We're back! It was a long trip, full of family, fun and food (my tight jeans will attest to that), but we're glad to be home. I've spent two days cleaning up the pre-trip disaster we left the house in, just so that I can drag out the Christmas boxes and undecorate. Unfortunately, we're all in various stages of suffering through a nasty chest cold so I think our New Year's Eve plans will involve Nyquil and an early bedtime, rather than inviting the neighbors over for a little Guitar Hero III and The Pioneer Woman's Bacon Appetizers, which is how we'd hoped to celebrate. Whee! Par-tay at my house tonight. Maybe we can still get a buzz off the Nyquil, right?
Monday, December 31, 2007
Tick-tock, tick-tock
We're back! It was a long trip, full of family, fun and food (my tight jeans will attest to that), but we're glad to be home. I've spent two days cleaning up the pre-trip disaster we left the house in, just so that I can drag out the Christmas boxes and undecorate. Unfortunately, we're all in various stages of suffering through a nasty chest cold so I think our New Year's Eve plans will involve Nyquil and an early bedtime, rather than inviting the neighbors over for a little Guitar Hero III and The Pioneer Woman's Bacon Appetizers, which is how we'd hoped to celebrate. Whee! Par-tay at my house tonight. Maybe we can still get a buzz off the Nyquil, right?
Friday, December 21, 2007
Merry Christmas to all!
Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...
I wish you all the Merriest of Christmases, dear friends, and I'll see you after the holiday!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
December Sister Swap goodies
Good grief, I should be in bed! I still have a lot of packing to do in the morning but I wanted to do a quick post to show what my Sweet Goodness Sister swap partner sent me this month. Laurie has been such a wonderful swap partner and I've just loved everything she's sent!
The first thing I pulled out of the box was this gorgeous teacup and saucer. I have my great-grandmother's teacup collection and this little beauty will fit right in! It's so delicate and I love the shape and the colors. The next thing I opened was this adorable set of hand-sewn felt items for Miss Maren to keep in her purse: a cell phone, a lipstick (which Maren calls her "chapstick) and the cutest little compact! Seriously, folks, they're so dang cute that I had to restrain myself from stuffing them into MY purse. SO darling. Laurie also included some delish Caramelized Almost Ghirardelli squares (those disappeared fast!) and the prettiest little Italian hard candies.
Laurie also included a beautiful vintage hankie and some of her favorite recipes enclosed in this neat little bag sewn from vintage embroidered linens. She tells me that she found it already sewn up like that, so I wonder what its original purpose was? Interesting. Laurie knows of my love for red & turquoise together and she gifted me with the sweetest little red felt birdie! His wings and breast are done in the most perfect, delicate, vintage-looking red and aqua fabric. I should have taken a close-up photo--I am completely in love with the fabric! Laurie's construction and sewing is so beautiful, and I feel so lucky to have some of her work! I hung my little birdie from the fabulous red & turquoise yo-yo garland she sent me in November. And last was the awesome vintage gingham apron in the background of the pictures. It is all pleated at the top and has three rows of rickrack at the bottom. Turquoise, rickrack, and pleating--How could it be more perfect?
And now it's off to bed for me to catch 40 winks before I have to get up in the morning and figure out how to stuff 3 suitcases, 2 extended families' worth of gifts, snow clothing, enough snacks and DVDS to entertain a wild toddler for 10 hours, and an 80-lb. yellow lab into our Pathfinder. I did always like to play Tetris--wish me luck!
The first thing I pulled out of the box was this gorgeous teacup and saucer. I have my great-grandmother's teacup collection and this little beauty will fit right in! It's so delicate and I love the shape and the colors. The next thing I opened was this adorable set of hand-sewn felt items for Miss Maren to keep in her purse: a cell phone, a lipstick (which Maren calls her "chapstick) and the cutest little compact! Seriously, folks, they're so dang cute that I had to restrain myself from stuffing them into MY purse. SO darling. Laurie also included some delish Caramelized Almost Ghirardelli squares (those disappeared fast!) and the prettiest little Italian hard candies.
