whatever

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.

decorations are going up all over the house.
i think i am close to finished.
did you notice my crazy reflection in the first photo?
i am wearing orange…how christmas-y…
and i was bending all crazy to get a straight shot.
i am goofy like that.

i have been searching for inspiration and ideas
for something different or whatever catches my eye.
i went through my magazine collection and pulled out every december issue.
from years and years back.
does anyone else do this?

i got the boys these shirts…
“my brother is the naughty one”
they were just too appropriate.

today was a good day.

i had a dentist appointment early.
i had no cavites.
that is a big deal.
so big.
it’s never happened in my 32 years.
woo-hoo!
so i could breathe a huge sigh of relief and leave without having cried.
i almost always cry at the dentist.

then i got to hang out with my friend jill and watch her make jewelry.
she even brought me a coffee…mmm.

our local bead store is so pretty.
the colors and details and big beautiful paintings.
it doesn’t feel (or look) small town at all.
and i like that.

melissa has me featured on her blog today for my craft space!
i do love that craft room.
it’s such a mess right now.
christmas gifts everywhere…
fabric pulled out of every box and thrown all around…
sewing stuff all over.
total mess.
but what a neat thing to be included in.
thanks melissa.
i’d love to hear from all the new visitors…leave me a comment!
do it for melissa.
we’re virtual BFF’s don’t you know?

i finished off my good day with a peppermint shake from sonic.
i am a sucker for seasonal drink items.
you should hear me order at starbucks.

and now my husband is home from his 2 day business trip.
all is right in my world.

i have been busy busy in the craft room the past few weeks.
and will be for a few more weeks.
3 years ago i made stockings for my family
and then i made them for my sister’s family.
since then she’s had another baby.
her baby maya is over 1 year old now…
so she needs a stocking.
this is what i sent.

sewed on lots of buttons…a jingle bell trim and a fluffy messy trim over that.
the back side is black & white polka dot with pea green pom pom trim.
the white velour cuff was made from my old navy hoodie
that i spilled coffee on too many times
and got too small…
because i shrunk it in the dryer.
yeah…that’s it…i shrunk it in the dryer…it had nothing to do with the sizing.
ha ha

i just love to get crafty.
i was so happy to be making that stocking because i was enjoying the process.
it feels good to work with your hands
and create something unique.
don’t you think?

sean and i realized at prayer time tonight
it is exactly 3 weeks till christmas today.
wow…i have a lot to do.

one tradition we have…
picking a special ornament each year.
in the beginning…i would pick it.
something to represent a milestone in their life for that year.
but then we had 5 kids.
and i couldn’t think of good ones anymore
and they were hard to find.

now i just take them all into target and let them pick whatever they want.
only one.
and course they like this much better.

but now instead of pianos or bicycles or baby shoes
we have years of batman, disney princess and star wars.
and that’s okay.
i wish i had a care bears ornament from 1983.
or barbie or cabbage patch or rainbow brite.

here are some the picks for 2007

nothing says christmas like tie dye and spiderman.

love this one.

this was too fun.
not the fighting and arguing part…but the project itself.
so much fun.

i commissioned a friend who is known for her gingerbread making skills
to make the house pieces for me.
i wasn’t feeling brave enough to take that on this year.
she brought us the house in pieces…mmm…smelled so good.
while the kids were at school i built the house and tiled the roof with rice chex.
i could have easily sat and done the entire house
all by myself.
i was having a blast.

it’s a good craft for all ages.
but i think next time i will have more than one house
and everyone will have their own frosting.
sharing is a hard concept.
(at least for my kids)

it is pretty sweet.
literally.

friday night dinner with the family at our house this time.

just before they needed to hit the road the little girls jumped in the leaves.

these girls don’t get to do the trampoline leaf jumping at home…

the night set in.

we said goodbye.

we said goodnight to our kids.

and this is what we woke up to.

just 12 hours later.

isn’t a snowball fight more fun when you get to throw them at your grandma?

**edited..i know the color looks funky on the recent pictures.  it’s just that i am so used to my own computer and setting that everything else looks different.  i heard that my computer is fixed an should be home tonight.  i may give it a welcome home party.  i should start making it a cake right now.***