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    gingersnaps

    i’m not a huge gingersnap person typically, but the chewy texture of these cookies is unreal. i sort of wish every single cookie i could ever bake would have this texture, please advise if you know how to achieve that.

    this recipe is not my own, but i loved it so much i thought you needed to have it too! 

    they also make the perfect cookies to leave out for santa 🙂

    RECIPE ADAPTED FROM THE PALATABLE LIFE

    gingersnaps

    the chewy texture of these gingersnap cookies is incredible and they're the perfect christmas cookie!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients  

    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 cup shortening
    • 1/2 cup butter slightly softened
    • 2 eggs
    • 1/2 cup molasses
    • 4 cups flour
    • 1 tb baking soda
    • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp ground ginger
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar to roll the dough balls in

    Instructions 

    1. preheat your oven to 350. add sugar, shortening, and butter to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. mix for 2-3 minutes until ingredients are fully mixed and fluffy.
    2. add eggs and molasses and mix until just combined.
    3. add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and ginger. mix until just combined.
    4. add the 1/4 cup of sugar to a shallow bowl or plate. using a 1/4 cup cookie scoop, scoop out dough and roll it into a smooth ball.
    5. drop the dough ball into the sugar and roll it around until it is completely coated.
    6. repeat with the remaining dough.
    7. bake at 350 for 8-11 minutes. let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

    link for the letter to santa printable

    i might even try this recipe without the ginger and adding in chocolate chips, i’ll report back if i do!

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    printable advent calendar activities

    i’m so excited to do an advent calendar for our first time this year! i bought this cute one from target (and i cut the tassels off to simplify it a bit), but wasn’t sure what to fill the pockets with. i got a couple little things like elmo bandaids and was gonna put some little cars and chocolates and maybe some ornaments in them, but decided to also incorporate a lot of activities to do together instead of just material things!

    the pockets are really small on my advent calendar, so i had to cut the cards way down to fit, but i left them square on the printable version so you can use them as is or cut down if needed! i also only did one set of 12. it was hard to come up with 12 things to do, and you can supplement the rest with treats and things.


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  • cozy layers for “winter” (in la)

    this post is in partnership with walmart

    it’s been like AGES since we’ve gotten to wear layers in la, so i’m so excited to wear cozy sweaters and jackets again now that it’s cooling down here a little bit (i mean it was 78 the other day but still). Read More

  • my favorite black friday sales

    i can get so overwhelmed on these shopping holidays — like i love deals but then i’m like omg should i be buying something?! what should i buy?! i forget what things i need!!! and it’s a whole spiraling out.

    so for me, it’s easiest for me to think of what i already have and love that’s on sale in case you don’t have those things and want them! Read More

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    green goddess turkey (or chicken) salad

    i’ve been wanting to post this recipe for a while, but i thought this would be the perfect time for those of you who have leftover turkey from your thanksgiving dinners!! it’s my favorite way to spruce up turkey and make it totally different.

    tbh i prefer this with chicken, but that’s because i just prefer chicken to turkey! either works! i love to make a big batch of this and eat it for weekday lunches. we always end up going through it.

    green goddess turkey (or chicken) salad

    this green goddess turkey/chicken salad is a great use of thanksgiving leftovers but you can also make it year round. i love to make a big batch of it and eat it for weekday lunches.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients  

    • turkey or chicken shredded*
    • celery finely diced
    • 1-2 ripe avocados depending on how much meat you use
    • ½ an apple finely diced
    • ½ cup mayo
    • ½ cup sour cream or greek yogurt
    • lemon juice
    • fresh herbs (up to you which to use, but i like tarragon, chives, thyme, cilantro)

    Instructions 

    1. shred your chicken or turkey into small pieces, i prefer to do it by hand or you can do it with two forks.
    2. mix with celery, apple and your herbs. add your avocado and mix well.
    3. add your yogurt and mayo and mix, pour some lemon juice in and season, continue to add whatever you need more of to taste!

    Notes

    *you can use leftover chicken/turkey, you could also use rotisserie chicken or cook two chicken breasts

    we love to eat it with some crispy toast and arugula with a splash of olive oil on top along with some more avocado — or sometimes we just eat it with potato chips! 

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    neutral holiday pajamas for kids

    i got lots of requests for a holiday pj roundup this year, and can’t remember ever doing them in the past so i guess everyone is feeling EXTRA festive right now!!

    you know i’ll usually lean towards the simple and minimal varieties of holiday pajamas (love me a simple pale red stripe haha), but i found some more fun ones that are still super cute and not bright red or green too!! aesthetic holiday pajamas for all!!!!! Read More

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    3 ways to make store-bought pie look homemade

    this post is in partnership with walmart

    i love holidays, i love pie, and i really love ways to cheat and make easy store-bought things seem super fancy and not store-bought!!! so i thought with the holidays coming up, it would be super fun to show you three ways to spruce up pies you didn’t have to bake yourself! 

    i ordered all the pies and the supplies from walmart’s online grocery service, they have pickup or delivery options– and new customers can use promo code TRIPLE10 to save $10 off their first three pickup or delivery orders. ($50 min. restrictions & fees apply.)Read More

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    holiday movies and shows to watch with kids

    better late than never! i tried to finish this post a week ago but i didn’t, but just in time for christmas break anyway!! lots of fun holiday things to watch with your kids, thank you as always for your suggestions and making this post, because arlo only lets us watch the first two, haha. Read More

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    simple printable thankful card

    (reposted from 2018)

    i really dropped the ball on designing a thanksgiving printable this year, but it’s not too late! i made it a super simple one this year, neutral enough to look good on any table setting and a fun way to get everyone around the table to take a moment to think about what they’re grateful for. we love doing these in our family. PS — that’s actually how we announced we were pregnant in case you didn’t know! (definitely watch the video of my moms reaction at the end of the post — it is so so good)

    if you wanted to use them as place cards as well, you could also write your guests names on the back!

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  • izzy’s birth story

    phew what a ride it was—

    i spent all of my pregnancy planning to have a scheduled c-section and was at peace with that decision— i talked to tons and tons of women who told me the second time is a million times easier. i stocked up on c-section recovery items to help make this time better for myself than the last.

    but in the last month of my pregnancy i did start questioning a vbac a little bit. i asked my ob and she said i’d be able to if that was my choice and that i could decide in the moment. Read More