A Very Merry Christmas

It was a lovely little Christmas indeed. 

We began our day by sleeping in knowing full well that Christmas mornings will be coming much earlier in the coming years. We sipped on hot chocolate and opened our stockings, exchanged gifts by the fire and enjoyed brunch with our best friends and my sister. Phone calls and video chats were made to the ones we love and miss most this year. It was perfect, just the way Christmas should be. A day spent with those we love with ample time to relax and reflect on the beauty and true meaning of a seemingly chaotic season. And while this year seemed less "eventful" than Christmases past, I think it was exactly what we needed. A day to enjoy the company of one another, in a warm quiet home, with the sun shining through decorated windows. A day to be thankful for our countless blessings and God's abundant love and grace. A day to celebrate our Savior's birth. Perfection I tell ya.

All is calm. All is bright. 

Hoping your day was merry and filled with Christ's love! 

A Trip to the North Pole

Chocolate Crackle Cookies

For the past few weeks, there has been constant holiday baking going on over here at the Ondrey Christmas workshop. I have already made all of our traditional holiday favorites..

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ginger Snaps

Russian Tea Cakes

Caramel Corn

It felt only appropriate to try out some new recipes this year in hopes of stumbling upon a new favorite. Mission accomplished. Oh chocolate crackle cookie, where have you been all my life?

Based on Martha Stewart's recipe which can be found here.

Ingredients-

8 oz of bittersweet chocolate

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1 1/3 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup milk

For rolling-

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Melt chocolate over a double boiler of hot water until perfectly smooth.

(Don't you love my makeshift double boiler? Hey, it works!)

Mmm... melty perfection. Set aside to cool.

 Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Using a mixer blend butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add in melted chocolate and mix until well incorporated.

Slowly add dry ingredients and milk to batter. Mix Mix Mix. Dough will be pretty thick.

Sprinkle dough with powdered sugar (so the plastic wrap doesn't stick) and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Set out one small bowl of sugar and a separate bowl of powdered sugar. Scoop dough and form into 1 inch balls. Roll each ball in sugar, followed by powdered sugar.

Place cookies on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until cookies have flattened and split in an oh so pretty way.

Serve warm with a tall glass of milk. 

Enjoy the chocolaty goodness and save one or two for Santa- he may be extra good to you this year! 

My Own Winter Wonderland

There may only be a dusting of snow on the ground outside, 

but it's feeling festive and Christmassy inside these days,

-and I'm loving it.

Maternity Photos

A few weeks ago we had some maternity/holiday photos taken. We ran all over chilly Chicago with the lovely Lisa Anderson in hopes of capturing a glimpse of this unique time in our lives. I think she did an amazing job. Here's a peek at a few of our favorites.

Check out Lisa's website or blog when you get a chance. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a great Chicago photographer. Happy Holidays!!

Christkindlmarket

Last weekend, after our Thanksgiving feast, we headed downtown on a gorgeous warm night to enjoy Chicago's Christkindlemarket. The market is a small traditional German Christmas market, complete with beautiful handcrafted ornaments, authentic German steins, and of course hot cocoa and Gluhwein (hot spiced wine) in a boot. There's nothing better than a fun night with the fam during the holidays. The ridiculous balloon animals and subsequent balloon animal adventures were just the hilarious icing on the cake!