the string/ribbon. I used a skewer to make it, but I'm sure just about anything would work!
- Bake for around 3 hours and let sit for another half hour or so before painting. Give the paint time to dry in between colors/shapes. You don't want it running together! I'm no real artist, but I'm over all happy with my finished product!


What Christmas crafts do you like to do with you family or for gifts? Don't forget to check out the cinnamon applesauce ornaments as well!

Also, don't forget to enter the Diana Meredith Designs giveaway! Going on now until December 31st!

Hello again, Newfangled Housewife Readers!

I'm Diana and I guest-posted on Emily's blog back in November to show you some budget-friendly nursery art. Today I am here to offer a giveaway from my etsy shop; but first, I want to share a fun Christmas idea I found recently around the web and on pinterest.

 

This Christmas Tree Bread is a fun and delicious recipe from Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke. I made it last week to take to Andrew's work Christmas party, and it was a big hit. I didn't use maraschino cherries on mine because they aren't my favorite, but the bread was excellent without them. Cute, tasty, and festive!

If you want some more great ideas, follow my Christmas board on pinterest.

Now on to something even more fun. I am very excited to give away a $10 credit to my etsy shop, Diana Meredith Designs! In my shop, you'll find beautiful and unique crocheted gifts, including - to-go cup and ceramic mug cozies,
baby hats and headbands,
coaster sets, and ladies' headbands.
You can use your credit on existing merchandise, or toward a custom order of your own design. Click on over and take a look.

Here's how to enter:

1. Be a follower of the Newfangled Housewife or like the Newfangled Housewife Facebook page
2. Like Diana Meredith Designs Facebook page

How to add your name to the pot a few more times:

1. Follow Newfangled_Wife on Twitter
2. Follow Diana Meredith Designs with bloglovin'!
3. Follow Diana on Pinterest
4. Follow Newfangled Wife on Pinterest

Leave a comment on the post letting us know what all you did. This giveaway is open until New Year's Eve. We'll start 2013 off by announcing the winner! Good luck!

While I've made classic sugar cookies just about every year since I can remember, I thought I'd take on a new challenge this year. I was trying to figure out what to send my vegan bestie... and then I thought, why not try to make my favorite vegan-friendly?

These are easy to make, but the dough is a tad bit tricky to handle (aka crumbly). Just have patience and they will fall together!


Ingredients:
(Cookies)
- 1 C all purpose, unbleached flour
- 1/2 C Vegan "butter" (I used Earth Balance)
- 1/2 C sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

- Use a handheld or standing mixer to beat together your butter, sugar, and vanilla. Next add your flour and baking powder. Add the applesauce if you feel as though your mixture is a bit dry... but beware that it is going to be "crumbly" regardless.

- Refrigerate for around an hour
*This is optional, but the dough definitely does better if you let it cool down for a bit!*
- Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare your cookie sheet.
- Be patient when you are rolling out your dough (using plenty of extra flour and handling the dough really helps). You CAN make shapes-- just be patient!

- Bake your cookies for precisely 10 minutes. Let them sit on the cookie sheet for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cook.

While they are cooling...

Icing:

- 5 to 6 tbsp water
- 1 C powdered sugar

Just whisk these two ingredients together. It may appear super runny, but that's how it's suppose to be. Your going to dip your cookie, face down, into the icing and let it sit for a good time. Add sprinkles immediately after dipping if desired.


VOILA! Vegan sugar cookies. Simple and delicious.

This recipe was adapted from: Marcus Samulasson's Simple Vegan Sugar Cookies and Oh, Ladycakes' Sugar Cookies!

Perhaps you have a holiday party or two to attend this season, Newfangled readers?

I love helping plan outfits, and Emily asked me to virtually lend a hand for an "in-between" holiday look. Something to help you make it from Thanksgiving to Christmas with ease.

So let's build a fab ensemble meant for sipping and mingling the night away, shall we? Just not too late! Michael has a bedtime to keep. ;)

ON MAMA

TOP // MODCLOTH
The tunic top is a staple now! This easy shape is perfect for pairing with a statement necklace (which I'll get to in a minute), and for not worrying about that extra lovin' all the holiday goodies can add to the midsection. I don't know about you, but I have a permanent "food baby" this time of year! Navy looks clean and chic, and I love it as an alternative to black.

NECKLACES & BRACELET // http://www.etsy.com/shop/mintlilly
These agate necklaces make a statement, simply. A sweet icy blue bracelet brings something unexpected and earthy.

LEGGINGS // OLD NAVY
On to the bottoms ... At just $10 a pop, you can't afford to not have these babies in your closet. I think they make this look breezy, as opposed to structured, which is easy to fall into with a basic black trouser. Because I know that Emily and hubby Clark like to keep it casual, I say let the top be dressy, and allow total comfort on bottom! And yes, I'm asking you to trust me on pairing navy and black. When done correctly, it works. I promise!

FLATS // SOLE SOCIETY
If you'll be standing around while you chat, it's best to select a shoe that adds both glamour and comfort. I'm not a huge fan of boots at holiday parties, myself, but I think these embellished flats are just right.

FOR MICHAEL

SWEATER // OLD NAVY
Keep Baby Boy cute and cozy, in colors to complement Mama. I also love that this sweater is heavyweight cotton. I never put my babe in a fabric I wouldn't wear myself. (Wool? No, thank you!)

CORDUROYS // SHAUN WHITE FOR TARGET
I always like an alternative to denim or cargoes for little boys; I think these on-trend, fine wale corduroys are just the ticket.

BOOTS // TARGET
I love these boots so much that I wish they made them in my size, and I definitely want to snag a pair for my daughter Maile, even though they're made for boys. These beauties feature faux fur lining, and a thick, textured rubber sole. They look like Dr. Martens or Red Wings, without the hefty price tag.

BEAR // MEILINGER ZITA
Emily told me that Michael hasn't gotten attached to a "lovey" yet, and I thought this bear was so cute, I had to include him. Zita makes beautiful one-of-a-kind handmade rag dolls and bears, all from natural fabrics and felts.

Happy Holidays!


ANNNNND...

Congratulations to Kasey Conn, winner of the Simply Modern Designs giveaway! Contact Sara through her Facebook page to receive your fabulous prize.

Congratulations to Donna Earl, winner of the Team Fearless: Relay For Life giveaway. You donated a wonderful $10 towards an amazing cause, and it definitely helped you win the great giveaway! Serena will be contacting you to get your information!