a few of my favorite things!

It's been a tough few weeks to say the least!  ...so, I figured I need to make a list of some things I am grateful for, happy about and feel blessed by!  (in no particular order, either!  :))

• my God and my faith...
• our tradition of seeing the nutcracker again this year...it seemed particuarly great today!
• hot cocoa afterwards with friends where we watched our daughters dance like little sugar plum fairies all through starbucks!
• a roaring fire, sitting by the light of my beautifully "perfect" Christmas Tree
• the amazing smell of my aspen candle
• the homeade wrapping paper that my kids created
• the elf on the shelf who continues to surprise and delight us each day!
• that at 38 my mommy is still my mommy...even if she too confused to know right now!
• snowflakes today...finally feels "Christmas-y"
• my friends...simply put - they are ANGELS in my life!
• Caramel Brulee Lattes from Starbucks - yum!
• my comfy, cozy bed...
• the sheer delight of seeing christmas thru my babies' eyes!
• my church
• that my sweet bryan is on vacation for the nest two weeks...can't wait to be together!
• brunch with santa (tomorrow)

I think thats it for now!

Merry Christmas

Hello!  I have missed you...my blog has fallen wayside to caring for 2 very ill parents who have both been hispitialized over the last month.  To say things have been crazy in an understatement!  I am trying hard to keep it all together and be what everyone "needs"...Mom, wife, daughter,sister and friend but I am failing I am sure...I thank God for this season of grace and beauty and celebration of our Savior's birth!  There is no better time in my eyes, to forgive, to love, to have compassion and gladness, to give to eachother and to look ahead with hope and excitement and anticipation for a new season of health and happiness and renewals...I wont be around much these next few weeks here on my blog, chances are I am trying to prepare Christmas in spite of feeling most "un-Christmas"...but my babies deserve the very best I can give them so I will turn my focus to them...

Blessings to you all this Season! xo

Frames with Friends

Some girlfriends and I stayed up way too late a few weeks ago...we had a ball,of course!  We had decided to get together and do make picture frames as  Christmas gifts!

I love pictures and I love frames and I love "crafting" and making things...I have seen frames very similar in stores,mostly small shops for $35 and up...we knew we could do better than that!  Plus, I think its more meaningful when the gift comes from the heart!

Not the best pictures of the pictures:)  but you get the idea...

So fun to personalize with a "blingy" initial, a cross or an old brooch...we have been collecting lots of goodies and ribbons and frames to make a really fun gift!  :)

Blessings friends and family as we head towards Thanksgiving...I am bound and determined to have all of my shopping done by next week!  Wish me luck!!!!

Baby Stella

My beautiful friend Gindy had a baby girl last night!

Stella Lee Weaver...

I am over the moon excited!  I love babies and I love Gindy and her sweet family - she did not find out ...boy or girl, so that make her news all the more exciting!

Gindy has wonderful style...we met through mutual friends years ago and we were kindred spirits from the get go...we love to shop and decorate and antique...

we love wine and good food and a great candle :)

So, in honor of she and baby Stella I wanted to show you a few quick pics I took on Halloween of her nursery...I just love how it turned out!

of course, these pics don't do it much justice but it is lots of neutral colors...with a silver-gray paint on the walls...all white linen bedding and lots of special, precious touches!

And now...she gets to throw in lots of pin:)

Her son Harper also has a handsome new "big boy" room...

See what I mean...?!  Great style....

This was Gindy (on the right obviously!  :))

on

Halloween passing out candy!...

Congrats sweet friends

 Gindy, Brian and Harper and Baby Stella...

so happy for you all!  We love you-

Tablescapes...

There are few things I love as much as Holidays....but prepping and planning and the anticipation is just as wonderful if not more so!

I love any reason to use my silver and old linens from both sides of our families...I love my white ironstone and brown and white transfer ware and the opportunity to set a beautiful table,prepare a special meal and "deck the halls"...

This was a Thanksgiving table from a few years ago...

(my little pilgrim girl!  )

 Do you spy what doesn't belong in this picture?!  :)

 

We always write a few things we are thankful for....this particular year we hung them on Kraft tags from the chandelier along with vintage Thanksgiving postcards I have....

Such a happy time of year!



Posterity Picture

Wanted to make sure I had a "Halloween Keepsake" on my blog....

a family picture of us all dressed-up!

Harry Potter, Friendly Witch (her black cat), Peyton Manning and his on field referee:)

Seems Like Halloween was now weeks ago...with Thanksgiving so close and Christmas right behind....I am excited and every year I swear I am going to squeeze every last second of Christmas fun out of the Holiday but yet I feel behind even before it has started...silly I know.

Less than 50 days....

Halloween #1

We are knee deep in Halloween celebrations here this weekend that is also our Fall break! 

 Halloween was a one day/night event when I was little and now the celebration lasts for weeks it seems!  We had great weather last weekend and were able to attend our neighborhood party just for an hour or so but its always nice to be close to home and see old friends/neighbors and meet some new families too!  The highlight for the kids is the hayride through our neighborhood!  Lots of fun-

13 years

Happy Anniversary to my sweet Bryan!

Truly...every girl should be so lucky!

Oct. 17, 1998



Halloween Smoothie

My kids love Smoothies!

...so... I made them ..."Halloween" smoothies for a fun after school snack!

Very Easy...

Banana, Mango, Yogurt, Milk, Crushed Ice...blend!

Top with spooky sprinkles!

(I try to sneek in flax seed or protein powder when I can too ;) )

Puma Paw Print

My baby girl is so proud!

She earned her FIRST Puma Paw Print at school...

This is apparently a very big deal - when you are recognized for being an "exceptional" student or doing something really, really "good"...

She has been wanting one and was so happy to get her paw print!

Oh, the simple joys in life...I pray she will always be "exceptional", really really "good" and strive to be her very best Charlotte!

and just because I love this picture of my sweet, sweet girl...

We are so proud of you Charlotte!

You have Puma Pride! :)

A glimpse...

I thought it would be fun to post some random pics from my Iphone....they are not great in terms of quality but they are fun to just catch a quick glipse at life with the Joneses' of late!  Here we go...

 I'm singin in the rain...

 Charlotte and Lily...little ballerinas

LOVE this pic...Christian's "make, take & bake apple" bag from school!

Packing for my 20th HS reunion :)

Hilltopper (reunion) cupcakes!

My FAVORITE pizza ever...I ate alot of it when I was home :)

Old friends are the best friends!

My dad and his best friend...they go back to their college days!

Me and my Mama

"Shoogie" with 2 of her grandbabies...

The Spooky Village...my kids ADORE this...comes out earlier and earlier each year;)

Uh oh,....the mice have arrived too!



Glimpses of Fall

Happy Fall Friends!