Happy New Year!   We are just coming up for air over here after the insane amount of holiday baking at the shop!   We love the holidays, but that week or so after is where we get to enjoy time with our families and recharge.   Pretty much pajama day for a week straight for me!  haha  

Now that all the Christmas decorations are put away and we have eaten our body weight in sugar cookies, this family is settling in for football.   Our son, Shane, is QB for his school's JV team, so we love our football over here.  This past weekend I decided to dust off a favorite appetizer recipe and put out a small spread to watch football with the family.

First up of course are more sugar cookies!   These adorable football field cookies are amazing and the cupcakes and cake.... yea Touchdown for mom!     Since Shane is not the biggest sugar fan(gasp! how could that be?), I made this amazing Black Bean Salsa.   It is great to dip your chips in or you can even use it as a topping on salmon or baked potatoes.   It is super delish and even our picky 15 year old QB loved it.   

Black Bean Salsa
Ingredients:
1(15 ounce) can of black beans, drained/rinsed
1(11 ounce) can of yellow corn
2 medium tomatoes dices
1 red bell pepper diced
1 green pepper diced
1/2 cup diced red onion
2-3 fresh jalapeño peppers sliced thin
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Marinade:
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne

​Combine beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, jalapenos and cilantro.  In separate bowl combine marinade ingredients and stir until mixed.  Pour over salsa and stir to combine.  Let it marinate for several hours to combine flavors before using!    Enjoy!!

This holiday season, we decided to take it back to the traditional Christmas tablescape.  There is nothing like this time of year to bring a smile to your face and gratefulness to your hearts.  With all of the hustle and bustle this season brings, take a moment to stop and remember why we celebrate Christmas and remember who's birthday we are celebrating!  This is a time to celebrate and be with family and friends.  Stop and take the time to be with the ones you love.  Creating these beautiful tablescapes is a way Kaylyn and I show our love for your families and helps to create these memories that last a lifetime.  Our families also like to tease us for going a little overboard at Christmas, but we take spreading cheer seriously over here!

Nothing like some garland with fairy lights to help create a festive table this holiday season!  We love this garland we found on Amazon( I mean, Amazon literally stops at our houses daily! )  These napkins were the inspiration for this traditional green and red tablescape.  Kaylyn found these adorable red and white striped plates at Target and the plate chargers from Hobby Lobby complete the look.  How cute are the jingle bell name card holders?   You can be so creative with our name card holders!  Think outside that box.  

A tradition in our house each year is to have our jumbo Gingerbread man cookies for everyone!  They are ginormous and so yummy!    What's your favorite holiday cookie? Stay tuned as we share some great ideas for decor and recipes this holiday season!  
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​Stay Sweet- LeAne and Kaylyn

Links for products in images:

Amazon.com: Christmas Napkins - 100% Pure Cotton Dinner Napkins, Red & White French Stripes (Pack of 6 – 18”x18”) Dinner Table Napkins, Soft & Comfortable, Reusable Napkins for Home, Weddings & Cocktail Parties.: Home & Kitchen

13"x13" Holiday Stoneware Striped Round Serving Plate - Threshold™ : Target

Wood Look Plate Charger | Hobby Lobby | 5328679