Friends, Fun and Family...

Happy Post Christmas Madness...

I feel like I have so much to recap from the last week...overwhelming...I am pooped and just finished a very fun day of skiing with my family!  We have had a wonderful break...filled with so much fun...we made so many happy memories.  A highlight was seeing some friends who drove-in for 24 hours for a quick visit.  They used to live here and moved about 2 hours away...we miss them aloft and were able to get lots crammed in the time...swimming and pizza at their hotel pool, girls shopping, adults only dinner out and I hosted brunch for a few of their/our friends...the kids were all able to play and were very excited waiting for Santa's arrival later that night...we just feel so lucky to have so many special friends that we spent the holiday with when were not able to be with family!

Be back soon to recap both my boys' birthdays, an overnight to Chicago, day trip to my parent's and Christmas Eve Nativity...then Christmas Day and the ski trip we took today!  We look forward to a relaxing last few days of break...

4 more days

The anticipation is building....

Do you feel the magic....?



Piano Recital

Charlotte and Campbell have been playing piano for about 6 months now...last weekend they had their very first recital and it was beautiful!  They were both nervous but so brave and played so well...we are SO proud of you both!  We love you so much and thank you for adding music and joy to our hearts everyday!

Leaving home...

 Charlotte went first of the two (#6 out of 19 kids)...other than a little hair in her face that slowed her start she was fantastic!

Campbell's turn!

Her Daddy and our sweet neighbor who attended gave Charlotte flowers...she loved it!

Then it was off to a reception...it was a very special day!

Let it Snow...

We are currently under a winter storm advisory...could see up to 2 feet of snow!  Everyone is excited and it feels like Christmas!  We have had a very busy first week of December...here is it is in bullet points!

• Tree bought and decorated
• House inside and out decorated
• Advent Festival and hanging of the greens at Church
• Class field trip to a local performance of Christopher's Christmas
• School fundraiser "Winter family Craft Night"
• 8 hour day spent Christmas shopping...95% done...wooo hooo!
• Charlotte's dance company's performance of the Nutcracker...next year she will get her first part !  :)
• Many mugs of hot cocoa consumed
• Secret Santa gifts purchased for school and Church for community friends in need
• Rehearsal for Church Christmas play niext weekend
• Piano recital today for Charlotte and Campbell...first one, everyone is nervous!
• 3 dozen "Rudolph" cookies baked for said recital

Still lots of fun and to do's in front of us...including Christan's 3rd birthday and party, Christmas cards, parties, wrapping, and hosting my ladies circle for brunch this week!  Of course this is all material....what really matters is the reason for the season, our Savior!  I feel especially blessed to have a warm home, a family that I adore, friends and so much to look forward to!  Hope your holidays are too, blessed!

Feast

Wishing you and all your little Pilgrims and Indians a very

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Charlotte's Feast at Woodard Preschool

Nov. 24, 2010

Seasonal table

Since I am full-on decorating mode I thought I'd share another table idea...this is simple, you probably have it all on hand and it can be adapted to any season really....

 

Just start with a big tray, I used silver.  Then put some tall flowers on it (I used Paperwhites), a few pillar candles and one tall taper in a silver candlestick... and then just starting adding in and on...berries, branches, fresh Pine and Boxwood I also used fresh oranges and grapefruits.  I added in sparkly silver ornaments that caught the light and reflected candlelight in the evenings.  After Christmas, I just take the ornaments out and it a nice

Winter-y arrangement that lasts all season!  And since I can never leave well enough alone I added more silver and more candles around the tray.  I am always playing and tweaking!  Happy decorating!

Snow

We had our first snow last weekend...the kids were thrilled and I have to admit the first of the season is always exciting...and I went to a friend's open house/party Friday night as it snowed and she had her house all decorated for Christmas!  She is a talented friend and designer...it all looked beautiful...it was the perfect start of the season!

  Before it started to stick...

Early morning sunrise...fresh fallen snow!

It was back into the 70's this week but will be cold again for the weekend...

I did get some Christmas shopping done, Christmas card photo shoot, ordered cards, and will start to bring out the decorations this weekend too!  I am so excited!!!  And, as not to forget about Turkey Day...we have ordered our smoked turkey from Tyler, Texas....YUM!

