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McKnights of Magnolia

Where Relatability Meets Luxury!

Family · December 24, 2022

Christmas Morning Chaos

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

I’d be kidding if I told you this wasn’t one of my favorite nights of the year! Polar Express, hot chocolate, letters to Santa, and snacks for the big guy and his reindeer are always on deck.

To prepare for the chaos of Christmas morning, my prep starts NOW! Our family tradition for Christmas morning breakfast are Egg Nog French Toast, Smoked Salmon Frittatas, and tons of mimosas. So I can enjoy the morning, I do all the cooking tonight.

We love Paula Deen’s recipe for French Toast casserole. I use egg nog instead of milk for a unique twist on the classic. I typically use 3 loaves of French Baguettes – I set them out at least 2 days before Christmas, so they are dried out and hard. The bread needs to be crunchy so the French toast isn’t soggy the following day. The casserole is absolutely delicious that it hardly needs syrup.

Here’s the original recipe:

https://www.food.com/recipe/paula-deens-quot-overnight-french-toast-quot-499306

I also make smoked salmon frittatas. These are another family favorite because they are super easy to make. Here’s how I make them.

Take 1 dozen eggs and 1/2 carton of egg whites and beat. Add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to your preference. There’s no wrong way to make frittatas, as you could use whatever veggies you have in the fridge. You can also use gouda, smoked gouda cheese, Havarti, tomatoes, etc. It’s totally up to you!

I add pre-chopped onions and tri-blend peppers to make my life a lot easier. I prefer white cheeses, so I usually use Tillamook Italian Blend or make my own blend with whatever cheese we have on hand… cheddar, parmesan, and provolone. Lastly, I add 2 4 oz packs of smoked salmon and mix—Preheat the oven to 350.

I love using silicone baking dishes because the frittatas slide right out! Using a ladle, scoop the mix and put it in the muffin pan with room left on top. Let bake until light golden brown.

Eric and I are the first ones downstairs on Christmas morning, so I preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Next, I put the french toast casserole and frittatas in the oven to heat while the girls open Christmas gifts while Eric and I sip on mimosas. By the time they’re done with opening presents, breakfast is ready. It works like a charm!

I hope this helps your Christmas morning be less hectic so you can enjoy time with friends and family!

You might wanna read: Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teens!

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Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teens!

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Welcome to McKnights of Magnolia! I’m Dana, a NC based blogger covering all things beauty, petite fashion, and relationships. Welcome to my corner of the internet where relatability is key and inspiration thrives. Let's dive into the realm of relatable style, the highs and lows of motherhood, and uncover some top-notch beauty gems together. Oh, and don't miss out on the vlogs and podcasts my daughters and I share on YouTube. Join me on this exciting journey of exploration and discovery! Whether you're a new reader or an old friend, I'm dedicated to making sure your time here is both enriching and entertaining.

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mcknightsofmagnolia

✨ʀᴇᴀʟ ʟɪғᴇ, ʀᴇᴀʟ sᴛʏʟᴇ, ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛs✨
📍Greensboro, NC
Owner @magnoliastudiosgso 📸
👇🏾Join Me On this Authentic Journey👇🏾

It’s always the oldest daughter! 😂#mcknightso It’s always the oldest daughter! 😂#mcknightsofmagnolia #macadventcalendar #gso #ncblogger
At this point, we might as well be an equestrian a At this point, we might as well be an equestrian account with all the horse show content we’ve been sharing lately. 🐴

But that’s the beauty of family life—it’s ever-evolving, just like our priorities. Another weekend, another show, but being together is always in style. ❤️ 

How does your family stay connected during busy seasons?

#McKnightsofMagnolia #BookedNotBothered #FamilyLife #HorseShow #WeekendVibes #HorseRiding #FamilyTime #FamilyGoals #BusySeasons #greensboroblogger #momblogger
So much to unpack here, so let’s dive in: 1. N So much to unpack here, so let’s dive in:

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	2.	My house? Let’s just say it’s not winning any awards for tidiness right now. Between horsehows every weekend, constant travel and all the daily chaos, tidying up has taken a back seat.  And the trash bag? Naiya tripped over it mid-strut, ending her runway dreams as fast as they started. And the coat still has the sensor on it. I can’t make this stuff up. 😂

Moral of the story: Life’s messy, houses get chaotic, and sometimes the trash bag wins. But moments like these? They’re what it’s all about. Embrace the chaos, laugh a little louder, and wear the fur coat—no one’s judging.

