Today started nice and early with a big bowl of chocolate overnight oats topped with some fruit and peanut butter.

But let’s go back and look at what I did yesterday!  It was a day full of shopping, crafting, and family.

We started off the day with an early lunch of veggies, dips, crackers, and cheese.  Mom made a TON of appetizers for us to snack on, and I was happy to take advantage of the snacks when lunchtime came.

We then headed out to the mall and shopped around picking up odd and ends for little gifts.

After shopping around for a bit, we were freezing because it was an outdoor mall so we decided to stop at a local chocolate shop for hot cocoa!

DeBrand is a local chocolate shop with a factory that gives tours!  The chocolate is absolutely delicious and probably the best hot cocoa I have ever tasted.

The cocoa helped to keep us warm and was sooo tasty!

After spending the entire afternoon shopping for Christmas gifts, we headed home to a tasty and much needed meal from mom.  Black bean quesadillas and fresh veggies.

As soon as dinner was finished, Mom went back in the kitchen to start working on some pickled herring.  Now, I know the whole “pickled herring” thing sounds weird, but it is kind of a family tradition and it honestly tastes delicious!

Little herring jars:

To keep the holiday spirit up and the night busy, we then moved on to our next holiday activity.

We made Christmas ornament wreaths!

These all started with a simple wire hanger.

We then took little Christmas bulbs and slid them onto the hanger.

And viola!  The wreaths were made.  Brian and I tag-teamed to make our bow, and I think it turned out really great!

Mom’s wreath (her bow was NOT homemade!)

My sister and her wreath:

My mom and her wreath:

I love how sparkly they all are and that they all turned out different! This weekend is really putting me in the holiday spirit.

Now, Mom and I are off to a Les Mills sampler class.

Wish us luck!