What are you working on?  Are you feeling festive yet?



Thanksgiving Brunch Table

I am starting to play around with tablescapes for Thanksgiving...I wanted to show my table from last year.  It was an extra special Holiday as we were so "thankful" that my older brother was able to join our family for the long weekend...we don't see him often.  We actually went out (gasp!) for the big dinner but I hosted a delicious, all homemade, brunch the day after Turkey Day, which is kind of a fun twist I think. 

 I used a mix of brown and white transferware as well as all white transferware set a top silver and gold chargers. Do you see our S&P set...?  A very special unique tranferware pair I found in an antique shop in NC...I love them!  On the other side I used a white set of turkey S&Ps that I have had since our first year of marriage. I used Ralph Lauren gold velvet mats and matching napkins tied with chocolate brown organdy ribbon.  I tied on a delicate hand blown glass pine cone ornament as a favor.  I loved how it caught the light and sparkled.  Do you like my daughter's contribution...the silver EGG she placed in the cranberry dish?  5 and she loves to set a table like her Mama!  Our silver is Melrose by Gorham - still love it after 12 years of marriage and we use it pretty often,not just for special occasions.  Fresh "fall" flowers were the centerpiece - I added pheasant feathers for added texture and again, tied on an oversize gold acorn with the same ribbon. I used small mercury glass votives as well as a pair of silver candlesticks that were a wedding gift.

 

Everyone got a card to write what they were most grateful for...and then hung them with gold silk ribbon from the chandelier...see what Charlotte's gratitude card read...BARBIES!....aww, love it.

 

So, what are your table ideas this season...?

I am linking back to:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Go visit for great table ideas!

3 little punkins'...

dressed as...

Superman, a Peacock Fairy and a Re-con Commando soldier.

I think Halloween is the new Christmas...it was a jam-packed, sugar filled 5 days...very fun, very memorable, very exhausting!So long October, hello November!

spooky





happy halloween!

tootsies and jeans

Love, love my new polish color....LOVE it...

and my most comfy jeans from White House Black Market...

(even if they do have paint spills all over!

so, just for fun...if you want to leave a comment

tell me your fav polish color and your fav jeans...would love to know!



Giddy Up

we were invited to a friend's first birthday party...a rodeo/cowboy theme...so cute.  they live out on acres and acres in the country...it was a great party and since i love a theme...decided at the last minute to "wrangle" up (ha) some cute tees for the kids....

i took a blue tee that christian l aready had and cut a red bandanna with pinking shears...just cut a big square and wait for it...HOT GLUED it onto the tee...then i did the same with a fun michael miller fabric that was vintage cowboy...just cut he fabric a bit smaller and blued it on top of the bandanna.  it has been washed and worn a few times now and has help up great, i love the way the edges look frayed and worn in...

the birthday boy received some 'cowboy-ish" little golden books and a tee (not glued but done by a proffesional tee lady person off etsy...)  a cute cowboy with his name on it...all tucked in a blue cowboy hat and tied-up with cellophane and a red bandanna...did i mention i love a theme?!

charlotte's tee got a similar look...but hers was a hot pink bandanna with a sequined "c" on top ...can you spy it?

it took all of 15 minutes to whip up both!  perfect for cake, pumpkin painting and outside play...

my pumpkins

Happy Fall my little Pumpkins...

october

happy Halloween month...

we are busy here baking and cooking, dipping apples, crafting (the frame I made), and picking pumpkins!  we are decorating and prepping for my third annual Halloween swap - this year's theme is SPOOKY

can't wait to share spooky sips, sweets and savories with my friends this week...

Apple Picking

There are few things I love more about the Midwest than Fall...and experiencing it with my kids of course!  I went with Charlotte on her class field trip yesterday and it was a wonderful and beautiful day!

I love you apple of my eye...

Donut Birthday

Never to early to start planning a party in my book...If I had more time and money and hands, I am pretty sure I would have reason to celebrate at least a few times a week...

So, with both my boys having December birthdays I try and get their part-planning done early - on to control my stress level!

