whatever

we got some snow.
the kids immediately wanted to go sledding.
this year i went…just for the pictures.
i haven’t gone for years.

as soon as we got out the car
i remembered why i don’t go sledding.
i hate being cold.
oh my goodness it was cold.
but i got annie to the top of that hill and then she was hooked!

after 15 minutes her little pink cheeks couldn’t take it anymore.
and i was right there with her.
i was done being cold.
we sat in the truck watching everyone go up and down again & again.
we were warm.
but i really needed some hot coffee.

i am so glad we had snow.
it feels like christmas when it comes in december.
the bad part of snow….

i found these at an antique store.
they are mini’s.
i love the boxes.
i almost didn’t hang them because i like the boxes so much.
but they found a spot on the tea party tree.
the tree is not old but looks like it could be.
the pea soup green is so christmas-y.

i love the old cracked color on the glass.

view from the top of the stair way.
that table is looking very bare…

did anyone who asked about the letters craft…
actually make the craft?

we got lots of snow last night.
we have gone sledding already.
i am off to take a nap…the perfect thing on a cold day.

i made these stockings a few years back.
i also made other stockings before that.
then my tastes changed and
i didn’t want the old ones anymore.
and to be honest…i made these for a friend’s booth at a craft fair.
she called me and said “i feel soooo bad. your stockings didn’t sell.”
i was so happy.
i said “oh GOOD! send them back please!!!”
i had enjoyed making them so much and was so sad to send them to her.
it was meant to be.

the kids all want the leopard one.
the cuff has real mink from a sweater my great aunt gave me…
it was full of holes but it had a real mink collar!
it’s hard to see the detail in this photo – sorry.
and the white embroidered linen is from my high school graduation outfit
from Express.
it was very pretty…and tiny.
tiny enough that i would never ever dream of wearing it again.
from back when i was cool…
and 99% of my clothes weren’t from wal-mart.
wait i guess i wasn’t cool…
it was just that my mom bought my clothes for me.

and the chenille stocking is from an old bedspread.
i loved that green silk with the pink dupioni.
and you can never go wrong with pom pom fringe.
that’s what i always say.

the green toile…i really like.
it’s kind of a funny green.
and it’s a weird shaped stocking…
but i like it that way.

the polka dot is actually sheer material with dots (sewn over green)
from our old shower curtain.
i loved that shower curtain.
i put it in the dryer….duh…it was half it’s size.
so now a piece of it is on my mantel
and my sister’s mantel.
and that green silk i love.
i want a whole chair in that…or at least a pillow.

but this one is my favorite.
it’s made from a rugby style shirt that i really liked.
it was from target…so maybe you had the same shirt.
and maybe you still do.
it had a white collar and i washed it with reds so the collar turned pink.
and i also put it in the dryer.
i know…it’s a problem i have.
i just have too much laundry to not ruin several things a year.
the cuff is from the same martha bedspread i used for my foyer curtains.

about my sewing…
i don’t know how to read patterns.
i just cut out the shape i want and start sewing.
i have to rip out and start over tons of stuff but for the most part…
it has worked for me.
so that’s why they are all different shapes and sizes.
they are free hand creations.
too much fun.

and by the way…
i love hearing from all you new visitors.
and old friends too.
thanks.
i am glad you are here.

some shots from around the house.
the house seems so much prettier at christmas.

something different this year.
craig said it looks “very narnia”
he’s right.
i was inspired by this.

i showed this before…
but the first one was for someone else.
and mine is just the vintage paper and the letters – no color.
i love how it sparkles.

ready for santa.

these are my nativity mice…mary & the wisemen.
(the purple mouse had a gift but one of my kids was too curious)
my great aunt and her sewing group made these.
they are so precious.
the detail…tiny little beads and sequins.
pretty amazing for her 90+ years

enjoying a cup of coffee…reading a magazine…
this is my favorite spot.

this year we got an artificial tree.
our first one.
we bought it from our neighbors when they moved.
and it’s nice…but it’s not real and there’s no doubt.
it doesn’t really matter right?
i have to keep telling myself that.
but…if better homes and gardens calls…
(a girl can dream)
that tree is out of here.

i know, know…
it’s what’s on the tree that matters.
and the tradition of decorating it.