Laurie also included a beautiful vintage hankie and some of her favorite recipes enclosed in this neat little bag sewn from vintage embroidered linens. She tells me that she found it already sewn up like that, so I wonder what its original purpose was? Interesting. Laurie knows of my love for red & turquoise together and she gifted me with the sweetest little red felt birdie! His wings and breast are done in the most perfect, delicate, vintage-looking red and aqua fabric. I should have taken a close-up photo--I am completely in love with the fabric! Laurie's construction and sewing is so beautiful, and I feel so lucky to have some of her work! I hung my little birdie from the fabulous red & turquoise yo-yo garland she sent me in November. And last was the awesome vintage gingham apron in the background of the pictures. It is all pleated at the top and has three rows of rickrack at the bottom. Turquoise, rickrack, and pleating--How could it be more perfect?
And now it's off to bed for me to catch 40 winks before I have to get up in the morning and figure out how to stuff 3 suitcases, 2 extended families' worth of gifts, snow clothing, enough snacks and DVDS to entertain a wild toddler for 10 hours, and an 80-lb. yellow lab into our Pathfinder. I did always like to play Tetris--wish me luck!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tagged by Rebecca
So apparently my new blogging schedule is once a week, on Wednesdays. I swear after Christmas I'm going to get back to blogging more often. I've just been ridiculously busy and I still haven't been able to shake the general bad mood that has been hanging around my head like a little black rain cloud these past few weeks. It's crunch time--we leave Friday morning to go out of town for a week to spend Christmas with our families. That means between now and I then I have to get us all packed, make sure I have enough gifts for everyone, locate and wrap all the Christmas presents I've hidden throughout the house, order and pick up Christmas card photos so I can write our cards while we drive, attend a church party tonight, and get the house ready to leave. I think I'm in denial over how much I still have to do and how little time I have left to do it in. Oy. So since I'm in denial and wasting my precious time by blogging, I present my Google Image Meme!
Age on my next birthday:
A place that I would like to visit:
One of my favorite places:
My favorite object:
My favorite food:
My favorite color:
My favorite animal:
Name of a past pet:
Where I live:
1st Grade teacher's last name:
My middle name:
A bad habit of mine:
My college major:
My favorite holiday:
And there you have it! Sorry the pictures are so tiny, I snagged them straight from the Google Image search page and I'm just too lazy to go back and get the larger images. You get the idea, anyway.
Age on my next birthday:
A place that I would like to visit:
One of my favorite places:
My favorite object:
My favorite food:
My favorite color:
My favorite animal:
Name of a past pet:
Where I live:
1st Grade teacher's last name:
My middle name:
A bad habit of mine:
My college major:
My favorite holiday:
And there you have it! Sorry the pictures are so tiny, I snagged them straight from the Google Image search page and I'm just too lazy to go back and get the larger images. You get the idea, anyway.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
My Holiday Home
First of all, five points to Jennifer for alerting me to my copy/paste error on the last post! When I read her comment and realized what I had done I laughed and laughed! Bet you all didn't expect THAT when you clicked on the link! (Incidentally, that is a link to something I sold on eBay recently--I bought the stockings at an estate sale and sold them for pretty good $$!) Hope no one was too scandalized! ;) I did fix the link so you can check out the cookie recipe now. And do check it out--those Lemon Meltaways were delicious!
I haven't blogged in a week. I just haven't felt like it; I spent all of last week feeling overwhelmed and cranky. I'm afraid not much about my mood has changed this week, although I really am trying to snap out of it. I let go of a few more things on my To Do list; they got moved to the January list and that's just going to have to be the way it is. I had this cute window treatment all planned out involving red ribbons, vintage cookie cutters and the Martha Stewart vintage-style utensil ornaments I schlepped all the way to Kmart for. I've come to terms with the fact that it isn't going to happen either, so rather than the January list, it's getting put on the December 2008 list. I'm disappointed, but trying to be realistic.
