Merry Christmas!
About Stephanie Spring
Posts by Stephanie Spring:
Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
Small groups are heavily encouraged at our church. I wrote a post about a women’s small group I recently finished here. I love small groups and I am so glad I get to do life with each and every one of these couples. This past weekend, one of the couples hosted an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party. They went ALL out and it was so much fun! The night was filled with Christmas music, a hot chocolate bar, white elephant gifts, a photo booth, games, prizes, a contest for the ugliest sweater, so much food, and so many laughs.
All of the men decided to grow out their beards and shave down to only a mustache…I have no words.
And the favorite of the night…the guy’s tried to create an “awkward family photo”. I’d say they succeeded! 😉 
I hope your Christmas Eve is much less awkward than this photo and filled with so much love.
Merry Christmas Eve everyone! xoxo
Festive Holiday Favorites
1. Victoria’s Secret Flannel Pajama 2. Victoria’s Secret Fireside Pajama
3. J Crew Pajama set 4. Loft Set (found in stores)
We’re only a few days away from Christmas. I’m a planner, so if I’m being honest…most things are done. But the perks of procrastinating?! Sales, sales, and more sales! Sales on everything festive that we thought the shelves would be cleared of! The good news is that they’re still available! I spend a lot of my holiday break in my pajamas. It just happens. Stocking up on pajamas for the rest of the winter and even next Christmas doesn’t sound so bad when they are seriously discounted! Happy shopping and snuggling!
Whole Wheat Biscuits
There’s something about the house being decorated for Christmas, a chill in the morning air, Christmas music softly playing and knowing people are going to wake up one by one to the smell of whole wheat biscuits baking.
There’s something about slowly waking up, wrapping yourself in a blanket, grabbing coffee and awaiting these to be fresh out of the oven.
There’s something about knowing that whatever you top these circular masterpieces with…it will be amazing.
There’s something about trying one with butter and honey and then trying one with butter and jam.
There’s something about creating memories based upon smells, tastes, and family.
There’s something about these biscuits and I love it!
Christmas is so soon! xoxo
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk, cold
What to do:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl whisk flours, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles course meal. Add buttermilk to dry ingredients, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly 4 to 5 times. Roll or pat dough out to about 1-inch thickness. Cut with a biscuit cutter and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 12 to 14 minutes or until brown.
*Recipe courtesy of Food Network’s Daniel Boome.
Penn State, Faith Hill, and Owning a Horse
November was a long month. A very long month. I got into a car accident the first week of November, my Grandfather passed away the second week of November, and Eric was in a car accident the third week of November. Again, November was a long month and although it was filled with so many emotions, there was also so much thanksgiving. God’s faithfulness was so evident over every situation. Eric and I came out of both accidents without being hurt and I was surrounded by so much peace after hearing about my Grandfather passing away. Eternal life is so beautiful and I found so much peace in knowing my Grandfather’s relationship with the Lord. The older I get, the more peace I have with death. Death used to be something I refused to talk about, hear about, or address. But after November, I have found so much peace.
I spoke at my grandfather’s funeral because people deserved to know what a special relationship my Grandma and Grandpa had and just how much that meant to me.
“Three years ago I had the privilege of living with my Grandparents for three months. I was student teaching close to their house and they graciously let me stay with them. During that time I got to see the daily interactions of my Grandma and Grandpa. Something I never witnessed before, to that degree. I witnessed the way they cared for each other and consistently put each other first. I listened as they reminisced about the memories they shared together. But most of all, I watched a growth in my Grandpa throughout the years of what really mattered and how faith and family became such a large part of his life. How he openly talked about the importance of having faith in a marriage in all seasons of life.
Before getting married this summer I was praying and thinking about the vows I was about to say to my husband and the importance they play in a marriage. I started thinking of living with my Grandparents and how faithfully they lived out their vows in everyday life through the good times and bad, and were constantly by each other’s side. In Grandpa’s final days, I witnessed my Grandma being by his side, while my Grandpa did everything in his power to make sure my Grandma was okay. He showed me the value of commitment, care, and loving someone unconditionally. I am so thankful I got to witness and feel his love and strength day in and day out and feel so blessed to have seen his faith through his words and actions.”
There are things I will always remember about my Grandfather. I will remember his tall frame, endless sarcasm, and how he used to scare me when I was little because of his sarcasm. He was an avid Penn State fan. My Grandmother and him would travel to games near and far. Other than my Grandma, who he loved so dearly, Faith Hill was a close second. 😉 He would make this very clear during football season or anytime she showed up on the t.v. And last but not least, my Grandfather wanted to own a horse…dreamed of owning a horse…was determined to own a horse. I’m still not sure exactly where it stemmed from, but there you have it.
I’m so thankful I got to know such a sarcastic, loving, and wise man that I got to call my Grandfather. He will be missed so much.