this is our star for the top.
we’ve had it a long time.
then a few years ago…i was tired of it’s plain silver paint
so i got out the glue gun and the box of sparkly stuff.
it’s crazy looking but i like it that way.
the tree is for the kids and i think this screams “kids”

this is my favorite ornament on our tree.
my great aunt (who is now 97 years old) made it when i was little.
she made many different ones.
she still sews handmade felt crafts with her sewing group.
but i am always drawn to this cat and the pink ice cream cone below.

we cut big snowflakes and hung them all over.
the kids’ handmade ornaments are always so sweet.
pipe cleaner snowflakes…beaded candy canes…foam gingerbread men
i miss our illinois church’s christmas craft day.
every room in the church was set up with different craft ornaments
for kids to make…all provided and ready.
our tree would be bare without it.

and who doesn’t love sock monkeys?

even though the tree is fake…
it looks beautiful with this little darling in front of it,
waiting to go to her christmas program.

oh what fun we had….
glittery craft supplies
yummy snacks
and apple-tini’s.
it was a good time.

i love an excuse to go shopping for crafts.
and to get the house pretty.
and to make apple-tini’s.

i found this craft here.
i was so excited that our Joann’s Fabrics actually had these letters.
(except i had PEACE because they only had 5 Y’s)
i hit the scrapbook store for the papers.
it was a great shopping day.

all of our banners were different and each so cute.
we had fun making them…
but it was never about the craft.

you can’t beat some quality girl time.
i’m already excited for the next one.

if you wake up planning to go shopping all day
and your entire town is covered in ice
and your husband calls and tells you
“do not drive here…it’s too dangerous!”
what’s a girl to do?
pout? i did for awhile.
go anyway? i almost did…
but the thought of that phone call from me stuck in the ditch was too much.
so i put on my best clothes…

and started baking.
if you are going to make these you must wear furry slippers & sweat pants
and if you have a christmas apron…put that on too.

okay…these brownies are my most favorite christmas treat.
i look forward to december because of these.
i don’t know why i have never made them any other time.
it wouldn’t feel right eating this in july.
my mom has made these as long as i can remember.
where did you get his recipe mom?

i have seen this popping up in magazine ads but i doubt it compares to mom’s.
it’s on the side in the album of recipes.

gather your ingredients.
unsweetened baking chocolate…don’t worry there’s lots of sugar too.
butter, eggs, flour and sugar

melt the chocolate and butter together over low heat.
just the smell of this alone will bring your family into the kitchen…
‘what are you making mom?”
or as annie yelled “SNIFFFF…What dat ‘MELL?!”

once it’s melted, turn off the burner
and add in the beaten eggs.
and then stir in the sugar.

pure sin….

add in the flour
and find a good helper to lick the beater while you pour it in the pan.

you should line your pan with foil and spray it.
(and you should move your coffee cup before taking a picture…)
if you are looking closely…you probably aren’t
but if you are you’ll see i am using a 9×13.
i double this recipe always because they are so good.
but the recipe on the side is the 8 x8 version.
bake it for 20- 25 minutes at 350.

and look…i don’t even have to wash any dishes.

after they cool…you make layer #2.
basically just green mint frosting.

and spread it out on the brownies.

than you make layer #3.
the last layer…that makes it so good.

melt more chocolate…but this time semi-sweet baking chocolate.
and butter.
pour it over the green frosting and tilt it till the whole pan is covered
in a sweet very thin blanket of chocolate.
oh…YUM!!!

put this in the freezer for awhile…
as long as you can wait.
when the top layer is frozen it’s easier to cut.

cut them into small squares…these are even bigger than i normally cut.
they are rich so too much is too much.
then grab a tin and load them up.

i prefer them in the frigerator or freezer.
i love cold chocolate…is that weird?
but you try whatever you want.

we listened to charlie brown christmas music while we baked these.
on pandora…i just typed it in.
that site knows everything.

and i must confess…
just so you don’t think
that i think i am some amazing cook…
i had to throw out the first batch of brownie layer#1.
i mixed up the sugar and flour amounts.
and the night after i made the chicken enchiladas…
i burnt our entire dinner.
like really bad.
so….i am no chef.
i just like to bake and cook and i like to share my favorites with you!

i hope you like these and they become a tradition in your home too.
i will enjoy sneaking one many times a day a week
when walking through the kitchen.