I still have two family members on my gift list that I have NO ideas for, and that is stressing me out big time. I really do love buying gifts and trying hard to think of something that the recipient will love. I try so hard to be really thoughtful about it, but sometimes that backfires on me and I end up stressed out and slightly frantic, like I am now. DH is out of the country and so I have been responsible for all the gift buying for both sides of the family, which is especially hard for me as they are mostly men. The men in our families are so hard to shop for (DH included). Women, I can do--I just buy them things that I would like! The men are a real challenge.
I did finally get the house decorated last Friday, and I took a few photos to share. You can also hop over to Karla's Cottage to see who participated in her "What I Love About My Holiday Home" party. Lots of gorgeous inspiration there!
This year I decorated my tree with all of my vintage ornaments. They look just like jewels nestled in all the sparkly aluminum goodness. So far both the dog and the toddler have left the tree alone and everything is safe. Let's hope it stays that way! Under my tree is the vintage felt & sequined tree skirt that Vintage Hunter kindly sent to me. In the left corner you can see my vintage wood sled with its new aqua & red Martha Stewart bow. In the right corner is a chair covered with a thrifted Christmas quilt and the darling little elf my mom gave me for Christmas last year.
This is the top of my china cupboard. I ended up with a red & silver theme this year, though it wasn't my original intent. It just happened but I really do love it! The wreath on the mirror is glittery and sparkly and was purchased 75% off at Michael's last year, and there's a sweet red cardinal on the top (he's from a garage sale this summer). The Santa is from an estate sale this summer. The glittery church is from clearance at Target last year, and the bottle brush trees are from Kohl's this year. I filled my (thrifted) silver champagne bucket with silk poinsettias, berries, and greens from an old centerpiece that I took apart.
Here is a closer view of the apothecary jar. It is filled with (thrifted) glittery silver ball ornaments. The glittery red key is from Wal-Mart this year, tied on with silver satin ribbon from my stash (which was probably saved from a gift). The sweet feathered bird perched on the top came from the same sale as the cardinal.
This is the centerpiece for my game table, which sits in front of the china cabinet. The glittery Santa is from Target clearance last year. I love him! He's sitting on one of my glass cake stands and surrounded by some of my favorite vintage red and silver ornaments and the other white feathered bird. When the afternoon sun comes in the window the glitter catches the light and he just sparkles like crazy! It's just beautiful. It's sitting atop a place mat I thrifted on Friday night. My mom has a set and I've always liked them. I went thrifting that night with place mats like this one in mind, so it was serendipity that I found one! Actually two--the one that is green with a red border is sitting on my kitchen island.
Please excuse the poor photograph on this one--it's impossible to get a good shot because you're shooting right into the sliding glass door beyond so it screws up the lighting. This is the entrance to my kitchen from my front room. I bought the green garland on super clearance at Target a few years ago. I don't know that I've ever used it, I just thought it would be a good thing to have on hand. I was right! If you click to enlarge you can see the lights. A few years ago I bought two sets of lights that look like vintage indent ornaments, also on clearance at Target. I've never used those either, as I just don't really have anywhere to put them. This year I figured out I could put the two together! Duh. :) I have no idea why but the string on the left has quit working. I may try replacing the fuse but other than that, I'm stumped. The silver star/snowflake things that are hanging down are really neat! I bought them in the same bag as the glittery balls in the apothecary jar. I had no idea what they were when I purchased the bag, but when I opened it up and discovered what they were I was thrilled. They are made of clear plastic and mylar and they unfold like those tissue paper honeycomb decorations. I absolutely love them!
I've had this set of Santa paper dolls for a few years--I think they were in my Christmas stocking one year. I always thought they'd be so cute to frame but have never gone through with it because of the ridiculous cost of custom framing. Somewhere in blogland this year I saw a garland strung across a window, hung with pieces of Santa's clothing. When I pulled out my paper dolls, inspiration struck! I have this mirrored faux-window in my entryway and I knew it needed something draped across it. I attached a few little Command hooks (LOVE those things) to the top and made a clothesline with bakers' twine and mini clothespins from my craft stash.
One last photo--this is what my Christmas tree looks like reflected in the window mirror. I wish I could better capture how colorful, sparkly and delightful it really is!
