…because it’s my last day of giveaways.
We’ve done 6. Each one has had a little theme. This one — no theme. Just a collection of some of my favorite things.
1. My absolute FAVORITE baking cookbook: Baking by Dorie Greenspan. Please, do not enter unless you WANT this. I can’t wait to give this away to someone who loves baking or who wants to learn. Either way, it’s a perfect book. Dorie’s straightforward explanations are easy to understand and even though some of her recipes are a bit complex, it is well worth it. Her pie dough is to die for, Bill’s Big Carrot Cake is a staple around my house and her Favorite Pecan Pie I’ve made once on Thanksgiving and once last week. My current favorite recipe in this book is her Cranberry Lime Galette (a yummy free-form pie). You should see my copy of this book: rumpled pages, chocolate smears, dogeared corners and sticky notes splayed out on all sides. It is loved like the Velveteen Rabbit.
2. NeedtoBreathe “The Outsiders” is my favorite go-to playlist lately. In fact, click HERE and HERE to watch Chad and Chris doing a couple covers. I love this album. I mean, I really love this album. Its actually a little embarrassing. I made my husband and his musical friends learn two of the songs for my birthday party later in the week. Hopefully you will love them too.
3. My favorite lip gloss. I keep a tube in my purse at all times: Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss in Zesty Red. It does not come out red (don’t worry) but more of a wine-tint. Perfect and it smells good too.
4. And my favorites will come with a reusable canvas shopping bag from Whole Foods. I’m partial to Trader Joes but either way, the bag is awesome. I use the bags not just for groceries, but for trips to the beach, clothes for the girls for overnights with my mom, books to take back to the library. Seriously an all purpose (cute) bag.
So there you have it. My Favorite Things: Six Weeks of Free Stuff has come to an end [sigh].
But one of you will win all this awesome stuff. Leave a comment before 9pm on Tuesday night telling me about your favorite thing that happened over Christmas (favorite gift, favorite dessert, favorite song your kid sang, favorite joke someone told over the Christmas ham at the dinner table). You get the idea.
Our town has a home Christmas Light / display contest. Every Christmas my husband, and I, make a thermos of Hot Chocolate and visit all the winners. With Christian music on the radio, we not only enjoy the lights, each other, and the Hot Chocolate, but also the sweetness of the Lord.
One favorite thing was snuggling my new grandson while we opened presents. Then letting the two older grandkids spend the night. In the middle of all of this was my very favorite thing. It was seeing the delight on my sister’s face as she looked at her scrapbook that chronicled her battle with cancer this last year.
PS I would love the cookbook. I love to bake and try new recipes.
What a fun combination of “things”!
Favorite Christmas memory? Too many to count this year!
sipping eggnog with my parents, sisters, and husband by an incredible fire and beautiful Christmas tree – constantly talking and laughing. It was seriously a hallmark Christmas card
My favorite moment was when my 6 year old read Luke 2 before our Christmas dinner. It seems that this year was his first year to fully grasp the real meaning of Christmas and he spread his excitement to all around him.
First, we had a white Christmas! The first snowy Christmas in Dallas since the weather service has been keeping track!
Second, reading the newspaper with my family in from out of town every morning in front of the fire, sharing stories from the different sections & giving commentary!
My favorite thing to happen was my 22-month-old daughter sitting happily on the couch, munching on the pretzels she got in her stocking – and telling us to “wrap it up” when we encouraged her to open other presents. Pretzels is all the little gal needed.
My favorite thing this Christmas is that after 10 years of marriage, my husband really got into the holiday spirit (easily) and thoughtfully picked out gifts for me that were so specific and perfect. He didn’t need my help at all! And he picked out his own gifts for the kids rather than me shopping for everyone. Growing up, Christmas was hard for his family. Yet he’s made an effort every year to get into the holiday season. Finally, this year he genuinely seemed to enjoy it. It’s like a Christmas miracle for me
MIKI
I think my favorite part was the Christmas play at our church this year. I was a little different from the norm as it was from the Angels point of view. The FUNNIEST part was when during the play my friend, Damien, as the angel, Gabriel, accidentally told Elizabeth that she would name her son Jesus and not John. Oops!