***No animals were harmed in the making of this video***
#mcknightsofmagnolia #family #targetstyle #targetfurcoat #relatable #blogger #bloggerstyle
POV: It may have been a work trip for him, but it POV: It may have been a work trip for him, but it was a much-needed reset for me. 

Life has been wild lately—horse shows, laundry, upcoming holidays, and everything in between—but even in the middle of it, I made sure to carve out a little time for myself. 

The chaos will always be there. Step away, breathe, and remind yourself you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving. Let’s stop glamorizing the grind and start glorifying the reset. 

#McKnightsofMagnolia #BookedNotBothered #Mexico #MexicoTrip #Trendingreels #MiniVacay #minivlog #adayinmylife #mexicotravel
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Honestly, older kids require even more of your time and energy. The stakes are higher, the emotions are bigger, and despite their (sometimes) too-cool-for-you attitude, they still look to you for reassurance and a little grounding when things get crazy. Between horse shows, navigating friendships, and figuring out who they want to be, it feels like parenting is more hands-on than ever.

So yeah, my weekends are a wild mix of barn runs, cheering from the sidelines, and sneaking in caffeine to keep up with it all. But as busy as it is, I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. Because while they might not always say it, these teens still need us—maybe even more than they realize.

Drop your best survival tips in the comments! I can’t be the only one.  #mcknightsofmagnolia #teens #raisingteens #genx #bigkids #parenting #parentingtips #blogger #bloggerlife #momswhoblog
🌴 Every time we travel with the girls, we *alwa 🌴 Every time we travel with the girls, we *always* go for adjoining rooms—it’s seriously the best! 

If you’ve got older kids like we do, having that little extra space is a total game changer. The girls get their own room to chill, do their thing, and we get ours for a bit of peace and quiet. Perfect for those moments when you just need a break, but you’re still close enough to check in anytime.  If you know Eric, you know he’s got to have us all within his line of sight—like a dad-powered security camera!

It’s like having the best of both worlds—family time, plus a little privacy when you need it. 🙌 No hallway trips, no drama, just one door away! Highly recommend this setup if you’re planning a family vacay anytime soon.  Drop a comment if you have any travel tips to share.  I’d love to hear them.

Can’t wait to show y’all more of this resort and share our experience! 💕 Stay tuned! #FamilyVacation #GrandVelas #AdjoiningRooms #TravelWithKids #travelwithbigkids #mcknightsofmagnolia #blogger #vlogger #travelfamily #mexico #familyrelationships #rivieramaya
**Luxury Hotel or Budget Hotel: What’s Your Trav **Luxury Hotel or Budget Hotel: What’s Your Travel Style?**

On my trip to Charleston this weekend, I kept thinking about the different ways people approach travel, especially when it comes to accommodations. Some of us love the experience of staying in a luxury hotel—plush beds, room service, and on-site spas. It’s more than just a place to sleep; it’s part of the whole travel experience.

Then there are some of us who prefer budget-friendly options, choosing to save on accommodations to splurge on experiences—whether it’s local cuisine, sightseeing, or excursions. For them, a hotel is simply a place to recharge before diving into the next day’s excitement.

As we were checking out of the hotel, I overheard a gentleman proudly say that his family travels frequently and manages to fit everything they need into a single backpack. Immediately, no!! I had to laugh because, let’s be real—I’m definitely not a backpack kinda girl, lol. I need options, people! Like, WTF am I supposed to put my ballgown?  What if I get invited to a formal event.  And don’t even get me started with my power tower - where am I supposed to put it?🤔

So, what kind of traveler are you?

- **Luxury Hotel**: Do you enjoy the extra comfort and make your hotel stay part of the whole experience?
 
- **Budget Hotel**: Do you prefer practicality, keeping your travel budget focused on the adventure rather than the accommodations?

And could you ever pack your whole trip into just a backpack? Share your thoughts—I’d love to hear them! #mcknightsofmagnolia #travelblogger #greensboroblogger #blogger #charlestonsc #charlestonplacehotel #luxurytravel #budgetfriendly #backpacker #overpacker #minimalist
August was a month to remember! From celebrating m August was a month to remember! From celebrating my 50th birthday in style to watching Liya shine at her horse shows every weekend, it was all about milestones, memories, and moments of joy. Here’s to the adventures we had and the ones yet to come! #mcknightsofmagnolia #50thbirthday #leo #mexico #familytime #magnoliacontentstudios #augustdump #ncblogger
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