I haven't blogged in a week. I just haven't felt like it; I spent all of last week feeling overwhelmed and cranky. I'm afraid not much about my mood has changed this week, although I really am trying to snap out of it. I let go of a few more things on my To Do list; they got moved to the January list and that's just going to have to be the way it is. I had this cute window treatment all planned out involving red ribbons, vintage cookie cutters and the Martha Stewart vintage-style utensil ornaments I schlepped all the way to Kmart for. I've come to terms with the fact that it isn't going to happen either, so rather than the January list, it's getting put on the December 2008 list. I'm disappointed, but trying to be realistic.
I still have two family members on my gift list that I have NO ideas for, and that is stressing me out big time. I really do love buying gifts and trying hard to think of something that the recipient will love. I try so hard to be really thoughtful about it, but sometimes that backfires on me and I end up stressed out and slightly frantic, like I am now. DH is out of the country and so I have been responsible for all the gift buying for both sides of the family, which is especially hard for me as they are mostly men. The men in our families are so hard to shop for (DH included). Women, I can do--I just buy them things that I would like! The men are a real challenge.
I did finally get the house decorated last Friday, and I took a few photos to share. You can also hop over to Karla's Cottage to see who participated in her "What I Love About My Holiday Home" party. Lots of gorgeous inspiration there!
This year I decorated my tree with all of my vintage ornaments. They look just like jewels nestled in all the sparkly aluminum goodness. So far both the dog and the toddler have left the tree alone and everything is safe. Let's hope it stays that way! Under my tree is the vintage felt & sequined tree skirt that Vintage Hunter kindly sent to me. In the left corner you can see my vintage wood sled with its new aqua & red Martha Stewart bow. In the right corner is a chair covered with a thrifted Christmas quilt and the darling little elf my mom gave me for Christmas last year.
This is the top of my china cupboard. I ended up with a red & silver theme this year, though it wasn't my original intent. It just happened but I really do love it! The wreath on the mirror is glittery and sparkly and was purchased 75% off at Michael's last year, and there's a sweet red cardinal on the top (he's from a garage sale this summer). The Santa is from an estate sale this summer. The glittery church is from clearance at Target last year, and the bottle brush trees are from Kohl's this year. I filled my (thrifted) silver champagne bucket with silk poinsettias, berries, and greens from an old centerpiece that I took apart.
Here is a closer view of the apothecary jar. It is filled with (thrifted) glittery silver ball ornaments. The glittery red key is from Wal-Mart this year, tied on with silver satin ribbon from my stash (which was probably saved from a gift). The sweet feathered bird perched on the top came from the same sale as the cardinal.
This is the centerpiece for my game table, which sits in front of the china cabinet. The glittery Santa is from Target clearance last year. I love him! He's sitting on one of my glass cake stands and surrounded by some of my favorite vintage red and silver ornaments and the other white feathered bird. When the afternoon sun comes in the window the glitter catches the light and he just sparkles like crazy! It's just beautiful. It's sitting atop a place mat I thrifted on Friday night. My mom has a set and I've always liked them. I went thrifting that night with place mats like this one in mind, so it was serendipity that I found one! Actually two--the one that is green with a red border is sitting on my kitchen island.
Please excuse the poor photograph on this one--it's impossible to get a good shot because you're shooting right into the sliding glass door beyond so it screws up the lighting. This is the entrance to my kitchen from my front room. I bought the green garland on super clearance at Target a few years ago. I don't know that I've ever used it, I just thought it would be a good thing to have on hand. I was right! If you click to enlarge you can see the lights. A few years ago I bought two sets of lights that look like vintage indent ornaments, also on clearance at Target. I've never used those either, as I just don't really have anywhere to put them. This year I figured out I could put the two together! Duh. :) I have no idea why but the string on the left has quit working. I may try replacing the fuse but other than that, I'm stumped. The silver star/snowflake things that are hanging down are really neat! I bought them in the same bag as the glittery balls in the apothecary jar. I had no idea what they were when I purchased the bag, but when I opened it up and discovered what they were I was thrilled. They are made of clear plastic and mylar and they unfold like those tissue paper honeycomb decorations. I absolutely love them!
