A Homemade Christmas

(another post from Allen)

I drop Ethan off at school every morning.  This morning he asked me why "everybody" hangs Christmas lights on their houses.  If only he knew how people used to get in the Christmas spirit.  I informed him that when I was a child, you were frowned upon if your house didn't have Christmas lights.  Now, it seems to be the opposite.

Becky and I were married six years ago.  Our first Christmas was a nightmare.  I am Mr. Christmas.  I mean, our living room will always look like Dollywood at Christmas time.  Unfortunately, I gave no consideration for Becky's upbringing.  I am pro-colored lights.  She is not.  I am pro-artificial.  She likes to cut down then tree.  I am a November 1st kinda guy.  She likes to put away the turkey and dressing first.  In true Pruitt fashion, I took over.  Believe it or not, Becky has great ideas.  She is unbelievably creative.  She showed me there is another (and sometimes a better) way.  Okay, most of the time she has the better way.

Year 2 came around and it was a bit better.  We started a new Christmas tree tradition.  We began collecting Disney ornaments.  We collected everything from wooden puppets, to clown fish, cowboys, spacemen, dwarfs, spotted dogs, and every princess known to man.  We grew quite the collection.  However, it was never "ours".  It didn't feel like home.

That was, until this November.  We had a blast with this year's tree.  We have a homemade rustic Christmas tree,  every ornament either found in nature or handmade.  I have posted a slideshow for your enjoyment.

Christmas is about Christ.  It's about family.  It's about friends.  It's about love.  We incorporated all of those into this year's Christmas tree.  The boys had the opportunity to help us make ornaments, decorate, share stories, learn the reasons/purposes behind decorations, and spend time with mom and dad.  Becky and I spent some wonderful time together dreaming, creating, organizing, and implementing Christmas into OUR home this year.  It is, by far, the best Christmas tree we've ever had.  We will only build on it in coming years.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

The Most Incredible Red Velvet Cupcakes...EVER!!!

(a post by Allen)

First of all, we must give credit where credit is due.  This post/recipe is derived from the Cake Mix Doctor's Red Velvet Cupcakes recipe.

 

So, when Mamaw Jean calls, you must answer.  You don't ignore the phone call.  You don't send it to voice mail.  And, you drop everything to fulfill whatever request is made.  A few years ago, on a   busy Christmas Eve, I was at work and noticed I had missed a call from Mamaw.  In a panic, I immediately checked my voice mail and there it was...the infamous voice mail message from Mamaw.  Now, before I reveal the content of the message, I must preface this by letting you know that I had not spoken to, nor heard from, my Mamaw in well over 2 weeks.  This message came (no lie) OUT OF THE BLUE.

Alright, here goes...

"Allen.  This is your grandmother.  I need three large gift bags." [CLICK]

It was Christmas Eve!  I had Christmas shopping to finish.  I had cookies to bake for Santa.  I had toys to put together for the kids.  I had Becky's family to visit.  What do you mean you need three...Yes, ma'am.

 

 



Guess who rushed to the store to buy three large gift bags and drove like a bat out of Hades to get to Louisville, TN.  Yep, you're right.  Me!

 

So, why am I bringing this up.  Well, I got another call from my precious, sweet, loving, adorable, "most-Christlike individual I have ever met" grandmother today.  Now, we all know my wife can cook.  Oh man, can she ever cook.  Mamaw Jean also knows this.  So this year, all Mamaw wants for Christmas is a teflon skillet (that's a different post) and Becky's Red Velvet Cake with cream cheese icing.

 

I wanted to share this recipe Becky came across.  I hope it blesses your, and your grandmother's, kitchen real soon.  It will change your life!  I promise!

  

Red Velvet Cupcakes

• 1 package (18.25 ounces) plain German chocolate cake mix
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) chocolate instant pudding
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 bottle (1 ounce) red food coloring
• 3 large eggs

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. 
2. Place the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, food coloring, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. The batter should look thick and well combined (similar to brownie batter...it's thick!)  Fill 24 cupcake tins with an ice cream scoop of batter.  
3. Bake the cupcakes until they spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 18 to 20 minutes. . Place them on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 blocks of cream cheese (room temp)
• 2 sticks of butter (room temp)
• 2lbs of Confectioners sugar
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• splash of heavy whipping cream

1. Cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Slowly add confectioners sugar and vanilla.
3. After the sugar and vanilla is well incorporated add whipping cream until you have a pipe-able icing.