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.

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.

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.

i am not one for ladies activities.
i don’t enjoy singing carols in a group
or skits or costumes….
but i do like to decorate.
this is my table at our church’s ladies tea.

and i like yummy food.

and tea is okay too.
(but it’s not coffee…or even close)

there were 27 tables.
all different.
all very pretty.

it was very girlie.
(as you can see…my table could win a prize for tallest table decoration…ha)
it was fun to get all that stuff together.
to finally use some of my red christmas dishes.
and finding enough santa mugs at the anitque store.
thanks mom for sending the vintage tablecloth….i hope you don’t want it back.
i like it too much.
i was remembering the last time i went to a ladies tea.
remember jenny?
talby was a teeny tiny baby.

and i was also cracking up during the program thinking
“Men would NEVER do this”
and that’s why i am glad i am not a man.
among many many other reasons.