It’s hard to pick. I loved spending Christmas with my Mom and my brother’s family. It’s been a couple years since we’ve all been together.
The funniest moment was probably when my 2.5 year old niece was in the middle of opening her stocking and she found it necessary to drop her PJ’s bottoms and rid herself of her wet diaper. She handed it to mom – pulled her pants back up and continued with her stocking
Can’t wait to watch that video! She was the entertainment of the day 
My favorite thing that happened over Christmas was reconciling with my husband. Seriously, no joke, best Christmas present EVER
My favorite part was getting together with family that I hadn’t seen all together for a holiday in years. It was truly a blessing. Close second: seeing how much my daughter loved the gifts we made/gave her.
You see my family has experienced 9 mos. of brokenness this year. I began reading your blog sometime in the middle of this and could tell that you could totally relate to what it means when you are “broken” by God. I am honored to say that we are on the mend but will never be the same. My husband is one of the pastors at our church and for the first time in 9 months he was able to take the stage on Christmas Eve and share what God has brought him through. I knew my joy was coming back, BUT on that evening and ever since, I have experienced joy like never before. Joy is my favorite Christmas gift that was given to me by my Savior Jesus Christ.
My favorite thing over this holiday season has been the joy that has been brought to my children. We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning before heading out to the tree. It was fun to watch the excitement on my children that they have never had before! and now every day my son asks if it’s still Jesus’ birthday. We also made cupcakes for Jesus!
My favorite thing is that all four of my 17-and-up children got along famously for at least 12 hours! Christmas miracle!
My absolute favorite moment was on Christmas night when some of our family was leaving and we walked them outside and looked up at the sky. There was a HUGE, glowing ring around the moon. It was as if we got a glimpse of heaven on earth…it looked like God’s eye (the moon being the pupil).
It was one of those moments that is forever etched in our minds and such an encouragement to my hubby & I. It has been a rough year for us and we just felt like the Lord was telling us that 2010 is the year for us to really start stepping out…by FAITH, not by sight. I think we could have sat outside all night looking up at the starry sky in AWE of just how precious this life is we’ve been given.
Blessings to you & your family in the New Year!
My favorite thing that happened over Christmas was my 5-year-old niece waking me up at 6:23 am by saying “I was on the NICE list Aunt Dee!” after seeing all of the presents under the tree.
My favourite thing was skyping my family back home and watching them open their presents and seeing their delight – even if we are apart.
My favorite memories from Christmas this year are my aunts dancing in the living room during our family Christmas Eve party (too funny!), and of course, the smiles on my sweet babies’ faces when they opened their presents on Christmas morning.
My favorite memory of this Christmas was going to my parents and also my in-laws and having several little family reunions. I got to see my cousins and great aunt I haven’t seen in 12 years. and Also my husband’s uncle I haven’t seen in at least 15 years. IT was a Christmas of celebrating family. And one I will hold dear to me.
I found a ping pong table on Craigslist and got it for my kids. It has been such a hit! Ping pong in the morning, ping pong at night…
my favorite thing that happened was taking the time to spend time with my family!
My favorite thing about Christmas this year was the music…there were some great new songs. I particularly love Audrey Assad’s “Winter Snow”.
My favorite thing was working with my husband and two young girls cooking something that we gave to our friends and neighbors. I guess what was really amazing is that we had about 24h of no arguments, no hurtful comments – we were careful with what we said to each other. I am clinging to this as a sign of hope for restoration…. I want to share that God is still good when it hurts.
My favorite gift this year was the puppy that my Dear Hubby gave to me! She is a 6 month old yorkie and her name is Princes Mirabella (Bella for short) ~ meaning . . . of incredible beauty and she is! She is adorable!
