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Through Heather's Looking Glass

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Christmas 2018 Recap

December 28, 2018 | blogging, family, holidays

Christmas is officially over, and like every year, I am officially sad. It seems to go by faster and faster every year, no matter how much I vow to “soak it all in this time” or “slow down and enjoy.” That being said, we had a wonderful 4 day weekend with family, and I have nothing to complain about (except for how quickly it went by!) I thought I would share a little recap with you all today as we prepare to close out 2018.

We kicked off the holiday weekend on Saturday with some wine and cheese outside with my parents. Christmas music played non stop every day, and we had great weather.

On Sunday, we had lunch with Bobby’s family. All of his siblings were in town which never happens (there are 5 of them total) so lots of photos were taken.

That night we went to dinner for my moms birthday and I didn’t think to take photos. The Saints almost gave us a heart attack, but managed to clinch a #1 seed for the playoffs!
Christmas eve was laid back, we went to the store (again) and hung out at the house doing some cooking and watching Christmas movies. Emma Kate and I also made and decorated sugar cookies for santa. She LOVED it and it kept her busy for almost two hours, which if you know my child, is a long time for her to stay focused on one thing.

That afternoon, we all got dressed and went to the 4:00 candlelight Christmas Eve church service.

The service was great, I love closing it out singing Silent Night with all the beautiful candles. (It wa slightly terrifying seeing my clild with fire, but she insisted on having ehr own.)

We went back home and ate Bobby’s delicious chicken and dumplings, watched more movies, and read the Christmas story from the Bible and Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Then it was time to set out the cookies and milk and head to bed.

The next morning, Emma Kate was up at 6:00 on the dot, so it was most definitely still dark when we opened gifts.

We had a very happy little girl, and took our time enjoying opening gifts, drinking coffee, and listening to Christmas music.


I made a special tequila sunrise mimosa for breakfast to go along with the sausage casserole I make every year.

We spent the rest of the morning playing and cooking preparing for lunch.

Emma Kate was super pumped about her new bike. After a new death experience (I forgot to explain the brakes to her), she got the hang of it and had a blast.

We had a delicious lunch, and sang happy birthday to my mom (she is a Christmas baby!)

That evening we hung out with more family and ate…again. (so. much. food.)

After we left, we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. There were two houses that had music and lights flashing together via a radio station! We got home and I realized we had not taken any family photos that day in front of the tree, so we did that before Emma Kate’s bedtime.

We were all pretty exhausted and went to bed early. The next three days we ate nothing but leftovers, and I enjoyed every bite! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and made wonderful memories with those you love.

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I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

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Big batch, big flavor, zero stress! 😍 #sponsore Big batch, big flavor, zero stress! 😍 #sponsored 

I picked up the NEW Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage at @Foodlion and added it to my favorite red beans and rice — lean, smoky, and less sodium! 🍽️ 

The best part? This recipe makes plenty of leftovers, so no cooking tomorrow 🙌. 
Quick, easy, and totally elevated — your weeknight dinners just got a major upgrade! 

Bobby’s Red Beans and Rice: 

INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 - 1 cup celery, about 3-4 ribs
• 1 Sweet Onion
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 2-4 cloves Garlic
• Seasoning, Tony’s, chili powder, pepper, bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika
• 45 oz kidney beans
• 28 oz beef sausage, 2 packs
• 2 packs of Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage
• 2 cup Beef broth
• Buttered Rice

PREPARATION STEPS
1. Chop/mince veggies (suggest food processor)

2. Warm butter on medium heat in pot then add veggies (about 10 minutes)

3. Add beans (slightly drain) and sausage (about 7 minutes)

4. Add garlic and seasoning and simmer about 10 minutes. 

5.) Serve over warm buttered rice

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Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of my favorite traditions. ✨☕ 
From grabbing coffee to wandering through the decorated stores, there’s just something magical about this season. We laughed, made memories, and even managed to cross a few names off our list. 🎄 (ad) 

One of our favorite stops was Reeds at West Town Mall, where I spotted the new Victorinox Air Pro — a watch that’s Swiss-made with incredible craftsmanship, a stainless steel case, shock + water resistance, and even the ability to track 3 time zones at once. 🙌 It’s modern, timeless, and such a meaningful find for the men in my life.

The best part? Ending the day with full shopping bags, full hearts, and a gift I know will be worn and treasured for years. 💫 @victorinoxnorthamerica 

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Apple cider margaritas! 🍎 🍺 🎃 This reci Apple cider margaritas! 🍎 🍺 🎃 

This recipe is super easy and tastes like fall in a cup! A great option for people who want to have a festive fall drink but would prefer a cold drink. 

👉🏻Comment the word MARGARITA and I will send the recipe right to your inbox! ✨

#applecider #margarita #applecidermargarita #holidaydrinks #festivedrink #halloweendrink #falldrink
🏖️ I’m so thankful my parents took us on tr 🏖️ I’m so thankful my parents took us on trips growing up. When I was young, we didn’t have a lot of money, but they made every weekend getaway or camping trip special, and I have so many great memories. 

We may not have gotten to travel often until I was a teenager, but we still had a blast, and they even took us to a @spectrumresorts  property! (Ad)

As an adult, I am so grateful to be able to return the favor. To see them laugh and play with my daughter like they did with me. It’s one of those special full circle moments, those core memories that will stay with me forever. 🥹

Staying at @turquoiseplaceofficial makes things so easy, too. The condos are huge and we easily all fit without being on top of each other. There’s plenty to do with pools, a waterslide, lazy river, the beach, movie nights, kids activities, food, and more. ✨

It truly is the perfect place for a multigenerational vacation. So if you are looking for a great place to go with your parents, grandkids, aunts, uncles, or cousins, this is it. 💖

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We take her on these trips and cruises hoping she’ll soak in the adventure, the beauty, and maybe even the food from places different from where we live… but to her, nothing beats a corn dog and mac & cheese. 🧀 

And honestly, that’s the best reminder for us, that joy doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be yours. 🛳✨ 

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YES I was dancing, eating mac and cheese from the YES I was dancing, eating mac and cheese from the kids menu, and singing “Let it Go” with a butter knife while wearing Mickey ears on our Disney cruise. 🚢 

When I was 12, I was worried a lot… worried about failing, scared of what people would think of me, and of not fitting in or being “cool”. 
I turned 40 this year and have been spending time trying to figure out exactly who I really am with all expectations stripped away. I don’t love the term “finding yourself”, but here I feel like it fits. ✨

Maybe finding yourself means going back to being 12.… and being myself without being scared. Heather at 12 would never believe this version of me… but I think she’d be proud. 💛✨

#disneycruise #disneycruiseline #letitgo❄️ #findingyourself #disneycreators #disneywish @disneycruiseline
Ever wondered what extra magic you can add for a b Ever wondered what extra magic you can add for a birthday onboard a @disneycruiseline ship? 🚢 

Emma Kate turned 11 last month during our sailing and we did so many birthday things! She got a ton of “happy birthday’s” from crew and guests to make it extra special. ✨

👉🏻For a link to the birthday ears she wore (they have lots of colors and variations!) comment “EARS” and I will send it to you! 

#disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneywish #disneybirthday #disneycruisevacation #disneytips

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