My 411...

Busy getting ready for this little pumpkin's 2nd birthday...how can that be?...

Also, trying to remember the reason for the season and that it is not about the "rat race" but about family, and friends and slowing down to savor the time we have so generously been given!

I am happy to say though that my Christmas cards are done and mailed...whoo hoo! That is always a huge stress -er for me!? Why...?!...anyhoo...I am also happy to report that my shopping is done too! I feel great having accomplished both of these projects!

Hope to be back soon with more pictures and posts but like I said, I hope to just slow down and enjoy...no "half-tos" this month!

Blessings to you all...hope your Season is off to a great start!

DIY Chord Cover

OK, you know you're cheap when you make your own chord cover! I love the way chord covers look...who wants to see a pesky chord from a lamp, yuck...I usually buy mine at HL but they are costly, $20.oo usually! I decided late one night to whip one up for myself with some scrap fabric I had...I just cut a skinny, long, long piece (so there is plenty of fabric to "scrunch" ) and used my glue gun to glue around the chord (not too tightly though), when I was done I just scrunched the fabric all up...I love it and so easy!

Perfect Pumpkin Cookie...

The perfect Pumpkin cookie...this is to die for...complete with caramel frosting. The kids and I made these a few days ago..., makes close to 50 cookies, can freeze them too! Yummy, yummy! I listed the link below to see the recipe...enjoy! These would be great as part of your Thanksgiving dessert buffet!

www.focusjennie.blogspot.com/2009/10/worlds-best-pumpkin-cookies.html

Introducing...

Town & Country by Fitz and Floyd...

My new Christmas china...Fitz and Floyd's Town & Country.

I found it at TJ Maxx a month or so ago...it was/is crazy inexpensive!

Example...the soup tureen (my fav) retails for $296.oo, it was $29.00!

Salt and Pepper Shakers were $2.99 for the set! The pitcher was $12.99! They had several other pieces that I passed up and now I want them and have been making daily stops into both TJ Maxx and Marshall's...I'll probably never find it now!

I love that it does not "scream" Christmas (since the rest of my house will!, ha!) but it's pretty and fun and has touches of toile...well, need I say more?! I also like to mix and these are simple enough to mix in other patterns for fun too! I LOVE dishes and can justify buying them all the time, it is really quite sick, ha, ha...Bryan and I have two other Christmas sets - one from his Grandmother that I love but it just is not practical for everyday...the other is Royal Hunt by Noritake, which I have never really loved, we got it when we were married and Bryan really loved it...so, I continue to hunt and to get more and more excited about the "Christmas Holiday"

as Charlotte calls it...cute! Do you have Christmas dishes? And hey, if you see any of these plate -buy them...I'll pay to ship and the cost of the plates and I'll send you something fun too!!!!

TomKat Studio...

Do you need some super-cute and original gifts this year? Of course you do! Or maybe you just want to have the "perfect" gift tag...maybe you are looking for a precious birth announcement, party invite or cute cupcake toppers for your Holiday parties! Visit TomKat Studio's blog to see her beautiful work, I have been following her blog for awhile and am smitten with all she creates. She is very talented and has all her goods for sale in her Etsy shop too! So go shopping, promise you'll love it all, I do...and Bryan if you are reading this I want her green frame with white Hydrangea flower for Christmas (as conveniently pictured above, ha!)!!!!! Smooches.

http://www.tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/

1, 2, 3

1..2..3 oh, how I love thee!

Things continue to be busy but I believe I have met my Christmas card deadline to order (today!)
Big Boy has his "Harvest Party" at school so that will fun...I also have a sitter for 4 glorious hours today...I will be having lunch with a friend and doing some shopping and then off to the party to help the other two Room Moms.
Tonight, Bryan and I will attend the Notre Dame Naval and Marine Corps Ball as guests of some friends...so that should be a great "date night"...

Whatever your plans...have a great weekend!

Picture...?

Christmas card this year...?! Yes,? No? Maybe black & white...? We usually just do the kids but have so many friends/family that don't see us very often and would love a "family" pic...I can't decide...Either way, I have narrowed the card down to a few choices and have given myself until Friday to decide and order, I swear, those cards will be in the mail by Thanksgiving if it kills me! Why do cards stress me out so much...yes,I know MUCH bigger things in life to obsess over!