While I was at this great paper shop a few weeks ago downtown Chicago, I found the cutest invites that were primary colored polka dots and stripes, they open and hold a picture of your birthday boy/girl...I wasn't sure how I'd use them but I knew they would be cute for Christian's 3rd Birthday, so I bought them...
And, I think I have found my theme!...A donut party!  It will work great w/ the circles, who doesn't like donuts and it happens to be one of Christian's foods...go figure.  I also love to host parties for kids early in the day...they are happy, not ao tired, no one is napping and typically it is just easier.  I thought it would be fun to have all the kids (and parents too if they wanted) to wear their PJs and then in lieu of presents, I would ask them to bring a new pair of PJs and or book to benefit the Pajama Project as seen here: http://www.pajamaprogram.org/ - .


This party is my inspiration  as featured by Christi at P is for Party her site is filled with cute ideas!

http://pisforparty.blogspot.com/2009/06/delectable-doughnut-party_08.html

What do you think?

Last on the List...

Well as we "officially" say good-bye to Summer I wanted to share a few pictures of one of the last things we did on our "Summer Fun To Do" list...a lemonade stand!  Charlotte wanted baked goods too and chose to donate her profit to our Church.  She made about $16 - (we had a few high-tipping  neighbors!)  and we did let her keep a few dollars for her efforts.  She was kind enough to let her baby brother hangout with her too!  Kudos to her Daddy for making all the cookies and Brownies and lemonade, while I was laid-up in bed the day after my Wisdom teeth were pulled....I know they are mine and I biased but are they not the cutest?!  Now, off to get the Halloween decor out...

Bento

Do you what a Bento is/means? (see link below)...

I had no idea, until tonight...when I came across this blog....I am smitten!...I am on a personal quest to get my kids to eat better, to eat more healthy, to try new things.  I want to make their lunches more appealing, more efficient, and more exciting.  I am the first to admit, I have failed my kids in this department.  I don't buy alot (like hardly ever any) junk...I buy mostly Organic and all-natural when I can.  I rarely buy anything with HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup)...occasionally, yes, as a treat they will get "junky" but I have never wanted to reward bad eating habits with junky foods.  But, where I seem to fail is letting them get-away with not eating what I prepare for a meal, not trying new things and "snacking/grazing" all most all the time. My kids also fill up on milk...they love it and I probably let them drink too much of it.  So, I have decided to change the obvious and also come at things from a different angle and I think this Bento just might be the trick...or a good start anyway...let me know what you think...and I would love your "healthy eating" ideas and suggestions!

http://www.anotherlunch.com/p/faqs.html

MomAgenda-For Sale

Would anyone be interested in a brand-new, never opened MomAgenda; the Mini Daily in the Zebra print?!  (see the link below)

www.momagenda.com

I have mistakenly wound up with two and will sell it for $25 (paid $42), free shipping.  Let me know and I can send you a PayPal invoice. 

This is like my third or fourth year using the MomAgenda, they are great!  Spots for your kids/activities, menu plan, etc...check out their site - lots of fun things!

Stages

First year of travel soccer...

Last year of Preschool...

In between toddler and full-fledged little boy...

I love each one of you so much I think my heart might burst most days!  I  am so proud of all of your accomplishments and the wonderful little people God has created you to be...

Love, Mama

Stuff

Hello friends...so this what we have been up to lately...well that and lots of travel soccer and getting one more little one back to school...lots of activities and potty-training too.  The potty-training was actually quite easy and it is DONE, very exciting.  The bathroom renovations...not so much.  Seems we encounter one problem after another and of course there is never enough time to work (as Bryan plans to do most of it himself...Good and bad!?!)...and I find myself in a strange place...for the life of me I cannot make a decision to save.my.life!  So, not "me"...I am overwhelmed with all the choices...I can see what I want, just having a tough time bringing it all together right now.  I have Christmas on the brain and am already stressing about not wanting to stress this Season...to start the shopping and cards early, the same song and dance every Season for me.  And just for one last "bitch"...my teeth (3 weeks post-op) are still hurting, I make a daily, yes, daily trip to the Oral Surgeon to have my packing changed....ugh.  Really, who has time for that?  It hurts when I exercise, bend over and pretty much eat.  Fun!  So, I have not felt much like blogging of late.  Lots on the brain, as always, lots of ideas and a "to do" list a mile long.  Hoping to feel more settled that Charlotte is back in school 4 days a week...we'll see.  So, what are you up to?