My favorite thing this year was being able to celebrate with 2 separate families. As my husband is across the country with the US Navy, we were unable to spend the holidays together, but having recently moved to a new place and being able to quickly emerse myself with new families from a new church has been wonderful. Another part that made it wonderful was at least being able to talk with him each night.
This was the first Christmas in our first home. My husband and I had miserable apartment experiences up until now and for three months we’ve had real sleep, room for our babies, and peace. I was so happy to have a home for Christmas, I was up at 4 AM just to enjoy it!
A few of us “big kids” took 6 of my nieces and nephews to Monkey Joe’s (crazy place with tons of inflatables) and ran and went down slides and just acted like kids with them for a good 2 hours and it was amazing. THat would probably have to have been my favorite part of Christmas.
My favorite thing was time with the family.
ok, you really really have to pick me because I have HEARD about this baking book and I really really want it! I love to bake, do this almost daily, especially when stressed, and most of the time give it away (in order to keep my waistline a little more normal). I cannot cook anything to keep my family alive, much less like it, but I can bake almost anything and would love to learn the basics the right way!
oh, for funny Christmas memory- this one was one of my favorites. My son (almost 5) wanted to give his Papa (my dad) a buzz lightyear shirt and get himself a matching one (way to sneak a present). anyway, after a massive search- we were told they do not make adult buzz lightyear clothing so I went to the disney store and bought 2 XS 2-3 (the only size left) buzz lightyear shirts, proceeded to cut out the design and sew it on to another shirt in my son’s size and matching one in my dad’s size. Needless to say, they look VERY handmade, but my dad was so cool to put it right on after opening it and then my son quickly pulled off his Christmas sweater to reveal his own shirt underneath. They matched all of Christmas evening and you could see “hero-worship” in my son’s eyes towards his papa. Definitely priceless moment!
My favorite thing was the most touching thing, and it’s the same every year. Each year at the end of the Christmas Eve service we sing “Silent Night” and light the candles and turn down the lights in the sanctuary. This year God has brought the message of the birth of our Savior to me in a new way. It’s hard to explain. But when we did this at my church on Christmas Eve, it was like I really experienced the joy of His birth for the first time.
Watching my 3 yo daughter open up her christmas gifts and with each one- she would exclaim ” It’s what I’ve always wanted my whole life”. She was so cute and so dramatic.
Thank you so much for the music recommendation. I have been listening to NeedtoBreathe all night and loving them!
My favorite part of this Christmas season was the stillness of Christmas morning. Sure there was excitement, but there was such a calmness. No where to rush off to, no work that HAD to be done, no laundry that had to be folded; just the calmness of us enjoying being together as our little family.
Oh what a great giveaway!! I think this truly was one of the best Christmas’s we have had in a long time. It was just the four of us, a beautiful Christmas Eve service which celebrated Christ’s birthday like we have never done before. A wonderful day of just being thankful for the amazing gift God gave us!
My daughter understanding how to unwrap a gift….
Enjoying the morning with my husband and 2 little kids, and some moments of it with the family we live with. Watching the kids open their presents from Nana, Papa and Uncle Greg while they were on the phone. Great conversation with my sister about how God is moving and making himself known to those stopping to listen. (“Get to know me. Get to know my voice” – ahhh, what a call to heed) My kids & their cousins oohing and aahing over the Christmas lights neighborhood display. Relaxing and watching Elf Christmas night!
LOVE these give-away items!! Would use and love them all!
favorite christmas moment: taking my 4 year old niece sledding for the first time. we went in the neighbor’s yard and used cookie sheets as our sleds (and then baked cut out cookies on them later, of course!). sledding, snowball fights, hot chocolate, cookie-baking = the perfect christmas
and i’ve just this week become OBSESSED with Need to Breathe. i heart them.