I've had this set of Santa paper dolls for a few years--I think they were in my Christmas stocking one year. I always thought they'd be so cute to frame but have never gone through with it because of the ridiculous cost of custom framing. Somewhere in blogland this year I saw a garland strung across a window, hung with pieces of Santa's clothing. When I pulled out my paper dolls, inspiration struck! I have this mirrored faux-window in my entryway and I knew it needed something draped across it. I attached a few little Command hooks (LOVE those things) to the top and made a clothesline with bakers' twine and mini clothespins from my craft stash.
One last photo--this is what my Christmas tree looks like reflected in the window mirror. I wish I could better capture how colorful, sparkly and delightful it really is!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
It's beginning to look a lot like...well, you know
I just got the final tray of Lemon Meltaways in the oven, and before I go roll the truffles I thought I'd pop in and post. I'm helping to host a baby shower open house tonight (which I swear I got shanghaied into--don't ask) so although my house looks like Santa's little helpers staged a walk-out, I'm baking instead of finishing the decorating and cleaning up the boxes.
I didn't get to decorate this weekend like I had hoped; instead, I spent seven precious, irretrievable hours of my life traveling to and attending the most ridiculous, waste-of-time training I've yet had the misfortune to encounter. {cue the "Better Off Dead" kid} I WANT MY SEVEN HOURS BACK! Thus, the Christmas boxes didn't start making it up the stairs until Monday and I'm still knee-deep in the mess. I'm enjoying the decorating process. I'm trying some new things this year and when it's all done I will take a few photos to share. The first thing I put up was my beloved aluminum tree, and I hung it with all of my "special" vintage ornaments. The sun came out yesterday afternoon and when it hit that tree and all of those ornaments they just sparkled like crazy. Honestly, it took my breath away! It is so, so pretty and it makes me happy to walk past it.
A couple of quick photos to share before I go back to the truffle mines: after I complained on Friday about the lack of interesting retail Christmas stuff this year, Sarah gave me a hot tip that Kohl's had some cute vintage-style decorations this year. I hopped over on Monday and she was right! They had a whole line of very pretty silver & aqua ornaments: kugels, glass glitter shapes, and beautiful glass shapes. Since I don't do a regular tree I passed those up but I did grab
these darling bottlebrush trees (60% off! Hooray!) and these cute little photo holders,
which were totally an impulse buy but I love them! I'm obsessed with little houses this year--can't get enough of them, so when I saw these cuties with their little bottlebrush trees, I couldn't resist.
Back to the kitchen for me! The truffles won't roll themselves. :)
I didn't get to decorate this weekend like I had hoped; instead, I spent seven precious, irretrievable hours of my life traveling to and attending the most ridiculous, waste-of-time training I've yet had the misfortune to encounter. {cue the "Better Off Dead" kid} I WANT MY SEVEN HOURS BACK! Thus, the Christmas boxes didn't start making it up the stairs until Monday and I'm still knee-deep in the mess. I'm enjoying the decorating process. I'm trying some new things this year and when it's all done I will take a few photos to share. The first thing I put up was my beloved aluminum tree, and I hung it with all of my "special" vintage ornaments. The sun came out yesterday afternoon and when it hit that tree and all of those ornaments they just sparkled like crazy. Honestly, it took my breath away! It is so, so pretty and it makes me happy to walk past it.
A couple of quick photos to share before I go back to the truffle mines: after I complained on Friday about the lack of interesting retail Christmas stuff this year, Sarah gave me a hot tip that Kohl's had some cute vintage-style decorations this year. I hopped over on Monday and she was right! They had a whole line of very pretty silver & aqua ornaments: kugels, glass glitter shapes, and beautiful glass shapes. Since I don't do a regular tree I passed those up but I did grab
these darling bottlebrush trees (60% off! Hooray!) and these cute little photo holders,
which were totally an impulse buy but I love them! I'm obsessed with little houses this year--can't get enough of them, so when I saw these cuties with their little bottlebrush trees, I couldn't resist.Back to the kitchen for me! The truffles won't roll themselves. :)
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