At the end of Christmas week, I brought my two year old into church with me for the last worship song (my hubby is the worship pastor). He starting singing along loudly, “Glory to God, Glory to God, Glory to God forever”. I almost lost it in the middle of the sanctuary. After a week of attempting to teach a 2 year old the true meaning of Christmas, it was an amazing gift to see him worship God in song for the first time. Made my Christmas
Hearing my 19 month-old babygirl say “I LOVE YOU” to me for the first time on her own. She is such a miracle and blessing in our life and to hear those sweet words was magic.
This Christmas had so many amazing/fun/memorable/magical moments – too many to list, but all of which I am incredibly thankful for beyond words.
Just celebrating with my 9 month old daughter and husband was my favorite thing! She is pure joy!
I have always LOVED advent calendars…like it always made me excited to put that little candy cane or stuffed Santa in it’s little numbered pocket and count down the days till Christmas morning and this year I just “knew” I would get one – but sad…I didn’t. So instead, my amazing husband wrote me a love letter every day and then gave me crazy fun and wonderful gifts to count down the days. He gifted me with fun travel games (we spend a lot of time in the car), nun-chucks, hats, earrings, stuff for my desk. It was rad and fun. I love how he loves me. Yup.
What a fantastic give-away!
My favorite part of this Christmas was watching my daughter be absolutely thrilled with her new tutu. She’s almost 4, and she tells me every day that she’s going to be a ballerina when she grows up. Watching her dance around the house in her tutu is absolutely precious!
I absolutely loved the necklace my husband gave me–a cross with a dragonfly on it. We weren’t buying one another gifts and when I found it in my stocking it was such a surprise. Both are symbols of my life, and I just love it, but I love him most!
my favorite thing about Christmas was how wonderful my kids were this year. That one year older, able to handle the excitement and anticipation that little bit better. We dragged them all over town and they just kept up, had great manners and were just generally wonderful!! Loved that.
Honestly, not to be overly sappy, but my favorite thing was simply realizing that I don’t need anything to be happy. I have been given everything for life and life more abundantly, what else do I desire? When my wonderful family, my love, and the children in my life are all around me, that is when my soul sighs with contentment and rejoices in the blessings God has given me.
Getting to see one sister a few hours the Monday before Christmas, and two other sisters (and a brother ini law and adorable nephew) after Christmas! I love my family. The new laptop was pretty nice too though.
My favorite moment was while we were visiting my mom and stepdad Christmas evening. It’s a tradition at their house that we take a family picture every year. It’s always a challenge to get my 2 year old daughter Hannah to sit still and smile at the camera. So, we all got in our places and watched as the camera started blinking to take our picture. At the last second, I said to Hannah, “Say ‘cheese,’ Hannah.” She immediately responded, “Cheese Hannah!” We all laughed so hard, it made for the best picture!
Thanks for your giveaways and for your blog. I’m so thankful I found it this year!
My favorite thing was waiting outside Christmas morning as Santa came by in the old fashioned fire truck passing out apples to the kids, in our pjs with coffee in hand, rejoicing in the beautiful day that the Lord created–priceless.
After all the chaos of two Christmases in different cities with different sides of our family, my favorite moment was when we were finally at OUR home on Christmas night. While our daughter slept, my husband and I turned off all the lights but the Christmas tree, snuggled on the couch and just chatted. Perfect ending to a great season!
I had so many favorite things this Christmas, but I’ll limit it to one and although it may not seem like a big deal, it’s a big deal to me. My husband and kids bought me a box of my most favoritest (there is no other way to describe them) candy ever…Caramel Truffles from DeBrand Chocolates. Since my husband is usually the king of gift cards, I was quite impressed. Not only did he brave the mall, but he took a teen and a tween girl with him. That’s dedication and love!
My favorite part this year was on Christmas Eve, my brother and I got the crazy idea to jump in the hot tub. In the snow. Of course we had steaming mugs of hot chocolate and winter hats. We were such little kids; it was great.